“The Lodge, little one,” he muttered distractedly, putting the SUV in park and switching off the ignition, still muttering. “Games are played here. Official business is conducted here. As you know, our Mating will be here tomorrow. And, last, trials are held here.”
“Cal,” she called.
“Mm?” he murmured, his hand on the door handle, his mind on what was imminent.
“My handsome wolf, please look at me,” she requested softly, her endearment slid through him like silk, he twisted his body and his eyes moved to hers.
Then his gut clenched at the gentle expression on her face, an expression filled with love and understanding.
She leaned forward and placed her hand against the side of his head, running her thumb along his eyebrow, down his cheekbone and over his lower lip as her pretty green eyes watched.
All right, so maybe she did support him just, as ever, in her way.
Her gaze moved to his.
“I have not been a good queen this morning,” she admitted quietly.
“Baby doll –” Callum started, leaning toward her but she leaned further into him and pressed her thumb against his lips.
“Can I finish?” she asked and he held her eyes but nodded.
She pulled in a soft breath then whispered, “Tradition is a beautiful thing.”
Callum felt his jaw tighten but he said nothing.
She continued, “But, my wolf, compassion is often mistaken for weakness when the fact is, there is very little that is more powerful than the courage it takes to give it. The one thing I know that’s even more powerful is the courage it takes to forge your own path, make your own mark and in doing so, make change. Leaders who follow are never remembered because they aren’t actually leaders. Leaders who are trailblazers, who lead their people to better horizons, who do that with strength, wisdom and compassion are revered. You must do what you must do in there, as king to your people and as mate to me. But the reason you find it so difficult to show mercy is because it’s difficult to be merciful.” She leaned closer and her voice dropped softer, lower, sweeter as her eyes held his. “And the last thing I know, my handsome wolf is the strongest werewolf there is and this is not only because he is a great warrior. I saw him write letter after letter to the families of those who had fallen so I know it’s also because he’s compassionate. He can do anything and he can do it not just with his claws and his teeth.”
After that, she leaned in, swept her thumb away so she could touch her lips to his then she sat back in her seat, her eyes on him, her smile small and gentle, and waited for him to exit the truck and open her door for her.
Callum drew in another breath as her words settled in his mind, his gut and around his heart.
Then he turned to his door, his lips twitching because his little queen had demonstrated yet again one of the myriad of ways she was absolutely, f**king perfect.
She proved this further when he helped her out of the cab and she walked silently at his side, shoulders straight, head held high, tipping her chin up and giving a small smile to Ryon, Calder and Caleb who were standing outside the door waiting for them. She held his hand fast as he tucked it to the side of his chest, keeping her close as they walked through the doors Calder and Caleb opened and into The Lodge.
Half his Guard was lined up inside. They fell into step in front of Callum and Sonia, Ry, Calder and Caleb moving in behind and Callum led his mate to the dais.
Looking around, he saw he was correct. The Lodge was half full and there was a low din of conversation. As his Guard moved and it became clear the King and Queen were in attendance, the din quieted and Callum pulled his mate closer to offer her reassurance as he felt thousands of eyes move to them.
She clutched his hand and walked at his side, their bodies brushing as he moved her up the steps. As per custom, those in their seats kept them because there wasn’t enough room to take a knee in the stands but the accused and the soldiers standing at the foot of the dais all dropped into the heads bent ceremonial bow.
Callum seated himself on the throne. Sonia moved of her own accord into his lap, her face, carefully blank, was turned to the men in front of them.
Callum waited until Ryon, Calder and Caleb situated themselves to the left and right of his throne and his Guard lined the steps of the dais before he called his order in a loud, deep voice, “All but the accused, rise.”
The soldiers moved to their feet, Titium and his men kept their heads bowed.
“Titium, you and your men keep your knee but face me,” Callum commanded, his voice ringing out in the silent, huge space helped by microphones situated at the foot of the dais.
He watched as Titium and his men lifted up from their hand in the pitch and faced him on their knee.
“For official purposes,” Callum continued, dipping his head to a small table off to the side where a she-wolf sat, her fingers moving on the keyboard of a laptop to record the proceedings, “even though what you’ve done has spread far, I must proclaim the charges against you.”
Titium nodded and Callum moved his gaze from the warrior to look amongst the wolves in attendance, sitting in the stands and watching avidly.
Then he called, “I will remind my brothers and sisters that my mate is human and today’s proceedings are not a celebration. The men standing accused are warriors who have all, over the years and, I will remind you, very recently, put their lives in danger to stand gallantly against those who rebelled. I will be displeased if you show them less than the respect they deserve. In other words, throughout the proceedings and until your queen and I leave, I expect silence.”
A short-lived murmur swept the crowd before Callum got what he commanded.
His eyes moved back to Titium and he began.
“You are charged with treason, warrior. As your men stood with you when you challenged me, they face the same charge. You carried through this challenge and, in so doing, you injured your queen. I will remind you this was witnessed by a prince, a duke, the dowager queen and many of my personal Guard. I will now listen to how you plea as well as the pleas of your wolves.”
“I speak for myself and my wolves, your grace,” Titium replied, his voice ringing loud and strong and Callum again was reminded of how loathsome this duty was. Titium was a bad father but he was an excellent warrior, loyal to Mac, loyal to all wolves, strong, brave, confident and, until recently, noble.
“And how do you plea?” Callum prompted, feeling Sonia tense against him even as he tensed himself.
“We plead guilty, your grace,” Titium called, chin up, bearing proud in the face of the dire consequences that he knew would happen not only to him but to his men after giving this plea.