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“I’ve no intention of it,” Angie said.
Flora shook her head as though she didn’t believe Angie. “I came to see the new horse,” Flora said, hugged Angie, and walked away.
Angie handed Noah a treat and said, “Give this to him. We have other fur people to visit.”
Noah did as he was told, although he was reluctant to leave Rufus behind. A couple of other dogs rushed up to Rufus and snuggled with him, so Noah felt a little better.
Angie led him to a large room inside a structure that had heat and air conditioning. There were cats of all shapes and sizes lounging around on beds, platforms, and in boxes. A couple were playing with feathers hanging from strings and other toys.
“Sit there,” she said, pointing to a chair.
He obeyed. A few seconds later his lap was full of a large sixteen-pound cat.
“Her name is Mochi. She is eight. Her family didn’t want her anymore.”
Noah petted the long-haired cat that purred loudly and cuddled up to him.
After a couple hours of visiting with the different animals, Angie said, “I’m hungry. It’s time for lunch.”
“I know why you started this place,” Noah said. “They are amazing. Quite frankly, I don’t know how you can leave. I would have stayed petting them and playing with them until I starved to death.”
Angie laughed and said, “They get a lot of love from the folks running the place and others who work there. If I could, I would take them all home with me, but this is second best. I come out here as often as I can.”
“What got you involved with that?”
“I wanted a dog. Mom and Dad took me to the shelter. Apollo was next on the list to be euthanized. I adopted him. I wanted to bring them all home, but Dad said no. Mom, who helped out with a lot of charities, taught me how to do fundraisers to bring enough money for food, supplies, and other needs, as well as other events that bring attention to the animals so they can find homes. Micah and I were working on one this morning.”
Noah once again felt a little spark of jealousy flash through him at the mention of Micah’s name. Here, Noah was the outsider. Micah was close to Angie and helped her with projects she was passionate about.
They stopped by the house for some sandwiches and sodas and then they headed back out, this time to go shopping.
“There is a new family at the shelter. A man arrived with his two kids. They only had a small bag of clothes each. The kids only had their favorite stuffies,” she said. “They need a few things until they can safely go back and get their belongings.”
Pushing the cart around the store was a new experience for Noah. He watched in awe as she carefully selected a couple of outfits for each of the kids and the father, as well as some toys and other supplies.
“What will happen to them next?” Noah asked. “They can’t stay at the shelter forever.”
“You’re right. Unfortunately, a lot of victims go back to their abuser, although we provide counseling to keep them from doing that. We help them make plans, whether it is leaving the state or staying in the area and getting their own apartments and homes.”
“Do you think these problems happen in the shifter world?”
“Yes.”
Noah found himself in awe of her. She would make the perfect luna. She is so loving and caring.
In the next instant, he thought, They would never accept her. She would never get the chance to do good for the pack or anyone else.
After they dropped the bags off at the shelter, Noah said, “You have to eat. You’ve had a busy day. I’m buying.”
Angie hesitated for a minute. He remembered her conversation with Flora. It was one thing to hang out with the animals and do the shopping for the family. It was quite another to have dinner with him. Finally, she nodded.
Sean didn’t mind Apollo coming into Howlers’. He petted the dog and said, “He’s better behaved than some of our customers like that bloke from last night,” he said, looking at Angie and smiling.
Angie groaned.
“What happened?”
“Angie was dancing with a knucklehead who decided to grab her ass,” Sean said.
