The Lycan’s Witch Luna

Lila Run Lila! The voice in my head screamed, but I didn’t heed it. It was coming my way. I could sense it. It was coming for me. My heart thumped against my chest as I thought of what to do. Did I stand a chance against it? Probably. Still, I wasn’t that strong enough to stop it. They were lethal and dangerous. The fear of being caught made my legs move. They carried me deep into the woods, which was a horrible idea. I had just put myself in a situation that favored my predator—a race for survival. I rushed through the woods, the smell of the damp earth and fresh pine rushing through my nose. I had to get back to the village. That was the only way I could be saved from it. But then, the growls became loud. It was right behind me. A Lycan. I didn’t want to see it. If I did, it would ignite another round of fear in me. I had to focus on my journey home, but then my curiosity got the best of me. I swung my head backward to steal a glance at it. And that turned out to be my worst idea tonight. It was terrifying—a massive half-man, half-beast thing, all shaggy black fur that moved like it was alive. Its glowing red eyes burned right through me, wild and starving. That mouth, wide open with jagged teeth dripping slobber, like it was ready to tear me apart. Its claws, all twisted and gnarly, kept twitching, part human, part monster, like it couldn’t wait to rip into something. The way it hunched over, muscles bulging, it was like some nightmare mix of a guy gone wrong and a beast ready to kill. I couldn’t look away from it. And that proved costly. I tripped on the root of a tree and fell to the ground, slamming my cheek on the grass as I landed. I groaned as pain shot through my face. I turned around swiftly and the Lycan was standing a few feet from me, waiting to see what I was going to do next. I was flabbergasted by this. It didn’t want to harm me. Not waiting to understand why, I rose to my feet and continued running. My mind was far away from the basket of herbs I had been holding before I sensed the wolf. Aunt Greta was going to kill me once I got back home. I was going to get another morbid punishment. The Lycan was pursuing me once more, snarling and growling at me. Through the woods, the village loomed in sight. I had to shake it off. I couldn’t let the Lycan know where we were staying. I would bring nothing but destruction to my people if we arrived. I had to shake him off. But doing that, I had to cast a spell. I closed my eyes and stopped running. Calming myself, I turned around and faced the Lycan. The Lycan stopped a few feet away from me, growling at the top of his voice. Slowly, the energy surged through my chest and I closed my eyes trying to cast a spell at the Lycan. The Lycan growing impatient growled and leaped towards me. A log of wood swung from the floor and slammed into the Lycan. The Lycan flew away landing on a tree bark. I stood there, heart pounding, the damp forest air clinging to my skin as the Lycan shook off the impact of the log I’d conjured. My magic was weak—barely enough to keep me alive—but I had no choice. The village was so close, its faint lights flickering through the trees, but this beast was faster, stronger, and far too close. Its crimson eyes locked onto mine, glowing with a hunger that made my stomach churn. I couldn’t let it follow me home. I wouldn’t. The Lycan lunged, its massive paws tearing into the earth. I thrust my hands forward, summoning a gust of wind—feeble, but enough to push it off course. It snarled, skidding to the side, claws raking the ground. My chest heaved, the energy draining from me like water through a cracked bucket. I wasn’t trained for this. My spells were for healing cuts or coaxing herbs to grow, not fending off a monster. It charged again, jaws snapping. I whispered a spell, my voice trembling, and vines erupted from the soil, thin and brittle. They wrapped around its legs, slowing it just enough for me to stumble back. The Lycan roared, shredding the vines with a single swipe. My knees buckled as the magic sapped my strength, leaving my vision blurry at the edges. I couldn’t keep this up. I turned and ran, my legs burning, the village lights my only beacon. The Lycan’s growls echoed behind me, closer now. I threw another spell over my shoulder—a weak burst of light to blind it. It yelped, shaking its head, but didn’t stop. My breath came in ragged gasps, my body screaming for rest. I was running out of power, out of time. Another leap. I spun, flicking my wrist to summon a barrier of shimmering air. It was flimsy, like glass too thin to hold. The Lycan crashed through it, the force knocking me to my knees. Pain shot through my legs, but I scrambled up, desperation driving me. The village was so close—I could smell the woodsmoke, hear the faint hum of life. If I could just— The Lycan pounced. I tried to summon another spell, but my hands only sparked faintly, my magic spent. Its weight slammed into me, pinning me to the forest floor. The air rushed from my lungs, and I gasped, staring into those crimson eyes, now inches from my face. Its claws gleamed, raised to strike. This was it. I’d failed. But then, it froze. The claw hovered midair, trembling. A voice—deep, resonant, not my own—echoed in my mind: Mate. My eyes widened. The Lycan’s gaze flickered, confusion clouding its murderous intent. It snarled softly, almost uncertain, then released me, its massive form backing away. Without another sound, it turned and darted into the shadows of the woods, leaving me sprawled on the ground, trembling, alive. I lay there, heart racing, trying to make sense of it. Mate? That was impossible. The village lights beckoned, but my body felt heavy, drained. I had to get home—before it came back.