Serena pressed her lips into a thin line. It was pin-drop silent, everyone seemed far more invested in what sat on their plates than in exchanging pleasantries.
Serena shifted in her seat, which made Livia look at her, her eyes narrowing. Darius cleared his throat and uncovered his food.
"I asked the cook to prepare Blackfang roast," he announced, as if that alone would ease the tension at the table.
Serena caught Livia rolling her eyes as she uncovered the bowl of steaming soup.
"Oh, please," Livia muttered, unfolding her napkin and placing it neatly across her lap. "I would appreciate it if you didn’t treat me like a pup."
Serena held her spoon, silently scooping up the vegetables and broth into her mouth.
"I’m not," Darius said sternly.
"Then you both would stop pretending like I’m not aware of the lie you’ve decided to spin."
The silence stretched on and on, and Serena decided to speak.
Livia kept her gaze forward, chewing slowly.
"I never got the time to appreciate you for the dress you made. It’s really like no other."
Serena watched as Livia’s hand paused mid-air, soup spoon halfway to her lips. Then she sipped as though nothing had been said.
"I’m sure it was like no other. You’re a rogue, after all."
Serena played with her food. She wondered why Livia was pleasantly surprised, her work was good, so was she not praised for it?
"You really outdid yourself for Serena, hm?" Darius commented.
Livia shot him a dirty look and continued with her meal.
"I give my all in everything I do, no matter who the wearer is," she said in a cold tone.
Darius hummed, and they all ate in silence. A knock on the door broke the silence. The woman who had brought Serena into the dining room popped her head in.
"What is it?" Darius asked in a clipped voice.
"Alpha," she greeted with a small bow. "It’s Elder Julius. He’s asking for you, said it’s of great importance."
Serena heard him mutter a curse. His temperament shifted, he seemed more alert, ready to strike. He stood up, the wooden chair scraping against the marble floor. He wiped his mouth and closed the distance to the door in a few strides.
"My apologies," he said with a curt nod to both of them. "I’ll have to leave."
Serena’s mind lingered on the urgency of the message as she finished the last of the roast.
"You," Livia said suddenly.
Serena raised a brow before pointing at herself. "Are you speaking to me?"
"Of course I am. There’s no one else in the room."
Serena pushed the bowl away and looked at Livia, expecting the harsh words she was sure would follow.
"Follow me," Livia said.
Serena stood up, smoothing her dress. "Why?"
Livia scoffed, flicking her hair over one shoulder with a quick motion. She tapped on the table before shaking her head.
"Do you think because you’re Darius’ mate you can start to do as you please?"
Serena stepped back, her mouth hanging open.
"No..." Serena’s brows were raised in surprise. How did Livia figure that out? "Who told you that?"
Livia rose from her seat, folding her arms, walking straight toward Serena. She stopped just at arm’s length, tilting her head ever so slightly.
"Follow me," she said again, softer this time, but no less commanding.
Serena stood frozen for a beat, her heart thudding. Her hands trembled, icy and numb. She curled her fingers into the fabric of her gown, needing to feel something. Then she hurried after Livia, her footsteps barely making a sound as she followed.
They ended up at the balcony, looking at a crescent moon. Serena’s mind raced for possible answers. None of the Elders knew she and Darius were fated mates. Just how close is she to Darius? she wondered.
The blonde woman glanced at Livia, who was looking straight at the moon, admiring it silently.
"What do you want with this pack?" Livia asked in a soft voice. Serena would have missed the question if she wasn’t so eager to know what Livia knew.
"I want nothing, truly, I do." Serena fiddled with her hands. "I have no ill intent toward Ironshade."
Livia turned to face her. Her look told Serena that her words weren’t believed. She exhaled slowly, waiting for the other woman’s reply.
"Are you a witch?" Livia asked, eyes widening ever so slightly. She cradled one hand in the other. "They said some rogues are..."
Livia’s voice rose, trembling as she spoke. "Then how did you do it?"
Serena closed her eyes. This felt like dealing with those older wolves who withheld their health information.
Livia broke the gaze and turned away again, stepping forward to rest her hands on the cold iron railing. She keep her eyes on the moon again.
"Darius is not supposed to have a fated mate," she said finally.
Serena remained silent, digesting the words. It didn’t make sense to her, fated mates were already rare as it was, and as far as the books and priests went, no one was barred from having one.
The Moonseeker was the only person from Ironshade who knew they were mates, and she hadn’t mentioned anything about it.
Serena had always felt like something was being withheld from her in this pack. Maybe there was some sort of predicament they were in. Fresh chapters posted on novel⦿fire.net
Livia ran her hand through her hair. "I... I don’t know."
Serena scrunched up her brows. Had Livia been running on assumption this whole time? And been so hostile for a reason she didn’t even know?
"I see," Serena started gently. "I don’t know many things about Ironshade, but rest assured that I have not come here to harm Darius or your pack."
Livia remained silent for a bit. "It wouldn’t have been fair to have a fated mate."
"What?" Serena asked.
Livia looked at her slowly and shook her head.
"This is a punishment," she whispered. "It wouldn’t be fair to give him the same fate that got his parents killed."