Jealousy Alpha's Regret novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Iris’s POV

“The wolf grapevine has been buzzing lately,” Kim 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…”

Catherine shot Kim a warning look, but the damage was done. The

real purpose of this lunch was becoming clear–they wanted to assess

the state of my marriage, to see if the rumors were true.

I set down my fork, making a decision. I was tired of pretenses, tired of playing nice with people who had never shown me genuine

kindness.

“The mark will be dissolved after the next full moon,” I said, rising

from my chair. “After that, we’ll have no direct connection.”

Catherine’s panicked eyes darted between Sebastien and me. She’d

clearly been hoping I was bluffing earlier, that my words about the

cooling period were just an empty threat. But now she needed

confirmation from someone she couldn’t dismiss so easily.

“Sebastien,” she said, her voice trembling slightly as she turned to

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him. “Tell me this isn’t true. The Grey family promised protection to

the Stone family!”

“Iris is correct,” Sebastien replied coolly. “The werewolf council has

already received our application.”

Catherine’s carefully constructed facade completely crumbled. What

little color remained in her face drained away as the reality sank in—

this wasn’t just my rebellion, but something Sebastien himself had

officially endorsed.

“This is outrageous!” she nearly shouted, desperation replacing her

earlier forced politeness. “After everything we’ve done for you-

I felt a strange sense of satisfaction watching her panic. For years,

she’d treated me as nothing more than a convenient pawn, useful

only for the alliance I’d secured with my marriage. Now she was

facing the consequences of her manipulation.

I laughed, a sharp, bitter sound that silenced her instantly.

“Everything you’ve done for me? You mean pushing me into a loveless political marriage? Stealing my father’s assets after his death?

Treating me like an unwanted guest in my own family home?”

Catherine’s mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. Kim looked shell–shocked, her earlier smugness completely evaporated.

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“I think we’re done here,” I said, heading toward the door. Just before

leaving, I turned back, unable to resist one final blow. “By the way,

Catherine, the protection agreement between our families? As

Sebastien’s future ex–mate, I’ve specifically requested that he

reconsider it. Entirely.”

Catherine’s face went ashen. Kim looked like she might actually faint.

Without waiting for their response, I turned and walked out, the

sound of Catherine’s panicked voice fading behind me.

Sebastien followed silently, his face unreadable as we made our way

to his SUV. The moment both doors closed, the silence became

suffocating. He started the engine without a word, his knuckles white

against the steering wheel. I stared straight ahead, my heart still

pounding from the confrontation, afraid to look at him directly.

Ten minutes into the drive, he finally spoke.

“You didn’t tell me you were going to suggest I terminate the

protection agreement.”

His voice was controlled, but there was an edge to it I couldn’t quite

identify. Anger? Surprise? Maybe even a hint of respect?

“I didn’t think I needed your permission,” I replied, keeping my gaze

fixed on the passing scenery.

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He made a sound–something between a scoff and a laugh. “You’ve

changed, Iris Stone.”

The rest of the drive passed in heavy silence. When he finally pulled

up outside my building, I reached for the door handle, desperate to

escape the tension.

“The dinner,” he said, stopping me. “I’ll text you the details.”

I nodded once and hurried out, not looking back as I headed toward

my apartment building.

Back at my Blue Harbor apartment, I kicked off my shoes and

collapsed onto my couch, a strange sense of lightness filling my

chest. The look on Catherine’s face when I’d dropped that final

bombshell had been priceless–pure, undiluted terror.

“Should I feel bad?” I asked the empty room, one hand resting on my

still–flat stomach. “Probably. But I don’t.”

For years, Catherine had used me as a tool to maintain the Stone

family’s position. She’d never cared about me as a daughter, only

about what my connection to the Grey family could provide. Now she

was facing the possibility of losing that protection entirely.

“Your grandfather built that family from nothing,” I whispered to my

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unborn children. “And rather than see it used as a shield for those

who don’t deserve it, maybe it’s better to let the wolves handle things

their natural way.”

I knew what would happen. Without Grey protection, other wolf packs

would start pressuring the Stone territory. Catherine and Kim would

either need to form new alliances or risk losing everything. It wasn’t

my problem anymore.

I stretched out on the couch, feeling more relaxed than I had in

months. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, I’d sleep

well knowing I’d finally stood up for myself.

My phone buzzed with notifications early the next morning. I

squinted at the screen, still half–asleep, to find a flurry of messages

in the Crescent Design work group chat.

Is Grey going on a business trip?

I heard Megan say he’ll be gone for at least a week

Anyone know where he’s heading?

I scrolled through the messages with mild interest as I brushed my

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teeth. So Sebastien was going away. That explained why he hadn’t

mentioned anything about preparing for the dinner. I checked my

personal messages and found a brief text from him sent late last

night:

Traveling for business. Back before the dinner.

No explanation, no details. Just a bare minimum notification. I rolled

my eyes and tossed my phone onto the bed. Typical Sebastien

behavior.

“Not my problem,” I muttered as I finished getting ready.

I grabbed a piece of toast, holding it between my teeth as I gathered

my things and rushed out the door. Sebastien’s absence meant one

thing: a reprieve from his confusing, hot–and–cold behavior. No more

unexpected office confrontations, no more tense car rides. Just me,

focusing on my work and my life.

As I stepped into the Crescent Design office, I immediately sensed

Megan’s eyes on me. She was standing by the receptionist’s desk,

coffee in hand, watching me with that calculating look I was

beginning to recognize all too well.

Great. With Sebastien gone, she probably thought she had free rein to

make my life miserable. I headed straight to my desk, determined to

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focus on my work and avoid whatever drama she was planning to stir

1. up.

“Stone,” Megan called out as I passed. “Print these for me, would

you?”

She held out a stack of papers, her smile sickeningly sweet.

I took the papers without comment, already seeing how this day

would unfold. With Sebastien away, Megan would test her boundaries,

see how far she could push before I pushed back.

Fine. Let her play her games. I had more important things to worry

about–like my career, my unborn children, and the dinner where I’d

have to pretend to be Sebastien’s loving mate one last time before we

officially ended everything.

And honestly? After watching Catherine and Kim squirm yesterday, I

was almost looking forward to it.