Jennifer’s heart hammered in her chest as she approached the glass double doors to the board’s conference room and she held her hand over her swollen abdomen, comforted by the presence of her unborn child. She would need all the encouragement she could get. It had taken her a long time to get up the nerve to do this but after Vince had come in to the bar and come on to her the way he had, she knew there was no way in hell she would be able to live with what had happened. Whether Dax cared for her or not, she would defend him, especially when it meant putting Vince in his place and giving Dax the recognition he deserved.
“And who do we have here?”
Jennifer froze. She hadn’t expected the room to be quite so full. Apparently, she had timed her confrontation well.
The man who spoke was tall, gaunt, and stared at her from across the room with steely eyes that seemed to penetrate every inch of her soul. He must have been a powerful shifter; only those with magic had that look about them.
“My name is Jennifer,” she said, her voice a hoarse whisper. She cringed. She was going to have to do better than that. Dax’s honor was at stake here.
“Jennifer,” he repeated. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”
“…or interference.”
Jennifer prickled at the sound of Vince’s voice and her eyes scanned the table until it fixed upon his face.
“I’m here because of you… and what you’ve done.”
“Me?” Vince asked, laughing arrogantly. “You’re the one who just barged in on a civilized meeting like some ill-mannered—”
“Hush! Let the human speak.”
The elder with the dark eyes silenced Vince and although she was nervous, she felt heartened by his words.
“You gave the promotion to the wrong man,” Jennifer said. She hadn’t had anything prepared to say to them and suddenly realized just how crucial it might have been to prepare ahead of time. But there was no going back now. She was going to have to keep speaking whether what she sad made sense or not.
“Oh?” the elder asked, raising his brow. She could feel all eyes on her, especially the heated anger from Vince a she continued speaking.
“The man who truly deserves this promotion is Dax. You all know it. I overheard Vince and his friend Billy out at the bar. Billy has a grudge against him and they were plotting to knock him out of the running. Dax is a really amazing guy. He’s gone through a lot of hell, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve this promotion. He needs this job!”
“And what ties have you to Dax, human?” the elder asked, his gaze unwavering. She could sense somehow he already knew, but he wanted to see how she responded to his questions. Jennifer took a deep breath.
“He is the father of my child. And even though he doesn’t want us to be together, that doesn’t mean I won’t defend his honor. Vince is not the man he pretends to be!”
“That’s preposterous!” Vince exclaimed, standing up and fixing a fierce look on Jennifer. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You don’t even know me!”
“No, but I know of you. Of the things you’ve done. Of your character. And how you tried to pick me up at the bar even though I’m pregnant and you’re married. What kind of a twisted, arrogant son of a bitch would—”
“Please human,” the elder interrupted kindly. “We prefer not to use profanity here, particularly that of a human nature.”
“Of course, I’m sorry. All I meant to say was that Vince isn’t a stand-up man with everything figured out. He’s a master of illusion. He’s a schemer, and he’s a thief.”
“A thief?” the elder asked, raising a brow.
“He put a virus on Dax’s computer to spy on him and steal his ideas. He took his entire presentation. He even stole the seal that Dax needed to qualify for consideration before the council. Nothing about this man is honorable! He’s a slime ball!”
The elder took a heavy sigh and Jennifer dared to glance at Vince, whose face was a deep purplish red color. She couldn’t help but feel satisfied by his frustration.
“What do you have to say for yourself, Vince?”
“She’s lying!”
The council rose from the table, all but Vince, and huddled together for a moment, speaking in soft ancient bear-shifter tongue before facing Jennifer once again.
“We believe you, Jennifer. It took great strength of will to come here today and to tell us what you know to be true. You are a very honorable woman, and an ideal mother for a shifter child. We commend you.”
Jennifer was floored. Vince gaped at the exchange, his eyes flickering between Jennifer and the elders rapidly in disbelief. “You can’t be serious! This isn’t happening!”
“Oh, but I’m afraid it is, Vince, and it is our sworn duty to see to it you find your judgment in a divine court of law. Our Ancestral Magics will get the truth out of you, one way or another… and then your punishment will be decided.”
“Punishment?”
“Arrest him,” the elder said tiredly. “He is not going to make matters any easier on himself.”
Jennifer watched as three of the middle-aged members of the board approached Vince and tied his hands behind his back. They led him out of the room as he kicked and screamed, attempting to release himself and prove his innocence, but it was already too late.
“Thank you for all you have done here today, human. It is good to know the integrity of the board is being kept. We will take your words into consideration. You may leave now.”
“Th…thank you,” Jen stammered, giving the elders an awkward, spur of the moment bow before leaving the conference room.
She drove back to her home, elated and stroking her swollen belly excitedly. Whether Dax wanted her or not, she had at least given him a second chance. Sometimes that was all you could do.