𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫 || 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐊𝐰𝐚𝐧

Chapter 34

Seungkwan sat next to Vernon in the back of the car, tugging nervously at his shirt as they pulled up to the entrance of the courthouse. Vernon and Joshua had helped him choose his outfit, but no matter how many times they assured him it was suitable, he still felt like his growing pregnancy was obvious. It wasn’t that he didn’t want anyone to know he was pregnant. He just didn’t want Stewart or Stewart’s lawyer to know that little detail. Or the media, for that matter.

In the month since he and Vernon had mated, his body had gone through a rapid set of changes that had left him dizzy, and a little disconcerted. When he found himself avoiding looking in the mirror every morning, he finally broke down and talked to Yuna. What she said made a heap of sense—his former career had placed a lot of importance on his looks, his body, and having that change in ways beyond his control was scary. He wasn’t sure he’d ever grow to love the pregnant look, but he was excited for what it meant for him and Vernon.

“There’s quite the crowd out there,” Joshua said from the front. “I can call security, see about them letting us in around the side. They might make an exception, especially for someone in your condition.”

Seungkwan lifted his head and took in the mob of people.

“No. I won’t hide from this. How many other omegas in bad situations are going to be watching this? I want them to see me walk in there with my head held high.”

“Well said,” Vernon murmured. “Even if I’d much prefer to get you inside the safest way possible.”

Seungkwan patted the alpha’s hand in reassurance. This was just the first hearing, where Stewart would enter his plea. It didn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but since it was unlikely Seungkwan would be able to attend too many other hearings in person over the next few months, he wanted to be there for this one.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked Vernon. “I don’t mean us running the gauntlet out there. I mean hanging around in the courtroom for this. They’re going to run through the list of charges, in detail. You might not want to hear all that.”

And with the person who’d hurt him, who’d put him in danger, so close at hand, he worried a little about Vernon’s ability to keep himself in check.

Vernon cupped his cheek. “Trust me,” he said quietly. “I’m here for you, I won’t leave your side. And Seokmin and Joshua are here for both of us.”

Seungkwan relaxed at that. “I know. I just don’t want to put you through more than you or I can handle.” This trial was going to stretch them both to their limits, even if it was the right thing to do.

“Ready?” Seokmin asked as they came to a stop outside. The gathered crowd peered through the windows at them as security guards came down the steps, clearing a path.

“As we’ll ever be,” Seungkwan said.

Vernon and Seokmin got out first. Seungkwan followed Vernon, while Seokmin went around the car to get Joshua. The crowd around them pressed in.

“Thomas, is it true that you’ve—”

“Thomas, Stewart Bozdale says you’re a liar. Have you any response to that?”

Vernon’s arm went around him, the alpha supporting him but not hiding him away from prying eyes. It buffered him from the glare of the camera lights, the shouts, and the stares as they headed up and into the courthouse.

Seungkwan didn’t let himself huddle into Vernon’s side—he forced himself to stand up straight, to keep his head up, and his eyes forward.

“Seungkwan,” a voice called from up ahead of them. “The Omega Actors Guild stands with you.”