{CAROLINE}
I exhaled slowly through my nose, forcing myself not to react. The rumors were spreading faster than rot in damp wood, mutating with every retelling.
"Don't let it get to you, Iris," I whispered, forcing my voice to stay steady.
But when I looked at her, the words faltered in my throat.
Iris's face had gone pale—unnaturally so. The faint color that usually warmed her cheeks had drained away, leaving her skin almost translucent. Her lips parted slightly, breath shallow, eyes unfocused.
She looked… unwell.
I couldn't smell anything—I was human, after all—but I had always thought Iris didn't smell like anything at all.
No sweat. No musk. No wild scent like people claimed werewolves carried. Being near her was oddly calming, like standing in fresh air after rain.
But now…
She swayed.
Just barely.
"Iris?" I murmured.
Her hand tightened around my sleeve as if anchoring herself.
A thought crept in, cold and unwelcome.
