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“Liam, lock the pride house down. Bran, you do the same thing at the pack house. Call in those outlying families. There is a killer on the loose in Arkadia. I’m forwarding to you the footage that David and Daniel gave me.

” Connor darted to the diner door and looked out trying to identify any possible threat.

“You got it, Connor,” Liam said. Everyone heard him start shouting orders before the call ended.

“Connor, is he a distance killer or up close and personal?” Bran asked.

“Up close and personal. He’s running on Shifted Death, so his actions will be unpredictable and erratic. Hard to anticipate but it may make him sloppy,” Connor explained.

“Okay, we’re closing down the pack house now. Call with any updates,” Bran said before hanging up.

Connor went back to the counter that had the phone connected to Griffin.

“Sir, I’d like to request two units of Sentinels to begin patrols in Arkadia before nightfall,” he asked.

“He’s there isn’t he? He’s targeting you,” Griffin said.

“Yes sir. He is after my family.” Connor turned to look at everyone in the diner. To him the whole town was his family.

“Hold tight, Arkadion. We’re on our way,” Griffin said and hung up.

“I’m going to grab Peyton and then head to the pack house. Maybe the threat of a killer will get him to finally leave the bar. Connor, call me if you need help in patrols,” Mojo said and waved before walking out the door.

“Roman, make sure you check in with everyone, all coven members are to return to the house immediately. I’m bringing in David, Daniel, Nic, and Ashby. We’re being targeted by a killer who is addicted to Shifted Death, so be prepared for anything,” Gabriel spoke calmly into his phone.

“Yes sir. Baptista is rounding up everyone now. Should we close Purgatory?” Roman asked. Gabriel looked to Connor for his opinion.

Connor nodded. “Revenge set aside, he is an addict. If he can’t get someone in town he will go looking for another shifter. Purgatory is perfect hunting grounds for him,” Connor said.

Gabriel nodded. “Close down,” he ordered.

“Okay, sir, I’ll call Noel. They will close Purgatory and go underground. Hurry home,” Roman said. Gabriel ended the call and held out a hand to Ashby, who was trembling in his chair.

“Let us go, mon ange . Roman will start having kittens if we’re not back soon.” Gabriel used his melodic voice to soothe his mate. Ashby visibly straightened. He turned to the twins, who were desperately gripping each other’s hands.

“Come on, guys, I’ll make s’mores and we can catch up on our cheesy sci-fi movies,” Ashby said, putting on a brave face. Nic, seeing how scared the twins were, also smiled at them.

“I’ll make my famous hot chocolate,” he said, wrapping an arm around Daniel.

They nodded and all five headed to their cars.

Connor looked over to see Madison sitting quietly at the table. She watched him with utter trust in her eyes. He looked over to see Rebecca walking over to the counter where he had left the pictures.

“Rebecca, don’t!” he yelled. But it was too late, and she had already gotten to the photographs of her, Kate, and Sebastian. She swayed and Aleks caught her. When Aleks saw the photographs he roared and looked at Connor.

“We find him and he dies,” Aleks said.

Ma shuddered as she looked at the pictures and pulled Rebecca into her arms. “Aleks, you and your brothers make sure that the people who live in town go to one of the lock down houses. Claybourne, you and Felix are welcome at the Arkadion ranch. You’re family,” she said.

“I’d like to stay with Rebecca anyway. Let me run to the clinic and grab some things,” Claybourne said.

“When you’re done, come back here and we’ll ride back to the ranch together,” Ma offered.

“Thanks, Doc.” Aleks shook the man’s hand, and he, Emmett, and Duncan left the diner before splitting up and jogging in opposite directions. Claybourne and Felix were right behind them heading to the clinic.

Madison stood and walked over to Connor. The picture of her laughing in the diner flashed in his mind’s eye. He pulled her into his arms.

“This is all my fault. I brought him here,” he said miserably.

“This is not your fault. The only one who can be blamed for this is the killer,” Madison said, wrapping her arms around him.

He breathed in her scent and began to calm down.

“He’s after my family. My baby sister, my friends,” he whispered. It was his worst nightmare come to life.

“We’ll get him, Connor, and then he won’t be able to hurt anyone else again,” she said confidently.

“What about your friend Giddey?” Connor asked, pulling back to kiss his mate on the forehead.

She snorted. “It will take him at least a week to figure out what to pack. I probably won’t hear from him for a little while,” she said, grinning.

“I’m nervous. He’s breaking pattern. In those pictures he has targeted three unborn children. It’s a sign that he is even more unpredictable and dangerous than before.” Connor sighed.

“One little guy versus all of Arkadia? I think the odds are stacked against him this time. He must really be unbalanced thinking he could come to this town and hurt someone,” Madison said, shaking her head.

“Ma, I want my gun,” Rebecca said quietly.

Ma nodded. “It’s in my safe at the ranch. Aleks didn’t trust you with it in your house. We’ll pick it up and then go get settled in. You can show me all the new things you have done with the nursery,” Ma said, rubbing Rebecca’s arms.

Aleks walked through the doors with Pa, and both wore grim expressions. Pa immediately went to Ma and kissed her before kissing Rebecca on the forehead.

“Aleks and I pulled up the SUV and my truck to the front door. Claybourne and Felix can ride with Aleks and Rebecca. Marg, you and I can follow in the truck. Connor, are you okay bringing up the rear?” Pa asked.

“Yes, sir,” he said.

“I called the boys and told them to meet at Aleks’s house,” Pa told Ma.

“I’d love to see the nursery. I’ve never been an aunt before.” Madison turned and smiled brightly at Rebecca. Connor could tell she was trying to distract his tiny sister.

Rebecca’s eyes widened. “That’s right! You’re going to be Aunt Madison. We’re having a boy! I want to name him Liam Gabriel Arkadion, but Aleks said no.” Rebecca sighed.

“I told you. We need an ‘A’ name. And why would you want to name him after that annoying cat?” Aleks asked grumpily, trying to keep the conversation light.

The door opened and Connor turned quickly to see who it was. It was Claybourne and Felix returning with their medical kit. Connor turned to Aleks and Pa.

“Let’s go,” he said and held out his hand to Madison. She laced her fingers in his and he walked with his family to their cars.