Page 260 of His Sunshine Baby

“You brought your little sweetheart? No, let me guess. You’re a single mother now? I bet Clark changed his mind and let you stay… Well, that idiot would be happy to take a single mom as his girlfriend, but it doesn’t seem like you two are together.”

So she has no idea what happened after she was imprisoned. She doesn’t know I was gone for four years or even about the witch’s attack. I take a deep breath, and after hesitating a while, undo my shirt, showing her the large scar, still pink and wide. It runs from my back to my shoulder and down to my right breast. It’s thick and ugly, and she probably can tell it’s rather fresh.

Iris frowns. I managed to get her attention.

“Someone attacked you with a chainsaw?” she says in a mocking tone.

“Very funny, Iris, but no. The Dark Witch did this, and without a weapon.”

She stays silent for a few seconds, staring at my injury with an indecipherable expression. After a few seconds, she tilts her head.

“Well, it looks painful. That bitch has some talent.”

To my surprise, my injury doesn’t seem to make her any happier. My cousin doesn’t seem to care at all, in fact. She lets out a long sigh of boredom, sitting back on her bed.

“Oh, well. I guess you didn’t come here just to strip, so let’s get this over with. What’s going on?”

“The Dark Witch will attack any time now,” I explain. “I need the White Moon to trust the Blood Moon clan fully.”

“Okay, and why should I care?” asks Iris, raising an eyebrow.

“You’re the one who knows what really happened to Diego. If I want the White Moon to trust the Blood Moon, I need–”

Before I can finish, Iris bursts into an annoying laugh. She shakes her head, unable to stop, as if I had said something funny. What the heck is wrong with her?

“Seriously, Elena? That’s why? You think resolving your ex’s death will solve things? Are you dumb?”

I want to slap her so badly at this moment, but I’ll restrain myself. She chuckles and gets up, walking toward me like a cat.

“You’ve always been so strong, but you haven’t gotten smarter, Elena. You think that’s all this is about? That if you can solve Diego’s death, you can make things right between the White Moon and the Blood Moon? Does that mean you’re still…? No way, you and Black?”

I growl, truly annoyed at her tone. Maybe it was a bad idea after all, I shouldn’t have come here, she’s so…!

Iris sighs, crossing her arms.

“Even if I tell you the truth, you think it will solve things? Get real, Elena. The real reason no one trusts the Blood Moon clan is simply because they are cold-blooded murderers.”

I take a deep breath. Iris has no idea.

True, she played a role in getting me and Nathaniel together. But she doesn’t know a thing about our relationship, about him. Sure, he’s made mistakes. I know he’s not as gentle as he is with me when he’s being his Alpha self. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen him murder a man with his bare hands and not feel sorry about it. All the times I smelled blood on him, I didn’t say a thing.

Because I know that man isn’t my Nathaniel. Yes, we are werewolves, and we fight. We defend our territories, we get into battles. We growl when we feel threatened, and we bite when we have to. This is the world we live in, but it doesn’t make us who we are. That same man can be the sweetest father, the gentlest lover. Those same hands that got dirtied can also hug and caress.It’s just that too few people know about that side of them. That side of him.

The Black brothers aren’t cold-blooded. They are Alphas, scary and mighty, but they are men too. Men who can be reasoned with, protect their packs, and love their families. They listen to their mates, they care for others. If they kill, they have a reason for it. It’s never unjustified, or unnecessarily cruel.

The cruel one was that bitch witch that tortured me to find my baby and use her as a weapon.

“Iris, tell me,” I growl. “Why do you care, anyway?”

“Why would I tell you? You had no issue with leaving me to rot here for months and months, and now I should be a good girl and obey? What about your little puppy here? You didn’t even ask him, did you?”

I turn to Levi and sigh.

“I already know Danny and Reagan had an agreement with Nate and gave him Diego. They told me a while ago. What I don’t know is what really happened after that. You’re the one who was behind Diego’s return, I bet you were watching him and know who killed him.”

Iris clicks her tongue, meaning I’m right. She seems to hesitate for a bit.

“Why should I help you, Elena? I don’t gain anything from opening my mouth, I might as well keep it shut. I do gain some satisfaction from it, so I'd rather stay silent. Unless you have something worth my while.”

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