Page 47 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

I’d seen this behavior a few times, and Mom had commented on it, but Dad and I typically wrote it off. Rey’s under a lot of pressure. He’s trying to care for his sick wife and earn enough for his children.

Then again, he hardly ever comes to see his children, who stay with my parents and me. We buy their meals and their clothes. We thought it was just because Ray was busy.

“Has he ever hit you?” I whispered to my sister.

She smiled and patted my hand that was resting on the bed. “No, sis. Never. And he never would.”

I thought that meant she was ok. I thought that meant he wasn’t abusing her.

If only I’d known then that abuse doesn’t just mean bruises on the skin. Sometimes the scars are too deep for a person to see from the outside. And just because someone has never been hit doesn’t mean they aren’t suffering abuse.

I forgot to mention something.

I paused washing out the cloth diaper as Ran’s voice invaded my mind. She sounded hesitant, which made me nervous.Yes?

The mage stone came with a favor.

Ran, so help me spill it or I’m putting peppermint oil in your meat?—

I promised you’d help the werewolf in a mission.

“You did WHAT?”

Mom stuck her head out the door where I was by the well. “Ran,” I said by way of explanation.

Mom gave a sage nod. Was that a hint of a grin around her mouth as she ducked back inside?

“When and where?”

New moon. Harbor district. I thought… well…

I felt her unease and realized she’d had no choice, and she still felt bad about it.You did the right thing, Ran. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell.

I’m sorry I got you into it.

I sighed.You didn’t get me into anything. It was a crappy situation and we did the best we could. You saved my sister’s life. And for that, I’ll spend a few hours with an arrogant werewolf.

CHAPTER 15

A Matter of Time

ALIA & SHEN

Alia

Iwas regretting my words two days later.

That imperial eyebrow was raised and his eyes were heavy with suspicion—and was that surprise?—as I showed up at the meeting place near the docks, where the scent of dead fish filled the air. I didn’t know how a werewolf could handle it when it made me wanna barf.

“Youare what Doc sent?” he said, looking me up and down.

I crossed my arms and tapped my foot. “You mustn’t sound too excited,” I said, saccharine sweet. He opened his mouth, but I cut him off. “I’m not pleased to be here, either, thanks. Let’s just get whatever is going on here done, then we never have to see each other again.”

He stood stock still and didn’t even breathe, as if my very smell annoyed him. With the fishy scent all around, it’s frankly insulting thatmyscent broke his nose. Then he released a breath. “There is no time for a replacement.”

My hackles rose at his blasé comment. I was more than capable, thanks. I remained silent. Just get through it. Forget the way his arms felt around you. Forget that you were hoping fora warmer greeting. Forget the way you actually wanted him to smile. Just daggum forget it.

After the tiny bit of camaraderie we’d built when I’d saved his life and then he’d cared for me, I was expecting… ahh heck. Just forget it.You’re likely just imagining things, Alia,I thought to myself.

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