Serena smiled tightly, her lips pressed together in an expression more polite than warm. A strained laugh slipped past her. Had she overstepped? Alexander’s gaze lingered on her, brimming with boyish enthusiasm.
"It is the most efficient way of working," Serena said, keeping her voice even.
Alexander accepted the statement without question. "You are beautiful as you are wise. Let us see the armour."
Darius’ upper lip twitched.
He would not acknowledge the disgust brewing in his chest. He forced himself to remain expressionless, but the compliment- it was so cloying, so calculated, it scraped against his nerves. Alexander drizzled his flattery like honey over a slice of bread, utterly misplaced.
It was very obvious, even to the blind that he was trying to gain favour in Serena’s eyes, but it ticked off Darius in a way that would be considered childish.
"Thank you," Serena said softly.
Darius did not understand why she didn’t stop him. Was she enjoying it too? He shook his head and looked around the armoury with wide eyes. He almost laughed at the absurdity, he was going positively mad. Darius ran his hand across his face, it did little to subside his annoyance.
He followed behind them in silence, his boots echoing against the stone floor.
The steel weapons reflected the orange hue of the fire. There was not a speck of dust on them. They stood proud on their wooden racks, arranged in neat rows by size and shape.
Iron claws glinted beside worn javelins and squat, sturdy swords. Serena let out a faint hum, her gaze dancing over the lineup. It was more than she’d ever seen in one place.
It was more than she had ever seen in her life. Weapons were few and far between in Silverstone. They were only reserved for the most skilled warriors in the pack. Serena figured the military number of Ironshade was close to the total population of wolves that lived in Silverstone.
Her eyes snagged on a particular sword resting to the side, its hilt adorned with coiled gold. A writhen hilt- her father had once called it that. It gleamed under the light, delicate and deliberate in its design.
"That one would have to be reworked," Alexander said.
"What for?" Serena asked, meeting his gaze.
"The ore used for it was subpar. Whoever forged it must’ve cared deeply for the blade. The craftsmanship on the hilt is exquisite."
Serena nodded slowly. That explained the draw. It looked like the sword her father had gifted her long ago. A ceremonial piece, he had said, from Crimsonclaw itself.
"Would you like it?" Darius asked from behind.
Serena turned to see Darius, his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the sword. He had noticed, of course he had. Even Alexander must have caught it.
"Ah, Alpha Darius," Alexander said, flashing him a smile too smooth to be sincere. "I had not noticed you were still with us."
Darius kept his gaze hard and his lips pressed in a thin line. He shook his head and spoke. "I am the ambassador’s escort."
"I see," Alexander replied, his grin sharpening. "Ambassador Serena is in good hands here in Ficus. We would not wish to keep the Alpha away from his castle for too long."
Serena looked between the two men, the tension making her breath catch in her throat. Again, that strange feeling she had when Anthony was addressing Darius, right after meeting the Moonseeker at the castle, overcame her.
She pushed the feeling down, assuming it was because of her jittery nerves. She cleared her throat, and both of them looked at her.
"I personally asked the Alpha to be my escort, Commander," Serena said evenly.
Alexander’s smile wavered for a heartbeat before he dipped his head in a respectful bow. "I understand. Your decision would be the best."
Serena studied his face, just for a moment. His smile was polished, but his eyes, his eyes were harder than Darius’. There was something flinty behind them, something sharpened over time.
His hair was dark brown, so dark it looked almost black under the flickering fire light, and his cheeks were rounded, youthful- deceptively soft for someone with such a calculated gaze. He stood a full head taller than her, yet still dwarfed by Darius, by about two heads.
"I see very few weapons on the racks," she said without thinking. Check latest chapters at novelꞁire.net
The moment those words left Serena’s lips, she was overcome with embarrassment. Of course there would be few weapons here; it was daytime, and the warriors would be sparring and practicing with them.
Alexander didn’t seem offended. "Yes," he said smoothly, "in Ironshade we opt to battle with our natural fangs. But iron strikes deeper."
Serena inclined her head in acknowledgment. Her father had always told her that the wolf form was sacred, never to be shown recklessly.
Fight until you no longer can, he’d said, and then grab the paw of your companion wolf who Lunara gifted you, to take their heart.
His stories had scared her at the time, but it seemed normal from where he came from. Serena closed her eyes briefly, asking Lunara for wisdom to imitate her father.
"You will wear yourself out quickly," she said after a moment, gesturing toward the heavier swords on display.
"How so?" Darius interjected.
Serena felt his curious gaze at the back of her neck. "Well..."
She hesitated, wondering if she had made a mistake by giving her opinion.
"You need lighter weight weapons to move quickly," she said.
"Hm," Alexander hummed, stroking his chin. "Yes, but a single blow is all you need."
Serena noted his words. Perhaps the wolf who had scarred was originally from the West and tried- but failed, to adopt the fighting style of the Eastern wolves. A cheap imitation of the agile and ruthless wolves.
"I see," Serena said, keeping her thoughts to herself.
Alexander soon slithered off, his attention drawn elsewhere. As his figure disappeared between rows of armor stands, Darius leaned slightly closer to her, his voice a low murmur.
"If I were your tutor, I’d say you’ve done me proud."
"Is that so?" Serena tilted her head, her voice laced with quiet amusement. The corner of her lips lifted in a subtle, knowing smile.
"Yes, indeed," Darius said, his tone warm.
She cast him a sidelong glance. "Do you dislike Alexander?"
"Do you like him?" he shot back, the words immediate, a spark in his eyes.
Serena laughed then, soft, surprised. She glanced away for a heartbeat to catch her breath, a faint blush warming her cheeks.
"I’ll take that as a yes," she said.