Book 3 -27-

[Searching For Another Way]

MALIK

A crestfallen rage was my only reaction after that conversation with my uncle. Gilbert had the nerve to ask me if I wasn’t upset or why I refused to take revenge against the werewolves for killing my father. It drove home a needle of realization: after so many years together as hunters and friends, he never truly cared what happened to my father. All he cared about was retaliation.

Sure, I wanted justice. Would that bring him back? No, and facing those wolves again might well mean everyone’s demise. Somehow, by luck alone, I had escaped unscathed, but now Gilbert dared to accuse me of letting my father’s murderers get away.

“Malik, we need to talk.” Gilbert took a seat on the opposite sofa, facing me.

I forced my tender sides to heave as I pushed myself up from my laying position on the couch. “From our last conversation, I’d say we’ve said all there was to say.”

“Look,” Gilbert started. “I get it. You’re new to this hunting thing. Your father a