Reject My Alpha President (Iris and Arthur) novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Tris

Arthur whisks me away from the table before I can even protest. I’m not even sure if Brian, Liam, or the twins notice him taking

me away–it’s as if I’m sitting at the table one moment, hot soup splashing across my leg, and the next we’re in the bathroom.

Even though werewolves are supernaturally fast, Arthur has always been one of the fastest.

“Arthur, what are you-”

“Quiet,” he commands, his fingers deftly pushing up the skirt of my dress to reveal my burnt leg. The soup must have been hotter

than I expected, because my skin is inflamed and already callusing slightly, and I wince as he turns on the faucet and runs cold

water over it

“You could’ve been more careful,” Arthur snaps as he soothes the burn.

“I don’t need you to tell me how to take care of myself,” I grind out. But the way my fingers dig into his broad shoulder and the

strained tone to my voice betrays me.

Arthur’s jaw tightens as he looks at me, his piercing green eyes locking onto mine. “Clearly, you do.”

I want to argue, to tell him to back off, but I can’t seem to find the words. The proximity, the scent of him–familiar and intoxicating is too much, and the fated mate bond begins to take hold of me.

I swallow hard and force myself to look away. I want him to be the one to let go of me first, as if that would make all of this easier,

but he doesn’t.

Instead, he shuts off the faucet and begins carrying me out of the restroom.

“This needs ointment,” he says simply.

“Arthur,” I reply, trying to wriggle free, “I’m fine. Just let me go back to my family.”

The mention of that word–family–just seems to make his arms tighten even more around me. He doesn’t answer, but I know it’s pointless to argue any further. He has already decided to take charge.

With an ease that makes me both annoyed and flustered in more ways than I would like to admit, he whisks me out of the

restaurant and into the cool evening air.

“Arthur, put me down,” 1 hiss, glancing around to see if anyone is watching.

Of course, he ignores me completely.

I struggle weakly against his grip, but it’s no use. I’m not sure what he’s planning on doing, but I’m not sure how I feel about it. Does he think he can just spirit me away, force me to be his mistress? I almost consider calling out for help, but something stops

1. me. The overwhelming sensation of the mate bond, perhaps.

1/3

+20 Bonus

Even if I try to run, I know I won’t get far. I didn’t expect this, but my leg really does hurt–it must be a third degree burn.

But once we reach his sleek black car, he just places me gently in the passenger seat and opens the glove compartment, pulling

out a small first–aid kit. He crouches in front of me, his movements precise as he unscrews the cap of a tube of ointment.

“This might sting a little,” he says, his voice softer now.

“I can do it my

do it myself,” I say, reaching for the tube.

He swats my hand away. “Stop being stubborn.” I grit my teeth and look away.

The cool ointment against my skin is a stark contrast to the heat radiating from his touch. Every brush of his fingers sends a

ripple of emotions through me, each one harder to suppress than the last.

As he’s smearing the ointment across my burn, the sound of my phone vibrating in my pocket breaks the tension. I pull it out,

relieved to see Brian’s name on the screen.

kids.”

I hate that he’s right. Reluctantly, I nod and give him my address.

The car ride is silent, something that’s either a blissful reprieve or just making things worse. I keep my gaze fixed out the

window, hoping to avoid any further conversation. I just want to get home and not have to look at him again.

Instead of answering, Arthur glances at me briefly before reaching for the controls on the dashboard. The music playing on the radio shifts to something softer, something we used to play during long drives together.

It catches me off guard, and for a moment, I wonder if he’s done it intentionally. I glance at him, my heart thrumming in my chest, but he doesn’t pull his gaze from the road again..

When we arrive at Brian and Liam’s apartment, Arthur gets out first, opening my door and offering his hand to me again. I hesitate but take it, even if only because I know I can’t quite manage the stairs on my own right now.