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Wilder sought Rohan’s gaze. He saw the same stunned silence there.
“There’s no fighting against the system here, Avery,” Tensen said. “Knowing this prosecutor, he’ll likely want to make an example of out you so no other omega attempts to do what you did. If we can keep it quiet… not go to court and keep it under the radar…. and get you into Wilder’s arms… it’s your safest play here.”
“Who said I want to be safe?” Avery asked. “Quiet? No. I want to be loud! The louder the better. The messier the better. I won’t go down easy.”
“Youcan’tdo this,” Wilder said.
“I can’t?” Avery asked, his wild gaze flipping to Wilder’s. “Do I need yourpermission?”
Wilder lifted his hands in mock surrender. “I didn’t mean it that way… only, you can’t want to remain in prison.”
“Of course, I don’t want to be here.” A tremor of fear appeared to race through Avery’s face. He suddenly appeared smaller. Scared. The bravery of just moments ago slipped from his features. Wilder swallowed a lump in his throat, his chest aching. He wanted to offer his support. Fix what was broken. Yet he was denied at every turn. “I won’t quietly sneak under the radar, be marked as chattel, and sent back to the life I was trying to escape.”
Wilder winced.
Avery moved closer to Wilder. “It’snotabout you!” He searched Wilder’s face. Seeking what, Wilder wasn’t sure. “It’s about the expectations placed on omegas by our society. Our lack of choice. Our lack of freedom. Youhaveto see that.”
He knew it, deep down. He knew it wasn’t about him, yet it was hard to hear his omega talk in such terms.
“I see it,” Wilder whispered. “Logically, I understand… as long as you know I wouldn’t put those same expectations on you.”
“I do sense that. I sense I’m a very lucky omega in the grand scheme of things. So should I rest on that comfort and accept the happy life I could have if I took the easy path?”
Wilder cringed, wishing it could be so simple—yet knowing he was selfish for wanting it.
“The easy road doesn’t change the world.” Avery shook his head. “It might make my life easier, but there are omegas out there who aren’t as lucky as I am. I need to be a voice for the voiceless. Or try to be.” Grief transformed his features for a moment. “I have no idea if I can make an impact or change anything… but Ihaveto try.”
Wilder was silent, as were Rohan and Tensen.
“Political protest,” Avery said. He searched Wilder’s face. “The only way I can make this world better for myself… for my brothers… my fellow omegas… is to stand up and speak for them.”
Disappointment was heavy in Wilder’s gut. “Iunderstandit, but you have to know every instinct in my body is roaring to protect you. To keep you out of this place.” He scrubbed his face with both hands. Silent a few seconds, his nature warred with what he knew he had to do. “I’ll support your decision, even if it’s killing me inside.”
Avery reached out to cup Wilder’s cheek. “Thank you.”
“No touching!”the guard roared.
Avery dragged his hand away. Wilder wished he could hold his omega close. Just for a minute. Better yet, a lifetime. A lifetime it didn’t appear he’d get. “You are everything to me… and wewillsearch for a way to free you. You can’t stop me from seeking another means.”
“I doubt there is another way… but feel free to search all you want. If that makes you feel better.”
Tensen cleared his throat. “We need to review a few things.”
* * *
Avery sat downopposite Tensen and Rohan, his confidence shaking—though he wasn’t sure where it had come from at all. Wilder remained standing behind him. Close enough to almost be touching, yet not. He could feel Wilder’s warmth washing over his chilled body. It wasn’t enough, but it would have to be.
Tensen cleared his throat. “The next time you step in front of the judg—”
“How soon is that?” Wilder asked.
After perusing the papers before him, he answered, “Looks like we have a month to prepare.”
“A month?”Avery cringed. A month. Might as well have been a lifetime. “They said two weeks last night.”
Wilder growled. “That’s too much. He can’t be in there that long.”
“The courts are backlogged. I’ll look into the difference in what you were told, but I’m quite sure it’s because of that. If I can push it up, I will,” Tensen said, jotting down some notes.
