Jealousy Alpha's Regret novel Chapter 272

Chapter 272

Iris’s POV

I sat at the dining table, my fingers nervously tapping against the polished wood as I watched Jack and Ethan return from the kitchen. Their faces were pinched in that weird way people look when they’re trying to act normal but definitely aren’t. Jack’s eyebrows were all scrunched up, and Ethan’s jaw was so tight I thought he might crack a tooth,

They exchanged this quick look that screamed ‘we just talked about something secret.” My stomach knotted immediately. Great, more drama I wasn’t prepared for.

Jack sighed and muttered to Ethan, “But Lucas’s situation is complicated too. Let’s try not to mention it for now. Can’t believe this boy actually showed up for dinner.

My brain clicked the pieces together instantly. “They’re talking about Sebastien and Lucas, I thought, my chest tightening. “God, tonight is going to be even more of a nightmare than I thought.”

I glanced around the table, feeling like I could cut the tension with a knife. Lucas sat directly across from me, staring at me like I was some exotic animal in a zoo. His mother, Nancy, watched me with this calculating look that made my skin crawl. Melinda-the pregnant woman I’d helped earlier-sat beside her looking super uncomfortable, which, honestly, made two of us.

Sebastien’s presence to my right felt like standing next to a radiator-impossible to ignore and uncomfortably warm. I could feel his eyes flicking to me every few seconds, but I refused to look at him. No way was I giving him the satisfaction.

The awkward silence was killing me until Jack appeared with a tray of food. “Sorry for the wait, everyone! Now that all the dishes are ready, let’s eat!”

I stared down at the soup in front of me, my stomach turning at the thought of food. I’d already eaten with Sebastien earlier, and the stress of this whole bizarre situation was making me queasy. I pushed the spoon around, creating little whirlpools in the broth without actually taking a bite.

Jack noticed immediately because of course he did. “What’s wrong, Iris? Aren’t these all your favorites? Are you feeling unwell?”

I felt Ethan’s worried eyes on me. Even Sebastien had stopped eating to watch my reaction. My cheeks heated under all the attention.

“I’m fine, lack,” I said, forcing a small smile. “I already ate before coming back. I’m not hungry right now.”

I caught Lucas’s parents exchanging this knowing look, and my heart sank. They’d figured out I’d had dinner with Sebastien. Fantastic. More gossip fodder

for the werewolf rumor mill

Γ

I could feel Sebastien’s gaze burning into the side of my face, but I stubbornly kept my eyes on my soup, pretending to be fascinated by the floating

vegetables.

Iwat when i thought things couldn’t get more uncomfortable, Lucas’s mother cleared her throat and addressed Jack directly.

“lack, since both our families are gathered here today, I might as well bring this up,” she said, her voice smooth as silk. “Our Lucas has reached the age where he should find a mate. That arrangement we discussed years ago-is it still valid?”

1 neatly choked on the water I was sipping. What werewolf arrangement? My heart hammered so hard I was sure everyone at the table could hear it. I shor

a panicked look at lack, silently begging for an explanation.

I felt Sebastien gu rigid beside me, practically radiating hostility as he glared at Lucas.

9:13 am P p =

Chapter 272-

Lucas mother continued, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. Now that Iris has returned, and our Lucas is still unattached, perhaps the young ones rould spend some time together and see if they’re compatible?”

Jack cleared his throat, looking like ke’d rather be anywhere else. “Well, that was more of a casual suggestion back then, wasn’t it? These matters are rather serious for young werewolves. Perhaps it’s better to let them decide for themselves?*

Thank god for Jack’s diplomacy. My mind was still reeling from this bombshell. An arranged mating? With Lucas? How was this the first I was hearing of it?

Lucas’s mother turned to me with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Our Lucas has been quite taken with you, Iris. He’s hardly stopped talking about you since that day. There’s no harm in getting to know each other better as riends, is there?”

Suddenly all eyes were on me, and the room felt about ten degrees hotter. My palms started sweating as scrambled to find a response that wouldn’t offend

anyone but also wouldn’t encourage whatever the hell this was.

I managed what I hoped was a polite smile. “We can discuss friendship another time. Shouldn’t we enjoy our meal first?

Throughout dinner, Lucas wouldn’t stop with the attention. He kept offering to refill my water or pass dishes before I even looked at them. His eyes lingered

on me in this hungry way that made my skin crawl.

“Lucas, you’re a guest here. There’s no need to fuss over me so much,” I finally said, keeping my tone firm but polite when he tried to serve me something

for the third time.

Melinda suddenly spoke up, her voice cool as ice. “Brother, take care of your own food first.”

I noticed Lucas’s mother subtly pinch Melinda’s arm, giving her this shut-up-now look. Melinda clamped her mouth shut, but her expression said everything

her words couldn’t.

I almost wanted to laugh. “Well, the sister clearly doesn’t approve of her brother’s interest in me,” I thought, finding a small bit of amusement in this

disaster of a dinner.

When the meal finally ended, I felt like I could breathe again. We all walked the Morgan family to the door, and I made sure to keep a safe distance from everyone, especially Sebastien, who had been watching everything with those intense eyes of his.

As they were leaving, Lucas’s father turned to me with this meaningful look that made my stomach drop. “Thank you for dinner. Please consider what we discussed, Miss Stone. Lucas truly likes you, and an alliance between our wolf clans would make both families stronger.

I kept my diplomatic smile plastered on but offered absolutely zero promises as I waved goodbye.

Once they had left, I turned to face Sebastien, beyond ready for this exhausting night to end. “Alpha Grey, it’s getting late. You should head home too.

Sebastien thanked Jack for the meal, then gave me one last penetrating look that I felt all the way to my bones before turning to leave. As I watched him walk away, I couldn’t help but wonder what fresh hell tomorrow would bring.

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Jealousy Alpha’s Regret