CHAPTER TWELEVE - CAUGHT

Annamarie was right; the area was far too quiet. Aside from a wandering goat and the occasional birds, Serena had little company. The only visitors she'd had in the past five days were guards, undoubtedly there to monitor her.

It was the perfect setting to drive someone mad. No books, no chores, no clothes to mend, just endless waiting. She sat outside on a rickety chair, her hands twisting together as boredom gnawed at her.

The letter Darius promised never arrived, and there was no sign of any delivery. Annamarie had sent her a message via a crow, but Serena struggled to decipher the scrawled writing. The gist was that Annamarie had an assignment near the borders with Jack, the other man Serena had saved.

Do not leave this place without my permission.

Darius' words echoed in her mind as she leaned back in the chair, groaning. Suddenly, she stood, her hands raking through her hair. Pacing around in circles, she kicked a loose stone across the yard, watching it bounce before sighing heavily.

—

Focusing intently, Serena stuck her tongue out as she tried to inspect her dress in a small mirror. She tied the white scarf tightly, a few strands of her blonde hair escaping. Brushing the wisps aside, she stood up.

The red and white dress fit snugly, modest with simple sleeves. It wasn't much, but it would do. Sliding her feet into her worn boots, she headed out the back door. Hurrying out the back, she slipped into her worn-out boots. 

Serena glanced around; there was no movement. Her eyes drifted to the castle in the distance.

"He wouldn't come out," she reassured herself.

–

Serena felt thrilled to be walking on the streets alone. It had been too long since she'd felt such freedom. Though this wasn't her pack, she was overjoyed to feel like a regular pack member, even if just for a little while.

She walked for about twenty minutes before she started to see the first signs of other people. Oakspire Haven, where she lived temporarily, was a good distance from the main towns of the pack. More houses dotted the area, children ran around, and young girls were spreading clothes out in the sun.

Serena regarded everything curiously, being careful to stay away from the busier streets. She smelled different from the pack members of Ironshade, she understood why Darius had insisted she never leave without informing him. It was easy to spot a stranger wolf in a pack.

Lost in thought, she barely registered the small figure barreling toward her until it was too late. A boy crashed into her legs, sending her stumbling back. Instinctively, she grabbed his shoulders to steady him. 

He looked up at her with wide eyes. "Sorry, miss."

"It's okay," she replied with a gentle smile.

"Derek!" a woman's voice called out. Serena looked up to see a middle-aged woman rushing toward them. "Have I not told you not to run in the streets?"

Serena's hands fell to her sides as she watched the boy run to who she assumed was his mother, they had the same eyes.

"I'm sorry, miss," the woman began, looking up at her. Serena met her gaze, taking in the woman's wild, untamed curls that framed her face. They were a striking contrast to the scarf-wrapped hair of the women in Silverstone. Here, everything seemed looser, freer.

Serena's eyes darted to the other passersby, watching as women moved about their day with unbound hair catching the breeze. It was such a small detail, yet it made Serena feel even more out of place.

"It's not a problem," Serena said quickly, not missing the quizzical look the woman gave her. Serena hoped the lavender she had tucked into her clothes was strong enough to mask her scent.

She felt the woman pull her child closer, a subtle but unmistakable gesture of wariness. Serena didn't look back, but she could feel the woman's gaze lingering, a silent question hanging in the air before they each went their separate ways.

—

Serena left the initial path she had intended to follow as the voices of people grew louder. One stall appeared, then another, she was getting closer to a market.

She dug into her pockets for the few coins Annamarie had given her and approached a fruit stall, inspecting the green apples. "How much are these?" she asked.

Looking around, she noticed most people walked by, though a few glanced her way. Her heartbeat quickened, and she focused on the stall owner, a young man,who looked like he was around her age. 

"Five coins," he replied, his tone indifferent.

"Aren't they three coins?" she questioned.

He shook his head, gesturing to the less appealing fruit. "Those are three."

Her nose wrinkled at the sight of the bruised apples. They didn't look fresh. She hesitated, not wanting to draw more attention to herself by lingering too long.

 "I'll take that one for four," she offered, holding up an apple she'd chosen.

The man's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he shrugged. "Fine." She handed over the coins, took the apple, and walked away from the stall.

Serena walked away from the market, scanning the area for anyone who might be watching her for too long. She found a quieter path behind a few houses, where fewer people wandered.

Biting into the apple, she hummed in satisfaction, the sweetness bringing a small smile to her face. She savored the brief moment of freedom, the first in days. I'll have to come back for more, she thought, already planning her next venture.

Kicking a stone absentmindedly as she walked, Serena suddenly felt a strong grip on her arm. She opened her mouth to scream, but a hand clamped firmly over it.

Her wide eyes locked onto the man, and recognition sent a chill down her spine. Darius loomed over her, his face dark with fury, his grip unyielding. Serena swallowed hard, the piece of apple in her mouth going down like a lump of lead.

"Fancy finding you here."