“Good morning. It’s going to be a long one, so I hope you don’t mind that we dive right in,” the judge said to the entire courtroom. He glanced to the side. “What do we have up first on the docket?”
“Keller, Dashiell. Reclassification,” the clerk announced.
“Ah, yes,” the judge said, scanning the file the clerk slid in front of him. “Mr. Keller, if you’d come forward?”
Emerson rose with Dash and hugged his mate before watching the man walk alone to the podium. He wished he could be there at Dash’s side, but he wasn’t allowed.
“Do you have all your paperwork ready for me?” the judge asked.
Dash handed it to the bailiff, who brought it to the judge.
“Everything seems in order,” the judge said. He lifted his gaze to Dash. “And you hereby attest that you are an omega and not the alpha which you were classed?”
“Excuse me, your honor,” Emerson said, rising and interrupting.
Dash glared over his shoulder at Emerson.
The judge looked over the top of his glasses at Emerson. “And you are?”
Emerson ignored the laser beams Dash was shooting his way. “Mr. Keller’s mate. Emerson Walker.”
“I was about to make a ruling in your omega’s favor—as soon as he answered my question. I don’t know why you’re taking up my time interrupting.”
“My mateisn’tan omega,” Emerson said. “If you read the affidavit the doctor wrote, it clearly says that Dash is a hybrid—both alphaandomega.”
“He has to choose one, Mr. Walker.”
“Does he?” Emerson asked the judge.
“I don’t follow,” the judge replied.
“I sat up last night and reread the classification laws and nowhere did I see that a man was limited to only one class. Why can’t he be classed as both?” Emerson asked.
The judge sighed. He looked at Emerson… and looked at Dash, before he turned to his clerk. “Bring me a copy of the statute.”
“I thank you for taking the time, your honor,” Emerson said.
The clerk hefted a massive tome onto the judge’s bench and flipped to the appropriate page. The judge gave Emerson one last glare over his glasses before pausing to read. After he was done, he looked back up at them, appearing to contemplate the question.
“My job is not to create the law, but to interpret what the Fort Seattle Senate puts forth. Upon re-reading the statute, I find Mr. Walker has a point. It does not state that a man is limited to only one classification. Because Mr. Keller’s doctor attests that he is both alpha and omega, he has the right to claim both.” The judge eyed Dash.“Ifyou’re agreeable, Mr. Keller?”
“Yes,your honor,” Dash said. “Very agreeable.”
“Then I ask again,” the judge said. “Do you hereby attest that you are omegaandalpha and wish to be classed as both?”
“Yes, your honor,” Dash said, shoulders square.
“Then let it be known that Dashiell Keller will have the class of AO placed on all official documents from this day forward and any documents from the past shall be changed in accordance with this ruling. Case closed. Have a lovely day, Mr. Keller.” The judge smiled at Emerson. “And Mr. Walker.”
Dash rushed back down the middle aisle, anger stitched on his face. Emerson’s smile faded, fearing he’d crossed another line. When Dash flung himself on Emerson and hugged him tight, he sighed with relief.
“You could’ve warned me,” Dash growled at him.
“I didn’t want you talking me out of it,” Emerson said. Realizing he still had a question left, he eyed the judge. “Your honor, one more question, if I may.”
The judge looked up from signing Dash’s ruling. “Yes?”
“Would Dash and I legally be allowed to mate?”
