Page 25 of Wild Heart

Mason scanned it over her shoulder. "They’re gunning for us."

"The town council is holding a hearing next week," Olivia said. "Word is, one of the newer board members thinks the sanctuary is interfering with natural population control. There’ve been whispers we’re ‘domesticating’ wildlife."

Natalie felt her jaw clench. "That's outrageous. We release every animal we can. They know that."

Olivia nodded, the firelight catching the sheen of sweat on her forehead. "It’s not about facts. It’s about perception. A few vocal residents who think wolves bring danger, who think we’re interfering where we shouldn’t."

She reached for the mug on the side table, but her hand trembled too much. Natalie moved it closer for her, concern evident behind her eyes.

"This didn’t start overnight," Olivia continued, her voice lower now. "It’s been building for the past year. Complaints about noise, animal sightings near the town limits. A farmer lost a goat to a rogue coyote, absolutely no proof it was one of ours, but they blamed us anyway. Then last spring, a letter appeared in the local paper criticizing our ‘lenient attitude toward predators.’ It was signed anonymously, but I know who wrote it."

Mason’s jaw was set. "Carson Bell."

Olivia nodded. "He’s been angling to run for the council chair. And this, attacking the sanctuary, it’s become his platform. He wants to ‘restore balance and safety,’ as he puts it."

Natalie could feel the heat rising beneath her skin. "And what have we done in response?"

"Letters. Reports. Open house days. I've met with council members, offered data, shown them release schedules. I’ve tried to stay diplomatic. But Carson plays on fear. He holds up a blurry photo of a wolf in the woods and says a child could have been hurt."

Davey made a soft noise, his brow furrowed. "That’s not fair. Wolves don’t attack people. Not unless they’re cornered."

"Fairness doesn’t win in politics," Olivia said wearily. "Fear does."

The room fell into silence, broken only by the hiss of the fire.

Mason stood with his arms crossed, his face unreadable. But Natalie could see the tension in his shoulders, the worry in his eyes. He was rattled, even if he wouldn’t say it out loud.

"The volunteers?" Natalie asked after a moment.

"They know," Olivia said. "Some of them have heard rumors in town. They're unsettled. But they’ve stayed. For now."

Natalie turned to Mason. "We can’t roll over or let fear undo all the healing you’ve done."

"We won’t," he said simply. "But we need a plan."

Olivia leaned forward slightly, wincing with the effort. "Weneed to get ahead of this. If the public hearing goes badly, our licenses could be revoked. That means no rehab. No releases. Not just for wolves, but for every animal."

Davey’s eyes widened. "Even the raptors? The fox kits?"

Olivia nodded. "All of it."

Natalie knelt by her again, gripping her hand. "Then we show them what we really do. Not just paperwork. We give them a reason to believe in us again."

Mason stepped closer. "A video campaign. Testimonials. Footage of the animals we’ve helped, the ones who’ve gone back to the wild."

"We organize a community day," Natalie added. "Invite families. Local reporters. Let them walk the trails, talk to the staff, see the animals that are recovering here. Let them feel what we feel."

Olivia breathed in slowly, her eyes glassy. "And if it’s not enough?"

"Then we go louder," Natalie said. "We fight. We call in national wildlife organizations, use social media, crowdfunding. We make sure no one forgets what this sanctuary means."

Davey sat up straighter. "I can talk at the hearing. I want to. I used to be embarrassed by this place. I thought it was some kind of pretend farm. But now... it’s everything."

Olivia’s eyes filled. She squeezed his hand tightly. "Thank you."

They stayed like that for a while, letting the storm inside them calm as the snow continued to fall outside. The glow of the fire lit their faces, their worry and their hope written on each.

They weren’t just a team now. They were a family. And families fight for each other.

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