Page 95 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

I would, thanks.

Shen moved from his post, slowly coming over to the seat Jacob pulled up for him with a massive grin.

Fenbutt grumbled over his master leaving. He then stretched and yawned before going over to Fina, who was sleeping on a pallet on the floor, her sister cuddling her. Fenbutt curled up in front of them, immediately releasing a round of gas that sent Shen into a coughing fit. Jacob leaned away.

“Wow, that’s rotten,” Jacob said, waving a hand in front of his face.

“You ain’t wrong,” Jess whispered, still cradling a sleeping Fina who merely crinkled her nose and rolled over.

The rabbit darted over and snuggled up just beneath Fenbutt’s snout.

Fenbutt opened his mouth, easing it over the little rabbit’s skull.

He glanced up, catching my eye. I raised a single brow. He deflated, releasing a low grumble before easing his mouth back and closing it—without the rabbit within—and sticking his snout as far from the rabbit as possible. He kicked out a back foot that sent the rabbit tumbling away from him. When the fluffball stopped rolling, she huffed then went around to the other side of the pile and curled up next to Jess with a disgruntled stomp of her foot.

“How can we make Anna’s idea happen?” Mom said.

“We can section out areas in the Matriarch’s Tent. They can separate groups based on Alia’s classifications of their needs. We can have acute physical, chronic physical, and acute mental. Anything else I need to add, sis?” Jacob said, writing in a book.

I stared at my little brother. My family… they were… they were rallying together. For me.

I coughed, trying to remove the tightness of my throat. “Yeah… that would be great. Please also add a hug station with gentle souls who can listen. So many people and creatures just need kind physical and emotional connection without pain.”

Jacob nodded and wrote it down.

“I can get the Reds to gather and set up partitions in the tent. But who helps the people? We need those who won't hold a grudge from the past or try to harm those coming to us for help,” Dad said.

Shen leaned forward. “My pack will be happy to assist. Doc has a few werewolves who are skilled in healing. Are there anyin the tribe who would be willing and kind enough to let the past lay in the past?” Shen asked.

I hid my smile. He spoke, and it made me happy.

“Isn’t there a pacifist group? They still aren’t entirely on Alia’s side, seeing as she hasn’t outlawed hunting for meat of the forest critters, but they’ll be much more willing to help than most,” Mom said, dishing out shepherd's pie onto my plate.

I put a spoonful in my mouth without thinking. “Do you know how to reach them? I have a feeling they wouldn’t take too kindly to me showing up at their doorstep.”

Mom narrowed her eyes. “Whatdid you do?”

I winced. “Me and Brandtmighthave put a unicorn pelt outside their main entrance when we were kids.”

Mom facepalmed. “What am I to do with you rascals?” she asked. Dad was leaning back with a grin when Mom glanced up. He quickly put on a face of faux disappointment.

“Alia, you know better,” he said.

“Of course I know betternow, Dad. But back then, they were annoying as heck.”

Dad shrugged. Mom smacked his shoulder. He jumped. “Woman, you know she’s right! Theywereannoying as heck.”

“And they were the closest thing to right, despite going against the wind.”

Dad nodded. “You’re exactly right, baby.”

Mom crossed her arms. “Are you pacifying me?”

Dad scoffed. “Of course I am. But youareright.”

Mom cracked a grin, going back to filling up my plate, which I’d emptied.

Shen had a tiny grin on his face as he ate more of Mom’s pie. His eyes nearly glowed as he demolished the food. “This is the best meal I have had the pleasure of in ages, madame,” he said, nodding his head in a slight bow to Mom.

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