MasukIRISI could already see my efforts unfolding right in front of me but all I could focus on was the look in Camille’s eyes.Betrayal.It made my chest tighten until it was almost impossible to breathe.“You had your chance. I need to hear it from her.”The human didn’t waste any time. “Someone is after me.”Camille’s shoulders stiffened.“I don’t know who they are but I know what they want,” she pulled out her pendant, the sapphire glinting against the sun rays. “It’s called a twin stone. A very powerful conduit that was made from the first witch herself.”The human’s gaze finally snapped to me and for a second, remorse flashed in her eyes. It was gone the next second. “Iris was kidnapped by the man who wants this.”Camille’s breath was sharp enough to cut through the tension. I closed my eyes so I wouldn’t see her reaction. I couldn’t.“You told me you just needed some space to clear your head,” her voice cracked. “I believed you.”“I was only trying to keep you safe,” I whispered.“
RYKERI stared blankly at Annalise’s surprised face as I brushed past her, stepping deeper into her shed.“Sure, come on in,” she said deadpanned but shut the door behind us anyway.She lingered at the doorway, watching me as I sank into a chair. It creaked, then its legs gave out from underneath me.Annalise’s laugh cut through the silence.I ignored her with a scowl as I picked myself up. When her laughter died down, she wiped a tear from the side of her face.“You’re here,” she started. “So assume the others aren’t far behind.”My jaw ticked. “I came alone.”Her brows shot up. Then furrowed. “Who died?”My irritation doubled. “No one died.”“Then why are you here?”I hesitated, then pulled out the box from my pocket. She gave me a flat look. “A box.”I flipped it open, watching as her shoulders stiffened. A thousand emotions flashed across her face before settling into uncertainty.“Is that-““One of the legendary twin stones.”Her mouth hung open. Then she slapped herself across
IRISThe human met my gaze with conviction or insanity, I couldn’t tell which one. “I’m not leaving.”For one stupid second, I almost admired her determination. Then I remembered Ash sitting beside Kade. His jaw tight. His eyes refusing to meet mine.I had looked at him because I needed him to understand. I needed him to be the one person in that room who would say, ‘No, Iris is right.’He hadn’t.He’d said it was the only way.Even now, the memory burned. I pushed it aside.“Do you really think Camille is going to be as free with you as she is now if she finds out what you really are?”Her eyes widened.It was a low blow, even for me but sentiments aside, she needed to leave this place. The aftermath will come later.I watched the emotions flicker across her face. Anger. Fear. Then something harder. She leaned forward. “Tell her.”My stomach dropped.Her voice lowered.“If you don’t, I will.”I didn’t move.Whatever she saw in my expression made her lean back with a satisfied smile.
IRISMy gaze snapped to Ash for the last time, hoping, No, praying that he would be the voice of reason. He didn’t meet my eyes as his jaw ticked.I stood abruptly. “I’m not going to let you guys do that to Camille.” I said, making Kade’s shoulders stiffen. “You’re not erasing her memories. Or any other person.”Something flashed in Kade’s eyes. “So you will go against your alpha?”My pulse halted to a stop. The hardness in his eyes was impossible to miss. That only made my rage burn faster. If he thought he was going to play the authority card and think I’ll just roll over, he had another thing coming.I met his gaze with the same intensity. “Yes, Alpha Kade.” His eyes darkened. “You’ll have to pry me off Camille before I’ll let that happen.”Ash’s deep exhale made my head snap to him. At least he had the balls now to look me in the eyes. “I knew you were a tyrant in your world but I never thought your morality had dwindled so much that you don’t see a problem with this.”He opened h
Iris The peace only lasted for an hour.Ash had helped me with my morning rounds, I stole glances at him. But then Timothy approached, his heavy footsteps thudding against the pavement, promising some kind of trouble.His eyes shifted to me and lingered. “Iris,”I returned his gaze. “Beta Timothy, to what do I owe the pleasure?”His jaw ticked. “I’m not here for you,”Ouch.“Alpha Ash, Alpha Kade has asked me to accompany you to his office.”Just like magic, the tiny glints of softness vanished from Ash’s eyes. He nodded stiffly and handed me the basket of carnations that we both picked from my garden. I watched as he fell in step with Timothy. I followed behind them. Timothy looked over his shoulder with an expression I couldn’t place.“Alpha Kade specifically said just Alpha Ash.”I ignored him.He let out a frustrated sigh and stopped. “Iris, this is serious. I can’t let you-““You’re not letting me do anything.” I snapped. “And they’re not having a discussion without me.”Timoth
Iris“It’s not what you think,” I blurted out, snatching my hand away like her skin was fire.Her brows narrowed at me and for a minute, she said nothing. Then she propped herself up with a pained groan. “What happened?”I blinked. “You don’t remember?”A flicker of irritation passed through her eyes. “I wouldn’t be asking if I did.”I frowned. “What do you remember then?”A beat passed. Her brows knitted. “Uh, making breakfast with Camille. Then the unhinged Alpha called me outside.” Realization slowly slipped into her voice. “You know I lied about not remembering anything, don’t you?”I gave her a tight smile. “Do you remember anything else?”She hissed, screwing her eyes shut as her hand flew to her head. “I don’t- the Alpha left. I was- I was getting some air and the next thing I know, some deranged lady started charging at me.” She paused. “Everything after that is a blur.”I nodded slowly, my eyes trailing to her bandages. She followed my gaze and froze. She blinked, confusion a
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
RYKERI stood at the doorway, watching as Iris unraveled.It took a second for her composure to slip back into place, and with it, her rage.The look in her eyes felt like a thousand silver knives were being fired at my chest. I hated it but still, I did what I’d always done. Let my mask slip into
IRISThe rain poured from the sky heavily, washing everything tangible away, my sanity included. My eyes stayed fixed on the headstone in front of me, my fingers tightening around the rose stem until the thorns bit into my skin. I barely registered the sting.Water soaked through my clothes, making
IRISI've been stuck doing the same thing for a week now.Staring at the necklace.It sat on my nightstand, sunlight glinting off the blood ruby. That, also, was the only thing I’d learnt so far. That the previous stone embedded in the gold casing was a blood ruby.Elder Rain had reluctantly given







