Iris’s POVWhen I realized I had been staring at him for too long, I still couldn’t look away. Rowan stood in the middle with a commanding presence that dragged the attention of every pack member around him. The older wolves leaned in when he spoke, paying immense attention to every word he said.But something made my stomach twist.And it was about Rowan.At first, I thought maybe I was imagining it. But the more I looked, the more I realized something was off, and different about himThe Rowan I knew, even in the short time I had been here, was warm in small ways. He had a warm look in his brown eyes when he glanced at me, like I was someone he truly saw.He had caught me when I slipped on the stairs, when I was trying to sneak out when I was injured. He had brought me food when I was too weak to move. He had sat by my bed when nightmares wouldn’t allow me to sleep.But the Rowan I saw now?There was no warmth.His expression was as hard as stone. His eyes were cold, and unflinching
Iris’s POV“I can’t believe this!” Jasmine burst out, dramatic as always, her eyes shone with delight. “I leave you for just five minutes. Five! And you’ve gone and punched Chloe. First Lucas, now Chloe. Tell me the truth, Iris. Are you secretly on some kind of punching spree today?”I groaned, my throbbing hand causing me to wince. “Please don’t start.”But of course, Jasmine smirked, leaning closer like she was conspiring with me. “So, who’s next? Me? Rowan? Ooh—Shane! Because, honestly, he kind of deserves it for hesitating back there. I wouldn’t even blame you.”Shane gave Jasmine a look of betrayal.“Jasmine!” My cheeks heated instantly. “Stop it. You’re being ridiculous.”“Ridiculous?” she shrieked with mock offense, then she tapped her chin thoughtfully, “Alright, so Lucas, Chloe, Shane… Rowan. That’s four. Is Asher is on your list too? Because honestly, Asher does have one of those faces you want to smack sometimes.”“Come on,” I muttered. “I’m not going to punch anybody.”“Oh
Iris's POVMy patience was getting very thin.“Or what, Iris?” Chloe taunted again.My jaw tightened. My chest rose and fell as my breathing sped up. Everyone was just waiting for me to crack.Chloe took one step forward, “You’re shaking,” she sneered. “Are you scared already?”I said nothing, just kept my eyes fixed on hers.“I will teach you a lesson,” she hissed, and before I could blink, she reached out fast and grabbed my bad hand.Pain exploded up my arm. I cried out and jerked, trying to break her grip, but it was strong. The more I moved, the more it burned.“Pathetic,” she muttered, digging her nails in, her eyes shone with delight at my pain.My vision blurred for a split second.A voice echoed in my head.“Rotate your hips as you move.”Lucas's voice.His voice echoed in my head, correcting me sharply this morning concerning my stance.“You punch like an amateur. You curled your thumb inside your fingers. Never do that. You’ll break it every single time. Keep it outside lik
Iris’s POVChloe stood with her arms crossed, sneering at me. Behind her, two girls stood like bodyguards. Both of them were dressed almost similar, with smug expressions on their faces. They looked like duplicates of Chloe.I tightened my grip on the box of boots. My chest sank. Of all the people I could’ve run into today.“Some things,” Chloe said with venom dripping from her words, glancing at the box in my hands, “are too fine for strays.”The words cut through me more than I expected, but I forced my expression to stay neutral. Don’t react. Don’t give her the satisfaction.I glanced around. Our confrontation was getting noticed. A few pack members were pausing. They glanced at Chloe and her followers, then at me. I didn’t need this attention. Especially after the Lucas incident earlier. Jasmine was supposed to meet me here after she was done from another store close by.Shane was behind me. He immediately stepped forward, trying to intervene, and I was about to relax. Thank goodn
Iris's POV“You what?!”Jasmine’s shriek rang in my ears like a shrill whistle.I flinched, accidentally hitting my swollen fist on the door frame of the bathroom. Pain jolted up my arm like sharp knives, and I hissed through my teeth. “Ow—Jasmine! You startled me!”I had just finished telling her about my incident with Lucas, and she was in shock.“Oh my goddess!” Jasmine pressed both hands to her cheeks like she still couldn’t believe what she just heard, but her brown eyes sparkled with delight. “I can’t believe you did it.”I rolled my eyes, though the corner of my mouth twitched slightly. “It’s not a big deal.”“Not a big deal?!” Jasmine was almost bouncing from the couch. “You punched Lucas. Lucas! And you’re still breathing.” She leaned forward, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Do you know how impossible that is?”I gave her a flat look. “Oh, come on—”“No, don’t you dare downplay this.” She cut me off, shaking her head furiously. “Iris, do you realize what this could mean? Wh
Iris’s POVI narrowed my eyes at Rowan, chewing the inside of my cheek. I still felt suspicious because something about this felt too easy.“I don’t believe you,” I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest. “This could just be a plan between you and Lucas to test me. You say I can switch instructors, I relax, and then, I’m stuck with him every morning until he kills me.”Rowan’s lips twitched again, and amusement flashed across his face. He tilted his head as if I had just told him a very funny joke.“As much as that idea sounds fun for me to do,” he drawled, “it is not what's going on here. You can choose that Lucas won’t train you. I don’t play games with something as important as this.”I squinted at him. His tone was calm, and his face was composed. But Rowan always looked composed. I couldn’t tell if he was being serious or if he just wanted me to think he was serious.I released a sigh as I leaned on the wall. “As tempting as it is to be done with Lucas and all his barking order