Page 172 of Candy & Her Saints

Lincoln and Ghost move to stand at one side of Thomas.

Vito and I boldly stand at his other.

Raylan scans over us, his lip curling.

“Your parental concern for me is overwhelming.” Thomas makes sure to turn his head so that the cameras can zoom in on his shattered cheekbone. Some of the Omegas in the crowd wince and coo in sympathy. Thomas is still the most desired Alpha in Haven, after all. “I imagine that you wish to know I am safe and what medical care I need. Right?”

I don’t know how he can say that with a straight face.

Raylan side-eyes the cameras, and his fists clench. “Do you need a doctor?”

“Of course I do,” Thomas says, icily. “I have been attacked in my own home by Cesare, Head Alpha of the Snakes. We opened up our home to the town for this festival, and he used that as a cover to tie me up, abuse my Omega, pistol whip and beat me. Look at my face, Dad.”

Now, the gasps from the crowd are fully sympathetic to Thomas.

The scents and pheromones that the other Omegas are putting out to soothe my Alpha would make some Omegas jealous.

Except, I know that Thomas and I are both wearing Soul Marks on our chests.

Plus, it’s reassuring to have the support of the town’s Omegas.

People forget how powerful Omegas are. We can use our pheromones to calm or manipulate just like they are now en masse.

It’s overwhelming.

Ghost tilts his head thoughtfully like he’s thinking the same thing. Except, I bet that he’s assessing how to use that in the future.

Ghost’s eyes look as blue and clear as the sky above.

The sun makes his hair appear soft and white just like the wings of the doves that I loved to see nesting in the summer garden. I knew that it would.

My throat tightens.

Ghost looks glorious in the light. He was never made to be shut in the dark.

Raylan’s expression becomes stormy.

He pushes Richard to the side like a used toy.

Richard bangs his shoulder against a column and winces. He ducks his head, hugging his arms around himself.

“How dare that trash come into my pack’s territory? I’m the mayor. This is criminal and a challenge to my authority.” Raylan’s eyes flash.

Of course, he’s not going to care that Thomas was hurt. His status is what matters.

“It’s more than that.” Thomas steels himself. “This man intended to kidnap your Alpha son and force him into a bond.”

This time the ripple of horror through the crowd is from fellow Alphas, especially the elites.

Illegal forced bonds with Omegas isn’t spoken about publicly but are well-known.

But forced bonds between Alphas are shocking.

Yet they still happen.

Raylan pales. “Arrest him. Sheriff, did you hear what my son said? Everybody can see his wounds. I won’t stand for this shame on my family name. A mayor’s own home is private property and must be safe. This is a serious crime. I want the bastard locked up, permanently.”

Thomas remains silent, but I don’t miss the look that he exchanges with a man in the crowd, who steps forward.

---