IrisI stare at my phone for the hundredth time, checking for messages or missed calls from Arthur. Nothing. Not a single word since he rushed out during dinner last night.So much for family time. So much for “let me prove it to you.” Just another broken promise to add to the pile.Miles finally fe
“Iris,” Arthur breathes, his eyes widening. “What are you doing here?”I hold up the flowers awkwardly. “I heard about Selina. I wanted to… I don’t know. Pay my respects? See if you were okay?”Caleb looks between Arthur and me, his expression darkening. “So this is the human,” he says, with a dismi
IrisI nearly choke on my coffee when the news segment begins the following morning.“Breaking news in the Willford family scandal,” announces the reporter, standing outside what looks like an enormous mansion. “DNA test results confirm that Selina Willford, the former fiancee of Alpha President Art
His little face scrunches in thought. “Oh. That’s sad.”“It was, sometimes, but not always. But I’m thinking we could bring them some cookies and maybe some toys. Would you like to help me do that?”He nods eagerly. “Will we see your old room?”The question catches me off guard. I hadn’t thought abo
IrisThe Ordan Central Orphanage looks smaller than I remember, or maybe I’ve just grown since I was last here. The once-vibrant red bricks have faded to a dull rust color, and the front garden, which Headmistress Giulia used to maintain so meticulously, is now overgrown with weeds. Several of the w
I shake my head. “I shared this room with five other girls. We didn’t have much privacy, but we became like sisters.”“Do you still keep in touch with any of them?” Arthur asks.“No. We all scattered after aging out. Different cities, different lives.” I run my hand along the windowsill, noticing a
IrisArthur arrives at exactly nine o’clock the next morning, looking remarkably different from his usual polished self. Instead of his customary tailored suit, he’s wearing worn jeans, a simple gray t-shirt, and work boots. His hair isn’t perfectly styled—even that single curl is visible across his
My throat bobs. That was… unexpected. But it’s touching, if I don’t let my mind wander into the darkness and assume he’s just doing it for brownie points. The genuine look in his eyes makes me believe he’s being serious, though.“Okay,” I say with a nod. “If anything comes up, I’ll do my best to exp
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