Hidden Killers: Hunters in the Wind (Book 2)

17 - Colt POV

I hated this guy.

I hated him with every fibre of my being.

He was Abby's friend, and he put her in harms way. Even when everything was laid out on the table and we showed him the way out, he still chose to side with Xavier.

I got lucky that day. A second later, and I would be on the funeral pyre.

I squeeze Abby into me, reassuring her that she is safe with me. And... reassuring myself that she was safe by my side.

Alpha Thaddius and Luna Kailey noticed our change in behaviour along with their daughter, Sophia, and son-in-law, John. Sophia and John moved so that they were repositioned behind Abby, on either side. Alpha Thaddius sat more forward and angled his body so he was facing Gabe's back square on, ready to launch if anything happens, whereas Luna Kailey took Abby's right hand and held it tight, running circles over her knuckles with her thumb.

Abby slowly looked around her. Noticing the changes, she whispered a 'thank you' before pulling back into me.

"The trial of the people vs Gabe Reid will now begin."

Finally, start this thing and send him down to hell.

Easy, Ash. Remember, despite our feelings, Abby still has deep rooted connections with him. She is going through a lot right now.

I know, we will look after her.

Thank you.

But I still want his head.

I just sigh as I turn my attention towards the trial.

"Gabe Reid, you stand on trial for the following: conspiring with the enemy, possession for an offensive weapon, attempted murder of an Alpha and manslaughter." Prime Minister Sue reads off the sheet in front of her. "How do you plea?"

"Not guilty." His voice was monotone, holding no emotion as he stared blankly ahead of him.

"Care to elaborate?" Elder Charlotte of Wales leant forward in her seat, the rest of the Council following suit.

Classic intimidation tactic by our leaders here.

Ash, shush!

"Conspiring with the enemy - we were only deemed the enemy in their eyes." He gestures his head back towards us. I couldn't help my eyes narrow towards the back of his head. If only looks could kill.

"Blood Moon broke several laws, both werewolf and supernatural." Elder Azul almost rises to his feet but is held back by Elder Marianna.

"You didn't seem too worried at the time. Or should the correct saying be, you were too slow to react?" Now his voice had a hint of smugness about him.

"As for carrying an offensive weapon, I know that my Abby baby behind me has had a silver dagger on her from time to time."

Gasps swirled around the room as all eyes turned to my mate. I could see her face in the gloom - her eyes had widened in horror whilst her face burned red.

I'm not having this.

"Permission to address the room?" I raise my free hand and turn to the Council. The other hand was clenching Abby's left hand as she held onto me with a tightened grip.

"Go ahead, Alpha Colt."

I rise to my feet to make my statement. "I gave Abby the dagger for self defense. She has only ever used it as such."

"It is true." Elder Marianna rises to her feet. "Abby fought in a challenge last month and only brought out the dagger when given permission to by Elder Azul."

The other Council members seemed to hum between themselves.

"If you feel a crime has been committed then I will take the punishment for it."

"Colt, no!" Abby shoots to her feet and clings onto my shirt. "Please Colt, don't. Not for me."

I clasp her hands in mine and raise them to my lips, placing a delicate kiss on top of them. "Anything to keep you safe, Abby."

She pulls me into a fierce hug as I turn to address the Council. "I gave Abby the weapon knowing our laws. I will take the punishment."

Murmurs chorus between the Council before Prime Minister Grecan holds up her hand to silence them. "This matter will be looked into after the trial."

Gabe turned his head as much as he could in our direction. The parts of his face that we could see, he had the widest smirk on my face. A growl rumbled deep in the back of my throat in response.

"Your remaining two charges - attempted murder of an Alpha and manslaughter. Want to deny them?" Prime Minister Grecan raises her eyebrows towards him.

Gabe shifted in his seat before responding. "I did not mean to kill... Xavier..." His voice showed the first sign of a tremble since the trial began.

"But you did mean to shoot Alpha Colton Harris of White Crescent?" Elder Azul clarifies.

"He is a danger to us all." I am the danger? Pah!

"Do you have proof that Alpha Colt is dangerous?"

"He took a human against her will to be his mate." Abby had to hold me down along with Sophia and John as Ash pushes forward - my eyes turning black and my claws elongating out of my hands.

"HOW DARE YOU! THAT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT BLOOD MOON TRIED TO DO."

"Ash, it's OK. Please be calm." Abby turns our face toward her and kisses our lips before moving our head into the crook of her neck. "Just breathe."

Breathe in... hold it!... Breathe out...

I slowly pull away as Ash withdraws to the back of my mind. "Thank you. Apologies, Council."

Ash... keep your head.

"I can confirm... Ash's claim that Blood Moon were trying to force a mate bond between Abigail Stanton and Xavier" Octavius brings up before he is cut off.

"LIES! I WAS HIS MATE! HE WOULDN'T DO THAT TO ME!" Gabe roared as he lunged forward in his seat.

"The vial that was given to Abby contained Blood magic as well as Xavier's DNA. That form of magic would break Abby's bond with Alpha Colton and replace it with Xavier." Octavius almost looked smug as he finished his statement. Gabe, meanwhile, was stewing in his seat.

"Any other evidence?"

"He attacked the ranked members of Blood Moon."

"In self defense of the pack, himself and Abby." Now the Prime Minister looked like she wanted this to speed along.

"In their eyes." Gabe muttered under his breath.

"And I don't need to bring up the death of Xavier Weston considering everyone present saw you shoot him."

"COLT MADE ME!" He wails. "HE MOVED THE GUN AND PULLED THE TRIGGER SO IT SHOT MY MATE!"

"ENOUGH!" The gavel slams down, almost breaking the podium it hit with the force. A very p*ssed off Prime Minister rose to her feet, glaring down at Gabe.

"You have broken both human and supernatural laws in your delusion." Venom spat from her mouth as her fangs sharpened; her eyes turning a bloodlust red. "Our laws are simple - an eye for an eye. Therefore, you are hereby sentenced to death." Another resounding bang of the gavel. "Bring out the Axe and the block."

Abby tugged at my arm. "They are going to behead him? Here? Now?" She frantically whispered as guards brought in the execution equipment.

I nodded at her with sadness in my eyes. "We can leave if you don't want to see it." No response came. Her eyes were too busy fixed on the axe in horror that she didn't register my comment.

Gabe slowly rises to his feet and turns his head towards us; again, only making it part of the way round.

"After all we have been through, Abby, is this how you want to see our friendship ended?" He kneels down and rests his head on the block. One of the guards lines up the axe at the back of his neck before lifting it high in the air.

"NO WAIT!"