Chapter 76

Arthur

The email arrives while I’m getting ready for work.

It’s from a law firm. Subject line: “Urgent Legal Matter: Your Presence Required.”

My first thought is Selina. Perhaps she’s trying to sue me for breach of contract or public humiliation after I ended our engagement at the exhibition, not that she has any grounds to do so. I scan the email quickly, noting the time and date for tomorrow. No details about the nature of the meeting, just a request for my “prompt attendance to discuss a pressing legal matter.”

I sigh, pocketing my phone. Whatever Selina is planning, I’ll handle it. Right now, I need to focus on repairing things with Iris.

Since our fight three nights ago, the atmosphere in the apartment has been frigid. Iris barely speaks to me, only interacting when Miles is present. She’s been out most of today, saying something about meeting Alice for lunch.

Meanwhile, I’ve been trying to figure out how to make her understand that I never meant to hurt her—that keeping Miles’ Alpha status from her wasn’t about control, but about fear.

Fear of exactly what’s happening now: losing them both.

The law firm’s offices are in a modest building downtown. I arrive fifteen minutes early later that morning, dressed in my usual suit and tie. I don’t intend for this to be a long meeting. The receptionist leads me to a conference room with an oval table and…

Iris.

“Iris?” I stop in the doorway, looking between her and the lawyer she’s sitting next to. “What are you doing here?”

She doesn’t answer, just stares at me. The man beside her stands.

“Alpha President,” he says, extending his hand. “I’ll be representing Miss Iris in our legal proceedings. Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

I shake his hand automatically, my eyes still on Iris. “What’s going on here?” I demand.

The lawyer takes a seat next to Iris. “Please, sit down,” he says, gesturing to my chair.

I remain standing. “I asked what’s going on.”

The lawyer clears his throat. “Miss Iris has retained my services to represent her in a custody matter regarding your son, Miles.”

The words feel like a bullet to the chest. I sink slowly into my chair, unable to process what I’m hearing.

“Custody?” I repeat, my gaze fixed on Iris. She still won’t look at me. “Iris, what is this?”

“My client is seeking full legal and physical custody of Miles,” the lawyer continues as if I hadn’t spoken. “We’re prepared to file the necessary paperwork with the family court today.”

My mind races, trying to make sense of this sudden betrayal. Just days ago, Iris had promised we wouldn’t leave the apartment—that she was staying for Miles. And now this?

“Iris,” I try again. “Look at me. Please.”

Finally, she raises her eyes to meet mine. What I see there freezes my blood. There’s no warmth, no softness—just a cold, steely resolve I’ve never witnessed before. She’s locked herself away from me completely.

“You promised,” I whisper. “You said you weren’t leaving.”

“I said I wasn’t going to a hotel that night,” she corrects in a flat voice. “I never promised to stay.”

Clearing his throat, the lawyer shuffles some papers in front of him. “Now, given the… unusual circumstances of this case, we’re prepared to negotiate visitation rights that would allow you to maintain a relationship with the child, while acknowledging my client as the primary custodial parent.”

“This is ridiculous,” I snap. “Miles is my son.”

“A son you didn’t even know about for five years,” the lawyer counters smoothly. “A son whose mother you manipulated and coerced into remaining in the country through dubious legal means.”

“That’s not what happened!”

“Isn’t it?” The lawyer raises an eyebrow. “You arranged for my client to be arrested on false charges. You twisted the terms of her contract to trap her in Ordan. You concealed critical medical information about her child from her.”

Each accusation lands like a punch to the gut because they contain just enough truth to be damning. I look to Iris again, desperate for her to understand.

“Iris, we can work this out. We don’t need lawyers. We can talk about this, just the two of us.”

She shakes her head slightly. “There’s nothing to talk about. You’ve made your intentions clear.”

“What intentions? I told you I love you!”

“You also thought I was a gold digger,” she replies coldly. “You kept Miles’ test results from me. You were going to use your power and influence to take him away.”

“No, that’s not—”

“Furthermore,” the lawyer interjects, “my client will be vacating your apartment effective immediately. She’s secured alternative housing that will provide a more stable environment for Miles during these proceedings.”

My stomach drops. “What? Where? You can’t just take him!”

“She can and she has,” the lawyer says. “My client has already signed a lease on a new apartment. She and Miles will be moving tomorrow.”

I feel like I’m drowning, struggling to keep my head above water as every word pulls me deeper. “Iris,” I plead, ignoring the lawyer completely. “Don’t do this. Think about Miles. He’s happy in the apartment. He’s just getting settled. This will confuse him, hurt him.”

For a moment, something flickers in her eyes—pain, uncertainty, maybe even regret—but it’s quickly masked.

“What will hurt him is growing up in a home filled with lies and manipulation,” she says quietly. “I’m doing what’s best for my son.”

“Our son,” I correct forcefully. “He’s our son, Iris. And he needs both of us.”

She doesn’t answer that.

The meeting continues for another twenty minutes, with the lawyer outlining the legal process ahead. I barely hear him, my attention fixed solely on Iris, trying to understand how we got here. How the woman I love has transformed into this cold stranger who won’t even meet my eyes.

When the lawyer finally concludes the meeting, Iris stands immediately, gathering her purse.

“We’ll be in touch regarding the initial court date,” the lawyer says, closing his folder. “My assistant will see you out.”

Iris moves toward the door without a backward glance.

“Iris, wait,” I call, rising from my chair. “Please. Just talk to me.”

She pauses, her hand on the doorknob, but doesn’t turn around. “There’s nothing left to say.”

Then she’s gone, the door clicking shut behind her.

I stand there, feeling hollowed out, until the lawyer clears his throat. “A word of advice, Alpha President. This doesn’t have to be a messy, public affair.”

I turn slowly to face him. “What do you mean?”

He shrugs. “Cases like these… they can get ugly. Details emerge. Private matters become public record.” He adjusts his cufflinks. “Your position as President could be at stake. The first human Luna in Ordan history? A half-breed Alpha Heir? The press would have a field day.”

My jaw tightens. “Is that a threat?”

“No, of course not. It’s simply an observation.” He stands, buttoning his suit jacket. I can tell it’s a cheap polyester material. “It would be easier for everyone if you simply let the human woman and your half-breed child go.”

“Easier for who?” I growl.

“For everyone involved. There are plenty of beautiful werewolf women in the world, Mr. President. Let Iris and Miles go. Find yourself a proper Luna. Have a pure-blooded heir. Save yourself the scandal.”

My stomach twists. I feel like I’m going to vomit. With a sharp inhale, I rise abruptly, storming toward the door.

“I don’t want anyone else,” I say over my shoulder. “I only want them.”