Zubair looked over at the dire wolf who was covered in blood and standing beside a large black dog and nodded once as Luci moved to his side without hesitation.
"Perfect," Zubair said, voice tight with relief that didn't soften him. "Luci will be able to find Sera faster than the rest of us. I just wish we had him before now."
The wolf didn't look up for permission. The moment he heard that Sera wasn't around, he simply pressed in close enough to be felt and then angled his head toward the corridor that led deeper into the Sanctuary, ears twitching as if he could hear something the rest of them couldn't.
His nostrils flared once. Twice. The faintest rumble vibrated in his chest.
Zubair's hand hovered near the wolf's neck for a heartbeat, not petting, not comforting—just confirming presence, anchoring function. Then he pulled his hand back, already moving.
