“I would rather serve a leader who places the needs of his people above his greedy heart,” said Kipling, the guard with the cut eyebrow. “You’ve become weak, Lothair. How can we trust you to carry out your promises once you perform the Lycan ritual? What are we even supposed to do once you become Lycan?”

The atmosphere within the mine became heated. I worried that Kipling’s fury was still attached to me. I felt nothing for my father anymore, no desire to protect him from the anger ...