Page 188 of His Reluctant Omega

“I don’t know that it helped much,” Tensen complained.

Rohan leaned on the railing, reaching for the baby, who’d grown fussy. He cradled the newborn in his arms and smiled down at his son—who quieted almost immediately. “You can never guess with the Tribunal. Their poker faces are legendary. I’ve heard petitioners who were sure they’d lost their case come out winners. It’s not impossible.”

“Are you saying that to give us a bit of hope or because it’s true?” Gray asked.

“True… meh, maybe a little of both,” Rohan replied.

Gray rubbed the baby’s head. “He’s such a daddy’s boy, I swear.” Gray looked at Avery. “This little one only wants me when he’s hungry. Otherwise, he needs to be in Daddy’s arms or else.”

Avery smiled, leaning closer to Rohan. “Can I hold him?” He knew it might be his one and only chance before the baby was no longer a baby.

“Of course,” Rohan murmured, handing off the babe to him.

Avery stared down at the most precious face he’d ever seen. “Aww… he’s so beautiful, Uncle Gray.”

“Thank you,” Gray said, smiling. “But look at him. Quiet as a church mouse with you, too. I swear… I’m getting a complex.”

“He sat through the hearing well enough,” Avery mentioned.

“InWilder’sarms,” Gray corrected.

Avery’s gaze flipped to Wilder. “Practicing?”

“Indeed,” Wilder said. “I normally don’t touch them when they’re that little, but your uncle has me in training.”

“Good,” Avery said, smiling. The expression faded some. “Looks like you’re going to need it.”

Wilder tugged him closer, kissing the top of his head. “Don’t give up hope.”

One of the court officials walked over and whispered something to Tensen. Tensen frowned, turning to them. “They’ve decided.”

“Already?” Rohan asked.

“Well, they clearly had it out for me,” Avery said.

Murmuring rose in the courtroom as those in attendance realized the judges would soon be returning. Avery held Wilder’s stare, sending every ounce of love to the man… and hoping the universe would be on his side one last time.

“All rise!”

Avery quickly, albeit carefully, handed the baby back to Gray. He spun to face the judges returning to the courtroom. Again, neither looked his way.

Once they were seated, Judge Emory banged his gavel. “We have made a decision. Avery Stephens, will you please step forward?”

Avery returned to the spot where he’d made quite the display earlier.

“Mr. Stephens, after considering all presumptions, evidence, and argument, as well as your entry of a guilty plea, we rule that you are guilty as charged.”

Avery’s knees nearly went out from under him.

28

Wilder jumped to his feet, a growl on his lips.Guilty?He’d sensed the verdict wouldn’t go their way—and had prepared himself for the inevitable, yet the shock and horror slammed into him.

“Alpha,youwillfind your seat,” Judge Emory commanded, pointing his gavel at Wilder. “Or I’ll have the bailiffs escort you into a cell of your own.”

Avery glanced over a shoulder, pleading with Wilder to calm with his gaze.

Wilder breathed a few times, forcing the anger down. He dropped into the seat, his whole body vibrating with the urge to cause violence.

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