Page 162 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

I loved her, that broken, scared, imperfect soul within me.

Shen took my hand and kissed my wrist where his mark lay beneath my bracer.So do I,he whispered in my mind, his eyes intense with the depth of his loyalty and his love.

I peeled my eyes from his and looked back to Kingpin, who was being shredded by the one thing she’d coveted.

It was worse because as a ruler, you knew theneedsof everyone in your kingdom. And though my kingdom was small, it still consisted of many thousands of people and creatures. And she didn’t have a Ran who could help bear the load, or a Creator who would heal her, or a family who would bring her food and sit with her, or a werewolf who would make her laugh until she could cry.

Kingpin didn’t have what sheneededin order to bear my Gift since it was meant for me and no other. And it was slowly destroying her.

Some people you can’t free because they don’t want to be free. Some people you can’t help because they don’t want to be helped,Ran said, watching from behind us. She tucked her wings against her sides as she squashed a rogue trying to sneak up on my little ragtag group.

Fenbutt stalked beside us, still in his little goblin form. His low growl shook the ground at our feet.

Kingpin was shriveling. Her face was becoming sunken, her hair falling out, and her fingers becoming bony and thin. Even so, she maintained a death grip on the Gift that was killing her.

Fenbutt launched himself forward and—I looked away. I didn’t wish to see my grandmother slain. Not like this.

Fenbutt nudged my hand. I opened it and something warm and soft fell into my fingers. My Gift. I put it to my chest, and it felt as if a bolt of lightning went through me. I breathed out a sigh of relief. My Gift was returned to me. For a split second, I again felt all theneedsof those around and why thoseneedswere there and then Fenbutt pulled back, releasing me fromknowingthe depth of thoseneeds. Theystill teased at the corners of my mind and still tried to harm me, but they glanced off my soul.

For the first time in my entire life, feelingneedsno longer hurt.

Shen put his arms around my shoulders as my people, my Reds, and my magical creatures stood alongside his werewolves; all of us were bloody, torn, and weary, but victorious over the evil that had come for us all.

CHAPTER 56

Redemption

ALIA & SHEN

Alia

It took days to clear the area and put to rest all those who had died.

Graham had died along with thirty brave Reds who had stuck by my side and battled their old mistress and countless more magical creatures, those who had come to me withneedsand then came to our rescue when we needed them most.

We mourned. But we would rebuild.

I stood in front of my entire city on the outskirts of where the battle had been held four days ago. My Reds were fully decked out in their cloaks, polished to shimmer in the moonlight. All the villagers were present as well, people who weren’t warriors but had turned out to support with bringing food, hugs, care, and whatever else we needed. Today, not everyone wore the Red Cloak, but everyone wore red, from a scarf to a tunic to bright headdresses.

Even the unicorns and the magical creatures had somehow learned of thistradition, wearing ribbons in their manes while the other creatures had aprons, hats, literally anything red. I had a feeling Shen had had something to do with that.

The red worn by all was a final tribute to the blood spilt that day. To the sacrifices made.

“They’re waiting for you, hon,” Mom said, patting my cloak and making sure there were no wrinkles or dirt, her callouses sometimes catching on the thread of the willow tree.

Shen stood behind my family, his eyes sad yet filled with joy. Over the bond, I felt a strange sense of both contentment and bereavement. As if he didn’t know what to do with himself.

His scowl was still in place as he glared at anyone who got too close to me, like a guard dog protecting what was theirs.

Ran chuckled in my mind.Great analogy,she said, cackling.

I nearly rolled my eyes but refrained.You do know it washimwho came up with the guard dog analogy, right?

She cackled over the bond.

I knew what was expected of me today, but I was still nervous. I could face a battle with dark mages with little thought, but facing a crowd of people made me want to pee my pants and barf my breakfast.

Dad set his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. He kissed my forehead and gave me a nod that said he was so very proud. And that meant the world to me. Jess clung to his leg, her big eyes watching me with hope, sadness, and joy. I leaned down and hugged her little body, breathing her in. She melted into me, her arms wrapping around my neck.

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