That was the answer Serena gave her again. If she didn’t stand for herself, then the little joy she found here would be ripped away from her.
It may seem small. Petty, even. But the warm bed she slept in at night, the luxury of choosing her meals, the silence free of accusation or fear, those things mattered. They were her pieces of peace.
And then there was Darius... she didn’t even know his favourite colour yet.
Livia raised a single brow, her tone deceptively calm. "And if I may ask, why?"
Serena exhaled and laid her palms flat against her sides. Truth be told, she didn’t owe Livia any answer, not after the way she had been treated by her. It was crystal clear the woman didn’t like her.
"Why?" she echoed. "Because the council decided it. With a witness there, your scoutmaster. It was ruled I would leave Ironshade by springtime, and I intend to obey."
Livia’s gaze slipped from Serena’s face to her feet, the same way it always did when she didn’t know what to say. Her lips twitched. She let out a thoughtful hum and pressed her fingers to her chin, as though considering a chessboard no one else could see.
"But they wouldn’t object," she said slowly, "if you decided to leave on your own."
Serena’s lips parted slightly. The words were true and Livia knew it. General Silas wouldn’t hesitate to support her if she were to voice that decision. Her hand went to her neck, she’d probably lose her head if left alone with that man.
Elder Iris? Serena couldn’t say. Her reception at the first council meeting hadn’t been favourable. And the old man who never looked up from his writing? He could very well side with Silas, for all Serena knew.
The only ones who were on her side by circumstance were Elder Cedar and Darius himself. Elder Evelyn might not object, and Ryker would throw a celebration if she left.
"I believe they will not," Serena admitted.
"Then why stay?" Livia pressed.
"I have my personal reasons."
Livia scoffed and tapped her pointer finger against her arm. The woman wore a simple orange frock that looked like everyday wear.
"Is it Darius?" Fresh chapters posted on novel fire.net
Serena’s gaze snapped to her, narrowing. "Why would it be about him?"
"Oh, give me a break." Livia rolled her eyes. "I’m not a child. You two are fated mates. I’ve read about the bond in books. I’ve seen what it does to people."
"What? Tell me," Serena asked, taking a step forward.
That step made Livia step back. She had always pushed Serena every time they met. Her spirit detested her; she didn’t want to get to know her. She was a rogue, and rogues had taken her parents from her and turned her life upside down. There was no going back from a loss like that.
Her late uncle Magnus had been in charge of Ironshade and was happy with his wife, Dalia. Life was good- lovely, even. Livia remembered having a room just across from Darius. Then her aunt died, and her uncle morphed into something she couldn’t explain.
"It eats at your mind, makes you do things you wouldn’t do," Livia went on, her voice cracking.
Serena pressed her lips into a thin line. No one really wanted to talk about what happened to the ruling couple. It was getting more and more frustrating, but it seemed like a sensitive topic for everyone.
"That’s not true, Livia," she said quietly, but firmly. "Believe me, it’s one of the greatest gifts our goddess gave us. Before you smell something rotten, you know it’s long dead."
Livia’s head jerked slightly, brows scrunching in disbelief. Her expression twisted like she’d just been told the moon was made of salt. "What?" she muttered, almost to herself.
"I know Darius more than you," Livia spat, the words quick and defensive. "It’s just a phase to him. Once he comes to his senses, he’ll understand that you’re here to destroy us all."
Livia ran a frustrated hand through her hair and glared at Serena. Serena tilted her head, trying to understand.
"How? Because you... it’s..." Livia stumbled through her words. She let out a mangled sound and let her hands drop to her sides.
"I don’t know how, because I haven’t figured it out," Livia pointed. "You don’t fool me. All rogues are the same."
Serena looked at her helplessly. She was at a loss for words. No matter what she did, it always circled back to this: she was a rogue. A threat.
But Serena knew better than to touch Livia again. She shuddered at the memory of what happened the last time.
"I’m sorry for the loss of your parents. And I’m also sorry to tell you it was not fair."
Livia looked up. Her jaw clenched hard enough to tremble, and her lower lip quivered once before she caught it between her teeth. Her hands fisted and unfisted rhythmically, the motion stiff, practiced, like it was the only thing keeping her steady.
"So you intend to stay until spring?"
Serena nodded, her throat dry. It was what she had promised herself, and breaking that now would be a different kind of death. "I do."
"Very well," Livia said, straightening her back and pulling her hands behind her as though this exchange hadn’t taken place.
"I see I can’t convince you to leave, and you seem hell-bent on attaching yourself to Darius’ hip."
Serena looked down briefly, embarrassed by Livia’s words, and then looked back up.
What can I do to get her to trust me?
"The delegate from Dawnbreak... I don’t know too much about the cardinal in the North."
Dawnbreak- the second-oldest cardinal pack, behind its southern counterpart. It was an odd one; it could hardly be considered a werewolf pack, since its population was so mixed. It mainly comprised werewolves, but housed humans, elves, fae, and had good relationships with a few vampire families.
They were a trade hub, the most diplomatic and lenient of the cardinal packs. They were open with their dealings and had thrived for centuries.
Livia looked out the window and then back at Serena. "I suppose I have a few minutes to spare."
She crossed her arms, the movement more cautious this time, and sighed through her nose. "This would help you and help us. But Serena..." Her voice dipped low. "We are not allies. Neither are we friends."
Serena nodded once, her jaw tight.
"But for the sake of my pack’s future," Livia finished, "I will set aside our dispute. For now."