Too Late Alpha The Mate He Never Wanted (Iris and Eric) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Eric’s POV

Normally, I would have rushed to comfort Tiffany, and I probably would have stayed back to calm her down. But for some reason, I felt impatient now.

My brows twitched, and I forced myself to stay calm, even though irritation burned under my skin. I didn’t have time for this, especially not today.

“Tiffany,” I said. My voice was firm but gentle, “I’m not going there to stay. I promised I would stop by. I just want to drop a gift and talk. That’s all.”

“But you can send someone!” she sobbed, pleading with me.

“I know that,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. “But I promised, and I have some important business to handle.”

She started sniffling again, and I exhaled sharply.

“Zara, please-“I looked toward her. “Calm her down. I won’t be gone long.”

Zara nodded quickly and pulled Tiffany into her arms. “It’s okay, baby. Daddy will be back soon. He loves you.”

I hesitated one last second at the door, Tiffany had buried her face in Zara’s chest as she sobbed.

I turned and walked out before I changed my mind.

On my way, I stopped by a store. There was no use sending someone to buy it, when I could do it myself.

At the store, I wandered the aisles aimlessly. I hadn’t shopped personally for Evie in years. I didn’t even know what she liked anymore. I ended up grabbing anything that reminded me of her

A singing doll. A stack of picture books. Pink headphones. A plush wolf. A pair of pink sneakers I hoped would fit as Evie and Tiffany’s size were probably close. I didn’t even know if Evie still liked pink.

By the time I called some omegas to carry the bags to the car, I had five full bags. I cursed under my breath. What was I trying to prove?

It was too much. Way too much.

I turned to leave, but something made me stop. I turned back toward the accessories shelf near the exit. There was a necklace. It was simple. It had a silver chain, and a small moon charm dangling in the center. It looked delicate.

I stared at it too long. Iris would’ve liked that.

The thought hit me before I could stop it, and my fingers reached out on their own.

No. This wasn’t why I came.

I pulled back, then I reached again, picking it up and turning it over in my hand.

It would look good on her.

I clenched my jaw. What the hell was I doing?

I didn’t come here for Iris. If I wanted to buy something, it would be for Zara, and Zara didn’t like simple jewelries like this one.

She preferred bold, and expensive pieces. Iris was the one who liked quiet, pretty things like this.

Still, I tossed it into the basket, telling myself it didn’t mean anything. It was a small gesture, or a courtesy. It was just something I would hand over with a blank face and walk away.

It meant nothing.

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Immediately I got close to the house, I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

Even from a distance, I could sense that something felt off.

There were no lights and no sign of movement inside the house.

I frowned and got out of the car quickly with my heart pounding a little harder in my chest.

I got to the door and tried to push it open, but it was locked.

That was strange. Maybe Iris took Evie out for her birthday.

I reached above the doorframe and grabbed the spare key I had hidden long ago. Iris never moved it, even when she was angry.

I slipped it into the lock, turned, and opened the door.

I stepped inside, and I frowned as I stared around the room.

There was just something off about the house.

Dust coated the floor and tables, and the place looked very unkempt.

What the hell? Iris never left the house this way.

“Iris?” I called out.

No response.

“Evie?” My voice cracked slightly. “Evie, are you home?”

Silence.

I took another step in. The rooms were the same. Dust was everywhere, and things were scattered all around. Like a hurricane had gone through the place.

This wasn’t just a quick step out. The house looked abandoned.

My heartbeat thundered in my ears.

I turned slowly as my eyes scanned the room again. Dread had already begun to crawl up my spine.

I continued walking through the house. I walked into the bedroom. It was the same. More dust and chaos.

My jaw tightened as a lump formed in my throat. What the hell was going on here?

I pulled out my phone with shaky fingers and dialed Iris’s number.

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