Zack falls silent. It’s impossible to tell how much he understands, but considering he’s only been with Red for several weeks, he’s raising some super complex ideas. He’s a totally different person from the psycho she first brought home.
And this is the same man the prison system gave up on. Makes me wonder how hard they tried, and how many other ferals out there got denied a second chance.
I clear my throat. “How about you and I discuss our omega after I get you out of prison? In the meantime, you need to know—”
Zack curls his hands into fists. “I sorry.”
I freeze in shock, thinking he means he’s sorry toward me, but Zack cups his fingers around his throat. “Sorry I broke Ri-ckon rule. Pulled. Attacked.”
Good grief. I massage my nose bridge, trying to follow his logic. “Do . . . do you know what sorry means?” I ask cautiously.
“Not do. Won’t pull leash again.” He scrunches his face in concentration. “Mistake. Regret.”
His gaze falls, and the sadness in his expression tugs at my heart. If I put myself in his shoes, the entire world feels like an enemy. Just like the time he chased after a barking dog, threats exist in every shadow and noise. Must be exhausting.
I slide my tongue around my dry mouth. “Okay, Zack, that’s good. It’ll be good to tell the judge on your case that you’re sorry.”
His mouth ticks up hopefully. “Go home now?” he asks.
I slump back into my seat with a wry chuckle. For most people, those apology words would sound like empty platitudes, but he means them genuinely. He simply doesn’t understand the beastof the justice system. Hell, I’ve made it my career to understand this world, and I still feel at a loss half of the time.
“No.” I shake my head. “Unfortunately, you need to stay here until I can talk a judge into reviewing your case.”
His lips part in a silent snarl, and he assesses me. I don’t need to read minds to know what he’s thinking.
“It’s truly out of my control, Zack,” I tell him. “I promise this isn’t payback for what happened between us. This is professional, and you know I win my cases.” Oh, he probably doesn’t understand that either. Sighing, I run a hand through my hair. “I’ll get you out, Zack. I promise. But it takes time.”
“Promise?” he mutters, brows dipping together in the middle.
“Yeah, it’s like, um, a deal. I help you, and you don’t attack anyone.” I search my vocabulary for synonyms.
Zack brightens and sticks his hand out, making the cuffs clatter on the stainless-steel table. “Deal.”
I didn’t expect him to understand, but it seems someone taught him the concept. I shake his hand, feeling the strength in his grip and the calluses on his palm.
A strange prickle of emotion runs through me. My omega’s beloved alpha is alive and well, and we’ve made a deal so he doesn’t attack anyone. Maybe, just maybe, we can get through this in one piece.
I keep a hold of his hand when he pulls back. “But, Zack, listen. If you attack anyone, they’ll make you stay here longer. Much longer. Do you understand? I can’t keep our deal if you kill anyone.”
He studies me for a long moment, and then nods. “Unner-stand.”
I release him. Now his motive for attacking the journalists makes sense, so I can get on with my appeal. A mental to-do list writes itself into my mind. Check media footage from the day to pinpoint the lights that set him off. Contact the OCB to learnabout fight ring processes. Make my statement to the OCB about the attack. Petition a judge based on the evidence.
Someone maliciously provoked a sensitive alpha who’d been showing good behavior. At the very least, I should be able to get him transferred to house arrest in a matter of weeks.
When I stand, Zack rises too. “See ohm-ga?” he asks. “See Red and Ri-ckon?” His voice softens as he speaks their names, tone reverent.
I nod. “They’ll come as soon as we can get visitation. Be good, so these guards have no reason to say no.”
He frowns and leans forward. “Now?”
My heart squeezes at his desperate tone. “No, not today. In a few more days.”
Zack’s shoulders slump, and empathy makes me circle the table. “Sorry, Zack. But, um—” I search him up and down and gulp. He’s a good deal broader than I am, and trained to fight, so I don’t feel comfortable getting closer, but images of Red convulsing push me onward. “Would it be okay if I took your scent back to Red? She misses you so much.” I brace myself and open my arms.
“Hug?” Zack asks, eyes opening wide.
“Yes, a hug. I’ll pass it on to Red.”
