Savage Urges (The Phoenix Pack, #5)(14)
Dante abruptly stopped, his gaze on something outside. “There are tents out there.”
Ryan looked out of the window, and, sure enough, dome-shaped tents were scattered around the land. Only the children’s outdoor play area was clear of them. More children played out there, supervised by a number of adults.
“Some prefer to sleep outside,” Dawn informed the Beta male. “Sleeping outside allows mated couples to stay together at night. And there are some people who feel safer sleeping in their animal form, so they choose to stay in a tent or sleep on the surrounding land.”
“Do you ever have to turn people away?” Jaime asked as they began walking again.
“Rarely. In emergency situations, we accommodate more by folding up the tables and chairs in the cafeteria at night and setting out some mats and blankets. It’s not ideal, but the alternative is sleeping outside in a box or under a bridge. They’re just grateful to be warm and safe. Especially the little ones.”
Jaime threaded her fingers through her mate’s, as if needing his touch for comfort at the idea of children in such need. “What’s the average length of stay for residents?”
“Most don’t stay long,” replied Dawn. “Makenna does her best to get them a place somewhere. If they have relatives they trust, she tracks them down and the relatives then often take them in. There are some Alphas that are willing to foster or adopt loners, even if they’re unrelated, so that helps.
“However, some want to remain loners. In those cases, I do my best to get them whatever education, therapy, or support they need to find a home of their own and fit into the human community. In the meantime, I ensure they have a bed, showers, meals, a place to do their laundry, and somewhere to store their belongings. When you’re homeless, the simple matter of toilet paper is a luxury.”
“I’ll bet some don’t want to leave,” wagered Dante.
Dawn ushered them all into an office. “The isolation of a loner lifestyle is hard for any shifter. Here, they’re around people who can understand them and who’ve had similar experiences to them. They get mighty comfortable and want to stay. Shifters in packs, prides, flocks, or whatever it may be all lean and rely on each other. That’s part of what makes it hard for loners to adjust to being on their own. I allow some to stay permanently, but in exchange they have to work for me—whether it’s to cook, clean, wash clothes, or something else.”
Dante and Ryan leaned against the wall while Taryn, Jaime, and Madisyn sat on an old, faded leather couch. Makenna perched herself on the edge of the desk that Dawn then sat behind.
“You do good work here,” said Taryn. “I have to admit, loners have such a bad rep that it never occurred to me how hard it must be for them.”
Dawn gave an understanding smile. “It’s easy to forget that they’re not all bad. Most just need help. I do my best to provide that. But I can’t help everyone.”
“Must be hard for you.” Dante folded his arms. “It has to cost a lot of money and energy to run this place. This is a nonprofit organization, right?”
“Yes. I have sponsors, grants, and private donations. The shifter council only gives a minimal amount of funding, but everything makes a difference. Some people—shifter and human alike—are kind enough to donate blankets, supplies, and food. But some, like Remy, just present us with problems.”
Taryn leaned forward. “Tell us about Remy. When did all this trouble with him start?”
Dawn’s expression turned somber. “He first came here four months ago. We were scrubbing off some graffiti outside when he came up to us, all charm and smiles. But it’s like Makenna says, his eyes are cold. He said he admired what I did but that he’d bet it was hard to run the shelter with no protection. He offered for me to join his pack—said Madisyn, Makenna, and any other volunteers would also have a place, if they wanted it. I declined, and he didn’t like it, but he told me to take some time to think about it.
“He came again the following month, made the same speech. Again, I told him no. That didn’t faze him. He was back within three weeks. At the time, things weren’t great. A human who owns several local businesses had begun a petition to get rid of the shelter; said he’s losing business and employees because a lot of humans don’t like being close to a shelter for loners. He got other business owners, humans, and the local schools to sign it.”
“Bigots,” Jaime bit out.
“Yes,” agreed Dawn. “Remy said he’d heard about the petition; said he could provide me with the protection I need from this sort of thing, if only I’d join his pack. He’s right. If this was officially classified as shifter territory, the humans would have no say. And they wouldn’t dare go up against me. But I think Makenna’s right.”
As Jaime shot a questioning look her way, Makenna explained as she swung her legs—legs that Ryan wanted hooked over his shoulders as he pounded in and out of her—“If you ask me, Remy was behind the petition. He wanted Dawn trapped in a corner so he could be her savior and, in desperation, we’d all fall in line. He somehow got the humans riled up; he may have even given them the idea of starting the petition.”
Dante nodded slowly. “I take it the petition came to nothing.”
Dawn waved a hand. “The human court dismissed it. I think it likes the idea that shelters help keep loners off the streets, since they often sleep in their animal form because they feel less vulnerable that way. Humans don’t want us roaming free like wild animals. And, you know, not all humans hate us. In fact, the majority don’t. But those that do hate us . . . well, they can make a lot of noise.” Dawn sighed. “Anyway, we hadn’t seen Remy again until today.”