Chapter 1
Article 1.01
Coexistence with Governing Law
The Pack recognizes and operates within the framework of applicable federal, state, and local laws. Nothing herein shall be interpreted as a general exemption from such laws.
Jurisdiction Over Internal Matters
The Pack retains primary jurisdiction over matters concerning its internal governance, including membership, conduct, discipline, rank, and disputes between members.
Such matters shall be resolved under Pack law.
Concurrent Authority
Where conduct violates both external law and Pack law, jurisdiction shall be considered concurrent. In such cases, the Pack reserves the right to address the matter internally prior to or alongside external proceedings, as determined by the Alpha.
Alpha Final Authority
The Alpha shall serve as the final authority in all matters arising under Pack law, including determinations of jurisdiction, conflict, and enforcement. All rulings issued under Alpha authority shall be binding upon Pack members.
Duty of Lawful Conduct
Members shall make good faith efforts to comply with applicable external laws in all public-facing conduct. Violation of such laws may also constitute a violation of Pack law where it exposes or endangers the Pack.
Internal Resolution Preference
The Pack shall prioritize internal resolution of disputes and violations wherever feasible, particularly where such matters can be contained without external involvement.
MYSTIC HOLLOW, WA,June
Zoe loved doing inventory.
There was something deeply satisfying about counting things, labeling them properly, and putting them back exactly where they belonged. When everything was in order, nothing slipped past unnoticed. And if something did slip, she’d catch it. Early. That was the whole point.
She paused, taking in the shop with a big, maybe a little smug, smile. When things were done carefully and mindfully, the place held together. Take a well-made basket, for example. It was flexible, useful, reliable, and it could be all those things while being quirkily pretty with the right decorations. Also extremely difficult to knock over, metaphorically speaking. The dusty, peppery scent of yarrow curled pleasantly in the air as she resumed bundling, her hands moving in a soothing, familiar rhythm. The repetition was welcomed. Not because it calmed her down, exactly, but because it kept her just busy enough that her brain didn’t start making up problems out of boredom. Zoe’s brain wasverygood at that.
The bell over the door chimed.
She didn’t look up right away. “Be right with you,” she called.
“That’s fine,” a woman said. “I already failed once today. I’m not in a hurry to go home and repeat the experience.”
That got Zoe’s attention.
She glanced up to see Lina at the door, blond hair in a loose, messy knot, canvas bag slung over one shoulder. Hairdresser.Witch extraordinaire. Regular. And, crucially, not the sort to unnecessarily dramatize things.
Zoe wiped her hands on her apron and crossed the room to the counter. “Alright,” she said. “Tell me everything. Preferably in chronological order, but I’ll accept interpretive.”
Lina snorted and reached into her bag, setting a pouch on the counter. Zoe recognized it immediately. One of hers. That alone bumped this visit frominterestingtointeresting with a proceed with caution sign on it. She loosened the tie and brought it to her nose. Angelica. The musky scent was right—clean and earthy. Exactly what it should be. “Smells right,” she said. “What was the issue?”
“The ward didn’t hold.”
Zoe tipped a small amount into her palm. Dried root, cleanly cut. No dust. No dampness. Angelica kept its shape when it was treated properly, and this had. “Did it collapse,” she asked, “or did it never fully set?”
“It did set,” Lina said. “For about a minute. Then it just... let go.”
Zoe nodded, already filing that away. “Same setup?”
