Reject My Alpha President (Iris and Arthur) novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179

Chapter 179

Iris & Arthur

Iris

An awkward silence falls over the table. I shift uncomfortably. The only sound is that of the kitten racing around in the other room, playing with a bottle cap. Wendy glances at the cat with a wrinkled nose but says nothing.

Arthur clears his throat and offers me a grin. “Everything looks delicious, Iris. Thank you for arranging this.”

I flash Arthur a grateful smile as I serve Miles his mac and cheese, then offer the prime rib to Leonard and the salmon to Wendy. They accept and take their seats, but I can tell they’re not particularly thrilled.

Leonard takes a careful bite of his prime rib, chewing slowly. But Wendy merely picks at her salmon, pushing it around her plate more than actually eating it.

I can tell they’re both judging me, but I try not to let it get to me. Generational differences, I keep telling myself, as if the age gap can somehow justify their shitty attitudes. I normally love to cook,” I say with a light smile. “ Today was just an unfortunate accident.”

“Mommy makes the best pancakes,” Miles pipes up. His fork scrapes loudly on his plate as he stabs his macaroni, causing Leonard to wince. “With chocolate chips and whipped cream!”

Arthur smiles at me over Miles‘ head, and the softness in his gaze settles some of my nerves. “She sure does.

“Pancakes,” Leonard repeats, glancing at Miles‘ plate. “Is that all he eats? Pasta and pancakes?”

“Miles is in a bit of a picky phase right now,” I laugh. “You know how kids are.”

Leonard frowns. “A young wolf needs protein to develop properly. Especially an Alpha. At his age, Arthur was already eating rare steaks.”

“Miles does eat meat,” I explain. “He’s just particular about it. He loves chicken nuggets, and he really enjoys the steaks that Arthur makes. Don’t you, Miles?”

Miles nods, although the attention makes him blush, and he stares at his plate.

“If the boy responds so well to Arthur’s presence,” Wendy says, setting down her fork, “it seems to me the logical solution would be for you to move in with Arthur permanently. Leave behind this-” she gestures around us- small apartment and give Miles the stability of his father’s home.”

I blink. “I have a residency here,” I remind her. “It comes with the apartment.”

“Surely art is just a hobby,” Wendy says with a shrug. “The boy needs his father. And it’s not appropriate for Arthur’s mate and child to be living elsewhere. What will people think?”

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+25 BONUS

“Yes, well,” Wendy says with a tight smile, “I suppose we all have different priorities.”