Darian and Cora stood together, the alpha pair, Ian called them. Darian is a dark haired large man, wide, his facial features are stern and his golden brown eyes are sharp.

Cora the female alpha, also his partner, appears petite next to him. Her human form is small, her blue eyes soft like her face, and wispy brown hair. Nora notes the way she stands with Darian and knows that her looks are deceiving. Cora is protective of Darian and the iron will in the intensity of her gaze tells Nora that even if Cora does seem soft, she would be deadly if crossed.

Ian’s hand is interlocked with hers. Nora allows him to guide her to the front of the pack to stand in the space left open between the alphas and the Rizer shifters.

Nora meets the gazes of the other shifters as they pass through the crowd. She is ashamed of her behavior but she wants to know who will be her enemies and who will leave her alone if by some miracle they are allowed to remain with the pack.

Kate the older woman with blond hair a pointed chin doesn’t look as angry as she did last Nora saw her but there is still distrust and unfriendliness clear in her gaze. Many of the others are holding the same expression.

I’ve made this so hard for Ian. These are the people he calls family and I’ve betrayed them all. How can I ever make that right?

A shifter with short black hair, nearly as big as Ian gave Nora a nod of acceptance that surprised her so much she nearly lost her footing. Ian steadied her as the wolf with the short dark hair, long rectangular face and blue eyes fell into step behind them. He followed them to the front, ignoring the judgmental looks directed his way by some of the other pack members.

“Thank you, Victor,” Ian said to the shifter who inclined his head.

Ian bowed his head low to the alphas. Nora quickly followed his lead bowing her head low.

“You broke several of our rules, Ian. Turning humans to shifters is a dangerous, big decision, especially if you wish to bring this human to join the family pack. Worse, you put Angeline at risk speaking to outsiders about her gift of sight.” Darian’s disappointment soaked into Nora’s bones like a heavy lead, weighing her down.

This must be the alpha authority.

Cora spoke next her voice was much harder than her soft appearance, matching her eyes. “What do you have to say for yourself, Ian?”

“I love my pack,” Ian said meeting their hard gazes in turn. “None of my actions were of ill intent. Nora is my predestined mate. You both know how strong the bonds of pre-destiny are, I acted with foolishness and should have been more cautious in what I spoke of with Nora while she was still an outsider. I apologize to Angeline, and to Killian for my grievous mistake and will never make this mistake again.”

Darian looked over to Killian and Angeline. “You paid the price for this error. It is up to you both if it is forgiven of Ian.”

“It’s forgiven,” Angeline said right away, her hand on her stomach.

Killian looked directly at Ian. “I forgive you, your intentions were not to harm us.” When his gaze shifted to Nora she knew he did not feel the same way about her. She didn’t blame him for that. Nora tried to pull her hand away from Ian’s. She didn’t want to taint him with her unforgivable actions.

He would not allow her to pull her hand from his. Instead, he brought her hand to his lips looking down at her with smoldering eyes that heated through the anguish she was feeling.

“Nora,” Cora said calling her name.

This is it. This is where the shifters cast me out and I cost Ian everything.

“You betrayed the trust of Ian and of the pack. You put Angeline and her unborn child at risk with the knowledge that what you were doing would put them in danger,” Darian said his voice so full of recrimination that Nora knew there was no way he or his pack was going to get over what she’d done.

Cora touched Darian’s shoulder and gave him a stern nod.

Darian let out a long breath. “I want to also let you know that your actions to protect Angeline and try to make right what you did wrong is not lost on us. The price your old family had you pay is far worse than anything we would ever do to reclaim payment. You died three times before the bite of the shifter could combat the poison enough to keep you alive.”

Nora was afraid to be hopeful that the pack might accept her pain as payment for what she’d done. She waited for him to say more, for him to cast her out.

“What do you have to say for yourself?” Cora asked Nora.

Nora closed her eyes trying to find words that could describe the depth of her guilt and sorrow. “I was desperate to protect Ian when I gave away Angeline’s name.” Nora opened her eyes meeting the gaze of Cora and then Darian.

“I hoped to tell Ian when he returned what I’d done but it was already too late. I chose Ian’s life over Angeline’s. I am more than sorry and more than ashamed that I put her in danger.”

Nora knew she’d find Killian glaring at her and that no mere apology could ever make right what she’d done. She looked in their direction anyway. “I am sorry for betraying Ian and you both. I know that my efforts to undo what I did don’t change the fact that Angeline was taken away and in fear of her life and that of your baby.”

Killian was glaring like she knew he would be but his eyes were wet.

“Like Ian, it falls to Killian and Angeline to decide if you are forgiven,” Darian said.

Angeline met Nora’s gaze. “I was there and saw what you did to try and protect me and my baby. It is the only reason I am able to forgive you, and since it was me that paid the price and I forgive you, I hope the pack will accept you.”

Nora nodded her lip trembling. “Thank you.”

Everyone looked to Killian next. He dragged his hand through his hair, gritting his teeth. “I wanted you to die when I learned what you did,” he said his teeth looking sharp. “You paid three times with your life and suffered days of pain from the poison and it should be enough….” Killian’s fists were so tight that they were white and shaking.

Nora understood his pain. She felt the same way for so long about the shifters who took her family. Death wasn’t going to enough, nothing was enough.

Ian’s arm wrapped around her, supporting her back as they waited for Killian to finish.

A single tear trailed down his face as he looked at Ian. “I want to forgive her for you, we’re pack brothers, family… but I can’t.”

Ian’s face was stoic as he listened to Killian then he turned back to the alpha’s without saying anything in response to what Killian said.

“We must vote then,” Cora said. Looking out at the pack. “Think on your answer because whatever it is, will be final.”

“May I speak?” Victor, the shifter that followed behind Ian asked.

Cora inclined her head.

“It wasn’t very long ago that me and some of the others here were accepted into your pack. Our trespasses against members of this pack are just as great if not greater than the trespass made by Nora. If she is not welcome after she has paid for her mistake, it makes no sense to me to stay. Afterall, I am the man who helped to capture Ian-” his voice broke as he looked over at Ian. “It’s my fault you were tortured like you were. I could have done the right thing and allow you to escape earlier. I didn’t.”

“It wasn’t you who tortured me, Victor. It was you who made sure I would have the chance to escape. I am not angry with you,”

Victor pinched then end of his chin as he continued, “I wish you would be. It’s a lot more difficult to live with when you are so ready to forgive us.”

Nora wrapped her arms around Ian’s waist hugging him. He truly was the most amazing man. “I think I’m even more in love with you than I was before,” Nora whispered not caring who heard as long as Ian heard her.

“You all knew we came to vote. This entire week leading up until now you’ve had time to think about what your decision would be. Let us vote,” Darian said.

“All of those who believe it would be just to outcast Ian and Nora raise your hand,” Cora called out.

Killian raised his hand, as did Kate, and a few others that Nora didn’t know.

“And if you wish to have them to stay and be forgiven, raise your hand.”

Nora smiled when Errol and Onyx stepped up next to Ian and raised their hands. Victor was on Nora’s side and his hand was raised. Nora was too afraid to look around and see what the outcome was and based on the expressions of the alpha pair it was going to be close.

“Cora and I will discuss this tie and return with our answer.” They started toward the doors in the courtyard behind them but after a few hand signals exchanged between them they turned back.

Errol put his hand on Ian’s shoulder. “That was fast so it’s probably good news.”

“Or really bad news,” Ian said exactly what Nora was thinking.

“What if you stay and I live in Freebasin? You can come visit me.”

Ian laughed like she was joking when he knew very well she wasn’t. “I can’t be without you, Nora. You’re stuck with me.”

Nora closed her eyes holding onto him tighter. “I don’t deserve you, Ian.”

“We’ve made our decision,” Darian said before Ian could respond to what Nora said. “After Victor reminded us that we have exercised patience and forgiveness in the past and had it pay off so well we have reconsidered. Casting out Rafi was one of the worst days of my life. This day would be even worse, were we to lose you and your mate, Ian. Please stay with us.”

Everyone who voted in favor of them staying began to cheer and race forward to hug onto Ian and to her surprise, they were hugging her too.

Angeline wrapped her arms around Nora and hugged her tightly. “I am so happy you are staying, Nora,” She said with sincerity that humbled Nora even further.

“Thank you,” Nora said happy tears spilling over.

Ian gathered her from Angeline and held her close. “This is our family, Nora. Well, until we add to it and have kids of our own.”

Family, love, and happily ever after? This has to be my family up in heaven making deals with guardian angels because this is all just too good to be true. Closing her eyes she sent up a prayer she hoped found their ears. I love you, too.