Chapter 107

Iris

I 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 feels like me—elegant but with an artistic edge, a woman who could stand confidently beside the Alpha President without looking like she’s trying too hard.

I run my hands down the silky fabric, smoothing it over my hips. Caleb has good taste, I’ll give him that. The cut is daring enough to be sexy without crossing into inappropriate territory, and the color looks nice on my skintone.

“You look pretty, Mommy,” Miles says from the doorway.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” I reply, turning to smile at him. “Remember, Alice will be staying with you tonight. I won’t be gone long.”

Miles nods, but his eyes are already drifting back to his toy. He’s had a hard time focusing on anything else since Caleb gave it to him yesterday. I’m glad, at least, that he seems to like Caleb so much. If there’s even a slim chance that Miles can finally be accepted by a family, then I’m happy.

Still, I can’t believe I’m actually doing this—going to visit the place that should have been my home, to spend time with the brother I never knew I had.

It feels unreal, like I’m stepping into someone else’s life. And after what Arthur said about the Willfords and their motives yesterday, I’m still wary that it might be some kind of trap. I double check my purse one last time to make sure I have my pepper spray, just in case. Emi will be waiting in the car, too, so I won’t be alone.

With one last goodbye, I make my way out to the car.

The drive takes us out of the city, through winding roads that climb into the hills where Ordan’s elite make their homes. I’m surprised Arthur didn’t purchase any land out here when he took position as President, but I suppose sprawling McMansions were never really his style.

When we finally reach the Willford estate, my breath catches.

It’s not just a mansion; it’s practically a castle. An imposing gate swings open to reveal sprawling grounds with manicured gardens, fountains, and a circular driveway leading to a massive stone structure that could easily house fifty people.

This was supposed to be my home?

Emi opens my door, and I step out, nearly stumbling on the gravel because I’m so busy staring up at the mansion in awe. How is this real? How is any of this real? I grew up in an orphanage with twenty other kids, sharing a room with three other girls, wearing hand-me-downs and eating whatever was cheap and filling.

And all along, this was where I was meant to grow up.

It feels like a practical joke. Or a fever dream.

I glance at Emi and give her a meaningful look. She nods silently without me even having to say anything.

I made her promise to keep tonight between us; I think she might suspect that I’m cheating on Arthur or something, but thankfully she’s loyal enough to me to agree to not say anything for three days. I gave her a bit of a reprimand, too, for violating my privacy yesterday—I still feel a little bad about it, but I guess it’s something I’ll have to get used to now that I’m… a Willford.

The massive front door swings open before I reach it, and Caleb steps out, dressed in a casual but clearly expensive sweater and slacks. His smile is warm and genuine as he greets me.

“Iris,” he says, taking me in. “You look incredible in that dress. I knew it was perfect for you.”

“Thank you,” I reply, suddenly self-conscious. “This place is... overwhelming.”

Caleb glances over his shoulder at the mansion. “I suppose it is, if you’re not used to it. But it was meant to be your home too.” There’s a hint of sadness in his words that makes my chest tighten.

He offers me his arm. “Come inside. Let me show you around.”

The foyer alone is bigger than my entire apartment, with soaring ceilings, marble floors, and a huge curved staircase. Priceless artwork hangs on the walls, and a crystal chandelier glitters overhead.

“This is the main hall,” Caleb explains as he leads me deeper into the house. “Most of the formal rooms are on this floor—the dining room, library, music room, the sitting rooms.”

Sitting rooms. Plural.

I try to take it all in as we walk through room after room, but it’s a lot to handle. There’s a library with floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with leather-bound books. A music room with a grand piano. A sunroom overlooking gardens that seem to stretch for miles.

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 the news broke that Selina wasn’t actually a Willford by blood, and that our real sister was still out there somewhere... Well, many of them have served our family for generations. They feel this almost as deeply as I do.” He glances at me. “And you don’t need to worry; their discretion is unerring.”

I bite my lip. “And your—our—parents?”

“Out of the country at the moment,” Caleb says. “It’s their thirtieth anniversary. They’ll be back next week.” He pauses, studying my face. “They’re eager to meet you.”

I nod, not sure how to feel about meeting the parents who never knew I was switched at birth. Do they blame themselves? Do they wonder how they didn’t notice?

Do I look more like my mother or my father?

Do they even exist or am I going to be murdered by a lunatic tonight?

We continue the tour upstairs, where Caleb shows me the bedroom that would have been mine—a spacious suite with its own sitting area, bathroom, and walk-in closet. It’s currently decorated as a guest room.

“We can redecorate it any way you like,” Caleb says. “This should be your space, however you want it.”

“I’m not moving in,” I remind him gently.

“No, of course not,” he says quickly. “But you should have a place here, regardless. Somewhere that’s yours when you visit.”

When we return downstairs, dinner is being laid out in a dining room that could comfortably seat twenty. It feels ridiculous, just the two of us at this massive table, but I don’t comment.

As we eat—some kind of exquisite fish with a butter sauce that probably costs more than my weekly grocery budget—Caleb finally brings up the question that’s been hanging between us.

“Have you ever felt your wolf?” he asks, setting down his fork. “Even once?”

I shake my head. “Never. I always believed I was human. Even the doctors didn’t notice anything unusual.” I pause, taking a sip of my very expensive wine. “I never even had an inkling that I might not be human until recently. Although, according to the orphanage director, I got along better than expected with the werewolf kids when I was little.”

Caleb nods thoughtfully. “Your wolf must have gone dormant very early. Perhaps whoever switched you and Selina did something to suppress it. Either way, I’m going to contact some specialists. There might be a way to help your wolf emerge.”

I stare at my plate, not sure what to say. The thought of having a wolf inside of me, a separate consciousness sharing my body, is terrifying. But it’s also thrilling in a strange way. It would make me truly Arthur’s equal—a werewolf mate for a werewolf Alpha.

Will it intensify our bond, I wonder? The idea sends a rush of excitement through me. I wish I could tell him, but I guess it’ll have to wait.

“Iris,” Caleb says, “I want to help you adjust to all this. Not just the werewolf part, but everything that comes with being a Willford. The social expectations, the etiquette, the politics.”

I bite my lip. “I haven’t exactly been making a great impression, have I?”

“You’ve been thrown into the deep end without much preparation,” Caleb says kindly. “But I can teach you. I grew up in this world—I know all the unwritten rules, all the social codes and expectations. Let me take you under my wing.”

The offer is tempting.

“You won’t have to worry about making a fool of yourself in public anymore,” Caleb adds, as if reading my thoughts. “I can teach you everything you need to know to navigate Ordan high society. To be the Luna they’ll respect.”

My pride bristles at the implication that I need fixing, but my practical side knows he’s right. If I want things to work with Arthur, then I need to adapt to this world. Right now, I feel like I should take all the guidance I can get.

“Alright,” I say with a nod. “I accept your offer. Teach me what I need to know.”

Caleb’s face brightens. “Excellent. We’ll start right away. In fact, I’ll come over first thing tomorrow morning for your first lesson.”