Page 6 of A Cobbled Conspiracy

I felt my scent sharpen, chocolate-leather taking on an acrid edge that made several people in the gallery glance in my direction. Blake’s hand found my arm as he used his own alpha pheromones to try to offer comfort, but nothing could ease the growing horror in my chest.

The judge looked up from his papers, his tired eyes finding mine across the courtroom. “Sir, I understand this is difficult, but I need you to maintain composure in my courtroom.” His voice carried the authority of someone who’d managed countless emotional outbursts, but wasn’t entirely without sympathy.

I nodded shakily, pressing my lips together to keep from making any sound that might disrupt the proceedings further. The judge adjusted his glasses and returned his attention to the papers before him. The silence stretched so long that I could hear my own heartbeat thundering in my ears.

When he finally spoke, his tone was measured and final. “Mr. Steele, please rise.”

Dominic stood with fluid grace despite the restraints. I clenched my fists, my gaze fixed on the broad line of his shoulders.

“I’ve given careful consideration to the defense’s arguments regarding Mr. Steele’s community ties and mating bond,” the judge began, his tone measured. “Under normal circumstances, a newly bonded alpha’s commitment to his omega would be compelling evidence against flight risk. However, given the serious nature of these charges, the prosecution’s concernsabout ongoing investigations, and the potential national security implications, bail is denied. The court will ensure that appropriate medical monitoring is provided for the defendant’s mate during this separation, as required by omega welfare statutes. The defendant will remain in custody pending trial.”

Denied.

Dominic wasn’t coming home.

The tightness in my chest contracted so sharply that I had to double over, pressing my hand to my stomach as a wave of nausea added to the emotional devastation. Behind me, I heard Penny’s soft gasp and Jake’s whispered curse.

Blake’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t look surprised. He’d warned me this was likely, but hearing it made official felt like watching the last piece of my world shatter.

The judge continued with scheduling details and procedural requirements, but the words flowed past me like white noise. When the gavel fell, it sounded like a door slamming shut.

All I could focus on was Dominic’s straight spine as they led him away and the brief glance he threw over his shoulder that said everything we couldn’t voice in this sterile room.

Frustration, determination, pain, and underneath it all, the bone-deep ache of yearning.

I made it exactly three steps out of the courthouse before my legs gave out.

Blake caught me as I crumpled, his alpha scent shifting from controlled anger to protective concern as he guided me to a stone bench beside the courthouse steps. “Easy. Just breathe.”

But breathing felt impossible when each inhale brought the sharp tang of car exhaust and city stress instead of Dominic’s comforting pheromones. My omega physiology was mounting a complete rebellion, every instinct screaming that something was catastrophically wrong.

I wanted my alpha. Ineededmy alpha.

“This isn’t happening,” I whispered, pressing my hands to my stomach as another wave of nausea rolled through me. “He was supposed to come home. You said?—”

“I know what I said.” Blake’s voice was rough with frustration and something that might have been guilt. “The new evidence threw everything off. Katherine thinks it’s manufactured, but proving that will take time.”

“How much time?” The question came out as a croak.

Blake exchanged a glance with Penny and Jake, who had formed a protective semicircle around our bench. “Corporate espionage cases move slowly. The prosecution will drag this out as long as possible, hoping Dominic’s legal fees bleed him dry or pressure him into a plea deal.”

“How long?” My voice came out rougher than intended.

“Months. Maybe longer.”

Months. Maybe longer.The bond couldn’t sustain that kind of separation.

“I can’t do this for months,” I said, my voice breaking on the last word. “Blake, I can’t?—”

“Yes, you can.” Jake’s voice cut through my rising panic with surprising firmness. His eyes were serious but not unkind. He lowered his voice, as if hesitating now that everyone focused their attention on him. “You have to. You’re the strongest person I know.”

“I don’t feel strong.” The admission felt like failure, but I was too emotionally raw to maintain any pretense. “I feel like I’m falling apart.”

Penny moved to sit on my other side, his cotton candy scent deliberately bright and comforting. “Then we’ll hold you together until Dominic comes home. That’s what family does.”

Family. The word settled something in my chest, reminding me that I wasn’t completely alone even with Dominic gone. These three had uprooted their lives to protect me, had sat through a devastating court hearing, and were now offering to carry me through whatever came next.

“Corporate espionage cases can be beaten,” Blake said, pulling out his phone to check messages. “Katherine’s already identified several procedural issues with the evidence collection. And if this new evidence is as questionable as we suspect…”