Serena swallowed hard and blinked a few times, her throat tightening. Her tongue felt dry against the roof of her mouth.
The image of the brown-haired man popped into her head. People always called them brothers, refusing the reality that they were only cousins, just because they looked so alike.
But that was where the resemblance stopped for the most part. Cullen was an extroverted man, knowing the names of virtually everyone in the pack. He couldn’t walk ten feet without stopping to greet someone.
Lucas, on the other hand, would be the silent, brooding type- you could hardly get words out of him. And yet, he was always near Cullen, and therefore, around her too.
He was a scout and often ventured outside the pack. It was a fitting role for him, and he seemed to enjoy it that much. Serena had her fair share of interactions with him, nothing to write home about. He was often around Cullen and her whenever he was in the pack.
Hearing his name here and now had caused this reaction that she hated. It was yet another reminder of her suffocating past, being here did not erase the bonds she once had.
"Lucas Brigman, a beta wolf of Ironshade," Alexander repeated casually, unaware of the small detonation he’d set off.
"He’s a beta now?" she asked before she could stop herself.
Stupid. Terrible question. She cursed inwardly at herself. Every time she made a mistake, she had to lie to cover it up.
"Well yes... Do you know him?" Alexander asked.
From her peripheral vision, she saw Darius cross his arms and tilt his head. Wonderful, now he was interested in her answer.
"Not at all, he just reminded me of someone I knew. My mind confused both names," Serena said.
The attempt was weak, but if she could quickly brush it off, then hopefully so would they.
"I must imagine the things you must be juggling every day," Alexander said with a light snort, giving her an easy out.
"What interest do you have in that pack? It seems so..."
"Small?" Darius cut in smoothly, stepping closer to her side. "It’s the placement that matters. It was a little odd that it was the pack closest to Stormcrest."
Serena nodded in understanding. Stormcrest was the cardinal to the South, and true to Darius’s words, Silverstone was the closest western pack to it.
There was a large expanse of land that was not owned by any pack, it was humans that lived there and had their trade. It was a sort of truce with everyone around not to attack them.
For trade, Silverstone would be a vital point. But what had that got to do with Lucas? Serena was afraid to ask any more questions. Any more interest might unravel what little distance she’d managed to maintain between Serena the ambassador and Serena the exile.
"That, and that Lucas man. He has a good head on his shoulders and is wonderful in economics," Alexander chipped in.
Since when was Lucas interested in trade and politics ? He did help Cullen in that line of work, but left as soon as he could. He preferred the outdoors and drawing up maps. How strange was this.
"I see," she said softly, tone neutral. Then after a pause, she leaned just slightly closer to the table. "Is that all you know about Silverstone?"
She pushed a little further, a little prodding wouldn’t hurt. Besides, it would be to her advantage to know the extent of what they knew of her former pack.
"I have not visited there myself," Darius began. "I was too busy to attend the funeral of the beta before Lucas and his wife."
The wooden pegs clattered to the ground and echoed in the room. Serena gripped the table tightly, a cold sweat had overtaken her suddenly.
Her ears kept ringing. This sort of information... A funeral for Cullen, yes- she had expected that. But... for her? They buried her? As if she were already dead? How could they bury her when she was alive and well?
Her stomach turned. She could still hear the screams, the jeers, feel the wet slap of rotten tomatoes against her skin. She couldn’t find her brother’s eyes in the crowd.
She’d left Silverstone with little more than the clothes on her back and her pendant pressed tight against her chest. A few smuggled coins and nothing more.
Maybe in another life, she should have died- but she was alive now.
Darius rushed over to her side, his eyes wide with concern. He had just been speaking to her and the next thing, she was gripping onto the table for dear life, as though she might fall.
He remembered her groans and complaints before of a headache. She had only asked for water, but it was clear to him that the situation was way worse.
Darius was at her side in a flash, his voice sharp with worry. "Serena!"
Alexander stood transfixed to the spot like he had just seen a ghost. He stammered and tried to get his body to move.
"It must be the weather," he finally spat out. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novęlfire.net
Darius looked at him with a confused expression before brushing it aside. Alexander was under the impression that Serena had actually come from the snowy plains of the East.
"Perhaps so," he murmured.
Serena simply would not let go. It took effort, gentle words, and prying fingers for Darius to ease her grip and lower her to the floor. Her sweat dripped onto the wooden floor, and she took in slow, deep breaths.
"I must have pushed you hard. I’m so sorry," Darius said.
"It’s... I’m okay..." Serena tried to say.
"No, it’s not," Darius said, firm now, his brows pulled tight. His gaze flicked to Alexander, who had finally regained his composure.
"Run. Now. Go to my quarters and make sure it’s in order."
"Yes, Alpha," Alexander replied, snapping out of his trance and hurrying away.
Serena barely remembered what happened after. Alexander had rushed off somewhere, and Darius continued to speak to her and soothe. Why wasn’t anyone telling her anything?
Soon, she was lifted off the ground, and Darius walked quickly with her in his arms.
"I can walk," she mumbled.
"I know," Darius said, holding her close. "But I want to do this."