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Jake Spelling brought in a guest to hash over the repercussion of the decision, and Tensen set it to mute, before Wilder’s blood pressure rose any farther. Tensen spun to face Rohan and Wilder. “This bodes well for us. If they’re legalizing the very thing they charged him with purchasing, that might be able to be cleared. Then he would only be looking at the charges of impersonation and trespassing.”
“So we won’t argue that they have no proof he had them to get the charges dropped?” Rohan asked, frowning.
Tensen chuckled. “It was a long shot, at best. Like Avery mentioned, the court isn’t ignorant. Theyknowhe took something, they just don’t have any proof.Unlessthey’ve gotten Tulla to talk.He’sthe unknown variable here. It might be a safer bet to get the charges dropped due to legalization than work that angle.”
Tensen nodded, jotting notes.
“Wouldn’t the impersonation and trespassing charges be dropped, too?” Wilder asked. “If they’re creating pathways in this Omega Bill of Rights, it would seem new freedoms might mean the other charges could be dropped, as well.”
Tensen sighed. “Honestly, I don’t know that they’ll dropanyof them. Everything Avery did was prior to the change in the law—and the court hasn’t determined the law is retroactive—so technically, hewasat fault. I don’t know that we could whittle them all away… so I’d rather push for the drug charges to be dropped.”
“The others would be easier to argue?” Wilder asked.
“The drug charges would typically carry a longer sentence,” Rohan mentioned. “Although, without precedent, there’s no way to know which way they’ll go.”
Rohan spoke up. “The othersarelesser charges, and if the Tribunal felt the need to make some kind of example out of Avery, those would likely carry minor time. Having him out sooner is smarter.”
“Odd that illegal drugs are a lesser charge to leaving the OQ and impersonation of a beta,” Wilder murmured.
“The drugs affected his ability to have a child,” Tensen said. “Omegas have always been simply breeders in the eyes of the law. Disrupt that, and you’ve crossed an unforgiveable line.”
“Ah.” Wilder considered Tensen’s words, a pit forming in his stomach. “Out sooner sounds good.” He considered another question he hated to ask. He didn’t want to hear the answer. “They might still force him to carry another’s child?”
Both men said nothing. He could sense their discomfort.
“It would likely be less,” Rohan whispered. “Perhaps only one.”
“One. As ifthatmakes it any better,” Wilder spat, holding back the rage within.
“We’ll do everything in our power to convince the Tribunal to free him, but I think we need to measure expectation,” Tensen said. “If we can’t get him freed, then we get him the lightest sentence possible. The fact that public opinion shows pro-omega rights folks are in the majority will weigh heavily in our favor.” Tensen pointed to the TV screen, showing poll results and a strong lead with those in favor of giving omegas more freedom.
Wilder thought back to the multiple companies who were no longer doing business with J&A because of his involvement with the movement. His father had pushed back a vote by the board several times already, finding multiple reasons to delay. They would not continue to allow him to do so. Soon enough, Wilder would likely be out of a job. “Not everyone is happy about this… and some may become louder in their opposition now.”
“There usually is blowback when any progress is made.” Rohan narrowed his eyes. “I worry about Gray’s safety after becoming a visible face of this movement. I’ve hired a security firm to keep tabs on our family.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Wilder murmured, more worried for Avery than he’d ever been. Unable to protect his omega, he struggled daily with fear of the worst transpiring. Anything could happen behind those cell bars, and he’d be powerless to stop it. “I wish I was capable of doing the same for my omega.”
“He’s more than likely safer there than outside right now,” Tensen said. “He’s surrounded by omegas.”
“Hopefully, you’re right,” Wilder murmured.
Wilder’s thoughts drifted as Rohan and Tensen continued adjusting part of their defense strategy. Concern for Avery’s safety had taken center stage in his mind, and he wasn’t sure he’d be able to set it free.
Not until Avery was home and safe.
“The reason bond was not offered to omegas was supposedly to protect them. With the legalization of these drugs and the upcoming freedoms being offered to omegas, could we not argue that bond should be set for Avery and get him out of that prison?” Wilder asked.
“I can petition the court. I doubt they’ll grant the request, but we can ask,” Tensen said.
“How soon can you file?” Wilder asked.
“By the afternoon,” Tensen said. “If Rohan has some time to review it later.”
“I’d be more than happy to,” Rohan answered, smiling. “Getting him out of there will bring peace to my omega.”
“How’s life with the new baby?” Wilder asked.
“Sleepless,as expected,”Rohan responded, punctuating his answer with a yawn.
