but I do remember several really terrible things being depicted as actually terrible, and they had long lasting consequences for Mercy which I felt was realistic

That is good to hear, thank you! I love terrible things and consequences very much.

I too would like to see werewolves with a dominance hierarchy done...I don't know if right is the word, more like 'the way I would enjoy it' perhaps. Which I guess leaves it to me to write it one day since only I know what that is really XD