Page 37 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

The pup on the floor jerked upright, his tail wagging as he trotted to me. My annoyingpalglanced at me with confusion.

"I know what fenbutt means, but Fen is another matter. It’s a regal name. Perhaps you’ve heard of my great-grandfather, Miss Alia? He was said to have strangled a bear with his bare hands," Fen said.

It was not a funny pun, but Alia laughed politely. "He sounds like a great man," she replied.

I snarled.

The sound made Fen smile, and he sent me a tiny salute. The kid was like a little brother, teasing all your weak points. And blast it, I had given him quite the bruise to poke.

“Run,” I growled.

Fen bowed to Alia. “That’s my cue to leave, m’lady. Pleasure, and all that—” His eyes darted up to me. He sauntered out the door at a much quicker pace than when he had arrived.

“Our Fen can be quite the character,” Doc said, scratching his head as he watched his son retreat, though there was genuine affection in his voice.

Alia turned to me. “You aren’t going to hurt him, right?”

I blinked at her, trying to appear innocent, which was hard for one who tended to scowl more than smile.

She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. “Right?”

I sighed. “Alright. I will not harm the idiot. Too badly.”

“Shen!” she admonished.

Doc was looking between us, his eyes too knowing for my good. “Time to get you home, young one.”

CHAPTER 12

Homeward Bound

ALIA

It took over three hours to get back to my tribe on Ran. Mostly because of the roundabout way I took to hold off any stragglers. Namely, an Alpha prince and a little pup. I was surprised Hood didn’t come for him. Maybe Hood knew what capabilities Shen had and so decided to hold off on the rescue in hopes he’d kill his kidnapper.

And it was a near thing. Even now I could feel the way his hand wrapped around my neck; the ease with which he could snap my spine with a simple twist of his wrist.

Shen was my enemy, and I’d do well to remember it.

When did it go fromWolfieorItto Shen?Ran commented, side-eyeing me.

I groaned and rubbed my palms into my eye sockets, trying to relieve some of the pressure building there. I didn’t have an answer for that. And now I needed new plans to draw Hood out, and the last one took months and quite a few bribes to cook up.

A howl echoed at my back. I turned, but it was only a regular brown wolf calling for its pack. You could tell because the call wasn’t one of longing or hope. Wolves took life and didn’t look back or forward, they lived for the present. Shifters were sometimes like that if they were more attuned to their wild side,but many times their voices were tinged with something only a human mind could imagine—hope or despair.

Wolves felt. Don’t get me wrong. All animals have needs and feelings, but they lived in the moment. They held joy, satisfaction in a good hunt, and grief very close. As wolves were close relatives to werewolves, we Reds often studied them in the wild. Once, I saw a wolf lose his mate. He followed her into death shortly after. I always say he died of a broken heart. And hisneedwas for his mate. I pray they’re reunited, running free without pain or fear.

I shook off the feeling of eyes following me and dismounted Ran. Only my family knew of the bond I had with a unicorn. My tribe would bury me under lava if they knew I not only let a magical creaturelive,but bonded the dratted thing.

As if you had a choice,Ran said, snorting into my ear.

I grunted and batted her off, digging gooey slime out of my ear. “Shut up. I should’ve left you to die.”

You are many things, Two-Legs. A cold-blooded killer is not one of them.

I took off the halter I used as a bridle—Ran would not wear a bit—along with the saddle and rigging, sticking it in a buried hut about a mile out from the village. For emergencies, I’d ride her bareback, but then my butt would be sore from her bony back for a week. I much preferred the comfort of my padded saddle, thanks.

She shook her entire body, her hair puffing and dirt flying off. She nuzzled me. I kissed her velveteen nose before she snorted and dove off into the underbrush.

---