Page 94 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

More were coming.Moreneedsconverged on our tribe. Before too long, our tribe would no longer be hidden.

The biggest problem was most were not human. Most were magical creatures. There were humans with broken legs, horned rabbits with broken horns—their horns helped heal the land—and creatures with many injuries, illnesses, and diseases.

All converging on us.

Some never made it, theirneedsabruptly dropping from my soul as they crossed the veil to the other side of death.

It was alarming the way my Gift was like some sort of beacon to those with drasticneeds.

“They’re coming. From every direction and… and everywhere. I don’t… I can’t provide for ’em all,” I said, my face in my arms. A horned rabbit crunched on a carrot in the corner,tempting Fenbutt who was told not to chase any small, injured creatures.

This certain little one had lost most of her horn, her eyes dull and glassy when she’d first arrived. She was coming back to life… a little too much, what with her teasing Fenbutt and getting him in trouble.

“No, hon, you can’t. But we can,” Mom said, turning to the others.

We were gathered for lunch. My family had descended on me, bringing my favorite foods just in time for my stomach to be grumbly.

Someonehad tattled, telling them I hadn’t been eating. I glanced at Shen in the corner. He sent what I imagined was supposed to be an innocent grin but ended up being a bit scary what with his scars and dark, glittering eyes.

I narrowed my eyes at him. His grin grew impish.

Heck.

“We need a functional team for theneedscoming in. Trusted individuals to get the people and creatures to different areas to receive what they’re needing,” Anna said.

I stared at her for a moment. My sister was better. Slowly growing stronger and healthier. She still had days where breathing was hard, and Dad still had to carry her or risk her legs collapsing, but she was here. Talking and eatingwithus.

I exchanged a glance with Dad, who nodded and tipped his hat at me. I smiled.

“Wow. That would be a big help, sis.”

She sent me a bland glance. “You sound surprised such genius came from me.”

“Not surprised, just?—”

“Surprised?” She laughed.

“Shen, get over here and help before my sister slays me!”

“She already has,” Shen replied, not moving from his post by the door.

“Slayed by wit," Jacob said with a sage nod.

He and Shen exchanged a grin as I groaned. Shen’s eyes softened with the smile; he almost looked younger for a moment in time. I saw the boy in his eyes, the one he wasn’t allowed to be. Maybe we could give him some of that missing childhood back.

Fenbutt, parked at Shen’s feet like usual, barked and wagged his tail. The rabbit darted in front of him, her little gray tail wiggling as she paused to see if he’d chase. He watched but held still despite his whimpers and flicking ears.

Warmth gathered in my soul.Needsstill beat against me, yet somehow, having my family and friends here helped them fade. As if they were bearing part of the load without even realizing it.

“Son, take a break from your duty and join us in breaking bread,” Dad said.

Shen glanced at him with surprise on his face. He glanced out the door, as if searching for an escape route. Was he… scared? Of my father?

What man is not afraid of his beloved’s sire?

Fair point. But we weren’t… I wasn’t?—

Keep lying to yourself, Two-Legs.

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