“Children don’t eat on furniture,” Mrs. White cuts me off, raising her hand to stop me. “And pizza is very unhealthy.”I blink. “It’s not like it’s an everyday thing,” I say slowly. “And Miles is very neat when he eats. You can put a towel down if you’re concerned, but he won’t make a mess.”The nan
IrisAlice and I pull up to the event, which is situated in one of the historic halls in downtown Ordan. Glittering chandeliers hang from the ceilings, their glow reflecting off the polished marble floors. Ordan socialites from all backgrounds mill around in expensive gowns and tuxedos, sipping cham
I hesitate, glancing toward the bar. Alice, noticing the exchange from afar, lifts her glass and shoots me a wink. My cheeks flush as I accept, and we move to the dance floor.Surprisingly, Hunter keeps a respectable distance as we begin to dance. His palm presses into mine, his fingers gently curli
Iris & ArthurIrisArthur’s mouth is warm and soft against mine, but his kiss is insistent, hungry, needy. His lips move against mine with a hot, heavy fervor, as if he needs the taste of me to keep on living.I don’t think. I just move, pressing more firmly against his body. My head drops back, giv
Arthur stares at me for a moment, his breath warm across my face in the cramped closet. Then, without a word, he turns and rushes after her, likely to do damage control.Once I’m alone again, a soft whimper escapes my throat before I can stop it. I lean my head back against the wall, staring up at t
IrisWhen I finally work up the courage to emerge from the coat closet, I’m both surprised and relieved to find that the event is going on just the same as it was before. The walls aren’t burning down and no one looks at me as I make my way back to the main area, so I suppose that means that whateve
When I burst into the apartment, Miles is still sitting there, staring at his plate of plain vegetables and steamed tofu. The sight breaks my heart, and I whirl toward Mrs. White, who’s sitting in the armchair in the living room with her arms folded and a smug expression on her face.“He wouldn’t—”
IrisOnce we’re alone, I turn to Miles. He’s already back to being his usual smiley self, happily eating his sandwich and munching on his apple slices. The sight makes the ice around my heart melt just a little, and I ruffle his hair as I move past him.I pour him a glass of milk, then one for mysel
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
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