Victoria counted at least six wolves surrounding the pond, their amber eyes gleaming in the moonlight like malevolent stars. The alpha was massive, easily twice the size of any wolf she'd seen in wildlife documentaries, its dark coat bristling with aggression. This wasn't part of the Recognition trial—this was nature itself deciding she didn't belong here.
The alpha wolf stalked closer, its massive head lowered, ears pinned back. Victoria could smell its musk, see the scars crisscrossing its muzzle from years of battles. This was an old predator, experienced and deadly, and the way it moved spoke of countless successful hunts. Its pack flanked it with the fluid coordination of creatures that had worked together for years, cutting off escape routes with practiced efficiency.
"Easy," she w
