Annamarie rose from the pillows slowly, propping herself up on her elbows. She raised a brow and tucked her hair behind both ears, as though unsure she’d heard correctly.
"You used to be married?" Anna repeated slowly.
Serena gave a small nod, resting her cheek against her open palm. "Two years ago."
"What happened?" Anna asked.
Serena played with the sheets and she pulled until she felt she was silent for too long. "He passed."
Annamarie inched closer without another word, her expression softening. She laid her head gently on Serena’s chest, arms wrapping around her. Serena blinked at the contact, but slowly returned the embrace, her arms folding over Anna’s back. She let out a long breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Content originally comes from NoveI(F)ire.net
"I am so sorry," Anna whispered.
Serena looked at the ceiling and then squeezed her eyes shut as she swallowed the sorrow in her heart. Annamarie was the first to offer some sort of condolence since his death.
"I didn’t think it was fair to bring it up before," Serena said after a pause. "Everything was so uncertain, but I think now is the right time."
Anna pulled back and nodded. She reached up and patted Serena’s head with a small, almost comical seriousness, then let her hand fall.
"I’m glad you told me regardless."
Serena looked over to the other woman and she had a smile on her face and that in turn made Serena smile. The weight that settled in her chest melted away.
"Maybe you can tell me what kind of person he was and how it was like. I imagined rogues could get mates but not . Were you paired together or was it fate?"
"It was fate," Serena said with a laugh.
What she could not let Anna know was the exact details, Serena had not yet figured what details she would swap out. She could not talk about pack life, what she used to do, nothing at all.
She glanced at Annamarie from the corner of her eye and cursed inwardly. She could not bring herself to tell Annamarie.
"I wonder what it is to be married," Anna muttered.
Serena blinked and she then turned fully to Anna. "It is not something you can ever imagine. Sometimes it is difficult, other times it makes you feel so light you think you can fly like a canary."
"Hmm," Anna hummed to herself. "I am not so sure about settling so soon but it does look like it is time."
Serena was not sure how the culture was in Ironshade but in Silverstone, they believed in stability of family. Her mother nearly did not marry her father because of his origin, so her parents had misgivings. Most of the women were married by twenty-two at the latest.
"Is there pressure from your father?" Serena asked.
Annamarie shook her head and laughed. "None at all, he does not even think I will get married in his lifetime."
Serena cringed. "That sounds harsh."
Anna waved her hands dismissively, the bracelets on her wrist jingling softly. "No, he knows me. I don’t think anyone would enjoy having a partner who disappears for days on end just to chase shadows in the woods."
Serena smiled faintly. "You’re probably right."
Serena nodded, from Lucas she knew the work of a scout was one of the dangerous ones but it was also important for the pack in the long run. A scout was expected to meet danger head-on, to act as the eyes and ears of the territory. They charted the land, tracked rogue movements, and kept the maps updated with precision.
Annamarie let out a dramatic sigh and pressed her fingers to her forehead like a character from a tragic play. "So you see my dilemma?"
Serena chuckled and sat up. She took Anna’s hands in hers and squeezed it gently. "It will be okay, just do not dwell on it too much, you will get a headache."
Anna smiled at her and nodded.
Serena glanced at the clothes displayed on the floor and then an idea came to her. "Could you help me pick out a dress for today?"
"Would I?" Annamarie’s face lit up as she sprang from the bed with unexpected energy. She seized Serena by the wrist and tugged her along like an excited child. "Come on!"
"Hm," Annamarie hummed with her hand on her chin. She held up the dark green dress to Serena’s body and looked her up and down. "Put this on."
Serena laughed under her breath but didn’t argue. She slipped off her nightclothes and stepped into the dress. "Help me with the zip?"
Annamarie pulled the zip up and adjusted the dress on Serena. "Haha, I am a genius. This is perfect. Look at yourself."
Serena looked at herself in the mirror and inspected herself. The dress was flattering on her.
"Now... your hair," Annamarie said with folded arms.
Serena scooped her hair up and gave Anna a dubious look. "Really?"
Annamarie nodded vigorously like Serena would not be able to get out of this one if she protested. "Yes really. Sit down."
Serena sat as still as possible and waited for Anna to finish her work. When she looked into the mirror she gasped. Anna had done a simple bun with some sort of twisted design at the side. "This is beautiful, thank you."
Before Anna could reply, a knock had interrupted her and they both turned to see a woman who bowed her head. "Your Excellency, your presence is needed in the council room."
Serena looked at Anna and nodded. "Thank you."
The woman nodded curtly and disappeared.
"Would you accompany me please?" Serena asked.
The pair walked in the corridor, door after door before the unmistakable one appeared before them. The wooden door had steel designs on them. Serena had recognised them, the last time she was there it was at Emmett’s side who appealed for her stay at Ironshade.
A hand landed on her shoulder and she glanced at Anna who had a smile on her face and then she nodded. "Do not worry. You will be fine."
Serena looked down briefly before she returned the smile. "Thank you for your kind words."
"I will see you soon," Annamarie said and with that she left.
Serena watched her disappear down a turn and she turned back to face the door. Her heart beat wildly in her ears. She exhaled slowly and turned the knob.