Chapter 3

Iris POV

The next morning, I got up early.

I was just stepping out of the bedroom when I ran straight into Lily coming out of the room next door.

She was wearing a silk robe with the neckline cut low, the hickeys on her neck clear and ugly.

"Morning, Iris." Lily ran a hand along her neck, smirking at me. "Charles told me you're the one who let me stay over?"

I looked at her without speaking.

"You really are generous." Lily took a step closer. "But I guess that makes sense. Your status, your power—it all came from Charles. He loved you, so your words carried weight. Now that he doesn't love you anymore, you don't even have the right to speak in this house."

I looked at her: "Six more days."

Then I turned to head downstairs.

Lily's face went ugly the second I shut her down.

The next moment, she lunged at me and shoved me hard.

I stumbled, my world spinning. My hands flailed for something to grab, but there was nothing.

My body slammed down step after step until I crashed onto the floor.

Everything went black.

When I woke up, I was lying in the master bedroom.

I opened my eyes to find Charles sitting on the edge of the bed, holding my hand, his face full of concern.

"Iris, you're finally awake." He leaned in, his voice thick with relief. "How could you be so careless? If Lily hadn't found you at the bottom of the stairs, who knows what would've happened!"

I looked at him, my voice quiet: "That's what Lily said?"

Charles frowned: "Why? Was there something else?"

I looked away: "It's nothing."

He kissed my fingers: "It's just—how did you fall down the stairs and pass out?"

Of course it was because I'd been tortured all night and my wolf was weak as hell.

But I just looked at him and closed my eyes without answering.

That afternoon, Charles suggested we go out to eat.

He picked a high-end restaurant downtown.

The moment we sat down, I heard Lily's voice.

I turned and sure enough, she was walking in with a heavyset man at her side.

I knew him.

Frank. A wealthy businessman and a notorious creep.

The second he saw me, his eyes locked onto me.

Lily came over smiling to greet us, while Frank stared at me the entire time.

I frowned: "Let's leave."

"What's wrong?" Charles poured a glass of water. "These are all your favorites."

"Charles!" Lily suddenly walked up and rested her hand on his shoulder. "My stomach's hurting all of a sudden."

Charles immediately stood, one arm wrapping around her, the other moving to her belly: "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, just discomfort," Lily bit her lip, looking troubled. "I'd love for you to come with me to see the healer, but..."

Her eyes flicked to me, then to Frank at the next table.

Charles paused, then turned to me: "Iris, I'm taking her to the healer."

I stood up, ready to leave too, but he grabbed my wrist.

His eyes were heavy: "Iris, help Lily entertain Mr. Frank."

My eyes went wide: "What?!"

Charles looked away but kept his voice firm: "This deal Lily's working on is huge. It involves a major investment from Bloodclaw Pack. If we both leave, she won't be able to explain it to her side."

"Charles!" I was shaking with anger. "Do you even hear yourself!"

There's no way he didn't see the disgusting look in Frank's eyes! If I stayed tonight, who knew what would happen?

Charles's grip on my wrist tightened: "But—"

"Charles," Lily had gone paler, her voice weak as cotton. "I really don't feel well."

Just then, Frank walked over, his eyes crawling all over me: "Well if it isn't Alpha Charles. What's going on here?"

Charles dug his fingers into my hand and looked at Frank: "Mr. Jones, Lily isn't feeling well. I need to take her to the healer. But Bloodclaw Pack is fully committed to this deal. Even though Lily has to leave, my Luna will take care of you."

He turned to me, his gaze heavy: "Iris, you're the Luna of Shadowmoon Pack. You need to think of the bigger picture."

A chill ran through me. I looked at him as if I were truly seeing this man for the first time.

Charles wrapped his arm around Lily and started walking out. After a few steps he stopped and turned back: "Just sign and come home. It'll be quick."

Then he was gone.

Frank let out a loud laugh: "Luna Iris, come on, let's talk business."

He pulled a chair right next to mine and dropped his hand on my thigh: "Charles left you here. What's there to be shy about?"

I stood up to leave, and Frank yanked me down into his lap.

The stink of alcohol mixed with bad breath hit me in the face. My stomach lurched.

His hand was already at my waist, sliding under my shirt.

I panicked, grabbed the wine bottle off the table, and smashed it down on his head.

The bottle shattered. Wine and blood streamed down his face.

He clutched his head and screamed, stumbling backward.

I dropped what was left of the bottle, pushed open the door, and walked out.

Outside the restaurant, the night air hit my face.

I stood at the curb, my hands still shaking.

I pulled out my phone and made a call.

Two rings, then it picked up.

"Mom," I said, my voice surprisingly calm. "Where's Dad? Tell him—next week, I'm coming back to Silverstream Pack."

There was a pause on the other end before my mother's voice cracked and she answered immediately: "Yes, yes. We'll be waiting."

Just six days left.