The idea for the forum had been building for weeks. Libby was brighter now—lights on in every home, water flowing, shops open, the school full of children again. With stability came reflection, and with reflection came questions. Not just whispered ones, either. Questions asked in the market, at the diner, at the bank, on the radio. People wanted to understand the wolves who had rebuilt their world. Some were curious. Some were nervous. Some were ready to be combative because fear was easier than gratitude. Marta Hale had been listening to all of it, and one afternoon she finally announced that silence would only feed the wrong stories. If the valley had questions, then the wolves would answer them openly. A public forum, she said. Any question allowed. No filters. No rehearsing. Just truth.
The Libby Pack didn’t hesitate. Thane simply nodded. Gabriel laughed and started imagining which microphones the school auditorium still had. Mark asked whether the acoustics had survived the winter. Holt blinked slowly but agreed. Rime tilted his head in that thoughtful way of his. Kade offered a single, calm “Understood.” Varro said nothing at first, then gave a quiet nod that carried the weight of someone who had survived far harsher interrogations. The decision was made.
By the time the evening came, the auditorium was filled to the rafters. Restored power lights cast warm gold across clean floors. Chairs lined the length of the room, nearly all occupied. Posters drawn by schoolchildren hung on the walls—wolves with oversized paws, bright eyes, and humans beside them, all holding hands. One drawing labeled a gray wolf “Guard Wolf.” Rime had kept that drawing folded in his vest pocket for days.
The pack entered together. Thane led them, brown-gray fur catching the light with each step. Gabriel followed, relaxed and smiling. Mark was straight-backed and tidy, adjusting the sleeves of his shirt like he was preparing for a lecture. Holt’s eyes scanned the room with open curiosity, pausing on the smell of popcorn. Rime moved with quiet calm. Kade surveyed the exits automatically. Varro held himself in perfect posture, hands clasped behind his back, a picture of discipline.
They took their seats behind a long table at the front of the stage. No disguises. No softening of their presence. Clawed hands visible, fangs where nature intended them.
The murmurs settled.
Marta stepped to the mic, her clipboard ready with three pens clipped across the top. “Good evening. Tonight we’re holding our first open forum with the Libby Pack. Any question is welcome. Ask honestly; they’ll answer honestly.”
The first man stood—a lean, sharp-featured figure with tension in his shoulders. “How do we know you won’t turn on us someday?” His voice carried accusation wrapped in fear.
Thane answered without hesitation. “You already trust us. You sleep while we patrol. Your children walk to school while we watch the streets. If we meant harm, you’d know it by now.”
Mark added softly, “Trust goes both ways. You trusted us during the darkest days. We haven’t forgotten that.”
The man didn’t look satisfied, but he sat down.
A teenage girl raised her hand next. “Um… what exactly do you eat?” she asked, pen poised.
Holt brightened. “Meat. And bread. Mine better now. Not rocks anymore.” His pride was so genuine it sent laughter rippling through the room.
Rime nodded in agreement. “Town feed wolves, wolves feed town. Balance.”
Mark translated with an amused smile. “We hunt, we trade, and we eat what everyone else eats—just more of it.”
A younger man at the back stood with the next question. “Stories always said werewolves shift. Human to wolf. Wolf to human. But you’re always wolves. Why don’t you ever look human?”
Before Thane could respond, Holt blurted out, “Wolf shape best shape. Strong, fast, claws. Why be less?”
The entire auditorium broke into mixed laughter, gasps, and a few surprised claps. Holt sat back proudly.
Thane’s ears tipped in amusement. “Our form isn’t a disguise. This is who we are. Always.”
Gabriel added, “Plus the fur looks fantastic.”
The crowd loosened.
A woman in a denim jacket asked nervously, “Do you… feel emotions like humans do?”
Varro answered with steady clarity. “Yes. All of them. Anger, grief, joy, loyalty. Sometimes sharper than humans. Sometimes steadier.”
Gabriel nodded. “We just show them differently. Or louder.”
Holt placed a paw on his chest. “Loud hearts good.”
The woman smiled in relief.
A man with a stern jaw stood next. His voice held challenge. “What happens if one of you loses control?”
Thane didn’t flinch. “Then the pack corrects it. Immediately.”
“You expect us to believe wolves police themselves?” the man demanded.
Kade leaned forward, voice cool and controlled. “Yes. I left a pack where fear ruled. This one does not allow that. If any wolf here posed danger to the valley, every wolf on this stage would stop him.”
Gabriel crossed his arms. “Five wolves for every one mistake. That’s pack life.”
Holt cracked his knuckles. “Pack keep pack straight.”
Varro’s tone was iron. “A disciplined pack is safer than a single wolf.”
The challenger sat down slightly paler.
Mayor Nora Ellison stood next. “Do you see yourselves as part of this valley? Or separate from it?”
Thane spoke plainly. “Part of it. Fully.”
Gabriel nodded. “We work with you, teach with you, build with you.”
Holt added with genuine concern, “Share stew with you.”
The room laughed openly.
A mother raised her hand. “My son wants to join your pack. Could a human ever be part of it?”
The wolves straightened.
Rime answered softly. “Heart choose pack. Not fur.”
Mark nodded. “Humans can apprentice. Learn. Help us. Live by the same values.”
Thane’s voice warmed. “Your boy doesn’t need claws to be family.”
The woman wiped her eyes.
A hardened man near the back lifted his chin. “Why trust wolves from other packs? What if more like… your old Alpha come here?” His eyes flicked to Varro.
Varro rose slightly in his seat. “I came from Iron Ridge. I was shaped by fear and cruelty. This valley gave me choice. Respect. A voice. You don’t trust strangers blindly—but you can trust the pack that teaches them a better path.”
Thane gave a slow nod of agreement.
Another man asked, “What if new people come to the valley and fear you? What then?”
Gabriel leaned in. “Then we talk to them.”
Kade added, “Truth stands. Fear fades.”
Thane’s expression didn’t shift. “Rumors break on truth.”
Then came the sharpest question of all.
A middle-aged woman stood quickly, cheeks flushed with anger. “What gives you the right to live in a human world? You’re strong enough to take over. You’re everywhere. Why shouldn’t you stay out in the woods like wild animals? Why should humans have to share towns with creatures who aren’t even human anymore?”
The room tensed.
Not one wolf moved. Not a growl. Not a twitch.
Thane answered with complete calm. “We don’t live among you. We live with you.”
She scoffed. “Same thing.”
“No,” he said. “Among means pretending. Hiding. Playing human to keep others comfortable. We do not hide. What you see is who we are. And we build this valley beside you.”
Varro followed with quiet conviction. “I lived under an Alpha who believed wolves should dominate humans. That world collapsed. This one thrives.”
Rime added, “Same snow. Same danger. Same home.”
Holt leaned forward earnestly. “Same stew.”
The timing was perfect. The audience burst into laughter, the tension melting instantly.
Marta stepped beside the wolves, voice carrying. “If the wolves didn’t belong here, many of us wouldn’t be alive. They brought back our power, our water, our safety, our communication. They earned their home here.”
The woman sank slowly back into her chair as applause rose like a tide—not thunderous, but heartfelt, steady, grateful.
A tiny boy raised his hand next. “When wolves howl… is it because you’re happy or sad?”
Rime’s expression softened. “Both. Howl speak heart.”
The boy smiled wide.
That became the last question.
One woman stood, then another, then nearly everyone in the auditorium. Not clapping for spectacle, but in a quiet wave of gratitude. A valley choosing trust.
As the crowd filtered out, Rime leaned toward Thane. “Holt answer strongest question.”
Gabriel groaned softly. “He’s never going to let us forget it.”
Varro allowed himself a faint smile. “The simple truth often wins.”
Kade watched the dispersing families with calm certainty. “Tonight… the valley feels whole.”
Thane looked over the room, over his pack, over the human faces warmed by understanding. The valley did feel whole. It felt honest. It felt like a place where wolves and humans lived not in fear, but in truth.
The pack walked out into the cool spring air together, paws quiet on the path, hearts steady, knowing the valley had taken another step toward healing—because truth had been spoken, and truth had been believed.