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“And you’d yield your power? You understand if you were to end your marriage to Lucas, you won’t be a queen anymore. You’ll lose the title and the power. A lot of people will lose respect for you, as well, especially after such a short time together.”
I rolled my eyes. “Because so many people respect me now?”
Desmond’s teeth ground together audibly. I think the only reason he hadn’t told me to tone down my vitriol was because—as the conversation with Callum suggested—I outranked him.
“How do I know this time it will last?” Callum asked.
“How does anyone know it’s going to last? I know an honest-to-God Oracle, and even she won’t tell me if this is the right choice. No one can know that kind of thing for certain. But you knew it wouldn’t last with Lucas. You went so far as to prove it to me, didn’t you? I never did get a chance to thank you for that.”
If there wasn’t a desk between us, I would have thanked him with a nice open-palmed smack across the face.
“Oh, that thing with the wedding, you mean.”
“That thing with the wedding,” I parroted. “Yeah, the thing where you made him stand me up at the altar on our wedding day. That thing.”
Callum shrugged. “I think it is important to know where someone’s priorities are. His were not with you.” My uncle looked to Desmond. “And you. You have your own responsibilities to the Eastern pack. How can I know you will be more devoted to her than your king?”
“I’m with her now, and not with my king,” Desmond replied. “I’m his second, but he is no longer the most important thing to me. I will forever be a member of my pack, and I’ll lay down my life for them if needed. I’m loyal. But she is my life.” He grabbed my hand and squeezed it, a gesture more for himself than Callum, I suspected, since the desk blocked a clear view of our hands.
“It’s a lovely speech, Mr. Alvarez.”
“It’s not just a speech.”
My uncle tipped his head back and stared up at the ceiling, taking his time. I was fairly certain he was lollygagging to build dramatic tension, and I was about to call him on it when he cleared his throat and once again turned his focus on us.
“I appreciate that you came to me. Both of you. It shows respect, and it tells me you’re growing to understand the ways of your pack, Secret.”
“I’m trying.”
“I know.”
“But if you tell me I can’t marry Desmond, I’m going to do it anyway.”
“Secret.” Evidently this was too much for Des to keep quiet about. I don’t think he understood the kind of relationship Callum and I had developed. I held my uncle accountable for the shit he pulled, and in return I think he liked me better because of it. But our camaraderie was strange, and I appreciated how it must look from the outside. I think Callum felt I was like the son he never had.
“I like your honesty.” Callum chuckled. “When I was a younger man and in love—yes, it happened once, maybe twice—I said the same thing. As it turned out, I liked the chase more than I liked the work of settling down. So I need you to assure me this isn’t going to be like the Lucas situation.”
“No. My chase is over,” I said.
“Divorce used to be forbidden between soul-bonded mates. It was believed to be an affront to the divine connection two werewolves had been blessed with. We aren’t all lucky enough to be soul-bonded, you know.”
“I know.”
“And certainly none of us has ever been so fortunate to have two soul bonds.” He inclined his head towards Desmond.
“Yeah. I don’t know about fortunate,” I replied. “Most of the time it was more trouble than it was worth.”
“Thanks,” Desmond added.
“My point,” Callum continued. “Is it was once impossible to be granted a divorce. Now, however, it’s a little easier. I, as your pack representative and the elder male in your family, give you permission to marry Desmond Alvarez.”
My heart gave a leap. I hated how old-fashioned and patriarchal it was, but knowing I wouldn’t have to fight tooth and nail to marry Des made it all worthwhile.
“But…”
Oh Jesus.
“But?” I asked.
