The Eye of the Storm

The lockdown lasted for three days.

Dante called it "security protocol." I called it "the honeymoon we never had."

For three days, the world outside didn't exist. There were no Council investigators, no jealous ex-girlfriends, and no pack politics. There was just the penthouse, the fireplace, and us.

We dedicated our days to strategic planning. Dante's office space became our base of operations. We established a schedule for the "miracle pregnancy" event. We made false medical documents to justify my absence from the pack hospital. We practiced our narrative until I could recite it automatically.

The nighttime hours belonged to us.

Dante surprised me on the third night which preceded the public announcement.

I left the bedroom space to place another room service order. The living room had undergone complete transformation by the time I arrived.

The electric lights were off. The room was illuminated by multiple candles which created a festive atmosphere. They were everywhere—on the mantelpiece, on the tables, lining the floor in a path toward the balcony.

Soft jazz music was playing from the speakers. The music played at a slow speed while its melancholic tone created a gentle swaying effect.

Dante? I called out softly.

The balcony doors stood open. The cool night air floated inside the space while jasmine and beeswax aromas mixed with it.

Dante emerged from the balcony space. He had taken off his tactical equipment and his formal business clothing. He wore dark jeans together with a soft gray sweater. He looked younger. He appeared to be a normal human.

Dante approached me while saying "I thought we needed a break." "No strategy. No lies. Just dinner."

He extended his palm toward me. "Are you hungry?" he asked.

I smiled and placed my hand in his. "Starving" I said. "I'm eating for two people remember?"

Dante chuckled. His chest produced a warm genuine sound that rumbled. "I remember. The chef made extra food for me to serve you."

He brought me outside to the balcony area. A small table was set for two. The table only displayed basic white plates and crystal glasses without any tablecloth. The city lights of Black Summit territory shimmered below us like fallen stars.

We maintained peaceful silence while we dined. The roasted chicken and potatoes and fresh vegetables made up the delicious meal we had. We ate simple hearty food.

Dante observed me while I dined. He stayed away from his wine glass. His intense gaze made me blush.

"What?" I asked while cleaning my mouth with a napkin. "Do I have sauce on my face?"

Dante explained "I want to memorize your appearance."

He tilted back in his chair while staring at the moon.

Dante made an unanticipated declaration when he said "My father never did this."

"What did you say?" she asked.

Dante announced "My mother wants to share dinner with my father. They ate together as a couple without bringing anyone else. They were partners but they maintained a distance from each other. Their marriage existed as a requirement between them. Their marriage existed as a requirement between them. Just like ours was supposed to be."

He directed his gaze at me.

"Maya I grew up learning that love represented a human weakness. My father told me that if you love something you give your enemies a weapon to use against you."

He was wrong I said in a soft voice.

Dante asked "Was he? Look at us. Vanessa is using you to get to me. The Council is using the baby to threaten us. My father was right. You are my weakness."

I felt my heart break. I placed my fork down.

Dante asked about my perception of him. "Is that how you see me? As a weakness?"

Dante reached across the table space. He took my hand while his large fingers locked with mine.

He said "No you are the weakness which stops my defense. Yet you give me motivation to fight. I maintained the kingdom before you came into my life. I possessed great wealth and power yet I experienced boredom. I waited for my death to come.

He squeezed my hand.

I have a reason to destroy everything in the world because you make me dangerous according to Maya. You do not make me weak.

My eyes started to tear up. The words spoken to me were the most romantic I had ever heard. You create a dangerous personality in me.

"I will make changes to our life," I told Dante. "We will raise this child in a different way. The agreement will not use cold contracts. The agreement will not allow us to stay in separate sleeping areas.

Dante approved our plan. "He agreed that the child will understand their existence in our family."

He stared at my belly. My stomach remained flat but hidden under my sweater. We both understood the actual situation.

Dante wanted to know if we had already decided on baby names.

I smiled. "I have spent the past weeks thinking about many things."

And what did you find?

I like the name Aria for a girl because it means "air" or "song". "She will have a voice that commands the world."

Dante nodded slowly. "Aria. I like it. It is strong but elegant.

What name do you want to choose for a boy? I asked.

Dante looked out at the city. He became serious.

A boy will become King when he grows up. The boy requires a name which people must show reverence. The name must sound like a protector.

I proposed the name Leonardo with Leo as the short version.

Dante looked at me with surprise. "Leo? That means 'Lion'.

I know that, I replied with a grin. "A wolf named Lion. The choice catches people off guard because it goes against expectations.

Dante laughed. "A lion is the only animal a wolf respects. Leonardo." He tested the name on his tongue. "King Leonardo.

He smiled with pride which created a wide smile that reached his eyes.

The solution meets all our requirements.

He stood up and walked around the table. He extended his hand to her again.

"I want you to dance with me.

I replied that music doesn't exist in this outdoor space.

He whispered that the music could be heard from inside the building.

I stood up and stepped into his arms.

He brought me to him while pressing my body to his body. He held my waist with one hand while he used his other hand to hold my hand on his chest. I could feel his heart beating—steady and strong.

We moved to the soft sound of jazz music which entered through the opened doors.

The moment brought me relief from the existing risks. I forgot about the poisonous substance which the Council used to maintain their deceptive identity. I was just a woman in the arms of the man she loved.

I rested my head on his shoulder.

Dante?

Mm?

"Are you scared? I asked. "About the upcoming press conference tomorrow?"

Dante stopped moving. He kept me from moving forward.

He spoke in a quiet voice. "I am terrified. "Today I will appear before the world through television. I will make myself a target for my family.

He pulled back to look at me. His golden eyes were fierce.

"I will not experience fear during the combat. "They should come to battle. "They should battle Vanessa. "They should battle the Council. "They understand nothing about their current situation.

He kissed me.

The kiss started slowly and developed into a deep connection. The flavor of wine combined with promises to create a taste experience. Our kiss served as the official agreement which we made between ourselves.

The world exists against us.

Dante spoke through my lips with a whisper. "Let's go inside. I want to hold you.

We returned inside while the candles continued to burn on the balcony.

We didn't sleep that night. We lay with our bodies entwined as we shared secrets in the dark. He shared his childhood experiences and the burden of being Crowned Prince. I shared my experiences of loneliness during my time at the orphanage. I spent years suffering from poison.

We removed all the "King" and "Auditor" identities. We existed as two damaged individuals who aimed to create a complete relationship.

The dawn brought the first gray light, which made the bubble burst.

The alarm on Dante’s phone buzzed.

The time read 6:00 AM.

Dante extended his hand to stop the sound. He continued to lie in bed while he stared at the ceiling. He then sat up and observed his surroundings. The softness vanished from his face. The King returned.

"The time has arrived," Dante stated.

I sat up, pulling the sheet around me. "My stomach churned from both morning sickness and nerves.

"The press conference will occur at noon," Dante announced while he walked to the bathroom. "The stylists will come at eight. "Remember the script, Maya. You are happy. You are glowing. You are the chosen vessel.

I remember, I replied.

I watched him walk away. The man who wore a warm sweater from the balcony had vanished. He was putting his armor back on.

I left my bed to walk toward the mirror.

I examined my violet eyes. I practiced my smile. My smile looked fragile.

"You have the ability to accomplish this," I whispered to my reflection. "For Leo.

I placed my hand on my stomach.

Today we would inform the world about our fake story. We planned to present the baby as a special gift from luck.

I knew the actual facts which remained hidden from others.

The baby possessed more than miraculous qualities. He was a revolutionary force.

The moment people became aware of his existence, the countdown began. He needed five months to arrive. We had five months to prepare for war.

I took a deep breath and dropped the sheet.

The time for performance has begun, I said.