Banishments are forbidden. Unforgivable crimes, as deemed by the Alpha and the Meskli, will be punished by imprisonment or relocation to a new pack.
Any member of the pack can request visitation rights to Dnara.
Upon the age of eighteen, every pack member will be given the choice to study and/or visit Dnara for a year. Extensions will be considered upon a case-by-case basis. If the member rejects the offer, it will be repeated at the age of twenty-one.
Any who seek gender reassignment will be required to visit Doctor Robell in Dnara, for physical and psychological evaluation. They may choose to undergo further psychological care and hormone medication at home or in Dnara.
Any pack member who wishes to air a grievance to the Alpha or who requests an audience will not be refused, unless in times of grave illness, war, or urgent pack business that cannot be put on hold.
These laws are effective immediately, from the moment they’re posted for the pack’s viewing. Any grievances can be taken directly to the Alpha or his Beta. Suggested changes or additions are welcome.
Anxiety roiled in Keon’s gut, waiting for a reaction. The constant movement of the village faded to narrow his focus to the teenagers. Beyond their remarks, as one of the girls read the laws in a clear voice, they gave no indication of whether they approved or found him ridiculous.
On the right of the group, Callum tilted his dark head to gaze at the man beside him, long hair hanging over his eyes, hands tucked deep into his jean pockets. His companion, Yosi Toreto, was taller, blond with a close-cropped hairstyle, and may have missed the glance. The faintest smile lit his lips, and he reached to his side, never tearing his gaze from the noticeboard. A long pinkie looped over Callum’s pocket, Callum’s teeth scraping over a bottom lip as he felt the contact, removing the hand from his pocket to clasp the searching fingers.
The look they shared as their fingers interlocked took Keon’s breath away. Hope and love. If fate had been kinder, it could have been him ten years ago. If someone had been brave enough to challenge the intolerance. Warmth spread, realising the boys found hope in his laws. A brighter future, proof their feelings weren’t wrong or shameful. A promise that what they most wanted was in reach. Of age, Keon could mate them without their parents’ permission.
“Mother!” Irene, a girl with a long dark ponytail, squealed in excitement to her sister, Zara, grasping her hand. “We can go to Dnara!”
Keon’s hope died. Her excitement had broken the lull, ignored when his attention was redirected. The boys broke apart, reminded of where they stood. Though the words weren’t harsh or disapproving, they broke the spell of forgetting the rest of the world existed.
Work waited, but Keon realised words were a beginning. They meant nothing if someone didn’tshowtheir world was changing.
Hemustchoose a mate. Immediately.
*
Milo
IT TOOK MOREconvincing than he expected to get Thatcher to allow a second excursion through Alpha Keon’s lands.
The first had been purposefully short, but Thatcher hadn’t been pleased by the little Milo had discovered. Which meant he’d had to fight for this second outing and was now lumbered with Haley, who chatted about the upcoming challenge with no concept of how to behave discreetly. Wearing shorts barely covering her backside, and a top that just reached her belly button, Haley sauntered through the village in black boots, blonde hair held high in a ponytail cascading down her back. A stark contrast to Milo, who wore dull brown trousers, plain boots, and a caramel shirt, with a knee-length coat over the top to appear nondescript. Impossible with Haley walking by his side.
As much as Milo wished to be alone, letting Haley wander freely was asking for trouble. Crutches tucked tight under his arms, hidden by his jacket, he hoped he looked like someone with a limp to avoid drawing attention.
“Why are we here again?” Haley asked, fluttering fingers at a teenage boy ogling her from across the street.
Milo heaved a sigh and paused to use his crutch to nudge aside a large stone from his path. “Because I need to discover more about the Alpha,” he admitted reluctantly. Their father had already told her the plan, despite Milo’s protests, no doubt hoping he would fail so Thatcher would feel justified in punishing him, ridding himself of two burdens in one fell swoop.
Haley hummed. “Why don’t I go talk to some people?” she suggested, taking off before he could utter a reply.
