“I, Candice Whitaker, wish to join your pack.”
“Why?” was the only thing Nick said.
“You saved my life, Alpha. I wish to be able to repay that favor someday. Please, accept me into your pack.” Elizabeth didn’t know Candice before her capture, and she hadn't been able to get to know her very much, but Camila had told her a little after their return. She was always a very happy person, dedicated and loyal to Beatrice while still helping the pack and supporting their needs when she was able. Since her return, she had changed it seemed. Elizabeth assumed it had something to do with her captivity, but maybe it was the debt she felt obligated to pay back.
“Of course you are accepted, Candice. Come, join us as our third Beta. Perhaps you can show Ben the ropes.” Nick motioned back to the man as Candice stood, nodding at them both while poor Ben looked dumbstruck.
“If that is your wish, Alpha. Alpha Elizabeth, I look forward to getting to know you more. Know that I will also protect you with my life, should that day come.” Candice had her light blonde hair cropped short to frame her face beautifully after her return. That was nothing compared to her eyes, the warm chestnut eyes could be fierce when cornered. She did not doubt this woman’s skill in the slightest.
“I look forward to it.” Elizabeth smiled, causing Candice to smile back. At the sounds of whispers from the den’s opening, all of her pack’s eyes returned to the opening. Michael had returned, with Jake in tow. Elizabeth stiffened at seeing the man again, causing Candice to move to her side. She was already doing her job of protecting her Alpha.
Michael brought Jake up to Nick and the rest of his pack. At Nick’s nod, he released Jake’s arm and joined the pack, with both Alpha’s eyes never leaving Jake. It seemed that Darren had, indeed, gotten a hold of him while he was held within the hold of the den. He had several bandages across his body, and even a few still-healing wounds on his arms, face, and hands that weren’t covered. Elizabeth felt a little sorry for him, despite what tortures she had endured, it did not mean he deserved the same.
“Jake, do you know why I had you brought up here?” Nick stated firmly.
“I believe I do, Alpha. Are you going to finish what we started?” Jake’s voice was barely audible. He sounded weaker than when he had spoken the day before. At least he had on clean clothes, if nothing else to his name on him.
“No. I am taking my leave of this pack and I was wondering if you still wished to join me.”
“Nick, you-” Camila started, but the look in his eyes stopped her in her tracks. “I mean, Alpha Nicholas, are you seriously considering him?”
“He did not harm anyone himself, that was all his leader. I will not punish him for crimes he did not commit. Besides, I doubt Beatrice would keep him alive if we left him here.” The last sentence he spoke softer, for only those right next to him to hear. “Jake, I need your answer and declaration.”
“Yes, I, Jacob Sheppard, wish to join your pack, Alpha Nicholas and Alpha Elizabeth.” He fell to his knees before the Alphas, pleading to join them. Nick looked at Elizabeth, she knew she had to accept and make the final call in this. She looked at him, the measure of kindness and cruelty she saw in his eyes brought her back to that night. He held her still so she could be tied up and tortured, but he had no cruelty in his eyes then. He had pity.
“Accepted, w-welcome to the pack.”
“Thank you, thank you!” He fell to his hands and knees at her feet, his fingers inches from her toes. It was odd, and a little disconcerting, but after it seemed he would stay there, she finally knelt down.
“You need to stand so we can leave. Come on, I’ll help you up,” she said as she held her hand out for him. He looked at her, really looked at her and took her hand. She gently pulled him up as he ran a hand over his cropped brown hair and he joined the rest of their growing pack. She looked back at them all and their eyes turned towards her. Many more people joined than she thought would, twelve wolves making their pack fourteen strong. Jake’s eyes were a bit watery, tears filling the corners of his forest green eyes as Michael tried to console him.
Nick grabbed her hand then, drawing her attention back to the quickly approaching Beatrice. Together, they approached Beatrice and met between the opening of the den and the wolves defecting from her pack and joining Nick’s and Elizabeth’s pack. They stood, less than a foot apart and she saw the difference in Beatrice up close and personal. Her eyes were warmer than she had ever remembered seeing them, her hair hung down on her back and out of that tight bun she loved so much. She was more relaxed and happy, and Elizabeth hoped she would stay that way.
“Safe journey for you and your pack. You are welcome to visit anytime,” Beatrice said, and the way she said it made Elizabeth actually believe it.
“Take care of the pack, they mean a lot to me. To us all,” Nick said carefully. Meeting her eyes, he added, “and don’t forget about yourself either. Find the mate you deserve.” Her amber eyes widened with surprise and she nodded mutely.
“Thank you for taking care of me, helping me learn what I needed. And thank you for having Nick stay with you, I literally wouldn’t be where I am now without him, nor would I be as happy.” She smiled up at Nick before looking at Beatrice again, green eyes meeting amber ones. The amber gaze looked away first, but nodded acknowledgement and maybe a little defeat. Beatrice turned and walked back to her pack, now Alpha once again. Nick and Elizabeth did the same. Upon reaching their pack, they turned as one and, with their Alphas leading, began their trek up to Byron, their new home, and to the answers Elizabeth needed.
Pureblood (Pureblood series) Page 33
