"Why?" Caroline asked, surprise evident in her voice. "Are you feeling unwell? Or are you too nervous?"
I took a deep breath and continued, "No... It's just that I can't shift into my wolf form. I've never been able to do it. I don't know why."
Caroline's expression softened, and she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. Though she was younger than me, her words held wisdom beyond her years. "Oh, Emma, that must be really tough for you. So you don't want to attend the festival because you're afraid they might laugh at you?"
I nodded, my voice filled with determination. "Kind of. This feeling is overwhelming, and I don't want to bring any disgrace or humiliation to Alex. I don't want to hurt him because of me."
Caroline leaned closer, her eyes locked with mine. "But Alex already knows, doesn't he?"
"Yes," I replied, a mix of gratitude and worry swirling inside me. "He knows."
