Chapter 36Gradel"Thank you," I muttered after we left Mr Hanlow's house.Staying there for more than two hours while dining and conversing like we were a family further uplifted my already buoyant mood. The warmness that their house exuded made me want to stay back, but then I couldn't run away from my responsibility, and neither could I disown my father even if I wanted to."Hmm?" Iris replied like she had been caught unaware and then she tilted her head to the side, her face a mask of confusion. "Why are you thanking me?" She asked innocently."I've been thinking a lot and I realized that my life has been moving in circles. It seems like I've made some progress, but deep down I'm a complete mess," I admitted.Her hand came upon my back and then she turned around to face me so we could stop walking."I don't think your life is a mess, though I can agree that it used to be when you arrested me for stealing your bracelet." She blurted with her lashes lowered so she wouldn't notice my
Chapter 37Iris"Let's go on a race," He said.My eyes lit up in surprise. "Huh?""Are you interested in joining me on a race or not?" He threw the question casually but when our eyes met, I saw his silent plea to agree.So I shrugged off the surprise while an annoying blush gradually crept to my cheeks. "I'm interested, it's just that I don't have a wolf as you know so how do we go about it?" I explained gibberishly like he wasn't aware of that fact."We'll do it like the other time, just watch me shift and then you hop onto my back. Make sure you hang on tightly, I don't want you falling over and breaking your neck.""Let's do this then," I clapped like a child in excitement.Today had been filled with several twists and turns that left me breathlessly happy. Strangely, I'd been able to get Gradel out of his shell and now he had gifted me a house that I wasn't looking forward to moving into even though I liked it.I preferred lying down on his bed every night to waking up with the k
Chapter 38Iris.Waking up with beautiful memories of a magical intimate moment with the man your heart yearns for, to having aromas from different dishes wafting into my nose felt divine.My body warmed up when I remembered the intensity of last night's kiss and then a strange feeling of nudity struck me. I quickly lifted the duvet and gasped.Simultaneously the door opened and Gradel appeared. He was without a smile but he looked content and fulfilled."Good morning, pretend mate." He greeted warmly.Still tongue-tied from the discovery, I nodded in response and glanced at my naked body. I cleared my throat after collecting myself."Did you... Did anything happen from last night?" I stammered, feeling slightly embarrassed.I didn't want to believe that I was so high from the passionate kiss we shared that I couldn't remember what happened afterward. It wasn't a good tale to tell at all.He sank onto the bed, wearing a bemused expression. "Were you expecting anything to happen?"I gu
Chapter 39IrisI could swear that I saw him shiver slightly, but he collected himself immediately and took a step backward."Tell this bitch to be careful of how she runs her—"A punch landed on his lips, causing him to stumble over the chair and then he landed on the ground with a loud thud. I quickly ran to Gradel and stood in front of him.No matter how much I despised his younger brother, I wouldn't watch him get beaten up badly and get accused of causing a fight between two brothers."Please, Grade. Ignore him," I said softly.I lifted my hand to touch his chest but stopped midway since I didn't know what his reaction would be, but seeing how his chest rose and fell in anger I took the risk and began to draw circles around it.He took a deep breath with his eyes closed, and by the time he opened them, the anger had receded."Get out!" He ordered with a tone of finality and his brother scampered away, muttering curses at us.His eyes returned to my face which he palmed tenderly.
Chapter 40IrisI gulped and watched Giga's eyes water while he clenched his teeth in pain and embarrassment.Seeing him one more time skidded me back to memory lane when he was so brutal and didn't care about my survival. All he wanted was my body.He even framed me for what I didn't do, thankfully he helped me to meet the man that my heart beat for. My mate."Are you sure he has something to say?" I asked, doubtful.A silent nod was what I got as an answer."Start talking now!" Gradel barked out an order that no one in his right senses could refuse.Giga crawled towards me, his eyes brimming with remorse which I didn't care about. Seeing him again was like reopening old wounds and the only reason I hadn't left was because of Gradel.He stopped at my feet, his body oozing horribly. I nearly puked."I'm so sorry, Iris. I shouldn't have framed you," He whispered.Gradel kicked him immediately and he slumped, his back hitting the ground which made me wonder how long he had been beaten t
Chapter 41GradelIt was for the best. Ending things between us like that was better than a public rejection. She didn't deserve to be treated in such a manner ever again."You have to understand me, Iris. You can't be with a man who has so much baggage. A man who doesn't even know how to love a woman. Do you enjoy suffering?" I asked her.She sniffed, fighting hard to keep her tears from falling and it broke my heart because I didn't want her to cry because of me. I wished I could make it easier for her."So you are rejecting me just like your brother did?" She hiccuped.I tilted her face upward and held her hands. "I'm not rejecting you. I know the pain that comes with being rejected and I can't put you through that. This decision should make you happy. Think of all the benefits that come with living your life the way you want."She shook her head vehemently and snatched her hands from mine. "Are you listening to yourself? I'm wearing your scent like a second skin and you think that
Chapter 42IrisHe sipped slowly from his teacup and then dropped it on the stool beside him. "I'm sure you are surprised that I asked you to come here. Have you ever been to my chamber before?" He questioned. "No I haven't, Your Highness. There has been no reason for me to come here," I replied tersely. "Alright," He leaned on the backrest of his armchair. "I'll be brief. I want you to leave my son,"I almost roared with laughter but I watered it down to an inaudible giggle. I'd heard of scenarios where the parents of a man or woman ask his or her partner to leave their children, but I never imagined that it would happen to me someday. "And why should I do that?" I replied, stoically. Well, his son had already left me and he didn't know about it. It would only bring more disgrace to me. "Because I'm your king and you have no choice but to listen to me. Gradel is my son and I plan to make him the next Alpha of this pack because he deserves it. You are not worthy of being with hi
Chapter 43IrisTwo days later, I still felt like life had been snuffed out of me and even Gradel couldn't cheer me up no matter how he tried. I'd pushed him away because I feared that he might find out the truth.I would tell him everything, I just needed to find the right time.Still sprawled on the bed, he came inside with a tray in his hands, his face thick with concern."You shouldn't have bothered," I sighed and turned to the side, evading his piercing gaze.If he probed too deeply, he might discover my darkest secrets."You are my friend, why shouldn't I care for you?" He sank onto the bed and dropped the tray on my thighs.The word 'friend' caused my heart to plummet. If he discovered the truth, he wouldn't even consider me an enemy. I should have stayed away from him before things got this complicated."And friends know when to give each other some privacy. How many times do you want me to tell you that I need privacy?" I quickly sprang up from the bed, forgetting that there