"You are." He leaned closer, voice dropping. "But I'm generous. Attend the pride reconciliation at solstice. Show proper respect. Acknowledge my authority as alpha. Maybe I'll reconsider my petition for control."
"Go to hell."
"Already there, dealing with ungrateful females who don't know their place." He straightened, buttoning his coat. "Thirty days, Maeve. Then we'll see who's really in charge of Cross holdings."
He left, the door swinging shut behind him.
Maeve stood frozen, her lioness clawing at her ribs. Rage and fear warred in her chest, both demanding action. Demandingshe chase him down and tear his throat out for daring to threaten what was hers.
The door opened again. Hector stood on the threshold, that cruel smile back in place.
"Oh, and give Dante my regards. I'm sure he's enjoying playing hero. Shame he's too loyal to failed pride members to see he's backing the wrong horse."
Maeve moved.
She was through the door before thought caught up with instinct, her lioness rising to the surface. Hector stood in the square, surrounded by early afternoon shoppers. Perfect witness to whatever she did next.
"You want to talk about failures?" Her voice carried across the square. "Let's talk about how you drove Callum away. How you poisoned every reform attempt with your traditional bullshit. How you created a pride so toxic that the best members walked away rather than stay."
Hector turned, his expression satisfied. "Making a scene, Maeve? How very like you."
"I'm making a statement." She stalked toward him, not caring who watched. "You want the Silver Fang? You'll have to pry it from my cold dead claws. I don't care what authority you think you have. I don't care what the Council says. This is my town. My tavern. My life. And you're not taking it."
"Threatening me in public?" Hector's smile widened. "How very unbecoming. Though I suppose it proves my point about your inability to manage responsibly."
"The only thing I can't manage is my temper around lions who think bloodline trumps ability."
"Then perhaps you should've considered that before operating under the Cross name."
Half the square had stopped to watch now. Shoppers frozen mid-errand. Merchants emerging from stores. A crowdgathering to witness the shouting match between two lions who clearly had history.
"I earned that name." Maeve's voice rose. "Through birth, through blood, through being part of a family that you destroyed with your poisonous politics. You don't get to reclaim it now because you see an opportunity."
"I'm reclaiming what's mine by right."
"Nothing here is yours."
"Everything with Cross legacy is mine." Hector stepped closer. "Including you, like it or not. Blood ties, niece. They matter more than your delusions of independence."
A hand caught Maeve's shoulder before she could lunge.
"That's enough." Dante's voice came low. Dangerous. "Both of you."
Maeve spun, snarling. "Stay out of this."
"Can't do that." He kept his grip firm but gentle. "You're about to shift in the middle of town square. That's exactly what he wants."
"I don't care what he wants."
"You should." Dante's amber eyes held hers. "He's pushing buttons until you lose control and prove his point. Don't give him the satisfaction."
"Listen to your guard dog, Maeve." Hector's voice dripped smugness. "At least someone around here has sense."
Dante's grip tightened on her shoulder. Warning. Support. Both at once.
Maeve shook him off. "I don't need you fighting my battles."
"I'm not fighting." He stepped back, hands raised. "Just keeping you from doing something you'll regret."
