I suppose it doesn’t matter at this point if I back out or not, since that clause will still prevent me from leaving the country with Miles for a year regardless. Unless I get legal help, of course. Which I will. Once I earn enough money.Still, I have no intention of using Arthur’s money for anythi
IrisArthur leaves after that, which is both a relief and a disappointment for reasons I’m not sure if I’m ready to admit. Miles is happily playing in the guest bedroom, so I leave him be and head straight to my studio, ready to get to work.Over the next couple of hours, I slip back into my groove.
“But Augustine—”“Go away, Selina!”I blink, surprised. She thinks I’m… her? I don’t think I sound like Selina at all. “I’m not Selina,” I reply quickly. “It’s me, Iris. Open the door and see for yourself.”There’s a pause, and I think she might finally oblige. But she doesn’t. Rather, I just hear t
IrisArthur’s arms are warm and comforting around my body. He holds me with such ease, the curve of my waist fitting perfectly against his chest. For a moment, we just stare at each other, and he doesn’t put me down right away.To say that I feel attraction to Arthur right now would be an understate
But I know that spite won’t help either of us, no matter how angry I am over his actions. And besides, he’s an Alpha; they’re practically hardwired to try and hold onto what’s ‘theirs’, and hearing his fated mate say that she had other lovers might just piss him off royally.Even if it didn’t make h
IrisIt’s late, and I’m still up reading. The crickets are chirping outside, the room illuminated only by the faint glow of the lamp on the bedside table. Miles is fast asleep beside me, curled up beneath the covers.I started reading the book from the beginning, since I forgot most of the plot. I f
“That’ll be fifty dollars and thirty-two cents,” the cashier, a grouchy-looking old woman with wispy white hair, says without looking at me.I dig into my wallet for my card and swipe it across the card-reader. It declines.“Strange,” I say, swiping it again. I know I have enough money in my account
Iris & ArthurIrisThe Beta stops in the middle of the sidewalk, his shoulders tensing. I storm toward him and grab his arm, forcing him to turn and look at me.“He told you to follow me around, didn’t he?” I growl, folding my arms tightly across my chest. “How long have you been following me, hm? H
“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
“I want to taste you,” I whisper, pushing him gently onto his back.Arthur’s eyes fly open, watching as I move down his body, placing open-mouthed kisses along his chest and stomach. When I take him into my mouth, his hand flies to my hair, fingers tangling in the strands.I remember what he likes—t
Iris“Do you want some wine?” I ask, locking the door behind us. The apartment is quiet, just the soft hum of the refrigerator and Miles’ nightlight spilling into the hallway from his partially open bedroom door. Emi was waiting for us when we arrived, and quickly left once she saw Arthur enter behi
“To new beginnings,” Arthur says softly, clinking his glass against mine. I smile and take a sip. The champagne is crisp and cold, bubbles dancing on my tongue. I lean back on one elbow, gazing up at the mural again.“You know,” I say thoughtfully, “I’ve always loved that this mural shows humans and
Iris“Careful, step up here,” Arthur murmurs, his hand firm on my lower back as he guides me forward.The blindfold is soft against my face, blocking out all light. I’ve been wearing it since we got in the car twenty minutes ago, and my curiosity is killing me. Where on earth is Arthur taking me?“A
The interviewer takes notes, then turns to me. “And now you’re raising your son together. How has that transition been?”“It’s been wonderful having Arthur in Miles’ life,” I manage. “Miles adores him.”“I imagine it must be quite the adjustment, suddenly being thrust into the public eye as the Alph