“That is a dangerous idea.”
“We know,” Elijah replies, lightly winking at her. She shakes her head as she ponders on what I said for a moment or two.
“I’m not sure. I know many live in fear, and they would happily look to another leader, but they are too scared. Broken into submission, and many are just a shell of what they once were. Torture, abuse and fear do that to a person,” Candice explains quietly.
“And everything I learn about this bastard makes it clear we need to end this.” Elijah looks down at me and I nod in agreement.
Candice sighs as she pulls up her sleeves to show us her forearms. Her wrists are marred with deep horrific burn scars made from being chained with silver. The rest of her arms are also covered in wounds. “I am one of the few who is able to still hold my own, but not everyone is as lucky as I am, I guess…” She doesn’t explain what she means, but instead shakes her head. “The warriors are mostly under his control. I don’t think many would side with you.”
“The ones he’s created monsters out of,” I add.
She nods. “Yes, the most brutal, ruthless and pure evil men who abuse the rest of this pack in the most horrific ways. Any who have tried to speak up have been killed in the most brutal of ways but more than them, everyone tries to make sure that the Alpha’s evil gaze never lands upon them.”
I frown, so we wouldn’t have much manpower.
“Then we’ll do this the hard way,” Elijah says with a frown. I nod in agreement and Candice sighs as if realising we aren’t about to change our minds.
“I forget how young folk can be as stubborn as us old ones. Very well, I will find out for you, I will gather whoever I can for this coup. We may die, but I do believe living like this just isn’t worth it. You should leave though.”
“We will, and we’ll return with an army,” Elijah reassures her.
“Make haste, is there a way I can contact you once I knowwhat numbers we have? We aren’t allowed phones here. I could steal one, but I’d be more worried that he is tracking all his men’s phones.
“Wait, my phone,” I whisper, pulling it out of my pants. “Keep it hidden and only turn it on if you have something to tell us. The passcode is 1234.”
“Seriously?” Elijah scoffs as he looks at me. I give him a pointed glare.
“I don’t have anything to hide,” I retort, looking at him suspiciously. “Unlike you, right?”
He smirks.
“No, nothing really to hide, but I do think your next phone should have a better passcode. I think there’ll be a lot to hide from here on out. And I mean a lot,” he murmurs sexily, kissing my neck sensually.
My stomach flutters and I roll my eyes. “Mhmm.”
Elijah smirks, flicking my ear with his tongue, that piercing I love hitting my earring.
I close my eyes for a moment, enjoying his touch before I slowly nudge Elijah to behave and pass Candice the phone. She turns it off and slips it into the pocket of her battered skirt.
“Ok, I will do that. If you have a day, you can drop me a message. I’ll check it every night. We will try to steal some weapons. I will do my best.” There’s a fire in her eyes as she speaks furtively, and I smile. She’s a strong woman. “You have been here too long. He might get suspicious. I should go hide this phone somewhere, too.”
“You’re right; we should get going, don’t want him getting suspicious,” Elijah says.
“And I mean it, leave the pack quickly, too.” Candice reminds us.
We nod, but we can’t just yet.
“Take care of yourself dear, I am proud of you,” Candicewhispers. I smile, at least an elder from my pack is proud of me even if I’ve done nothing for them.
We bid her farewell, and I go to the kitchen to bid farewell to the women, feeling a bit guilty for growling at them, but they all are so polite.
I promise I will do my best for you guys.
We leave the house, and I sigh heavily.
This isn’t going to be easy, and people will get hurt, I say quietly through the mind-link. Elijah pulls me close.
We’ll handle it. He places a soft kiss on my forehead, promising me hope and safety.