IrisI almost expect Selina to shove me into oncoming traffic or something else that’s equally insane, but to my surprise, she smiles. Perhaps a little too widely, but it’s a smile nonetheless.“Flora! Just the person I wanted to see.”Before I can protest, Selina wraps her arm around my shoulders,
“Lack of media training?” I ask.She nods. “Yes, well, it’s not like you were born in a high-profile household like me, so it’s not really your fault that you didn’t receive the proper training in how to act in public.”“Are you calling me a rube?”“No, no!” Selina laughs flippantly, waving her hand
IrisFor a long moment, I just stare at the television, completely dumbfounded.“It appears that this new artist, who calls herself ‘Flora’, has a bone to pick with our lovely Luna-to-be,” the news anchor says, shaking her head with a sigh. “I mean, what could she possibly dislike about Selina?”The
I have to protect him. And I’ll do whatever is necessary to keep him safe.Suspiciously, Arthur doesn’t come home all day or evening, and I don’t hear from him once. By the time I’m putting Miles to bed and I still haven’t seen or heard from Arthur, I’m beginning to wonder if he’s with Selina.I kno
IrisArthur swings open the front door to reveal an older woman with graying hair standing in the hallway.“Mrs. White,” he says, stepping aside and gesturing for her to enter. “Please, come in.”The woman shuffles into the foyer, clutching a small duffle bag to her chest. She stops in the center of
Arthur’s eyes flash slightly at the mention of Selina, but his voice is calm as he replies, “Mrs. White is aware of the situation, and has promised the utmost discretion. Furthermore, I can pay her even more to split her time between our homes should you choose to move. But if it were up to me, you
IrisThe next morning, I’m holed up in my studio again, finishing up the static television painting. Miles is playing on the floor by my feet—he’s barely left my side all morning, too shy of the new nanny to be alone with her.Not that I can blame him, nor do I mind. It’s nice to hear him talking to
Sighing, I turn toward the studio again, not really in the mood to deal with her antics. But as she opens the door to Arthur’s room and steps inside, curiosity takes hold of me, and I can’t help but follow her. I pause in the doorway, finding her rifling through his closet.“What are you doing?” I a
IrisThe doorbell rings at precisely eight o’clock. Miles, already dressed and eating cereal at the kitchen table, perks up. “Is that Daddy?”“Not this time,” I say, checking my appearance in the hallway mirror. I’ve dressed casually today—jeans and a nice blouse—but I still feel nervous. There’s so
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