Moonbound: The Rogue's Second Chance
Chapter 175: NEXT TIME JUST KNOCK

Chapter 175: NEXT TIME JUST KNOCK

His shadows in the hallway had already grown long, the corridors lit with multiple candles as per his instructions. He ran a hand through his hair as he walked down the familiar path. He hesitated at the door, placing his forehead gently against the wood, and sighed.

He began to pace back and forth, then shoved his hands into his pockets. He sucked on his tongue and groaned, turning away. After a few steps, he turned again, squeezing his eyes shut. His heart thundered in his ears. What was the matter with him these days?

He reprimanded himself harshly. He was the Alpha of Ironshade, not some brooding young wolf tangled up in his feelings.

Ronan, the spirit that dwelled within him, whispered something sly in the recess of his mind.

Darius bristled. "Silence," he muttered under his breath. Of course Ronan was making fun of him. He rolled his shoulders and returned to the door with a renewed resolve.

His hand was just about to touch the doorknob when he froze, eyes wide.

Standing a few paces away, arms crossed loosely, was Serena.

She tilted her head, wearing a half-smile. "Are you planning to wear out the floorboards?"

He swallowed. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough," she replied, amusement laced in her voice.

Serena produced the key to her room from her pocket, walked past him, and unlocked the door. He moved aside wordlessly. She didn’t miss the flush that had climbed his neck.

She stepped into the room and sighed, the faint smell of lavender oil lingering in the air. It felt a little too surreal to see Darius at her door, pacing like a young stablehand with a stolen love letter.

Still, part of her couldn’t shake off the ache from earlier, how he had ignored her at the Keep. She’d been left in the cold, wondering if she had done something wrong. Livia’s presence at her side hadn’t made it any easier.

"It is a surprise to see you here," Serena said, voice gentle but guarded.

She crossed to her desk and lit a candle. The soft amber light cast their shadows against the stone wall. She didn’t turn around immediately; instead, she simply watched the flickering candle and smoothed her dress. She didn’t want to look too relieved or too irritated.

"I owe you an apology," Darius said behind her, his voice low.

She turned slightly, not fully. "Do you now?"

He exhaled slowly. "I should not have left things like that earlier. I wasn’t... thinking straight."

Serena moved closer to the desk and sank into the chair. "You seemed to be thinking just fine. You made yourself perfectly clear."

Darius flinched. "That wasn’t what I meant. I-" He paused. "I was not sure it was the best idea to talk at the Keep with everyone around. It would look like I was giving you special attention. And then Charlotte was here."

"Ah. Of course." Her voice was thin now, her fingers tightening slightly in her lap. "You must be very close."

"No," Darius said quickly, stepping forward. "It’s not like that. Charlotte is... complicated. But I came to see you, Serena. Not her."

She looked up at him now. "Then why did it feel like I was invisible?"

He didn’t speak for a moment.

"I was worried," he admitted. "And I was angry, at myself and at the whole situation. I also did not want to give her anything she could twist. I still have no clue what Silas is doing, and I have not had the time to speak to him."

Serena studied him. His hair was slightly dishevelled, and his eyes held none of the hardness they took on when he talked about pack business. This was not the Alpha who led councils and oversaw Ironshade. This was just Darius, tired and trying.

"I don’t know what to do with you," she murmured.

He blinked. "What?"

She shook her head and offered a faint smile. "You are not who I expected when I came here. Well, I did not expect much when I came to Ironshade."

"I could say the same of you."

They stood in the soft hush of candlelight for a beat longer. Then Serena broke the silence.

"I went to a village today," she said. "Livia took me."

His brows lifted. "Voluntarily?"

"She was still herself, don’t worry," Serena said with a touch of dry humour. "But... it was different. She showed me something kind. Just a little bit."

Darius moved to the edge of the desk and leaned against it. "That’s rather odd for her to take you, but it does sound like Livia."

"I thought so too," Serena whispered. Her eyes flicked toward him again. "She is afraid."

"I know." He looked down. "We all are. Dawnbreak wasn’t supposed to be like this. I thought I would have more time."

Serena stood and crossed to him. "Maybe you still do. We can’t always control what comes, but we can choose how we meet it."

He gave a tired laugh. "That sounds like something Cedar would say."

Serena smiled and placed her hand on the desk and stared at him in content silence. "Perhaps."

He looked down at her, truly looked and felt something tighten in his chest. There was so much he wanted to say. To ask. But the words stuck.

She reached for his hand and gave it the faintest squeeze before pulling away.

"Next time," she said softly, "just knock."

His throat bobbed. "I will."

Darius blinked slowly before he sank into the bed. Every time he was here, it got harder and harder for him to decide to leave. It was infuriating, but he welcomed it. It was like honey; the bees always flew around and stung intruders, but despite the pain, they still came back for the golden treasure.

Darius was truly tired of fighting. Maybe someday he would wave a white flag to the council and be hard-headed and demand that he be with this woman, but until then, he’d take the sting.

"Can I spend the night with you?"

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