“Make them rise,” Sonia was still whispering.
Callum ignored her and carried on, “They heard you moved to protect me.”
“Callum,” she whispered, not able to tear her eyes from the bent multitudes, “let them rise.”
“Though,” he continued to ignore her, “they would have come all the same.”
“Please,” she breathed.
His arm came across his chest to her chin where his fingers grasped her and he tipped her face back to his.
Then he kissed her lightly, a brush on the lips.
His head lifting nary an inch, his sky blue eyes looked into hers and he said quietly, “These are my people. These are your people. These men and women bowing to you are werewolves.”
With that, he released her chin, turned to his people and in a clear, carrying, deep voice, he commanded, “Rise!”
His people stood. They also moved.
As the warriors at the steps stood sentry, flowers, tins and lit candles were placed on the steps as wolves came forward giving Callum a nod and Sonia a smile before giving their gifts.
This all happened silently before they turned to their cars or to make their way back up the hill to their tents.
It took longer than a minute and she was chilled through to the bone by the time the last wolf dipped his head to Sonia’s mate and sent a smile Sonia’s way.
But Sonia barely felt the cold or the biting pain that had begun to torment her back.
As any queen would, she stood for her people, injuries and all.
When it was done, without a word, Callum guided her back to their room, slid the robe from her shoulders and carefully pushed her into bed.
He kissed her injured temple at the bottom of the torn skin.
Then he slid his temple along her hair and in her ear, he whispered, “Sleep now, baby doll.”
He pulled the hides higher and he was gone.
Sonia didn’t think she could sleep. Not after that.
But it didn’t take long before she did.
Chapter Twenty
Reckoning
Today was the day of reckoning.
Sonia knew it.
She could feel it.
Callum was angry.
He’d been patient.
For a while.
That wore off and he’d been patiently impatient.