Serena held the napkin tightly in her hand as she waited for time to pass. The fabric, once neatly folded, was now creased from how many times she had twisted and pressed it. After a bit more fussing over her, adjusting the collar here, muttering disapprovals there– Livia had finally let her go.. Serena sighed and pushed a strand of hair out of her face.
If it was in Silverstone, her hair would have been tightly bound under a lacy scarf, with one or two trinkets if she felt like it. But here, she would have to leave her hair out. She had fixed it in a small bun, with numerous braids all combining into an intricate style, secured with silver pins at the back of her head.
She looked at the small window. The room was a little one, it was expected, this was a waiting room after all. Serena folded and refolded the napkin over and over again. She had decided against pacing around, sweating would leave her feeling clammy and less confident. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novelFɪre.net
The paper where she had written her speech was safely tucked into a pocket that Livia had sewn in. It was a discreet one, and Serena was grateful for that.
She kept her eyes pinned to the door, waiting for Darius. He was to be her chaperone of sorts, or at least be glued to her side. Her face felt cool to her touch, almost numb even.
The brass doorknob gave a soft rattle, and then the door creaked open and Darius stepped in. He wore ceremonial garb: a grey tunic with a clean V-neckline that hung just below his knees, embroidered lightly at the cuffs. His chest bore an array of brooches but one unmistakably marked him as Ironshade’s Alpha.
His red hair looked shorter than she had seen it, maybe just two fingers’ width were cut off. Serena rose slowly, smoothing the front of her dress with one hand. Darius closed the door gently behind him, his gaze never once leaving her. And then he smiled, wide and almost boyish.
He crossed the room in a few strides, like he couldn’t keep away. She looked like a minor goddess. The deep red complimented her perfectly, it was the first time he had seen her in this color of a dress. The fading sunlight reflected off the numerous silver embellishments that Livia had put on her.
The dress did not take up a lot of space; the upper part of it was fitted perfectly to Serena, though it still looked breathable. Her eyelids had a dusting of silver powder; her green eyes seemed to shine even brighter.
"Are you not going to say anything?" Serena asked. Her voice sounded hoarse, like she had not spoken in a few days.
Darius shook his head with a low laugh. "No," he said. "You just look ravishing where you stand. You’re beautiful."
Serena smiled and looked down bashfully for a split second before she looked at him once more. "You never returned."
He rubbed the back of his neck, his expression tinged with regret. "Accept my apologies," he said. "I wanted to come back, but there was so much to oversee."
Serena clasped her hands in front of her. "I understand. You also look beautiful."
Darius tilted his head, amusement dancing across his face as he leaned casually on the desk beside him. "Oh really?"
"Well, I mean handsome. You get what I mean."
Darius stroked his chin slowly and looked out the window. Just before he left, a few wolves had been seen to arrive at the Great Hall. He and Serena would have to leave this room soon.
"You should sit," he motioned to the chair behind her.
She did as she was instructed. Darius caught a glimpse of that white napkin in her hand. It seemed like she intended to carry it everywhere she went.
"Is it not time for us to leave?" Serena asked.
"Yes, but I’m not ready to go out just yet," Darius replied. "I want to talk."
Serena looked him up and down. His tone told her all she needed to know, this was a serious situation. "Alright... about what?"
Darius lowered himself onto the desk, never taking his eyes off her. "You said you have never experienced a situation before, and neither have I..."
Serena raised a brow like she was urging him to continue.
"And so many mistakes may be made. And you," he said, pointing a finger at her, "would be invariably caught in the crossfire. You are not from this pack, and no one owes loyalty to you."
Serena looked at her hands and then squeezed them. His words were true. "I see."
When these words left his lips, Serena’s eyes widened and she looked up at him.Her breath caught as Darius rose, walked forward, and then, in one fluid movement, dropped to his knees before her.
"So tell me, Serena, and be true to your heart, do you want to go on with this?"
Serena looked down at the hair that made her think of him whenever she saw the rose bushes in Ironshade. How she had come to resent the way they made her think of him, even when she didn’t want to. How her heart betrayed her with its racing, even at the mere thought of his voice.
Her mind drifted to the few nights she had been with Annamarie, their little conversations, the random gossip the younger woman would fill Serena in on. She remembered Jack, the way his smile would soften whenever he saw her.
Serena pressed her lips in a thin line. She was already attached. If she would leave, the memories would haunt her. Regret and longing would be companions for the remainder of her days. Being in Ironshade was difficult, but returning back to the wild almost seemed impossible. Leaving wouldn’t be freedom...it would be grief.
She recalled her promise to help out, no matter what.
Her hands found his hair, and she smiled. "I do."