Iris
When I finally work up the courage to emerge from the coat closet, I''m both surprised and relieved to find that the event is going on just the same as it was before. The walls aren''t burning down and no one looks at me as I make my way back to the main area, so I suppose that means that whatever form of damage control Arthur used on Selina actually worked.
However, just as I''m walking over to the bar for a much-needed drink-preferably straight vodka—I''m osted by Alice.
"Don''t go over there," shemands, looping her arm through mine and guiding me away.
I frown, trying to look over in that direction, but she yanks me away before I can. "Why not? What''s going on?" I ask.
Alice gives me a sympathetic look. "They were kissing just now," she says, her voice low. She doesn''t need to say their names for me to know who she''s referring to.
My stomach turns inside out.
$
"Oh," I mutter before I can control myself. I can''t seem to find anything else to say about it, even though my mind is racing. Arthur was kissing Selina? Who''kissed who first? How long did they kiss?
I want to ask all of these questions and more, desperate for answers. Right now, all I can imagine is Selina finally confessing her feelings, Arthur returning them, and that''s the end of that. No more mate bond, no more sneaking around, no more secretly wanting each other.
It would make things simpler if he chose to do that. Honestly, even if he chose to mate with Selina simply to ease the pain of our separation, I couldn''t me him. Wolves can choose new mates, whereas humans cannot, and frankly, I''m surprised he''s remained marked to me all these years when a woman like Selina clearly wants him.
Alice turns to me. "Are you alright?" she asks, touching my arm.
I nod, even though I feel like the floor is tilting beneath my feet. "Yes, I... I''m just really tired," I admit with a small, empty smile. "I think I''m going to call it a night."
She looks at me, obviously not buying it, but then sighs. "Alright. Want me to drive you home?"
I shake my head, already heading for the door. “I''ll call a cab. Goodnight, Alice. I had fun."
Once outside, I hail a cab, my limbs heavy and weak. I climb into the back seat and give the driver my address, then slump down as he pulls away from the curb.
Tonight was my own damn fault, I keep telling myself. If I hadn''t allowed myself to soften so much toward Arthur, if I had only kept my head screwed on tight rather than letting tender moments like seeing him sleep with Miles on the couch get to me, then I wouldn''t be in this position.
Once again, I harden my heart into a block of ice, willing the pain to go away. It''s best if I find another living situation for myself and Miles as soon as possible, I decide. It''ll be better for all of us. Even Selina, who''s clearly in love with Arthur and far better for him than I could ever be.
That''s the part that hurts the most, though-knowing that she is a much more viablepanion for Arthur. She''s beautiful, an elegant and poised werewolf woman from a well-to-do family, perfectly suited to be the Luna
of Ordan.
I''m just... a human. Only fit for closet trysts, making out in alleyways, wearing disguises in public. A burden, not a
blessing
If Selina truly does love him, and he loves her back, then they should be together.
I don''t want to stand in the way of that.
Sighing, I pull my phone out of my purse and check the camera app again. My heart sinks as I see Miles still sitting at the dining table, the room now dark save for onemp, his dinner untouched in front of him.
"Shit," I whisper, sitting up straight in my seat. He hasn''t moved or eaten, and the nanny has just... left him there. The moment the cab pulls up to the building, I shove a wad of cash in the driver''s hand and bolt out of the car, sprinting inside. Cliff is already off for the night, reced by the night guard, and I rush past, jamming my finger on the elevator button.
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