The morning started out normal. Well, normal for me, which meant a combination of stress, sarcasm, and wolves trying not to fight each other over protein bars. The training yard hummed with energy. Warriors sprinted. Younger wolves shifted and unshifted to show off. Sophie hovered near the observation deck with her tablet, recording aura signatures.
Then the first wolf dropped.
It was not dramatic. No scream. No warning. One second he was mid-lunge at a training dummy and the next he crumpled like someone unplugged him from reality. His entire body hit the ground with a heavy thud that made every wolf nearby freeze.
Then a second wolf collapsed.
Then a third.
By the time the fifth hit the ground, the yard sucked in a single breath of panic.
Warriors rushed toward them. Healers sprint
