Everyone except Luke and Terek were on their feet, their attention fixed on the man who ruled the village.
Baldon remained sitting across from him while the guard and Gary remained standing.
Baldon wore his usual easygoing smile as he spoke. "I heard about the trip. It didn't exactly go the way you planned."
Naturally, Thea had already filled him in, complaints included.
"I also wanted to thank you for protecting my mates." Baldon inclined his head in genuine appreciation.
Luke's brows tightened almost imperceptibly.
The way Baldon referred to Roxanne as his mate grated on him more than he allowed to show. Even so, he kept his thoughts to himself. She needed time to untangle the situation on her own.
He had already made his feelings clear. He didn't want her to belong to anyone but him.
This time, he hoped she would find the resolve to make the choice that truly mattered.
