Rex wasn’t just standing there. He was trembling slightly and staring up at Anna with eyes full of intensity — not fear, but something deeper. Concerned murmurs rippled through the crowd. Anna’s father moved to pull Rex aside, but she stopped him.
She knelt down, lifting Rex’s face gently in her hands.
— “Hey, buddy… What’s going on?” she whispered.
His breathing was labored. His legs shook beneath him. A soft growl rumbled from his chest — not aggressive, just distressed. Anna’s heart dropped. Something was wrong.
