"They're sympathizers!" Lady Darnell snapped. "Traitors!"
"Bring me names then. Real ones. With proof that they are not under any outside influence," Ann said. "Until then, don't confuse your bloodlust for any sort of feasible strategy."
Adam growled low, fists braced on the table.
"They burned houses last night. Families dragged into the street. You want proof? The proof is the ash that settles over our towns."
Ann turned to him, voice quieter but sharper.
"I want results,yes, but not spectacle. Spectacle is what Ely feeds on. I don't know how many times I have to say this…"
Adam's chest heaved as he battled the frustration of his wolf.
Brad spoke then, quietly from the far end.
"He's right about one thing, Ely does want blood. He's not bothered about the blood of our people or his own, it's clear that all he wants is yours."
The chamber stilled and Adam's head snapped around.
"Shut your mouth.You have no right to give any advice or opinion here."
Brad ignored him though, his eyes fixed firmly on Ann.
"He's painting targets on you, not the city. Every escalation is bait. He won't stop until he gets what he wants from you."
Adam surged half out of his chair, his eyes flashing dangerously,
"If you continue to ignore me and don't shut the fuck up..."
"Adam," Ann hissed, her voice slicing clean and Adam sank back down in his chair, this wolf rumbling its displeasure.
The nobles shifted in their seats, delighted with every glare, every growl and every insult thrown between each other.
"They're practically masturbating to the tension between you three," Maeve sneered. "Do them a favor and tear one's throat out, would you?"
Ann cringed inwardly at the imagery and tried her best to ignore her commentary, leaning forward instead, her voice low and controlled.
"Here's what we're doing. Curfews in the east and north sectors effective as of tonight. Patrols triple the rotation and I want strike teams formed under Adam's command..."
He straightened instantly. "Finally."
"...but," Ann pressed on, eyes locking with his, "Not hotheads. Wolves who can think. If you bring me a pack of rabid dogs, I'll disband it myself."
His nostrils flared.
"I'll choose."
"You'll choose the ones who can disobey you if your temper runs ahead of your orders," Ann said.
A muscle twitched in his eye but he didn't argue.
Coral slid a folder forward.
"Letters. Delivered to four estates before last night's fires." she said quietly, her expression serious.
The wax seal on each was the jagged circle. Inside were letters written in bold script:
A lamb wears a crown, it is only her leash that bares teeth. Come watch us cut it and set all of you free.
Gasps went around the table.
Adam's aura flared so violently that three nobles recoiled.
"He dares to call you a lamb." His voice shook with fury. "He mocks you. I'll put his head on the floor by dawn."
Ann's fingers pressed the paper flat.
"Not yet."
"Ann..."
"Not yet," she repeated, her voice firm. "We don't rush headlong into his little stage play."
Maren tilted her head, voice faux-sweet.
"Your majesty, forgive me, but your restraint begins to make you look… delicate. Are you certain your resolve isn't..."
Ann's gaze snapped to her as her mask slipped into one of fury.
"Say weak. I dare you." She snarled furiously, allowing Maeve to sit side by side in her eyes as she stared her down.
The woman paled instantly.
"I'm not weak. I don't break. And when I decide Ely dies, it won't be in some sloppy street brawl. It will be surgical. Final. And you'll all watch him bleed."
The silence after was almost electric.
"Maeve purred. "Give them more of that, Queenie."
The chamber broke out into whispers. Some fearful. Some impressed. None sure where to put their eyes.
Adam leaned closer and spoke with his voice low, meant only for her.
"Say the word princess and I'll end him tonight."
Ann met his burning gaze.
"And leave the city undefended while you hunt shadows? No. You'll do what I ask. You'll think as much as you fight. I need both."
Adam said nothing, his frown deepening. He clenched his fists, swallowed it down, and gave a curt nod.
Coral cleared her throat awkwardly and it was obvious that she was hesitant to tell her the next piece of information.
Ann forced a smile at her and tried to reign her temper back in.
"It's okay Coral. Whatever it is, we can find a solution for it."
A look of defeat and resignation fell over her face and the faintest trace of a sigh passed her lips before she spoke.
"My Queen…" she began, swallowing nervously, "There's one more report. On the way to the South gate the survivors found a man on a post, barely alive and…"
The silence stretched for a little too long and Ann nodded encouragingly at her to continue.
"He was branded…with your name." She finished, her voice faltering.
Every noble stiffened before chaos erupted in the chamber.
Over the noise of the nobles arguing about how this should be handled, Adam shoved back from the table violently, his chair skidding across the floor.
"Ann..please..this has to end now." He snarled, "This can't go on. Every day, refugees, nobles fighting, people dying and we sit here.."
Ann stood too before he could even finish his thought, she looked steadier than she felt.
"Bring him down carefully." She answered with a nod, "Clear the square. No one touches him until I say."
Adam's eyes burned,his wolf pushing at the surface.
"This is war."
Ann's voice cut like glass. "Not until I declare it, Adam."
Maeve's growl curled in her chest, low and dark.
Sorry Queenie, I'm with Adam on this one. He's escalating too quickly.and if you don't bite harder soon, he'll rip your crown off with your head still in it.
Ann lifted her chin ignoring Maeve's voice again.
"Council dismissed."
The chamber emptied in a flurry of whispers and rustling papers. Nobles tripped over themselves to leave, already rehearsing how they'd spin tonight's gossip.
When the doors closed, Adam's fists slammed the table, claws half-bared.
"Ann please! No more restraint he branded your name into someone's flesh! How much more do you need before you let me off this fucking leash?!"
Ann's ribs ached with the force of holding herself still.
"I need him exposed and out in the open, Adam. I don't want us just lashing out at shadows. We hunt him on my terms, not his."
But soon, Maeve murmured. Or you'll end up being choked because of your own mercy.