Page 114 of His Sunshine Baby

“Why does it smell like Eric in here?”

Iris gasps, totally surprised by my question. She looks away, obviously awkward.

“Well, he… I mean, we sort of…”

“Oh Moon Goddess, you’re going out with Eric? For real?” I ask, completely shocked.

“Elena, hush, please! I mean, my father doesn’t know and it’s not really official either. So… Can you keep it a secret, please?”

“Sure, sure. I can do that.”

I can’t believe it! Iris and Eric! I mean, he spent so much time chasing after me, I wouldn’t have believed he moved on out of the blue! Now that I think about it, he did stop pursuing me these last few weeks. I guess that’s when he and Iris got together. Who knew?

She sighs.

“He’s a great guy,” I say, watching her reaction.

“Oh, I know! He’s a gentleman, though he doesn’t show it in public. We sort of… got together on my birthday. I mean, that’s when it started.”

Iris had such a big party for her birthday, I didn’t exactly keep track of everything that was going on that evening. I was busier trying to avoid my uncle, and I’m pretty sure I left as soon as I could to meet up with Nate. Seems like I missed the juicy part, though!

“Anyway, what about you? Any prospective lovers?”

I appreciate she’s not mentioning that stupid Diego. However, I can’t tell her about Nate. I like my cousin and she’s super sweet, but things are complicated enough and she’s still my uncle’s daughter, with a tendency to let some things slip out.

“No, not really. I’m focused on other things these days.”

“Like what?”

I hesitate a bit. I can’t tell her it’s my studies after getting kicked out of my class, I guess. I decide to tell her the truth, or like, a portion of it.

“You know how I’ve always tried to look for my biological parents? Well, Reagan still won’t talk, but the other day, I got a weird, I don’t know, a weird feeling, about some girl I met.”

“A girl? One of ours?”

“No, not from the White Moon clan, another pack.”

“Moon Goddess, Elena, you know you’re not supposed to–”

“I know, but I really think there’s something about her, and I swear, everything’s fine, Iris. I just need to find out more about her.”

“Okay… Well, do you know her name?”

“Just Nora.”

“Nora? Nora, like the King’s mate? Nora Bluemoon?”

I freeze. Wait, what?

“Yeah! That’s her, but how do you-?”

“Elena, Eric was looking into her! I mean, remember how the King’s brothers came, looking for her and so on? Well, they actually found her the other night, and Eric was working at the police station that night. So, he’s been the one in charge of her case since then. The Blood Moon asked for a full investigation on her! She was attacked when they found her, and they’re looking for who did it. Also, her whole background is a mystery…”

I bet they eventually learned she was from the Jade Moon, that would explain that whole scene the other day. But I didn’t think Iris would know so much! I already got most of that information from Eric, though.

“Wait isn’t it tonight?” suddenly said Iris.

“What?”

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