Page 105 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

The smile left my face. “What happened?”

“Someone broke into the Tent. Riled up a few of the creatures. Stole the mage stones the doctor brought with him. Left this.” Enforcer Markus handed me a slip of vellum.

Your people are hurting, but you put beasts before us. You will burn on Sixth for what you have done. And I will laugh.

Verand.

My frown deepened as I carefully held the note.

I walked through the tent flap and into chaos. A few werewolves had cornered the sphinx, who was spitting and hissing at the werewolves while clinging to her last remaining baby.

Further in was a dryad who had climbed halfway up the wall and was growing leaves from his normally pale, humanlike skin. The hydra was knocking down posts and the thin walls, pushing past werewolves as if they weren’t there.

Needshit me in a tidal wave, and I sunk to a knee. Markus set his hand on my shoulder, the other on his bow in warning. A large white-and-tan werewolf came to a stop before us. He had a brown ring around one of his eyes like a monocle. He bowed his head, then turned, huffing a low bark.

Five werewolves in both human and wolf form surrounded me and Markus on all sides as the other werewolves worked to protect the inhabitants from the raging creatures.

They needed a leader. The werewolves were doing well but…

Growls came from the werewolves at my back. I glanced back to see Brandt with six Reds being held back by the snarling werewolves.

My chest inflated as Ran took some of the strain of theneeds.

I stood, Markus right beside me in case I faltered. I gave him a curt nod.

“Let them through,” I said with a clear voice.

Brandt and the six stopped before me with a salute.

“Brandt, take the Reds. The dryad clinging to the ceiling will come down for water. Get it beneath him before he explodes into a tree.”

Two of the Reds exchanged wide glances. “That can happen?” one asked.

“Yep. Get him down. The sphinx needs space; get everyone back and let her be. She will harm no one who is not a dangerto her.” Doc nudged my arm with his cold nose. “You take the sphinx?” I asked. He nodded.

“What about the hydra, ma’am?”

I winced as said hydra stepped on a werewolf’s tail, sending the werewolf into a yowl of pain.

“That one’s mine.”

Ran?

Here. Just get her to me.

I ran forward and rolled in front of the hydra, the snap of teeth missing my hood by a hairsbreadth. I turned, blowing a dart at the head. It hit the soft nose, and the head reared back, blinking quickly.

The head lolled to the side, shaking its head. Then the body stumbled. She nearly slammed against Enforcer Markus, who grabbed a werewolf and shoved him out of the way.

“Hey, pretty girl. You’re safe with me, ok? Come on now.” The middle head snapped its teeth at me and I took off. “Clear the path!” I shouted, and my Reds darted in front of me, getting injured creatures, nurses, healers, and volunteers out of the way.

The pound of enormous feet shook the ground behind me, closing in. Ran sliced a thin slit into the side of the tent and I shoved through.

Enforcer Markus somehow made it outside before me and grabbed my arm. He shielded me to the side as the hydra broke through the wall beside us with a guttural howl of fury.

Ran literally headbutted the hydra, pushing her over. The two heads that were still awake mewled in distress as it flipped all the way over, her legs beating at air like a stuck upside-down turtle.

Markus eased me back, holding me by the shoulders. “Are you alright, madame?” he asked, his eyes searching my face and body.

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