Page 71 of Fetch Me A Mate
"I need help. Both of you."
Lucien's irritation shifted to alertness. "What kind of help?"
"The kind that involves making evidence admissible in Council proceedings without revealing how I obtained it."
Moira appeared behind Lucien. "What evidence?"
Rowan handed over the envelope. "Proof that the complaint against Diana was purchased. Bank records, payment schedules, detailed instructions on what violations to cite."
Lucien opened the envelope and scanned the documents. "Backwoods Consulting. Subtle."
"Can you make this discoverable through official channels?"
"We can do better than that." Moira took the papers, her fingers tracing the letterhead. "I can make it look like the information came through my archival research. Cross-referencing business licenses with suspicious complaint patterns."
"How long do you need?"
"Twenty minutes to forge the research trail. Another ten to make it look like I've been working on this for days." Moira was already moving toward her desk. "Lucien can deliver it to Varric as a concerned citizen report."
"Why are you helping?"
"Because Diana doesn't deserve this," Lucien said simply. "And because your pack needs to learn that Hollow Oak protects doesn’t back down to anyone."
Rowan left the Book Nook with assurance that the evidence would reach the Council within the hour. Time enough for Varric to review it before Diana faced the tribunal. But not enough to prevent the meeting entirely.
His wolf paced restlessly as he drove toward Moonmirror Lake. The pack would be waiting, expecting him to fold under pressure, to choose Diana's safety over his principles.
They were about to learn how wrong they were.
The lakeshore was empty when Rowan arrived, but scent trails told him they'd been there recently. He parked at the water's edge and walked out onto the rocky point where he'd first confronted Kael weeks ago.
"I know you're watching," he called into the darkness. "Come out. Let's finish this."
They emerged from the tree line like shadows given form. Danarius in the center, flanked by Kael and Max, moving with the coordinated precision of predators who'd hunted together for years as the rest of the pack fell into place.
"Rowan." Danarius smiled, his teeth white in the oncoming moonlight. "Punctual as always. Though I expected you sooner."
"Had business to take care of first."
"The complaint, you mean? Yes, we heard about the Council meeting. Unfortunate timing, really. Right when you need to be making difficult decisions about your future."
"My future's already decided."
"I’m not so sure. It seems your human is facing some serious challenges to her inn ownership. Amazing how quickly these bureaucratic processes can destroy a small business."
Rowan stepped closer, his wolf rising beneath his skin. "You made a mistake, Danarius."
"Oh?"
"You threatened what's mine."
"And what are you prepared to do about it?"
Rowan let the shift begin, bones popping, muscles reshaping. His wolf had been caged too long, forced to watch threats circle his mate while he played at being civilized.
"I'm prepared to end this."
"With violence? How predictable." Danarius tsked softly. "And here I thought you'd learned subtlety during your exile."
