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ONE
OPAL
What is it this time?Opal Hayes took a moment to calm her nerves, and with a sigh, she opened the large envelope sitting on her office desk. Inside, she found a collection of photos of her in front of her work and pictures of her favorite places around town. Of course, she knew they were following and watching her.
What do they think they could accomplish with this? Why would they believe this would frighten me?She shook her head, which had begun to hurt. This only fueled her desire to keep up her work for both the charity and the smear campaign against them.
The Jacobs were fully aware of the campaign that she was pursuing. They had been threatening her in an attempt to persuade her to stop. Little did they know nothing would stop her. Especially anything they could do.
Her rage was a violent inferno before she took in her next breath. The address was clearly indicative of her old tiger streak and of Troy and Reba Jacobs. These evil people were the leaders of the streak and the very reason for her being here.
Troy Jacobs was the very alpha that incited Opal's desire to leave. He, along with his wife, had slowly driven the streak into the ground. They were selfish and greedy, not caring who they hurt or what they destroyed. Usually, the ones being hurt were the ones who could least defend themselves.
She tried desperately to stand up on behalf of the streak and called the alpha and matriarch out on their tyranny. She tried to rally the other shifters behind her. Eventually, the Jacobs had turned the streak against her and driven her out.
Being on her own was better than being in a streak where the leaders could not be bothered to lead. The Jacobs believed they didn't need to fix any of the problems, not even the ones they caused. It was enough to burn Opal up inside.
Since then, she had been actively and ferociously building a case against their rule. She sought tirelessly to collect information to uproot their authority and have them removed from power. Justice needed to be served.
Being the public relations and fundraising manager of Senior Rights, she championed a charity that helped senior citizens with everyday issues. This was an issue very close to her heart.
Little did the world know that a fire blazed deep inside her. Behind her soft blue eyes, she was a warrior of justice, a leader in the darkness, and keen as a hawk. She was a force to be reckoned with.
Her strengths showed themselves with her ability to find affordable housing, assistance with utility bills, transportation for groceries and doctor appointments, and much more. She believed these services should be readily available to all who needed them.
She saw many clients and handled many cases. She often had customers like the frail elderly woman she met with yesterday.
Opal had dedicated most of her life to situations just like this, and her heart went out to the sweet and seemingly helpless old lady. The woman and her husband had been living comfortably for a good deal of their lives in a house of their own.
Unfortunately, the bank had no scruples about trying to seize the house when the couple was struggling to make the loan payments. The couple never thought they would live long enough to see such heartache, but the woman found herself sitting in an office, pleading her case to Senior Rights.
Opal could not stand that this was the way the elderly were treated. She believed that elders should be treated with kindness and respect, not forced into an impossible debt, foreclosure, and possibly a nursing home.
This was one of the biggest reasons the tiger shifter had left her steak. She had seen the newest alpha storm into his leadership with the impropriety of stepping on the backs of the elders to get there. The mistreatment broke Opal’s heart.
While she couldn’t do anything in the streak, while she was under the thumb of the new alpha, she could champion the elderly humans in her community. The stars knew no one else would.
French Lick was a peaceful little area nestled in the hills of Indiana, loaded with rich history and natural beauty. That was what Opal loved so much about it. She bought herself a small plot of land nestled against a forest. It was somewhere she could bask in the beauty, as well as shift and run in peace.
Besides the casinos and high-end hotels in the area, the town was best known for its outdoor activities. It offered fishing and swimming in the abundant lakes, as well as boating and bird watching. The land offered wonderful hiking, horseback riding, and ziplining.
A haven and a quiet little place, usually bustling with tourists, it drew people to the area for its rustic charm. It had charm, all right. It attracted an eclectic group of people, and this sweet lady was no different.
She and her husband had retired and bought a bit of land from the state. They didn’t have the capital, but the bank made them a great offer, and they got the house they had always wanted. It was a wonderful place to relax.
A delightful dream had seemingly blossomed out of their home. It was like a vacation every day. Their children and, soon after, grandchildren came to visit, and they celebrated holidays and big events. So many terrific and heartwarming memories were made in that house.
However, the couple outlived the money they needed to fund that dream. The bank zeroed in on them. They didn’t have the resources to keep up the payments. And their wonderful dream had become a horrible nightmare.
Opal had little help to offer her client. She could only direct the poor woman to another service in one of the many programs offered through Senior Rights, as well as advise the woman on what resources were available should she need to move.
Once the woman had the information and had left the room, Opal collapsed back into her chair.I feel so useless … is this even worth the effort?As much as she loved the work she did, it took a toll on her both emotionally and physically. She normally found herself completely drained after this kind of appointment.
Her private moment was interrupted by a voice at her door. Glad for a distraction, she looked up to see an inquisitive face with blue eyes and a white bob. She smiled gently.
“Hi, Gerri.” Gerri Wilder’s eyes flashed gold for the briefest moment. Opal still wondered what sort of fantastic creature Gerri must be. No one knew, and she wasn’t telling.
“Hello. Are you doing okay, Opal? You seem a little frustrated.” Her head cocked to the side, greatly resembling an owl watching its prey.
