Wolf under an oak tree.

“Guys, give me a minute, I will come back,” I told them and quickly left the room and went out to the balcony, I searched the forest to see if someone was there, but other than the occasional birds and a few people, no one else was there. Every time the clock indicates that an hour has passed, my heart starts to accelerate, and I know that my time is running out.

I opened the message from Alan to read what he has written, even though I have a vague idea of what it might be.

Good morning, Princess.

Well, I think it looks like you are figuring out something, huh?

But don't try to act stupid, Iris. Because I have my men hidden in plain sight within that pack, and if you try to act smart, then people will start to die. Now we don't want more blood to stain your lovely hands, right, darling?

Anyway, I will be waiting for you at the coffee shop in town at two, so you better be there, and if you try to inform someone, I will know it instantly, and it won't be pretty.

I reread the message another few times before my phone slipped from my hand and fell on the floor, and I slid down the wall. How does he know each and everything that I am doing? And who is this traitor that is working for him? But from the way, he said that he knows my every move, I feel like more than one person is working for him here, and if I involve Mike and Elana in my plan, they might get killed. I slid down the wall and took a seat on the cold wooden floor, the morning air was chilly, and the breeze that past me made my teeth clatter.

I didn't know what to do, and my mind is completely blank right now. And I feel like I might just give into Alan’s demands, but on the other hand, I don't want to go back to being that weak and spineless Iris, so I wiped my eyes and got up from the floor and went back inside the house.

When I entered Elana’s bedroom again, I saw that they were both still looking around in that box, so I cleared my throat to get their attention. “Um, I have to leave now, guys. But I will see you guys tomorrow?”

“But Iris, you can't leave this soon. We have to go and see Jace and tell him what is going on.” Elana argued.

“No, Ana, I think we should first find Jennifer’s mate before telling anything to Jace.”

“You are right. So Mike and I are going to follow Jennifer today and see if she meets someone, and if we find any clue, then we will let you know, alright?” Elana said, and I nodded my head, and after saying my goodbyes to them, I left their house.

Well, since I am quite bad at directions, I was driving around this forest for quite some time now, and it looks like I am nowhere near the exit. And right when I was passing by a small house, I saw a lady standing outside on her porch looking at me, and something inside me compelled me to stop the car and go and talk to her.

So, I reversed the car and parked it in front of the lady’s house and got down, and walked toward her. “I have been waiting for you to come here for quite some time now, Iris.” the lady addressed me by my name, which was kind of strange, but then she opened her door and went inside, and I followed behind her.

The woman looked like she was in her late forties, but she looked very beautiful and youthful even at this age. “Please take a seat,” she told me when we came into the living room, and I smiled at her before taking a seat.

“How did you know my name?” I asked her, and she looked at me before her eyes stared at the ring on my finger before a smile graced her face.

“I am Camila. I reckon that you must have heard about me?” she asked me.

“Yes, Walter told me that you are a witch for this pack, and you were also the person who crafted this ring for me,” I answered, showing her my ring, but she shook her head.

“That is true, that I am a witch. But I didn't craft that ring, I think you must have misplaced my ring somewhere else.”

“Um, I think you must be mistaken.” I tried to make her believe that this is the ring that she gave me, but I also know that she can't be fooled.

“Iris, I have been waiting to meet you for a very long time, dear. Your powers are amplified, unlike Rachel’s, and I wanted to warn you and give you some advice at the same time,” she said, and I was confused. Who was this Rachel?

“Rachel was Jace’s grandmother, and she was the only person apart from you who had this kind of power. But with great power comes great responsibility, and I hope that you wouldn't give in to your enemies without a fight, Iris.” Camila was talking to me, and I felt like she knows exactly what I am going through right now.

“Alan doesn't know that you are the person with the stone, and I hope that you don't tell him that either. He just wants to use you as leverage to get the stone from Jace. But I must tell you, that you are the person who is destined to kill that creature once and for all.”

“How do you know about Alan?”

“I know about a lot of things, darling. And I also know that you are willing to sacrifice yourself to save this pack and your family, but let me tell you one thing. Never go blind into a situation.” with that Camila got up from her seat and left the living room, making me ponder on my thoughts.

“Keep this with you.” Camille broke my trance, and when I looked at her hand, she held a small dagger that was the size of a toothpick.

“Close the past chapter of your life once and for all, Iris, and then, move one.”