[He stares, seeming mystified by her emotional reaction. He often is; it's not like he had to interface with the people he's worked for very much in the past.]

I've cross-referenced all the consistencies I could find, as well as the experiences of others who dealt with the portals. Including my own... the monster that came through one of them and attacked me was real enough. There's every reason to accept that you really spoke with your brother, and that what he reported to you was true. Therefore... there's no reason you couldn't continue to learn, I'd think, especially if you've been reunited with your wolf in Trench in some manner.