"Wait," he growled, his voice low but unmistakable. "Neither of you has bowed to your Luna yet."
Ren stiffened, her heart racing. She opened her mouth, a protest on the tip of her tongue, but Kai's grip tightened on her hand, and she could feel his perseverance was like a force if he wanted them to do it. She knew this wasn't about her but about something far larger, his authority, his people, his rules, his command.
'Don't force them, please,' Ren wished softly, though her heart pounded in her chest.
'Trust me, wife,' Kai murmured in her mind, his voice a low but certain promise. 'If not now, they wouldn't later.'
Ren hesitated, but she didn't argue. This was his battle to fight, not hers. She simply stood by, a silent observer of his command. Kai released Elaika's arm, his eyes sweeping over the room, and his voice rang out with unshakable authority.
"All of you!" he commanded, his words like the strike of a whip.