Page 147 of Strays
The DA stands and steps forward. “Doctor Larsen,” he says, “do you acknowledge that you were never physically touched?”
“I do.”
“And that you did not verbally request help?”
“Yes.”
“So your mates acted without cause?”
“Objection,” Renner says. “Mischaracterization.”
“Sustained.”
The DA blinks. Then recovers. “You’re a medical resident. Surely, you’re capable of assessing an actual physical threat.”
She nods. “Which is exactly what I did.”
He steps closer. “But again, he never laid a hand on you.”
Jo doesn’t hesitate. “He didn’t, because my mate stopped him before that. Should Jay have waited until the man did whatever he wanted to do to me, and then reacted afterward, as revenge, instead of preventing the attack before it happened?”
The silence in the courtroom is absolute.
The DA clears his throat. “No further questions.”
Judge Conway’s voice cuts in, steady. “You may step down, Doctor Larsen.”
Jo rises and walks quietly back through the same door she came in.
Renner leans toward us, his voice low. “You’re next.”
I glance toward the door Jo just exited, her scent still in the air. Jay shifts beside me, flexing his fingers. Shane exhales slowly.
Judge Conway glances toward the defense table. “Mr. Renner, do you have additional witnesses?”
“Yes, Your Honor. The defense calls the Larsen pack to the stand.”
The Judge nods once. “Court officer, prepare the stand for a pack testimony.”
The staff moves quickly. The enclosed witness box is removed entirely. Three chairs are arranged side by side facing the jury. Microphones are brought in. The courtroom quiets, watching.
We stand together, and every juror’s eyes follow us as we move.
We squeeze ourselves into the little human chairs. Jay takes the middle seat, with me and Shane on either side of him.
The bailiff steps forward. “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?”
“Yes,” we answer in unison.
Renner steps closer, standing just a few feet in front of us. “Mr. Jayson Larsen, why did you strike Mr. Knolson?”
“He was approaching our mate, and I believed he was going to touch her.”
“Did you use excessive force?”
Jay shakes his head. “No.”
Renner nods. “Pack leader Kory, what did you observe in that moment?”
