Serena turned around fully this ti and raised a brow. She leaned against the windowsill, her back pressing into the cool stone as her arms crossed loosely over her middle. "Scared?"
"Yes," he echoed. "I was scared."
Darius clenched and unclenched his fists before shoving his hands into his pockets. His eyes darted away from hers, down to the floor, then to the far wall as if it held the words he struggled to find. "I haven’t been completely honest with you. It’s been eating at but..."
The man sighed and looked back at her and ran his hands through his hair. "I care about you and I care what you think about . I trust you."
He took a step forward and placed his hands at his back. He rembered after coming back from the Moonseeker how he introduced himself, like she was eting him anew. He felt horrible about all this. A few hours ago, he was on his knees next to her, then the next thing, he had morphed his fear into irritation and projected it on her.
"Really?"
"I swear it." A beat of silence passed between the pair. "Are you willing to listen to ?"
Serena looked at her clothes. Changing could wait. She rembered Feyra’s constant pleas for her to tell Darius about everything. It would be easier, would it not?
She hugged herself and closed her eyes briefly, her instincts were silent today. Serena did not feel it was right to share sothing so deep. It would be too much.
"Yes, I am," she replied. "Sit."
She motioned to the floor and sank down first, her skirt pooling around her legs as she touched the cool marble. She patted the space beside her. Darius hesitated for only a second before following, lowering himself with a soft exhale. He stretched his legs out in front of him, his shoulder just close enough to brush hers if either of them leaned even slightly.
Serena pulled her knees close and tucked her chin atop them, the folds of her dress cushioning the gesture. "I would love to listen to you," Serena whispered.
Darius nodded and looked up at the ceiling and closed his eyes. This was proving to be a difficult thing. His heart beat wildly in his chest. His worst fear had co true. His fated mate, just like his father had found her way into his life.
He had been too young to witness all the horrors that unfolded after his mother’s death and sohow he had inherited that broken legacy, and he had to continue. Darius recalled the last ti he visited his parents’ grave, where he vowed to his beloved mother that he would never go down his father’s path.
And to his father, he swore to put the pack together and seize their tomorrow. And then Serena appeared, sohow in such an unexpected manner, peaceful as well. He could not believe his senses when they had finally t in that glorified prison she was put in, her wide eyes and then he touched her face and left.
Facing himself was such a turmoil, a battle with his natural instincts and his deep-seated fears. Secretly, he hoped there was sothing that would crop up and then he would be happy to let her go. Alas, his foolish plan did not work. It was he who subverted his own plan. He decided to trust.
"My first speech was terrible, it was lackluster and my father hated that," Darius began. "I could not rember what I said but it was so bad and I was locked in my room for a long ti. From then on out, he wrote all my speeches."
Serena fiddled with the hem of her dress and listened to him.
"One day I did try to pass off one of mine as his. I was proud of it and it went well. At least that was what I thought... you can imagine what happened after."
Serena straightened her spine and glanced at Darius. His head was turned to the ceiling. "I am sorry."
"It is not your fault. I figured that I never sat with my feelings. Everything happened so quickly," Darius said.
Serena placed her hand on his knee. "I know, but still... you were pushed into such an important role. When did you beco Ironshade’s Alpha?"
"Twenty-two, eight years ago," Darius answered.
Serena’s eyes widened, and her brows lifted. That was barely adulthood by their standards. Most Alphas only assud the role well into maturity, often after decades of preparation.
Her Alpha of her forr pack assud the role in his late thirties. Werewolves lived extended lives, more than their human counterparts. So naturally, getting such a heavy role as the Alpha of a pack ca later in their lives.
And Ironshade was a cardinal pack, which ant even more responsibility for Darius. His father’s death must have been so sudden and tragic for him.
"Wow, that is unheard of," Serena said.
Darius laughed, but it was devoid of warmth. It had been an uneasy passing of barter from Magnus to Darius, but it was necessary. He had to adapt quickly. Mourning was sped through, nobody would care as long as Ironshade remained standing.
"I suppose I am honoured to be the first of the anomalies," Darius said.
"I had no idea... thank you for telling ."
Darius chuckled, "It is the least I could do. Besides, you deserve it."
Serena moved her hand to his shoulder and angled herself to face him. "Still, you deserve my thanks," she said.
"Thank you too, Serena. I really want to try with you," Darius admitted.
Serena clenched her gown tighter, the fabric crinkling beneath her grip. Her teeth grazed her bottom lip. Her heart swelled at his words. She almost could not believe her ears. She slowly relaxed and she breathed out slowly.
Before she could form a round thought, she threw herself onto Darius and hugged him tightly.
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