“They marked your face,” he says quietly. “They were trying to-
“I know what they were trying to do,” I interrupt. “Make you not want me anymore. Make me too ugly or damaged for you to
keep as your mate.” I laugh bitterly. “Like your attraction to me is solely based on my looks.”
Arthur’s hands still on my face. “Nothing they could have done would change how I feel about you, Iris.”
My heart skips at the intensity in his eyes. For a moment, we just stare at each other, and I wonder if he’s going to kiss me. Part of
me wants him to
wants to forget everything that just happened in the warmth of his embrace.
A knock at the door interrupts us. Arthur’s eyes flash with annoyance as he calls out, “What is it?”
Ezra pokes his head in. “Just checking if you need anything, Alpha.”
I straighten up suddenly. “Actually, I do.” Both men look at me in surprise. “I need a new dress. Fetch the stylist.”
Arthur’s eyebrows shoot up. “No, Iris, I’m taking you home. After what just happened-”
“Absolutely not,” I say firmly, tugging his jacket more closely around my body. “I’m not going home. I’m going back to the gala ”
“What?” Arthur looks genuinely shocked. “Iris, you were just attacked. Those photos-”
“Those photos will be all over the internet by morning no matter what we do. And if I leave now, then those women and all the others who would have done the same thing in their place would only win.”
Arthur stares at me like I’ve grown a second head. “You want to go back to the party? After everything that just happened?”
“Yes.” I lift my chin defiantly. “I wanted you to expose our matehood to the public. I can handle the consequences of that choice.” I turn to Ezra. “I need a dress. I don’t care if you have to pull the stylist out of bed. Tell her to get me something.”
Ezra glances at Arthur, who’s still looking at me with a mixture of disbelief and is that pride?
“Do it,” Arthur tells him.
Ezra nods and disappears, closing the door behind him.
“You are the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met,” Arthur says, shaking his head. But there’s a smile tugging
mouth.
tugging at one corn
corner of his
“You knew that when you mated me,” I retort.
He steps closer, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture is so tender that I feel my body begin to relax, the faint tremor that’s been coursing through me finally slowing and then stopping entirely.
The way he’s looking at me makes my heart race. He leans in again, and this time, I think he is actually going to kiss me. I want
1/2
+20 Bonus
him to kiss me. I want the comfort of his lips on mine.
But before our lips can meet, the door opens again, and Ezra returns, carrying a garment bag and a shoebox.
“That was fast,” I breathe.
“Your stylist needs a raise,” he announces, laying the garments out on a table. “Your stylist was already waiting in her car out back just in case of any wardrobe malfunctions. Had a whole other outfit prepared for you.”
wall Ezra.”
Arthur snorts. “Precisely why I hired her. Thank you,
Ezra nods and exits again, leaving Arthur and me alone once more. The almost–kiss lingers between us, but my mind is elsewhere now. I unzip the garment bag, revealing a sleek black dress. Simple but elegant–perfect for making a dignified return to the gala.
“You can wait outside while I change,” I say, but Arthur doesn’t move. I glance at him. “Arthur?”
His eyes are fixed on a bare sliver of shoulder that’s peeking out from beneath his jacket, which is still wrapped around me. Arthur has seen me naked countless times before, but it’s been so long since the last time that the very thought makes my cheeks redden.
He clears his throat, and his voice is rough as he says, “You’re hurt. Let me help you.”
My throat bobs. “I’m fine, really. It’s just a couple of scratches-”
“I’m not leaving your side for another second tonight, Iris.” The tone in his voice brooks no argument, and before I can respond, he’s moving forward, closing the distance between us.
I don’t argue or pull away as his hands gently remove the jacket from my body.
