“What possible reason could you have for wanting to convince wolves Cooper is some...legend?” Park asked. “Even if you’re able to get him arrested, you can’t believe you can plant enough evidence to charge him.”

“What would getting him arrested do for me?” Ryan asked, bewildered. “No, no, that would ruin everything. Sorry, Cooper. You have to die tonight, buddy. But like any god worth his salt, you’ll rise again. Somewhere else when you’re needed most.”

“I don’t understand,” Cooper said, lips dry.

Ryan tucked his hair behind his ears, thinking. “You know what people do when they believe in gods? Half of them pray for him to make their problems go away.” He pressed his palms together at his chest and said in a childlike voice, “Please, Mr. Moon, the big bad wolf has hurt my pack. Here’s my donation of ten grand to punish him like you punished the others.”

His voice returned to normal. “And the other half of them blame him for their problems.” He stuck his hands on his hips and spoke like an old-timey detective. “Got another killing, Lou. Same distinct signature as the others: half transformed, gut clawed open, covered in rose heads. Must be that Cooper Dayton that’s struck again. He really thinks he’s the Moon, doesn’t he? Well, it wouldn’t be the first occasion he’s taken justice into his own hands. It was only a matter of time till he snapped, I always said.”

Ryan let his hands drop and a big grin split his face. “We’re going to clean the heck up, you and I. Well, me and your reputation, anyway. Which, like, couldn’t be any more perfect for this, by the way. I mean, when I found out the wolf who mutilated you was murdered by your ex-partner and that some wolves still think you were involved? I was like, oh wow, am I being baited right now? ’Cause this is literally too perfect. I really owe you, man.”

Ryan tilted his head. “Well, you and Neil. We wouldn’t be here without him.”

Neil... Cooper thought, and for the next couple seconds couldn’t think of anything more than the violet color of dead lips that used to say his name.

“Is Neil Gerhart who made you aware of wolves?” Park bit out behind Cooper. “Is he where you got all this nonsense about the Moon? Because it’s all wrong and I’m afraid you’ve bought into one fairy tale too far.” He sounded icily dismissive, not like Park at all, and Cooper wondered if his words rang as false to everyone else in the room.