“No!” he yelled.
Connor looked over to his Ma and Pa and nodded. When he had arrived at the diner earlier that afternoon he had explainedwhat was planned. He watched as his Pa stood and silently walked outside to begin herding the children who were caroling inside for hot chocolate.
Ma walked over to where Kate, Nic, Sebastian, and Rebecca were trying to get answers out of a sobbing Ashby. Gabriel was talking quietly to David and Daniel. It was seconds later that they too dissolved into tears. Word spread quickly around the diner. Most of the patrons were shaking their heads.
Connor looked up and held his hand out to Madison, and she quickly walked over and took it.
“What do you mean that oily bastard is coming here!” Rebecca demanded, getting the story from Ashby between sobs.
Kate turned to Rian.
“RiRi, can you take my boys to Baby Central and watch over them? I’ll be standing with Gabriel and Ashby and I don’t want them anywhere near that son of a bitch.” Kate growled.
“Can you take Lucian too?” Sebastian asked, handing the baby over to Damian.
“Please?” Ashby asked, unable to wipe his tears with his son in his arms. Gently, Rex stepped forward and took tiny Arthur. Talon scooped up Landon and Lucas and Kaden helped Rian with Merrick and Matthew.
“Don’t worry about these little guys. Nothing is going to come near them.” Rian growled and nuzzled Merrick’s cheek. Beau joined the lions in Baby Central to guard the door.
Quietly, the group made their way outside into the cold, winter’s night. Inside, Ma and Pa kept things lively as the children headed in. Once the door to the diner was closed and they saw Pa’s silhouette through the frosted glass, they walked to the town square.
Baron, Salsiby and three wolf shifters waited for them in the middle of town. Baron’s mouth was drawn in a tight line.
“Professor.”
“Baron.” Connor nodded.
Baron turned to Gabriel and bowed.
“Prince Gabriel, I am truly sorry for what I have to do.”
Gabriel’s eyes had shifted to black.
“It is not your fault. Neither myself, nor my coven bear you any ill will.”
Baron straightened.
“Where is the feral? Can you hurry it up please? I would like to get back to celebrate this monster’s execution with Alpha Devon. After tonight, shifters everywhere will be safer.” Salsiby’s smile was smug.
Connor took a step forward only to see that Caleb, Aleks and Liam had done the same thing. Gabriel remained exactly where he was but his black eyes began to smolder, turning to a dark red.
“Careful, Gabriel, or we may have to put you down as well,” Salsiby jeered.
David and Daniel stepped in front of their prince, growling low, their claws extended.
“That is Prince Gabriel to you. As for putting me down, I welcome you to try.” Gabriel’s fangs lengthened.
Behind them they heard multiple car doors shut. Baptista and most of the coven got out of their vehicles and surrounded Rhys. Slowly, in a stately manner, they walked forward to the center of town. At first, Connor thought it was because they were acting as an honor guard but, as they got closer he could hear the clanks of the metal chains securing Rhys’s hands and feet. The condemned man shuffled forward in a vacant daze.
“My Prince, we gave him the last of your blood you had stored for him. He is calm for the moment,” Baptista reported. Gabriel nodded and swallowed hard. He took the chain lead from Baptista’s hand and walked Rhys forward.
“Papa?” Rhys asked, confused. Connor looked on, fighting back his tears.
“That’s right, Rhys, I am here. It’s Christmas, we’re out in the snow. You love Christmas, remember,” Gabriel explained gently, walking him in front of Baron.
“I can’t watch.” Rebecca sobbed uncontrollably.
Connor watched as Gabriel positioned Rhys to kneel with his back to the large Sentinel.
