“Are you sure you’re up for another store?” Samantha asked, looking over at her son as they walked down the boulevard.

“Hey, I’ve got a few hours to kill before Bobby’s out of school and I still owe you a few years of holding your bags while you shop,” he teased. Making up for lost time was easier said than done, but he’d already come to the decision that he wasn’t going to let a moment of his second chance at the life he wished he’d never stopped living go to waste.

Samantha smiled. “I do need to get some things for the charity game night. So, how’s the new house?”

“Bigger than I know what to do with,” he admitted.

“Well, I’m sure that won’t be a problem for long. Zander always did want a big family.” She grinned.

Darren’s face warmed. “I wouldn’t complain.” The idea of being “saddled down” had once been part of the reason he’d run from his mating ceremony, but being a parent to Bobby had changed everything. It was the greatest joy he’d ever known, and he couldn’t think of anything he wanted more than to share all those milestones with Zander. From pregnancy to the baby’s first steps, he’d always longed for a partner who cherished those moments the way he did. The way Zander would.

“Darren!”

The omega looked up to see Caleb walking toward them. The visibly pregnant omega had a worried look on his face and for a moment, Darren was terrified that something had happened to Zander. The Alpha was still out on a hunt, and while he’d sworn it was just a routine mission close to town, his job was dangerous and Darren always worried when he left.

“What is it? Is everything alright?”

Caleb stopped to catch his breath. “I’m sorry. I tried calling the house, and Dustin’s already called Zander. He’s on his way home, but Greg is here.”

“Here?” Darren asked, feeling fear like he hadn’t known since running from the Alpha.

“No, he didn’t get into the pack. Dustin’s guards would never let that happen,” Caleb assured him. “Dustin sent him away, but he tracked you here. He’s demanding to see Bobby, and he said he’s going to the Tribunal to get an order if you refuse.”

“That snake,” Samantha seethed. “I’ll give him a meeting and he’ll be slinking out of here with his tail between his legs.”

“It’s okay, mom,” Darren said, trying to stay calm for her sake. He was just grateful the pack had good security. “We knew this would happen eventually. I need to go talk to Dustin. Can you pick Bobby up for me? I don’t want him at school right now.”

“Of course,” she said, kissing his cheek. “If you need anything, call us.”

“I will,” he promised before following Caleb back to the farmhouse. Dustin was still in his office, and the troubled look on the Alpha’s face said his last phonecall hadn’t gone well.

“Is Zander back yet?” asked Caleb.

“No, but he’s on the road,” Dustin said, giving Darren a sympathetic look. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, thanks to you guys,” he said gratefully. Dustin had every reason to hate him, and Darren knew their friendship was far from what it once had been, but the Alpha was still willing to protect him. Knowing Dustin for as long as he had, he wasn’t surprised at the kind of man the Alpha had become, but he was still proud of his friend.

“He knew what he was getting into when he tried to come onto my territory,” Dustin said with a snort. “My guess is that’s why he waited as long as he did, but he’s lawyered up now so he thinks he’s tough shit.”

“We have lawyers, too,” said Caleb. “You’re not going to have to deal with this alone.”

The front door opened and Zander tore into the room like a tornado. He spotted Darren and took the omega into his arms, hugging him tightly. “Thank God,” he muttered. “Where’s Bobby?”

“He’s with my mom,” said Darren. “We’re both fine.”

“Where’s Greg?” Zander asked through gritted teeth, looking over at Dustin.

“Nowhere near here, and he’ll stay that way, if he knows what’s good for him. I had my betas follow him well off the territory to make sure he left.”

“Thank you,” said Zander. “What did he say, exactly?”

“Just that he has rights and he plans on enforcing them if Darren won’t meet with him,” Dustin said with a sigh of disgust.

“The hell he will,” Zander growled.

“I have to eventually,” Darren said, touching his mate’s arm. “We don’t really have a choice. We both knew this day would come.”

Zander knew it, too, but Darren could tell his protective nature was getting in the way of his ability to think about the situation objectively, for the moment.

“Let’s call Nicholas,” Darren pleaded while Zander was still in a listening mood rather than a hunting down Greg mood.

“I already took the liberty,” said Dustin. “He’s flying in.”

Darren breathed a sigh of relief. The Alpha was a bit too smooth for his liking, but he knew what he was doing and Darren would feel better having him present.

“I don’t want you in the same room with Greg,” Zander said firmly.

“As long as you’re there, I’ll be okay,” Darren said, taking his hand. “Besides, I have to face him at some point, especially if we take this thing to court. I’d rather handle it now, while there’s still the chance of keeping Bobby out of it.”

Darren could tell Zander wanted to argue, but he gave a curt nod. “Alright. But if he tries anything —“

“If he tries anything, you know I’ve got your back,” said Dustin. “The whole pack does.”

The Alpha’s words seemed to relax Zander, but they filled Darren with even more guilt. The pack he’d left behind had done nothing but welcome him back and treat him like one of their own.

He would do whatever it took to repay them, even if it took the rest of his life.

* * *

As Darren walked into the office, everything from the thick glass table to the towering bookshelves stacked with civil codes and torts seemed imposing and sinister. Zander’s hand on his shoulder calmed his nerves, as always, but he knew they would fray again the moment Greg stepped into the room.

Darren took the chair Zander pulled out for him and tried to focus on taking long, steady breaths the way his mother had recommended. Zander sat next to him, and Nicholas settled in the other empty chair on their side. Despite the table’s size, it didn’t feel like enough of a barrier between the empty chairs across from them.

“Remember,” said Nicholas, “you don’t have to speak directly to Greg. In fact, I highly suggest that neither of you do.”

Zander set his jaw and the Alpha clearly had some other ideas, but he kept them to himself and nodded instead.

“Thank you,” said Darren, keeping his hands under the table so no one could see them shaking. He felt like his tie was strangling him.

The omega jolted when the door opened again and a tall, regal looking man strode into the room ahead of Greg. All the air seemed to leave the room and Darren’s lungs as the Alpha’s eyes met his. He looked away instinctively, but when Zander’s hand wrapped around his, he forced himself to look up.

Zander was right. No matter what Greg had convinced him of over the years, Darren wasn’t the one who had any reason to be ashamed. At least, not on Greg’s account. The malice in the Alpha’s gaze once would have filled Darren with terror, but with his mate present, he knew nothing was going to happen to him. Zander had already proven himself capable and willing of protecting and providing for his mate in ways that were foreign to the other Alpha.

“Nicholas. Good to see you again,” the strange Alpha said, shaking Nicholas’ hand before Zander’s. He ignored Darren entirely.

“It’s been a long time,” Nicholas said with a stiff smile. Darren noted how much care he was taking to avoid returning the pleasant greeting. “Rick, these are my clients, Zander and Darren Paxton. Darren, Zander, this is Rick Winston.”

Zander nodded to the man, but his eyes were locked on Greg. He’d promised not to start anything with his former friend, but Darren couldn’t blame him for glowering. Especially considering the smug smile plastered on Greg’s face.

Rick checked his watch. “Where is this mediator, anyway?”

“It’s still a few minutes early,” Nicholas said patiently. “I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”

As if on cue, a young man who looked more like a college student dressed up for a career fair than a professional mediator came into the room and set his briefcase on the table. Darren recognized him as an omega immediately, even though the sharp green eyes that surveyed them all behind his thick glasses had all the intensity of an Alpha’s. The baby-faced omega’s stature was so unimposing that Darren couldn’t help but assume he wore them in an attempt to look more serious, or at least older.

“Good morning,” he said in a pleasant if overly professional tone as he took a stack of papers out of the briefcase. “Looks like everyone is already here, so I’ll take a moment to introduce myself. Clyde Harp, Tribunal Mediator.” He paused, looking intently at Nicholas. “I believe we’ve met before, haven’t we?”

“We have, last year at the custody law seminar in Palm Springs,” Nicholas said, shaking the omega’s hand.

“Ah, that’s right. You were the one who gave the lecture on non-Alpha-omega adoption cases. Very informative.”

“I’m flattered,” Nicholas said, clearly trying to hide his amusement. To his credit, Clyde’s head barely came up to his chest, even though the omega looked like he owned the room with his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his designer suit.

“Excuse me,” Rick said impatiently. “Is this a joke? You are the mediator’s secretary or something, right?”

Clyde turned around to face Rick and cocked his head. Darren could have sworn the temperature in the room dropped a few degrees. “Maybe I mumbled. Clyde Harp, Tribunal Mediator,” he said, pointedly repeating himself as he offered his hand to Rick. “You must be Mr. Winston.”

Rick didn’t return the handshake or crack a smile. “I see. Well, can we get this started? I do have other places to be.”

“Certainly,” said Clyde, taking his seat at the end of the table. He didn’t seem the least bit put off—or surprised—by Rick’s rude behavior. Darren could imagine he was used to it. “I’ve been over all the materials, but just a recap. The five-year-old child in question was raised by Mr. Greg Bowers and Darren Paxton, who cohabited until six months ago without any official mating arrangement, human or lupine, is that correct?”

Greg shifted uncomfortably.

“That’s right,” said Rick.

“And am I also correct in understanding that there are allegations of abuse from Mr. Paxton’s side?”

“That’s right,” said Nicholas.

“Hearsay,” Rick scoffed. “He’d never be able to prove anything in court.”

“That’s a separate matter, but it is related,” said Clyde. “For the sake of the mediation, I will be considering these allegations, but without a formal charge, I’m afraid there’s only so far it can go.”

“My client has agreed that it’s in his son’s best interest if this doesn’t become a court issue, so long as Mr. Bowers is willing to agree to our terms of visitation,” said Nicholas.

“Fuck your terms,” Greg growled.

“Please,” Rick said sternly, holding out his hand to calm the other Alpha. He turned to Clyde. “We’ve reviewed their terms, and find them wholly unreasonable. To hold my client’s rights as a father hostage by refusing to take a paternity test and insisting on supervised visitation is the very definition of extortion.”

“It certainly is an unorthodox case,” Clyde said, pressing his fingertips together. “But given the circumstances, and the interview I conducted with a witness to the alleged abuse, I believe it would be in your client’s interests to be accommodating.”

The color drained from Greg’s face.

“Witness?” Rick demanded. “Who?”

Clyde handed him a thin folder. “You’re free to look over the transcript, but I’m sure you understand why you’re not at liberty to share the witness’ information with your client.”

Rick scowled, but he opened the folder and as he looked over the files, his righteous indignation faded. He closed the file and cleared his throat, as if taking a moment to collect and re-strategize. “If we were to agree to weekly supervised visits on neutral territory, it would be on grounds that a paternity test is taken.”

“What?” Greg cried, clearly upset that his counsel was backing down.

“Absolutely not,” said Nicholas.

Greg slammed his fists on the table. “It’s my kid and you know it,” he snarled at Zander.

“Mr. Winston,” Rick pleaded. “Calm down.”

“No,” Greg snapped. “This is bullshit. He’s just stalling because he thinks he can steal my mate and my kid.”

“He’s not your mate,” Zander shot back. “And if you cared half as much about either of them as you like to pretend, you would have marked Darren a long time ago to protect them both.”

“You wanna stop hiding behind these omegas and take this outside, and we’ll find out who’s a coward, old pal?”

Zander’s eyes narrowed. Darren could feel the anger through their link, and he knew just how much Zander wanted to take him up on that offer, but he remained in his chair. Darren had never felt more protected than knowing that not only did his mate have what it took to fight for him, but the strength to know when doing so would just cause more problems.

“That’s enough,” Clyde said sternly. The room fell silent and all attention turned to the omega. “This is an official proceeding, and if you can’t conduct yourself accordingly, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Greg was still seething, but all his anger had shifted from Zander to Clyde. Darren shivered. He knew the look on the Alpha’s face. He was furious that an omega had stood up to him, and since he couldn’t lash out the way he would have with Darren, he was having to settle for running through the scenario in his own thoughts.

When Darren turned to Nicholas, he realized the Alpha was watching Greg just as closely. The whole time, Darren had feared that Greg’s behavior would cause Zander to snap, but now he was starting to think Nicholas was just as much of a concern.

“Now,” Clyde continued, either oblivious to Greg’s scorn or above caring, “back to the case. I am inclined to agree with Mr. Bowers’ council. I understand and in a way admire what you’re trying to do, Mr. Paxton,” he said, looking up at Zander. “However, it’s not an appropriate long-term solution to an incredibly complicated matter of custody. Whether Darren chooses to press charges or not, the question of paternity is always going to be on the table, and my priority is always the child’s best interests. In this case, I have to agree with the suggestion of supervised visitation, but I must insist on the paternity test before moving forward with any permanent arrangements.”

“No,” Zander growled. “You have no idea what this guy is like. He’s not —“

“Again, Mr. Paxton,” Clyde interrupted, “this is a matter of paternity, not a matter of character. It isn’t about letting Greg get away with the allegations, either, but until we have facts or until your mate is willing to take this further, my hands are tied. The first thing a family court is going to insist upon is a paternity test, and if you’re hoping to avoid exposing Bobby to that, then it’s best that we take care of it at the mediation level. A positive paternity test doesn’t mean that Greg is a fit parent, but it is the first step to making a permanent arrangement that puts Bobby first.”

Zander was still seething, but Darren could tell he was considering what the omega was saying. Greg looked like a smug prick again, and Rick seemed satisfied.

“He’s right,” Nicholas said quietly, leaning in so only Darren and Zander could hear. “Greg could technically force this thing into a court case. By default, the omega has custody, but once official proceedings start, you’d be on equal footing and the process could take months.”

Darren gulped. He could hardly breathe, but he told himself now wasn’t the time to break down. “Alright,” he said shakily.

“Darren, you don’t have to do this,” Zander said worriedly.

“It’s fine. Mr. Harp is right,” the omega murmured. “It’s not good for Bobby to put this off forever.” His eyes narrowed as he met Greg’s withering stare. “But if you think I’m ever going to put him in a position to let you hurt him again, you’re wrong.”

“I didn’t hurt him,” Greg snapped. “You’re being dramatic, as always.”

“Watch your mouth,” Zander warned. He kept his voice at a normal volume, but the authority in it made the other Alpha back down.

“I believe that’s enough for the day,” said Clyde. “If it’s agreeable to both parties, I’ll arrange for a test to be taken at one of the Tribunal’s labs, on neutral territory. However,” he said, preempting Greg’s celebration, “I’m going to insist that you begin working with a counseling professional immediately, Mr. Bowers.”

“We’re fine with that,” Rick said before his client could stick his foot in his mouth. “Greg has already been seeing a counselor twice a week of his own volition.”

“What about the visitation?” Nicholas asked.

“The East River pack has already agreed to offer space and two guards. I’ve scheduled a two-hour visit on Thursday, and both Darren and Greg should be present.”

“I’m going,” Zander said firmly. “I’m not leaving him alone with either of them.”

“Very well,” said Clyde.

“Thank you for your time,” Nicholas said, standing to shake Clyde’s hand again. “If you’re going to stick around, maybe I could pick your brain on another case over coffee?”

“I’m afraid I’ve got another mediation in the next region in a couple of hours, but maybe another time,” Clyde said, picking up his briefcase and leaving the room. He was clearly immune to the other Alpha’s charms.

Nicholas blinked. Something told Darren he wasn’t used to being told no.

Greg lingered as Rick gathered his papers. Darren tried to pretend like he didn’t notice the Alpha watching him.

“It doesn’t have to be like this,” Greg said, wandering around the table. Before he made it to the other side, Zander put himself between them. Greg looked at his old friend dismissively and snorted. “If you get tired of playing drama queen and want to talk this through like adults, you let me know.”

With that, he followed Rick out and Darren felt like he could breathe for the first time since the mediation had begun.

“You did good,” Nicholas said once they were gone. “Both of you.”

“What happens now?” Zander asked somberly.

“Clyde works fast, so the test could happen as soon as tomorrow. From there, we’ll have to decide whether to move forward with charges against Greg.”

“Will that keep him from being able to take Bobby?” Darren asked shakily.

“I wish it were that simple,” said Nicholas. “It should be, but Clyde is right. Once things go to court, they get…complicated.”

Zander put an arm around Darren’s shoulder. “One step at a time, babe.”

Darren nodded. He felt guilty for being so caught up in his own fear when the meeting couldn’t have been easy for Zander, either. Seeing Greg for the first time in years, having to face a panel discussion on the evidence that Darren had cheated on him. And yet, the whole time, he’d remained focused on protecting his unfaithful mate and their son.

Even if they were being forced to take a paternity test, the mediation had solidified what Darren had known for a long time. Greg might be Bobby’s father, but there was no Alpha in the world who’d done more to earn that title than Zander had.