Page 75 of The Moonborn's Curse

Hagan was silent for a moment like he was gathering his confused thoughts.

"I didn't mean to hurt her," he'd said hoarsely. "I lost control."

Draken's disappointment was punishment enough.

"Your handfasting to Seren is to be held at sixteen. The fates have decreed that you belong to her. And she to you."

Hagan swallowed hard.

"I'll try to be better," he muttered. "I will."

Draken gave him a long look.

"And Lia?"

Hagan hesitated.

He thought of Lia's hands, her voice when she was kind, the dark edge in her gaze when she looked at Seren.

He thought of the stories she had told him of her past—the hurt, the way she clung to him like he was the only safe place left.

"She needs someone," he said finally. "I don't want to abandon her."

Draken's expression didn't change.

"And Seren?"

That was the harder question.

Because what he felt for Seren wasn't the same as the fondness and protectiveness he felt for Lia.

It was something else.

Something that made his chest ache and his pulse skip when she looked at him, even in anger.

Something that made the air between them feel charged, like a storm always waiting to break.

"Lia's... beautiful," he murmured. "And I care about her. But..."

He didn't finish the sentence.

He didn't have to.

His father was a wolf too. He knew.

"You'll be sixteen in less than two years," Draken said. "Figure it out before then."

Veyr had stood motionless , arms crossed, gaze sharp.

He hadn't said a word—until now.

His voice was calm, even, but there was weight behind it.

"She's the bravest girl I've ever seen."

Both Hagan and Dain turned toward him.

"She stood her ground. Took a beating. Didn't cry. Didn't back down. Even against an Alphablood."

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