IrisThe amusement park is a riot of color and noise, families milling about and the sounds of game machines whirring through the air.Miles is perched on top of Arthur’s shoulders high above the crowd, his face is split in the widest grin I’ve ever seen.I can’t help but smile.As we make our way t
He’s staring at me. Intensely.I almost tell him to stop staring, but I don’t—because there’s something in his gaze that gives me pause. Something soft and tender, similar to the look on his face when he was gazing at that painting earlier. Something that reminds me of the man I once loved.It makes
IrisBy dinnertime, Miles is bouncing with energy from his nap. We take our seats at the dinner table, digging into a saucy pasta dish with glistening chicken breast and vibrant vegetables. Miles happily twirls his pasta around on his fork, his tongue stuck out in concentration.For a few moments, w
The next morning, after a sleepless night of tossing and turning and mulling over what to do regarding Miles and Arthur, I get dressed to go to Marsiel Gallery. I have a meeting today to finally sign my patronage contract, which is a welcome distraction from everything else. Miles will be spending t
IrisI consider turning around and leaving the bar, but Arthur spots me before I have a chance, andwaves me over. Partially driven by curiosity and maybe slightly driven by the mate bond tuggingon me insistently, I sigh and make my way over to him.“Iris,” he says, standing as I approach. He pulls
“I did it because I love your work,” he says calmly. “Iris, sit down. You’re drawing unwanted attention.”I scoff, refusing to sit. “Fuck your attention. And I’m calling bullshit, because if you even understood the nature of my work, you would have known better than to use your wealth and status as
IrisI’m frozen as the car barrels toward me. Frozen in space, time, body. The driver is slamming on the brakes, the air filling with the sound of tires screeching, but there isn’t enough time for the car to stop before it hits me.All I can do is wait, bracing myself for impact. And all I can think
“Likely story,” I snort, trying to stand. But Arthur grabs my wrist and pulls me back down.“I’m serious, Iris. I only ever loved you. I was going to tell you everything, but you ran off and I couldn’t find you, no matter how hard I looked. I thought you took money and went and had an abortion.”For
IrisThe doorbell rings at precisely eight o’clock. Miles, already dressed and eating cereal at the kitchen table, perks up. “Is that Daddy?”“Not this time,” I say, checking my appearance in the hallway mirror. I’ve dressed casually today—jeans and a nice blouse—but I still feel nervous. There’s so
It’s stunning.In each space, staff members greet us. They seem to recognize me, but none of them comment on the situation.“Everyone is so friendly,” I note as a housekeeper curtsies slightly before continuing with her work.“They’ve been waiting to meet you for twenty-six years,” Caleb says. “When
IrisI stare at my reflection in the full-length mirror, barely recognizing myself. The sapphire blue dress hugs my curves perfectly, flowing in a silky cascade to just above my knees.Unlike the emerald dress that was destroyed at the gala or the stuffy outfit from the photoshoot, this one actually
Climbing into my car, I start the engine and peel out of the alleyway, my knuckles white on the steering wheel. Maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe Caleb really was just being nice to make up for spilling coffee on her.But that doesn’t explain the dress. That sapphire blue dress she showed me—I recognize
Iris & ArthurIrisThe shopping bags rustle as I shift them in my arms, stepping out of the taxi in front of my apartment building. My head still feels foggy, like I’m walking through a dream—or maybe a nightmare. I keep replaying Caleb’s words in my mind: You’re my sister. You’re a werewolf.How am
“Alright,” I finally agree. “I won’t tell anyone, but only for a few days. This is too big to keep from my mate for any longer than that.”Caleb smiles, looking relieved. “Thank you.” He glances down at my coffee-stained blouse and winces. “I’m sorry about that. Let me make it up to you.”“It’s just
IrisI blink, surprised by Caleb’s presence. His expression is unreadable as he carefully dabs at my shirt, but there’s something in his eyes—a strange intensity that makes me uncomfortable. It’s the same look he gave me at the hospital when we first met.“Actually, I’ve been hoping to run into you,
While Arthur dresses, I slip out of the bedroom. Miles is in the kitchen now, standing on his tiptoes trying to reach the cereal boxes on the top shelf. Scout curls around my legs, crying for his breakfast too as I make my way over to Miles.“Here, let me help,” I say, retrieving his favorite cereal
IrisSunlight streams through my partially open curtains, painting warm stripes across the tangled white sheets. I wake slowly, my body pleasantly sore in ways I haven’t felt in years. An arm is draped heavily across my waist, and for a moment, I’m disoriented—and then the memories of last night com