Page 136 of His Reluctant Omega

Judge Beck eyed the prosecutor. “And you are, as well?”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“Prosecution, you may proceed.”

Wilder eyed the beta leading the prosecution. It wasn’t the lead attorney for the province as they’d expected, but another. The guy was small and looked young. Too young. Was he barely out of law school?

“Good afternoon, Your Honor. It is the province’s position that Avery Noel Stephens knowingly and illegally purchased drugs to mask his scent and his heats in order to escape the Omega Quadrant and masquerade as a beta. He took a spot from a beta at a prestigious college and then held a job in the Alpha Quadrant, of all places. The number of laws he broke in order to do this,” the attorney said, rifling through a pile of papers, “are many.” The lawyer paused, surveying the courtroom. “And with the near riots outside, perhaps we should add treason to that long list, as it seems he has no problem creating chaos in the streets.”

Tensen jumped up. “Objection, Your Honor!”

“My esteemed colleague doesn’t seem to understand the severity of his client’s conduct,” the province’s attorney said.

“Perhaps, but he is right that you should contain your focus on the issues as framed by your charges actually brought and not potential ones as some means to discredit or unduly prejudice their client,” Judge Beck barked.

Wilder smiled, glad to see the judge wasn’t having any bullshit. It boded well, he supposed, not that they expected Avery to be released.

“I’m sorry,Your Honor,” the lawyer quipped.

“Are you finished?” Beck asked.

“No…” the attorney replied, appearing shaken by the judge’s ambivalence. “I… I only need to add that the province plans to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Mr. Stephens should be incarcerated to show the people of this splendid city that we will not tolerate this type of behavior.”

The man sat.Short remarks.Wilder wondered if there had been more, but the young lawyer had been too dazed to continue.

The judge scribbled something on a pad before eyeing Tensen and Rohan. “You may make your opening statement.”

Tensen rose and walked around the table to the space between that and the judge’s dais. “Your Honor, the province has no evidence that Avery Stephens used illegal drugs, and he pleads not guilty to that charge.”

“No drugs?!” the prosecuting attorney blasted, jumping to his feet. “Are you out of your mind? There’s no way he could manage four years without using masking drugs!”

“Objection overruled. Control your outburst, counsel,” the judge said. “Mr. Atkinson, you may continue.”

“Thank you, Your Honor.” Tensen took a deep breath. “As far as the other charges, we admit that hedidattend college—where he graduated near the top of his class, I might add—and hedidgain employment, earning an income so that he might support himself and his orphaned brothers. Having had no alpha and no source of income, it pitted him between a rock and a hard place. Either they would suffer and potentially lose their small home and the ability to fend for themselves, or… Avery would go out and find a means to take care of the problem.”

“So, you’re admitting he’s guilty?” the judge asked, a brow rising.

“Of those charges? Yes. But we believe the extenuating circumstances of this case—and the fate of many omegas in this province—show that these laws are unjust and offer many no other means than to break the rules.”

“Easy enough,” the province’s attorney said. “He’s admitting guilt. Case closed.”

“Wait a moment, Mr. Wombley. I wasn’t speaking to you, was I?” Judge Beck barked.

The province’s attorney immediately sat, silent.

The judge refocused on Tensen. “You are making a human rights claim?”

“I am. We charge the province with human rights violations against Mr. Stephens, as well as all omegas of the province.”

A lone cheer sprang from the spectators, and the judge glared, searching for whoever it had sprouted from. “I will haveorderin my court.”

Judge Beck turned to Tensen. “You’re aware that this court has no jurisdiction to strike down longstanding law properly adopted by the governing bodies, but may only decide on innocence or guilt as defined by that law?”

“We are, Your Honor.”

“Human Rights cases must be presented before a full panel Tribunal.”

“We are aware.”

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