With Everything I Am(191)

“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, fucking 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.”