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Of course they didn't.
Because I'd created a perfect storm of impossible circumstances.
"Keep looking," I said. "There has to be something."
"I will. But High Alphaā" He hesitated. "You need to prepare for the possibility that there isn't. That you'll have to make a choice. Soon."
The line went dead.
I stood there, phone still clenched in my hand, staring at nothing.
Three choices. All of them unacceptable.
Complete the bond: Break the Luna Duel laws, hand Kustav ammunition, potentially force myself on her when she doesn't truly want meāonly the bond wants me.
Separate: Watch her wither from the incomplete bond while I fight the rut alone, possibly for months, possibly forever.
Do nothing: Lose control completely and take away her choice, her agency, everythingābecome the monster she already thinks I am.
Days. Maybe a week.
The rut pulsed through me, patient and hungry.
Waiting for me to break.
Waiting to make the choice for me.
