Too Late Alpha The Mate He Never Wanted (Iris and Eric) novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131

Iris’s POV

I shook my head hard. “No, Rowan.”

Rowan stepped closer, closing the space between us.

“No what?” His voice was low, almost like a growl. “No, you won’t stay? No, you won’t even tell me why?”

“Just no,” I whispered, backing away until the edge of the bed pressed against the back of my knees.

A wave of déjà-vu washed over me. The same thing had happened that night, with him stepping closer while I kept backing away.

Rowan didn’t stop. He kept coming until only a few feet separated us. I inhaled sharply, and the scent of pine and fresh rain flooded my thoughts.

“Try me, Iris.” His eyes were dark and unblinking. “Tell me right here, right now, what you want. Whatever it is, just say it.”

The look in his eyes was so intense, and so sincere, that for a heartbeat I believed him. For a heartbeat it felt like if I asked him for anything at all, he would give it. Even…for him to be with me.

The thought jolted me. I shook it off quickly. That wasn’t what I wanted, right? What the hell was wrong with me?

“That’s not “My voice cracked. I forced it steady. “You can’t give me what I want.”

His jaw flexed. “What do you want, Iris?”

I searched for words to explain. “I want a safe place,” I said finally. “Somewhere stable. Somewhere I can build…something of my own.”

His gaze softened slightly. “You have that here.”

“No,” I said, sharper than I intended. “Not like that.’

“Why not?” He stepped closer again, and I felt the heat of his body even though he wasn’t touching me. “What’s missing?”

I clenched my hands together so tightly. The answer bubbled in my throat, but I couldn’t let it out.

Rowan’s voice lowered. “If you need protection, you have it. If you need a home, you

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Chapter 131

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have it. Whatever you need, you have it.” He said, looking straight into my eyes. His eyes were saying what his words weren’t.

My heart thudded painfully. “Don’t,” I whispered. “Don’t say that.”

“Why not?” His voice was firm. “Because you don’t believe it? Or because you don’t want to believe it?”

I turned my face away. “You’re twisting this.”

“I’m not twisting anything,” he said firmly. “I’m trying to understand why you keep running. Every time someone tries to care about you, you shut them out. Why?”

“That’s not fair,” I shot back, my voice trembling. “You don’t know what I’ve been through.”

“Then tell me!” The sudden sharpness in his voice made me flinch. He immediately dropped the volume. “Tell me, Iris. Give me something. Anything at all. Let me help you.”

His words pierced through me. I wrapped my arms around myself. “You don’t understand.”

“Then help me understand,” he said quietly “Please.”

I wanted to scream. I wanted to tell him everything at that moment, but I couldn’t.

“I can’t stay,” I said finally, forcing the words out.

“Why?” His voice was barely a whisper. “Tell me why, and I swear I’ll listen. No judgment. Just tell me.”

I pressed my nails into my palms until it hurt. “It’s not about you.”

“That’s not an answer,” he said, moving even closer. “If it’s not about me, the what it is. Because right now, all I see is someone who wants to disappear when doesn’t have to.”

His nearness was unsettling. His scent flooded my senses again. I took a shaky step aside to avoid feeling caged, but he moved closer.

“Stop pushing,” I said, my voice cracking.

“I can’t.” He murmured, placing his hands on the desk behind me, caging me in easily. “Not when you’re about to walk out of here and vanish without telling me why. Not when I-“He cut himself off, jaw tight. “Just, tell me.”

“Rowan-”

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Chapter 131

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“Tell me what you want,” he insisted, eyes burning into mine. “Tell me what’s really driving you out of here.”

His face was so close I could see the hint of gold in his eyes. For one dangerous moment, I glanced at his lips.

A voice inside me whispered what I refused to admit, that part of what I wanted was him. That part of me wanted to lean forward and close the distance.

I shook the thought away violently. No. That wasn’t what this was about.

What I wanted was a safe, stable place to raise my child.

My chest squeezed as I realized a part of me wanted him there too.

I clamped down on the thought as panic surged through me. No. I couldn’t think like that.

Rowan’s eyes searched mine. “Iris…”

“I can’t stay, Rowan,” I blurted.

He stiffened. “Why?” His voice sounded so pained. “What is so terrible that you can’t even try?”

“I just can’t,” I said, backing toward the door. “Please, don’t make this harder.”

“I need to know,” he said, pleading lowly. “If there’s a threat, I’ll fix it. If someone hurt you, I’ll handle it. Whatever it is, just tell me.”

“You can’t fix this,” I whispered.

“Try me,”

,” he repeated.

My throat closed. “Why do you even care if I go or not? Why does it matter to

His eyes darkened. “Because I care for you,” he said quietly. “So much more t you imagine.”

I shook my head quickly. “No… no, you don’t. You can’t.”

“Iris,” he said, his eyes burning with intensity. “I do.”

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