With Everything I Am (The Three #2)(171)

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.

Another murmur swept through the crowd before Callum’s eyes sliced through it and it silenced.

He looked again to Titium and opened his mouth, his gut twisting, his chest burning.

Then he shut his mouth.

His eyes moved through the wolves on their knee behind Titium. He recognized only one. He was a wolf who had fought at his side though Callum couldn’t recall his name. He was young. He needed training with his teeth but he made up for it being excellent with his claws. Callum didn’t remember his name but he remembered he had not found his mate, not back then, sixty years ago. He had not, thus, started a family and if he had since, his children would still be mostly pups, his life with his mate barely beginning.

After the verdict, he would have no chance to be father to his children, if he had them, and his mate was right then in the stadium, facing Callum’s future.

His gut twisted sharper, the burn in his chest searing through him, he drew in breath, looked back at Titium and Sonia’s words rung in his head.

What it was, was your way because you are king.

Yes, and I believe that it was also once the way of my people to treat diseases by using leeches but they found another way that works a whole lot better so now they’re doing that.

Leaders who are trailblazers, who lead their people to better horizons, who do that with strength, wisdom and compassion are revered.

Callum stared at the wolves in front of him.