THIS TIME I CHOOSE ME

Chapter Six: A PLAN

“The Silver Ring,” I repeated quietly.

The name still sounded almost too simple for something that could cost me my wolf—or even my life.

The man watched me carefully.

“You said there are rare ingredients,” I said. “Blood. Moonroot. Silver ash. Maybe even something connected to the Moon Goddess.”

“Yes.”

“And I’m supposed to find all of that myself?”

A faint smile appeared on his face.

“Not necessarily.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“What does that mean?”

He leaned forward slightly, resting his arms against his knees.

“It means that if you're serious about doing this, I might be able to help you bring everything together.”

For a moment, I didn't say anything.

Help me?

After everything that had happened, I had learned not to trust people simply because they offered a helping hand.

“Why?” I finally asked.

“Because finding the ingredients won't be easy.”

“That still doesn't answer my question.”

“No,” he admitted. “It doesn't.”

I studied him.

He was still hiding something. I could feel it.

But right now, I didn't have the luxury of being picky.

“What exactly can you help me find?”

“The things you won't be able to find on your own.”

My eyebrows lifted.

“Such as?”

“Some of the ingredients are rare. Some can only be found in certain places. Others are protected.”

“Protected by who?”

“People who don't want the Silver Ring performed again.”

That made me pause.

“Why?”

“Because people have died trying.”

I swallowed.

Of course they had.

Nothing in my life could ever be simple.

I looked down at the dagger still in my hand before slowly sliding it back into the band around my thigh.

“Then help me.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“You're not even going to ask what I have to give in return?”

“I'll worry about that when you tell me.”

For the first time, he actually smiled.

“Maybe that's why I decided to help you.”

“Don't get comfortable.”

“I wasn't planning to.”

I crossed my arms.

“So when do we start?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes. You need to go home tonight.”

I frowned.

“And why is that?”

“Because if you're going to break a mate pact before your ceremony, you need to be prepared.”

His words reminded me of the countdown.

Five days.

Only five days remained.

I couldn't afford to waste them.

I nodded slowly.

“Tomorrow, then.”

He stood.

“One more thing.”

I looked at him.

“You can't tell anyone about this.”

I almost laughed.

“Trust me. I wasn't planning on announcing it at breakfast.”

His expression remained serious.

“If anyone finds out what you're trying to do, they may stop you.”

“Then they won't find out.”

I turned toward the cave entrance.

For the first time since I woke up in this life, I finally had something that felt like a real chance.

Not a promise.

Not hope.

A plan.

And tomorrow, I would start putting it together.