Page 29 of The Moonborn's Curse

"What face?" she mumbled.

"The one that looks like you ate something bad but you're too stubborn to spit it out."

Airlia huffed, pushing at his shoulder. He barely budged. "I don't make that face."

"Yes, you do."

She frowned and looked back at the woods. "You didn't go with them."

Hagan crossed his arms. "Neither did you."

She gave him a pointed look. "I can't."

He shrugged. "So? I didn't feel like it."

"You always feel like it," she accused.

He scrunched his nose. "Not tonight."

Airlia eyed him. "Are you sick?"

"No."

"Did you get in trouble?"

"No."

"Did your mom make you stay back?"

"No."

"Then why?"

Hagan let out a dramatic sigh, flopping onto his back. "You ask too many questions."

She shoved him again. "Tell me."

He turned his head, dark eyes locking onto hers. "Cause I don't want you to be alone."

Her chest squeezed, and she quickly looked away, kicking at the dirt. "I'm fine being alone."

Hagan rolled his eyes. "Sure, you are."

She grumbled but didn't argue. After a moment, she asked, "Do you think I'll ever shift?"

Hagan was quiet for a bit, then said, "Yeah."

Airlia turned to him, frowning. "How do you know?"

He smirked. "I just do."

She narrowed her eyes. "That's a dumb answer."

"You're dumb," he shot back.

She gasped, shoving him harder this time. He only laughed, dodging away before she could do it again.

One Year Later

---