Too Late Alpha The Mate He Never Wanted (Iris and Eric) novel Chapter 139

Chapter 139

Iris’s POV

My breath caught.

Every sound in the hall died at once. The silence was heavy.

Eric’s name slipped out of me before I could stop it. “Eric,” I whispered.

It was barely audible but because of the silence it rang out. I could see all eyes in the hall turned to us.

Eric blinked as if I had struck him. For a heartbeat he looked like someone who had just seen a ghost. “I… I can’t-“His voice cracked.

He swallowed and tried again. “I can’t believe it. Iris… I thought you were dead.”

My stomach clenched.

He took a shaky step down from the platform, then another, his green eyes were locked on mine with disbelief and something like relief flooding his face.

“We looked everywhere, Iris,” he said, his voice was unsteady. “Everywhere. I swear, we looked for you.”

He stopped a few feet away, almost as if he was afraid I would vanish if he got too close. Tears glimmered in his eyes.

“Iris,” he said again, almost a whisper. He reached out both hands toward me.

I couldn’t move.

From the platform, Rowan’s jaw tightened, his eyes were fixed on Eric with a look couldn’t read.

Eric took another slow step until he stood right in front of me. The crowd around us was frozen in shock. No one even whispered

They were all watching, waiting for me to respond. I couldn’t breathe

“You’re really alive,” he breathed. His hands found mine and held them. They were warm and they shook. “It’s you. I… I—”

But all I could see were those same eyes, so cold, and merciless, the night he turned his back while Evie gasped for air.

All I could see were those same hands that had opened the doors of the car for us to

1/4

Chapter 139

+25 Bonus

get out. All I could hear was that cold voice telling the guards through the phone not to bother him about anything concerning me.

The room blurred.

I yanked my hands free like his touch burned me.

Eric’s eyes widened. “Iris—”

But I was already moving.

I turned sharply, rushing through the hall. My chest heaved as I ignored the shocked murmurs rising around me.

“Iris!” Eric’s voice rang out.

“Iris, wait!” Shane called.

“Iris!” Jasmine’s worried voice called after me.

And then, a deeper and firmer voice-Rowan. “Iris.”

I didn’t stop, storming toward the exit.

Tears blurred my vision. My heart hammered against my ribs until it hurt.

I didn’t breathe until I was out of the main hall. Then I began running.

I didn’t know how I reached my room. I only knew I had to move.

My door slammed behind me. I leaned my back on the door, sliding down as I panted for air.

The sound of his voice still rang in my ears. We looked everywhere, Iris.

Lies.

I forced myself up and grabbed my bag from the corner. My hands shook as I yanked the closet open. I grabbed clothes, papers, shoes, everything, and began shoving them into my bag.

I needed to leave.

My past had caught up to me.

I couldn’t stay.

I couldn’t take the risk of what he could do to this child.

2/4

Chapter 139

+25 Bonus

A sob broke free before I could stop it. I bit it back, stuffing another shirt into the bag.

I couldn’t forget the way he had looked at me out there. With so much tenderness, care,

and concern. So much relief that I was alive.

The way he had looked at me today was everything I once wished and prayed for. If only Evie had seen that. If only he had looked at her like that, just once.

My chest ached so badly it felt like something inside me would snap.

A firm knock sounded on the door.

I froze, then I shut my eyes and stayed silent. Maybe they would go away.

“Iris?” Jasmine’s voice. “Open up. Please.”

I pressed my lips together and kept packing.

Another knock. “Iris, it’s me and Shane,” Jasmine said again, softer. “We just want to talk.”

I sniffled and wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand. The knocking continued. It was insistent, but it wasn’t harsh.

“Please,” Shane added quietly. “Just let us in.”

My shoulders slumped. I took a shaky breath, then I crossed the room and unlocked the door.

Jasmine and Shane slipped inside quickly. Jasmine’s eyes went straight to the half- filled bag on the bed.

“Whoa,” Jasmine blurted with wide eyes. “What are you doing?”

“Leaving,” I said flatly, turning back to shove another dress into the bag. My vo came out hoarse from crying.

Shane stepped closer, frowning. “Leaving? Iris, slow down-

“I’m not slowing down.” My voice rose, trembling. “I don’t care about alliances or meetings or whatever Rowan is planning. I’m leaving. Now.”

Jasmine moved in front of me, holding my wrist before I could grab the next pile of clothes. “Don’t make a rash decision. Just breathe and think about your child-”

I ripped my hand free, breathing heavily. “I am thinking about my child!” The words snapped out louder than I had intended.

3/4

Chapter 139

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify