"What if I do not want that?"
Nora looked at me with eyes that held too much sadness. "Then you die, and the packs tear each other apart fighting over power they do not understand."
I turned away from the circle. I could not look at it anymore. "There is no other way?" I asked.
"There is always another way," Nora said. "But the other ways lead to the same ending. You cannot do this alone, Selene. Your power is too much for one person to carry. You need help. You need anchors."
"And if the people I bind myself to betray me?"
"Then you are betrayed," Nora said. She sounded almost gentle saying it. "But at least you survive. At least you get to make that choice rather than having it made for you."
I turned back to face her. "How much time do I have?"
"Three days," Nora said. "Maybe fou
