I pause, taking in Evren’s words as pieces click into place like a healer’s puzzle finally revealing its pattern. He’s not just giving me intelligence—he’s providing the key that binds all our investigation threads together.
“The tribunal members,” I say softly, needing confirmation. “Do you have their names?”
Evren nods and pulls a small scroll from his leather vest. As he unrolls it on the table between us, I see a list of names written in precise Drakorian script, with notations beside each in a different hand.
“Lord Kaelith, High Court Advisor,” he says, pointing to the first name. “Previously known for balanced judgment. Now shows signs of magical manipulation—decision patterns shifting after private meetings with unknown fae. His support for accelerated marriage timelines appeared suddenly, without logical justification.”
His finger moves down the list. “Lady Morwyn of the Eastern Groves—her traditionalist views were exploited and amplified. Received unusual gifts that matched magical signatures wedetected during the contamination crisis. The corruption weaponized her existing fears about fae-wolf alliances.”
“And here,” Evren continues, tapping the third name. “Councilor Aldric. He held an existing grudge against House Silverthorne over a land dispute that’s decades old. Someone stoked that resentment, turned old bitterness into active opposition. He voted to accelerate your marriage timeline with uncharacteristic vehemence.”
I lean closer, studying the pressure patterns noted beside each name. The methodology is unmistakable—the same subtle coercion signatures we found in my father’s communications.
“The tribunal is supposed to take fourteen days minimum to review contract transfers,” Evren continues, his thumb rubbing his dagger hilt anxiously. “Your case was processed in three—unprecedented acceleration.”
He rolls the scroll further, revealing a timeline of decisions. “Look here—formal decisions recorded before evidence was even presented. The dragon court noticed because it violated all procedural norms, but they couldn’t challenge without proof of corruption.”
I trace the dates with my finger, feeling cold certainty settle in my chest. “This matches exactly what we found in the contamination signature analysis. The magical pressure wavelengths are identical.”
Evren’s gold-flecked eyes meet mine. “Every marriage tribunal member has been compromised. The entire process was corrupted before your sister’s body was even cold.”
The final piece locks into place.
“The dragon court suspected manipulation but couldn’t prove it,” Evren says. “I’m risking my delegation position by showing you this, but after what I saw when Faelan targeted my brother’s mating ...”
I straighten, decision made. “I need you to brief our pack leadership on this intelligence. This is the evidence we’ve been searching for—the connection between the murder and the marriage manipulation. Will you do that?”
I close the scroll with hands steadier than I expected. The evidence unfolded before us forms a pattern too precise to deny.
“I’ll do more than brief your leadership,” Evren says, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I’m formally allying myself with Ash Hollow against this tribunal corruption.”
I search his face for any hint of deception. I find none.”
“You understand what that means? Opposing your own delegation could be considered treason.”
His thumb rubs against his dagger hilt. “Some things matter more than political allegiance. This marriage manipulation violates everything the dragon courts claim to stand for.” His gold-flecked eyes harden. “Honor isn’t about following orders. It’s about standing against corruption, even when it wears your own colors.”
I gesture toward the door. “Dane needs to hear this directly.”
When Dane enters, his Alpha presence fills the room differently than Evren’s formal authority—less about position, more about earned respect. Callum follows, his protective gaze sweeping over me before assessing Evren with guarded consideration.
Evren repeats his findings, unrolling the evidence before Dane with methodical precision. He points to each corrupted tribunal member, detailing the specific manipulation patterns.
“I formally offer my services to Ash Hollow,” Evren concludes, standing straighter. “My position in the delegation gives me access to communications, timelines, and diplomatic intelligence. I’ll continue to serve as your inside source.”
Dane studies him, Alpha assessment weighing risk against value. “The pack appreciates your alliance, but this puts you in considerable danger.”
“I’m willing to establish intelligence sharing protocols,” Evren says, bouncing once on his heels. “Regular secure communications through channels your team dictates.”
Dane nods, considering the logistics. “We’ll establish secure dead drops. Derek can coordinate the technical side.”
He extends his hand. “Ash Hollow accepts your alliance.”
Evren clasps it firmly. “I’ll advocate within the dragon court as well. There are progressive factions who’d support alternative solutions if we find them.”
When Evren departs, slipping back to the delegation before his absence is noticed, Dane turns to us.
“This changes everything. With dragon court intelligence and concrete evidence of tribunal corruption, we can build a legitimate challenge.”
