Page 74 of The Moonborn's Curse

It was only the following morning that the summons came.

The longhouse was quiet.

But the tension in the air was thick, like the pause before a lightning strike.

Hagan stepped inside.

Veyr and Dain were already there, standing near the far wall.

Dain didn't look at him.

Veyr did.

Draken stood in the centre of the room, his arms crossed, his golden eyes blazing.

When he spoke, his voice was like a raging forest fire burning everything in its path.

"You maimed your future fated. You disgraced yourself."

The words hit like a strike to the chest.

But Hagan said nothing.

Because every word was true.

"You are going to be Highclaw someday. How could you...How, Hagan, How?"

His father exhaled, long and slow.

He lowered himself into the chair behind him and, for the first time Hagan could remember, Draken looked ...aged.

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and covered his face with his hands, dragging them down a moment later, leaving his expression bare.

"Hagan..."

His voice was quieter now.

"I don't know what to do."

That stunned Hagan more than any shouting could have. His dad always knew what to do.

"I'm trying—gods, I'm trying—to do what's best. For the tribe. For you."

His eyes lifted to his son's face.

" I don't think that's Lia. But I can be wrong. I have been wrong before."

Hagan swallowed hard.

His fists clenched at his sides.

Draken looked at him with a weariness that didn't come from age but from disappointment.

"Can you at least try to get to know Seren? Try to understand her? The bond exists for a reason."

Behind him, Dain shifted uncomfortably, not quite so cocky anymore, the bruise from his defeat by Seren still faintly visible at his jaw.

Veyr stood motionless, arms crossed.

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