The first meeting of the Stability Council smells like ink and restraint.
Not fear.
Not hostility.
Restraint.
The southern settlement hall has been rearranged to reflect neutrality—no banners, no territorial markings, just a long circular table carved from pale riverwood. Human officials sit beside wolf elders. Coven representatives occupy two seats near the far end. The charter Aurora amended lies at the center, its fresh ink barely dry.
Aurora does not sit at the head.
There is no head.
That was the point.
Kade stands near the outer wall, not part of the official body but close enough to intervene if needed. His presence is deliberate—neither dominating nor absent.
Darius Vell sits directly across from Aurora.
Unarmed.
Unsmiling.
Attentive.
The human council leader, Mara Elric, clears her throat gently.
"This body convenes to establish operating standards for sanctuary-linked operations," she begins. "The objective is stability through shared governance."
