“Oh gosh,” Rickon says, gathering me up in his arms as the tears well over my lashes and spill down my cheeks. “Come here, my love.”
Tears were a weakness I could never afford, but now I’m safe. Now I don’t rely on masks to get me through harrowing days. A sob catches in my throat.
Rickon tucks my face into his neck and rocks me, and Callisto strokes my back. Their presence surrounds me, the cherry wood and vanilla forming a natural latte that warms me from every angle.
When I settle a bit, I pull out of their hold and swipe at my tears. “Well, I guess I needed to hear that more than I knew.”
Callisto nods. “It’s great news, but the real problem is Alpha Lodgings will use this as cause to keep Zack incarcerated.”
“Do they have video proof?” Rickon asks, jaw ticking with annoyance.
Callisto shrugs, open hands showing his helplessness. “I’m sure they have something, but they’ll reveal it last minute.”
“Can they bring new evidence today?” I ask, thinking of all the hoops we jumped through last time ahead of the court case with Ray.
He nods. “Unfortunately, because it’s an appeal and not a trial, yes. They can raise anything relevant that happens beforehand.”
I pop one hand on my hip and grumble under my breath, “Awfully convenient timing for a prison fight, then.”
Callisto points at me, thoughts running hot. “Good point. I’ll bring that up if I get a chance.”
The bond in my chest fizzes deliciously, and I jerk upright. Rickon turns too, feeling the growing presence of our bonded alpha. The side door opens and Zack shuffles in, hands and feet bound. My heart thuds heavily. A dark bruise stains his right cheek, and his bottom lip has a scab.
I jump to my feet and run forward. “Please let me hug him!” I call to the two guards flanking my alpha.
They wave me in and I throw myself onto Zack, hands wrapping around his neck.
“Red,” he murmurs, nuzzling his nose into my neck. Never has my name sounded more beautiful. He can’t get his arms aroundme, but he still grasps my hips with his fingers and somehow folds his broad body over me protectively.
My tears fall faster, and my body quivers. Gratitude floods my heart, and I cling to him, running my fingertips through his buzzed hair and squeezing the bulky muscles in his back.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For everything.”
Zack vibrates with a chuckle and shifts to lean his forehead on mine. He smiles as he studies my face. “Careful, my ohm-ee-ga. You’ll flood this room.” His tongue flicks out, sweeping up my tears.
A fresh sob shakes me, and I clasp his face with both hands. “You’re speaking so well now, tiger.”
He grins. “I learned.”
“You sure have. You’re amazing, Zack.”
There’s so much more I want to say, but his gaze flicks around the court, and then he bumps me softly. “Tell me many times when we get home while I make sex to you.”
I grin at his clumsy but sweet phrasing and step back, blowing him another kiss.
The bailiff calls for order in court and Callisto tugs me back to the lawyer’s table, pulling out the seat beside his. Rickon slides past me to hug Zack, arms tight with desperation. Zack whispers something in his ear that makes my first alpha blush, and then the guards lead him over to the dock.
My heart twists seeing him inside the barred box to the side, but surely it won’t be long now.
We rise as the bailiff announces the judge.
“Now beginning appeal 34922 for the denial of bail for Zackary Jones.” The judge pulls glasses down onto his nose and opens a file. “The appeal brought forward by Councilor Callisto Wren, and in opposition we have Alpha Lodgings, who claim Mr Jones is a danger to society, and who sought the original denial.”
I fist my hands, nails digging into my palms. No, the danger to society was in the prison where they sent Zack. Rickon leans over and takes my palm in his, easing out my tight fist.
The judge clasps his hands together and studies the lawyers at the front desks. “I’ve read the files, and I must say, this is quite the conflicting tale. One side paints Mr Jones as harmless, and the other as a violent psychopath. From experience, we know that the potential for both lies within an alpha’s nature, so, Councilor Wren, please explain to me why Mr Jones will not be a danger going forward.” He opens his hand toward Callisto in invitation.
Callisto rises and straightens his jacket. “Your Honor, my client is on a learning journey of mammoth proportions. A few months ago, he was an underground pit fighter, forced into this lifestyle by cruel criminals who gave him no choice. But since meeting his omega, Mr Jones has demonstrated not only remarkable restraint but also a thirst for knowledge.
