Lucas leaned in for a hug. “Love ya, Bro.”
Emerson hugged Lucas back. “You, too.”
Once everyone was settled, Emerson led Dash back to their seat. The Walkers sat beside and behind Dash’s parents. Their pack took up three rows of a rapidly filling courtroom.
Tanner’s head popped between theirs. He pressed a kiss to Dash’s cheek. “Sorry I’m late. I came in with Fitz, but I had to pee.”
“TMI,” Dash whispered. He smiled at Tanner. “Thanks for coming.”
“Don’t mention it.” Tanner said before leaning an arm on Emerson’s shoulder. “I hear you liked the show. We knew you would.”
“It wasn’t for us,” Dash murmured, his cheeks growing a bit pink.
“Yet you watched the whole thing in one night,” Tanner said.
Dash eyed Emerson before he looked at Tanner. “We did not.”
“Bayley checked his history andsomeoneusing his log-in watched the whole season in a single night. So, nice try.” Tanner hugged Emerson’s neck. “Maybe I’ll buy you guys a subscription as a mating present so you can binge season two when it comes.”
Dash sighed, shaking his head.
“Hey, if nothing else, I just made you stop panicking over what’s about to happen for a few seconds,” Tanner said to Dash.
Dash sighed, fighting a smile but said nothing.
“Good luck, cuz,” Tanner said, squeezing Dash’s shoulder before he wandered off.
“You good?” Emerson asked Dash.
“Yeah,” Dash said, sliding his hand into Emerson’s and squeezing it.
“You’re still sure this is what you want to do?”
Dash met Emerson’s gaze. “I have no doubts. Do you?”
Emerson shook his head. “Nope.”
Dash released a slow breath, closing his eyes. Emerson leaned in and pressed a kiss to his mate’s forehead. When he moved back, he noticed an alpha sitting a few rows ahead glaring in disgust over his shoulder. Emerson narrowed his eyes and growled.
The man frowned, cringing, before turning face-forward.
Eliott’s head appeared between them. “Hey, boss, we're here.”
“We?” Dash asked. He frowned at Eliott. “Shouldn’t you be home recovering?”
“I’m allowed to walk a little. Mason brought me and he’s going to take me home.”
Emerson glanced back. Jackson and Mason stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the back of the courtroom and waved at him and Dash.
“Is everyone I know coming to this thing? It’s stressing me out,” Dash muttered.
“We’re here because we love you and want to show our support,” Eliott growled, gently punching Dash’s bicep. “Play nice.”
Emerson smiled. They’d both feared losing everyone in their lives once their secret came out. Now Dash was complaining because there were too many people there in their corner.
Eliott hugged Dash around the neck. “You got this, Dash.”
The judge’s chamber door opened and the man exited. Everyone rose and sat after he did.
