Chapter 179 Chapter 179


    Iris & Arthur


    Iris


    An awkward silence falls over the table. I shift ufortably. The only sound is that of the kitten racing around in the other room, ying with a bottle cap. Wendy nces at the cat with a wrinkled nose but says nothing.


    Arthur clears his throat and offers me a grin. "Everything looks delicious, Iris. Thank you for arranging this."


    I sh Arthur a grateful smile as I serve Miles his mac and cheese, then offer the prime rib to Leonard and the salmon to Wendy. They ept and take their seats, but I can tell they''re not particrly thrilled.


    Leonard takes a careful bite of his prime rib, chewing slowly. But Wendy merely picks at her salmon, pushing it around her te more than actually eating it.


    I can tell they''re both judging me, but I try not to let it get to me. Generational differences, I keep telling myself, as if the age gap can somehow justify their shitty attitudes. I normally love to cook," I say with a light smile. "Today was just an unfortunate ident."


    "Mommy makes the best pancakes," Miles pipes up. His fork scrapes loudly on his te as he stabs his macaroni, causing Leonard to wince. "With chocte chips and whipped cream!"


    Arthur smiles at me over Miles'' head, and the softness in his gaze settles some of my nerves. "She sure does.


    "Pancakes,” Leonard repeats, ncing at Miles'' te. "Is that all he eats? Pasta and pancakes?"


    "Miles is in a bit of a picky phase right now," Iugh. "You know how kids are." Leonard frowns. "A young wolf needs protein to develop properly. Especially an Alpha. At his age, Arthur was already eating rare steaks."


    "Miles does eat meat," I exin. "He''s just particr about it. He loves chicken nuggets, and he really enjoys the steaks that Arthur makes. Don''t you, Miles?" Miles nods, although the attention makes him blush, and he stares at his te.


    "If the boy responds so well to Arthur''s presence," Wendy says, setting down her fork, "it seems to me the logical solution would be for you to move in with Arthur permanently. Leave behind this-" she gestures around us- small apartment and give Miles the stability of his father''s home."


    I blink. "I have a residency here," I remind her. "Ites with the apartment."


    "Surely art is just a hobby," Wendy says with a shrug. "The boy needs his father. And it''s not appropriate for Arthur''s mate and child to be living elsewhere. What will people think?"


    "Iris''s career is important to her," Arthur says before I can respond. "And to me. We''re taking things one step at a time."


    "Still,” Leonard adds, "Wendy has a point. This ce is hardly suitable. It''s small, in a less desirable neighborhood. The Alpha President''s mate and heir should be living in better circumstances."


    A knot forms in my stomach. My apartment is small and temporary, yes, but it''s clean andfortable. I''ve worked hard to make it a home for Miles and me. To hear it dismissed so easily, as if we''re living in squalor, stings more than I want to admit.


    "It serves us well enough for now," I say, forcing another smile. "And the residency is a big opportunity for my career."


    "Yes, well," Wendy says with a tight smile, "I suppose we all have different priorities."


    Her implication is obvious: my priorities are wrong. I guess in her world, I should be focused solely on being Arthur''s mate and Miles'' mother instead of pursuing my own ambitions.


    Thankfully, the rest of the meal passes without too much of a hitch after that, mostly thanks to Arthur repeatedly shifting the conversation to lighter topics. I contribute where I can, but the earlier exchange has left me feeling off -kilter.


    "That was lovely, thank you," Wendy says as she sets down her napkin after déssert. She hardly touched hers, just cut it up and moved the pieces around her te with her fork. What a waste. "We should be going, though. It''s gettingte."


    "Of course," I say, relieved that the dinner is finally ending "Thank you foring."


    Arthur walks his parents to their car. As they exit, I begin clearing the table, grateful for the moment alone to collect myself. The dinner was even more stressful than I anticipated.


    Curious, I''move to the window, watching as Arthur walks them to their car parked in the alley behind the gallery below. Even from here, I can see the conversation isn''t pleasant. Leonard is gesturing wildly while Wendy is seething nearby.


    I can''t hear what they''re saying, but whatever it is, it isn''t good.


    Arthur


    "What were you thinking?" Father demands the moment we''re out of earshot of the apartment building. "A restaurant meal, Arthur? For your parents?"


    I sigh, having expected this reaction. "Iris exined what happened. The roast burned because she lost track of time while painting. It was an honest mistake. Besides, it''s not the fifties anymore. The fact that she was even gracious enough to host you should be impressive enough.