Chapter 17 Sage " Hey , want some company ? " Iris pokes her head in just as I'm slipping into some pajamas I found tucked into a drawer , a cami and short set she must have purchased for me . " Of course . Please come in . " Everyone was so prim and proper at dinner and I felt so out of place . I'm not sure how to address her after that . I guess she is technically a princess . Iris giggles . " You don't have to speak so formally to me . No one does . Well , no one except Eris and I hate it . Come to think of it , I really kind of hate her . " A snort slips out before I can stop it and Iris laughs with me . " Sorry , it's just , well dinner was a bit overwhelming . " I confess . ( " It's not usually like that unless we have guests . Even with Eris , my brother usually doesn't play along with her Queen of the Castle ' attitude . I'm not sure what's going on with him tonight . Seems like he has a giant stick up his ass about something . " " He did look kind of constipated . " I comment , and we both break down into full - belly laughs . It feels good to have someone I can joke and laugh with . I never had that in my old pack . And I'm pretty sure I'm going to need a friend if I'm going to survive living here . Dinner at the royal table was an experience I'm not sure I want to repeat . The food was more delicious than anything I've ever tasted but I couldn't enjoy it , too busy worrying if I was using the right utensil and waiting for everyone to laugh at me if I did something wrong . Eris certainly didn't miss any opportunity to remind me how beneath everyone I am . I'd hoped Alaric would defend me but he was too deep in conversation with his Beta to notice . But then again , maybe he agrees with her . The memory of the way Eris watched me during the meal , like she was planning my demise , gives me shivers and I wrap my arms around myself , rubbing at the goosebumps on my arms . " Where'd you go ? " Iris rubs my back to get my attention . " Sorry . " I apologize again , shaking my head to clear it . " I guess I just don't really feel like I belong here . " Don't get me wrong , I can never thank Alaric enough for what he's done for me . But I don't fit in . I don't want to repay his kindness by being an embarrassment to him . " She takes my hand and pulls me to the bed to sit beside her . " Look , Sage , I realize I don't know you that well . But from what I've seen so far , I can already tell you're a good person , kind - hearted and caring . Don't let stupid people like Eris tell you you're less than just because you don't have money or a pedigreed lineage . " I don't know what you've been through , but I hope someday you'll feel comfortable telling me about it . I'd really like us to be friends , Sage . ' " I'd like that too . " A genuine smile crosses my face for the first time in , maybe ever . Having a friend sounds nice and Iris seems genuine . Maybe spending time with her will help take my mind off of this heartache that feels like it's going to claw through my chest . " Good! Because there is entirely too much testosterone around here . I mean , I love Garrett and all . But sometimes a girl just needs someone to have a conversation with that consists of more than one syllable words . " She grins at me with that infectious smile she has . " Wanna watch a movie ? " Chapter 17 +25 BONUS " Um , " I look down at my pajama clad body . I'm not sure where the TV is but I'm not really dressed for roaming the halls . " Sure . Just give me a sec to change . " " Oh , we aren't going anywhere . " She smirks mischievously , grabbing a remote from my nightstand . My jaw drops when she presses a button and the giant picture over the fireplace becomes a television screen . " This is the Luna suite , girl . It's got all the bells and whistles . You'd never have to leave the room if you didn't want to . " The what now ? Why would they put me in the Luna suite ? Did Alaric ask her to ? Even though I know she can't hear my thoughts , my cheeks flush at the fluttery feeling in my belly at the idea of Alaric wanting me to have this room . Thankfully , Iris seems oblivious to my inner dialogue , chattering on about the movie selection . " Wait ! We need snacks ! " She grabs my wrist and starts pulling me toward the door . Then she rolls her eyes at me when I resist , pointing out that I'm half - dressed again . " First off , I picked out that set because it's cute AF . You look super hot but no one is going to see you anyway . " Alaric and Garrett are holed up in the office where they'll be for hours and the staff have gone home for the night . " She hands me the fluffiest , most adorable pair of kitten slippers , " Put these on and let's go . " I follow obediently , feeling naked and exposed the whole way . But when we set foot in the kitchen , any lingering self - consciousness is replaced with awe . The room is massive , with gleaming appliances and sleek countertops . I thought the packhouse kitchen at Blackthorn was my dream kitchen . This one puts it to shame . Iris ushers me into the hugest walk - in pantry I've ever seen and instructs me to pick out whatever snacks I like while she pops us some popcorn . I'm busy scanning the shelves and loading my arms full of yummy - looking options , when I realize I'm not alone . " I knew it wouldn't take long for you to show your true colors ! " Eris sneers at me . " The minute I met you I knew you were only going to cause Alaric trouble . 1 " He may buy your innocent victim act but I can see right through you . It's only your first night and you're already strutting around here like a whore , hoping he'll notice you . And when he's too busy to give you a second thought , you resort to stealing from him instead . " Tears stream down my cheeks as I try to find the words to defend myself . " I wasn't- , I- , I- " Eris steps toward me and I shrink back , dropping the food in my arms as flashbacks of Daphne berating me , beating me , assault my mind . I stumble backward and hiss when my back hits a shelf , tearing the scabs from my wounds . I slide to the floor , landing on my butt hard . Eris only smirks , entertained by my pain . She wraps her hand around my wrist and tugs , a rough attempt to pull me to my feet . " Get up , you scheming little thief !" I try to obey , knowing the punishment is always worse when I resist . But I've only made it to my knees when a thunderous voice startles us both . " What the fuck is going on here ? "