Page 118 of Tides of Fate

Hayes hesitates, pausing for effect—and no doubt to rile up the prosecution with the delay. At this point, he can still deny the confession. Were law allows him to do so right up until the court metes out a verdict, which could alter the burden of proof and drag the case on for days or weeks. It’s the difference between Nix having to testify or not and the possibility has Gideon praying rapidly under his breath.

“Yes,” Hayes states, and the courtroom lets out its collective breath.

“You may be seated,” Judge Patel responds. “Ms. Davis, you have indicted Mr. Hayes with other charges to which the defendant submits a plea of not guilty. We will hear those charges now.”

Leo isn’t exaggerating when he says the whole courtroom braces.

Ms. Davis rises to her feet and faces Hayes. She reads the charges from memory. “Dawson Ulysses Haversham Hayes, in addition to the charge of aggravated assault, the Were Court in the State of Tennessee charges you with attempted murder and seventy-three separate attempts to turn Mr. Rena without his knowledge or consent. There are numerous other charges, but at the behest of the victim’s family, they will not be cited here.

“Your Honors, we submit these charges and are prepared to offer witness testimony insupport. Thank you.”

Judge Jones frowns. “Ms. Davis, are you aware that Mr. Hayes is a beta?”

A quiet commotion ripples through the courtroom as the bystanders come to the same realization Leo’s pack had on that first day. Hayes had bitten Nix for fun—repeatedly—knowing he couldn’t change him.

The faint scent of smoke creeps along the row of chairs, a sure sign that Jay is overwhelming his scent patch. If it gets out of hand, the judges could ask him to leave so as not to set off an enigma-induced general panic.

The prosecutor straightens her spine, looks the judge dead in the eye, and says, “We areveryaware, Your Honor.”

She offers two folders to a judicial assistant, who conveys them to Judge Jones and Hayes’s attorney. “We submit the enclosed evidence and, as stated, offer testimony from Dr. Riordan Kennedy, Mr. Rena’s trauma surgeon.”

Just knowing what’s in that folder brings all the memories of those tense days at the hospital rushing back, and Leo starts sweating in his new suit.

Riordan stands.

Judge Jones waves him off. “Very well, Dr. Kennedy. Be seated. I am still uncertain as to why you think this grievous assault was made with the intent to turn Mr. Rena.”

Anger starts a slow burn in Leo’s chest. The dissection of the charge is unimportant in the grand scheme of things, given their plans. Dragging it out only makes Leo more worried for his omega, who’s trembling so hard his chair vibrates against the floor.

“Your Honors, the inspectors who conducted the initial interrogation obtained a confession from the defendant admitting to this crime. I have enclosed a copy in the file. Page six.”

All three judges open to page six, but it’s Judge Sanderson who speaks. “He later retracted the confession?” he asks the Defense, his round face creased in a disapproving frown.

Leo decides he hates the weaselly defense attorney in the offensively pale peach suit the minute he opens his mouth to lie.

“Of course, Your Honor. This confession was obtained without legal representation present, and my client was coerced into making this fantastical confession.”

“Your Honors, Inspectors Reinhardt and Larsen are present in the courtroom and available for testimony. Additionally, there is a video recording of the interrogation, and we enter it into evidence.”

Ms. Davis holds up the USB stick in a plastic evidence bag.

“We object! This is un—”

The judicial assistant moves to intercept it when Judge Patel stops him. “That won’t be necessary. Mr. Lang, you are starting to annoy me. Judge Sanderson, he’s annoying me.”

Judge Sanderson remains unphased by his colleague’s statement, focusing his attention solely on Hayes.

“While the defendant has the right to withdraw his confession when it is obtained without legal counsel, it does not negate the evidence or testimony of investigators,” Judge Patel continues. “Mr. Lang, this is Were Court, notMatlock.Why are you wasting this court’s time?

“It is evident that regardless of his actual ability to turn Mr. Rena, if he believed he could and acted with that belief, then he is guilty. Most especially if he confessed to doing so under caution. Judge Sanderson? Judge Jones?”

“I am inclined to agree, Judge Patel,” Judge Jones says.

“I concur,” Judge Sanderson agrees and bangs his gavel. “Guilty on the charge of attempting to turn Mr. Rena without his knowledge or consent.”

Well, that was almost too easy.

They don’t have long to wait for the reason why. Lang leans over, nodding at whatever Hayes has just said.

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