Page 132 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

I spun, dart gun at my lips, and saw a broad chest and gleaming, golden eyes.

“Shen, you ninny. I could’ve killed you.”

“No, you would not have,” he said, smiling.

I couldn’t help the way my heart jumped at his voice, nor the way I ached to run into his arms. I held myself back. “What did you find?” I asked, crossing my arms and tapping my foot.

He stalked forward, his movement powerful like a panther on the prowl.

I nearly grinned, my heart jumping for joy at the change I saw before me. Last time I saw him, he was a weary and battle-worn werewolf. Now he was different. I wasn’t sure what I was seeing. He wasn’t the same as the teeming and alive werewolfI had seen at the waterfall in years past, but he wasn’t the werewolf chained to his own guilt, either.

“I found myself,” he said. “I found choices, which are downright terrifying. I found forgiveness, not in what I can do for myself, but from the Source of all.”

I let the smile cross my lips. “You did?”

He nodded, stepping closer. “I am sorry, Alia, for all the pain I brought to you and your family. I can never bring your grandfather back, but this is something I can do.” He brought something out of his cloak. I blinked at it, not realizing what it was. Then I gasped in awe.

“Is that?—?”

“A mage stone, yes. I know you used your last one for the sphinx. I supposed I should not bring you a dead deer to let you know I will provide, but I can bring things you may need.”

I accepted the stone, tucking it into the special pouch near my heart.

“Thanks.”

“Alia, nothing I ever do will make the past right. And if you still choose to reject me, I will understand?—”

“Shut up, you big lug. If I haven’t rejected you yet, I’m unlikely to do so.” I squinted up at him. “It’ll take time to build trust again.”

“I understand and respect that. You have every right to be angry.”

I shook my head. “That’s just it—I’m not angry. Frustrated, disappointed, and afraid, yeah. But not angry.”

A fleeting wince crossed his face. “That is nearly worse.”

“Sorry,” I said with a tiny, awkward grin.

“It is not your fault. I am facing the consequences of my own actions, Little Red. Never apologize for the feelings you have.”

I nodded. “What do you want from this? From us?” I didn’t know what to make of him. Part of me thought he’d refuse to dothe work. Refuse to find the means to heal and change. And I was scared that this was too fast. Change doesn’t come overnight. It’s weeks and months of striving and hoping and failing and overcoming. Only time and action would reveal if this was a lasting change or a fleeing moment.

“I do not know. I only know I want to explore this, to find out where it leads.”

I snorted a laugh. “So you, a werewolf, wishes to court me, a Red?”

He prowled forward, eyes glowing gold. I slowly stepped back until my back was against a tree. He put his hand on the tree beside my head and leaned down. I could see the individual white hairs that made up the scar on his eyebrow.

“No, Little Red, I want to mate you,” he whispered, his breath tickling my ear.

A shiver ran down my spine.

I ducked his arm and shoved his elbow. He face-planted into the tree with a grunt.

I gasped, staring at him as he held his nose. “I’m so sorry?—“

He laughed. It started small but built until he leaned against the tree for support. His eyes caught me, and in them I saw light and warmth. I cracked a grin, even though my heart was having trouble understanding that we weren’t in danger cause it was trying to bruise my ribs.

That ain’t no fear, idiotic and naive Two-Legs,Ran said with a cackle.

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