IrisI blink at my phone screen, my thumb hovering over the article that’s just popped up in my notifications. The headline makes my stomach drop: “Famous Artist Hunter Maverick’s Secret Family Revealed?”There’s a photo beneath it—Hunter, Miles, and me at the Abbott Gallery presentation yesterday.
IrisMy face burns hot as the fans stare at us, their cameras in hand. I glance at Hunter, who looks just as stunned as I feel. For a long, awkward moment, there’s nothing but silence.“Please?” the girl asks, shaking her phone slightly. “Your relationship is so cute!”“I—we’re not—” I stammer, pull
“Arthur, about those articles—”“I don’t want to talk about that right now,” he interrupts, standing up abruptly. “I have a lot of work to do tonight.”I watch him gather the contract papers and his laptop, heading toward his office without another word. The door closes behind him with a soft click
IrisSeeing them together breaks my heart all over again.Arthur stands tall next to Selina, his hand resting on the small of her back as they chat with a small crowd of admirers. His Alpha President smile is perfectly in place, the one that graces magazine covers and campaign posters.Selina laughs
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I bite out.She cocks her head like a bird studying its prey. “Oh, but I do. I know that Arthur isn’t going to give up everything for you. His presidency, his reputation, his future. You’re just an unfortunate human mate to fulfill his bodily needs. But I’
Arthur & IrisArthurI watch Iris rush out of the gallery, and something inside of me snaps. The pain on her face, the tears in her eyes—all caused by Selina’s lies. By my weakness in letting this charade continue for too long.No more.I stride back into the main gallery, looking for Selina. She st
Iris & ArthurIrisSuddenly, as I’m reading the legal letter, a sharp knock at the door breaks through the silence. I fold the letter quickly and tuck it into my dress pocket, then open the door without checking first—a mistake.Selina is standing there.“We need to talk,” she says, pushing past me
I shake my head, refusing to believe her words. “You’re lying. Arthur loves Miles.”She tilts her head in an almost feline fashion. “Keep telling yourself that.” Selina tucks the document back into her purse. “But ask yourself why he never told you about Miles’ true nature. Why he let you believe yo
“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
IrisMy hair is swept into an elegant updo, not a strand out of place. My makeup is flawless but subdued, emphasizing my cheekbones and brightening my eyes without looking too dramatic. The dress is a conservative knee-length sheath in navy blue, with a matching blazer that nips in at the waist.The
“What do you mean?”“I’ve arranged a photoshoot and interview. For both of us.”I blink at him, stunned. “A photoshoot? You mean... like for a magazine?” My mind flits back to all of the magazine covers with Arthur and Selina—the perfect poses, the pretty smiles, the flawless makeup.Arthur nods. “A
IrisI scrub the serving dish harder than I should, hardly even noticing as the scrubber leaves scratch marks in the ceramic.The dinner was a disaster. Not just the burnt roast—although that certainly didn’t help—but the whole evening. Leonard and Wendy might as well have worn signs around their ne
Mother scoffs. “I’m not impressed. Maybe if she weren’t so preoccupied with that hobby of hers, she could actually focus on what’s important: her family.”“Painting isn’t a hobby,” I counter. “It’s her profession. And she’s damn good at it. You saw her work.”Father scoffs. “It’s derivative at best.