Chapter 22

Iris

Thankfully, our first night in Ordan, Miles was too excited to see the twins and Brian and Liam to ask about Arthur. That doesn’t mean that Brian and Liam didn’t ask, though.

“Girl, is he following you?” Liam asked last night over much-needed glasses of wine. “It seems like everywhere you are lately, there he is.”

I rolled my eyes and waved him off. But even now, as the morning sun streams through the window of my shared—temporary—bedroom with Miles, I can’t help but think back on yesterday.

I’m not sure if Arthur will try to meddle again, but I hope he won’t. Especially not after the way he actually insinuated that I only brought Miles here for inheritance money.

“Bastard,” I mutter out loud before I can stop myself.

Miles, who’s just beginning to stir, rolls over. His hair is adorably mussed from sleep, and he yawns big and wide in that adorable childlike way that kids do before they become too self-conscious of the faces they make.

“What did you say, Mommy?” he asks.

I shake my head and wrap my arms around him, pulling him close and tickling him. “Nothing, little wolf,” I say over the sounds of his little giggles. Miles writhes against me, pushing away, his face scrunched up with laughter.

Ever since Miles was born, I called him my ‘little wolf’. I know he’s not a werewolf—the doctors told me he was 100% human—but when I look at him, he just looks so much like his father that I can’t help it.

For a few moments, I just hold him close, enjoying this moment of peace. Despite everything that happened with Arthur, I’ll always be grateful for the beautiful child we made together. Even the scent of his hair is enough to make me want another.

It’s moments like this that make me wish Arthur could be here, though. I wish he was here for the past five years, and that we could have raised our son together. But it’s too late now, and besides, it doesn’t matter. Miles and I are happy just the way we are.

But then comes the bombshell.

“Mommy?” Miles asks, lifting his head to look at me. “Was that man yesterday really my daddy?”

Something in my chest turns to ash. I don’t know what to say—either lie to Miles, going against everything I’ve prided myself on as a mother, or tell him the truth and change everything.

Finally, I settle on the most simple answer: a distraction.

“Enough about him,” I say, ruffling his hair. “Let’s go out for breakfast. Just you and me. We’ll get waffles.”

Miles’ eyes light up at the mention of his favorite breakfast food of all time, and he’s momentarily distracted. I let out a breath of relief as he scrambles out of bed to get dressed. Crisis averted. For now, at least.

I quickly dress, throwing on a comfortable knit skirt and a slim fit blouse with flats. I throw my chestnut hair into a messy bun and slap on a little mascara just to feel a bit more alive, and then we’re out the door.

Down the street, we head into a local diner that I used to love when I lived in Ordan. It’s one of those retro joints with chrome accents and vibrant red booths. We take a seat near the window, and while Miles is trying to decide on which topping to get for his waffles, I sip my coffee.

“Can I have chocolate chips, Mommy?” Miles asks, glancing up at me. “And strawberries?”

I nod and order our breakfasts, and as we wait, Miles swings his legs and hums to himself. It’s a nice, quiet moment, the sort of morning that I hope we’ll have plenty of now that we’re together again.

But just like earlier, that peace only lasts for so long.

“You never told me about that man.”

I nearly spill my coffee. “Honey…”

“He just felt familiar,” Miles says, wrinkling his nose. “I feel like I know him, even though I’ve never seen him before.”

The innocence in his voice sends a lance of regret through me. I want to tell him the truth—I really do. We’ve always been honest with each other, and having to lie to him over the phone that one time still bothers me.

And yet… Even as I open my mouth to tell him that, yes, Arthur is his father, I just… can’t. The words just won’t come, because, frankly…

I’m afraid. Afraid that if Miles knows the truth, he’ll want to see Arthur more. And if he wants to see Arthur more, then I’ll be forced to look into the eyes of the man who betrayed me in a more painful way than anyone else ever could.

I know it’s selfish, but it’s true.

But it’s not just out of selfishness; I fear that Arthur may reject Miles, just like he rejected me. I fear that Miles won’t be worthy enough of Arthur’s love as a half-blood son—the product of an unfortunate union between a human and a werewolf. The Alpha President, no less.

I can’t let my son feel the same pain that I felt five years ago. The pain that I feel even now.

So that’s why I bite the inside of my cheek until I taste blood and answer, “He’s not your father, Miles.”

Miles looks disappointed, but doesn’t bring it up again. I taste blood all throughout our breakfast.

After breakfast, we meet Liam, Brian, and the twins at our apartment. The landlady said we could move in today, and I can’t wait to show Miles the place.

Of course, just as I suspected, he loves it—especially the bunk bed. He and the twins run off to play while Brian, Liam and I begin unpacking the suitcases in the living room, carefully stacking piles of clothes and knick-knacks. But each item feels like a weight, another step into Ordan and out of the safety and anonymity that Bo’Arrocan provided.

I don’t realize that my eyes have misted with tears until Brian touches my hand.

“Hey. You’re gonna be fine.”

I look up and quickly wipe my eyes. “I know.”

Brian and Liam exchange glances, and Brian says gently, “This is gonna be good for you and Miles. You don’t need to worry about Arthur.”

“Thanks,” I say, managing a watery smile even though I don’t believe him.

Sure enough, later that night, once Miles is asleep and I’m setting up a fresh canvas in my studio area, there’s a knock on the door. I furrow my brow and wrap my yellow sweater tighter around myself as I hurry over and check through the peephole.

It’s Arthur’s Beta.

“Dammit,” I hiss, composing myself before I swing open the door. The first thing out of my mouth when I’m face to face with him is, “How the hell did you find this address?”

The Beta blinks at me for a moment. I fold my arms and glare back, waiting for him to speak.

“Alpha Arthur summoned you,” he says, holding out a small white card.

I glare at him for a moment longer before I snatch it away. The card looks official, embossed with Arthur’s name, office address, phone number, and email. There’s a blank space at the bottom with a time and date handwritten on it for nine o’clock tomorrow morning.

“An official appointment?” I ask, glancing up at the Beta. “What for?”

“There are some papers you’ll have to sign before you can be re-registered as an official citizen of Ordan. Otherwise…” He glances up and over my shoulder, briefly taking in my apartment before I move into his line of sight. “Your living situation might be at risk,” he finishes.

I curse again and look back down at the card. I want to refuse, of course, but I can’t risk losing my apartment when I’ve only just moved in. Miles would be devastated.

I guess I’ll have no choice but to see Arthur one last time.