Chapter 84
Iris's POV
I sat cross-legged on my hotel bed, scrolling through photos I'd taken earlier of the stunning Lake Como views. The balcony door was cracked open, letting in the cool night air and the distant sounds of water lapping against the shore. The door to the bathroom opened, and Rachel emerged wrapped in a fluffy white hotel robe, vigorously drying her hair with a towel.
I glanced up, surprised. "You didn't go with that hot guy from the pool? I was sure you wouldn't be back tonight."
Rachel laughed, flopping down on her own bed. "What hot guy?"
"Come on. Mr. Eight-Pack with the perfect tan who couldn't take his eyes off you? The one who kept 'accidentally' splashing water your way?" I raised an eyebrow. "I saw how you were looking at him."
"Oh, him." Rachel grinned, tossing her wet towel toward the bathroom. "Maybe tomorrow. First night in Italy, I wanted to actually see our room before passing out. Besides, vacation flings should never happen on the first night—seems desperate."
I nodded, but found myself studying her expression. She seemed oddly nonchalant about the whole thing, which wasn't like Rachel at all. Usually, she'd be giving me a detailed breakdown of every hot guy within a five-mile radius. Something was off.
My phone suddenly blared to life on the nightstand, vibrating against the wood surface. I reached for it, then froze when I saw the name on the screen: Catherine Stone.
"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered, staring at the phone like it might bite. "When I blocked Sebastien's number, how did I forget about the rest of them?"
Rachel sat up straighter. "Who is it?"
"Catherine." I let the phone continue ringing, watching it vibrate across the nightstand with disdain.
"Your evil stepmother tracked you down in Italy? That's some next-level stalker shit."
The call finally stopped, only to start again seconds later. Catherine's name flashed on the screen once more.
"Persistent, isn't she?" I said, declining the call. Not even thirty seconds passed before it rang again.
"God, what is her problem?" I groaned, hitting decline again. "We're halfway across the world, and she still can't leave me alone."
Rachel watched me with concern as the phone rang for the fourth time. "Maybe you should just answer it and find out what she wants. She's clearly not going to stop."
I caught the slight tension in Rachel's jaw. She'd witnessed firsthand how Catherine's manipulations had affected me over the years.
"You're right," I sighed, staring at the vibrating phone. "Let's see what new scheme she's cooked up this time. Might as well get it over with."
When the phone rang again, I swiped to answer, putting it on speaker so Rachel could hear. "What?" I said flatly, not bothering with pleasantries.
"Iris? Oh, thank goodness you answered!" Catherine's voice was uncharacteristically sweet, dripping with fake concern. "I was getting worried. Were you busy? I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."
I rolled my eyes at Rachel, who made a gagging motion. "What do you want, Catherine?"
There was a brief pause. "I just wanted to check on you, dear. It's been a while since we've talked, and I was wondering how you're doing."
I almost laughed out loud at the absurdity. In all the years Catherine had been my stepmother, she had never once called to "check on me" without an ulterior motive. Every conversation had started with criticism or demands, never with concern.
"I'm fine," I replied coldly. "Is that all?"
"Well, no, not exactly," she hedged, her voice maintaining that syrupy sweetness that made my skin crawl. "I was hoping we could talk about... recent events."
I remained silent, waiting. Catherine had never been patient—she'd reveal her true intentions soon enough if I just didn't engage.
Rachel caught my eye and mouthed "What's she after?" I shrugged in response.
Catherine cleared her throat uncomfortably in the silence. "Iris? Are you still there?"
"I'm listening," I said, picking at a loose thread on the comforter. "You have something to say, so say it."
Another pause. "Well, I wanted to apologize for Kim's behavior. What she did was inappropriate, and I want you to know that she's been properly reprimanded."
I bit back a snort. Kim had tried to drug me and Noah with wolf's bane to force us into a compromising situation, and Catherine was treating it like her daughter had simply been rude at dinner.
"And," Catherine continued when I didn't respond, "I was hoping you might speak with Sebastien about... easing up on the Stone family a bit."
There it was—the real reason for her call. I sat up straighter, suddenly more alert.
"What exactly has Sebastien been doing?" I asked, genuinely curious now.
Catherine sighed dramatically. "He's been using the Grey family's influence to turn other packs against us. No one will trade with us anymore. The Phillips pack has completely cut ties after what happened with Noah. And now there are other packs challenging our territory borders because they know we're vulnerable."
I processed this information, the pieces falling into place. So Sebastien had been making good on his threat to make the Stone family pay for their actions. And from the sound of it, they were in serious trouble.
"I see," I said, keeping my voice neutral. "And what exactly do you expect me to do about it?"
"You're still his mate, Iris," Catherine said, a note of desperation creeping into her voice. "He'll listen to you."
"Ex-mate," I corrected automatically. "Our divorce is final, Catherine. You know that."
"But you still have influence," she insisted, her sugary tone returning. "He came to Stone Manor to save you, didn't he? That means he still cares."
I rolled my eyes again, this time so hard it almost hurt. The woman was delusional if she thought Sebastien had come because he cared about me. More likely, he'd been protecting Grey family interests—preventing a scandal that would reflect poorly on his family name.
"What exactly are you asking me to do, Catherine?" I said, absently playing with the pendant hanging from my phone case. I was only half listening now, wondering how quickly I could end this conversation.
"Just talk to him," she said eagerly, clearly mistaking my question for interest. "Ask him to stop blocking our trading partnerships. And maybe... well, the Grey family vote at the Council meeting next month would help us keep our territory. We've been part of Moon Bay for generations, after all."
I raised my eyebrows at Rachel, who looked equally incredulous.
"And," Catherine added, her voice dropping slightly, "we might need a small loan to cover some debts to the northern packs. Nothing too substantial. Just enough to keep things... stable."
I couldn't help it—I laughed. A short, sharp laugh of pure disbelief.
"You Stone wolves really have some nerve," I said, not bothering to hide my scorn. "What, did you think I've lost my mind since leaving Grey Manor? You try to drug me, then call asking for money and political favors?"
The line went quiet, and I could practically feel Catherine's shock through the phone.
"Iris, please," she finally said, her voice losing its sweetness. "I know I'm asking a lot, but—"
"A lot?" I cut her off. "You want me to convince the Grey family to vote in your favor at the Council, restore your trading partnerships, AND give you money? After everything you've done?"
"Too much?" Catherine asked, her voice small. "I know it's difficult, but I'm truly desperate, Iris. The Stone family is falling apart. Kim's actions have consequences for all of us, and—"
"Stop," I interrupted, feeling my patience evaporate completely. "Stop pretending this is about Kim. You were there. You planned the whole thing. You're only calling me because you have nowhere else to turn."
Rachel gave me a thumbs up from her bed, clearly enjoying watching me stand up to Catherine.
"Fine," Catherine admitted, her voice hardening. "Yes, we're desperate. But you're still a Stone wolf, Iris, whether you like it or not. You have a responsibility to your pack."