The Wolf that Remembers Every Death

By the time Iris Vale realized everyone at the celebration was talking about mates, it was already too late to escape. She had been sitting quietly in the corner, trying not to fall asleep in her drink. The celebration was for Alpha Darius's only son, who had announced his engagement earlier that week. Apparently, an engagement meant the entire pack needed to eat, drink, dance, and remind every unmated wolf that they were running out of time. Iris had managed to avoid most of the conversations for nearly an hour. Until someone pulled out the chair beside her. "You looked like you might need some company." Iris blinked and turned toward him. The man beside her smiled. "I've been watching you for some time. No one has come around except the waiter, and I'm pretty sure he only comes over because he's being paid." Iris glanced at the empty space around her. "That obvious?" "Very." He was handsome. Unfortunately. Dark hair, warm brown eyes, a strong jaw, and the kind of easy smile that probably worked on most women without much effort. Something about him felt vaguely familiar. Maybe she had passed him at the training grounds. Maybe she'd seen him at another pack gathering. She couldn't place him. He held out his hand. "Kieran Ward." She looked at it for a second before taking it. "Iris Vale." He settled comfortably into the chair beside her. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Iris wasn't sure whether she was supposed to start a conversation. Thankfully, he did. "So, are you always this quiet?" "Only at celebrations." "Why?" "Because everyone talks too much." A burst of laughter came from somewhere behind them. Kieran glanced toward the crowded tables. "Fair point. You don't seem like you're enjoying yourself." "I wasn't planning to come." "Then why did you?" "Because apparently missing the Alpha's son's engagement party is considered disrespectful." "Ah." He nodded solemnly. "A serious crime." "Apparently." His mouth twitched. "You could always leave." Iris looked toward the entrance. "I could." "But?" "I'd probably be noticed." "Then I understand your situation completely." She almost smiled. Almost. Before Iris could answer, three women approached their table. Iris recognized the one in front immediately. Serena Voss. She had been trying to get Kieran's attention for most of the evening, along with the two girls beside her. Apparently, laughing a little too loudly whenever he looked their way hadn't worked. Now she had finally decided to come over. Her eyes moved from Kieran to Iris. Then back to Kieran. "Well," she said slowly. "This is interesting. You're actually talking to her?" Iris sighed. "Serena. Don't." Serena smiled. "I was just wondering if he knows what he's getting himself into." Kieran frowned, looking genuinely confused. "Getting myself into what?" "You really haven't told him?" Serena said to Iris. "Told him what?" "That you're trouble." Kieran looked amused. "I think I can decide that for myself." Serena gave him a sympathetic look. "That's what they all say." Iris groaned. "Can we not?" Serena ignored her. "You know Daniel Reeves?" "Everyone knows Daniel." "He asked Iris to the Founder's Dance last year." Iris looked down at her drink. "And I went." "They danced. She went home. Nothing happened," Serena said. "Then the next morning, Daniel collapsed during training." "What?" "The healers thought it was poisoning at first." "They never found anything," Iris said quietly. "Exactly. He was sick for almost a week. Couldn't even shift properly." Kieran looked at Iris. She gave a small shrug. "I didn't do anything to him." "I didn't say you did." "But you're implying it." "I'm saying it's strange." "People get sick," Kieran said. "Of course they do. But Daniel was perfectly healthy until the night he went out with her." Kieran didn't answer. "Then there was Marcus Cole." Iris sighed. "Please don't." "Marcus walked Iris home twice. Two days later, he was attacked on the eastern trail." Kieran frowned. "By what?" "The healers said the injuries looked like claws," the second girl said. "He spent almost a month recovering." Kieran's eyes moved toward Iris again. She looked uncomfortable. "He was attacked by something. That's all anyone knows." "And you were the last person he was with." "I walked home." "Exactly." Kieran rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay." His voice was quieter now. Serena leaned closer. "And those are only the ones we know about." Kieran looked at Iris. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then he gave a small, uncomfortable laugh. "There's probably an explanation." "You don't sound like you believe that anymore." Kieran opened his mouth. Nothing came out. Iris looked away. She couldn't blame him. Not completely. She couldn't explain it either. She could explain each incident separately. Daniel had gotten sick. Marcus had been attacked. None of it had anything to do with her. At least, she didn't think it did. But put them together... Even Iris understood why people whispered. Someone called Kieran from across the clearing. "Kieran!" He turned. A young man near the main platform was waving urgently. "I should probably see what he wants. I'll come back." Iris lifted her cup. "Don't make promises you can't keep." He gave her a small smile, but this time it didn't quite reach his eyes. Then he walked away. Serena lingered a moment longer. "You really don't care what people think of you?" "I care about being left alone." Eventually, Serena and the others walked away. Iris waited until they were several steps away before letting out a long breath. "Finally." Peace and quiet, Lyra murmured. "Exactly." For the first time all evening, Iris relaxed. The music continued around her. Voices blended together. Couples moved across the dance floor beneath the warm lights. Normal. Safe. Boring. Exactly what she wanted. Then something caught her attention. Across the clearing, beyond the last row of lights, someone was standing near the trees. A woman. She couldn't make out her face. But something about the way she stood made Iris's stomach tighten. The woman's dark hair fell down her back. Her pale dress moved slightly in the night breeze. Then she tilted her head. Just slightly. Iris stopped breathing. She knew that movement. She had seen it too many times. Not here. Not in waking life. In dreams. Her dreams. That same woman had appeared in them, night after night, for years. Iris blinked hard. The woman was gone.