The rest of the courtroom erupts into chaos, theuproar so deafening that even the judges’ gavels and shouts for order are drowned out. The guards are moments away from being summoned when Frankie lets out a piercing whistle that slices through the noise like a blade. Every Were in the room flinches at the painful sound.
For the first time, Hayes shifts his attention to Nix, his head tilting slightly as he regards Leo’s mate. His expression is unsettling, curiosity gleaming in his eyes as though Nix were a particularly fascinating bug pinned under glass.
“Order!” Judge Patel shouts, banging her gavel.
Once the courtroom has settled, all three judges open their folders, and a distinct lull falls over the proceedings as they get up to speed.
“Mr. Costas, this grandstanding has your fingerprints all over it. What do you have to say for yourself?” Judge Sanderson demands.
“Wasn’t me, Your Honor,” Leo’s father says, but Judge Patel just shakes her head.
As much as Leo’s dad knows Judge Patel’s nuances, the same could be said for her knowledge of Antonio Costas.
Erin throws back her shoulders. “Your Honors, enclosed in the folder is Mr. Rena’s medical information. Dr. Riordan and Dr. Spencer are prepared to testify to the enclosed, should you require it.”
Both doctors rise, then resume their seats at Judge Patel’s wave.
“I can see that you have done your due diligence, doctors. Rest assured, we will examine the contents. I, for one, am very interested in this development.” Judge Patel pauses. “Ms. Christie, what is this really in aid of? Surely, it’s more than announcing to the world that Mr. Rena is an omega.”
Judge Patel smiles kindly. “Delightful though that may be.”
Erin clears her throat, and the crowd holds their breath.
“We ask that you consider the Omega Protection Law of 1853 when sentencing. I have included the law library notations for your convenience.” She gestures to the folder.
“Now, wait just a minute,” Lang says rudely. The attorney doesn’t have to know what the law entails to know it’s bad for his client.
The lawyer likely has no idea what the law pertains to and is flipping madly through the information in his folder.
Hayes’s head remains tilted curiously, his gaze locked on Jay once again. It reeks of insanity. Seeing him in person, Leo has to wonder if he reallyhaslost his mind.
Judge Jones levels him with a glare. “Sit down, Mr. Lang. You will address us according to prevailing court etiquette, or your remarks will be expunged from the record, and you will be removed from our court.”
He turns to Erin next. “Ms. Christie, please give this court an overview of the Omega Protection Law precedent as you interpret it.” He leans forward, giving her his undivided attention.
“Thank you, Your Honor. The Omega Protection Law was enacted in 1853 to protect omegas from harm of any kind.” Erin lets the words settle before continuing, “At its core, it states that if a Were harms an omegabefore or afterpresentation, the Pack Alpha or their chosen proxy has the right to trial by combat. To the death.”
Erin holds off the commotion in the courtroom with a single raised hand—the universal sign forstop.It’s impressive.
The three judges are speechless. If Leo reads them right, Sanderson and Jones are intrigued, but Patel? She is annoyed at being taken unawares, especially given her area of expertise. Something Leo is sureneverhappens.
“Be seated. I asked one thing of you today, Ms. Christie, and that was not to annoy me. And look where we are.” Her sigh is put upon.“Let’s put this to rest, and then we can deliberate in chambers. Fellow Judges?”
Jones and Sanderson agree, and Patel continues. “To reiterate our verdict in light of this request—Mr. Hayes, as you have confessed to aggravated assault, and we are unanimous in that verdict: I find you guilty.”
Leo’s heart clenches, eager to be done with at least part of this whole circus act.
Judge Jones says, “I find you guilty.”
Judge Sanderson: “Guilty.”
“Peachy. This court is adjourned for two hours while we deliberate on sentencing.”
Judge Patel bangs her gavel, and with her robes swirling behind her, she and her colleagues leave the courtroom.
Chapter Twenty-Two: Leo
Lang grabs his briefcase and stomps toward the defendant’s entrance as soon as the door to the judge’s chambers swings shut, leaving his client in the hands of his stoic guard. The guard has to make several strong-armed attempts to get Hayes moving—who still only has eyes for Jay, craning his neck so far that it looks like it hurts even as he’s being pulled out the door.
