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“No, those meetings aren’t really my thing,” Draik lets out a boisterous laugh as he stands. “We just try to stay out of the way. We are more behind the scenes, if you know what I mean.”

“No,” I say. “What do you mean?”

“Well, we’ve been running a safe haven for the less desirables of society. The Firefangs and I have been helping rescue and taking in any foxes and witches in need of help,” Draik begins to explain. He sounds proud of his group and achievements. I had no idea such a group existed. “Funny thing,” He chuckles. “I met my mate on a run. She’s a fox shifter who was running from her assigned manor when we found her.”

“So, why don’t you come to meetings?” I ask, slightly annoyed. “When I made the broadcast calling for allies, you didn’t respond, excuse me if I find it hard to know where you stand.”

“Relax,” he says calmly, raising his palms up and facing me. “We have always and will always stand with the foxes and witches, Lilith. We have been out here for years. Before you made that call, my father and his father before him would help where they could. I mean to carry on their mission. No one deserves to be treated like they don’t matter.” His words are filled with passion. “When you made that broadcast, we were already out there,” he gestures behind him to emphasize his point. “Trying to help keep the order because the laws changed. I am sure you are aware that some of the wolves and lions aren’t exactly… happy and are less than compliant.”

“Well, son of a bitch, if it isn’t Draik Hellfang,” Vash says while making his way towards us and shaking Draik’s hand. “It’s good to see you.”

“You too, man. It’s been a while,” Draik says, as he pulls Vash into a hug.

“It has, man, it really has” Vash agrees as he slaps him on the back and takes a step away.

“We’re here now. Is there anything we can do for you all?” Draik asks me.

“We have just stopped to rest. Vash’s mate, Leli, hurt her ankle,” I answer. “She’s also my sister.”

“I’d be happy to take a look. We have a first aid kit with us,” Draik says.

“That’s up to her,” I shrug. I don’t want to be the one to tell her what to do.

“I’ll go and get her,” Vash says before walking to their tent.

“There is an orphanage not too far off the end of this trail. We were heading that way when we came across the bus. We do supply runs to make sure they have everything they need. We’d be happy to get some more vehicles out here to get you all to the end. It’s quite a hike otherwise,” Draik says.

“Is that the one for foxes?” I ask, interrupting him.

“Yeah, it is. Why? Do you know it?” he asks.

“I grew up in a fox shifter orphanage in Estroria,” I say. “It was run by a woman named Brenna.”

“Yeah. That’s this place. She’s still got a few kids there that she’s taking care of. So far no one has bothered the place, but they’re basically cut off from getting supplies out here. We’ve been trying to talk her into moving but she keeps saying she wants to wait. So we’ve been helping them out until she feels it’s safe to move the kids,” Draik explains.

“We could send the foxes that Zypher is holding there,” I say, thinking out loud. “Then we could move the kids to the Capitol.”

“That would be a great idea if she’s okay with it. It’d at least get the kids out of the area until things can settle down,” Daemon agrees.

“I’ll give Vruna a call. She can get some people out here,” Draik says. “We’ll drop you all at the orphanage then head back so we can grab more of the supplies. We will grab some extra for anyone who ends up there. Especially if you’re planning on setting up a base. How many foxes should we plan on?”

“Uhm… I would say they’re holding about three hundred foxes at a warehouse based on the information we were given,” I say.

“We have some others right behind us that are also carrying supplies, so I don’t think you have to get enough for everyone,” Daemon says. “Anything you can provide would be extremely helpful.”

“We will do everything we can,” Draik says with a smile.

“Leli said you could take a look,” Vash says.

We all walk to where Leli is sitting in front of the fire. Vash and Draik go to her side while the rest of us stand off to the side.

“It’s not broken,” Leli says, dryly, as Draik takes a look at her ankle. “I can heal it when I’ve rested, but it’s pretty swollen.”

“Yeah, looks like you just sprained it,” he says. “I’ll get it wrapped up for now, it’ll help with the swelling. It might be a while before I can get some people out here to help you all off the trail, so you’ll have plenty of time to rest so you can heal.”

“Thank you,” Leli says.

“Not a problem,” Draik says with a kind smile. He goes into his bag and grabs a compression wrap to dress her ankle then moves one of the folding stools to sit directly in front of her. “Let’s see what we’re working with here,” he says while patting his knee as he waits for Leli to give him her foot. She sets her left foot on top of his knee. Vash lets out a growl, visibly tense at the innocent interaction. He steps closer to Leli, setting a hand on her shoulder as he leans down to kiss her cheek.