Zack rises and leans into the bars to get a better look. His eyes fill with questions as he glances back at me. “Tell the truth,” I say.
“Dar-in-ee-an guard. Zack crack bones in his side when I in that prison.” The chained alpha places his hands together andbows his head forward. “Zack sorry. I not know law say don’t attack then. Please don’t keep Zack from his pack because of side pain.”
My throat swells around my next words. Look how far Zack’s come, to reflect and apologize, and even to understand the nuances of this court setting.
“Have you seen him anywhere else?” I ask thickly.
“Yes.” The big alpha nods, and his eyes narrow in anger. “In cell when I bond my omega and again when Mack-henna dragged Zack from cell to Laversham Lodgings on day of danger and smelly oil.”
When the judge frowns, I direct him back to the OCB case notes, which we can’t discuss openly. He scans them, and then understanding dawns.
“In defense of my client, I would like the court to ask why a prison guard from Darinian was present in Laversham and not only served papers denying bail to the local police within an hour of Mr Jones’ arrest but also personally drove him to Laversham’s Alpha Lodgings.”
The judge waves toward the prison officer. “Rise and state your name for the court.”
“McKenna Ashford, Your Honor.” He glances our way, liquid spite in his eyes. “I was assigned to chase the inmate after he escaped from Darinian Alpha Lodgings with the omega Red Jones’ aid. This was after our psych teams declared him unfit for rehabilitation. He’s a danger to society and shouldn’t remain in public.” The acid in his voice makes me think he means something more along the lines of Zack shouldn’t remain alive.
“That’s all well and good as your opinion,” the judge says, voice steely, “but the question you need to answer is why you are involved with this case.”
McKenna’s hands quiver as if he wants to form fists and punch something. “As I said, I was assigned to the escaped prisoner case, and the investigation was ongoing.”
He’s not even using Zack’s name, as if that would grant him too much humanity. We thought the devils were running the fighting kennels, but they’re everywhere.
Zack’s deep voice booms through a momentary lull in the courtroom. “I speak.” We all swivel to find him gripping the bars tight.
The judge allows it, and my heart pounds against my ribcage as I prepare for whatever bomb is about to drop.
The alpha looks over at the Lodgings officer. “Mack-henna not like Zack. Says I belong in prison, but not his brother.”
Damn, he couldn’t say anything more perfect.
I spin around, triumph pouring through me. “I think I can add to that, Your Honor.” Lifting my phone, I read the details off Hale’s text message. “Isaac Ashford was committed to the Sweet Springs mental institution in Darinian four years ago on October thirteenth. McKenna has submitted three petitions since to have him released.” I look up, catching the judge’s eye. “I’d also like to repeat Mr Jones’ statement that he unwittingly broke Mr McKenna Ashford’s ribs earlier this year. This seems like a clear motive to me.”
No one needs help connecting the dots.
The judge sighs. “Mr Ashford, do you consider Mr Jones more rightfully committed compared to your brother?”
McKenna stands again to answer, expression tight. “This isn’t a matter of personal reason, Your Honor. I’m simply following up on my assignment related to an escaped prisoner.”
The judge loses his calm, straightening and glaring. “Answer the question!” Alpha dominance sizzles in his voice, making me and even Zack snap up straighter.
McKenna spasms. “Yes, Your Honor. It’s a stain on our nation that these unhinged alphas walk free and join packs, especially through illegal activities.” His face wrinkles with a sneer. “Had Ms Jones not intervened with criminal actions of her own, this feral would already have been euthanized.”
“Well, thank God he wasn’t,” the judge says. “Why were you in Laversham when the arrest took place?”
McKenna reels slightly, eyes darting around the room as if searching for answers. “I, ah, was following up on a case . . .”
“Are you a lawyer or an agent?” the judge asks sharply.
“No.”
“So, when I contact your superiors at Darinian Alpha Lodgings, they’ll tell me they assigned you to be in Laversham on that day to see to what? Another escaped prisoner?”
He wilts. “No, Your Honor.”
“As I thought. You will give the bailiff your address, and you will remain there while we investigate your presence in Laversham for obstruction of justice, since we can’t even fathom why an unrelated prison officer sits in this courtroom today.” He skims through some notes and then looks up, gaze harder than ever. “And for taking bribes, since there seems to be a lot of money changing hands in the related investigations.”
The shocked look on McKenna’s face brings me so much joy, I feel like I might burst. He deserves everything that’s coming his way, but the chilling reality of his personal grudge reminds me how helpless all ferals are, facing prejudice from an entire world that can’t picture what their lives are like. The idea that’s been blooming in the back of my mind bursts into a full picture of how I could help them. They need sanctuary; a place to learn the rules and feel safe, like Zack has.
