“Edward Strout?” Councilman Matthias repeats, his brows lifting slightly as his attention shifts to us. “Strout’s heir?”
Edward rises smoothly to his feet. “Greetings, Councilman.”
“What brings you here?” Matthias asks, suspicion creeping into his tone. “Does your father know?”
“I have no idea.” Edward replies.
The man studies him for a few seconds, then shakes his head slowly. “Are the allegations against you true, Strout?”
“No, Councilman.” Edward answers. “They are baseless accusations. Layla Foster and I are mates and she has been claimed and marked by me.”
This time, I risk a glance at the other row and my father’s jaw is locked so tight it looks like it might crack.
Colt doesn’t look any better. Amber, though… She looks like she came here specifically to confirm the rumors an
