Reign didn't move. Didn't let her expression change. Just kept her eyes on Torven while her mind raced through options.
The young wolf stood near the west gate. Same posture he'd held for the last minute. Too still. His shadow pooled at his feet wrong, like it had weight and substance independent of his body.
Eirik tensed beside her. He'd seen it too.
"Torven," Reign called casually. "Come here. Need you to check something."
The wolf turned. Moved toward her with normal gait. Nothing obviously wrong except for that shadow. It slithered behind him like liquid darkness, not quite matching his steps.
"Yes, Alpha?" His voice sounded right. Same tone. Same inflection.
Reign studied his eyes. Looked for anything off. "You were stationed at the north watchtower earlier. See anything unusual
