164 CANE AND MASON

Iris rushed toward the vast meadow, where the grass had long turned yellow. This was the place she saw Ethan from her bedroom's window, but she couldn't find him. He was nowhere to be seen.

She should have run faster. If she had, she wouldn't have lost him now. But then she was not a good runner to begin with, even now, she was panting heavily.

"Where is he?" Iris looked around her and started walking in the direction she thought Ethan had gone. The cold wind made her shiver and her nose started to turn red. If Hanna saw this, she would reprimand her. She got sick easily when it was winter, but here she was, exposing herself to the cold wind.

Iris strode further from the pack house and the more she walked, the more she liked it. It felt so peaceful and refreshing when she could see the world clearly, as it changed its colors to welcome the winter.