Chapter 109: Chapter 109
Lily’s pen clattered to the floor. "What?"
"The sanctuary. You’re organized, detail-oriented, and good with people when you’re not under Harold’s influence—"
"Sophie, I helped the man who tried to kill your mate." Lily’s voice cracked. "Why would you trust me with something this important?"
I thought about how to explain it. How Lily had been brainwashed and manipulated. How I’d seen her working herself to exhaustion trying to make amends. How everyone deserved a second chance.
"Because you’ve earned it," I said finally. "And because I think you’d be wonderful at it."
Lily cried. Like, full-on sobbing into her hands while I awkwardly patted her back.
"I won’t let you down," she gasped between sobs. "I swear, Sophie, I’ll work so hard—"
"I know you will. That’s why I’m asking."
We spent two weeks interviewing candidates for staff positions. Lily was incredible at it—she asked questions I never would have thought of spotted red flags I missed.
Christian sat in on the important interviews, his alpha presence making candidates either nervous or determined to impress. Probably both.
We hired five people: two therapists specializing in trauma, two case managers, and an activities coordinator named Jake who had the most infectious enthusiasm I’d ever encountered.
"I just think structured activities are so important for healing," Jake said during his interview, practically bouncing in his seat. "Like, art therapy, group hikes, cooking classes—"
"You’re hired," I said.
Christian chuckled. "Don’t you want to ask him about his qualifications?"
"His qualifications are that he’s not dead inside. That’s good enough for me."
Jake beamed.
Marcus walked the property with us after we’d hired the staff, pointing out where he planned to install security cameras and motion sensors.
"This feels very prison-like," I said, watching him mark locations on a map.
Marcus gave me a flat look. "Sophie, these wolves are vulnerable. They need protection."
"I know, but—"
"But Sophie wants it to feel welcoming," Christian interrupted smoothly. "Which Marcus will consider. Right, Marcus?"
Marcus grumbled but nodded. "Fine. Hidden cameras. Discrete sensors. Happy?"
"Ecstatic."
We compromised on a security system that was effective but unobtrusive. Marcus even agreed to paint the cameras to blend with the buildings.
"You’re going soft," I teased him.
"Shut up."
The day construction started, I dragged Christian out to watch even though it was barely dawn.
Hammers and saws filled the morning air. Workers shouted instructions to each other. Walls came down, new ones went up. The first building was transforming before our eyes.
"This is incredible," I breathed, clutching Christian’s hand.
"You’re incredible." He wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Most Lunas focus on ceremonies and pack politics. You’re literally building homes for wolves who have nothing."
"It’s not just me—"
"It is, though. This was your vision. Your compassion. Your determination to help others heal." He kissed the top of my head. "I’m so damn proud of you, Sophie."
I turned in his arms, going up on tiptoes to kiss him properly. "I love you."
"Love you too. Even when you make me wake up at 5 AM to watch construction."
"Especially then."
Connor helped me develop outreach materials for other packs. We spent hours crafting the right message—welcoming but not desperate, informative but not overwhelming.
Christian reviewed everything before we sent it out. "This is good. Really good."
"You think packs will actually respond?" I asked nervously.
"Sophie, they’d be crazy not to."
He was right. Within three days, we had fifteen inquiries. Within a week, fifty.
I sat with Lily going through application after application, each one breaking my heart a little more.
*Exiled for being too weak. Nowhere to go.*
*Escaped abusive Alpha. Need safety.*
*Lost the entire pack to rogue attack. Alone.*
"God," I whispered, reading another desperate plea. "How do we choose?"
"We accept as many as we can," Lily said firmly. "And we make space for more."
The second building’s renovation started a month later. Diana had designed an entire medical suite for it—exam rooms, a small pharmacy, even a dental area.
"You thought of everything," I marveled, touring the space with her.
"Well, refugees often come with untreated medical issues. This way they don’t have to leave the sanctuary for basic care." Diana showed me the communal kitchen being installed. "And cooking together builds community."
"Have I mentioned you’re a genius?"
"Not today, but I’ll accept it."
The contractors loved Diana—she brought them coffee every morning and actually remembered their names. Half of them were a little in love with her by week two.
Christian got a call during dinner one night. Three neighboring Alphas wanted information about our sanctuary program.
"They want to implement something similar," he said, hanging up. "They want to talk to you about it, Sophie."
"Me?" I nearly dropped my fork. "Why me?"
