Chapter 238 The Biscuit

Chapter 238: Chapter 238 The Biscuit

By the time the conversation in the hospital room faded, Alpha Killian raised a hand and knocked before stepping inside.

Eira turned, puzzled. "Did you forget something?"

"I need you to confirm when you’re flying back to Palo Alto."

He could have sent a text. Instead, he had walked all the way back to ask her in person.

For a moment, Eira felt like the one in charge of their arrangement.

"The day after tomorrow."

Alpha Killian gave a quiet hum and nodded to Miss Gwen.

"Good night."

Then he left without looking back.

Eira stared at the door for a moment before picking up her phone. She transferred him a thousand dollars, his agreed daily rate.

A thousand dollars was probably less than what moved through his accounts in a single second.

She kept staring at the payment confirmation until exhaustion pulled her into sleep.

Alpha Killian accepted the transfer.

A car was waiting outside the hospital. He folded his tall frame into the back seat while Barry slid behind the wheel. Kate sat in the passenger seat and glanced at him through the mirror.

Barry caught the dark look on his face.

"Trouble, Alpha? Did Eira ruffle your fur?"

Kate tried not to smile.

Alpha Killian met her eyes in the mirror."Book my flight back to Palo Alto for the day after tomorrow. You and Barry stay here for two more days. Once Sam is stable and settled, bring him home."

"Got it," Kate said.

Barry glanced at him."Okay, seriously. What happened?"

Alpha Killian gave him a sideways look.

They were employer and employee, but they were also friends. After a moment, Alpha Killian told them what he had overheard outside Eira’s room.

The short version was simple. Eira believed he was helping her because she was his client and Lila’s best friend. She had no idea how he really felt.

Barry shrugged. "If she doesn’t see it, that’s your problem."

Alpha Killian’s stare turned colder, but he did not argue.

"I’m afraid she’ll run."

Kate nodded. "Given everything she’s been through, I wouldn’t bet against it."

"You’ve been playing the long game for a while," Barry said. "It’s not working. She thinks this is all about the contract and Lila. You need to change tactics."

Alpha Killian said nothing.

"Stop hiding behind business," Barry continued. "Make it clear that your feelings have nothing to do with the contract and nothing to do with your sister. She needs to know you want her for herself."

Alpha Killian already knew Eira felt something. He had seen it in the way she looked at him, in the way she reached for him when she was frightened.

She simply did not dare believe that he could truly want her.

Barry was right.

It was time to stop waiting.

Alpha Killian remained silent, but the air inside the car seemed to grow warmer.

Over the next two days, Sam continued to improve.

He no longer flinched whenever Barry entered the room. Sometimes, he even mumbled, "Dr. Wood."

Barry had earned that trust.

Watching Sam relax around Barry eased Eira’s mind.

She paid Barry’s medical fee in advance.

Barry glanced at Alpha Killian.

Alpha Killian gave him a small nod.

Barry accepted the payment with a grin. "Appreciated,Eira."

Their flight to Palo Alto was not until the following afternoon, so the group drove to the Omega Home that evening.

Several trucks lined the driveway. Under the floodlights, workers unloaded crates and carried them into the main building.

Miss Gwen watched from the side, pleased but uneasy.

The donation was made in Alpha Killian’s name, but it went far beyond supplies. He was paying for repairs to the heating system, dormitories, kitchen, and medical room. He had also hired two doctors, one for the children’s physical health and another for counseling.

It was generous. Thorough.

Almost too thorough.

"Killian," Miss Gwen said carefully, "this is far more than we expected."

"The children needed it."

"That still doesn’t explain all of this."

Alpha Killian glanced at Eira before answering. "Consider it an investment in the future."

Eira knew the truth. He had chosen the Omega Home because it mattered to her.

Miss Gwen knew it too. Today, the donation looked like a blessing. She only hoped it would never become a debt Eira had to repay.

Alpha Killian seemed to read the concern in both their faces.

"I’m only building up some good karma," he said. "This isn’t about Eira."

His words eased the tension in Eira’s chest. Whatever he truly meant, he had said it in front of everyone. He could not turn around later and demand payment.

Before she could thank him, a group of children came racing around the corner.

"Eira!"

Eira crouched and opened her arms. The children crashed into her, piling against her from every direction. She nearly fell backward, but Alpha Killian stepped behind her and steadied her with his legs.

For a second, she stiffened. Then she laughed and wrapped her arms around the children.

They talked over one another about school, games, snacks, and bunk-bed arguments. Eira listened to every story until Miss Gwen called from the hallway.

"Bedtime!"

The children groaned.

Eira would leave for the city early the next morning, so she hugged them one by one. Their faces fell when they heard she was leaving again.

"Ellie, we’ll write you letters," one of the older children promised.

"Deal."

A little boy pointed at Alpha Killian. "Who’s he? Where’s the other guy?"

"The other guy was bad," Eira said. "He isn’t allowed here anymore."

The children nodded solemnly.

"No bad guys allowed!"

"What about this one?" another child asked.

Eira stood beside them. "He’s my friend."

"Your boyfriend?"

The questions exploded.

"Are you getting married?"

"Will there be cake?"

"Do we get candy?"

"Can we have a party?"

Eira opened her mouth, but Kate beat her to it.

"Of course there’ll be cake and candy at the wedding."

The children accepted that immediately and began whispering excitedly.

Barry folded his arms. "Marriage? Slow down, kids. They don’t even have a date."

Miss Gwen started herding everyone toward the dorms.

"Come on. Say good night."

The children shuffled away, waving over their shoulders.

Then a little girl broke away from the group and ran back. She pressed a warm, homemade biscuit into Eira’s palm.

"Rae. Eat."

Her cheeks turned bright red before she spun around and ran after the others.

Eira looked down at the biscuit.

Miss Gwen smiled. "The kitchen made those this morning. I’d bet she saved it for herself as a late-night snack."

Eira’s expression softened.

"She saved it for me."

Alpha Killian’s smooth voice came from above her.

"Rae?"