She shows me a storage closet where ck mold grows freely on the ceiling. "I bring my own supplies most days," she admits. "I can''t stand the thought of these kids not having at least one bright spot in their day, so I use part of my paycheck to buy new stuff."


    By the time I leave Eastside, my blood is boiling. Money allocated for schools- especially those serving more human students on average-is disappearing, and no one seems to be asking where it''s going.


    I call Arthur as soon as I get back to my car.


    "Hey," he answers on the first ring. "How''s the paintinging along?"


    "It''s done," I say, too distracted to borate. "But listen, I''ve been interviewing art teachers today for my presentation, and I think there''s something seriously wrong with school funding in Ordan."


    I exin what I''ve discovered. Arthur listens quietly the entire time. "The money isn''t being redirected to other departments," I finish. "It''s just... gone. Someone''s pocketing it, Arthur. I''m sure of it."


    There''s a pause, and then: "Do you have any documentation? Specific budget numbers, names of officials involved?"


    "Not yet,” I admit, biting my lower lip. "Just what these teachers have told me. But if you looked into it-"


    "I will," he promises, and I can tell he means it. "This is exactly the kind of thing I need to know about. Thank you for bringing it to my attention, Iris."


    The sincerity in his voice makes me pause. It''s easy to forget sometimes that Arthur isn''t just my mate and Miles'' father-he''s the leader of our country, responsible for protecting all of its citizens, human and werewolf alike. “I''ll keep digging on my end," I offer. "Maybe there''s something in the public records that could help." "Okay, but be careful. If someone is embezzling government funds, they won''t appreciate being exposed. "I will be," I promise. "Actually, can we meet for dinner tonight? I want to discuss this more, and... there''s something else I want to talk about too."


    "Of course. Pick you and Miles up at seven?"


    "Perfect."


    When Arthur picks us upter, I expect to go to a restaurant for dinner. But I''m pleasantly surprised when we get in the car and the smell of takeout food hits me.


    "I thought you might be tired after your interviews," Arthur exins when I raise an eyebrow at the takeout bags. "Plus, it''s nice out. We can have a pic in the park."


    We arrive at the park not long after, just the one that''s right next to Arthur''s apartment. Miles runs off to y first before dinner, and Arthur and Iy out a nket on the grass beneath the shade of arge tree and dig in while we watch Miles hang upside down from the monkey bars."


    25


    "So, you mentioned there was something else you wanted to discuss?" Arthur asks.


    I take a deep breath. "Yeah. So, my residency ends in three days."


    "I know," he says, twirling his noodles around his fork.


    "And I''ve been thinking... it doesn''t make sense for Miles and me to keep living separately from you. Not anymore."


    Arthur''s eyes widen slightly. "Are you saying...?”


    I''m saying I''m ready to move back in with you," I say firmly. "If the offer still stands."


    "If it still-Iris, of course it stands!" He stands so quickly he nearly knocks over our food. Before I can react, he''s pulling my container from my hands, hauling me to my feet and into his arms. "Yes. Absolutely yes."


    Before I can respond, he lifts me off my feet in a bear hug, spinning me around until I''mughing and dizzy.


    "Put me down, you lunatic!"


    He obliges, but keeps his arms around me, beaming like I''ve just given him the moon. "When? How soon can you move in?"


    "I was thinking a week after the exhibition," I reply. "That gives me a few days to pack up the apartment and get everything situated."


    Arthur''s face is split into a wide grin. As we settle back down, discussing the logistics-and, of course, filling in Miles, who quite literally leaps into the air with a wild "Woohoo!"-I can''t help but grin, too.


    This feels... right. I''m ready. Ready to move back in with my mate after five-plus years apart.


    Ready for a fresh start.


    Later,ying in my bed, I''m too excited to sleep-so, as one does, I''m scrolling on my phone. Halfway down the page, my eyes catch an article with mine and Arthur''s name on it.


    I should probably know better by now, but I click the link anyway, and my jaw drops when it loads.


    There, on the homepage of Ordan''s most popr gossip site, is a photo of Arthur and me from earlier. He''s lifting me off the ground, spinning me around, both of usughing, clearly caught in a moment of pure joy.


    The headline reads: "WEDDING BELLS? Alpha President and Luna Sparking Engagement Rumors."


    I can''t help but blush.


    11


    An engagement-now that is a dream I let go of many years ago.


    Buttely, my dreams seem to being true one after the other, don''t they?


    ス