Page 29

Chapter 29

Parker

I grip the edge of the table, my knuckles turning white as Jake’s lawyer struts in front of the judge.

“Your Honor, this is a straightforward case of manipulation. Mr. Parker has coerced Ms. Foster into pretending to be an omega to strengthen his custody claim.”

I turn my head, catching Harlow’s downcast face.

“Look at me,” I whisper. Her eyes catch mine. “We can do this.”

Carver’s hand moves in gentle circles on her back while Oliver’s fingers intertwine with hers. Asher sits beside me, his attention split between the proceedings and the small device monitoring Harlow’s vitals.

“She’ll be fine,” Asher whispers, but his jaw is clenched tight .

The lawyer’s voice grates against my ears. “We have evidence that Ms. Foster lived as an alpha in New York. Convenient timing, wouldn’t you say, that she suddenly ‘discovers’ she’s an omega right when Mr. Parker needs to prove stable pack dynamics? Is she an omega? Is this another lie?”

My lawyer stands. “Objection, Your Honor. We have medical documentation proving Ms. Foster had an alpha implant. The removal of this implant revealed her true omega nature.”

“Documentation that could easily be falsified,” Jake’s lawyer sneers. “And what about Mr. Parker’s character? A man who would exploit a vulnerable woman—”

Red clouds my vision. My muscles coil, ready to launch over the table and wrap my hands around his throat. Only Asher’s firm grip on my arm keeps me in place.

“Your Honor,” my lawyer interjects, “I have sworn statements from Ms. Foster’s doctor detailing the medical emergency that led to the discovery of her implant. Additionally, her mother is prepared to testify about the circumstances that led to the implant’s placement.”

A small sob escapes Harlow. The sound cuts through me like a knife.

“Mr. Parker has shown a pattern of deception,” Jake’s lawyer continues. “And now this omega charade—”

“Objection!” My lawyer’s voice cracks like a whip. “You are making assumptions.”

The courtroom feels like center ice during overtime - tense, with everyone holding their breath.

Jake’s lawyer and mine are trading verbal checks like players fighting for the puck.

“Miss Foster,” the judge’s voice cuts through the tension. “Can you take the stand?”

Her perfume hits my nostrils, but the sweet scent is muted. Now it’s mixed with anxiety.

Harlow’s eyes find mine, fear swimming in those turquoise depths. I squeeze her hand. “Don’t worry. Nothing you say is incorrect.”

A small smile tugs at her lips. “Thanks.”

My chest tightens as each of my pack mates stands to kiss her before she takes the stand.

Carver’s lips linger on her forehead, his protective growl barely contained as he whispers something to her.

Oliver gives her a quick peck and a wink that makes her shoulders relax slightly.

Asher’s touch is gentle, clinical almost, but his eyes tell a different story. There’s heat there whenever he glances at her gorgeous face.

Watching them support her, something breaks loose in my chest. This isn’t just about Jagger anymore. This is about protecting our omega, our pack, our family.

Harlow shifts in the witness chair, her fingers twisting together.

The judge leans forward, asking her to begin. “Please tell the court how you met Mr. Parker.”

She takes a deep breath.

“I would like to start by telling the court, I was never deceptive.” Harlow’s voice starts soft but grows stronger. “And the pack never asked me to be anything other than who I am.” Her eyes find mine again. “Regarding Mr. Parker. I met an alpha in a club and despite being an ‘alpha’ myself, I thought I could smell him as my scent match.”

“But how can that be? You were an alpha!” Jake’s lawyer jumps up.

Harlow’s spine straightens, her voice sharp as skates on fresh ice. “Will you let me finish? ”

My heart pounds against my ribs as Harlow’s voice fills the courtroom. Every protective instinct in me wants to shield her from this, but her strength...

God, her strength, leaves me in awe.

“I met him at Club Midnight,” she continues, her fingers twisting in her lap. “Another alpha was getting aggressive, wouldn’t take no for an answer. Coach Parker stepped in. Though, I didn’t know who he was then.”

The memory hits me fresh. How her scent, although not as brilliant as it should be, cut through the manufactured darkness. Then my body moved toward her before my brain could catch up. I hadn’t known then why I felt so compelled to protect her.

“And you didn’t know who he was?” Jake’s lawyer interrupts.

“No. We both wore masks. It wasn’t until I started working for the Raiders that I realized...” Her eyes find mine, and that connection, the pull between us, crackles through the air. “I realized he was the alpha who had protected me.”

My chest tightens. Even now, watching her on the stand, I can hardly believe how perfectly she fits into our lives. Into my life. Into Jagger’s life.

“Coach Parker never asked me to pretend to be anything,” she says firmly. A slight lie, but she is pulling it off. “I was drawn to him, to all of them, before I even knew I was an omega. The scent bond was there, pulling us together, even when I didn’t understand why.”

The judge leans forward. “And now that you know?”

Harlow’s smile lights up her entire face. “Now I understand everything. Such as why I never felt right as an alpha. And why these specific men kept drawing me in. Of why Jagger felt like...” She swallows hard. “Like my own from the moment I met him. ”

Pride swells in my chest. This woman, this incredible omega, chose us. Chose my nephew. Chose to fight for our family right here in this courtroom.

“Why is that, Miss Foster?” the judge prompts. “Why did you have to be an omega?”

“I can’t spend my life as an alpha again. I am an omega.” She shakes her head. “I feel right…normal now.”

“And taking on the little boy. Was that ever anything you’d expect as an omega?” the judge asks her.

“Honestly,” she shakes her head. “I could never have wished for a more beautiful little boy to ask me to be his mom.”

“Has he asked you?”

I hold my breath. Had Jagger asked her?

My heart thunders against my ribs as I watch Harlow on the stand. Each word she speaks about Jagger makes my chest feel like it might burst and now I’m waiting for my heart to break free.

“This morning Jagger came into my room and cuddled me.” Her smile lights up the courtroom as she wipes at her eyes. “He told me he loved me and he wanted me to be his mommy.”

I press my hand to my chest, trying to contain the emotion threatening to overwhelm me. Beside me, Asher squeezes my shoulder.

“And how did you reply to that?” the judge asks.

She lets out a small laugh that makes my heart skip. “I told him I would be honored to be his mom. And I would.”

Jake’s lawyer jumps up. “Objection, Your Honor. The defendant’s feelings, while touching, have no bearing on the child’s long-term welfare.”

“Objection overruled,” the judge says firmly. “The child’s welfare has never been in question since he was taken in by his uncle when his mother died and his father abandoned him. The question was whether I wanted to change the child’s life when he was already being well cared for.” He pauses, studying Harlow. “And now his life is going to get even sweeter.”

I swallow hard, barely able to breathe.

The judge turns back to Harlow. “I understand there is an application for your pack to be legally bound. Do you understand the implications of that? You can still back out until it is rubber-stamped.”

“I was happy to sign it, as were my alphas.” She nods, and my chest tightens at the certainty in her expression. “We won’t be retracting it.”

The judge turns to Jake’s lawyer and asks, “Do you have any further questions, Mr. Vaughn?”

He consults with Jake and then shakes his head.

The judge asks Harlow to leave the stand, and I wait. My hands shaking with nervous tension.

The restaurant’s private room feels intimate, perfect for our celebration and as I watch Harlow from across the dining table with the candlelight dancing across her face as she laughs at something Oliver says, my heart sings.

“To our omega,” Carver raises his glass, “who owned that courtroom today.”

“All I did was tell the truth.” She ducks her head, but I catch the proud smile .

Asher reaches over, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You did more than that. You showed everyone exactly how brave you are.”

“Speaking of the truth,” I lean forward, the question that’s been burning in my mind finally spilling out. “When you inhaled my scent in the club, did it make you feel the way you told the court? Or was that for the benefit of the court?”

Her cheeks flush pink. “I did. I felt your touch had burned into my skin where your hand touched my arm.”

My heart stutters. Even then, despite the implant, our connection had been undeniable.

Her phone buzzes, interrupting the moment. She answers, her expression shifting from confusion to shock.

“Yes, this is Harlow Foster.”

I watch her eyes grow wider as she listens. Tears start rolling down her cheeks.

Carver tenses beside her.

Oliver’s hand curls into a fist before he snatches the phone, putting it on speaker. “Who is this?”

“It’s Gerard Hoskins.”

“The sports agent?” Oliver’s eyebrows shoot up.

“Yes.”

He hands the phone back to Harlow, who wipes her tears. “Yes. I want the job.”

She pauses, glancing around at us, at her pack. “Yes I can start in two weeks. Can I work from home some days? I have a little boy I need to be home for.”

The love in my chest threatens to burst. Even in this moment of professional triumph, her first thought is of Jagger .

I watch as Harlow pulls back from her phone call, her hand trembling slightly. “Can we talk tomorrow? Tonight we’re celebrating. Thank you.”

She ends the call and stares at her phone like it might bite her.

Then her voice comes out in a whisper, “He... he offered me a job as a sports agent for his firm.”

My chest swells with pride as she continues, her words tumbling out faster than the tears rolling down her cheeks. “I did it.” Her voice is raspy. “He offered me tapered rates from four to ten percent, depending on the contract amount.” She turns to Carver, her eyes wide. “Your contract did it for him. He was impressed by how much you got.”

Carver just shrugs, his brilliant blue eyes soft as he looks at her. “I did nothing. You did it all.”

“But—”

“I knew one way or another I’d get you what you wanted.”

She leans forward, pressing her lips to his. His hand tangles in her hair as he pulls her onto his lap, kissing her like she’s his lifeline.

The sight makes my heart clench—but not with jealousy, with completion.

I catch Asher’s eye across the table, and Oliver’s gentle smile, and I know they feel it too. This is what makes our omega special. She’s not scared that she’s just accepted an alpha’s job as an omega.

That’s Harlow though. Whether it’s standing up in court for Jagger, or negotiating contracts, or simply knowing exactly what her alphas need. She can do it all.

She gives each of us exactly what we need, and I hope we can always do the same for her.

I clear my throat, watching Harlow and Carver get lost in each other. “Save some of those kisses for the rest of us, sweetheart. ”

Harlow breaks away from Carver, her lips swollen and cheeks flushed. Her eyes sparkle with mischief as she looks around at all of us. “Oh, I want all your mouths on me tonight.” She runs her tongue across her bottom lip. “Everywhere.”

My cock hardens instantly at her words. Across the table, I see Asher shift in his seat while Oliver’s pupils dilate.

“Lucky for us Jagger’s staying with my parents tonight,” I say, my voice rougher than intended.

She slides off Carver’s lap, straightening her dress. “And tomorrow we’ll celebrate with him properly. Ice cream sundaes and that new video game he’s been begging for.”

“But tonight...” Carver’s voice trails off suggestively.

“Tonight is just for us,” she purrs, and the sound goes straight to my groin.

I signal for the check, suddenly keen to get home. Watching her with each of us, seeing how perfectly she fits, how naturally she loves—it makes everything we’ve been through worth it. The custody battle, the drama with her family.

All of it led us here.