Page 35 of Fetch Me A Mate (Shifter Mates of Hollow Oak #1)

DIANA

T he Council Glade felt different at night. Fae-lights bobbed between the ancient oaks, casting shifting shadows on the stone circle where five figures waited. Diana approached with Miriam beside her, their footsteps muffled by fallen leaves.

"Breathe," Miriam murmured.

Varric sat at the head of the stone circle, his silver braids gleaming in the ethereal light.

Elder Bram occupied his usual position to the right, his expression carved from granite.

Emmett flanked the left side, his weathered hands folded on the stone table.

Two other Council members Diana recognized but rarely spoke to completed the tribunal.

"Diana Merrick," Varric's voice carried across the clearing. "You've been summoned to address concerns regarding your suitability as innkeeper of the Hearth & Hollow."

"I understand."

"An anonymous complaint has been filed questioning your competence, your integration into our community, and your ability to serve supernatural guests safely." Varric gestured to the chair placed opposite the Council. "Please, sit."

Diana remained standing. "I prefer to face this standing, if that's acceptable."

"As you wish." Varric opened a leather folder. "The complaint cites several concerns. Delayed supplier payments, questions about your background verification, concerns about your understanding of supernatural customs."

"All of which are false."

"Are they?" Elder Bram leaned forward. "Our investigation suggests otherwise. Supplier disruptions, financial irregularities, reports of inappropriate questions being asked about pack hierarchies and territorial boundaries."

"What investigation?"

"Anonymous sources expressing concern about the inn's management." Bram's pale eyes fixed on her. "Witnesses to conversations where you demonstrated alarming ignorance of basic supernatural protocols."

Diana felt the trap closing. "May I see these reports?"

"That's not how this works," Bram replied. "We're here to assess your responses to legitimate concerns, not debate evidence."

"Then let me respond." Diana straightened her spine. "I've paid every supplier on time. My financial records are open for review. As for supernatural protocols, I've worked with Miriam Caldwell for weeks learning appropriate customs and procedures, as well as others among the community."

"Learning from a human who married into our community decades ago," Bram said dismissively. "Hardly authoritative guidance."

"Careful, Bram." Miriam's voice carried steel. "Henry Caldwell served on this Council for fifteen years. Are you questioning his judgment in choosing me as his mate?"

"I'm questioning whether human perspective is sufficient for training someone to serve our community's needs."

"Then question me directly," Diana said. "What protocols do you think I don't understand?"

"Territorial respect. Pack hierarchy. The delicate balance required when hosting multiple supernatural species with competing needs."

"I understand that lion shifters prefer ground-floor rooms with multiple exits.

That wolf packs don't share communal spaces during full moon weeks.

That fae guests require iron-free accommodations and permission before photographing them.

That vampire visitors need blackout curtains and discretion about their feeding arrangements. "

Bram's eyebrows rose slightly. "Textbook knowledge."

"Practical knowledge. Applied successfully during my tenure."

Footsteps approached from the forest path. Twyla emerged carrying a wicker basket, her wheat-colored hair catching the fae-lights.

"Sorry I'm late," she called cheerfully. "Had to finish these."

She approached the stone circle and set down her basket. "Fresh signatures supporting Diana's continued management of the Hearth & Hollow. Thirty-seven residents vouching for her competence, professionalism, and positive impact on our community."

Twyla began distributing papers like legal exhibits.

"Edgar Tansley says Diana's the first innkeeper who actually reads his potion labels instead of just assuming they're decorative.

Freya Bloom confirms that Diana correctly identified and removed iron fixtures that were causing discomfort to fae guests.

Tom Brewster notes that Diana successfully mediated a territory dispute between two visiting shifter families without involving Council enforcement. "

"And these," Twyla produced a cloth-covered tray, "are mini scones. Because important discussions require proper refreshments."

Elder Bram stared at the tray. "You brought baked goods to a formal Council proceeding?"

"I brought evidence of community integration. Diana taught me that recipe. It was Miriam's grandmother's, passed down through three generations of innkeepers." Twyla's smile was sharp. "Seems relevant to questions about whether she understands inn traditions."

Varric accepted one of the signature papers. "These are extensive testimonials."

"Diana asked for community support. The community responded." Twyla settled onto a fallen log like she planned to stay. "Funny how that works when someone actually earns respect instead of demanding it."

"The complaint remains valid," Bram insisted. "Anonymous sources with legitimate concerns about operational irregularities."

"About that." Varric pulled out a different folder. "We received some additional information this evening. Research from Moira Marsh's archival project, cross-referencing business license applications with suspicious complaint patterns."

He opened the folder, revealing bank statements and corporate documents. "Seems the anonymous complaint was purchased. Two thousand dollars from something called Backwoods Consulting, paid to Gerald Finch for filing specific violations against the Hearth & Hollow Inn."

"That's..." Bram leaned forward, studying the documents.

"That's fraud," Emmett said quietly. "Manufactured evidence designed to trigger ownership review."

Diana stared at the papers. Someone had tried to destroy her with lies, but the truth had found its way to light.

"The complaint is dismissed," Varric announced. "However, given the serious nature of this attempted manipulation, we're deferring final judgment for twenty-four hours."

"Why defer?"

"Because we want to investigate the source of this Backwoods Consulting. And because we want to speak with someone who can address the inn's security during this period of... elevated attention."

Varric looked directly at Diana. "We'd like Rowan Baneville to appear tomorrow evening to discuss protective measures for the inn and its guests."

Diana's chest tightened. "Rowan isn't here."

"Where is he?"

"I asked him not to come. I needed to handle this myself, prove I could defend the inn without supernatural protection."

"And you have," Miriam said firmly. "But the Council's request is reasonable. Security concerns affect the entire community."

"Will you ask him to appear tomorrow?" Varric asked.

Diana nodded, though part of her wondered where Rowan was right now, what he was doing while she faced judgment alone. She'd told him to stay away, insisted on fighting her own battle. But in this moment, looking at evidence of deliberate sabotage, she wished he were here beside her.

"Twenty-four hours," Varric announced. "We reconvene tomorrow at sunset."

As the Council dispersed and fae-lights dimmed, Diana walked back toward the inn with Miriam and Twyla flanking her like bodyguards.

"You did well," Miriam said. "Stood your ground, spoke truth, let the evidence speak for itself."

"Someone tried to destroy me with lies."

"Someone failed," Twyla corrected. "Because this community knows who you are and what you're worth."

Diana looked ahead to where the inn's windows glowed warm and welcoming. Tomorrow she'd have to find Rowan, convince him to speak for the inn's security. Tonight, she just wanted to go home to the place she'd fought so hard to keep.

But first, she had a question that couldn't wait.

"Twyla, how did you know to bring those signatures tonight?"

Twyla's smile turned mysterious. "Let's just say some people have very good instincts about when support might be needed."