“We don’t have evidence the fae who killed Marie is here,” I said calmly. “It appears he’s chosen a new avatar, and as far as we know, she has committed no crime. She’s his victim as much as Marie was.”

“I’m done hearing your lies.” He stabbed the air in my direction. “I gave your family sanctuary. I suffered your toxic presence among my kin for Cord’s sake, because grief had carved him hollow and he seemed to think you’d fill him.” His lip curled. “And this is how you repay our hospitality, how you repay Cord. The creature who killed his sister followed you here. It went after my daughter.”

“I haven’t lied to you, and I didn’t scheme my way here. I came at Graeson’s request.” And oh how I wished he were here to back up that claim. “I’ve been hunting this creature for months. Until today I had no reason to believe it was in the vicinity, let alone on pack lands.”

We might have made more progress too, if not for the pack drama Bessemer had instigated at every turn, but I was hardly going to throw that in his face now.

“Lies are the language of the fae.” He cocked his head to one side, a predator scenting prey. “What hunting have you done if you didn’t know it was here?”

I bit my lips before they had a chance to tingle. The last thing I needed was Bessemer figuring out I had been removed from the case or who had been helping me continue to work it off the clock. Armed with that information, I had no doubt he would be thrilled to call the conclave and tell them exactly what I had been up to and how my actions had endangered the fragile accord between fae and native supernaturals.

The fall was coming, but I didn’t want Thierry and Mai or any of the others helping to tumble after me.

“You had your chance to make this right.” He glanced around the clearing. Golden eyes winked in the trees. “Now it’s our turn.” His voice rose to a stout cry. “We lost one of ours to this unnatural creature. A child. As your alpha and as a father, I give my word we won’t lose another. Tonight we hunt fae, and tomorrow we wake with the knowledge our children are safe from their evil.”

Summoned from the darkness, Aisha strolled to his side. He didn’t acknowledge her except to transfer Emily from his grip to hers. Imogen emerged next, rolling her hips with invitation, and his hungry smile welcomed her to join him. She claimed the spot on his other side.