The commission’s reply landed like a pebble in a pond.
Not a bomb. Not this time. Just an email on Aiden’s tablet, a new set of draft guidelines attached, a politely worded note from Mira asking for “further collaboration.”
Lyra sat at the big table with Atlas, Elara, Cassian, Aiden, and Theo as they scrolled through it.
“‘Refuge packs shall provide basic housing, sustenance, and access to community for wolves in transition…’” Elara read. “So far, so good.”
“‘…without exerting undue pressure toward permanent membership or bond formation.’” Aiden added. “That’s your language, more or less.”
Lyra snorted. “They actually listened?”
“Some of them,” Aiden said. “Look here—on bonds.”
Theo zoomed in. “‘Council recognizes that past practices involving forced bond breaking and reassignment h
