Luara didn't make the decision impulsively, because impulsiveness had never been what brought her to that point, but rather strategic survival, built layer by layer from losses, forced concessions, and learnings that never came without pain, so that when she finally accepted the small game would no longer protect her, the next move became inevitable, almost logical, though loaded with enough risk to completely redefine her destiny inside and outside the pack.

The Council's call didn't ...