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"We just want to grieve our alpha and adjust in peace without smearing his memory with this investigation. This would never have happened if we hadn’t attended your stupid peace ball.” The line went dead before I could issue any response.

This wouldn’t be an easy conversation to have with Evelyn.

The drive to her office was a blur. Every traffic light felt like an eternity, every car horn, a personal attack. By the time I pulled into the dusty parking lot, my stomach was churning with a mixture of dread and determination.

The fluorescent lights of the room hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the cluttered desk. Evelyn, her brow furrowed in concentration, scribbled notes on a case file. I cleared my throat, and she looked up, surprise flickering across her face.

"Alexei?" she said, setting down her pen. "What are you doing here?"

My stomach twisted with a knot of apprehension. This wouldn't be an easy conversation. "We need to talk," I said, my voice tight.

She gestured to the chair across from her desk. "Sure," she said, her voice cautious. "About what?"

"The investigation," I blurted out, hating the way my voice lacked conviction.

"The investigation into the talisman and…" Evelyn started, her eyes sharpening. "The murders?"

I took a deep breath. "Both." Saying those words out loud felt like betraying Evelyn. I know how badly she wants to solve this case, and having access to the pack was her best avenue to get information about Mark since no one else really knew the wolves.

"Alexei," she started, her brow furrowing further. "What's going on?"

"The werewolves," I began, forcing myself to meet her gaze. "They want us, specifically you, to stay away from them for the duration of the investigation into Mark’s murder."

"Stay away?" she echoed, incredulous. "Mark deserves justice and Oberyn knows that too. We need to include them in this investigation!"

"I know," I said, my voice a hoarse whisper. "Believe me, I know."

"And what about his wife and children?" she pressed. "Don't they deserve to know whoever killed their father?"

"They no longer want to be involved. The council already gave an official order. We are to steer clear of the werewolves while we finish Mark’s murder investigation. They said they want to preserve whatever is left of his memory and not taint it with us snooping around." I continued.

Evelyn leaned back in her chair, her jaw clenched tight. Silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken tension. I knew what she was thinking – appeasement wasn't an option. Not for her.

"There has to be another way," she finally said, her voice low and determined.

"There is," I countered, a plan slowly forming in my mind. "We just need to be… creative."

Her gaze narrowed. "Creative?"

"We don’t involve them in the official investigation," I explained quickly, "but keep digging quietly. Discreetly."

She snorted. "Discreetly? Me? Alexei, you know that's not exactly my style."

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. It was true. Evelyn, the sheriff with a badge as big as her personality, wasn't known for subtlety.

"We'll figure something out," I said, more to myself than to her. "Together."

She didn't respond immediately, weighing the options in her mind. Finally, she let out a sigh, a sound of defeat laced with frustration.

"Alright," she said, her voice resigned. "But if this blows up in our faces…"

"We'll deal with it then," I interjected, squeezing her hand across the desk. "For now, we need to appease the council and the werewolves."

Evelyn nodded curtly.

She walked out of her office with me trailing behind her and she walked to the middle of the investigation room, she cleared her throat.

"Alright, everyone," she announced her voice firm. "Effective immediately, we will no longer involve the werewolves in the missing talisman and the recent… incidents."