CHAPTER 251: MEETING PREPARTATIONS

Serena took in a deep breath and pushed the needle into the fabric. She hissed and let it drop to her lap, her blood stared back at her. She squeezed her eyes shut briefly and then sucked on her thumb.

Livia had ruffled her feathers more than she would like to admit. Why couldn’t she have gone to look for Charlotte herself instead of coming to her.

Another knock came on her door and she sighed. Serena rose slowly and then walked the door, she opened it carefully bracing herself for whoever it was on the other side.

There stood the woman who usually served her food in her room. Her eyes widened slightly and she held the door ajar.

"The Alpha would like to see you. I will escort you," the woman said.

Serena stared down at her dress and then the woman spoke again. "It is urgent."

"Of course," Serena said quickly, stepping out into the corridor.

Serena followed the servant without a word, her thumb still sore and pulsing from the prick. The hem of her dress brushed against the corridor walls as they walked, and despite the brisk pace, she found her thoughts dragging behind. She had not expected to be summoned. Drius did say he would see her again but she did not expect it to be like this.

They reached a door she had never stepped through before, thick and wood-panelled, carved with the sigil of Ironshade above its lintel. The servant turned to her with a brief nod.

"They await you within," she said softly, as if sensing her relunctance.

Serena gave a polite dip of her head, but her fingers fidgeted at her sides. When she opened the door and stepped inside, her breath caught in her throat.

Charlotte was there.

She stood off to the side, her arms crossed and her posture closed, like a soldier stationed far from home. Her gaze did not meet Serena’s. The moment their eyes nearly aligned, Charlotte turned her head.

Serena froze, her muscles tight, her jaw clenched. She had not seen her since... that day. The door closed behind her. The servant gave a final nod and left them alone.

Neither of them spoke.

Then Charlotte’s voice came, casual and clipped. "Still sore from the hand I put around your neck?"

Serena’s blood flared. She stepped forward before she could think, her feet catching against the carpet. "You-"

The door opened. Darius entered stroking his chin, with his eyes trained on the two women.

Charlotte straightened and gave a shallow bow. Serena halted, stiff and awkward. Her anger recoiled beneath her skin, but she remembered herself and offered a slow dip of her head.

"My ladies," Darius greeted, his tone neutral but alert. "Thank you both for coming. Please, Serena, come sit."

She did as asked, making a point not to look at Charlotte as she passed her. The seating arrangement was deliberately distant, Serena on one side, Charlotte on the other, and Darius behind the desk. He reached into a stack of papers and pulled a single folded letter.

"This came to me," he said, holding it between two fingers. "Though it is addressed, somewhat unusually, to myself. It concerns you both."

Serena exchanged a wary glance toward Charlotte but said nothing.

Darius unfolded the letter and laid it before them. "From Delegate Riven of Dawnbreak."

Serena’s brow pinched in confusion, and she leaned closer to read:

To the Honourable Alpha of Ironshade,

Darius Hawthrone,

I pray this letter finds you in good health and in better spirits. The days here are mild and agreeable, though I must confess, I long for the bracing chill of the northern hills again, and the clarity it brings to thought.

It has been most refreshing to witness the hospitality of your household, and to share in the bounty of your table. I must commend your people, and your council, for their gracious conduct.

However, I write now not merely out of pleasantry, though pleasantry is always a comfort in foreign soil. A thought has persisted in my mind, one I feel remiss not to address.

I have, in the past days, become increasingly intrigued by the representatives of Crimsonclaw. Their manner, their bearing, their odd nature. I am possessed of a certain curiosity, and it would give me much satisfaction to speak with them more directly. Perhaps a private meeting may be arranged, somewhere of neutral footing. I would be delighted to spend time in their company, should their schedules permit.

In earnest regard,

Riven, Delegate of Dawnbreak

Serena read it twice, her stomach tightening. "Why... would he send this to you and not me? I am the ambassador, am I not?"

Charlotte frowned slowly. "It is why Amara asked about us," she murmured, her gaze flicking toward Darius. "For that horse ride. She needed permission from you and not us."

Darius gave a short nod. "It seems so."

Serena’s lips parted as the realisation struck. "Then, he expects to see us. There was never a question. That letter... it reads like a suggestion, but-"

"He did not send it to you," Darius interrupted calmly. "Which, to me, speaks volumes. And to Cedar as well. He believes you are... not what you claim to be. Or rather, that you are not in a position to act freely."

Charlotte scoffed under her breath and crossed one leg over the other. "He thinks we are being kept."

Darius did not deny it.

Serena turned her face away, feeling the chill settle in her bones. "Then this is a test."

"It is," Darius agreed. "And a problem."

He rose and rested both palms on the desk, his tone measured. "From the moment you arrived, you have walked a narrow road. The longer you go without being properly acknowledged by the others, the more eyes will turn. Doubts will rise."

"They already have," Charlotte muttered.

Serena closed her eyes briefly and then opened them. "And now Riven wishes to see what sort of players we are in this little game."

"Yes," Darius said. "That is exactly it. And if you do not rise to meet this expectation, then he will draw his own conclusions. We cannot afford to let him do that."

Charlotte leaned forward slightly. "So what would you have us do?"

"I would have you be exactly what you claim to be," he said plainly. "You are Crimsonclaw. You are emissaries of a pack long forgotten, and you will show them what it means to stand in your name."

"And if we fail?" Serena asked quietly.

Darius met her gaze. "Then we lose a great deal more than face."

Silence settled again, heavier this time.

Serena glanced toward Charlotte, and for once, Charlotte did not look away. There was no warmth in her eyes, but something had shifted. Perhaps it was understanding or necessity. Or the tired, bitter truce of wolves who had run from the same forest fire.

"Very well," Serena said at last. "When do we begin?"

Darius folded the letter and tucked it back into the desk.

"Soon."