Page 113 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

“That’s Mistress Red!”

“Is that Hood?” another voice screamed, running away in terror.

Others stood still, their eyes popping from their sockets in pure shock.

“Mistress Red is riding Hood!”

“It’s a Red riding Hood!”

“AlittleRed riding Hood!” another said, which I swore was Brandt’s voice.

“Hey!” I shouted, but they were already well behind me. I was offended. Shen was huge in his wolven form, sure, but heck. I wasn’tthatsmall.

People quickly scrambled out of our way, one even tripping over a kid they didn’t see behind them. I glanced behind me and both were getting up, staring after us with open mouths.

I smiled, letting my arms relax. This was… nice. It was freeing, exhilarating.

We stopped in front of Rey’s father’s shop. Rey walked out, wiping his hands on his apron, his father right behind him to see what the commotion was. They both froze.

I got down from Shen, clenching my teeth. I’d had to make nice to this man for too long. It was time it ended.

I walked up to him. “Curo, is your sister alright?” Rey asked, his voice concerned and his brows furrowing.

I said nothing.

He shifted his feet, glancing at those surrounding us, people who were too curious for their own good and had followed the werewolves instead of running. The werewolves spread out behind me, careful not to get too close to the humans whoeyed them with distrust. “Please, is everyone alright? This is a frightening way to show up?—”

“Where are Jess and Fina?”

His eyes darkened. “My children? Did you lose them?” he asked. For a moment, my heart dropped. But then two little voices came from overhead.

“Leelee! We’re up here!” a sweet, sweet voice said. Enforcer Markus pushed open a window.

“They were locked up here, madame,” he said. He paused, then added, “Fina is not speaking, but Jess has expressed her father was not kind to the children.” A threat underlined every word. Rey paled.

“No, he weren’t!” Jess said, her voice wavering.

“Please get them out and to my family, Enforcer Markus. Thank you for finding and protecting them,” I said.

There were people gathering around, watching with wide eyes and bated breath.

“This is not like you, Alia. Please, as my sister, know I meant nothing wrong. I just wished to see my children. You all have been keeping them so much and have been so busy, you have turned me away the last few times I came to see them?—”

He had to stop speaking when his nose crunched beneath my fist. He squealed like a girl, his voice ringing with pain. “Whash you dosh?—”

“That is for my sister. This is for my family.” I punched him again, driving him to his knees. I was always scared of this man. Scared that he would finish my sister off. Scared that he would use his connections to oust my family secret that my sister had so painstakingly hidden, but it was time.

I was done being a pushover. I was done letting boys run over me and my family. I knew what a real man was like, and it was so much more than this quavering heap before me. True men protected you from others, yes. But most of all, they protectedyou from themselves. Shen listens, respects me, and works hard to understand what I need. This boy before me was an insecure brat trying—and failing—to be seen as a man.

Sadly, true men were few and far between. There were many who were roped into thinking men likethisbag of bones was what a man was supposed to be, and they go their entire lives not realizing they deserved better.

I glanced back at Shen, who was sitting like a dog, Fenbutt at his feet. Ran and the other werewolves were nowhere to be found. A couple of orphans were slowly inching up to him. His imperial bearing was enough to drive most of the adults off, but kids were another breed entirely. They were closing in on his tail, watching as it twitched on the ground. Their eyes were wide with wonder and curiosity, their bare feet peeking out from their grimy trousers.

One child reached out, almost touching the tail when it twitched away from her hand. She tried again and it wagged, brushing against her nose before falling to the other side. She pounced, straddling his tail between her legs and sitting on it with a wide, gap-toothed smile. She glanced up and paled, seeing Shen had turned his head in an act of contortion and was staring at her from inches away.

To her credit, she didn’t move. Whether that was in fear or wonder, I’d never know. She met his eyes, her mouth wide and her green eyes dancing from beneath mud-streaked hair.

Shen sneezed. The girl jumped… and then she giggled. Shen nuzzled her with his nose. She raised her hands and caught his muzzle, smiling so bright her eyes nearly disappeared from her grin as she stared up at him. His entire being softened. How a bear-sized werewolf could suddenly become a puppy in the hands of a child a tenth of his weight, I would never know. She felt around his face and nearly poked his eye before one of the other kids got there. Shen rolled over, gently playing withthe kiddos, Fenbutt prancing around and mock-growling as he joined the fun.

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