Chapter 9

That was the moment I convinced myself that I should ask for support. Resort to the strength of the union, of the team. I was alone, and one of the first rules of our people is “never be alone.” But I couldn’t attract my people to that danger zone; my first responsibility as a leader was to ensure the safety of my fellow beings, even more so that of my children. Alaska was no longer safe ground. I didn’t have any resources there. I had no choice. The possibility of escape opened up so clearly before my eyes that I didn’t hesitate. My best chance was to leave the state, get as far away as possible.

Before suffering another attack of anxiety and restlessness, I left the house.

***

The Circle is an exclusive privilege of the firstborn of the Majority Alpha, and in some very exceptional cases, also of the second or third child. It is something that, only within my lineage, has been done for many generations.

Shortly after my first shapeshift, my father explained