Page 7

Nadia

“A lot of people are going to be coming out of that place,” dad says, his voice dropping, more emotion coming into it now.

“Humans, wolves, soldiers, civilians. Women, kids. All kinds. Some will be wounded, some will be fleeing the only home they’ve ever known.

It is our job not only to receive these people but to give them whatever it is they need – medical care, especially, but also pointing them toward therapists and social workers to ensure that they’re taken care of emotionally and setting up for their future.

Those much smaller teams will arrive later tonight and tomorrow.

But it’s important to know that you will be on the front line of care. ”

The responsibility settles on my shoulders and I straighten them a little, instantly accepting it. Honestly, this is why I decided to take a nursing degree in the first place – there are so many people who are hurt and damaged by the communities who are supposed to care for them.

I should know, after all. My mother was raised in one of them – enslaved as a child by wolves in a neighboring kingdom, Eryndor. She had been hurt and abused by them for years before Clytheran troops liberated her town.

The Children of Solace is different than that entire nation of oppressors, but…there are still innocent people being hurt here. And those are the people I want to help in whatever way I can. My hands twitch in my lap, eager to begin.

Dad hesitates for a moment and then sets his jaw, apparently deciding to reveal something else.

“I’d also like you to remember that while you are all humans, you’ll be working to care for many people from a wolf community who may have…

very false ideas about what humans are and what we’re capable of.

I would ask for your patience with these people.

Wolves raised in the Children of Solace come from a system that deliberately neglects their education.

The situation may, in some circumstances, be challenging for you.

If it is, I’d encourage you to come and speak with me and take advantage of our mental health resources yourself. ”

Dad takes a moment to look seriously around the room and then nods once.

Almost as one, we all nod back, agreeing to it, though some nods are more hesitant than others.

After all, each of us comes from different backgrounds and experiences with wolf culture.

Grace, for instance, grew up in a town that was entirely human.

I glance over at her, wondering how she feels about it. My friend gulps a little, anxious, and I bump my shoulder into hers this time. Grace looks over at me, giving me a tiny smile, thankful for my support in turn. I smile back.

“All right,” dad says, clapping his hands together and nodding. “If that’s all, let’s break up for the evening and meet again in the morning to get started –“

“Sir?” Shayne calls, sitting up in her seat and raising her hand.

Dad pauses, turning to her, and then nods.

Shayne cocks her head to the side. “Sir, if we’re going to start tomorrow…what are we supposed to do tonight?”

“You have debriefing materials,” dad says, nodding to the packet in each of our hands.

“I’d encourage you to study them. I expect you all to get an early night’s sleep so that you’re fresh tomorrow.

The Corporals who have been assigned as your guards will ensure your safety so there’s no reason not to sleep well. ”

Dad turns to Cole, who nods, confirming this.

“All right!” dad says, turning sharply away, his action a dismissal in itself. “07:00 hours! I’ll see you then!”

Everyone starts to stand up, Shay, Grace, and I with them.

Our Alpha guards surround us, moving forward, again herding us like farm animals out of the tent and across the clearing to another tent even larger the first, though dark green this time.

I scowl, glaring around at the wolves, not liking this whole method of moving us without telling us where we’re going.

But my eyebrows raise with pleasure when we step into the tent and see that it’s a little barracks all set up for us – and that, honestly, it looks quite cozy.

Twenty beds all lined up in four neat rows of five, with five more behind another curtain for the boys amongst us.

Then, in the far corner, an exit that I assume leads to some kind of bathroom and showers.

I grin, looking around, thinking that it all looks very cute.

“God, what a dump,” Shayne murmurs at my side, shaking her head.

I burst out laughing, giving her a playful shove. “It’s nice!”

“It’s horrible ,” she says, rolling her eyes at me even as she strides forward, spotting our three backpacks resting on beds in the far corner.

I grin, pleased to see that our assigned bunks are far from the door and the bathroom, certainly the best available.

“We’re going to be packed in here with everyone? What if someone snores?”

“Oh, we’ll be too tired to care,” I say, laughing and plopping down on the middle bed, admiring the springy cot and the cute little locker at the foot of the bed for my personal items. There’s even a little bathing kit waiting for me! I grin, picking it up, starting to inspect.

“I think it’s nice too,” Grace says, looking around and settling on the third bed, closest to the door, leaving the furthest one for Shayne.

“Yeah, but that’s because you two are…sporty and outdoorsy,” Shayne murmurs, narrowing her eyes as she looks around, watching all our fellow students claim their bunks. “You think discomfort is fun.”

I laugh at Shay, who famously likes comfort and luxury, shaking my head and putting my bathing kit aside in favor of my debriefing packet. I start to page through it, intrigued, when suddenly it’s smacked out of my hands.

I gasp, whipping my head up to Shayne. “What are you doing?”

“Oh, put that down,” she says, unzipping her backpack and starting to root through it. “We’ve got more important things to do.”

“Like what ?” I ask, glaring at her and reaching for my packet again.

“Like this ,” she says, grinning at me wickedly as she pulls a bottle of tequila from her bag.

“Oh, Shayne,” Grace whispers, pressing her fingertips to her lips, eyes wide. “That’s…that’s bad.”

“It’s not bad,” Shay says, frowning down at the bottle. “It’s very high quality.”

“It’s contraband !” Grace snaps.

“Who cares ,” Shayne says, tilting her head back in a moan. “There are boys! Tall ones! Hot ones! Wolf ones! And I am going to go hang out with them and you’re coming with me! For friendship and solidarity!”

I just stare at my friend, shocked, completely frozen with fear at the suggestion.

Out – out there ? With the boys – the Alphas? What on earth is she thinking?