“It was a last-minute decision.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I was in the area and thought I’d stop by to discuss the treaty.”
The one he’d been stalling on for three months. Right.
I drew Victoria forward, my hand settling on the small of her back. “Allow me to introduce my wife, Victoria Thornwick Shadowpaw. Queen and consort.”
Bastian’s gaze finally landed on her fully, his expression twisting into something that might’ve passed for polite interest if I didn’t know him better. “The witch.”
Acorn’s claws tightened on Victoria’s shoulder, his tail bristling.
My wolf surged. Every instinct I possessed screamed to correct the dismissal in his tone, to make him understand exactly what kind of mistake he was making.
I kept my voice level. “Myqueen.”
Victoria’s expression didn’t change. She inclined her head with a show of courtesy, as if Bastian had greeted her properly instead of reducing her to her species.
“Sit,” I barked, waving to the chairs someone had arranged near the enormous fireplace.
We settled into position. Victoria beside me, Bastian across from us, and his enforcers standing at attention behind him. My pack members maintained their positions around the room, a silent reminder that this was my territory, my hall, and my home.
“Talk,” I snarled, ready to rip his head from his shoulders if he so much as slanted a dark look my wife’s way.
Bastian settled back in his chair with the kind of ease that set my teeth on edge. “I’ve been reviewing the treaty terms.”
“For three months.”
“It’s a complex document.”
“It’s five pages.”
His mouth twitched. “Nevertheless, I have concerns about the enforcement mechanisms. The language around dispute resolution feels much too vague.”
I’d heard this before. Different words, same underlying message. He wanted concessions. He wanted me to need him enough to give ground.
I leaned forward, resting my forearms on my knees. “What if instead of signing as a party to the treaty, you served as the primary enforcement authority?”
Bastian went still.
Good, I’d surprised him. I owed him at least that for arriving here without sending word that he was coming.
“The packs respect you,” I said, using Victoria’s framework from last night. “They’d accept your mediation. You’d have direct authority to resolve disputes, maintain the peace, and report violations to me for final judgment.”
I watched him process it. Saw the moment he realized that I was offering him visible power, a role that elevated him above the other sub-pack alphas without requiring him to formally acknowledge my authority by signing the agreement as is.
His scent shifted, and I could taste his excitement in the air, though his expression didn’t show it.
“An interesting proposal,” he said. “I’ll need time to consider the implications.”
“You have two weeks. Then I’ll offer it to Crikon.” The alpha of his rival pack in the northwest.
His lips twitched, but he nodded. “Two weeks.”
He turned his attention to Victoria, his expression sliding into something almost condescending. “Tell me, Lady Victoria. What does a witch researcher contribute to wolf packgovernance? I’m curious how your particular skills apply to our political landscape.”
The room went quiet.
My wolf slammed against my control, snarling to get through. Every protective instinct I possessed howled to shut him down, to make him understand that insulting my mate in my hall was the fastest way to end up with a gaping hole in his throat.
Victoria placed her hand on my arm.
