Page 53 of The Alpha's Heir

Aiden nods his appreciation before he turns to me. “And you: have you stashed your knives and swords? Use them as needed, but don’t draw attention to yourself. I love you, kid.” It’s been years since I’ve heard my big brother call me kid, and my throat stings as I gulp back the tears.

The guard on duty mindlinks Aiden to tell him Eva wants him and so we return to her cell.

“My father will be here with Luna Lydia in about forty minutes, Aidy. I’ll be well looked after. Summer is going to meet her grandparents.” I notice how my brother’s eyes soften, how his shoulders relax, and it confirms he will be fine here with Eva if Preston and I have to leave.

Once Alpha Xavier arrives, we leave to head to the Silver Shore Territory where my trial will take place. It doesn’t take long, around half an hour to get there, but it feels like every minute stretches out for an hour. I both cannot wait to get this over and done with and also want this journey to stretch out even longer, so I don’t have to face my fate.

There is a commotion as we arrive, and my legal representative ushers us into a side chamber. “Ms Goldrick, you are going to be offered a plea deal. If you plead guilty to the lesser charge of Unlawful Killing this morning, the trial will be stopped and you will be sentenced this afternoon. You’ll probably receive less than ten years imprisonment, but you’ll be out in seven for good behaviour.”

“No. No way. Don’t even consider it, Amber. You used reasonable force. No deal,” Aiden shouts as he agitatedly paces.

“Aidy…” I start to protest before Preston’s cool, calm voice stops me.

“Why are they offering her a plea deal?” Preston asks. “Remember you are representing Amber here, not them, and you need to be advising the best route to take. So, answer me… why? Why now?”

The legal representative sits down and quietly invites us to sit too by gesturing to the remaining seats. “Look, I’m not meant to say anything. My boss will kill me if I mess this case up. It’s been so high profile; this could destroy my career and the company I work for. The main complainant hasn’t showed up and is now facing charges relating to witness intimidation. Her Alpha has also withdrawn his support of her complaint and has given additional evidence that supports your defence.”

“What does that mean for me? Will there still be a trial?” I am impatient to know. This is my life after all and right now I am so out of control.

“This case has come so far and cost so much money that they will want to proceed if you don’t accept a plea. Would you like my advice now?” I nod, I don’t know what to do anymore, Aiden and Preston look ready to kill and I just need this to be over.

“Please, tell us what you advise and why,” Preston pleads in the background. The desperation in his voice claws at my heart.

“They want something to show this hasn’t been for nothing. If you want to avoid a trial, give them a plea back, but instead of prison time, offer community time. Tell them you will plead guilty to the lesser charge ‘Inappropriate use of an offensive weapon’, but tell them you refute all other charges and see if they accept that with a punishment that is more acceptable. If not, then you are looking at a full trial.”

I think the way forward is clear. I only hope my mate and brother will agree too.

*** Preston ***

Call me biassed, and I don’t care if you do but I do not see what my Red has done wrong. And I therefore do not see why she should plead guilty and be punished. It’s stupid. They should have Junior and Nikki in here for what they’ve caused too.

“What do you think, Preston?” Amber asks me, and before I have a chance to be diplomatic, all my uncensored thoughts tumble out.

“It's all bollocks. It's all political bollocks. So, basically, even though she hasn’t done anything wrong, they want to convict someone, so they don’t look stupid and in the absence of Junior and Nikki, she has to take the fall?” My face is red with fury, I am full of nervous energy and so I stand to relieve some of the tension. My body trembles and I know I am seconds from losing control.

Amber gets up and walks to me and gently places her hand on my cheek. I look back at her, stunned. Amber is not a featherlight-stroking type of person, she doesn’t calmly react. What on earth is going on? Needless to say, she has distracted me enough that I can’t remember what I am shouting about. “I want to offer the lesser plea deal for a start, if they refuse or continue to insist on prison time, we’ll go to trial. What do you say, Mate?" She looks for my agreement, and when she flashes her bright green eyes at me, I am helpless to do anything but what she wants.

I gulp and nod at her, and I don't miss Aiden’s smirk at her display. She has just played me, and it worked. God damn it! “Thank you for supporting my decision, Preston,” she murmurs sweetly at me when the legal rep leaves us all and Aiden goes to get some coffee and to obviously call Eva and check in with her and Summer.

“I would do anything to take you home tonight, Red. I just didn’t like that someone had to take the blame and, in the absence of anyone else, you’re in the firing line. No one treats my girl like that.”

“I don’t want you to be ashamed of me, Preston, but I’m just tired of fighting, I want to go home with you and live the life I thought I might have lost.” My heart flutters as my hopes rise. Does that mean what I think it means? Can we have our mating ceremony and start a family?

Hey, calm down, boy. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I still might get a custodial sentence. I thank her for saying it through mindlink, knowing it would have stung more in the moment if she had said it out loud.

Sorry, I can’t help it. I have wanted this for the longest time and it is close enough that I can touch it. But you’re right. One step at a time. We kiss and only stop when Aiden returns.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Aiden never apologises for this stuff. He normally tells me to get off his sister. I wonder what has rattled him.

“Are you okay, Aiden?” I ask him, slightly concerned.

He nods and then frowns. “I just had the weirdest conversation with my mate. Apparently, we need to have a talk with her father when I return home tonight. I wish everyone would fuck off and leave us alone. I want one day of peace with my mate. It’s been nothing but drama since we met. I’m going to be grey by the time the baby comes.”

Despite the glumness of the situation, the uncertainty of the future, we all end up laughing at Aiden’s expense. What’s the point in living if it's without a bit of fun and laughter? No matter what is happening in your life today, find something that brings you joy. It's those little moments that carry us through the tough times.

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