Iris's POV
"Get off me!" I snapped, shoving Cade's bare chest with both hands. My palms pressed against his damp skin, and I stood abruptly, my heart pounding as I averted my eyes from him, looking away to another direction. He was completely naked and even though i had seen him naked with Liora, I couldn't understand the way his nakedness made my body react now. The scattered clothes I'd been collecting lay strewn across the floor from our fall, and immediately, I bent to gather them, my movements jerky, as if keeping busy could erase the tension in this room now.
I was nearly at the door, arms full of his dirty laundry, when Cade's hand shot out, his fingers clamping around my wrist. His grip was firm, and his eyes… Those piercing cold eyes were no longer blazing with anger but cold, emotionless, and lust. Something that sent a shiver racing down my spine. His gaze locked onto mine as he took a step closer, his voice low and dangerous.
"You came in here to seduce me, didn't you?" he accused.
"What?" I snapped, my brows knitting together in disbelief. My voice rose incredulously.
"You've always wanted to," he pressed, stepping closer still. His grip tightened, and goosebumps prickled across my skin, my body betraying me with a flush of reaction I didn't understand. I took a step back, but he followed, closing the distance. "Admit it, Iris."
"Take your hands off me," I demanded, yanking my wrist, but his strength overpowered mine. My pulse hammered, filled with fury and something I refused to name. Inside my head, Lyra snarled, her voice a furious echo. "Let go, you fool!"
As if he'd heard her, Cade's lips curled into a smirk. "You shouldn't have entered."
Before I could react, he continued to move forward while I moved backwards until there was no space to escape. I was not glued to the wall, his body, pinning me against the wall. The clothes slipped from my arms, tumbling to the floor in a heap. His body was too close as my eyes fell to his hairy chest, his towel still laid on the ground. Seeing how afraid I looked, he smirked but it didn't reach his eyes. His fingers moved and grazed the side of my face, trailing slowly, down along my neck, and pausing at my collarbone. My breath hitched, my legs feeling like jelly, and I hated how my body was responding, how his touch sent a strange skittering across my skin.
"Say it," he urged, his voice a low masculine growl as he towered his face over me, his gaze intensely staring at my face while he held my jaw and made me stare back. "You've always wanted my touch, haven't you?"
Suddenly, Lyra's voice roared in my mind. "Pathetic! We're done letting cheap, shameless dogs think we want them."
My own voice followed immediately. "Shamelessly thinking I want you? You can't even control your own pathetic urges. Why do you think I'd want someone like you? Why don't you run along to your little puppy, Liora? Your fellow shameless dog? Asshole."
Before he could respond, I shoved against his chest, breaking free from his grip. I scooped up the clothes, my movements fueled by fury, and stormed toward the door. He looked speechless, as if my boldness had left him wondering.
At the doorway, I nearly collided with Amelia. Her eyes filled with concern. "Iris!" she exclaimed, reaching for the pile of clothes in my arms. "Let me help…"
"I've got it," I said sharply, clutching the bundle tighter. My heart was still racing, my skin still tingling from Cade's touch.
Amelia fell into step beside me as we moved down the hall. "I heard about your punishment," she said, her voice softer now. "And I'm proud of you for not apologizing to that asshole, Liora. She doesn't deserve it."
I managed a tight smile, grateful for her support. At least, there's one person who supported my action. That's a lot. "Thanks, Amelia."
"Oh, and my mom sends her regards," she added, her face brightening. "She also sent you a birthday present!"
I stopped, turning to face her. "A present?" My voice softened, curiosity cutting through my anger. In my past life, Amelia had been a part-time worker for the Blackbane pack, coming and going as she balanced her duties as a pack maid with her job as a bar attendant at a dive in the Warborn pack's territory. She worked tirelessly, saving every coin to support herself and her mother, Elara, a former chief maid who'd been cast aside by Alpha Darius. Elara had never hidden her hatred for Darius, and he'd retaliated by restricting her from working and ensuring Amelia's wages, whether from Blackbane or other packs, were pitifully small. It was his cruel way of punishing them both for Elara's defiance. Yet Amelia never showed weakness, her resilience can't be matched.
"And guess what!" Amelia's voice bubbled with excitement as she grabbed my hand. "Close your eyes!" She covered them with her hands, giggling as she guided me down the hall toward her maid's quarters. "No peeking!" She added.
I let her lead me, the tension in my chest easing slightly at her infectious happy moment. When we reached her room, she removed her hands with a dramatic flourish. "Surprise!" she exclaimed, gesturing to a box on her bed.
The room was small, barely large enough for a narrow bed, a rickety wooden chair, and a single shelf lined with a few worn books and trinkets. The walls paint was peeling off already. A single window let in a sliver of sunlight, illuminating inside. The bed was neatly made, its blanket tucked tightly.
The box on the bed looked beautiful. It was a medium size red box and looked elegant, wrapped in beautiful white and blue ribbons that caught my attention. The ribbon was tied, knotted into a perfect bow with delicate curls trailing down the sides. Tiny pressed flowers were tucked into the ribbon too. It was breathtaking as I wondered what it could be.
Amelia smiled. "My mom sent you this. Go on, open it!"
I set the pile of clothes on the chair and approached the box, my fingers brushing the smooth paper box. "It's beautiful," I murmured, my voice catching as I carefully untied the ribbon, letting the silky ribbon slide through my fingers. When I lifted the lid, a transparent nylon layer revealed a folded dress inside. My breath hitched as I pulled it free.
It was the dress. Deep emerald green, with a fitted bodice and a flowing skirt. In my past life, I'd begged my parents for this dress to be given to me as an eighteenth birthday present. I'd seen it in a shop window on the very day it was produced. My parents agreed, knowing how much I loved it, but unfortunately, they never lived to see that birthday. The memory hit me and my eyes started to form tears. As l remembered, Amelia's mother had been there when I'd made that request.
Just then, my eyes landed on a small folded note that slipped from the box as I lifted the dress. I opened it. Elara's familiar, looping handwriting spilling across the page.
"My dearest Iris,
My princess, always will be. I knew it was more than a dress to you and I know how much you loved and wanted it. I've carried that memory with me and started saving for it after your parents death. I'll always love you, sweet girl. You carry your parents' love, and mine, always. Wear this and shine as brightly as you were meant to.
With all my heart,
Elara"
Without warning, tears spilled down my cheeks. Amelia's hand found mine, squeezing gently. "She wanted you to have this. She always said you were special, Iris. Always remember that." Said Amelia.
My tears wouldn't stop flowing.