Jealousy Alpha's Regret novel Chapter 183

Chapter 183

Iris’s POV

I had just stepped out of the shower, my hair still damp against my shoulders, when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. Rachel’s name flashed across the screen. I wrapped my towel tighter around myself and grabbed the phone, dropping a few water droplets on the screen.

Hey, what’s going on?” I asked casually, tucking the phone between my ear and shoulder while reaching for my moisturizer. “Got some juicy gossip for me today?”

Rachel’s voice came through uncharacteristically serious. “You really havent seen it yet? The absolute shitstorm on social media?”

My hand froze midair. Something in her tone made my stomach tighten. “What are you talking about?”

Your mother and sister,” Rachel said, her voice tight with anger. “They’re all over the werewolf forums right now. They’ve made you trend, and

not in a good way.”

“What?” I felt my pulse quicken as I scrambled for my laptop. “What did they do now?”

Just check Twitter. Look for the hashtags #IrisStone UngratefulDaughter and #IrisStoneAttacksFamily.”

My hands were suddenly unsteady as I typed the words into the search bar. The screen filled with posts, comments, and that damn video of me slapping Catherine, edited to remove all context. The comment section was a cesspool of hate and judgment from people who didn’t know the first thing about my relationship with Catherine.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, scrolling through the vitriol.

“Keep looking,” Rachel urged. “There’s something else you need to see.”

My phone buzzed with incoming messages from Rachel. Screenshots. I opened the first one and nearly dropped my phone.

It was an official statement from Polaris Studio and the Lowell family. My eyes widened as I read:

“Polaris Studio categorically condemns the recent attacks against Ms. Iris Stone. Ms. Stone is a valued associate of our organization and a blood relative of the Lowell family. Any attempts to damage her reputation will be met with the full legal resources at our disposal. We remind all parties involved that under ancient werewolf law, blood relatives of founding families are afforded special protections.”

The statement was signed by both Ethan Lowell and Jack Lowell.

“What the hell?‘ I mumbled, staring at the screen. “Blood relative? What are they talking about?”

“I have no idea,” Rachel said. “But whatever’s going on, the Lowells just pulled you under their protection in a major way. People are freaking out, deleting comments, apologizing…”

I barely heard her. My mind was racing, trying to process what I’d just read Why would the Lowells claim ine as a blood relative? What did they know that I didn’t?

I need to go, I told Rachel abruptly. Tll call you back.”

I ended the call and sat there for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts Then I jumped up, threw on a pair of jeans and a sweater, and

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Chapter 183

grabbed my purse. Whatever was happening, I needed answers, and I needed them now.

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Five minutes later, I was standing outside Jack Lowell’s door, my heart pounding. I’d been so focused on getting here that I hadn’t even thought about what I would say. Thank you seemed insufficient for someone who had just publicly declared me family and shielded me from a social

media nightmare.

Before I could knock, the door opened, and there stood Jack Lowell, his eyes lighting up when he saw me.

“I was wondering when you’d come by,” he said softly.

I met his gaze, my expression complex. “Thank you for what you did today, but I don’t understand why…” I reached into my bag and pulled out a small gift–wrapped box. “I brought this to say thank you, but it seems inadequate now.”

Jack Lowell accepted the gift with a gentle smile. “You didn’t have to bring anything, my dear. I hope today’s events didn’t frighten you too

badly.”

I shook my head. “Not frightened. Grateful. Just… confused. I don’t understand why you and Ethan would put yourselves out there for me like

this.”

Jack’s eyes softened. “Would you like to follow me upstairs? There’s something I want to show you.”

Curiosity got the better of me, and I nodded. I followed him up the stairs, noting how each step seemed to carry weight, as if we were walking toward something momentous.

We reached the second floor, and Jack led me down the hallway to a door at the end–one I’d never seen opened during my visits. He produced a key from his pocket and unlocked it, pushing it open with a slight creak.

The room inside took my breath away. It was immaculately clean despite having a distinctly unused quality to it. The furniture was feminine but not overly so–a queen bed with a lavender duvet, a writing desk by the window, bookshelves filled with design books and novels. Everything was dusted and perfect, as if waiting for someone to return at any moment.

“This room…” I began, but fell silent as my eyes caught something on the wall.

Photographs. Dozens of them. And in the center, a portrait of a young woman who looked startlingly like… me.

I moved closer, drawn to the image. The woman had my eyes, my smile, even the way she tilted her head slightly when looking at the camera.

“Who is this?” I whispered, though something deep inside me already knew the answer.