Page 89 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

And I was ok with that.

Because I would change it.

Knowledge is the first form of change.

CHAPTER 31

Reign

ALIA & SHEN

Alia

The first thing I did as Matriarch was to become a trusted source. I had the Book of Honour transcribed by the best and allowed anyone to come in and see the process. The tribe would know it was duplicated word for word, just as it should’ve been long ago.

Then I had the book copied and made available for any who wanted one. Theyneededto read it for themselves, to know what was happening wasn’t of the underhanded, false truths of before. This was an open sharing of knowledge so my people could trust me as a source of stability. To trust that I was for them and not against them.

Next, I set up three days per week where my people could come and express themselves. If they disagreed with the book or my rule, they would not be punished. It would be an open discussion. And that terrified me.

The first day was a week after my crowning. It was the first day the common people would speak with me directly.

“Please welcome Matriarch Aurelia of the Reds, first of her name, Harbinger of Peace, Warrior of Source, Curo of the people.”

I blinked. I didn’t think I’d earned any monikers yet. Most took years to earn their first monikers as Matriarch. AndCuro?I had a feeling I knew where that one came from.

I had no time to ask, as the people were before me. From shopkeepers to Reds, they were here. This was the Matriarch’s Tent; it wasn’t a tent, exactly, but more of a large tepee with enough room to fit fifty Ran. It was designed for public speeches and announcements. Grandma held public disputes and trials here.

I wanted this place to be different, to be a place of communication.

The people were silent. “Please, relax. Source only knows we’ve attended enough silent disputes.”

A tiny wave of laughter spread through the crowd.

“We’re here today because everything is changing so very fast, it’s hard to keep up. One day we’re killing magic, the next we’re supposed to protect it?” I shook my head. “Today, you can say anything you wish and ask any questions so long as they are kind and considerate of your fellow people. That’s all I ask.”

“What if we don’t have kind and considerate questions?” a buxom shopkeeper said, her arms crossed.

I nearly snorted a laugh. “Are you gonna tell me your mother didn’t teach you manners?”

A few people coughed into their hands.

She sputtered, but went silent.

I smiled at the rest of them. “No questions will be turned away today. I may not have all the answers, but I can let you ask. And maybe we can find the answers together.”

“Are ya old enough to lead us?”

“Why’d you change everything?”

“Things were going well for us. We were stronger than any magic! Why must that change just because we found an old book? It doesn’t change how magic is the bane of human existence!”

I nodded and held up a hand, but the crowd surged. The questions were a tidal wave of boiling anger and resentment, trying to crash over and smother me.

Shen stepped from the shadows behind me to set a comforting hand on my back as my heartbeat began to quicken. “They do not need mere kindness. They need to see you as a capable and strong leader who will stand up for them by first standing up for herself,” he said above the rising tide of people clamoring for attention and answers.

I nodded.

I put my dart gun to my lips and blew above the crowd. A loud bang flashed above them. The people dove to the ground, covering their ears. It was a simple stun explosion I used to blind animals with night vision. It wasn’t super loud, nor was it blindingly bright.

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