Chapter 5 Chapter 5
Iris
Here lies the body of Iris.
I could already see my tombstone engraved with my name as I paced back and forth, my heart hammering against my ribs so hard I could feel the tremor in my throat.
Father was going to kill me when he found out.
“If he finds out,” My wolf responded, and I frowned. She had been restless inside me, pacing just as frantically.
While I was trying to keep us alive, she wanted us to tell everyone the truth and claim him.
My sister's to-be-husband, out of everyone in the world… it had to be him.
It was meant to be a one night stand, it shouldn't be coming back to haunt me.
What was I to do?
Keep quiet, pretend it never happened and pray he doesn't say anything.
But that wouldn't be possible because it did happen and my body felt everything he did to me.
I wouldn't be able to do it. I would have to live with it for the rest of life and watch my sister be with him.
I couldn't bear the thought alone.
“It's obvious, tell everyone the truth. You can’t let this happen, Iris. You can’t let the alliance continue. Not between your sister and your mate.” my wolf hissed.
My stomach twisted. “Stop,” I whispered under my breath, pressing my palms against my temples. “I can’t.”
I couldn’t destroy this alliance. Father had spent months trying to get them together. He believed this union would seal our family’s position, and would strengthen the packs. Breaking it off… for a one-night mistake? For a bond I hadn’t even asked for? That wasn’t an option. It couldn’t be.
My hands were trembling. I dug my nails into my palms to stop it, but the panic kept rising, flooding every thought until the world felt too small to breathe in.
Then, suddenly, someone grabbed my shoulders and shook me hard.
“Iris!”
I blinked, snapping out of the fog. Vickie stood in front of me, her brows drawn, her eyes sharp with suspicion. “What’s wrong with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I tried to form words, but my throat locked. How was I supposed to tell her that the man she was going to marry was my mate?
I forced a weak smile, shaking my head. “It’s nothing. I was just… thinking.”
Vickie’s expression softened, her features melting into sympathy. “It’s about Tony, isn’t it?” she said gently. “You’ll heal, Iris. He doesn't deserve you.”
She reached out, squeezing my hand. “Come on, we have bigger fish to fry. Father’s calling us.”
And before I could answer, she turned toward the door.
I swallowed hard, forcing my wolf back down as I followed her out.
Father’s study always smelled of tobacco and doom. Nothing good ever came from being in there.
It felt like being called to the principal office, only worse.
The air felt heavier the moment Vickie and I stepped inside. I felt my legs shake while Vickie was unfazed.
He stood by the window, hands behind his back, staring out like the world below existed only to obey him.
“Sit,” he said without turning.
Vickie and I exchanged a quick glance. That was new. Normally, he gave his orders and we left. But sit? That sounded like a conversation. And those were rare.
Oh no.
What did he know?
Vickie casually perched on a chair while I hesitated hovering near the chairs considering my options.
If I ran now I could turn rogue and still keep my life…
“I said sit,” he repeated, sharper this time forcing me to move and slump into the other chair.
The silence that followed stretched long enough for me to hear the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. My hands were cold in my lap.
Finally, he exhaled and turned, the light from the window cutting across his face. “I know I can be strict,” he began, his tone unusually measured.
That was the understatement of the year and Vickie scoffed in response.
Ignoring her he continued.
“Sometimes even… harsh. But understand, it’s because I want what’s best for you both.”
Vickie snorted before I could stop her, she lashed out.“You mean what’s best for the pack, what's best for your name, your legacy that was tarnished because mother never gave you a boy.”
His head snapped toward her. “Don’t. I didn't call you here for an argument.”
Her lips twitched, the faintest smirk of rebellion before she leaned back, crossing her arms. “The truth is a bitter pill.”
Father studied her for a long second, then continued, slower. “What’s best for the pack is what’s best for this family. I built this legacy to last, not crumble over emotions and flings.”
He began pacing, his boots soundless on the rug. I watched him move to the table looking at a map in front of him.
“For the next two weeks,” he said, “I want no disturbances. No mistakes. No… nuisance.”
Vickie frowned. “Nuisance? You make it sound like we’re toddlers.”
His gaze pinned her. “If you have something useful to say, Vickie, I’m listening.”
She clenched her jaw and went quiet.
“This wedding must happen, I'm upset we have two weeks so much can go wrong but I'm ready to do anything and everything to make sure this marriage works.”
Abruptly, he looked in my direction and I felt my heart drop to my toes.
“You look well, I'm glad you are healing from that fool Tony.”
I frowned. “How…
“Oh please Iris, you think I don't know about your silly relationship, I didn't expect him to cheat so easily but thank goodness he did.”
Something twisted in my chest. “How… how do you know about Tony?”
Father didn’t hesitate. “Because I made sure of it.”
Vickie straightened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He met my eyes first, then hers. “I paid the girl to go after him.”
The room froze.
“You what?” Vickie’s voice cracked.
“I paid her,” he repeated calmly, as though discussing a business transaction. “To keep him away from my daughter, I don't want any scandal that could embarrass this family. I won’t have our name dragged through the mud because of your impulses.”
My mouth went dry, my heart breaking all over again. “You… you paid someone to seduce him? To sabotage my relationship!?”
“Yes, Iris. I did.”