Arthur blinks at me for a moment, as if surprised that I’m not catching whatever it is that he’s implying. Then, his eyes flick to Miles, who is reading happily while swinging his legs in a chair, and my stomach drops.“My son is not your property,” I growl.Arthur just quirks an eyebrow. “Ezra, can
IrisArthur blinks at me once, twice, and then a third time just for good measure before he says, “You really want to bring lawyers into this?”I fold my arms indignantly. “You’re the one who decided to bring arrest into it. And don’t even get me started on taking a DNA sample from my son without my
“Alpha Arthur.” He straightens, and his eyes widen when he notices me. “Miss… Miss Iris. You’re back.”I don’t answer, not because I don’t want to, but because my throat is too choked up. “Cliff,” is all I can manage, greeting the man who I used to share coffees and conversations with on a daily bas
IrisThe following day, I wake to the sensation of warm sunlight splashing across my skin. A familiar scent, one that I’ve long forgotten and can’t quite put a name to, wafts through the cozy room, causing a small smile to spread across my face as I stir.Home. I’m home.For a moment, I forget that
Thankfully, the laws have changed since then. But Alphas can still claim the ‘Alpha’s Heir’ law and gain custody of their firstborn werewolf child in court, if they have reason to do so. And what better reason than being the fucking President himself?But then it hits me.“Actually,” I say, my eyes
IrisEach brush stroke across the canvas takes me deeper and deeper into a state of flow. My hand moves of its own accord, in time with the soft classical music playing on the small record player in the corner. Blues and yellows, pinks and greens.It’s a simple still life of some potted tulips sitti
“I’m surprised you don’t have a personal chef or something, Mr. President,” I remark, sliding onto one of the barstools at the kitchen island as I watch him line up the ingredients and put a pot of water on the stove to boil.Arthur shoots me a sidelong glance, then gestures around the kitchen with
IrisThe spell is quickly broken when I realize just how close we are. I nearly fall off my painting stool in my attempt to put some distance between us, sending the entire stool clattering to the floor.My cheeks flush as I stoop to pick it up, getting even more paint on the sleeve of my cardigan i
He shrugs and goes to pick up the glass again. “It’s just how it is.”I shake my head and move the glass out of his way. “No more of this tonight. You’ve had enough.”Arthur pouts, actually pouts, which confirms my suspicion that he’s drunker than he’s letting on. “But how will I sleep?”The questio
IrisThe baseball bat connects with the wall with a sickening crack as Arthur ducks just in time, letting out a surprised yelp.“Holy shit!” I shriek, the bat slipping from my hands and clattering to the floor. “Arthur! I almost took your head off!”Arthur straightens up, his eyes wide in the dim li
I glance at Arthur, who shrugs. “I’d love to,” he says, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. “Just one story, though. It’s past your bedtime.”I leave them to it, Arthur’s deep voice following me down the hall as he begins to read one of Miles’ favorite books. Something warm unfurls in my chest at
IrisArthur turns to me as we pull up to my apartment building later. “They seemed to like you.”“Your parents?” I ask, glancing at him. “Yeah, they were nice. Especially after that awkward first meeting.”He makes a noncommittal sound, staring out the windshield for a moment before turning off the
I feel a flush of pleasure at his praise. “Thank you.”“And you have a son together,” Wendy states, leaving behind the subject of my career. “Miles, is it?”I nod, dragging my lower lip through my teeth. I feel like I’m being grilled, one question after another in quick succession.“He’s five,” I sa
Iris“You’re sure you can handle this?” Arthur asks, his hand resting on the small of my back. We’re standing just outside the ballroom entrance, about to make our reappearance.I take a deep breath, smoothing the front of my new black dress. It’s simpler than the emerald gown—a sleek, form-fitting
“I’ve missed you,” he breathes against my skin. “So much, Iris. You have no idea.”I thread my fingers through his hair, tugging him back up to my mouth. “Show me,” I whisper against his lips.His eyes darken further, and he captures my mouth again in a kiss that makes my eyes roll back with pleasur
IrisThe jacket slips from my shoulders, falling to the carpet with a soft thud. I feel my face heat as Arthur drags his gaze over the tattered remains of my dress, lingering briefly on my exposed breasts, hips, and belly, but I don’t try to cover myself again.“The scratches don’t look that bad,” h
“They marked your face,” he says quietly. “They were trying to—”“I know what they were trying to do,” I interrupt. “Make you not want me anymore. Make me too ugly or damaged for you to keep as your mate.” I laugh bitterly. “Like your attraction to me is solely based on my looks.”Arthur’s hands sti