"That is a massive accusation," Ajax stated, his body tightening. "What proof do you have? What evidence is there?"

These people had become my family in their own disastrous way. But now, when I looked at the poised Keiko, all I saw was the blood thirsty woman who had my nails pulled out one by one. Could they have really done that? Could they have exterminated an entire species off the face of the earth? When she had wanted to hurt me, her people had let her.

No, not Ajax and not Keiko. Even Hades with his crimson eyes and deadly powers was not violent and vengeful at his core. Defensive and occasionally impulsive is the worst that I believed they could be.

"They would never do something like that," I protested, my voice filling the room before I could decide against it.

All eyes turned to me then, the king's and queen's included. Had I known back then that all these creatures existed, I might have wanted to hunt them all down like trophies to keep, just on the off chance that they could hurt humans, that what happened to my parents happened to someone else. But with every pair of eyes on me now, I didn't feel so brave.

"And who are you, dear human?" the alchemist asked, cocking his head to one side with a simple curiosity, like he hadn't just accused someone of genocide.

"She's a werewolf hunter. Or was, until she found out that she was mated to one. But even with the mate bond destroyed, she has chosen to remain sided with us," Ajax rambled.

If the king was angling for distraction, it didn't work. The pretty MC – whatever she was—regrouped and rerouted the conversation. "She is no concern right now. Nigel, please explain what has happened to your people. Please tell us how you know that it was the werewolves that are responsible for this."

The man seemed to flicker once just as I blinked. My throat constricted. Was I about to pass out? Is that what this was? I placed my hand on Ryder's thigh, an anchor keeping me whole. His hand came on top of mine, steadying me.

Nigel, the accusing alchemist, met Ajax's cool gaze and began, " We were never strong in numbers. As we all know, my breed has trouble reproducing as many of us do. We are able to give potions of fertility and love, but seldom allowed to have such things in our life. It didn't take the werewolves long to slaughter us, one by one. Like the sirens. Rounded up like cattle."

"And why would we do such a thing?" Keiko demanded, a hitch in her voice.

"Why has any war been waged, sweet Keiko?" Nigel prompted. "Power."

"That is absurd!" Keiko protested. Her hands were clasped together in her lap, knuckles white.

"Stephanie, Quinten, grab them," the MC ordered.

Two massive beings appeared out of seemingly nowhere. Stephanie was a stunning woman, so tall with broad shoulders that I was certain she intimidated most men. Quinten was equally massive with hands that seemed large enough to wrap around my skull and crush it with one single squeeze. I didn't need to know what they were to know that I needed to be frightened of them.

"Alright, alright." Ajax rose from his chair. Though he was doing his best to maintain normalcy, there was certain jerkiness to his movements as he stepped around a couple guests, moving towards the hulks that were acting as security. "This is a huge misunderstanding at best and a blatant lie at worst, but I am perfectly fine with being locked up for a couple days while this is sorted out."

He turned his back to the two enforcers, clasping his hands behind his back. His chin was held high, something that could have been read as amusement in his eyes.

"And you, Queen Keiko, will you come willingly?" Quinten asked.

Ajax whirled around, eyes alight with something I had never seen in him before. "I have tens of thousands of community members that rely on our leadership. I have given myself up. You can hold me in a cell all you like, but we cannot leave the community without leaders. I go. Keiko stays," he ground out.

"Now, I am sorry King Ajax, but that's not how this is going to work. You rule together, you work together. We can't risk having her free at a time like this. She will be coming with us, one way or another."

"We have a child! We can't just leave our kid," Ajax snarled. The regality was lost. In it's place was the primal need to protected loved ones.

"Well, we'd be more than happy to take the child into custody as well until a more permanent solution can be found."

Ryder leapt to his feet and went to his king before the werewolf could dig himself deeper. "Don't worry about Clem. She's with your mother in law now. I'll give her a call and explain everything. Just...don't make this worse than it already is."

Ajax melted for a moment, defeated. I had seen this man a thousand days, seen him ride out a hundred emotions. But this was an unfamiliar to see. Keiko came to stand by his side, head up, eyes wild. She was doing the respectable thing, but even with her mouth clamped shut, she would not go quietly. I watched Ajax's head tip towards her. "Keiko, please, I don't—"

"We rule together," she said sternly, not glancing at him.

The two of them were led out of the conference room. No cuffs, no rope, no threats. Not even a hand wrapped around the biceps. The less the humans outside suspected the better, I assumed. Ryder didn't return to the seat beside me, just stared at the doors opened and stayed long after they closed.

"I fear there is not much more that can be said at this time. Whatever is left of the meeting will not be productive after that. The fairies are not in attendance anyway. I do not want to dismiss you all on such negative terms, but we will reschedule for a few weeks down the road, hopefully when we are able to reveal more information."

"Werewolf bastards," someone hissed.

"But is anyone even surprised?" another responded.

Then everyone rose from their chairs. Some dove for the snack table. Others circled in tight groups to whisper. Ryder just stared. And I just sat. it wasn't possible. I knew that Ajax and Keiko would never order something like that. I had seen and heard the grief and fear when they wondered if they truly were the cause for wolf-drain. But would they have to answer for the crimes if one of their own had committed them? Someone had to be accountable.

But why on earth would anyone go after alchemists? Weren't all these species more beneficial alive than dead?

"Mutt," Max blurted, moving like a liquid as he came to Ryder's side.

"Watch your mouth, blood sucker," Ryder snarled, a glimpse of the knife-twirling man from the shed peeking through.

Max immediately put his hands up in a surrendering position. "I meant no disrespect. Habit."

"What do you want? Come to tell me that werewolves are attacking vampires as well?"

"I came to offer you help," Max hissed, stepping closer to Ryder as he lowered his voice. "You might not be aware, but your royals were just taken out of here to be held in a prison."

"I am very well aware."

"Then you understand that they will need you, on the outside, to help them."

"How am I supposed to help them if I don't even understand the case against them in the first place?" Ryder snarled.

"You're heated and I understand that, but between the sirens and this, things are getting out of control. I have known the wolves for centuries. I cannot say they are free of charge, but I knew prejudices run deep. These creatures will not believe a wolf trying to prove another's innocence. When you need someone to verify your story, I will stand with you."

Max slipped away into the crowd. I watched others side-eye Ryder, saw them turn away and hurl verbal accusation at one another. The werewolves. The damned. The greedy. The violent. Too much animal in them. Just like the werecats, though thankfully those were taken care of by the humans.

"We have to get them out," Ryder managed when I finally collected myself enough to go to him.

I took his hand and led him over to the refreshments table where I poured him a glass of mint and cucumber infused water. I put it in his trembling hand and watched him as he sucked it down.

"We have to get out of here, then we can help them. Right now, I think everyone in this room wants to eat us alive."

"Ajax gave me his keys. We can take his car," he croaked.

I gripped his hand hard again and pulled him along with me. I felt like every step I made was on crumbling earth. I was dizzy. My ears were pounding. My eyes watered randomly, blurring my vision. I bumped right into the alchemist himself.

Eyes studied me for a moment. Then, in a voice that was softer – different from before – he said, "What a shame to lose the bond when you could have been cured otherwise."

~~~Distraction Section~~~~

Bonus Update because I appreciate you all!