“Isn’t that supposed to be my line?” I joke halfheartedly.
She rewards me with a thin smile, but her eyes dart toward the tent walls, which barely mask the hum of many voices.
“Ready?” I ask, stroking the soft skin on the back of her hand.
Red nods and we rock to our feet. She takes a deep breath before stepping through the flapping entrance. Murmurs run through the gathered crowd, and a host of cameras click. This is the first press conference she’s ever called, and more journalists responded than I dared hope for.
Her hand still quivers in mine, but my beautiful omega stands tall, her scarlet hair in a teased braid draping over one shoulder. She smiles, not quite serene but resolute. Considering a day ago she was lifeless and unwilling to eat, this is a vast improvement.
Red leads me over to the hired microphone set up by the side of the road. The prison’s imposing outer fences, capped with rolls of barbed wire and interspersed with manned guard towers, form a severe backdrop that makes her look small and fragile.
The crowd hushes as she lifts one hand. “Thank you for coming out on this fine day.” Red smiles wryly as she shrugs her shoulders against the gusting spring wind. “I’m camping outside the Laversham Alpha Lodgings because the authorities unfairly imprisoned my alpha, and I can’t stand by and do nothing.” She flashes a cheeky smile. “Also, they tell me I’m not allowed to break him out this time.” Red pauses and some of the journalists laugh. “So, I’m coming to you, the community, for help to fight this betrayal of justice.”
My heart aches for her, recalling how she screamed out a wild plan to rescue Zack. It must be painful even to mention.
My omega’s expression grows more serious as she leans into the microphone. “Not only does Zackary Jones not understand the legal system, but the state has housed him with dangerous alphas. Yesterday, at 1 pm, a group of prisoners ganged up and attacked him. Zack has broken ribs, a broken nose, and other injuries from the attack.” She tightens her grip on my hand, and unease quivers through our faint bond.
The reporters all surge in, babbling a dozen questions at the same time. I lift my hand and step forward protectively, chillingly conscious of how small I am. But when I turn, I lock gazes with Agent Pierce, and he gives me a small nod. After the blackmail text messages and the attack on Zack, the OCB decided Red was at risk in the ongoing investigation and reassigned Pierce and Josef back to us. If they hadn’t, the OmegaCenter planned to assign guards, showing how worried they also are about the developments.
At least I’m not here on my own.
“One question at a time, please,” I caution loudly.
“What outcome do you want from this protest, Ms Jones?” the first reporter asks.
Red leans toward his microphone. “I want Zack released, and I want the justice system to provide a safer environment for disadvantaged alphas like my Zack.”
Another hand rises. “Why do you think the justice system should be modified for the sake of a few?”
Red’s jaw twitches as she considers, and I resist the urge to jump in. Let her speak from the heart, even if the press tries to create controversy.
She catches the journalist’s eye. “The men coming from the underground fighting rings aren’t alphas who grew up in society and then lost their sensibilities. They never learned the rules we all play by. If I had to compare, I’d say they speak another language, one that’s primal. We offer translation services to people who can’t understand English, and we build special access for those who can’t climb steps, and create programs in schools for kids who need extra help.” Her shoulders heave as she breathes deeply, and then she smiles faintly. “This is the same application of fairness. Alphas like Zack are citizens of this nation who deserve our care, but they need a separate process.”
“Ms Jones.” A microphone pushes forward, and the reporter flashes an unfriendly smile. “The courthouse attack wasn’t Zackary Jones’s first outburst. Why did you take a dangerous alpha out into public spaces?”
A phantom hand grips my heart and squeezes. I’ve never been prone to violence, but an unfamiliar impulse flares in my chest, making me want to lay into this man for suggesting Red’s done anything wrong. She’s been blaming herself too much already.
We trade loaded glances, but Red doesn’t show any hint of her self-doubt as she answers. “It’s not a simple process to teach a grown man to function in our complex society. According to the official guidelines for alpha rehabilitation, they require a safe environment and positive learning opportunities.”
She straightens her shoulders and looks around the various cameras. “So that’s what we did. Zack’s spent his whole life in a cell . . . a reality I’m sadly familiar with. It wasn’t healthy for him to go back into a cage, which is why, with advice from professionals, we took him into public on a leash. We followed many steps to reduce the potential dangers, and I’d like to thank the Omega Crimes Bureau for their rehabilitation program, and Agents Pierce and Josef in particular, for their support.” Her voice pitches a little, telling me her emotions are rising as she finishes. “Zack may have had a few hiccups out in public, but there’ve been no formal complaints or cases made against him. We kept him with us to make sure he was happy and had opportunities to learn about the world.”
I wrap my arm around her. She’s doing so well, I could believe she’d been speaking in public all her life.
The crowd shifts, and I spot a familiar face that makes my heart plummet. My mother stares up at me, an uncanny wistfulness in her expression. What the fuck is she doing here? I’m getting that bloody restraining order pronto.
I clamp my teeth together as she shoulders through the others and calls out, “I have a question. What does your first alpha think about you bringing a mentally challenged alpha into the fold?” Her gaze narrows, one side of her mouth quirking as if she knows something. As if she thinks she knowsme.
Red hesitates and swivels toward me, confusion on her face. “Is that your birth mom?” she hisses, trying not to move her lips.
“Yeah.” I nod grimly and then snort. Is it so strange that I welcome Zack’s presence in our family? I guess she’d have to becapable of love to understand how I feel. The realization brings a smile to my face because it means I graduated from a life lesson my parents never did.
I lift my shirt to reveal the bond mark on my hip. “Zack’s a beloved member of this family, and I’ve accepted him as pack alpha in my body and my heart.” It feels amazing to tell the world the truth. “To consider him mentally challenged is not only insulting but reveals a level of misinformation that doesn’t belong here at this press conference.”
My DNA-giver’s smile falters.
I shift my gaze elsewhere, so I don’t have to look at her or wonder why she’s here. “This is exactly why we’re calling for attention to Zack’s situation. He’s not some alpha descended into madness or missing brain functions. He’s an intelligent and considerate man who doesn’t belong in prison. Please help us set this right by signing the petition and contacting your local government representatives.”
Red rewards me with a dazzling smile and squeezes my hand. Although I can’t say she’s back to her usual self, seeing an expression other than blankness warms my heart. We can get through this together.
