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Rohan drew him out of the office and back into the lobby. “Nothing you can do here, either.”
Wilder examined the inner balustrade of the courthouse, his instincts driving him to tear it all down in search of his mate. He understood there were secret tunnels leading to the prison next door. If he could find out, he’d take Avery home with him that night.
“I see the wheels spinning.Go home,Wilder.”
He eyed his best friend.
“He’ll survive one night in a cell. He’s made of strong stuff. I’ve seen that myself.”
Wilder swallowed back his anger and nodded. He didn’t want to leave yet what could he do? “Fine. I’ll meet you here tomorrow morning.”
* * *
Avery carriedthe pile of linens down the desolate hall. Cells lined one side, most were dark. Many of the omegas within appeared to be asleep, but a couple rose from their cots to watch the silent procession pass by. Not one of the Red Guards. No, none of the elite team of secret police would work as a simple jailor. They led teams into bedrooms and dragged helpless omegas out of beds.
Bullies, the lot of them.
His stomach rioted from the minute they’d hauled him from Wilder’s bed. It had only gotten worse as the night proceeded. Unlike alphas, omegas were guilty until proven innocent. Withheld bond or bail, they were forced into a cell from the minute they were arrested and most were never let out until they’d borne enough babies to fulfill their sentence.
They’d strip searched him—not that they’d had to strip him considering they’d brought him in stark naked. Then he’d been booked. He’d barely been able to speak two words before the judge, who’d set a court day for two weeks in the future.
Two weeks.Why did it sound like a lifetime? He could remember holiday breaks from school lasting a week or two and how quick they zoomed past. That wouldn’t happen there. He knew it in his very bones. Perhaps because he knew there would be no getting out. How many babies would they force him to carry and hand over to the government? He’d never heard of anyone being caught doing what he did, so he had no idea what kind of sentencing he’d receive.
One for every year he’d lived free? How long would it take for him to procure the government their harsh price for his release?
All that time he’d hidden under the radar, sensing he was smart enough to beat the system. One moment of weakness had led to it all crashing down around him. He could still smell Wilder’s scent on him. The alpha’s seed still leaked from him, drying between cheeks and legs. They hadn’t allowed him to clean himself before forcing him into a prison jumpsuit and shoving him before the judge. He was sore and exhausted and struggling with the weight of his choices.
“In here,” the guard muttered, sliding open the cell door.
He was thrust inside, the sheet and narrow pillow he’d been given falling to the concrete floor. Avery scooped it up and spun to glare at the guard as the bars slammed shut.
“Give it a little time. We’ll wipe that look right off your face, pretty boy,” the guard said before chuckling to himself.
The guard walked on, his footsteps echoing down the hall.
“What they get you in for?”
Avery searched the cell. Two three-high bunks lined both sides. Five faces stared at him.
“Impersonating a beta,” Avery answered, his knees weak.
One of the omegas sat up straighter. “For real? You get out of the OQ?”
“Yep.”
“How long?” Another asked.
“Four and a half years,” Avery answered before dropping his sheet and pillow on the unused middle bunk.
“What?!”A third omega jumped down off the top bunk across from his. He was a couple of inches shorter than Avery, his long braid trailing over one shoulder.“You were out for nearly five years?”
“Look… I’ve had a shitty,shittynight… and all I want to do is sleep.”
“Your arrival woke us all up. The least you can do is answer our questions. Then we’ll leave you alone.”
Avery dragged himself onto the bunk, too tired to worry about the sheet. He curled into a ball.
“Come on…answer.”
