Se connecterIRIS POV:“We have troubling evidence,” one of the Lycans said, sliding a thick folder across the table toward Aurelian. “Documents showing unauthorized movement of resources from our territories into Virex holdings. Funds rerouted. Agreements broken. This looks like a deliberate power grab, Aurelian.”The second Lycan nodded, his voice cold. “We expected better from you. If this is true, it’s a direct challenge to the balance we’ve maintained for decades.”Aurelian leaned back in his chair, completely calm, looking bored. He flipped through the documents without hurry, then set them down.“This is a frame,” he said boldly.He turned to me, then to Nicholas.Nicholas smiled a little and looked away. That was the confirmation Aurelian needed.“Someone went to great lengths to forge these. The signatures are wrong. The dates don’t match any of my records. This is amateur work at best.”The first Lycan’s eyes narrowed. “You deny it?”“I don’t deny that someone wants me to look guilty,” A
IRIS POV:My eyes opened slowly, and I was in Aurelian’s apartment, the soft sheets tangled around my bare legs.I looked around. Aurelian wasn’t there.Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes.I swung my legs off the bed and padded barefoot to the bathroom.The shower was huge, with floor-to-ceiling glass that fogged easily. I turned the water on hot and stepped inside, letting the steam wrap around me. The heat soothed my sore muscles as I tilted my head back under the spray.A soft click echoed through the bathroom.Someone had opened the room door.My heart jumped. I froze, water cascading over my shoulders.I quickly finished rinsing, turned off the water, and grabbed a towel. Wrapping it tightly around my body, I wiped a small circle on the foggy glass and peered out.It was Aurelian. He stood there calmly, holding a sleek black dress on a hanger in one hand. The fabric looked expensive and elegant, with a dangerous neckline.I opened the door a little wider, water still dripping from my h
IRIS POV:“I am sorry,” I whispered, still holding the edge of the door to his office.Aurelian turned slowly, facing me. His eyes softened when they landed on my face.“Don’t say that, Iris,” he said. “I understand. You had to do what Fiona would have done.”I nodded.“But you played the role too much,” he laughed.“Stop it, Aurelian. I am serious.”“Still… I’m glad you’re here now,” he said. “Come in, there’s something I need to tell you.”I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. Aurelian walked around his desk and leaned against it, crossing his arms.“There’s a private meeting tomorrow,” he said. “Only a few of us will be there, two other Lycans and myself. Nicholas will be there as the Dark Moon Pack Alpha, though I am not fully sure of the reason for the meeting yet.”He paused, studying my reaction.“I want you there with me, but… you may need to play Fiona again.”My heart skipped. Play Fiona again? After everything?I stared at him, my fingers tightening around the edg
IRIS POV:I took a deep breath. My hands started trembling slightly at my sides, though I tried to hide it. Aurelian could surely spot if I was lying, so there was no point hiding anymore. Aurelian needed to know the truth, or at least most of it.“I left the house after talking to my mom,” I started. “I climbed out the window so she wouldn’t follow me. I drove to the south side, to that abandoned building I overheard your men telling you about on the phone. The one with the underground access.”Aurelian listened without interrupting. He kept his eyes fixed on me.“I parked a little away and watched. There were black cars and eight huge men. They spotted me. I panicked at first, but then I remembered I looked like Fiona. So I acted like her. I smirked, spoke coldly, and they bought it. They called me ‘Madam Fiona’ and took me inside.”I told him about the abandoned building, the rusty elevator that opened into luxury, the long hallway, and the men escorting me to the room. I described
FIONA POV:“Iris… they… they betrayed me,” I whispered, my voice cracking even though I hated how weak it sounded.I sat up straighter on the bed, pulling the sheets around me like they could protect me from the memory. Cassian sat beside the bed, watching me with those calm, dark eyes. He didn’t speak. He just waited.“I always thought I could read people,” I continued, shaking my head slowly. “I thought I could read their faces. But something about the way Iris looked at me… the way her mom touched my cheek and cried… I saw truth there. Real tears. Real pain. I believed it. I let myself believe it.”I swallowed hard, the humiliation burning in my chest again.“I’m shocked I couldn’t see that it was a setup. I fell for it completely. I cried in that woman’s arms like a stupid child. And then they stood behind the glass laughing at me, mocking how emotional I was. Iris smirked and shook her head like I was pathetic.”Cassian stayed quiet, letting me talk. His face showed nothing, but
IRIS POV:“Where’s she?” I growled, my voice shaking with anger.Aurelian’s smile didn’t fade. He tilted his head slightly, looking at me with calm curiosity.“Who exactly is that?” he asked.The rage that had been building since then exploded inside me. I swung my hand again, aiming for another slap.Before my palm could connect with his face, Aurelian caught my wrist in mid-air. His grip was firm but not painful. He slowly brought my hand to his cheek and rested it there, holding it gently against his skin. His eyes never left mine.“This is the first time I’ve ever been slapped by a lady, you know?” he said, his voice low and almost amused. “And it actually hurt a little.”I tried to pull my hand away, but he kept it pressed to his cheek for a second longer before finally letting go. My palm still tingled from the first slap.“Where’s Fiona?” I demanded, breathing hard.Aurelian’s smile vanished instantly. His brows pulled together in genuine shock.“What do you mean?” he asked, hi
IRIS POV:The car rolled to a silent stop in front of the mansion. Tall iron gates, floodlights, and two rows of guards in black uniforms stood at attention along the driveway. Aurelian pulled his white shirt back over his shoulders but left it hanging open, the fabric clinging to his sweat-damp c
IRIS POV:I didn’t get to answer.Aurelian’s mouth was on mine before the last word left his lips, no hesitation. His hand cupped the back of my neck, pulling me into him as he walked me backward through the quiet corridor. My spine hit the cool marble edge of the wide sink counter, the white porc
IRIS POV:My mother was dressed neatly, bag on her arm, her good shoes on.She looked at me properly, then crossed the room and kissed me once on the cheek."Hold your head up in there," she said quietly.Then she picked up her keys and walked out the door, and I heard her car start and pull away f
IRIS POV:We were still upstairs going through my wardrobe when I heard the front door open downstairs.My mother's voice called out from the hallway."Iris? Sarah's car is outside, are you both home?""Upstairs, Mum," I called back.Her footsteps came up the stairs, and she appeared at the bedroom







