Chapter 180
Sebastien's POV
I stared through the window at the coffee shop across the street. Inside, Iris sat across from Lucas Morgan, her face partially visible through the glass. I couldn't tear my eyes away from them, especially when Lucas handed her that ridiculous champagne-colored bouquet of roses, which she actually accepted. My jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth might crack.
"Alpha, should we head back to the company?" Daniel's voice broke through my concentration from the passenger seat.
I didn't answer. Instead, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the pink diamond ring I'd spent the entire morning searching for. The same ring she'd thrown at me that night at the Lowell estate. The same ring I'd had specially crafted to match the exact shade of her eyes when she shifted.
"Found this damn thing after looking all morning," I muttered, rolling it between my fingers. "Just to hand it back to her personally."
Five fucking days. Five days of sending flowers she rejected. Five days of meals returned untouched. Five days of calls that went straight to voicemail. I could still see the resolute look in her eyes when she told me it was over, the same look she had right now while talking to Lucas.
"Is she serious about this?" I wondered aloud, watching as she leaned slightly forward, speaking with animation to Lucas. "Is she really choosing him?"
I remembered what Nancy Morgan had said at the Lowell family dinner about a potential mating arrangement between Lucas and Iris. The thought made my blood boil. I tightened my grip on the ring, and the sharp edge of the diamond cut into my palm. A small trickle of blood formed, but I barely registered the pain.
"Alpha, your hand..." Daniel said quietly.
I snapped back to reality, stuffing the ring back into my pocket and wiping the blood on my dark pants. "Let's go back to the company," I ordered, my voice icy. The temperature in the car seemed to drop several degrees as I started the engine.
---
The conference room fell silent as I walked in. Every executive straightened in their chairs, eyes carefully averted from my face. I took my seat at the head of the table, scanning the room with a sharp gaze. My mood was evident to everyone, and no one dared to speak until I nodded curtly for the presentation to begin.
"Um, as I was saying," the marketing manager began nervously, "the third quarter marketing plan includes..."
His voice trembled slightly as he clicked through slides. I barely heard him, my mind still in that coffee shop, watching Iris accept flowers from another man.
"This section here," I suddenly interrupted, "it's full of basic errors. Is this your first day working here?"
The manager's face paled. "I—I apologize, Mr. Grey, I'll correct it immediately."
"Don't do it again," I said coldly. "Next."
My fingers unconsciously tapped against the polished table as the next presenter stood up. Each tap seemed to increase the tension in the room. By the end of the meeting, no one made eye contact as they hurriedly packed their materials and left.
I was the first out the door, striding down the corridor when I caught fragments of whispered conversation behind me.
"What's up with Grey today?" someone murmured.
"Never seen him this on edge," another replied.
I stopped abruptly, and the hallway fell silent. Without turning around, I continued walking, Iris's voice echoing in my head: "I've been very clear. Please stop interfering in my life."
Turning the corner, I overheard more whispers.
"Do you think it's relationship troubles?"
A female voice hissed back, "Shut up! You want to get fired from Moonshade Bay completely?"
I couldn't help the cold smile that formed on my lips as I pushed open my office door.
---
Sitting at my desk, I flipped through the Stone family collaboration documents. The contract Iris had so decisively terminated at our last meeting. I recalled the determination in her eyes as she announced the cancellation, how she wouldn't even look at me directly.
I glanced out the window, thinking about Iris and the baby. My baby. The knowledge that she was carrying my child sent a primal surge through me. She hadn't confirmed it, but I knew. I could smell the changes in her scent that day at the restaurant.
I pulled out my phone, scrolling through our message history. Each text marked "Read" with no reply. I rubbed my temples, feeling an unfamiliar sensation of helplessness.
Through the gap in my office door, I noticed Daniel standing in the hallway, phone pressed to his ear, speaking in hushed, urgent tones. I didn't pay much attention until I heard him say, "I'm very sorry to bother you at this time..."
My phone vibrated with a notification. A friend had sent me a photo—Iris and me together in the same frame. The angle made her loose-fitting blouse cling to her midsection in a way that sparked speculation. My jaw tightened as I realized what was happening—our private business was becoming public gossip. I scanned the comments beneath:
"Iris's silhouette looking different lately?! Is she...?"
"Grey doesn't seem surprised at all... Did he already know?"
I set my phone down and walked to the window, my expression hardening. "Who leaked this?" I growled under my breath. "She's barely showing yet." My mind raced with concern for how Iris would handle this unwanted attention. "This complicates things even further," I muttered to myself.
The sound of several car doors slamming drew my attention to the street below. Three familiar luxury vehicles had parked in front of the building. Shortly after, my receptionist called to inform me that Blake Thompson, Alex Harrison, and Jason Miller were here to see me.
I stepped into the hallway and watched as the elevator doors opened. My friends walked out, their powerful auras causing human employees to stare and whisper. Blake winked at a female employee as they passed, and I might have found it amusing on any other day.
Right now, though, my mind was elsewhere. "This is really not the time," I thought as they approached.
Blake pushed open my office door without knocking, the others following behind. I remained by the window, not turning to greet them.
"What's up, brother?" Blake asked, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "You look like someone pissed in your coffee."
I shrugged his hand off, not responding. The gesture didn't deter Blake, but the others clearly sensed my mood.
Alex sprawled on my sofa, scrolling through his phone. "Anyway, what the hell are you doing, man? The whole werewolf community is talking about you and Iris."
He suddenly sat upright, his expression changing to surprise. "Seb, check this out," he said, holding out his phone to the others.
They gathered around, their eyes widening before turning to me with questioning looks.
I felt my expression darken, my lips pressing into a thin line as I caught sight of Daniel in the doorway, checking his watch nervously.
"Seb," Blake broke the silence, "is it true? Is Iris pregnant?"