Moonbound: The Rogue's Second Chance-Chapter 98 - NINETY-NINE - MEET AND GREET (III)

"And I do," Darius said, but it felt like he was grasping at straws now.

Serena refused to look at him. The more people passed by, the more Darius felt the heat rise to his collar. Having an argument in public was a terrible idea, but pressing her now might make her lash out, and that was what terrified him.

"You do not," Serena said, voice sharper than she intended. "You thought I would throw away the speech you wrote me. You didn’t send anyone to see how I was faring."

There was a visible twitch in Darius’ jaw, and he tilted his head slightly. He nodded to a passing wolf and then looked back at Serena. "I told you I was busy. I had to prepare this ceremony for you so everything would go as planned."

"And I know that," Serena said, holding her hands up.

She could feel the frustration simmering beneath; her annoyance was getting the best of her, and she did not like her. It was partially directed, birthed from Darius but she was frustrated about another thing she had yet to pinpoint.

"I know you’ve been working so hard," she continued, "but I would appreciate if you..." Her eyes finally lifted to meet his. "If you would not take it out on me. I wasn’t aware you had written something for me."

Darius shoved his hands into his pocket and looked down briefly. "I apologise for thinking you would throw away the letter. Believe me when I say that I trust you."

Serena raised a skeptical brow. "Do you really?"

"I do," Darius said in a low voice.

Serena looked him up and down before nodding stiffly. "I am glad then. I will see you around, someone wanted to speak to me."

Serena raised her dress and brushed past him. There was still a lingering feeling of sadness and perhaps disappointment. The way he was quick to switch up frightened her a bit.

Darius is better. He is not angry anymore. Serena glanced back to see him still watching her; she turned away and was soon met by a smiling stranger.

As she talked, she could not help but think about Elder Cedar’s words. Was he really right? Serena touched her temple lightly, a little headache had set in.

"Hello, Ambassador," someone called out.

Serena found the source of the voice and she squinted. She could not be mistaken. It was Herbie, the former garment master to Darius’ father.

"Herbie, was it?" she greeted with a smile. "I am honoured you came around."

The older man leaned on the cane and shook his head, giving a hearty laugh. He fished around in his pocket and brought out a scratched golden pocket watch. Serena hid her astonishment– a pocket watch was an expensive thing to own and there were very few locksmiths who could make one.

There was a pocket watch her family owned through her mother, which no longer worked, but it was an important family heirloom. Her mother had said it was one of the things that helped Silverstone back when it was still a nomadic pack.

"Yes, and I even came early," he said with a grin, revealing his yellowed teeth. "I remember you said you were a friend of Darius when you came to my place."

The old man tapped his cane on the ground and shook his head, his expression somewhere between amusement and disapproval. "If I had known that boy was bringing over an esteemed guest like that, I might have put my house in order."

Serena clasped her hands in front of her, her fingers laced too tightly. For some reason, she did not believe his words. If Herbie had refused to tidy his little home all these years, then not even a vampire noble arriving at his doorstep would have changed his mind, let alone her.

"You flatter me, but there is no need to go through all that for my sake," Serena said.

"Nonsense, imagine how embarrassed I am now I realise you had to see all of that," Herbie went on, leaning slightly on his cane. "Promise me it wouldn’t hurt talks with the council."

Serena chuckled. "I promise it would not."

"I never did understand the point of Darius taking someone of your standing so casually around the pack. This ceremony was long overdue. Beatrice, oh my dear friend, had said you have been here since-"

"That is true," Serena said, cutting Herbie off. She felt like he was trying to undermine her. After the weeks of all this, she would not let it all come crashing down so soon. "But you see, I came from the far East, and here it is much warmer than what I was used to. I had to train and get acquainted with the environment, even my people had to return before we had an emergency so far from home."

Herbie stared at her for a few seconds, his milky brown eyes boring into her green ones. And then he smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "You would have to forgive me. My old age is getting to me."

"Oh please, I would not disrespect my elders. Besides, I had your Alpha show me around before I was formally introduced to the pack," Serena said.

"Yes, nobody questions the leader even if he is with someone who smells so differently from us."

Serena pursed her lips and then nodded curtly. This felt like some kind of game, and she did not like it. This man had loyalty to Darius’ father, so much so that he dropped his craft once he died.

"Yes, I am sure. I would expect nothing less from the steel wolves," Serena said.

Herbie perked up at that. Serena could swear something flickered in his gaze– a glint of approval or maybe amusement, but it vanished before she could be certain.

"I do wonder how long it took for you to get here," he mused. "Can’t believe that boy’s been planning something so big."

The old man laughed and he continued. "I had to come here to see if it was really true. After that speech, I just knew he had pulled off the miraculous. I am proud of him."

Serena remained silent for a few seconds, and then she glanced at Darius who was conversing with Elder Iris. "Why not let him know?"