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Whispers and gasps filled the courtroom. The rumor mill would be in full churn soon. He’d done his best to keep the focus on Avery and not turn it into a drama with heats, babes, and matings involved.
“Itisyour desire to take full-custody of the child in question, upon birth?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
The judge eyed him for a moment. “As you are innocent in this matter, I rule your rights would in fact be impinged if the province took the child.”
“Your Honor!” Mr. Wombley cried.
“You’re granted full custody of the unborn child growing within Avery Stephens, as long as you prove you are indeed the father. Furthermore,” the judge proclaimed, “I believe you have the right to attend any doctor visits with your omega while he is incarcerated so that you can ensure the child is being well taken care of and your omega healthy during said pregnancy.”
Wilder’s lips curled upward.
“Court is adjourned. The defendant is remanded back into the care of the Surrogacy Prison,” Judge Beck said before banging his gavel.
Wilder spun, happy with the news. His smile faded the second he saw Avery—still unable to look at him. He crossed the gap between them and stopped on the other side of the table, attempting to force Avery’s focus. “I thought you’d want the child protected?”
“I do,” Avery spat. “But I didn’t realize I’d be thrown under the bus in the meantime. I’m the criminal, and you’re a perfect angel, it seems. Now youownthis child in my belly.I’m thrilled.”
“It’s nothing like that,” Wilder said.
“I should’ve warned you,” Tensen interrupted. “I should’ve told you what I planned to use… but I thought you wanted me to protect the babe? I did what I had to do in order to make that happen.”
Avery’s jaw clenched. “Sure.”
Wilder circled the table and lifted his omega’s jaw. “Iloveyou. And our child.”
Tears shone in Avery’s eyes as he stared up. “It was hard to hear.” He wiped away a tear before it fell.
Wilder captured the other, wiping it away gently. “I would do anything in my power to protect you and this child. I’m sorry if Tensen’s tactic hurt you.”
“Did you know beforehand?”
“He didn’t,” Tensen replied. “He was hesitant about the custody play from the start, and I wasn’t sure I should tell him. You? I should’ve warned.”
“I’m sorry,”Wilder whispered.
“Why? You’re the angel here. No reason for you to be sorry,” Avery muttered.
“I love you,” Wilder said again.
Avery’s lower lip quivered. He nodded. “Me, too.”
Wilder held Avery’s stare, his heart near to bursting from the returned affection. Before he swooped in for a kiss, a guard appeared, ready to take Avery back to prison. “A moment, please?”
“He needs to return,” the guard said, lifting a set of shackles.
Wilder stepped between Avery and the guard and stole that kiss. Avery melted into him, clinging to his lapels. They parted, only to have the guard rip Avery from his arms. Balling his fists, Wilder held back the urge to beat the guard into a bloody pulp. Avery glanced over his shoulder as they led away from them, the shine still glittering in his eyes.
All Wilder wanted was to hold his mate close and make everything better. He couldn’t, and it was killing him inside.
Once Avery was gone, Gray appeared at his side.
“Don’t give too much credence to what he said. He’s amid one of the hardest battles of his life, being parted from his alpha, and the introduction of pregnancy hormones into his body. He’s emotional.”
“You should’ve seen him looking outside at the protest,” Rohan said. “He was thunderstruck. He knows it was you… who got this crazy ball rolling.”
“As far as that crazy ball,” Tensen added. “We could’ve offered some legal advice… like getting some permits beforehand would’ve been smart. You notified us too late.”
