Chapter 140 A Test of Patience
Chase's POV
Dinner was held in the private family dining room—just my father, Wynter, and me. The atmosphere was cordial but tense, my father asking questions about the campaign while carefully directing most of his attention toward me.
Finally, as dessert was served, I decided to address what had been weighing on me since we'd left Bloodrock.
"Father," I said, setting down my fork, "Wynter and I want to get married."
The words hung in the air. My father's expression didn't change, but I saw his jaw tighten slightly, saw the way his fingers drummed once against the table—a tell I'd learned to recognize as displeasure.
"Married," he repeated, his tone carefully neutral. "That's quite a significant decision, Chase."
"Yes," I agreed. "And one I've made with absolute certainty."
My father was quiet for a moment, his gaze moving between us. When he spoke, his voice carried that patronizing edge that made my wolf bristle.
"You're nineteen years old, son. You have another semester at the Academy to complete. Don't you think discussing marriage at this point is... premature?"
Through the Bond, I felt Wynter tense beside me, felt her preparing for rejection.
"No," I said firmly. "Wynter is my mate. We've been through hell together. I don't need more time to know I want to spend my life with her."
"Wanting and being ready are different things," my father said, and I caught the way his eyes flickered toward Wynter—assessing, judging, finding her wanting. "You're young. These feelings are natural, but marriage is a serious commitment that affects more than just you. It affects Silvermoon. Political alliances, bloodline considerations—"
"I know all that," I interrupted. "But—"
"Then you understand why I'm asking you to wait," my father said, his voice taking on that tone of finality I knew so well. "Complete your final semester. Focus on your studies. Give yourself time to be absolutely certain." He paused, his gaze lingering on Wynter for just a moment too long. "Miss Vaughn will still be there in six months, won't she?"
Through the Bond, I sensed a flicker of emotion from Wynter.
"Father—" I started, but he cut me off.
"This discussion is over for now," he said, standing. "You're both tired from your journey. We can revisit this conversation after you've completed your education." He moved toward the door, then paused and looked back. "Actually, there's something else we need to discuss. The Academy situation."
I exchanged glances with Wynter, confused by the sudden topic change.
"As I mentioned at the alliance meeting, we've replaced Headmaster Grey and Professor Stone," my father continued. "Professor Kael has taken over as interim Headmaster, and the new combat instructor from Emerald Valley is already settling in. The Academy is stable again."
"That's good," I said cautiously, not sure where this was going.
"It is," my father agreed. "Which is why I've arranged for both you and Miss Vaughn to return next week. Your expulsions have been formally overturned, your academic records cleared. Jax Thorne will be returning as well, once his injuries have healed sufficiently."
Through the Bond, I felt Wynter's surprise mixing with wary relief.
"Next week?" I asked.
"The semester has already started," my father said, and I caught the edge in his voice—the subtle pressure, the unspoken command. "You've both missed enough education already. It's important that you return as quickly as possible and catch up on what you've missed. After everything that's happened, you need stability. Structure. The Academy can provide that."
The message was clear—he wanted us gone. Wanted us back at school where we'd be separated from Silvermoon's political sphere, where our relationship would be subject to the oversight of professors and the distraction of studies.
"We understand," I said carefully, though through the Bond I felt Wynter's matching realization of what my father was really doing.
"Good," my father said, satisfaction flickering across his face. "I'll have my staff coordinate your travel arrangements. You'll leave in five days—that should give you enough time to rest and prepare." He moved to the door, then paused one final time. "Oh, and Chase? I'm proud of what you accomplished in Bloodrock. You showed real leadership. Just remember—leadership also means knowing when to be patient. When to let things develop naturally rather than forcing them before their time."
Then he was gone, leaving Wynter and me alone in the dining room with the weight of his words pressing down on us.
Through the Bond, I felt a surge of complex emotions from Wynter—something like hurt, and maybe confusion too.
"He's sending us away," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "He doesn't want us here. Doesn't want us around where we might—" She stopped, unable to finish.
"Where we might challenge his control," I finished for her, pulling her against my chest. "Where our relationship might become harder to ignore or dismiss."
"Six months," Wynter said, her voice muffled against my shirt. "He wants us to wait six months before discussing marriage. Do you think—" She paused, and through the Bond I felt her fear. "Do you think he's hoping you'll change your mind? That if he just delays long enough, you'll realize I'm not—"
"Stop," I interrupted firmly, tilting her face up to meet my eyes. "Don't finish that sentence. Don't let his doubts become yours. I know what I want, Wynter. I know who I want. And six months, six years—it doesn't matter. You're my future. That's not changing."
Through the Bond, I felt her desperate need to believe me warring with the hurt my father's dismissal had caused.
"Then we go back to the Academy," she said finally, her voice steadying. "We complete our final semester. We prove to your father—and to everyone else who doubts us—that this is real. That we're not just some passing infatuation. And then—" She paused, determination hardening in her eyes. "Then we get married. With or without his blessing."
"With or without his blessing," I agreed, sealing the promise with a kiss.
---
Five days later, we stood in Silvermoon's courtyard, our bags packed and a carriage waiting to take us back to Moonshadow Academy. My father had come to see us off, his expression carefully neutral.
"Study hard," he said, his hand briefly gripping my shoulder. "Make Silvermoon proud."
"I will," I promised, though the words felt hollow.
His gaze flickered to Wynter, standing slightly behind me. "Miss Vaughn," he said, his tone polite but distant. "I trust you'll take your studies seriously as well. It's a privilege to return to the Academy after everything that's happened. Don't waste the opportunity."
"I won't, Lord Sterling," Wynter said quietly, her voice steady despite the hurt I felt through the Bond.