He had thirty days to prove sabotage, stop Hector, and save the Silver Fang and to do what he should've done ten years ago.
Fight for her.
His lion settled, purpose replacing rage. Hector wanted a war? Fine.
Dante would give him one.
13
MAEVE
The Silver Fang's lunch rush was winding down when Hector Cross walked through the door.
Maeve knew him immediately. Ten years hadn't softened his arrogance or smoothed the sharp edges of his contempt. He stood in her doorway like he owned it, dark hair silvered at the temples, pale gold eyes scanning her tavern with proprietary interest. Expensive coat. The kind of lion who thought money and bloodline made him untouchable.
Her lioness rose with a growl.
"We're fully booked," she said flatly. "Try the Griddle and Grind."
"Now, Maeve." His voice carried that cultured disdain she remembered. "Is that any way to greet family?"
"You're not my family." She moved behind the bar, putting solid wood between them. "You lost that right when you tried to make my life hell for wanting more than breeding stock status."
"Such hostility." He approached the bar, settling onto a stool like he belonged there. "I'm simply here to inspect my new establishment. Make sure it's being run properly."
The words landed like ice water. "Your what?"
"Didn't you hear?" His mouth curved. "I filed a formal complaint with the Council this morning. About your mismanagement of Cross holdings. The Silver Fang bears our family name, operates under our legacy. As alpha of the Cross Pride, I have authority to ensure proper oversight."
Maeve's hands twisted into fists. "This tavern is mine. I built it. I own it. You have no authority here."
He pulled papers out of his coat, spreading them on the bar. "I have documentation of three months of negligence. Damaged shipments. Poisoned inventory. Safety violations. All pointing to incompetent management by a female operating without pride backing."
She recognized the papers. The same damaged shipment reports she'd filed with suppliers.
"You did this." The realization hit like claws. "You sabotaged my shipments."
"I documented your failures." His smile turned cruel. "There's a difference. Though I suppose to someone of your limited understanding, it might seem the same."
"Get out." Her voice came low. Dangerous. "Get out of my tavern before I throw you out."
"This is my tavern now." He stood, buttoning his coat with deliberate slowness. "Or it will be in thirty days. Unless you can prove competent management. Which, given your track record, seems unlikely."
"I said get out."
"Such spirit." He neared the door, pausing. "You know, you could've avoided all this. If you'd attended pride functions. Shown proper respect. Acknowledged that Cross females have responsibilities to their bloodline. But you had to be stubborn. Had to prove you could run a business alone. Look where that got you."
Maeve came around the bar fast enough that Hector backed up a step.
"I built something here." She kept her voice level through sheer force of will. "Something that matters. Something that helps people. You've built nothing but bitterness and control. Don't you dare walk into my tavern and pretend your poisonous pride politics have any place here."
"Your tavern?" Hector's expression hardened. "This is Cross property. Run under Cross legacy. You've been playing at business owner for over ten years, but blood ties come with responsibilities, niece. Responsibilities you've ignored."
"I'm not your niece anymore." Gold spread into her vision. "I walked away from you and your toxic pride. Built a life where I make my own choices. Where I don't answer to lions who think females should be seen and not heard."
"Damaged goods. Failing inventory. A rogue male sniffing around who'll leave the moment he gets bored. You're exactly what I always said you'd be. Too stubborn to admit you're in over your head."
"I'm not?—"
