Wolf under an oak tree.

Zander looked at me in shock and I know that he must be debating all the information that I gave him in his mind. “But Iris. I don't think I will be able to keep such a huge secret from Alpha Jace. I mean, I am his head warrior after all.”

“Please Zander, I trust you, and I feel like there are a few traitors within the pack, including Jennifer, and till we find who the rest of them is, I don't think I am ready to share this information with anyone,” I explained, and he thought for a while before finally, he nodded his head.

“I won't tell anything. But Iris, please make sure you let him know about this sooner because the time is ticking, and I don't think you will have enough time before something big happens.” Zander said, and I nodded my head before both of us got up from the sofa, and I led him back to the front door.

“I will see you later, Luna,” he said and bared his neck at me.

“Please call me Iris. Now that we are friends, I don't think we need all these formalities between us.” I said, and he nodded his head before he moved towards the forest and then completely vanished. Once Zander left, I went back inside the living room and took the mugs, and went to the kitchen to wash them up. Just as I was done cleaning the kitchen, I heard the sound of a car pulling up in our driveway, and then the door opened. I heard the clicking of the heels, and I know that it must be Ada.

When she entered the kitchen, I smiled at her, but she had a blank look on her face, so with a heavy heart, I went passed her to leave the kitchen. “Iris, can I talk to you for a minute?” that stopped me in my steps, and I turned around to see that Ada looked stressed, and her eyes held fear.

“I received a letter this morning, which was addressed to you. And since it didn't have any return address, I opened the letter to read it.” this made my heart start to race and my hands started to tremble, and I hoped that it was not another letter from Alan.

“From the threatening tone of the letter, I figured out that it was Alan. And he had written that you have only a day left to come to him willingly or he will kill everyone close to you.” tears flowed down my chin, but something else felt weird, he said that there is forty-eight hours left, but why did he change it to twenty-four hours?

“Iris, stop trying to be a hero here and save our lives. You of all people know what a psycho he is, and he will not let you go, willingly. So, why the hell do you want to go to him?” Ada yelled at me, and I just stood there, not knowing what to answer.

“Ada, if I don't go, he will kill you guys. And I don't want that to happen.” I told her, and she shook her head and pulled me into a hug.

“I may have scolded you earlier, but you are still my best friend, Iris. And, I will not let anything happen to you.” those words felt like a soothing balm to my aching heart. Ada has forgiven me.

“So, you forgive me?” I asked her when I pulled back.

“I can never stay angry with you for a long time and especially in a time like this where you need the closest people in your life. Even though I am still hurt by what you did, I think, I can look past that,” she said. And that was enough for me, and I hugged her again.

After that emotional talk that we had in the kitchen, Ada made us both a cup of coffee, and we went to the living room to enjoy it. “Okay, so do you have any plan to catch Alan?” Ada asked me, and I shook my head. Alan is a very clever and cunning person, and if he even gets a slight idea that I am trying to frame him, I don't know what he will do next.

“The only idea I have in mind is to go with him and finish this chapter of my life once and for all,” I replied, and Ada nodded her head.

“I will come up with a plan by tomorrow because I don't want to push you into that hellhole again, Iris. We will kill Alan for good this time.” Ada said, and I nodded my head, after that we just sat there in silence thinking about what we can do, and right then, we heard the front door opening. “We are home!” Beatrice yelled before she ran into the living room.

“How was the park?” Ada asked, and Beatrice started talking about everything that she did and the new friends that she met there.

“Aunty Ilis, uncle Jam was also there with uncle Water, and they were looking for you,” Beatrice said.

“Did you tell them that I was at home?”

“No, I told them that I didn't know where you were, but then they gave me this bag to give to you,” she said and handed me a small paper bag, and once I took it from her hand, I got up from the sofa. “I will meet you guys later,” I said before I left the living room.

“Iris?” mom called me from the kitchen, and when I turned around, I saw her approaching me with a cup of tea in her hand.

“Did Beatrice give you something?” she asked me, and I nodded my head.

“And Jace told me to let you know, to give him a call or call Walter’s number.”

“Did he say anything else?”

“No, darling. He asked me if you are fine. Which is weird.” mom had a thoughtful look on her face.

“But, he said that there is no problem and that he will come to meet you tomorrow,” she said, and I nodded my head before I made my way to my room. Once I locked the door behind me, I opened the bag and pulled out a burner phone, and it already had a number there. So I quickly called that number, and the phone rang for quite some time before someone picked it up.

“Iris?” it was Jace, and it sounded like he was in town.

“Jace, what is happening?”

“I have a feeling that there is a mole in our pack, and that person knows that you are mate, and I also have a feeling that they will do anything to get that stone from me. So listen to me carefully, alright?” his words were rushed, but I still heard him.

“I have placed a few of my most trusted wolves on patrol around your house, and under no circumstance should you leave the house alone, alright?”

“Alright, Jace. But why do you sound worried? What happened?” I asked him.

“Mike came to visit me after you left the pack Iris, and he told me everything that happened, I know that you didn't want me to know it now, but this matter concerns the pack's safety, too.” he reasoned and even though I wanted to argue with him, I didn't, since I know that this problem has already gone out of hand.

“I don't know how you must have felt, after seeing all those pictures, Iris. But I am thankful that you didn't come and reject me then and there.” his voice broke at the end, and I know that he must be trying his best not to cry. I know how he must be feeling because losing your mate is not a joke.

“I don't have much time to talk right now, but always remember this, Iris. I love you more than my own life. You are my mate, and I will cherish and protect you till my last breath.” that confession was enough for my trust to be built again. “Alright, bye. I will see you tomorrow.” Jace said.

“Jace, wait!” I spoke before he could disconnect the line.

“Do you want to tell me something, Iris?”