Page 33 of The Moonborn's Curse

Airlia.

His fury flared hotter. "This is about Lia," he said, his voice shaking with anger.

"This is about duty," Draken corrected. "Your place in the tribe. In the world."

Hagan's heart pounded as he stared at his father, trying to make sense of the storm inside him.

The prophecy. The Moon-Eyed one.

His fated.

A girl he had never even met.

His mind whirled, and before he could stop himself, he said, "Lia has grey eyes."

Draken's expression didn't change. "She is not the one the prophecy speaks of."

Hagan's breath came faster. "Then why her? Why this girl I know nothing about?"

Draken's voice remained calm, immovable. "I have met her. She IS the one." He paused, letting the words settle. "There is no doubt in my mind."

The words burst from him before he could think.

"I don't care who she is."

The silence that followed was heavy, stretching between them like a chasm.

Draken's expression darkened. "You should."

"Your relationship with Airlia," Draken continued, his voice lowering. "It is too close."

Silence fell between them.

Hagan stared at his father, barely able to process what he was hearing.

"You must maintain boundaries," Draken said, his expression unreadable. "She is practically human. You are not. The pack is watching, and you cannot—"

"Cannot what?" Hagan cut him off, his voice sharp with defiance. "Care about her?"

Draken did not answer.

That silence told Hagan everything.

His chest tightened, anger and hurt battling inside him. "This is ridiculous," he spat. Hagan shook his head, stepping back, his breath ragged. He couldn't listen to this. Couldn't accept it.

His father had sealed his fate. Had given his future away before he'd even had a chance to claim it for himself.

And worse—he expected Hagan to fall in line. To let go of the one person who had come to matter the most.

"I won't do this," Hagan said hoarsely, turning sharply.

Draken's voice followed him as he strode toward the door. "You will do what is best for the tribe."

Hagan didn't stop. Didn't look back.

If his father had spoken any more words, he didn't hear them.

Because in that moment, the only thing he knew for certain was that his future had just been stolen from him.

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