"Co on," Erald said. "Let’s go."
Kieran didn’t respond with words; he just stepped forward, falling into step beside her as they moved through the halls.
They stepped out into the cool twilight. The estate grounds were peaceful, with the courtyard glowing softly in lavender light. A black SUV waited near the edge of the path.
"I must say," he murmured, glancing sideways at her as they walked, "you look... stunning."
Erald’s lips twitched. "Trying to outdo Adrien already?"
"No," Kieran said plainly. "I don’t compete. I just tell the truth."
She didn’t know how to respond to that, so she didn’t. But her heart thudded harder in her chest. She tried to ignore the flutter in her chest. Viola, however, did not.
"Say that again," her wolf whispered inside her. "Slower."
"I’m sorry I didn’t co earlier," Kieran added as he moved ahead to open the passenger door for her. "I wanted to, as that would give more ti to spend with you. Alone. But I needed to make sure tonight was perfect."
Erald slid into the leather seat, surprised by how gentlemanly it all felt. She’d expected a patrol ride, maybe a walk around the border. Not this.
"You planned sothing?" she asked, intrigued despite herself.
Kieran offered a small smile as he joined her inside. "You’ll see."
—
The drive was short and calm, with a comfortable silence stretching between them as trees blurred past the windows and the sky deepened to indigo. Viola stirred within her, but not with hunger or tension.
Curious, Erald spoke internally. "What is it?"
"He’s different," Viola murmured. "You feel it too. The steadiness."
Erald stared ahead. She did feel it.
When the car finally stopped, Kieran exited first, circling to open her door. She stepped out and froze.
A small clearing opened up among a grove of trees. Soft golden lights hung between the branches, glowing softly like fireflies.
Under the trees, there was a round table draped in a cream-coloured cloth, with two elegant chairs and shiny silverware set at each place.
In the middle of the table, a glass orb held flickering candlelight. The air was filled with the faint scent of wildflowers mixed with the aroma of grilled herbs and butter.
"You..." Erald blinked. "You did all this?"
Kieran nodded once. "You don’t like being caged. Plus, you spend too much ti behind walls during the day. I thought you might prefer the stars."
Erald looked around again. "This is..."
"Peace," he offered gently.
She turned to him slowly. "You’ve been paying attention."
"I always do."
Her breath caught slightly in her throat.
—
Dinner was light yet thoughtful: grilled fish, fresh bread, wild greens, and lemon-roasted vegetables, accompanied by a bottle of wine.
But it wasn’t the food that stayed with her.
It was him.
"I never expected this," Erald said, swirling the glass in her hand. "You know, I told myself I wasn’t going to indulge any of you. That I’d keep everything distant."
Kieran didn’t flinch. "I wouldn’t bla you. You’ve been through enough."
She studied him across the flickering light. "Most n in your position wouldn’t say that. They’d act entitled. Like I owed them sothing because of the bond."
"I don’t want your bond," he said calmly. "I want your trust."
Viola humd so loudly in her chest that it startled her.
Erald looked down. "That’s... rare."
"I’m not interested in breaking you to fit ," Kieran said. "I’ve led my pack alone for seven years. I’ve known power and responsibility, but never partnership. And for a long ti, I’ve been looking forward to eting that special soone."
She breathed deeply, then asked, "So... what are you looking for, then? In a mate?"
Kieran’s eyes didn’t waver. "Not soone to obey . I wanted soone who could match . Challenge . Soone I could trust with my soul, even if it ant being called out on my worst days."
Erald stared at him for a long mont.
"That’s... dangerously romantic."
"I said I was patient," he murmured. "Not emotionless."
Erald swallowed. "And you think that’s ?"
"I know it is."
She laughed quietly, shaking her head. "You sound like you’ve had this speech prepared."
He didn’t smile. "It’s not a speech. It’s a prayer I’ve whispered for years."
They fell silent once more, but this ti the pause felt deeper, filled with a shared understanding that didn’t need words.
Kieran leaned back slightly. "You’re afraid you’ll fail them. Your pack."
Erald looked away. "They see as my father’s daughter. Not as myself. Not yet. And the council..." Her jaw clenched. "It’s... hard," she said softly.
"Waking up every day with a thousand eyes on . Wondering who’s loyal. Who’s waiting to stab in the back. And not just because I’m Alpha, but because I’m female. And they still think I’m too soft. Or too bitter. Or too emotional. But never just... enough."
"You are enough," Kieran said quietly. "In every way."
"They want blood in the water. They want to drown."
"They won’t get it," Kieran said. "Because you’re not alone anymore."
Her eyes flicked up to his. "You sound so sure."
"I am."
She leaned back, letting herself absorb that.
For once... she didn’t feel like she had to fight.
Viola sighed, almost content. "His wolf calls to . Strong. Steady. I want to run with him."
Erald smirked internally. "You want to run with everyone."
"No," Viola said softly. "Not like this."
—
"No offence," Erald said after they finished eating, "but I’ve always assud ice powers ant you were a cold-hearted bastard."
"Would you like to test that theory?"
Before she could answer, he extended a hand. A sudden shimr appeared on his palm. She gasped as frost spread across the tablecloth, creating a beautiful snowflake pattern that glowed softly in the dim light of the lantern.
Erald blinked. "You’re using your gift?"
"I don’t freeze because I’m numb," he said, watching her reaction. "I freeze because I feel too deeply. Ice holds everything back. Until it cracks."
Erald looked down at the frost, fingers hovering above it. "That’s beautiful."
Kieran didn’t say anything; he simply watched her.
For the first ti in a long ti, Erald didn’t feel the urge to talk, to take charge, or to prove herself. She just... existed.
And that felt more powerful than sitting on any throne.
—
The car ride back was quiet, and when they reached the estate gates, Kieran stepped out and opened her door again.
"I have sothing for you."
She blinked. "What?"
He reached into the inside pocket of his coat and pulled out a small velvet pouch. From it, he drew a tiny, hand-carved figurine: a wolf, made of glossy black obsidian.
He placed it in her hand.
"Obsidian is forged under pressure," he said. "Just like you."
Erald stared at it, her throat tightening. "Kieran..."
"I didn’t give it to earn anything," he said quickly. "I just wanted you to have sothing real. Sothing that reminds you that no matter what... you’re not made of glass."
She swallowed and looked up at him.
And his smile...
It pulled at her heartstrings. A warm feeling spread in her chest, gently reminding her of sothing she had buried deep.
Their gazes locked.
She didn’t back away when he moved in closer. Their faces were just inches apart now, and she could feel her breath mingling with his.
A warm tingle spread across her skin, and her heart raced in her throat. He slled like fresh, cold air and pine trees, wrapping around her like a comforting song.
Viola purred.
"I could kiss you," Kieran whispered.
Erald didn’t answer.
"But I won’t," he said, even as his fingers curled tighter around her waist. "Not until you ask for it. I’ll never claim you unless you want to."
She froze in that mont, lips parted, heart fluttering like wings inside her chest.
His hand remained warm at her waist.
And in that mont, heat pooling low in her stomach, her heart in her throat, his eyes searching hers, she asked herself, "Do I want it?"
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