Jealousy Alpha's Regret novel Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Iris’s POV

I stared at the backseat of Sebastien’s SUV, crowded with shopping

bags, boxes, and what appeared to be a giant stuffed wolf taking up

most of the space. This had to be deliberate. There was absolutely no

way I could sit back there without crushing whatever expensive items

he’d thrown in.

“What the hell is all this?” I asked, glaring at Sebastien through the

open door.

His face remained impassive as he gestured toward the front

passenger seat. “You’ll have to sit

up

front.”

I rolled my eyes. Of course. God forbid I sit in the back and maintain a

comfortable distance between us. I slid into the passenger seat,

acutely aware of how close this would put us during the drive. The car

smelled like him–that woodsy, masculine scent that my wolf still

responded to, much to my annoyance.

“Are we going or what?” I asked after buckling my seatbelt,

deliberately keeping my gaze straight ahead.

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Sebastien slid behind the wheel, his broad shoulders and long legs

filling the driver’s space with an irritating effortlessness. He didn’t

start the car immediately. Instead, he turned slightly toward me, his

gray eyes calculating.

“I have a condition,” he said, his deep voice filling the confined space.

I almost laughed. Of course he did. I should have known Sebastien

wouldn’t simply help me without turning it into some kind of

transaction. That was his way–everything had to be a deal, a

negotiation where he held all the cards. Even when he’d already

implied he would go, he still needed to assert control by making it

seem like he was doing me a favor.

“A condition? For driving me to my own family’s house?” I asked,

unable to keep the bitterness from my voice.

“I’ll accompany you to the Stone territory as requested,” he said, his

tone businesslike. “In exchange, you’ll attend a werewolf council

dinner with me next week. As my mate.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”

“The council dinner is an important event. All Alphas and their mates

are expected to attend.” His fingers tapped against the steering wheel. “Since our cooling period isn’t complete, you’re still officially

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my mate.”

I studied his face, searching for the real motivation behind this

request. This wasn’t just about appearances. Something else was at

play.

“This isn’t a negotiation,” I said coldly. “This is you strong–arming me

into doing what you want.”

His jaw tightened. “Take it or leave it, Iris.”

I leaned back in my seat,,a cold laugh escaping my lips. This wasn’t a

fair trade at all. He was essentially saying: I’ll do something I’m

already obligated to do if you’ll act as my trophy mate at an

important function.

And then it clicked. Megan would be there. Of course. The wolves‘

council dinner would be the perfect place for the returning wolf to

make her social debut. And Sebastien needed me there as a shield, to

keep her at a distance while they played out whatever strange game

.they had going.

“This is about Megan, isn’t it?” I asked, watching his reaction

carefully.

A muscle in his cheek twitched. Bingo.

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I weighed my options. Dealing with Catherine and Kim was more immediately important than worrying about a dinner that was still a week away. By that time, who knew what might change? The Stone family needed to be put in their place now, and having Sebastien

there would add weight to my message.

“Fine,” I said with feigned indifference. “I’ll go to your dinner.

Sebastien nodded once and started the car. As we pulled away from

my building, I turned to look out the window, hiding my satisfied smile. Let him think he’d won this round. Compared to confronting

Catherine and her manipulations, playing pretend mate for one

evening seemed a small price to pay.

The Stone family residence came into view after a forty–minute drive spent in uncomfortable silence. It was a large, colonial–style house that had once been impressive but now showed subtle signs of neglect -peeling paint near the gutters, slightly overgrown hedges. My father would have never allowed such disrepair.

I spotted Catherine and Kim standing at the entrance before we even parked, their scents carrying across the lawn. They’d been waiting, probably watching for our arrival. Catherine wore a forced smile that didn’t reach her eyes, while Kim stood slightly behind her, her expression carefully neutral.

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“They’re already circling,” I muttered as Sebastien pulled up to the

curb.

He cut the engine and gave me a questioning look.

“Nothing,” I said. “Let’s get this over with.”

Catherine hurried toward us the moment we stepped out of the car,

her arms outstretched as if preparing for an embrace I had no

intention of returning.

“Sebastien! Iris! You’re finally here!” Her voice was sugar–sweet, the

tone she used when she wanted something. “The drive wasn’t too

terrible, I hope? Come inside, come inside. I’ve prepared your favorite

herbal tea, Iris.”

I fought the urge to laugh. My favorite tea? She wouldn’t know my preferences if they were tattooed across her forehead. I exchanged a brief glance with Sebastien, who seemed equally unimpressed by the

performance.

“Thank you, Catherine,” I said coolly as we followed her inside.

The house felt different now–emptier, less vibrant than when my father had been alive. Family photos featuring me had been systematically replaced with images of Catherine and Kim, with only

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a few token pictures of my father remaining. It was as if Catherine

was slowly erasing any evidence that I’d ever been part of this family.

We were ushered into the dining room, where an elaborate lunch had

been laid out. I took a seat across from Kim, with Sebastien beside

1. me. Catherine bustled around, playing the perfect hostess, fetching

dishes and refilling glasses with exaggerated care.

“I’m so glad you both could make it,” she said, finally taking her seat

at the head of the table–my father’s old place. “It’s been too long

since we’ve had a proper family gathering.”

I picked at my food, noting that she’d prepared all of Kim’s favorites

and none of mine. Typical. I watched Catherine fuss over Sebastien,

offering him the best cuts of meat and repeatedly asking if he needed

anything else. Her desperation was palpable. Whatever she wanted

from this visit, she wanted it badly.

Kim remained unusually quiet during the meal, observing rather than

participating. I recognized the calculating look in her eyes–she was

waiting for the right moment to strike. It came as dessert was being

served.

“Sister,” Kim said suddenly, her voice dripping with false innocence,

“you and Sebastien seem… different today.”

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I raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

“The wolf grapevine has been buzzing lately,” she continued, twirling her spoon between her fingers. “They say your mark is just for show, that Sebastien hasn’t really accepted you as his mate…”

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