chapter 54
Two days after the hike and camp situation, the estate began to feel… restless again. It was always the calm before the storm situation. Something that has been normalized since arriving here.
It didnt feel like the district had felt—tense, suffocating—but in the quiet way powerful places shifted before movement. Wolves came and went from the central building more often. Guards rotated more tightly. Conversations lowered when Dante entered rooms.
Ferial noticed. She noticed everything these days. She saw his world as if it were her own now.
She sat on the wide window seat in Dante’s room that afternoon, watching the courtyard below where warriors trained in coordinated drills. Their movements were sharp, disciplined. Steel flashed in the sun.
Behind her, Dante was speaking on the phone in a language she didn’t fully understand—low, controlled, authoritative, while switching back and forth to English again.
“…I said minimal escort,” he repeated. “This is not a parade.”
A pause.
“No. Hawaii is secure.”
Another pause.
“Yes, Father already approved it.”
His voice cooled further.
“I will not cancel it.”
He ended the call and exhaled slowly.
Ferial turned. “Trouble?”
He walked over, resting a hip against the edge of the window seat.
“Politics as always,” he said.
“That sounds like trouble.”
“It usually is.”
She studied his face. “Someone doesn’t want us going?”
“Several people,” he admitted. “The council thinks it’s irresponsible for me to travel right now.”
Her stomach sank slightly. “Because of me?”
His expression hardened immediately. “No. Because they think everything I do should revolve around their fear and should be considered a political move.”
“But the press release—”
“Will happen when I say it happens,” he cut in.
He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “They want you presented formally before we disappear somewhere private.”
“That sounds… logical.”
“It sounds controlling Ferial,” he said flatly.
She looked back out the window.
“So we’re still going?”
“Yes.”
“Even if they don’t like it?”
A slow smile tugged at his mouth.
“Especially if they do not approve.”
A knock interrupted them. Before Dante could answer, the door opened and two men walked in like they owned the place.
They looked like Dante.
Not identical—but close enough that Ferial immediately understood.
Same dark hair. Same sharp eyes. Same kind of presence that made rooms adjust.
The taller one spread his arms dramatically.
“Cousin!”
Dante groaned. “You didn’t tell me you were coming.”
“We like surprises,” the other one said casually.
They both noticed Ferial at the same time.
Their expressions shifted instantly.
Interest. Respect. Curiosity.
“Ah,” the taller one said. “The famous Ferial.”
She blinked. “Famous?”
Dante pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is Markus and Stefan. My cousins.”
Markus bowed slightly in exaggerated politeness. “General Markus Virelli.”
Stefan nodded. “Commander Stefan Virelli.”
Ferial looked between them. “You’re both… military wolves?”
Dante muttered, “Unfortunately.”
Markus grinned. “We run the army.”
She blinked again.
“Oh.”
Stefan leaned casually against the wall. “And you’re the human who made Dante disappear into the forest for days after he returned from the district a while back.”
Dante shot him a look.
Ferial laughed. “I didn’t make him.”
“You absolutely did,” Markus said cheerfully. “We’ve never seen him voluntarily unplug from command before.”
Dante folded his arms. “You’re here for what reason again?”
Stefan nodded toward the door. “Council meeting.”
Markus added, “And to see the woman who apparently terrifies half the leadership.”
Ferial choked on air. “I do what?”
“Existing,” Markus said lightly.
Dante stepped forward slightly. “Enough.”
They both raised their hands in surrender.
“Relax,” Stefan said. “We like her already.”
Markus leaned toward Ferial conspiratorially. “He was insufferable as a child.”
Dante sighed.
“Oh?” she asked, suddenly interested.
Markus nodded eagerly. “Very serious. Very brooding. Built traps in the forest.”
Stefan added, “Interrogated us about loyalty when we were twelve. Nearly beat us into submission as well.”
Ferial burst out laughing.
Dante stared at them. “You’re both leaving.”
Markus ignored him completely.
“He also cried when a stray dog got injured once,” he told her.
Dante turned slowly. “Markus.”
She looked delighted. “Really?”
Stefan nodded. “Carried it home. Refused to let anyone touch it. Had his parents call a healer to attend to it. You should meet him someday. We call be Buster. Old and blind but still capable of being Dante’s right hand. ” He laughed out, knowing exactly where to irk his cousin.
Dante grabbed Markus by the collar and shoved him toward the door.
“Meeting,” he growled.
Markus was still laughing as they left. Ferial leaned back against the window seat, grinning. His family were something else.
“That was… unexpected.”
“They’re idiots,” Dante muttered.
“They’re funny idiots.”
He sighed. “Unfortunately.”
---
That evening the estate quieted again.
The cousins had left for their meetings. The council discussions stretched long into the night. All that was left was the peaceful silence that stretched between her and Dante.
When Dante finally returned to his room, he looked tired—but lighter.
Ferial was curled on the couch reading one of the books he’d given her.
“You’re still awake,” he said.
She closed the book. “You promised to tell me about Hawaii.”
He walked over slowly.
“You know where it is?”
“An island in the Pacific,” she said carefully. “Warm. Beaches. Volcanoes. I asked you mom actually. ”
He nodded. “It’s different from here. Slower. The ocean is everywhere. Nature is just perfectly in sync.”
Her eyes brightened.
“I’ve never seen the ocean before.”
That stopped him.
“You’ve never—?”
“In the district we could sometimes see it from far away,” she said quietly. “But humans weren’t allowed near the main coast.”
Something dark flickered in his eyes.
“You’ll see it,” he said.
He sat beside her.
Closer than usual.
The room felt warmer.
“You’ve trusted me with a lot lately,” he said quietly.
She looked at him. “You’ve given me reasons to.”
His hand lifted slowly, brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face.
The movement was simple.
But the air shifted.
Her breath caught slightly.
“You’re still warm,” he murmured, noticing.
“The bond,” she said softly.
It was still there. A quiet heat under her skin.
Not painful anymore.
Just… present.
His fingers drifted down to her wrist, feeling the pulse there.
“Does it bother you?” he asked.
“No.”
His thumb brushed over her skin.
Electricity moved through her again—familiar now.
Her voice dropped. “Does it bother you?”
A slow breath left him.
“Yes.”
She blinked.
“Because I’m trying very hard to be patient,” he admitted.
Her cheeks warmed.
“I didn’t realize patience was difficult for you.”
“Everything about you makes it difficult,” he said honestly.
The words settled between them.
Heavy.
Real.
He leaned closer without thinking.
He wasn't claiming.
Wasn't rushing.
Just close enough that she could feel his breath.
Her hand lifted instinctively, resting lightly against his chest.
His heartbeat was steady.
Strong.
“You’re leaving everything familiar to go somewhere with me,” he said quietly.
She held his gaze.
“I’m not afraid to be with you.”
His hand moved to the back of her neck, thumb brushing near the fading mark.
The bond hummed instantly.
Her breath hitched.
“Ferial,” he said softly.
“Yes?”
“Tell me if I move too fast.”
She didn’t answer with words.
She leaned forward.
Just enough.
Their foreheads touched first.
A pause.
Then his lips brushed hers.
Not deep.
Not demanding.
Just a careful, testing kiss.
When they pulled apart, neither of them moved for a moment.
Her eyes were wide.
His voice was low.
“Hawaii might not be restful after all.”
She laughed softly, breathless. She blushed at what that could mean.
“Good, sometimes the ocean does not need to be silent.” she said.