"It's working," Brynn said, settling beside Eve to watch the training. "Better than working. The pack is actually happy, Eve. I've never seen them like this."
"They still have challenges," Eve said. "Still have conflicts that need mediating. Still have issues that need resolution."
"Of course," Brynn agreed. "But they're facing those challenges as a community instead of hiding them out of fear. That's the real victory here."
Eve thought about the past weeks. A territorial dispute had been resolved through discussion instead of combat. A pack member with concerns about housing had brought the issue forward instead of suffering silently. A younger wolf had challenged for higher rank and been granted it based on merit instead of being crushed for overstepping.
The system was working because people believed in it.
That evening, Eve attended a community gathering in the main hall—an informal gathering where pack members could bring concerns, celebrate victories, or simply socialize.
