Aidan pulled his truck up to the front of Bertoli’s, and I climbed in on the passenger’s side. He threw the transmission into drive and sped out across the icy road ahead. We’d be at the Lodge in no time, that is if we made it in one piece with his reckless driving. My stomach flipped somersaults when I thought about being back at the Lodge with all the council members from his pack again. Would they really trust me enough to help me with the case? What if they sided with Dominic?

When we arrived at the Lodge, several shifters from the council were already waiting for us inside. Although I was nervous, the ambience was welcoming. It was bright and cozy inside the Lodge, with a crackling wood fireplace that warmed the entire open space. I’d been so intimidated the first time I came here, I couldn’t enjoy it. This time, being at the Lodge felt infinitely more comfortable.

Jameson greeted us at the front door when we arrived.

“Aidan!” His eyes lit up when he saw his twin brother. “And Olivia.” He smiled warmly at me. “I heard about Aidan taking the oath. I guess congratulations are in order. You’re practically part of the family now.” He brought me into a tight hug.

He led us over to the long, oak table where the Council had interrogated me on my last visit. This time, there was a large, white box in the center of the table. Chase’s name was scrawled across the cardboard in black Sharpie marker.

“What’s that?” I lifted my eyebrow and pointed to the box.

“It’s some of Chase’s stuff. I went over to his place and got it for you. Seems like you should have his things, since you’re his only chance at a decent defense.”

“Wow, that’s super helpful. Thanks.”

I couldn’t believe Jameson had gathered all this for me, especially when Dominic wanted me to drop the case. Maybe Aidan taking me as his mate really had changed everything.

I leafed through the items of personal belongings, shocked at the unexpected boon.

“That’s weird. I thought I got everything from his apartment,” I said. “The police had a search warrant, and confiscated most of Chase’s personal belongings. The DA gave me copies of all his records during the discovery phase of the trial. Are you sure these are his?”

Jameson crinkled his nose. “Yes, I’m sure. Let’s just say I knew where to find Chase’s hidden files. Those are for your eyes only. Since you’re family now.”

“I…thanks.” I didn’t know what to say.

“She hasn’t said yes officially,” Aidan said with a slight bitterness to his voice. “She’s stringing me along. Isn’t that right, Olivia?”

I stammered, suddenly at a loss for words.

Aidan linked his arm playfully around my shoulder. “I’m just teasing you,” he smiled. “Assuming she says yes, the mating ceremony will be this weekend. The high priest will perform it at the temple, and then…”

“Right,” Jameson said. “I know what happens inside the temple.”

“You do?” Aidan and I both said at the same time. Jameson wasn’t mated to anyone, as far as I knew.

“Don’t sounds so surprised,” he laughed. “I can guess as well as anybody what goes on inside those ceremonies. Lots of chanting and mumbo jumbo, exchange of blood, and probably sacrificing a virgin on an altar or some shit.” He laughed nervously.

I hoped that he was kidding about the virgins and the blood. Chanting and mumbo jumbo, I could take. Blood was another thing entirely. I was squeamish at the sight of it. Besides, why was I even thinking about the ceremony? It wasn’t going to happen so quickly. No way.

“Thanks for the files. I’ll take a look through them. Maybe there will be something in there that will clear Chase’s name.”

Aidan massaged my shoulders softly. A pleasurable tingle spread through my body from his comforting, warm hands.

“I’m going to need to talk to the council in private,” he said under his breath. “It’s just a formality, but at these meetings, it’s shifters only. I hope you understand.”

My cheeks flushed red. “Of course, I understand. I’ve got to go through Chase’s paperwork anyway. I’ll be down the hall if you need me.”

“Okay. I’ll be there as soon as I’m done talking to them,” he squeezed my hand for comfort.

I picked up the stack of legal documents and headed down the hallway to the room where I’d waited last time during the council meeting. I wasn’t sure, but I swore I felt Aidan’s eyes staring straight at my ass as I wiggled down the corridor. It felt good to feel wanted, especially by someone so damn sexy.

Once I was inside the room, I spread Chase’s files out across the carpeted floor. I pulled a thick manila envelope full of paperwork, a shoebox of souvenirs, and a laptop computer out of the box.

I opened the shoebox and sorted through a few snapshots of Chase Reynolds and the victim, Charlotte Smith. There were some restaurant receipts, and a bunch of other junk. Nothing new, really.

I clicked the laptop open and prayed that Chase didn’t use a password. As luck would have it, he didn’t. With one click of the mouse, I was inside his personal computer. I was floored that the prosecution hadn’t found this laptop in his apartment. I swallowed the lump in my throat and started looking through his files on the bright blue screen.

It was a goldmine of information. Ethically and legally, I was required to turn it over to the prosecution. But I was in a shifter village, and shifter laws were different than human laws. Who said that human laws were more valid than shifter laws? The line that had once been so clear in my mind was now blurred. When in Rome…