Page 14 of Gifts of Fate (Kindred of Arkadia #7)

“You hit me! You hit me unprovoked in Arkadia! I demand this man be banned from coming back here,” Salsiby screeched from the ground, blood pouring from his nose.

“Technically, I was defending an innocent Arkadian townsperson.” Baron grinned at Connor.

“That’s right. You were about to kill an innocent man.” Connor stepped forward.

“He is a monster!”

“It seems we have a different idea of what is a monster, here in Arkadia,” Rebecca said, stepping forward.

Salsiby turned to Gabriel.

“You still can’t feed him. I know you have been checking for a supplier of shifter blood and came up empty. It’s only a matter of time before he kills.” Salsiby was helped to his feet by one of the wolf shifters he had brought.

Rebecca frowned. “He lives in a town full of shifters, why do you think getting shifter blood will be an issue?” she asked sensibly, looking around.

“I never wanted the townspeople to think we thought of them as food,” Gabriel admitted.

“You are a damn moron!” Rebecca exploded.

If he weren’t so worried about his sister calling the most dangerous vampire on the planet a moron, he would have enjoyed the stunned look on Gabriel’s face.

“I tried to tell him,” Ashby chimed in, standing next to his mate.

“Of course we would help. Gabriel, whether you like it or not, you are family,” Ma said.

“The vampires gave us blood when we needed it!” A woman yelled from the sidewalk in front of the diner.

“They saved my son!”

“And my wife!”

Rebecca turned to the crowd.

“Christmas blood drive! Use the emergency phone tree, let’s get people down here!” Rebecca bounced up and down on the balls of her feet. Immediately, people were reaching for cell phones.

“I may be feeling better, but it may not be such a good idea to have me around a town of shifters donating blood. I’m just sayin’.” Rhys smiled tiredly from the ground.

“We’ll get him home.” Roman stepped forward and pulled Rhys up, before embracing the man. “It wouldn’t have been Christmas without hearing you sing.” Roman smiled at his friend.

“Felix, let’s head to the clinic and start setting up,” Doc said, grinning from ear to ear.

“Right!”

“I can help,” Baptista said, stepping forward.

“This isn’t right! The council ruled that he be executed,” Salsiby contested.

“Will someone please drag him out of here?” Rebecca asked.

“Alpha Mother, if you would allow me?” Baron grinned.

“Are you staying for the party tomorrow?” Rebecca asked.

Baron shook his head as he grabbed Salsiby by the back of the collar. “No, I’m hosting the boy’s Christmas poker tournament this year. But, thanks for the invitation.” He smiled and spoke politely as the small man thrashed around, not even making the large Sentinel budge.

“Don’t just stand there, help me!” the oily lawyer yelled at the wolves.

Baron swung his head around and simply stared at them.

“Our job is done,” one said and all three hurriedly made their way out of town.

“You actually brought some smart ones with you this time,” Connor teased.

“You won’t get away with this. Baron, I’ll be speaking with your Commander!” Salsiby swung his arms in an attempt to strike Baron.

Holding the man at arm’s length, Baron watched the lawyer in disgust. Without changing his expression he threw the man forcibly on the ground.

Connor heard a bone snap.

“I’m sorry, did you trip? Here, let me help you up.” Baron jerked him back up by the hair. He turned to Connor.

“Well, let me head out. Merry Christmas, everyone.”

“Bye, Baron, and thanks for taking the trash out.” Connor laughed.

“Anytime.” Baron waved and dragged the lawyer out of town by the hair.

“That man is super hot!” Rebecca sighed.

“What is it about the military types?” Madison watched as Salsiby ‘tripped’ again.

Aleks and Connor both growled at their mates.

“Now that the sneaky lawyer is gone, what happened with you guys?” Madison asked, turning to Rebecca who shrugged and looked at the other members of the Inner Court.

“For me, it was like, the words weren’t mine, but I felt what she did. We just all felt it at the same time,” Ashby tried to explain.

“She who?” Connor asked. Rebecca pursed her lips and tilted her head.

“I think it was Fate. I think she has plans for him that didn’t involve being executed,” Kate said.

“It’s nice to know someone is looking out for us.” Rebecca giggled.

“On that positive note, I’m going to take the boys home. We’ll have a long day again tomorrow for the Christmas party,” Kate said as Bran and Caleb walked up with their boys. Rian handed Lucian to Sebastian and Rex passed Arthur to Ashby.

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep tonight,” Sebastian admitted, cuddling Lucian close.

“Me either,” Nic said, yawning. Everyone laughed.

Gabriel walked up from coordinating the vampires to assist in the blood drive.

“You have no idea what this means,” Gabriel said, pulling Rebecca into a hug.

Aleks growled and pulled Rebecca into his arms.

Rolling her eyes, she winked at Gabriel.

Connor chuckled. “You mean that someone else is giving their blood and saving someone I love? Yeah, no idea what that feels like. I want to make sure I’m one of the first to donate,” Connor said, though his words were meant to be light, they carried the weight of emotion with it.

“As soon as they set up I’m heading over there,” Aleks said, kissing the top of Rebecca’s head.

She sighed. “I can’t donate,” she said sadly.

Connor slapped his forehead in disbelief.

“Rebecca, you’re the one who literally just kick-started this whole thing,” Madison reminded the tiny human.

“Besides, you’re pregnant,” Ashby reminded his friend.

“It’s just that Gabriel saved my baby, and I wanted to help Rhys, since he is like Gabriel’s child,” Rebecca explained.

“You and your Inner Court worked a miracle. I believe that Fate was only able to work through you, due to your close bonds. You did save my child.” Gabriel, uncaring that she stood in her mate’s arms, kissed her cheek. She sighed happily and Aleks snarled. Both Gabriel and Rebecca ignored him.

“Come on, everyone, let’s give up some red blood cells,” Rebecca cheered.

Connor laughed and followed Madison to the clinic. She also stood in line to donate.

“I insist on donating too.” Madison looped her arm through his.

“Why?”

“Because without the vampires, Arkadia would have fallen, and I would never have met you,” she said quietly.

“Fate knows best, doesn’t she?” Connor smiled.

“Of course.” Madison rested her head on his shoulder as they waited for their turn to return the gift that had been given to them that summer.