LOGINI can hardly believe it. Before my friends can say anything else, I squeal and throw my arms around them both, jumping up and down. Liam and Brian and the twins are the one major thing I’ve missed dearly since leaving Bo’Arrocan, and to find that they’re finally considering living in Ordan full time
“On schedule, believe it or not,” I reply. “The Bo’Arrocan branch is finally running smoothly, and the Ordan location just graduated its first class of seniors. Six of them got full scholarships to prestigious art schools.”“That’s amazing, Iris.” Alice squeezes my arm. “You’ve created something tru
IrisFive Years Later…“Fifty years of marriage, and they still make each other laugh like that,” Arthur says, appearing at my side with two glasses of champagne. He hands me one and clinks his against it, and we watch as my parents twirl on the lawn, my mom throwing her head back at something my fa
“Gee. Thanks,” I manage to laugh weakly. “I’ll see you all next week.”“You most certainly will not,” Arthur, Hunter, and Alice all say in unison, making me roll my eyes.Outside, Arthur’s car is waiting, parked haphazardly half on the curb. He must have driven like a maniac to get here so quickly f
IrisEight months later…“And that’s why the colors on this side of the color wheel are considered ‘cool’ colors,” I explain to the class of children sitting in a semicircle around me. “They remind us of water, ice, and the sky.”I’m demonstrating on a large color wheel chart when a sharp pain rips
And through it all, Augustine’s breathing grows slower, shallower.Then, quietly and calmly, she goes.Her hand turns limp in mine. The steady beeping of the heart monitor flatlines. The doctor steps forward, checks for a pulse, then shakes her head.“Time of death, 10:47 AM,” she says quietly.I br
ArthurI don’t know how many days have passed. Two? Three? Five? All I know is that my mind is a blur, that I’ve lost all control. My wolf took over that night when Veronica beckoned to me, and I haven’t come out of that haze since.Veronica is all I am. Her scent. Her touch. Her voice.“Mate. Mate.
It’s like watching my life become a soap opera for all to speculate and obsess over.By the fourth day, I’m almost used to it. Almost.I take extra care getting Miles ready for school, even packing all of Miles’ favorite foods in his lunchbox. He’s been asking about Arthur nonstop, wanting to know w
IrisI wake to the sound of my phone buzzing beside me. Bleary-eyed, I fumble for it on the nightstand, almost knocking it to the floor.“Have you seen the news?” Alice’s voice comes through the moment I answer.“I just woke up,” I mumble, sitting up in bed. Arthur’s side remains untouched, and the
I shake my head. “Nothing, I’m afraid. But I’ll do whatever I can to assist the investigation.”The detective nods, then excuses herself to continue her work. As soon as she’s out of earshot, Ezra leans in.“Alpha,” he whispers, “that sapphire—”“I know,” I cut him off. “But we don’t say anything ab







