Breakfast featured an elaborate spread of Swift River specialties—smoked river fish, forest berries preserved in honey, and freshly baked bread adorned with their pack's symbolic crest. Under normal circumstances, I would have appreciated their hospitality. Today, my focus remained on the servant hovering near Alpha Marcus's place setting.
The young wolf moved with practiced efficiency, but I noticed how he lingered near Marcus's goblet, his attention fixed on this one task. As he poured the morning tea, his sleeve brushed suspiciously against the rim.
I watched Marcus raise the cup to his lips, then acted with deliberate clumsiness. Rising suddenly, I "accidentally" bumped the ceremonial table, sending his drink splashing across the tablecloth.
"How terribly clumsy of me," I gasped wit
