LOGINIRISBy the time evening rolled by, I’d long forgotten about the strange man. I’d spent the last few hours running around like a headless chicken. The guests from other packs were already growing by the minute.I’d barely managed to slip back into the house and soak myself in a warm bath, the soft fragrance of lavender soothing my aching muscles.A sigh escaped me as I let my eyes flutter shut. The silence for once was nice. I sat there, reveling in the stillness. Then dipped my head in, letting my body submerge into the bathtub.The water swallowed me, blocking out the air. It gurgled in my ears, flowed around my skin like soft kisses.This was nice.Then a distorted sound cut through the peace.I reached the surface, gasping for breath as the sound became clearer. Someone was knocking. Irritation sparked almost immediately. “Someone get the door!” I yelled out.No response.Camille and Mr Rowan were probably already on their way to the party. I groaned, letting my head fall back.“
IRISMy words settled heavily between us, hovering over the plants and flowers that seemed unassuming of the tension unfolding.“She’s right,” Ryker finally said as his gaze bounced between Ash and Kade. “You boys run along. Solve whatever problem it is that’s clearly brewing between you.”My head snapped to Ryker. “You too, Ryker.”He blinked. I raised a brow. “But-“Ash slapped a hand on Ryker's shoulder with a vague expression. “Let’s go.”There was still a fight in Ryker’s eyes as they flickered to me. “Don’t let him take me away.” He sniffled as his shoulders fell.I ignored him.“No,” Ryker wailed dramatically. “Wait. Wait. Wait!”Kade’s irritated gaze narrowed on Ryker.He straightened, shrugging Ash’s hand off him. “The festival,” he said slowly. “You’re not really planning on going without a date right?”I blinked. From the corner of my eye, I caught Kade rolling his eyes. Ash muttered something I didn’t catch under his breath, thumbing the bridge of his nose.He couldn’t b
IRISI was conflicted.I’d basically begged the strange girl to come with me into the pack. She blatantly refused, convinced that they were coming back for her.My grip on the flower basket tightened.The day had already bled into night and yet, the unease in my chest grew deeper. She was convinced they would come back. Why couldn’t I?The doors of the garden swung open just as I was finishing up the last arrangements. My head snapped back.Relief rushed through me so fast, my feet almost moved on their own. Pain exploded in my finger tips from how tight I held into the basket. I stood stiffly as Kade sauntered through the space, his eyes never leaving me. I hated that my pulse still stuttered. I hated how tight my skin felt. I hated this feeling.Kade stopped a foot away, his fingers twitching like he was fighting the urge to reach for me. His breath was uneven, his skin glistening with sweat as his throat bobbed thickly like he just spent the last hour running.I swallowed thickly.
RYKERThey were back.Kade's hard gaze dragged over his study, the only place that wasn’t buzzing with preparations for the festival. “I never thought I'd be back here.”Ash sank into the couch, reaching for the bottle of alcohol. My brows shot up.He growled at my judgment. “If I have to hear Kade go on about how he almost died, I'll kill him myself.”Kade didn’t react to Ash’s words, just kept staring at everything like he had truly believed he almost died.They looked different. Felt different. Kade was calmer. He had always been calm. Under pressure. In the face of enemies. But this leaned more into a quieter calm, almost like whatever he saw stripped that pride he held on to dearly.His hair was rustled, his cheek sunken. And Ash, Ash looked exhausted, like he was about to snap from carrying that weight he always shouldered.They both should have been relieved and yet…“So I'm guessing papa Kade can use his wolf now,” I said crossing my arms. “But someone needs to give me the
ASH“The spell is complete.”That was all the witch said before dragging her body back to the chair woven with vines. She picked up a cloth calmly wiping off the blood and saliva.Kade frowned.Annalise was perplexed. What I felt didn’t have a name. Conflict maybe?“Well,” the witch pressed with irritation. “Shift.”Kade only hesitated for half a second, wondering what the hell just happened before ultimately deciding it was none of his business.He rolled his shoulders, then slowly, the sound of bones snapping filled the air. Relief flodded in as his skin began breaking into fur and finally, his wolf stood tall and proud… and snarling at the witch.I guess his wolf still held a grudge.Kade managed to hold him back from tearing her head off. “And the information?” I asked. She sighed exhausted, massaging her head. “You can kill then by ripping their heart out or burning them alive. There are a couple of conduits that can point you towards one. The twin stones are one of them. Alon
ASHThe journey served as a countdown.To whether or not we survived this whole ordeal. Kade hadn’t spoken much since we left meadow grove. Not when we stopped over the pickup spots for the herbs Annalise needed. Not when we camped in the woods.He stayed silent. Like he had taken a vow of silence, refusing to eat or drink anything. It was starting to get to me.“I wonder how you intend on facing the witch when you look like you’re about to roll over and die.”Kade barely spared me a glance, hauling the body of the hybrid over the wall of trees that seperated the woods from the enchanted forest before climbing over it. The air grew thicker, the surroundings darker, like they were warning us to stay out. “I’ll eat when I get my life back.” He mumbled low, taking the lead.Annalise glanced at me with a knowing look. She waited until he was out of earshot before whispering. “He’s spiraling.”My jaw ticked. “I know.”“Will he be a problem?”I paused. “I hope not.”“I can hear you guys.”
IRISMy pulse wouldn’t stop hammering in my ears.My skin was too tight, my body too warm. I swallowed thickly against the lump in my throat as I pushed through the hallway. I could hear Ash’s heavy footsteps muffled by the steady beating of my heart.“Iris.” His voice cut through the haze, making
IRIS“Iris,” Mr Rowan said, his voice roughened by lack of use.We all mourned Katrina in our own way. I hadn’t seen Camille for days. She was likely holed up in a cave somewhere, trapped in her wolf form so she wouldn’t have to feel the crushing weight of loss. For their dad, it was alcohol.And m
IRISEven after decades of growing up around him, I didn't know a single thing about Ash. Except that people found him terrifying.I never understood why.“Are you alright?” His warm hands still lingering on my arm.Say something.“Yeah, I just-wasn’t looking,” I said, forcing out a small, awkwar
IRISThe morning after Katrina’s funeral was worse than the day before. Camille had somehow convinced me to have breakfast with the rest of the pack, trying to get everything back to normal… but nothing was, not anymore.“Elder Rain would be furious if she catches you toying with her cooking like







