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Wilder…
He placed two fingers through the bars to caress the glass, smiling through the tears falling down his face.
21
Wilder hurried through the crowd, urging Avery’s brothers and uncle into the courthouse. He hadn’t watched the time well enough. They only had seconds to spare once they arrived inside and took their seats—which had Rohan and Tensen had luckily saved for them. They sat just behind the defense team in the overcrowded courtroom. Close to his omega. Avery spun, eagerly searching their faces. Wilder noticed the worry in his expression.
When his gaze landed on Wilder, a shine came to his eyes. Wilder smiled with all the love he had in his heart, hoping it would be enough to buoy Avery’s spirits. He took his mate’s hand in his and squeezed it, too unsure how much more he should show in court.
Rohan had already warned him that this hearing would go nowhere. The judge would likely accept the guilty plea and they would have to bring the case to the full Tribunal panel. He hadn’t talked to Avery beforehand, and he kicked himself in the ass for not stealing inside sooner. “Sorry we’re late. It’s a madhouse out there.”
Yet the protest outside had been vital, too. The voices on the other side of the wall pulsed like a toothache, and he hoped the judge and provincial attorney felt it down to their bones. It spoke to public opinion, which was clearly on their side.
Perhaps it would give the province a new perspective…
Perhaps it would eventually help get Avery freed.
“It’s okay,” Avery whispered. “You’re all here now… and I know what you were doing outside.” Tears brimmed in his eyes. He searched his brothers’ and uncles’ faces, too. “What you were all doing outside. I’m overwhelmed right now. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“We won’t let you go down without a fight,” Auggie said.
“I’m so happy you two are here.” Avery glanced at the elder boy. “Lake?” Avery frowned suddenly. His gaze swung to Gray. “How is he stillhere?”
Wilder wasn’t sure what that was about. He turned his head to Gray, who wore an odd expression.
“He still has something he…appropriated,”Gray whispered.
A hint of a smile curled up the corners of Avery’s lips. “You’re allowing that?”
Gray scoffed. “This isn’t the place.”
“No… no,” Avery murmured. “You’re right.” He focused on Wilder again. “I saw you on the news.”
Wilder shrugged, his face warming. “Seems many people saw me on the news.”
“Thank you,” Avery murmured, holding his stare.
“Anything for you, my love,” Wilder whispered back.
Avery’s eyes grew wide, and he squeezed Wilder’s hand.
“Please rise. Court is in session, the Honorable Judge Harlow Beck presiding.”
The courtroom hushed, other than the racket from several dozen people rising to their feet. Wilder rose, still holding Avery’s hand as Judge Harlow Beck ambled in, his flowing steel-blue robes fluid behind him.
“You may sit,” he said as he sat.
Turning, Avery slid his hand from Wilder’s, and he missed it the second they lost contact. His heart pounded in his chest as he watched the proceeding start.
Outside, the voices got louder, as if they realized the trial had begun.
The judge’s head swiveled, and he glanced toward the windows across the room before scowling and turning back to the proceeding. “We’re here for a preliminary hearing in the matter of Alexandria Province versus Avery Noel Stephens. Before we begin, I must say that I understand this case is emotional with many points of views on what should be done, as we see from the crowd outside. Know that Iwill nottolerate any outbursts or protests within my courtroom and will hold you under contempt of court if you do not follow my rules. I can easily clear the courtroom if I feel it is necessary.”
The spectators were silent in response.
“Good,” the judge stated. He turned to Avery and his defense team. “Are you ready to proceed, counselors?”
Tensen rose to his feet for a couple of seconds. “Yes, we are, Your Honor.”
