Chapter 50 - FIFTY - HUG (I)

Chapter 50: Chapter FIFTY - HUG (I)Silence filled the room. The pair were close together, but their minds were far away. Darius couldn’t help but smile, this was a small win for him. His fingers curled tighter around her slender hand. The apology was accepted, and it seemed to be fine. He exhaled, closing his eyes, the smile still plastered on his face. He was acutely aware of the rise and fall of Serena’s chest. Serena focused on each breath, counting in her head. In, out. In, out. She didn’t want him to notice the erratic rhythm of her heartbeat or the warmth crawling up her neck. They hadn’t been this physically close since her arrival in Ironshade, and the proximity set every nerve in her body alight. She unconsciously squeezed his hands tighter. Maybe he really did mean this apology this time. For now, Serena was content, and she relished the moment, even if only briefly. The pounding of footsteps could be heard from behind the door. Serena jerked forward, lifting her head from Darius’ shoulder. They exchanged a glance, and Serena could swear she saw a flicker of disappointment on his face. She blinked, rising to her feet. Her hands brushed at the dust clinging to the fabric of her dress, suddenly all too aware of how intimate the moment had been. Darius remained where he was, seated on the stone step, shoulders slightly hunched as he stared at the shelves stacked with vials and jars. She put her ear to the door, listening for any sound. "I thought the door was fixed two moons ago," came Edith’s voice from the other side, thick with irritation. "This is embarrassing." "Hello! Senior Healer?" Serena called out. "Ambassador?" Edith replied, her voice clearer. Serena breathed a sigh of relief, they had come looking for them. Darius still remained seated on the steps. He was annoyed they had come looking already. He had assumed he had a few more minutes with Serena. To do what? His eyes widened as he ran a hand across his face, trying to pull his mind from his initial thoughts. Darius rose to see Serena with her ear still planted on the door. "Yes, I am in here, with the Alpha." Serena noticed the way Darius’ lips were pressed in a thin line. He did not look pleased at all. She pushed herself off the door and faced Darius. "Edith said she’d be back," Serena informed him. Darius nodded slowly and placed his hands behind his back. He felt awkward, just like he did as a teenager on his first hunting expedition. All they had to do was wait for the healer to come bail them out of the storage room. Darius exhaled slowly and gave into his impulses. One step after the next, he closed the gap between Serena and himself. He took her hand again. When he felt no resistance, he pulled her in for a hug. "Thank you for accepting my apology," he mumbled, resting his chin on her head. Serena hesitated before she relaxed, holding him back and burying her head in his chest. It felt safe, and she sighed. Everything felt right in the moment. The metal doorknob rattled, and Serena pulled away from Darius’ embrace. She turned to the door and waited expectantly. Heat rushed to her face, her cheeks warmed up, and she looked down, trying not to smile. The door creaked open. Edith peeked in and gave a sigh of relief, handing a bowl of oil in her hand to the healer standing next to her. "Accept my apologies," Edith said with a small bow. She stepped aside for Serena to come out of the room. "It seems the door is faulty." Serena lifted her dress and climbed up the stairs, nodding to Edith and the healer standing next to her. "It is a hazard." "Yes, it will be fixed by tomorrow," Edith responded quickly. Darius ran his hand through his hair and followed Serena’s lead. He glanced at Edith and bowed his head. The young woman next to her looked like she was about to jump out of her skin at Darius’ gaze. "Make sure this does not happen again," he said, his voice a low murmur meant only for Edith. Darius had to keep appearances with the wolves under his rule. He also had to act alongside Serena. She was to be treated like an envoy that had come to strengthen bonds between both packs. Edith nodded vigorously and gave a signal to the young healer next to her to leave. The older woman increased her pace to meet Serena. The older woman adjusted the apron around her waist and glanced at Serena before speaking. "Senior Healer Sophia is here," she announced. Serena followed Edith’s lead. Darius’ boots echoed in the hallway; he was following close behind. He scanned the area for Cedar, but the eccentric man had disappeared, presumably to check something elsewhere in the pack. They pushed past a door and arrived in a cramped office, books on the floor and a few clothes littered the area. Surprisingly, it smelt nice, like the zest from oranges. At a small desk sat an elderly woman, spectacles perched low on her nose, her head bowed as she scribbled onto parchment. She looked up as the door opened, and her face lit up at the sight of Serena. Edith nodded and said her goodbyes, closing the door behind Darius and Serena. "Ambassador," the woman greeted warmly, rising from her seat with surprising ease. Her silver-white hair was swept into a loose bun, and fine lines creased her face as someone who smiled often had. Serena stepped forward and clasped her hands respectfully. "It is nice to meet you too, Senior Healer." The woman chuckled. "Please, Sophia will do." Serena returned the smile. It would be hard to refer to this woman; who would be older than her mother if she were alive, on a first-name basis, but she wouldn’t want to anger her. "Alpha," the woman greeted, bowing to Darius. "Good day, Sophia," he replied. Sophia beamed at them both, then turned her attention squarely on Serena. With an enthusiasm, she dove into a conversation filled with names, healer rotations, herbs recently harvested, and patient care practices. Time had flown by. Eventually, Serena found herself outside again. She exchanged farewells with Edith, the healers, and the handful of patients who had paused to nod respectfully in her direction.