“I’d be honored,” I say with a smile. 

Arthur takes the photo for us, and we exchange contact information. I promise to send them details about the gala and to look into whether their school might benefit from some of the funds we raise. 

As they walk away, waving cheerfully, Arthur turns to me. “That was impressive,” he says quietly. “A month ago, you would have frozen up at a confrontation like that.” 

I shrug, but can’t help feeling a little proud of myself. “I guess I’m learning” 

Arthur pauses, watching as a newly emerged butterfly clings to the remains of its chrysalis, slowly spreading its damp wings to dry. “You sort of remind me of these butterflies, you know.” He stiles faintly. “Coming into your own, becoming what you were always meant to be. I always loved you, Iris. Always. But the woman you’ve become… I’m so proud to be by your side.” I want to roll my eyes at his mushy words, but I can’t. “Flatterer,” mutter, looking away as my cheeks redden. 

“Perhaps,” he says with a laugh. “But I do mean it.” 

Before I can answer, he steps forward and places his index and middle fingers under my chin. He tilts my head so I’m looking up at him, and the shimmer in those dark green eyes nearly makes my breath catch. 

Right now, with that dastardly curl across his forehead, the slight stubble lining his jaw, and the tender smile touching his lips, I think he looks more handsome than perhaps I’ve ever seen him. 

And then he dips his head, brushing the barest kiss across my lips, and that’s when I feel it. 

Something comes over me–something I’ve never felt before. Something powerful and strange and familiar and comforting ali at once, like leaping into a frigid pool on the hottest summer day or that stomach–dropping feeling when you crest a hill to find a steep drop below, but a beautiful view stretched out before you. 

Or perhaps the feeling of looking across a ridge to see a she–wolf locking eyes with you. 

Recognition. 

the feeling has completely passed. But he must It’s gone as quickly as it came, and by the time Arthur pulls back to look at me, notice the strange look on my face, because he furrows his brow. “You okay? You look a little pale?” 

I nod quickly, perhaps a bit too quickly. “Yes, just…” I’m not sure how to put the feeling into words. Was it my wolf’s presence flaring up, finally, after all these years? Or something else? 

Finally, I manage to say, “It’s nothing.“. 

Arthur stares at me for a moment, as if he doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t push the matter. 

We spend the rest of the afternoon exploring every corner of the gardens. The desert section with its hardy cacti and succulents. The water garden with floating lilies and koi fish. The tropical rainforest room with its palm trees and colorful bromeliads and interesting frogs. 

It’s a wonderful day, one that’s filled with warmth and love and laughter. And all the while, I keep thinking back to my mother’s words–my castle. 

Maybe, even if I didn’t have Arthur by my side, I’d be okay. But I can’t help but feel ten times stronger with him and Miles and everyone else,who I care about in my life. 

By the time we’re ready to head home, the sun is beginning to set. Arthur and I leave the gardens hand in hand, cheeks fied from the humid gardens, and smiles stretched across our faces. 

But as we climb back into the car and begin the journey back to my parents‘ house, I keep thinking about that strange sensation I felt in the butterfly conservatory. 

Chapter 288 

Was that iny wolf that I felt? 

Or am I simply imagining things?