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
I nod. “For free. Of whatever you want.”“Why the hell would I want a portrait?”“Because a ‘Flora’ original is going to be worth a fortune someday,” I reply, not caring how haughty I sound at the moment.The Beta stares at me, clearly not buying it. I don’t blame him, of course; lying to Arthur is
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
“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