Page 29 of Wild Heart

Seeing that tears weren’t far away, Natalie stepped forward and embraced Olivia who she suspected was running on raw emotion and strong painkillers, the events of the past few weeks catching up with her.

Whispering into Olivia’s ear she made her own promise. “And I won’t give up, either.”

Pulling apart, Natalie allowed Olivia to compose herself by turning to Mason and asked him to tell her about the wolf.

"She was brought in during the storm," Mason replied. "Half-starved. Limping. Thought we might lose her the first night."

The wolf shifted again, her snout brushing the grate, and Natalie knelt in front of the crate. Her eyes met the wolf’s and something primal passed between them. Respect. Shared history. Survival.

"You’re beautiful," she whispered. "You’re strong. And you’re ready."

Mason and Davey had cleared a trail earlier that morning, guiding the team toward a quiet stretch of land bordering protected forest. The release site overlooked a wide ridge, where tall grass and evergreen cover met winding streams and natural game corridors, ideal for a wolf looking to reclaim her freedom.

The walk there was not fast. Olivia took her time, aided by Natalie’s quiet support and the occasional balance from her walking stick. Her coat flared around her like a banner, and with each step, her confidence seemed to grow.

As they arrived, Mason opened the tailgate. Natalie knelt to unlock the crate’s front panel while Mason took position to guide the moment. There was no speech. No ceremony. Just the silence of trees and wind and a heartbeat of reverence.

The wolf stepped forward slowly, ears alert, eyes scanning the landscape. Her movements were cautious, deliberate. She sniffed the air, lifting her head into the breeze. Then, with a sudden burst of motion, she ran—muscles rippling, paws pounding across the ground, her body a silver streak that cut through the trees until she vanished into the wild that had been waiting for her.

Olivia watched her go, tears slipping freely now. Her hand tightened around Natalie’s wrist. Natalie stepped closer and rested a hand over Olivia’s. "That’s why you started this," she whispered.

Olivia nodded, blinking hard. "That’s why I’ll never stop."

They stood there for a long time. Not speaking. Just watching the place where wildness met the horizon. Behindthem, Mason’s presence touched Natalie. And when she turned and caught him watching, he didn’t look away. They were already halfway to something more. But today, it became something solid.

Later, as they made their slow walk back toward the sanctuary, Olivia spoke with a steadiness that hadn’t been in her voice in weeks.

"We need to schedule three more releases. That red-tail is almost cleared. The fox kits will be ready by next month. And I want Davey to lead the prep teams."

Natalie smiled. "Already ahead of you."

"You always are," Olivia said.

Back at the lodge, Davey was already sorting through the next week’s supply inventory, clipboard in hand. He looked up as they entered, his eyes widening as he took in his mother, perspiring, smiling, walking.

"You did it," he said quietly.

"We did it," Olivia corrected.

Mason leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, gaze soft. "That wolf? She wouldn’t have made it without us."

Natalie turned toward him. "Teamwork."

And Mason smiled, because she was right. The sanctuary had changed shape again. Not just a haven for wildlife, but for the people who needed purpose. Who needed healing. Who needed to remember what they were capable of.

As the sun dipped behind the trees and the calls of the forest came alive again, Natalie, Olivia, and Mason stood shoulder to shoulder at the window, watching dusk fall. And in the quiet between their heartbeats, the return to action had begun. Not just in the physical, but in the spirit. Together. And this time, they were stronger than ever.

The next morning arrived with a low fog pressing into the trees, softening the edges of the sanctuary in silver mist. Mason stood outside the barn in the early light, watching a pair of young deer nibble cautiously at the treeline. He wore his usual canvas jacket, though the cold didn’t seem to reach him anymore, not after months of early mornings and late nights, and not after yesterday. Releasing the wolf had stirred something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Purpose. He ran a hand along the back of his neck, staring out at the empty crate still resting near the trail. The wolf was gone, but the feeling she’d left behind, freedom, motion, survival, it clung to him.

"You okay out here?" Natalie’s voice came from behind him, soft and familiar.

He turned. She was bundled in a navy wool coat, her cheeks flushed from the wind, a mug of coffee clutched in one hand. Her smile reached her eyes, and Mason felt that familiar tug in his chest.

"Yeah," he said. "Just thinking."

"Dangerous habit."

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