"I call for a vote," Bram said. "Temporary suspension of Maeve Cross's tavern license pending full investigation into her business practices and respect for Council authority. All in favor?"
Bram raised his hand. Hector, though not a Council member, stood with smug satisfaction.
Maeve's heart stopped when Miriam slowly, reluctantly, raised her hand too.
"Miriam," Callum said, disbelief in his voice.
"I'm sorry." The older woman's eyes held genuine regret. "But Bram's right about procedure. We can't allow unauthorized investigations or we set a dangerous precedent. The suspension is temporary. Once we review everything properly, the license will be reinstated."
"This is exactly what he wanted," Emmett said.
"Then she should have followed proper channels." Bram's voice carried ice. "Should have brought concerns to the full Council instead of running her own investigation through a rogue male with no standing."
"All opposed?" Varric asked, raising his hand. Emmett joined him immediately.
Two for. Two against. A tie.
Varric's expression turned grim. "In the case of a tie vote, Council procedure requires the matter be tabled for two weeks while additional evidence is gathered."
"Two weeks during which the tavern remains closed," Bram said. "For community safety."
"That's not—" Emmett started.
"That's procedure." Bram gathered his robes. "Two weeks. Full audit. Then we reconvene. If Maeve Cross can prove she's been operating within Council guidelines and respecting proper authority, her license will be reinstated. If not, the Cross Pride will assume oversight of the establishment."
He left, Hector following with barely concealed triumph.
The clearing fell silent except for wind through bare branches and Maeve's heartbeat thundering in her ears.
She'd lost.
Despite the evidence. Despite Dante's investigation. Despite everything they'd prepared.
Hector had twisted it. Had used procedure and Bram's traditionalism and her own choices against her.
And now the Silver Fang was closed.
Dante moved toward her.
"Don't." She backed away, papers slipping from numb fingers. "Just don't."
She turned and walked into the woods, leaving them all behind.
Leaving the Council Glade where everything she'd built had just been stripped away.
Leaving Dante standing there with evidence that didn't matter and explanations she couldn't bear to hear.
Her tavern was gone.
26
DANTE
Rage burned hotter than reason.
Dante stood in the empty Council Glade, staring at papers scattered across frozen ground. Evidence that should've buried Hector. Evidence twisted into weapons used against the woman he loved.
His lion snarled, pacing beneath his skin. Wanting blood. Wanting to tear apart the smug bastard who'd manipulated Council procedure and stolen Maeve's livelihood with forged documents and political maneuvering.
