Sunbeam Lair BWP3: PREY OPPORTUNITY

Shortly a handful of other packwolves arrived, attracted either by the scent or Asterr's call — or perhaps both. Avannon, Jolon and Texiceia each appeared with the same balance of hunger and mistrust, but not one of them lurched forward to eat. All his attention was on Asterr as she guided them with her thoughts on the matter, though of course she didn't command them either way.

The large Gamma joined Texi in taking a closer look at the dead pig, but this time he didn't sniff at it: his silver eyes glanced here and there for some sign of how it had died. He tipped its head gently to inspect its neck. I can't see any fang marks, he observed to the others, his deep voice composed but pensive, and it has flesh enough to suggest it didn't necessarily die from starvation. Noctura was no medical mind, but he had been a lone wolf for a long time: he had learnt to inspect his prey.

But, like Asterr, he left the others to draw their own conclusions from this. He couldn't be certain anyway. Maybe it had died from starvation or the hunt — the point was that they just didn't know. The stars were not out, the stargazer took no risks.