The months following the winter solstice gathering were tense. The regional wolf community had fractured into clear factions, progressive packs inspired by The Nightshade's success, and traditional packs viewing us as an existential threat.
"We're receiving requests for pack visits weekly," Mara reported at a leadership meeting. "Alphas and Lunas want to see our operation firsthand, learn our methods."
"That's good," I said. "Transparency builds trust."
"It also exposes our vulnerabilities," Drake countered. "Every visitor could be gathering intelligence for our enemies."
"We can't operate from fear," Ezra said firmly. "We welcome visitors with appropriate security precautions. If we close ourselves off, we prove the traditional Alphas right, that we have something to hide."
