#Chapter 28: A Moment of Weakness

Iris I consider turning around and leaving the bar, but Arthur spots me before I have a chance, and waves me over. Partially driven by curiosity and maybe slightly driven by the mate bond tugging on me insistently, I sigh and make my way over to him. “Iris,” he says, standing as I approach. He pulls my chair out for me, as if we’re in a fancy restaurant. “You came.” I take my seat, trying my best to ignore the sensation of goosebumps raising on my exposed skin as his eyes skim across my outfit. I’m not sure why I assumed that Arthur would invite me, his sordid human mistress, to a nice enough place for a dress like this. Wishful thinking, I guess. The sort of thinking I thought I squashed like a bug over the past five years, but it still occasionally rears its ugly head. “Your Beta said you wanted to talk,” I say. Arthur nods, then waves over the waiter. He orders a cocktail for himself, then gestures to me. “Water, please,” I say,