My wolf knew before my mind understood.
We'd secured the supply cache and were setting up defensive positions when the first prickle of awareness hit. Not danger exactly. Not yet. But something wrong.
My wolf stirred beneath my skin, hackles raising. Alert in a way that had nothing to do with the simulation or competing factions.
This was real threat. Instinctive recognition of predator nearby.
"Elara?" Jaxon noticed my sudden stillness. "What is it?"
"Not sure. Something feels off."
Finn scanned the area, hand moving unconsciously to the training weapon at his belt. "I don't see anything."
"That's the problem."
Through the bond, Darius's alarm spiked immediately. He'd felt my wolf's reaction, sensed the shift from strategic focus to survival instinct.
From the observation platform, I knew he was searching the training ground. Looking for whatever had triggered my warning.
What do you sense? he sent.
Something watching. Something that doesn't belong.
