Chapter 106IrisONE MONTH LATERThe sky was quite gloomy, the dark clouds threatening to turn the day into a rainy one. We should have stayed back in the house and cuddled all day, but there was something important to be done, and that was visiting the late Alpha Cronus's grave.I stood beside Gradel, whose shoulders were squared, taut, showing how uneasy it was for him to be present here. If it was possible, I'd have suggested that we return home and come back when he was more comfortable, but he was as stubborn as a mule so I let him. We stood in silence for a while and then he cleared his throat. I touched his shoulder lightly and some of the tension dissipated. "I guess I'll have to leave you alone with him. Call on me when you're done," I informed him and turned around to leave. But he grabbed my wrist swiftly and tenderly, prohibiting me from taking any other step. With a low tone, he said. "Stay with me. I want you to be here with me while I reconcile with my father," He s
Chapter 107IrisONE YEAR LATER"Maria, are the sweets ready?" I shouted, standing before the edge of the baluster.Gradel and I had planned a family reunion and I couldn't wait for everyone we considered family to start trooping in. Devin had gotten a mate about three months back and I kept wondering how he got her pregnant in less than two months. I'd so tease him about it once he comes around. Hazel and Hegar had been on sabbatical leave for a while so I had to plead with Hegar to release her since I was nearing at the time of delivery. I was both excited and filled with panic and I honestly couldn't understand how I managed both extreme emotions. Gradel kept reassuring me that I wouldn't encounter any issues, but after hearing stories of women who faced several complications, his words would just fall on deaf ears."Watch it, princess," A firm grip stopped me from tripping over when I swirled around without looking.I smiled and fiddled with his stubble. "Thank you for always be
Chapter 1Iris "I swear I didn't take the money," I argued tiredly as the crowd thickened with each passing second. "I'm sure if you search properly you'll find it, or maybe someone else took it," I added in my defense. If I'd known that today would turn out this way with me being accused of being a thief, I would have listened to my instincts and stayed back at home. But then, there was no food in the house, no money, and my lazy sister wasn't keen on doing anything to provide food or other supplies that we had run out of. "It's a lie, you wretched hag!" Giga, my boss, snapped. "You took the money. I purposely left it there to test you and you just showed me that you can't be trusted!" He accused me vehemently. I go by the name Iris, but no one remembers that because I'm an omega without a wolf, and very unattractive as well. Maybe if I'd obliged my boss's wishes and had a good night with him as he demanded, I wouldn't be in the middle of the market, surrounded by little childre
Chapter 2Iris With those glassy blue eyes trained on me, it was hard for me to remain composed, but I figured out that any wrong answer could send me straight to the cell. He chuckled, but his voice rang hard with disbelief and scorn. "I wasn't born yesterday, Iris. You were dragged to the market square because you stole, yet you say you did nothing?" Something snapped inside of me at his accusation. Yes, I had a deep crush on Prince Devin, but I wouldn't be ridiculed this way. Maybe I was a weak wolfless omega who found no better job than keeping records for a man who was interested in defiling her, but I had my self-dignity to protect. At this point, I didn't even care about getting arrested, but if they were to arrest me, it would be for the right reasons— that I stole from Giga. "Everything is an accusation, Prince Devin. You are not even sure that I stole from him." I shot back, fuming. I'd risen to my feet so that I could stare at his face squarely. "Yes, I was dragged ou
Chapter 3Gradel "Prince Devin?" I chuckled silently in amusement as I fixed my gaze on the bushy path leading to the pack house. She thought I was Prince Devin. It wasn't her fault. Most people her age didn't know I existed since I'd just recently returned to the pack. All thanks to my father who always saw me as the black sheep of the family because I didn't care about being his successor. Devin was more interested in being the Alpha king and that irked my father so much since I was the older twin. Let's say I had more concerns about changing things in the human world and not here until I met this beautiful omega who was in bad shape at the market. I knew that she didn't steal the money, but I didn't want to give her any ideas and that's why I acted like I didn't believe her. The car stopped at the driveway so that I could get down before the chauffeur would park it properly in the garage. Left to me, I'd have stayed longer at the market or gone for a run as my wolf was ge
Chapter 4Iris "I shouldn't be here," I whispered to myself... as I dragged my feet along the staircase. My head was bowed as I made my way to the pack's hall, and my heart galloped wildly in my chest as I imagined what would happen if I was found out. No. I couldn't afford to be seen. I pulled down on my hood and tugged at my sister's sleeve. "Remind me again why we are here, May?" I whined. I was secretly mad at myself for letting her cajole me into something this silly. A couple walked right past us, and from the looks on their faces, I could tell that they just found each other. Mates. Ugh!! "Don't be such a party popper, Iris. Be optimistic, who knows you can find your prince charming here." She replied with so much confidence that stirred up glints of jealousy within me. "And what about you? Aren't you scared of not finding a mate today?" She halted on her steps and slanted a nonchalant look at me. "I think you should be more worried about your shabby appearance, than my
Chapter 5Iris"I thought I asked you to leave, what are you still doing here?" He thundered as whispers and gasps from the crowd filled the hall, displaying their confusion. His smooth voice wasn't the cause of my confusion, his face was. How could I explain what I felt? What I saw yesterday?My mind was a jumbled zone, so I said the only thing that kept ringing in my head. "Your eyes. They… they are different," I forced out, my fingers itching to pinch my skin to be sure that I wasn't dreaming. He scowled, furrowing his brows in irritation. "That shouldn't bother you, lady. Do I have to remind you that I'm not supposed to ever set my eyes on you?" His voice deepened by the minute, and the noise that had thickened because of the prince's rejection died down.My hands fell to my side. "You aren't Prince Devin, are you?"I knew that my probing was of no use to me, if anything, it would only make the man standing in front of me angrier; but I was already in trouble so it would be bett
Chapter 6Gradel The lady was a born liar, I could sense it, but that was one of the many things I felt. The thrills of desire that worked through me when my thumb connected with her chin made me tense. I shouldn't feel this way for someone I hated. For a wrench who disgusted me, so I shrugged off the distasteful feelings and watched her shift from one foot to the other in uneasiness. Her brown eyes were like a blank screen, displaying her uncertainty and fear. I could smell both of them. "I-I don't know about any bracelet," She denied, her voice low and unconvincing. My temper was beginning to simmer, but I had to be calm if I wanted to retract my bracelet from her. "Look, woman, I didn't accuse you just for the fun of it and I don't have the time to visit people who don't matter for no reason. That bracelet is worth more than your existence so I need to have it back." Maybe I should have told her that the bracelet was the gift my late mother gave me before she died, but she di