chapter 44
The fallout came faster than Ferial expected.
She was still riding the edge of her anger when Dante's father summoned them-quietly, formally, the way things were done in this house when something had gone wrong but not irreparably so.
Maria was already there when Ferial stepped into the sitting room.
Dante's mother stood by the window, hands folded in front of her, posture elegant as ever.
Lucia leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Selene sat perched on the arm of a chair, eyes sharp with interest. Sofia hovered near the doorway, openly curious and clearly trying not to smile.
Ferial straightened her spine.
She would not shrink.
Maria turned slowly. "I heard there was... an incident."
Ferial didn't wait for Dante to speak.
"Yes," she said evenly. "There was."
Lucia's brows rose slightly. Selene's lips twitched.
Maria studied her for a long moment. "Explain."
Ferial inhaled. "I was spoken to as if I was lesser.
As if my existence here was a provocation.
I responded the way I was taught to survive.
Loudly. Honestly. I won't apologize for refusing to be disrespected.
I might seem small and silent, but my voice is not going to be silenced for anyone anymore.
Nobody will make me feel as if I do not deserve to be here. "
The room went very still.
Dante's father watched her carefully, weighing every word.
"And if this happens again?" he asked.
Ferial met his gaze. "Then I'll speak again. But I'll learn how to do it without putting Dante in an impossible position, but he also can not put me in an impossible position as well."
That-more than anything-shifted the air.
Maria exhaled softly. Then she smiled.
Not polite. Not restrained.
Proud.
"You didn't embarrass us," Maria said. "You reminded them that power does not excuse cruelty."
Ferial blinked. "I-"
"You stood your ground," Maria continued. "That matters in this family."
Sofia beamed. "I like her."
Lucia nodded once. "She has a spine."
Selene smirked. "Finally." She never saw or heard from the other two sisters, but his siblings rooting for her meant everything.
Dante let out a breath he'd been holding.
Later-much later, once the tension had dissolved and the household returned to its rhythm-Dante found Ferial alone in the corridor outside her room.
"I'm taking you on a date," he said simply.
She stared at him. "A... date?"
"Yes." His mouth curved slightly. "An actual one. No guards hovering. No politics. Just two mates trying to figure out this bond."
Her heart skipped. "When?"
"Tonight."
Before she could respond, he added, "Lina will fetch you. She insists."
-
Lina arrived like a storm.
"You," she said, pointing at Ferial. "Get dressed. We have work to do."
Abdie popped up from the couch immediately. "I volunteer as moral support."
"No," Lina said.
"Yes," Ferial said at the same time.
Abdie clapped. "Democracy."
They were ushered into a dressing room that felt far too luxurious for comfort. Clothing had been laid out-elegant, understated, and powerful.
Abdie whistled. "Okay. Alpha heir has taste."
Ferial shot him a warning look. "Behave."
"I am behaving," he said solemnly. "I'm just emotionally invested in Dante's sex life."
Lina snorted. "You won't survive the evening if you keep talking."
Abdie grinned wider. "Oh come on. Does he have exes? Dramatic lovers? A forbidden romance?"
Ferial groaned. "Abdie."
Lina hesitated.
Both of them froze.
Abdie's eyes lit up. "Oh. Oh, there is one."
Lina sighed. "There was... someone. Years ago."
Ferial leaned forward. "Who?"
"Family association. Old pack alliance. School friends. They were close," Lina said carefully. "Nothing scandalous."
Abdie gasped. "They were in love."
"They were teenagers," Lina corrected. "And it ended quietly. They were never mates to make anything official, and Dante refused to hurt his mate like that."
Ferial bit her lip. "Does he still-?"
"No," Lina said firmly. "They're just... history. I just said, 'he wouldn't hurt his mate like that."
Abdie raised his hand. "We swear not to tell him we know."
Ferial nodded immediately. "Swear."
Lina eyed them. "If he finds out-"
"He won't," Abdie promised. "I value my life."
As Lina adjusted the final details of Ferial's outfit, Abdie circled her slowly, mock-serious.
"You clean up dangerous," he said. "District girls are going to riot."
Ferial laughed nervously. "Do I look like myself?"
Lina met her gaze in the mirror. "You look like who you are when you stop apologizing."
That settled something deep inside her.
When Dante finally arrived to collect her, he stopped short.
Just for a second.
Then, his expression softened into something unguarded.
Abdie leaned in and whispered loudly, "I give it ten minutes before you forget where you are."
"Abdie," Dante warned.
"I'm just saying. Be safe. Hydrate. Dont allow the past experiences to get in the way"
Ferial shoved him, laughing despite herself. Dante looked confused at what Abdie said but did not reply.
As Dante offered his arm, she took it-chin lifted, spine straight.
Whatever this world demanded of her next, she would meet it standing.
And for the first time, she was genuinely looking forward to what came after.
She also decided that she and Abdie would make it their mission to torture Lina with this information she shared. A little bit of spice.