Two black accent chairs occupy the space in front of her desk, and a long couch runs along the opposite wall. I slide into one chair and politely decline her offer. Shepherd does the same, taking the seat closest to the door. Sometimes I wonder how much of his protective behavior is instinct and how much comes from his training for the DAU.
“Just Hannah, please. Hopefully, I will be rid of both surnames soon.”
“Okay, Hannah, I’ll be honest. Your case is complex.”
My shoulders fall. I had expected as much. Without evidence of abuse, many courts are unwilling to separate children from their parents, even in cases of divorce. Shared custody with Colin can never be an option. If he is allowed time with our children, I’ll never see them again.
“Butwith the FCDA detaining your husband, we were able to get a temporary order of protection against him. It applies to your parents and his as well.”
Relief knocks the breath from my lungs. We have legal protection from them, for now. That’s better than nothing. “Thank you. That’s great to hear.”
“What do you need to convince a judge to grant their divorce and give us full custody?”
Lilah studies Shepherd with a critical eye as she contemplates her answer. She grabs a folder from the corner of her desk and passes me the page she pulls from it. “After Fated connections were discovered, divorce proceedings changed around the country, making it easier for unbonded couples to leave their marriages. Unfortunately, those laws still only applyto unions in which one or more of the married parties have found their Fate-matched mates.”
My heart races, hand instinctively moving to cover the birthmark on my inner elbow. Do I admit Shepherd and Foster share a Fated connection with me? No, I cannot do that without speaking to the two of them. They didn’t consent to being thrown into the middle of what sounds like a messy custody battle.
“With testimony from Donovan and your handler at the DAU, we will have evidence of your forced union. That should give us the edge we need to proceed with the divorce. As for custody of your children, that’s where the biggest complications arise.”
Warm fingers find mine, pulling my hand away from my arm. I glance down and see the indents my nails have left in my skin, not having realized I was squeezing so hard. Shepherd entwines our fingers, helping to steady me as I fight back tears.
Can’t this be simpler? Colin doesn’t care about me. He doesn’t care about Kaitlin either. The only one he has an interest in is the baby, and he only cares about him because he will inherit the very cult I ran away from.
Lilah doesn’t miss the intimate gesture, but she doesn’t comment on it either. “Full custody is going to be contingent on the FCDA and DAU’s case against your father, and Colin’s complicity in the cult’s activities. At this time, we don’t know what either agency will share with us. I’m afraid their case takes precedence over yours.”
“No, that’s understandable. The last thing I want is to compromise their case and somehow get my father released.” A shudder rolls down my spine at the thought. I’ll disappear with my children before I allow that to happen.
Shepherd’s thumb soothes over the back of my hand. The gentle, rhythmic motion helps steal some of the stress from mybody. “If the DAU supplies the evidence you need, is there a judge who will keep the case details confidential until the trial against Grant Montgomery and his followers has concluded?”
“That is an option we are looking into. Legally, the case must be filed in New Hampshire. Hannah, you don’t meet the residency requirements to file elsewhere.”
Nausea churns heavily in my stomach. I think I’m going to be sick.
“Don’t worry yet,” Lilah cuts in, looking panicked at what she sees on my face. “We’re taking the case before the Federal Pack Court, intending to use your escape from the cult as extenuating circumstances to prevent the case from being tried in your home state. No matter how long it takes, we will ensure Colin can never take your children away from you. I promise you that much, Hannah.”
I half-listen as she goes over the documents she will need and the dates for the meeting with the federal judge. Aside from passing this information along to Donovan, there is little I can do to help Lilah. Not until we’re in a courtroom. I was naïve to believe that escaping New Hampshire would be our fresh start. The beginning of a life without my parents’ abuse or Colin’s control. Fate hasn’t made the last thirty years of my life easy,so why would it start now?
Neither Shepherd nor I speaks on the drive back to the hospital to pick up Foster and Kaitlin. We’re both ruminating about what we heard. He’s probably second-guessing having me in his life. All the trouble I’ve already brought is a heavy weight, and here I am, adding even more. What Alpha wants to accept a Beta who would stress his Omega out with all this nonsense? A Beta who can’t even consider being affectionate with either of them until she knows she and her children are unbound from her husband?
By the time we pull into the parking garage, I’ve talked myself out of spending any more time with him or Foster. I’m sure Donovan can help Kaitlin and me find a secure, affordable apartment. Hopefully, in the same city where Omen lives. And I can get a job. I’ve never worked before, so it won’t be anything high-paying, but-
“Hannah!” Shepherd barks my name, forcefully stopping my thoughts. I blink at him once. Twice. Then the dam breaks, and the first tear falls. He’s out of the car and opening my door in seconds. I wince when he drops to his knees on the concrete, but I can’t argue when he wraps his arms around me and purrs. “We’re going to figure this out. The DAU won’t let Colin be a part of the kid’s lives, not after everything he’s done for the cult.”
I let him hold me through the rush of emotions. Pregnancy hormones make dealing with stress much more difficult. Controlling my reactions is practically impossible.
“I-I’m sorry,” I croak when the tears stop falling.
“No apologies. You’re allowed to have big feelings. To fall apart when life gets tough. I’ll be here to hold you through it all, and so will our Omega.”
Leaning my head against his shoulder, I soak in his bergamot and sandalwood scent. The woody citrus blend smells like an afternoon hike through an orchard. A little sweet, a little tangy, and masculine. It’s perfectly Shepherd.
“Let’s go get the rest of our pack, Wildfire, and then we can grab dinner and watch movies at the hotel. Tomorrow, we’ll make a plan to deal with Colin. Sound good?”
It sounds heavenly.Our pack.If Fate has any kindness left to throw my way, I hope it grants me this. A future with these men and my children. Our own happily ever after.
Chapter Thirteen
The scentof bacon and eggs is making me queasy this morning, so I’m standing by the balcony door while Kaitlin eats. We’ve been surviving on takeout and room service while we’re visiting my sister at the hospital. It’s not terrible, but the small suite isn’t home.
