Nicholas's response time was so long that Brennan started mouthing possible answers like a prompter backstage trying to help an actor who had forgotten his lines.
"Politeness has nothing to do with it. Relevance does. And your question isn't relevant to the agenda."
Damon: That's my Alpha. Trained him myself.
Reed: And I trained you. It's the circle of life.
"Is she married to you?" Thornback tried.
"She is my mate."
"Mate as in Luna or mate as in you're being vague on purpose?" Thornback pressed.
"Mate as in mate."
"That's not a clarification. That's a circle."
"Circles are efficient. No loose ends."
"Is she your consort?" Veilcross attempted from a standing position.
"She is my mate," Nicholas repeated.
In the stands, Brennan mouthed the words along with Nicholas this time like he had memorized the scripture.
Damon: Don't.
Reed: He's doing it again.
"Hypothetically," Ironmaw began.
"No."
"I haven't asked yet."
