I lasted less than an hour inside the main grounds before the restlessness returned.
Asher’s request that I stay close had been reasonable. I knew that. But after the spar, the meeting, and the conversation by the stone wall, remaining idle while he investigated a possible second masked scent felt wrong. I had not spent three years becoming capable only to sit safely behind walls when something was probing the edges of the territory.
I found Torren near the weapons shed, speaking with two of her patrol leads. She glanced up as I approached, expression unreadable.
“I thought the Alpha told you to stay central,” she said.
“He did. I’m choosing to interpret that as ‘don’t go alone.’” I met her eyes. “You’re about to check the southern border report. Take me with you.”
Torren studied me f
