Hector's expression didn't change. "Are you accusing me of something, Hollowell?"
"I'm stating facts." Emmett's wolf rose behind his eyes. "Someone's sabotaging Maeve's shipments. Someone with knowledge of her routines and resources to make it appear like incompetence. That someone benefits from making her look bad so they can petition for control."
"Interesting theory." Hector gathered his papers. "Do you have proof?"
"Not yet."
"Then this hearing is pointless." Hector turned to Varric. "I've filed my formal complaint. Provided documentation of negligence. As per Council law, you have thirty days to investigate before I can petition for emergency transfer of holdings. I suggest you use that time wisely."
"We will." Varric's voice carried steel. "And I suggest you remember that Maeve Cross has earned respect here. Challenging her won't win you allies."
"I don't need allies." Hector moved toward the tree line. "I need to ensure family legacy isn't destroyed by a female too stubborn to admit she's in over her head."
He paused, glancing back at Dante. "Still mooning over her, Deleuve? After all these years? Pathetic. She walked away from you once. She'll do it again. That's what Cross females do. They run."
Dante's lion roared. He moved before thinking, closing the distance between them in three strides. "Say that again."
"Or what?" Hector didn't flinch. "You'll fight me? Here? In front of Council witnesses? That'll do wonders for Maeve's reputation. Prove she surrounds herself with rogue males who can't control their tempers."
Emmett's hand caught Dante's shoulder. "Don't. He's baiting you."
He was. Dante knew it. Could see the calculation in Hector's pale eyes. The satisfaction at getting a reaction.
But it took everything he had to step back.
"Smart boy." Hector's smile turned vicious. "Give Maeve my regards. Tell her I'm looking forward to our family reconciliation at the solstice. Assuming she bothers to attend."
He left, his footsteps fading into the woods.
Silence settled over the glade. Heavy. Dangerous.
"Well." Miriam stood, brushing snow from her coat. "That man's a piece of work."
"He's got a case." Varric gathered the papers Hector had left, his expression troubled. "Not a strong one, but enough to cause problems. If we can't prove sabotage in thirty days, he can petition for emergency control. The Council would have to hear it."
"He's not getting the Silver Fang," Emmett said.
"Not if we find proof first." Varric looked at Dante. "You've got thirty days. Find me evidence that stands up to Council scrutiny. Something that proves Hector's behind this."
"And if I can't?"
"Then Maeve loses her tavern." Varric's voice softened. "And Hollow Oak loses one of its strongest voices. So don't fail."
He left, Miriam following. Emmett lingered, studying Dante with those wolf eyes that missed nothing.
"He got to you," Emmett said quietly. "With that comment about Maeve running."
"He's good at finding pressure points."
"Yeah." Emmett clapped his shoulder. "But he's not wrong about one thing. If Maeve finds out about this hearing before we have answers, she'll go after him. Start a fight we can't finish."
"She deserves to know."
"She will know. After we've built our defense." Emmett headed toward the trees. "Give me time to coordinate with Varric. Figure out our strategy. Then we tell her together."
Dante stood alone in the clearing, staring at the stone table where Hector's papers had laid. Evidence carefully curated to destroy everything Maeve had built.
Thirty days.
