Chapter 39

Ronan's POV

By noon, seven territories had agreed to hear Mara speak. By one, eleven were listening. By two, the Concord had issued three separate statements calling us terrorists, separatists, and "unregulated supernatural actors," which Lucien considered personally insulting because it lacked imagination.

We set the broadcast inside Ironwood's Winter Oath Hall. Mara refused the dais before anyone could suggest she use it. When Elder Rhea reminded her that she was the Steward, Mara answered, "Temporarily. This is not an Ironwood decree. If I ask people to volunteer as Anchors while standing above them, we have misunderstood the entire week." Rhea studied her, then nodded. "Fair."

Gideon arrived before the broadcast began.

He wore no Alpha ring. I was still not used to that.

"I want to speak," he tol