When Iris was preparing for the offering, she couldn't help smiling at the thought that she and Leo would get to spend more time together when he became an official hunter. When word had been brought back that he killed a maned boar she almost danced with excitement. Even she had never killed a maned boar. They were too rare and too much of a challenge for her. She didn't have enough raw power like Leo did. She was so happy she even gave him a kiss on the cheek when he joined the party. But then, when the moon had fully risen she heard Leo cry out in pain.
"Leo! What's wrong?" Was all she ask in the situation, but he didn't answer. No she realized he was in so much pain he couldn't answer. And the reason for the pain became apparent a moment later. She was only able to watch on horror as his body started bulging and growing, tearing the clothes she had just given him that morning. A thick coat of fur, dark red to match his hair started covering his body. And his eyes became an orange so bright, they appeared to be glowing. She tried to grab onto his arm in and attempt to help him, but he suddenly pushed her away while crying out,
" NOOOOOO!!!" Though it sounded more like a beastial roar. Iris could feel a sudden sharp pain from the moment he pushed her and looked down at her arm, only to discover there were two long gashes flowing warm blood. She then let at a sharp cry of her own at the pain, which brought Leo's attention back to her while in the middle of his transformation. The two orange beast like eyes suddenly showed concern, and she could only watch as he took several large steps and leapt off the cliff at the edge of the village. And few minutes later an eerie howl sounded thought the forest.
The rest of the people, could only stand in shock and horror at what happened, until they realized Iris needed to be taken to Austin's.
A few hours later, Austin had finished treating Iris,
" I did what I could, but I couldn't get it to close all the way. It'll take a few more days to close properly, but there'll be a scar when it does. I'm sorry I'm not a better healer." Iris shook her head to Austin's words to show she didn't blame him. He had healed the torn veins in her arm, but doing so had exhausted him. Plus she didn't mind scars, her only concern was if Leo minded them. When Iris thought of him her eyes grew moist. She had seen the pain he had gone through before hurting her, and how he was hurt not at his own pain; it the fact that he hurt her.
She remembered the last full moon. When Leo started changing then, she watched as moonlight shined down and reversed the change. She though Artemis would protect him again, or that he wouldn't be affected by whatever happened then after that. After thinking for a few moments, she gripped her hands and blinked the tears from her eyes. She made her resolve.
After thanking Austin she went to collect her things. As she was about to leave, someone called out to her,
"And where do you think you're going?" Looking back Iris saw Natalie, Jack and elder grandma staring at her. Iris then said,
" I'm going to find Leo. I'm not going to abandon him to what ever happened." Before any of them could respond however a voice cried out,
"He's a monster that attacked you and you're still going to find him? What are you gonna have him attack the rest of the villagers next? Maybe the first ones he'll go after are the children that can't-" at that moment a dagger buried itself in the wall behind the speaker, Curly. The dagger had passed within an inch of his face, and Iris who threw it was breathing heavily and had a wild look in her eyes in rage.
"The next one won't miss." Was the only thing that came out of her mouth. Curly broke into a cold sweat. He feared Leo, so ever since the last time he didn't dare raise his head on front of him. But Leo wasn't here now. So Curly pushed his argument.
"You're mad because I spoke the truth?! I don't know what he is, but that look he had was that of an animal; like a mad dog! If you're throwing your lot in with him, then that makes you nothing but his bit-" once again before Curly could finish what he was saying another dagger went flying. Except this one impaled his hand. The same one Leo nearly cost him. As curly fell to his knees, Iris calmly walked over an retrieved her daggers. This resulted in another cry from Curly as she pulled the knife from his hand.
"Curly, when the sun comes up in the morning I expect you'll already be on your way. If you're still here, then I'll send you on your way, understand?" When elder grandma spoke there was an indescribable pressure to her words. Curly was barely able to nod his head through the pain and the pressure that was put on him. She then turned to Iris and said,
"When you bring him back, bring him to my house. I want to have a chat with him for a while." Iris gave a small smile At elder grandma before Natalie spoke up,
"We're going as well. You're hurt and we don't know what he's capable of. Also I don't think he's that bad of a person, so the least we could do is hear him out." Iris felt immense gratitude at their words. Then she turned around, and her, Jack, and Natalie headed out to find what they would learn was called a werewolf.