Too Late Alpha The Mate He Never Wanted (Iris and Eric) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Iris’s POV

For some reason, I immediately relaxed at her words.

She didn’t sound hostile, just cautious, and maybe curious,

I nodded slowly, not sure if she had meant it as a question or not.

She studied me for a moment, I felt uncomfortable as she stared for too long. Then she asked, “Where’s Rowan?”

1 blinked in confusion. Why would she be asking me that? I was the last person who should know his whereabouts.

Unless…

My eyes glanced around the room. I recognized the faint scent of pine that still lingered faintly in the air like a ghost. I hadn’t noticed it earlier, because of the scent of the food, and the pain I had been going through..

But now that she said Rowan’s name, it suddenly clicked. This wasn’t just a random spare room. This was Rowan’s room.

My stomach twisted, and I suddenly felt nauseous.

I looked back at her, feeling awkward. “I… I don’t know,” I answered, my voice was hoarse from lack of use.

She nodded in response. She didn’t seem surprised.

The woman stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. “He didn’t tell me that you were in here,” she said, but it didn’t sound like an accusation. “I just came up to ask him something and I thought that he would be here.”

She stopped a few feet from the bed and gave me a polite nod. “I’m Jasmine, by the way.”

There was something open and free about her that I liked. She stood at the foot of the bed with her hands in the pockets of her jacket, staring at me with open curiosity.

I hesitated for a second, then murmured, “I’m Iris.”

“Iris,” she repeated, “Cool.”

Her eyes moved toward the food tray, then back to me. “Looks like you ate something. That’s good. Rowan was pretty worked up last night.”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t know what to say to that. Was I supposed to apologize for nearly bleeding out on his floor? I glanced at the neat floor and winced internally. Maybe?

I dropped my gaze and picked at a loose thread on the blanket that covered my legs.

I heard her shift, and when I looked back up, she was seated on the single armchair, and was studying me again.

She was probably Rowan’s mate. There was an ease in the way she said his name and talked about him, like they

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Chapter 26-

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were close in a very familiar and intimate way.

I ignored how my chest tightened at that thought.

However, I began to wonder. How did it feel for her to come and see another woman lying in her mate’s bed? Or the bed they shared together?

Heat crawled up my neck at the thought..

I braced myself for some kind of cold remark, or a harsh word. Anything.

But it didn’t come.

Jasmine leaned back in the armchair, resting her ankle on her knee. “So… how are you feeling?”

It was a simple question, but I hesitated. “Sore,” I finally said. “But better than before.”

She nodded. “Rowan said you were lucky. If he hadn’t found you in another few minutes—” she stopped herself, shaking her head. “Well. You made it.”

I looked down at my hands. “Barely.”

There was a small pause.

“You’re tougher than you look,” she added casually. “Most people wouldn’t have made it that far in the woods, not in your condition.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I said nothing.

She looked over at me again. She studied me the same way Rowan had, like she was trying to figure something

out.

At first, I had assumed she was Rowan’s mate, but the longer we talked, the more something felt off about the idea. She didn’t sound possessive. There was no jealousy, and no hidden distrust. All I could see was concern, and curiosity.

Then I looked a little closer at her, and I finally saw it.

Strong jawline. Similar nose. Dark black hair, and warm brown eyes. Just like Rowan.

“Are you…” I trailed off, then I cleared my throat. “Are you two related?”

She smiled. “Yeah. He’s my big brother. Jasmine Bane.”

I blinked. Well, that explained a lot. It made so much sense. I wondered how I hadn’t noticed the resemblance, it was quite evident.

“Wasn’t it obvious?” She asked, tilting her head curiously.

“Not at first,” I shrugged. “I guess I wasn’t really looking.”

I paused, then I added quietly, “I guess I’m a little out of it.”

There was silence for a moment, and my mind wandered.

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Chapter 26

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It felt strange being somewhere unfamiliar, surrounded by people I didn’t know. I didn’t like how exposed I felt.

“Do you want me to leave?” Jasmine broke the silence, as if she could sense my discomfort. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your rest. I just… I had to see for myself.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “See what?”

She shrugged. “The woman who made my brother worry.”

I frowned at that, but she waved her hand before I could say anything.

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