Jealousy Alpha's Regret novel Chapter 181

Chapter 181

Megan’s POV

59%

“What the fuck? What the actual fuck?” I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the phone screen. My hands started shaking so badly I thought I might drop Jennifer’s phone right there on the sticky bar table.

Official Statement from Lowell Family: Iris Stone is our blood relative, protected under ancient werewolf law.

The words blurred as I read them over and over. How could Iris possibly be connected to the Lowells? The Lowells? One of North America’s oldest and most powerful pure–blooded werewolf families? The family that could crush the Claire pack with a single phone call?

My stomach twisted into a knot so tight I thought I might vomit. Every single interaction I’d ever had with Iris flashed through my mind- every insult, every snide comment, every time I’d undermined her at work or in front of Sebastien.

“This can’t be happening,” I whispered, my mouth suddenly desert–dry. “When did they… how is she…”

My brain couldn’t even form complete sentences. Sweat broke out across my forehead as I scrolled through the comments. Werewolves who had been tearing Iris apart just hours ago were now falling over themselves to apologize and pledge their support. The Lowell name carried that

much weight.

“Megan?” Jennifer’s voice seemed to come from far away. “Are you okay? You look like you’re about to pass out.”

I finally looked up, suddenly aware that everyone at the table was staring at me. Their faces showed mixtures of concern, confusion, and something else that made my blood run cold–pity.

‘I’m fine,” I snapped, shoving Jennifer’s phone back at her. I grabbed my martini and downed it in one gulp, the alcohol burning a path down my throat. “Why wouldn’t I be fine?”

Jennifer exchanged glances with the others. “Well, given what you were saying earlier about Iris…”

“What about it?” I cut her off, looking around the table with what I hoped was a confident expression. “I was just saying we shouldn’t be too hard on her without knowing the full story, right?”

The silence that followed was excruciating. Nobody believed me. I could smell the skepticism coming off them in waves–another annoying werewolf sense. We could literally smell lies.

“Actually,” I continued, my voice getting higher with each word, “I’ve always thought Iris was treated unfairly. I mean, we don’t know what went on between her and her mother.”

More silence. More staring.

“Even though she’s from the Stone family,” I pressed on desperately, I still think she deserves the benefit of the doubt, dan’t you agree?”

Jennifer finally spoke, her voice dripping with disbelief. “Meg, fifteen minutes ago you were calling her a desperate social climber who slept her way into the Grey family.”

“I never said that! I hissed, looking around frantically to see if anyone else had heard. “That’s completely untrue I was delending hert

The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. Everyone was

Bring at me with those same pitying looks, and I couldn’t stand it.

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14:37 Mon, Apr 13 D

Chapter 181

59%

My heart was hammering so hard I could feel it in my throat.

I need some air, I announced, standing up so abruptly my chair scraped loudly against the floor. “It’s getting late anyway. We should call it a

night.

I grabbed my purse and practically ran for the exit, ignoring the whispers that erupted behind me. The cool night air hit my face, but it did

nothing to calm the panic racing through my veins. I gulped in deep breaths, trying to think clearly.

“The Lowells,” I whispered to myself, leaning against the brick

outside “She’s connected to the fucking Lowells.”

My hands were shaking so badly I could barely get my car keys out of my purse. If Ethan Lowell traced the video back to me–if he discovered I was the one who had manipulated Catherine into posting it–I was dead. Not literally, maybe, but socially, professionally, and within the werewolf community? Completely dead.

“Megan! Wait up!”

I turned to see Jennifer hurrying toward me, her high heels clicking on the pavement. Great. Just what I needed.

“What do you want?” I snapped, unlocking my car with trembling hands.

“What was that all about in there?” she demanded, grabbing my arm. “One minute you’re gloating about Iris’s downfall, the next you’re pretending you’ve always been her biggest defender?”

I yanked my arm away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

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