Serena watched as Darius tensed. He pulled his legs closer, keeping his gaze on the flame. Serena figured it was a question that poked at him, but if she wasn’t forward, then all her questions would remain unanswered.
Darius ran his hand along the book’s edge before he looked at Serena again.
"They died," he said evenly, his voice flat. "We’ve been over this."
Serena hummed in acknowledgment, her eyes dropping to the cover of the book. She clasped her hands tightly in her lap and thought of her next words.
Livia had said Darius was cursed with the same fate that took his parents. Werewolves lived long lives, longer than humans. Darius shouldn’t have been Alpha so young- not unless Magnus Hawthorne had died unexpectedly.
It was convenient on Darius’ part to have his father die so early on. Being the head of a pack came with its ups and downs, but it was a respectable role. Its downs far outweighed the ups, especially in a pack such as this one.
But the one time Darius spoke about his parents, it had been positive, or at least, he had spoken fondly of his mother.
Magnus Hawthorne was Darius’ father, and the former leader of Ironshade. He had passed away about five years ago or so. No one knew the circumstances of his death, but in the late days of his reign, things had seemed difficult for Ironshade.
Serena wished she had gone out of the Infirmary more and stayed around more gossiping ladies.
Serena chewed on the inside of her cheek before she sighed. "Yes, I apologise."
His eyes narrowed as he got up from the table and sat opposite her. He leaned forward, folding his hands like a man preparing for interrogation.
"You bringing this up out of the blue has me wondering, Serena." He pushed the oil lamp aside. "What exactly did Livia say to you?"
Serena pressed her lips into a thin line, placing her hands on the table. "Everything else said was unimportant."
"I am Darius Hawthorne, Alpha of Ironshade. I have the final say on everything that goes on in my pack."
Serena’s shoulders slumped. He was threatening her, just like Livia. Serena cursed inwardly. Why did she get her hopes up every time?
She had been a senior healer at her pack, she had stood at bedsides where wolves breathed their last, watched children cry in pain, and delivered news no heart wanted to hear.
Serena, of all people, knew how to steel her heart when it came to such matters, so why had she treated herself any different?
The blonde gazed into his hazel eyes. She looked away briefly, gathering her bearings. She hated that her chest felt heavy as before, hated her heart for making her believe that maybe, just maybe-
"And so I demand to know what happened between you and Livia."
Serena shifted in her seat, clearing her throat. "She told me about some clothes she had held back... said she was mending them. Then a few words here and there, and she mentioned her parents. And... seeing as she’s your cousin, I was curious about yours."
Darius looked her up and down, perhaps trying to find anything to hold against her, some reason to say her words were a lie.
Serena controlled herself and willed herself to breathe. It would be alright. She would get out of this soon.
Serena nodded, drawing the oil lamp closer to herself.
"Yes. If you do not believe me, then you can ask your cousin."
Serena watched as Darius’ eyes widened slightly. Good. He had understood the gravity of her words. It was her against them.
They had ways to keep her in line, words to remind her that she was different, a stranger. Serena understood that and kept it to herself.
It angered her that she sometimes thought otherwise, and got too comfortable with him. His apologies had just been empty words, and he never understood why he said them.
"That will not be necessary," Darius murmured, lowering his head slightly.
Serena’s eyes narrowed. Livia would be too upset to talk about it. That much she was sure of. The woman had recoiled from her own words as soon as they’d left her mouth. But if she did tell Darius- well, then so be it.
Serena pushed against the wooden table, the chair scraping against the floor, echoing in the library.
"I am feeling rather sleepy," she said, lifting the oil lamp by its handle. The flame flickered as she moved, casting moving shadows across her face. "Good night."
She had made it to the doorway and was twisting the knob when his voice came behind her, quieter this time.
"Good night, Serena."
The next morning, Serena paced in the room she was given, contemplating whether to go ahead with her decision or not.
She decided not to consult her wolf, because Feyra would have disagreed with her. Serena bit her lip. She was already dressed in a cream-coloured gown with silver trimmings on the hem as a design.
She let her hands fall to her sides, exhaling slowly out of her mouth. If she put off going ahead with the decision for much longer, then she would chicken out of it.
Serena opened the door and let herself out of the room. She had asked a random person for the direction to Darius’ office.
She gave the door a hard knock and let herself into his office. It was a large room, but the décor was simple and practical.
Off to the side was a large fireplace, but it was cold. Behind Darius, who was seated at a desk, was a large window with the curtains drawn apart, letting in the early morning sun’s rays.
And finally, there was a large shelf stuffed with books on the far end of the office room. Darius raised his head to look at her, and he seemed pleasantly surprised to see her there.
"Good morning," she greeted. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NovєlFіre.net
"Good morning, Serena," Darius said, returning her greeting. "To what do I owe this visit?"
Serena lingered at the edge of the seat. She didn’t want to sit down and eventually talk herself out of her decision.
"I would like to return to the manor."