All Chapters of Too Late, Alpha: The Mate He Never Wanted: Chapter 141 - Chapter 150

Iris’s POVEric took my elbow gently, pointing toward the raised platform at the front of the hall where some chairs had been arranged. “You’ll sit with me up there. It’s where the honored guests sit.”I glanced at the platform. It was where Rowan, Asher, Lucas, and Jeremy were all supposed to sit as well.“I don’t think that’s necessary,” I said hesitantly. “I can just sit with Shane and Jasmine—”“Nonsense,” Eric interrupted smoothly. “You’re leaving with me today. It’s only right that you sit beside me for the farewell gathering.”He looked at me with such hope in his eyes, that I felt myself hesitate.“Eric—”“Please, Iris,” he said quietly. “Just this one thing.”I glanced at Rowan, who was still glaring daggers at Eric. Then I looked at Shane and Jasmine, who both had identical frowns on their faces.But Eric was looking at me like this mattered to him, like it was important.I sighed. “Fine.”His face lit up. “Thank you.”As Eric turned to lead me forward, I saw Shane and Jasmi

Iris’s POVEric’s hand tightened on my back. “What’s he doing?” he muttered under his breath.I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as I unconsciously stepped forward, drawn toward Rowan like a magnet.Rowan’s eyes were fixed on mine as he stepped forward slowly. The crowd parted for him automatically, pack members stepped aside as he moved through the hall with purpose.“Rowan,” Chloe’s voice called out from somewhere to my left, shrill and demanding. “What are you—”“Not now, Chloe,” he said firmly, still walking toward me. His tone left no room for argument.My pulse was racing. My hands were shaking. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears.What was happening?Rowan reached where I stood, then he stopped. He was close enough now that I could see the muscle tightening in his jaw, the way his hands were clenched at his sides like he was holding himself back from doing something.For a moment, we just stared at each other. The rest of the hall faded away. We weren't pa

Iris's POV“Iris,” Rowan said again, softer this time. He took a step closer, and I felt my breath catch.Eric’s hand tightened on mine. “Don’t listen to him. Whatever he’s about to say—”“Let her make her own choices,” Rowan interrupted, his eyes never leaving mine.The hallway suddenly felt too crowded even though it was just the three of us. From behind Rowan, I saw Lucas and Asher securing the door to the main hall to prevent anyone from coming out.Rowan took another step forward. “I need to say something. And I need you to hear it before you leave.”“Rowan, don’t do this,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “Please.”“I have to,” he said simply. “Because if I don’t say it now, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”Eric tried to pull me away, but I planted my feet. Something in Rowan’s voice made me want to stay, even though the other part of my brain was screaming at me to run.“I spent ten years lost,” Rowan said, his voice rough. “I told myself that duty was enough. That I didn

Iris’s POVThe woman he loves.Did he just say that?I stared at Rowan, unable to breathe or even think. All I could do was stand there as his words echoed through my mind.Eric was the first to break the silence. “Love?” he scoffed, but there was something desperate in his voice now. “You barely know her. You’ve known her for what, a few months? That’s not love. That’s infatuation. That’s—”“Don’t,” Rowan said softly, but his voice was firm. “Don’t tell me what I feel.”He stepped closer, his eyes fixed on me, and I felt my breath catch as I stared into his intense gaze.“I love her,” Rowan said again, louder this time, like he was saying it to the whole world. “I love the way she fights even when she’s exhausted. I love the way she stands up for herself and refuses to be pushed around.”My vision blurred with tears.“I love the fire in her eyes when she’s angry,” Rowan continued, his voice strong and steady. “I love the way she tries to hide her smile when something amuses her, and

Iris’s POVHis hands slid down my sides and gripped my hips, pulling me closer. I felt his arousal pressing against me, and it sent a jolt of desire straight through my core.“Rowan,” I gasped when his mouth moved from my lips to my jaw, trailing hot kisses down to my neck.“You have no idea,” he murmured against my skin, his teeth grazing it lightly, “how long I've wanted to do this.”He found a sensitive spot just below my ear, and I felt my legs go weak. My fingers tangled in his hair, holding him as he sucked gently on that spot.“We need to—” I tried to say, but the words dissolved into another moan as his hand slid up my ribcage, his thumb brushing under my breast through my dress.“We need to get to my room,” he completed my statement, but he didn't stop what he was doing. His hand cupped my breast fully now, and even through the gown, the touch sent sparks of pleasure through me.“Then we should probably start walking,” I managed to say, though my voice came out breathless and