Ever since the negotiation, Puck and Zane had been pushing Thorin to change his mind.
"I know you don't care about status and hierarchy, but this goes beyond just how you address someone," Puck said, his chest heaving with emotion.
The Howl maintained his stance, continuing his dissatisfied outburst, "Taking her as your bride won't mend our relationship with the vampires—it will only worsen it."
"It's always been strained anyway. No matter whom I marry, vampires will always look down on us, seeing us as nothing more than barbaric beasts," Thorin argued.
Puck exhaled deeply, lips pursed. "I'm not suggesting we befriend the fanged, but if this agreement requires our aid to them, it's reasonable to expect the same support when we need it."
He turned to Zane for support. With a silent nod from Zane, Puck added, "But with Riona as your wife, we may have to give up that hope."
