Page 60 of Marcus-stiltskin

She eyes them both. “Randy Lamar, you are the current Alpha of the Lamar pack? So I’m assuming this is your son.”

“I am the current Alpha, but this is not my son. He’s my nephew. Our true Alpha died when his children were small. I was his Beta and had to take over.”

She looks back over at Zach. “Werewolf practice is that in situations where a Beta has to step in for an Alpha, the true Alpha will take his place at twenty-one. Are you aware of this custom?”

Zach nods, “Yes, your honor.”

“So why have you not?”

There is silence for a long moment. A few people move about in their chair, but no one says a word.

“I’m not sure, your honor.”

She looks up and meets Randy’s gaze. “Randy Lamar, sir, what business are you in?”

He sits up straighter in his seat, “I own the Wild Hare Ranch.”

“My understanding is that the Alpha often financially supports a lot of the pack. Is that the case here?”

“Not financially supported directly anymore, but a lot of my pack works for me, yes,” Randy admits.

She looks around the room and motions with her head toward the side of the room packed with Lamars. “All these people are receiving a paycheck from your one business?”

“Mostly, your honor.”

She makes some notes on her paper, the sound of the pen against the paper echoes in the room as everyone waits for what she’ll say next.

“So as I understand it, Mr. Jones is the owner of the old fire station. He was under the impression the safe baby box was sealed. It however, was not, and he heard the alarm go off Friday afternoon? Is that correct, Mr. Jones?”

“Yes, your honor.”

“It says, andI’m reading directly from Deputy Moreau’s report, there was a note with the child that stated Steely at the Wild Hare would know what to do. So he brought the child to the Wild Hare to see if she knew the child’s identity, and she did not. While there, Zander Lamar, future Beta of the Lamar pack, asked to hold the baby. He then discovered that the child smelled like a member of the pack and became agitated. When Mr. Jones asked for the child back, Zander Lamar lunged at him. At which point, his girlfriend, Steely, turned the bar to ash. Deputy Moreau’s husband happened to be on the scene and restrained Zander Lamar until deputies arrived on the scene.”

“Mr. Lamar,” she clears her throat, “I’m addressing Zach Lamar, specifically. If I rule in your pack’s favor, who will be caring for the minor child?”

“I will, your honor,” Zelda Lamar says.

“And you are?”

“Zelda Lamar, Luna of the Lamar pack.”

“Are you ready to start over with a newborn?”

“She is ours,” is all Zelda says.

“Alright then. I will begin the scent match.” She stands from where she is and a bailiff takes her robe from her. Underneath, she wears a perfectly tailored gray pants suit. The bailiff proceeds her to the table with Zach, Randy, and Zelda.

“Present your left hand, wrist side up. Do not move it until I tell you to do so,” the human bailiff tells them. He takes Zach’s hand in his own and holds it tightly with both hands as the arbitrator leans to smell his wrist. Slowly she continues down the table, taking in Randy’s and Zelda’s scent as well. She looks up in our direction.

“May I have the child?” Marcus stands and moves toward the arbitrator, offering her Jada.

“I’m sorry. We, uh, washed her before we came with baby soap,” Marcus says to her, but she just nods her head.

“I’d expect nothing less. Cradle crown is ridiculous at this age. Don’t worry, I’ll still be able to find what I’m looking for.” Gingerly, she takes Jada, adjusting her blanket and holding her close. She leans in to sniff the baby’s head. “Ah, I miss this age,” she murmurs to the baby. “But not the lack of sleep.”

She turns to the CPS representative at the front of the room. “Please note in her file, a scent match is determined to exist between this child and the Lamar pack.” There is an audible sigh of relief from the Lamar side of the room. She looks back at her bailiff and nods toward the back. “The strongest match is between Zach Lamar and this child, but it is not exact. I would like all of your siblings and any mates they have in this room to stay, so I can sort this out further. Your mother should not be burdened with late nights because her sons are irresponsible.” She looks out at the small crowd. “I would like the rest of the Lamar Pack to wait outside, please.”

People on the Lamar side begin to shuffle reluctantly out. I’m not sure what Marcus and I have done that allows us to stay, but I’m grateful to have a front-row seat at the drama.

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