Read Complication: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Shifters Forever After Book 1) for Free Online Page B

Laken Araya. From a few years ago. I met her at a social event, but we hadn’t seen each other again since then. Not until the hearing.”
    None of that was a lie.
    Ky released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
    Why does any of this matter? Who cares if two grownups met each other under those kinds of circumstances?
    Laken cared. And that meant he cared.
    “I don’t see an issue. If you haven’t seen her in a few years… How many?”
    “Three, I guess.”
    Two years, ten months and twenty-six days, to be precise, but who’s counting?
    “There’s no issue, but thank you for letting me know. I’ll note it in the files, in case anything ever comes up.” David shrugged. “Fedor Kozlov seems to be fairly persistent.”
    “Fairly so.”
    Ky made a short detour to his office to respond to a few emails, then headed down to room 408. It was mostly empty, except for a few spectators who wanted a prime seat, most of them sitting on the same side as the respondents.

----
    L aken , Benedict, and Dale were assembled in the same room they’d spent way too much time in yesterday. Laken wasn’t about to change her mind on the matter. It was fundamentally wrong to part a child from its mother when there was no good reason to. She wished that Fedor Kozlov hadn’t made this a black and white issue. She wished he’d at least been willing to accept some sort of visitation.
    “So, anyone have a change of heart?” Benedict glanced from her to Dale, then back again.
    Laken shook her head.
    Dale coughed. “I did.”
    “Do tell.” Benedict leaned back in his chair, taking a drink of the coffee Secretary Parlay had brought them.
    “I’m not voting for Dominic to be taken from his mother. And since Mr. Kozlov isn’t willing to compromise, then I’m siding with the respondent.”
    Laken wanted to cheer that little Dominic’s life wouldn’t be upset, but at the same time, she felt sad for Mr. Kozlov. He wasn’t even giving having a relationship with his grandson a chance. Not with this behavior.
    “So it’s two to one,” Benedict said. “At least it’s over.”
    They made their way to the hearing room, and just as he had the day before, and every day before that, Secretary Partlay rang the bell, then announced them, and they made their way in.
    First, Benedict was called, then Dale, then it was Laken’s turn. She glanced around the room, allowing her gaze to land on Ky for the briefest of seconds.
    His expression gave no sign that he knew her. Though that should have relieved her, she’d have been lying if she didn’t admit it crushed a part of her to have him treat her like she was just another stranger.
    Secretary Partlay stood. “Please rise.”
    Everyone rose to their feet, the room silent except for the rustle of clothing.
    Secretary Partlay faced the judges. “Have you reached a decision?”
    Benedict cleared his throat. “We have. Two to one in favor of the respondent.”

----
    K y couldn’t say he was disappointed, but he kept a poker face.
    A clattering sound, wood on wood, turned heads toward the petitioner’s table. Fedor Kozlov was rising to a stand, albeit not very gracefully, his cane banging against the table then falling to the floor. Ky leaned forward to collect it, then handed it to the old man.
    “Please sit, Mr. Kozlov.” Ky’s voice was low, but shifter hearing made it impossible for Laken—and the rest of the room—not to hear.
    “I will not sit. I can see the writing on the wall. There will be no justice. None at all.”
    “Mr. Kozlov, this is the way of these proceedings. It’s the way things are done. It prevents the loss of shifter lives. It wouldn’t serve the shifter community for our kind to seek vengeance under the guise of justice. You agreed to these proceedings.”
    “They are a sham. A complete sham. And it’s rigged. I know it is.”
    Marti Lee rose to her feet. “I won’t let this happen. I won’t have my son’s life ruined because of one bad