Moonbound: The Rogue's Second Chance
Chapter 164: I’M NOT LOVESICK

Chapter 164: I’M NOT LOVESICK

Serena looked down at the stones beneath her feet, her brows furrowed, then stepped forward to stand in front of Darius. Still, he didn’t look at her. His gaze remained fixed on the moon, as if its pale light held answers neither of them could give.

"You still can’t even spare me a single glance," she said softly.

He said nothing, but his jaw tightened.

She sighed and stood next to him, their shoulders almost brushing each other. "The moon is beautiful today."

"I am sorry," Darius said finally.

She met his hazel eyes and his small frown. "I never intended to hurt you. It was just that Ryker is adamant about the way he thinks about you and he even accused me of laying with you."

Serena’s eyes widened and she looked at the moon. It was not a far-fetched assumption but the other man did not know that she and Darius were fated mates. Which in its own right was a problem but she filed that away for another day.

"What did you say?" Serena asked.

Darius gave her a look, part disbelief, part humour, and let out a short laugh. "I told him no. I did not. That’s the truth, isn’t it?"

"Yes, but–"

"You wanted me to say something else?" he asked, his tone lighter now, the edge of a teasing grin on his lips.

Serena pushed him a little and laughed. "No, of course not. It is the truth, is it not."

Darius leaned closer to speak but then the door opened, he straightened his spine and he turned to see who was interrupting them. The smile on his lips slowly faded away when he saw who it was.

"Ah, I did not expect to see you outside," Riven said, shutting the door behind him.

The man raised a brow when Serena turned to gaze at him, he looked at her and then finally his eyes rested on Darius. He huffed and walked down the steps.

"I needed some air," Riven added casually, as though answering a question no one had asked.

His eyes briefly lingered on Serena, narrowing just a touch. Then, without further word, he walked off in the direction of the stables, hands tucked into his coat.

Serena waited until his footsteps faded. "Do you think he suspects something?" she whispered, barely moving her lips.

"Go inside," Darius said, his tone clipped. "I should leave now."

Her head snapped toward him, brows raised. "What?"

"You heard me," Darius muttered, his voice low and firm. "We can not speak here."

Serena stared up at him, eyes searching, but he gave her nothing more than a weary look. She lowered her gaze to the patchy grass beneath their feet, the blades swaying gently in the night breeze.

"Fine," she said quietly.

She turned on her heel and gave a final glance at Darius, he looked at her and gave her a small smile. The woman nodded and headed back into the Keep.

The music had slowed down and an air of calm had settled over the wolves. Serena searched the area and then she found Livia who stood off to the corner instructing one of the servers.

"Livia," Serena called out.

The woman turned and nodded off to the server. "What is the matter?"

"Nothing at all. Darius is outside and-" Serena began.

Livia clamped down on her wrist and pulled her slightly lower. "Hush now. Never refer to him as just Darius, he is an alpha wolf and you will not call him Darius like you are so familiar with him in public. Did you hear me?"

Serena swallowed hard and nodded once.

Livia released her wrist and gave a curt glance around the room, checking if anyone had overheard. "Be careful with your words. You are not invisible here."

"I understand. But the delegate also stepped outside," Serena said.

"I know," Livia said. She looked out and offered a smile to a passing wolf. "But I did not expect you to go rushing outside because you are feeling... what do I call it now... lovesick?"

Serena’s mouth parted in protest. "I’m not lovesick..." she began, only to fall silent under Livia’s pointed look. "I just wanted to ask why the delegate stepped outside."

"You should have asked him when you saw him," Livia said.

Serena’s mouth hung open and then she bit her lip. "Of course not but-"

"Relax." Livia waved a hand dismissively and smoothed an invisible wrinkle from her sleeve. "Tonight has nothing to do with you. We wait for Darius to leave first, and then we’ll trickle out one by one."

Livia pressed her hand to her forehead and then sighed. "I think I will send you back to the castle as soon as Darius leaves before you go rubbing shoulders with another of Dawnbreak’s people."

Serena’s jaw tensed. A dozen rebuttals sat on her tongue, but none worth the effort. Livia was in one of her moods, and arguing would only fuel it. Still, another concern gnawed at her...how was she supposed to get back?

This was the first time she had ridden on her own and she had simply followed the lead of the rider in front of her. The other times she had left the castle or the Keep was with Darius or Annamarie who knew Ironshade, she did not. Serena rubbed her hands along the length of her dress, she hoped Livia would give her a partner to ride back with.

Serena ran her hands down the front of her dress, smoothing it reflexively. She didn’t want to admit her uncertainty aloud, not when Livia already saw her as a burden.

"Alright," she said quietly.

"Do not leave the Keep again," Livia said over her shoulder as she began to walk off.

Serena nodded and she watched Livia walk off to meet someone she did not recognise. Only she, Livia and Darius were expected to return to the castle, so there would not be anyone to even pair with. The woman pressed the bridge of her nose, she walked to the living quarters and sank into one of the cushions. She would worry about the journey later, for now, she would do exactly what she was told: remain silent and stay put.

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