Chapter 402 – The Camps

Ella

Someone must have called ahead, because when we pulled up to the refugee camp, I saw Isabel standing outside the gates, arms crossed, a big smile on her face. I squealed with excitement, my hand instinctively reaching for the car door lever. "Seriously, Ella," Cora murmured, grabbing my wrist. "Let's not leap out of a moving vehicle just because we see our friends." "Oh," I said, tossing her a glare over my shoulder.

"I'm not that dumb, Cora." "You've done it before," she sighed. "Once!" I snapped, glaring at her before unbuckling myself and Rafe. I strapped him to my chest as quickly as possible, just as the car stopped. Isabel opened my door the moment I turned around. "Ella!" she shouted, laughing. I burst out of the car, wrapping her in a one-armed hug (regretting having already strapped Rafe to me).

"Isabel!" I gasped, kissing her cheek. "It's so good to see you!"

"And you, friend," she said, sighing with relief. "We were all going crazy not hearing from you. We got some details, but no one knew what happened. Some kind of…attack?" "It's an insane story," I said, rolling my eyes as Cora and Conner approached. "I'll tell you all about it, but it's a long story, so maybe…not now," I said, glancing at the camp. "All right," she nodded, still looking at me.

"But you're okay? Things are…steady?" "We're fine, everyone's fine," I said, stroking Rafe's hair. "Things are steady for now." I shrugged, indicating that was all we had. She smiled, understanding, then fussed over Rafe, commenting on his size, and kissing Cora's cheek. As she hugged Cora, she paused, looking down at Cora's belly. "Are you…?"

"Yes," Cora laughed. "Though I'm not sure I'm used to people being able to smell it on me."

Isabel's eyes widened. "This baby…is a pup?" Cora laughed and shrugged. "It's complicated. But yes…I'm a human with a wolf soul, pregnant with a mostly-wolf hybrid baby." Isabel blinked, then laughed, narrowing her eyes. "It's Roger's, isn't it?" she asked, grinning.

Cora laughed harder, blushing. "God," she said, running a hand through her hair, "were we that obvious in Vanara?"

"To everyone but yourselves, apparently," Isabel smirked. She turned to Conner. "And who are you?" "A new addition," he said, rubbing his hair awkwardly but smiling. "I'm Conner, a sergeant in the pack," he explained, nodding to us. "And are you single?"

Isabel asked, looking him up and down, arms folded. Conner blushed bright red as I laughed and shoved my friend playfully. "Isabel!" I laughed, shaking my head. "You would have bitten my head off if I'd asked you that when we first met." "Well, I'm different now," she grinned. "More romantic, now that I see how tragedy can change life. I'm a meddler by nature," she winked before turning back to Conner. "So?"

"Yes, ma'am," he murmured, smiling shyly. "I am single." "Good," she said, patting his shoulder, then turning toward the gates. "We'll see what we can do about that." She led us through the gates. Her mood shifted slightly as she looked at Cora and me.

"I know you've seen tough things, Ella, Cora," she said, "but be prepared for what you're walking into." I frowned. "Please," I said, shaking my head. "Don't hold back. We want to help—we have resources now." "I know," she said, placing a hand on my arm. "These people have been through a lot. This won't be a walk in the park." "That's all right," Cora sighed, looking around, hands on her hips. "We've never been 'park people.' We like the beach." "All right, then," Isabel nodded, starting forward. "Let's get started."

She updated us on her family as we walked. James was well and—interestingly—at the palace that day, reconnecting with Sinclair and exploring a possible place in the administration.

A beautiful smile lit up Isabel's face when she talked about Sadie. The little girl was apparently growing rapidly and was a fast learner, eager for picture books. While this news warmed my heart, that warmth faded as we delved deeper into the camp. Isabel gave us a thorough tour, showing us rows of tents where families lived, piecing their lives back together.

"How did these people get here?" Cora murmured, confused. "This is the Wolf Camp," Isabel said quietly. "The Human Camp is across the river." "What?" I asked, appalled. "You're keeping them separate?"

"I'm not keeping them separate," Isabel said, narrowing her eyes. "They demanded separate accommodations."

"Oh," I sighed, understanding but disappointed. "But these wolves lost their homes during the war and lack family support or resources to rebuild their lives." "Why the fences?" Cora asked, looking at the tall chain-link fences topped with barbed wire. "They're not to keep people in," Isabel sighed. "People can come and go. The fences are to keep other people out."

"Who?" I asked, fear gripping me, my hand instinctively going to Rafe. "Stragglers, mostly," she shrugged. "There's a better word—but many people, human and wolf, dislike the distribution of refugee services and believe they can do better. They need supplies, too, and many prey on those in this camp if they can get in."

"Oh my god," I sighed, looking at the hundreds of people living in tents, struggling to survive. "Will you…will you take me to the human camp, too?" "I will," she said, biting her lip. "Though…they may not be as happy to see you as you think." "Because I'm a wolf?" I asked quietly. She nodded slowly.

"Humans feel deeply betrayed, and I can't say I blame them," Isabel sighed. "A ceasefire between human and wolf governments is wonderful, but the reality is this entire city is under wolf jurisdiction, and wolves have long considered humans second-class citizens, if not worse," she shrugged, frustrated. "It's not good."

"Still," I said quietly, looking at Cora, who nodded. "I want to go."

"Okay," Isabel said quietly, looking me in the eye, then at Rafe. "But there's something I want you to see first. Actually," she turned to Cora, "I'm more eager for you to see it, considering your medical experience."

Cora smiled and glanced at me, making Isabel frown. Cora waved a hand. "We'll fill you in," she said, nodding to Isabel, "but you may want Ella even more than me if it's medical. Please, lead the way."

Isabel led us silently to a large brown tent at the front of the camp. She took a deep breath, pulled back the flap, and we stepped inside. My heart sank. The tent was filled with children.