Dear Readers,
OK, a little later with this one than I wanted to be but – be advised, I will finish the story. I dislike stories that just stop as much as you do.
Enjoy,
KemMyst
——-
The trial loomed large on everyone’s minds. It was the biggest trial since OJ and was destined to be precedent setting. The judge forbade the use of cameras; the reporters and the public were not happy. The jurors would be sequestered for the duration, and would not be allowed the use of their cellphones. They weren’t happy either. The pack was unhappy; Desiree could spit glass. It was taking forever, months. Within the pack the situation would have been ‘resolved’ long ago. Alex and Desiree would have had their vengeance, taken out their rage on Ronnie. He would have died bloody and screaming.
Ronnie was not happy. Stuck in an 8 by 10 cell, out for an hour a day. Eating crap. That bitch had led him on. He wished he’d never met her; she was all that had gone wrong in his life.
So who was happy? Bloggers, conspiracy theorists, junior partners. Were lovers. The ACLU. Lyssa. A little. Ronnie would go away forever but Jamie was dead.
Ronnie had been indicted on the charges of manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, gun possession by a felon, and trespassing. He’d already done 4 years for arson since he’d torched Lyssa’s house shortly after Emmett had taken her to the den. She’d disappeared and they thought he’d likely killed her but they, of course, had had no evidence.
He was being held in the county jail under half a million dollars bail. He was considered a flight risk. His GoFundMe page had gotten as high as $24,000; not enough to get him out. And, while they were charging a lower rate because of the publicity and groundbreaking nature of the case, the lawyers needed money too. His family had only managed to scrape together enough for a retainer. So, he had languished in jail, awaiting trial.
Because of the disclosures required by both sides they had found out that Ronnie had gotten the gun from a woman named Jenna, who had been in their circle of friends before Lyssa broke up with him. Most of them had been Ronnie’s friends, as she hadn’t had many, and had sided with him.
Jenna was facing charges as a result.
Analysis of the bullets taken from Mercy and Jamie’s body showed them to be of a caliber consistent with the weapon in question and comprised of a silver alloy. That provided the prosecutor with additional ‘ammunition.’
The trial started on a Tuesday.
Ronnie, of course, sat at one of the tables before the bench, having been dressed in a pair of black trousers and a dark blue polo shirt.
Desiree and Alex growled at his entrance and watched him with unerring interest.
The lawyers alone sat at the prosecution’s table. Mercy was a minor and Alex and Desiree were considered too volatile to sit up front. Lyssa sat beside Desiree, Emmett beside Alex. They would provide restraint, if needed. The Alphas could not be risked here so Emmett, Beta of the pack, could command.
Lyssa looked at the judge, male, on the young side. The prosecutors were generally pleased that the case had been assigned to him. As for the jury, six of the women were in their 50s or older, the other two looked to be in their thirties. The men were younger, in their 30s to 40s. The foreman, fore-woman, had long brown hair with some grey in it, large rimless glasses, a pad in her hand, surveying them with interest. She caught Lyssa’s gaze, her eyes flicked to Desiree, and then to Ronnie. She wrote something down. Hmm.
Opening statements then, beginning with the prosecution. The burden of proof was on them, so they started. “Yes, Ron was alone at night on the highway. But why did he leave his car? He was safe there.”
It was because he had a personal grudge against a werewolf. Emmett had been there when his girlfriend had kicked him out. Had been there to keep him away from her. Had spirited her away.”
And that girlfriend, Lyssa, had become a werewolf, married a werewolf, had a child with him.”
Ron was vindictive. Had violent tendencies. Had been convicted of burning down Lyssa’s house.”
He wanted to get back at her and what better way than to kill her husband?”
He’d even had a gun loaded with silver bullets.”
The prosecution would show that Ron Wilson was a spurned lover who, with premeditation and malice aforethought, planned to kill his rival.
The defense came next. Ronnie, having learned about the presence of werewolves and, knowing that his ex was one, was understandably concerned for his welfare. So, he got a gun. A crime, to be sure, but something any reasonable human being might do. Out for a drive, he pulled over, got out to stretch his legs when he was approached by a pair of large wolves.
He defended himself.
Desiree jumped up, growling “Liar!” Lyssa grabbed her arm to keep her from jumping the rail.
The judge called out, “That woman will be removed from the courtroom. The jury is instructed to ignore her outburst.”
Lyssa turned to her. “Desiree, you have to leave this room or he’ll lock you in a cage.”
Desiree growled, low in her chest, “He’s lying.”
[You need to stop. You can’t say these things here.]
[He is. He’s lying about Jamie, about Mercy.]
“Bailiff!” Lyssa held a hand up, knowing Desiree was very on edge and liable to snap. The man had his hand on his gun.
“Please, don’t grab her. I’ll take her out.” The judge and staff had been cautioned not to interfere with the wolves unless deadly force was necessary. And, while it was unusual for witnesses to be in the courtroom, concession had been made for the Betas to maintain control of their pack mates but they were only allowed a total of 4 in the room. [Please, Desiree. Don’t make things worse. We have to leave the room. They will shoot you.]. The bailiff was breathing quickly, heart pounding, afraid.
Desiree closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and allowed Lyssa to lead her out. She walked stiffly. The bailiff, judge, jurors, and spectators watched curiously. The bailiff faced Emmett and Alex, wary.
Emmett, meanwhile, was having a silent conversation with Alex. While seething, he was outwardly calm. The courtroom watched, but heard nothing and wondered what was going on between them as they seemed so very intent on each other.
The judge gave them a weighty, considered look. “The defense may continue.”
The lawyer cleared his throat and backed up. “As I said, he was approached by a pair of wolves. Large. Enormous. He defended himself…”
He went on for some time, feeding fears as reasoning for the shooting. A man alone, on a back road some distance from any houses, watching monsters emerge from the woods. If bears were capable of pulling open car doors and getting into and destroying cabins, who knows what these huge animals would be capable of. They were secretive and hadn’t told them everything about themselves. He swung, pointing at Emmett and Alex, and took a deep breath.
Then deflated, he had started down the road of making the prosecution’s argument. He took a bit to get back on track and finished up while Lyssa drove Desiree to meet up with Paul, who took her, still growling, back to the den.
Lyssa returned to the courtroom to get Emmett and Alex since opening statements were over and court adjourned for the day. She was most likely to understand what was going on and would need to explain it to the pack.
Court adjourned for the day. The defense would begin their arguments the next day.
The pack’s lawyers had a list of the witnesses including Ronnie’s father, his previous employer, and some friends. Most concerning, because she was an unknown quantity, was the wolf expert they were calling in.
The pack had wondered why Lyssa wasn’t on the list.
The lawyer, Jaffe, explained that was because she would be called by the prosecution and could be cross-examined by them.
Lyssa and Emmett had spent a lot of time with the lawyers, who had questioned them on the breakup, ‘disappearance’, the burning of her house. Then came discussion of pack life, their ‘marriage’. Lyssa and Emmanuel’s meeting with him on the Day of Discovery was examined in detail. Along with the trial transcripts for the lawsuit against them. Ronnie’d gotten damages for emotional distress after Emmanuel bit him while defending his mother. That had led to the disclosure that they didn’t have the ability to make someone a werewolf when they were in wolven form. While that had lessened anxiety in many, it hadn’t eliminated it since it was obvious that they could do it somehow. People were still worried about the presence of these predators in their midst.
Lastly, of course, were questions and examination of the night of the attack. Mercy spent a couple of sessions with them, explaining what had happened to her and Jamie. As a minor, her mother, who was nervous herself in the presence of so many humans, had been with her.
——-
Andrew had pinpointed her haunts. The gym. The bar. Her apartment.
It surprised him that she was here alone, without a pack. But, then again, he was, too. In all actuality, they might be safer scattered as opposed to clustered together in big groups.
There was one thing he hadn’t found yet. Where she ran. Where she let her wolf free. While dark alleys and early hours would provide some cover and time, a wolf needed, had to have, wildish places to run. Grasses, bushes, trees. Small animals, and not so small, to hunt. Rain, wind, sunshine. A park. A nature preserve. Something.
She had been normally observant but, as she scented him more often, he noticed her become more vigilant.
Before he spooked her completely, he figure he’d better introduce himself. The question was, where? Certainly not at the apartment – you didn’t encroach on another’s den uninvited. The gym or the bar? He finally decided on the bar. If he accidentally interrupted her during a fight she’d be pissed.
So, it was a Thursday night when he watched her and a couple of the men walk down the street to the bar, “Don’t Fight it.” He circled the block twice before going in himself. When he opened the door, all eyes turned to him and he hesitated. Taking a breath, he entered the small place and walked to an empty chair at the back end of the bar that gave him a view of the door and the rest of the space. She was at a small table near the back with her back to the wall.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw her surprise as she scented him. Her eyes went wide as they flicked to him.
Andrew sat calmly, watching the fight on the television, ignoring her and her companions. He would not approach her tonight; he simply wanted to make her aware of him and show that he was not a threat.
Tina was very surprised to see the wolf that had been lurking about her area. She lost focus as she caught his scent when he went by.
“Earth to T. Hey, you know that guy or something?”
“Huh, uh, no. Just reminds me of someone.”
“So, you think Jasper’s gonna make finals?”
“He’s got a good shot. Wanna hit some balls?”
She took a drink and stood. “Sure.”
Andrew watched the two of them head for the pool table and calmly finished his beer. Then he threw a couple bills on the bar and quietly walked out. He felt her eyes on him as he left.
He’d made contact, peacefully. The next step would be hers when they met again.
——-
It was amazing how exhausting it was sitting and listening to people testify on Ronnie’s behalf. Lyssa groaned as they left the courtroom at the end of the day. Of course, that wasn’t all she had done. It had been decided that Desiree wouldn’t be back, at least, not that next day. So, while Emmett continued to keep rein on Alex, she ended up babysitting Justin. Justin was justifiably pissed about his brother’s death and the fact that the murderer continued to escape justice. He, like his mother, now had little use for human kind.
Thankfully, he didn’t yell at the court, but he did fidget, and growl. Ronnie turned around a couple of times and smirked at them. That only ratcheted up the anger of Alex and Justin.
The day was short, as it was a Friday, though it extended until midafternoon.
One of Ronnie’s friends, Bob, had testified on Ronnie’s behalf today, and approached them as people filed out. Emmett growled as the strange male came close to his mate. Bob sneered at her. “Think you’re better than us, don’t you?” Lyssa just looked at him, not considering his question worth a reply. “You always had your nose in the air, now you figure you’re gonna bury him. For a dog!” Lyssa turned away, taking a step toward Em, Alex, and Justin. Bob grabbed her arm; Emmett turned and snarled. Before he could confront the male, one of the deputies cleared his throat.
“I’d let her go, if I were you.” His hand was on his weapon.
Bob dropped her arm and took a step back. “Bitch.” She smiled at him, and walked away.
Ron Wilson, Sr. tracked her as she left the building. Lyssa noticed him as they turned to the parking lot. His eyes held controlled rage.
She had only seen him a few times since she and Ronnie hadn’t gone together for more than a few months. But he had never seemed to like her and she’d never felt welcome. Ronnie’s mother had been better but she had died in the intervening years. Ron was bigger than his son, meatier. He made a more threatening figure.
Lyssa asked for a couple of hours to herself and she ran out tho their cabin.
Emmett and a couple of the males had built it for her, for them. Other couples had asked, and used it, from time to time. But it was still considered theirs.
It was small, about 15 by 25 and had two rooms – the bedroom and a living/sitting room with a little fridge and a two burner camp stove.
She shifted, entered, and leaned back against the closed door, scrubbing her hands over her face. They were only two days in. This was gonna drain the life out of her. She cursed the day she met Ronnie Wilson. She yelled; she screamed; she threw soft things – which didn’t satisfy at all.
So she threw herself on the bed and pounded it with her fists. Hmm, Naomi and Gordon had been here. The sheets had been washed but it took some serious washing to remove all traces of some of the other’s scents.
After about 45 minutes, she gave up. It wasn’t helping. She should have killed him outright. No, she should have given him to Desiree.
By the time she went back, dinner was wrapping up. She grabbed a couple pieces of chicken and a bowl of roasted potatoes and headed up to their suite, intending to vent her frustrations with Em. She popped a couple of chunks of potato in her mouth and chewed. She heard a funny sound as she approached their door. And giggling. Emmanuel giggling hysterically. There was a whiff of…
Lyssa opened the door and took in the tableaux. The sitting area held her mate and their son. An empty casserole dish sat on the table with a couple of spoons. Four brown eyes turned to her as another noise emanated from their direction.
Emmanuel squealed. Emmett had a face split in a somewhat guilty grin. And Lyssa inhaled. “Oh my god! That’s disgusting!”
She backed away quickly and heaved the door shut. Another toot and she heard little Em hit the floor, laughing. A malodorous burst followed her into the hall.
As strange as it seemed, little Em liked broccoli, particularly covered in cheese.
However, it gave him gas.
It seemed he and his father had commandeered and eaten an entire casserole of the vegetable. And had since farted their suite into an unlivable space.
[Open the windows and let me know when the air is breathable again.]
Emmett was laughing too hard to answer her; she could hear it through the door. She retreated to the sitting area at the end of the hall on their floor. Taking a deep breath, she sat, putting the food on a small table. She shook her head slightly and chuckled quietly to herself before settling into her meal. Men.
Was there anything from the room that she needed?
She couldn’t think of anything and she didn’t think she’d be able to sleep in there tonight. Of course, she was very used to sleeping with Em but wasn’t sure she’d be able to tolerate lying next to him if he was gonna fart all night. He’d probably object if she tried to sleep somewhere else but…
Popping the last bit of potato into her mouth, she headed for the stairs to take the plates back to the kitchen. Hannah met her on the stair and took the plates from her. “Thank you, Hannah.” She turned back around and took two steps up when Paul started down. “What’s gone on in your room, Madam Beta? A science experiment gone wrong?”
She gave him a pained smile. “I guess you could say that. It involves my mate, son, and noxious gases.”
Paul laughed, shaking his head as he headed off to the garage.
Walking out the front door, she looked to the left. The bunker. Yea, that would be better than any of the common areas. Any of the pack could wander by at any hour. She wouldn’t sleep well regardless.
No one was inside the bunker but, because of its construction and purpose, it was a bit cold and bare. She shed her clothes, put on fur, and curled up on a couch, tail over her nose.
It was a couple of hours later, when she was mostly asleep, that the call came [Mate, come to bed.]
[Sleeping.]
[Where are you?]
[Have you gassed the bed?]
A pause. [No.]
[Liar. Where’s Em?]
[Went to sleep with the pups.]
Lyssa was tired; she was comfy; she really didn’t want to move.
[Mate?]
Sigh. [In the bunker.]
Emmett was a bit surprised at where she’d ended up. But, he was having trouble sleeping without her and, though he really couldn’t tell anymore, figured their suite probably still smelled more than she’d like. Sigh.
It didn’t seem like she’d be coming back. He’d have to go to her.
The large grey wolf quietly descended the stairs and slipped outside.
Emmett didn’t meet his mate outside and tracked her to where she said she’d be; the bunker. The moon was just part full with a few small clouds scudding through the sky. The slight warm breeze carried the scents of growing things, birds, a bold raccoon, and Gordon, who was on patrol.
He nosed the door open and followed her scent to the left. He whuffled in her ear and she growled. [C’mon down here with me.] He was too big to fit on the couch with her.
He saw the glint as she opened one eye to look at him and she sighed. Emmett curled up on the floor and looked up at her. [Sweetheart?] Another sigh.
One paw came off the couch to touch the floor and she yawned in his face. Stretching, she worked her way to the floor and settled within the curve of his body. They fell asleep within moments of each other.
Thankfully, he wasn’t too gassy anymore.
——-
They were wakened by three pups darting in, chasing a fourth. They caught him, starting a tumbling, growling ball of fur and teeth.
[OUT!] Emmett commanded, growling.
The pups startled, yelped, and took off.
He went over to the door and pushed it shut. Then, lacking hands, he shoved a table against the door to dissuade entry. Lyssa cracked an eye [Something in mind?]
He made an odd sort of humming sound as he strode over. He licked her forehead a couple of times then nudged her shoulder to roll her to her side. Then, he nosed under her tail and gave her a quick lick.
Mmm. That tongue. But how did she want to receive his attention?
Lyssa stretched, started to shift, and rolled onto her back. She looked over at him with a slight smirk. He sat, looking at her, with his tongue hanging out. Starting at her head, she ran her hands down both sides of her head and around to her chin, pulling down her lower lip with her little fingers. She then arched her neck and brought her fingers down her neck, splaying them over her collarbones. Looking at him again, she closed her eyes and ran those fingers down to her breasts, cupping them, weighing them. She played with the nipples, using her thumbs, her forefingers, the nails, slight pinching and twisting. They stood at attention now.
Then, down to her belly, one finger delving in to her navel. She listened to him catch his breath at that. A prelude of what would come. Down further, running fingers up and down the crease where her thighs met her body. He was entranced by the movement, the possibility, and wondering just what she would do next to tease him.
Of course, he could just shift and take her now but he was curious as to her next steps. But, she opened her thighs and a big burst of her scent, her arousal, was released. His cock, which had already started to drip with his own arousal, now he was so hard it was almost painful. And the smile on her face said she knew what she was doing to him. He took a step forward as she dipped into the wetness she’d produced and extended her fingers to him.
Emmett licked her fingers; dropped his head and ran his tongue across her pussy lips. She giggled slightly as he licked his muzzle and watched him change. He crawled up her body and kissed her as he drove himself into her depths She moaned and clutched his shoulders, nails digging in slightly. [Oh, Em.]
He held still for a moment, just savoring the feeling of her body against his and being inside her. She locked her ankles around his butt and they started the age old dance.
And so, he pistoned within her, slowly, drawing out the pleasure for both of them. Long strokes where he filled her completely, withdrawing until he almost slipped out.
He covered her and she felt the security she always felt in his arms. His strength and power. She, in return, held him, cradled him, wrapped him in her scent. She was softness and comfort. It had taken him so long to find his mate and here she was everything he could have hoped for.
Emmett lost himself in the feeling of her, in her scent, in the sounds she was making.
He looked into her dark brown eyes and smiled; and picked up the pace. Lyssa arched her back as his teeth captured a nipple. She broke before he was quite ready for it and he pushed through the contractions, prolonging her orgasm as he sought his own release. She clutched him as he went still above her, releasing into her depths.
They couldn’t stay comfortably entangled for long since they had to get back to the courthouse. Emmett sighed as his knot relaxed and they were able to separate. “I wish we could go a day without having to watch the others.”
“I know they want to come and watch but they could end up hurting our chances. We could end up with a mistrial and having to do this all over again if they keep acting up.”
“I’ll talk to Randall.” He turned her face to him. “Mate, how can you stand it?”
“Raised differently, I guess. And I want to see Ronnie dealt with, as much as anyone.” Chocolate eyes looked into hers, questioning. “Well not as bad as his family, of course.”
“What did you ever see in him?”
Lyssa swallowed, thinking before she answered. “He seemed like a pretty reasonable guy, looked pretty good. I mean, he wasn’t a slob, dressed pretty good, had a good car, a good job, didn’t live with his mother.” Her mate quirked an eyebrow. “We went out for some good dinners but mostly what he wanted to do was drink, usually with his buddies. He was gone, quite a lot, with his job, so we didn’t see each other as often as a lot of couples would.” Lyssa sighed.
“It’s probably why I tolerated it for so long, why I put up with his ideas about women for so long. He never wanted to do anything I wanted to do. Just wanted to get drunk and fuck.”
“And, you were there where I finally got fed up.”
Emmett brushed a stray lock of her hair off her forehead, kissed the tip of her nose. “And this ripped up old dog showed up on your back porch.”
“I liked that house…”
He looked startled. She grinned and put a hand to his cheek. “Thank you.”
[Emmett. Lyssa.]
They scrambled to get back to their room, where Lyssa detected the residual smell of the previous evening’s activity. They dressed and headed for the garage. This morning Alex and Ariel waited for them.
The Beta pair both now felt additional tension. While they understood the interest in the human justice system, this was their Alpha female.
Their pregnant Alpha female.
She needed to be protected against any and all threats. Their attention would be divided today, moreso than usual because they’d be watching to make sure no one made a move towards her.
Lyssa glanced at her mate. [Oh, goody. I thought today might be easier.]
“…would like to have the experience of the human courtroom.” They had missed the beginning of the sentence.
Emmett replied, “Of course, Madam Alpha.” He opened the rear door for her to climb in while Lyssa slid in the other side. Alex hesitated, as he had always sat in the back before. He quickly took the front passenger seat.
Emmett drove to the courthouse while Ariel asked Lyssa some questions about how the trial worked and about the various players.
——-
They sat up front, as usual, behind the prosecutor’s bench. But, while they generally sat beside each other, this time Lyssa and Emmett flanked their den mates. Lyssa, Emmett, and Alex were all on high alert, watching for anything that might come near their female Alpha.
The judge looked with interest at this new guest on the werewolves’ side. This woman was on the smaller side, lithe, with reddish hair. She wore a sleeveless navy shift dress and sandals. No rings, bracelets, nor did she carry a purse. No makeup. Pregnant. She sat, appraising, looking at everything and everyone. She had an air of authority and he wondered what she was to them.
The court reporters were falling over themselves. The redheaded woman was with the werewolf couple and the father. Had to be another werewolf! And she was pregnant!
Everyone wanted to get a picture, at the least. A word would be something they’d kill for.
[Alex, Lyssa. When we leave we must keep the Madam Alpha between us. There is too much interest in her.]
[What is going on?] Ariel asked.
Lyssa answered [The reporters are seeing their first pregnant werewolf. They want pictures cuz they’ll get a lot of money for them. And they’re all gonna want to interview you, talk to you, if they can.]
[I never expected…] She inhaled, exhaled. [Beta, I apologize.] Lyssa squeezed her hand. [Should we call in some of the others? Should we leave now?]
Emmett had been observing the reactions of the security personnel in the courtroom. Watchful, they were keeping an eye on everything, in case of trouble. This case had the potential to bring all kinds of crazies out of the woodwork. [There will be a couple of breaks during the day. We should have a car waiting to get you out of here at the first one. The bailiffs are watching and may help us to prevent a riot. They don’t want any problems either.] Lyssa had been watching some of the spectators, including Ronnie’s family and friends. [I think we should get out sooner rather than later. We’ll piss off the judge if we try to leave now but it’ll give people a chance to figure out a way to get closer to us if we stay.]
[Can they stop us?]
[The judge could hold us in contempt and send us to jail.]
Emmett passed the car keys to Lyssa. [Mate, you will take our Madam Alpha out and drive her home. Come back when you can. Madam Alpha, you need to claim illness.]
[I understand. When?]
[Whenever you are ready.] They sat, listening to the prosecuting attorney question another of Ronnie’s friends.
Lyssa was feeling anxious and, just about to turn, when Ariel let out a pained groan, leaning over and clutching her distended belly.
Startled, everyone turned to look at her. Ariel had scrunched her eyes closed and grunted. One of the bailiffs started over. The judge stopped proceedings and stood. “Ma’am, are you ill? Do you require a doctor?”
Lyssa had a hand on their Alpha female’s back. Offering the proper deference, she said, “Judge Kohler, it would be best if I took her home.” Ariel panted a little.
The gavel came down. “Thirty minute recess. We’ll resume at 10:15. Ma’am, I think it might be best if you rest in my chamber while your friend brings the car around.”
Damn. They had just wanted to slip out.
Lyssa helped Ariel to her feet and brought her past the attorneys’ tables, making sure to stay between her and Ronnie. Ronnie glared at her.
The bailiff and judge escorted them behind the bench and into a small office. He led them over to the couch. “Here, my dear, perhaps you should lay down for a bit. Would you like some water?”
[My dear?] “Yes, thank you.”
“Tom, if you please?” The bailiff went to the small refrigerator in the room and pulled out a bottle.
Lyssa knelt beside her Madam Alpha. She uncapped the bottle and offered it to Ariel, who drank deeply. “How far along are you?”
She looked at him. “I have a little over a month.”
“Are you feeling any better?”
Ariel nodded while Lyssa said, “I think it’s the stress of the situation. I should take her home.”
“Certainly, my dear.”
“But, you saw how interested everyone was. I’d like to get her out of here without a lot of fuss.”
The judge looked at her, then Ariel. He inhaled, exhaled. “You’re sure you don’t need a doctor?”
“I understand your concern, but a human doctor might have difficulty with me and my condition. I am feeling better but feel it would be best if I went home.”
“Certainly, certainly. You were attracting quite a bit of attention and it probably would be best if you left. We don’t want to distract the jurors from the facts of the case. Tom, please show Miz..?”
“Forrester.”
“Forrester, the.. Missus Lyssa Forrester?”
“Yes. sir.”
The judge peered at her more closely. “Well, Miz Forrester, Tom will show you the back way out. Bring the car around that way and we’ll bring your friend out.”
[Ariel, you’ll be OK?]
[Go. I’ll be fine.]
“OK, thank you. I’ll be right back.”
The bailiff took Lyssa into a back corridor and to a rear door. Tom, the bailiff, showed her the best way to approach and provided a card to get her past security.
[Headed for the car, Em.]
[Ariel’s already told me but thanks. Be careful.]
Lyssa walked quickly. She didn’t run although she wanted to. Running would attract attention, which they didn’t need. There, the car.
Thankfully, with new technology, she didn’t have to fit the key in the lock or ignition since she was nervous enough she might fumble it. Now, get the car out of the space and maneuver it to the back of the courthouse.
Easy. Easy. She didn’t like leaving Ariel alone with the judge any longer than she had to. OK, out of the packed lot, turn the corner. It was only a couple of blocks but seemed further. Now, the left and a security gate.
“You aren’t allowed back here. The parking lot is back on Third Street.”
“Judge Kohler told me to come this way. I have a card.” She handed it over.
The security guard examined it. “Hmm. Get out of the car.”
“Excuse me?”
“Get out. I have to search the vehicle.”
Oh, shit, what was in the car? “I just need to pick up my friend. She’s in the judge’s chambers.”
“Still have to check the vehicle. Pop the trunk, unlock the doors, and get out.”
Frustrated, Lyssa inhaled and did as asked. [Ariel, I’m almost there but the security guard is searching the car.] She watched as he pulled up the liner and checked the spare, opened the duffles and the back and pawed through the spare clothes. [Ariel?]
Down the alley, Lyssa saw the bailiff step out and look her way. Done with the trunk, the guard then moved to the back seat and pulled it up for a look underneath. [Ariel? Are you OK?]
[Very persistent. Are you close?]
[Just a few minutes more, I hope.] Jerky. A coffee cup. Onto the front seat and glove box. “Wyeth? Is this your car?”
“No. It belongs to my friend.”
“Wyeth? Where do I know that from? Wait, Judge Kohler. The werewolf trial? Are you one of them? You look kinda familiar.” The security guard had stopped searching and was now holding the car’s insurance card and a multitool from the glove box. Lyssa gritted her teeth. “Yes. Please…”
From down the alley, “Jerry! Hurry up!”
“Let me do my job, Tom.”
“Jerry!” Grumbling, he looked at Lyssa, put the card back in the glove box and pocketed the multitool. Poked under the seats, in the center console. “Your purse?”
Lyssa pulled out her wallet. “Don’t need one. This is all I carry.”
“Strange woman. Or maybe you’re all that way.”
“You done yet?!”
“Keep your pants on!”
“We oughta pack you all up and put you on an island away from decent folk.”
Lyssa ground her teeth now. You couldn’t change a bigot’s mind and responding would only make matters worse.
Jerry narrowed his eyes at her, looking for a reaction. Looking for a reason to do something. She stood there, chest heaving in anger. He looked down the alley at Tom, who stood there with his arms crossed. Jerry grunted, waved her into the car. “Go on, freak.”
Lyssa got back in the car as he raised the gate and she pulled forward. The gate fell on the back of the trunk, scraping the paint. Wincing at the damage, she kept going. Tom had disappeared back into the building, hopefully, fetching Ariel.
[Mate, are you on your way yet?]
[Gotta get around an asshole.]
Emmett sat stoically, though concerned. This was taking longer than it should.
Lyssa breathed a sigh of relief as Ariel appeared, assisted by Judge Kohler. She was perfectly capable of making her own way to the car but she was a ‘sick’ pregnant female. He brought her to the passenger side and helped her in, Tom looming behind him. “Alright, now, you take care of yourself and that baby.”
Ariel smiled, with a hand on her belly. “I will.”
The judge held the door open, leaned down, and looked at Lyssa. “I expect I’ll see you back in my court?”
“Yes, sir.” He looked at both of them for a moment longer until Tom cleared his throat.
He said, “Good day, ladies.” as he shut the door. Lyssa put the car in drive and they heard, “They don’t seem that different from us.” as they pulled away.
Ariel had settled back in the seat, with her eyes closed. Lyssa got onto the road then asked, “Are you alright?”
“All he did was ask questions. One after the other. Worse than a pup. What do we eat? How was it when we change at the full moon? What’s it like to have a tail? Have I eaten a raw rabbit? How did get pregnant?”
Lyssa shook her head. “Crap.”
“What’s wrong?”
“That’s an interview with a werewolf. He’ll probably get money by selling the information you gave him.”
“Can he do that?”
“Reporters will be calling him to find out what happened while you were in the room. It has nothing to do with the trial. Yeah.” Lyssa’s attention was diverted briefly by a car pulling out of a parking spot. “Hm, he didn’t take a picture of you, did he?”
“No. No. I don’t think so.”
“Well, we’ll see what happens when it comes out.”
They passed the rest of the drive companionably. Lyssa needed to prepare for the monthly council meeting and the others would want an update on the trial. They were all very interested in the human justice system and the eventual punishment of Ronnie Wilson. Many were unhappy that Wyeth pack hadn’t just killed him outright, given him to the parents.
Ariel rummaged through one of the duffles for some jerky. Though they ate a lot of protein, her pregnancy had upped her needs. “Did he touch everything?”
“I think he wanted to find something to use against us. Or maybe something to get me arrested. He did not like us. I think I’m lucky he let me through.”