The Lycan’s Witch Luna

Two

Lila

A slap landed on my cheek and I reeled back in pain, clutching the spot. It stung badly but not more important than Aunt Greta's burning gaze.

“How dare you?” She demanded, her voice a low growl—a reminder of the creature I had encountered in the woods.

I wasn’t sure I could tell her about my encounter with the Lycan. It was going to stir up concern, not only from her but from the witch council as well.

They were going to hunt it down, or we were going to run off from here. And I couldn’t leave. Not yet.

Winthoven was my home. This was where my whole life happened. At nineteen, I was supposed to be a top witch, but my powers hung still which caused frequent outrage from my aunt Greta.

She was the only person who took care of me—my only relative. My father and mother had abandoned me at birth, giving her the responsibility over me. She was frustrated by that request even today. But still, there was nothing she could do. She has trained me into who I am today.

“I’m sorry, Aunt Greta,” I apologized weakly.

“Where’s the herbs I sent you? Where’s the basket?” She demanded.

I had left the basket as soon as I sensed the Lycan’s presence. There was only one thing I thought of then—my safety. Maybe it was right if I told her.

“Answer me!” She yelled at the top of her voice. There was a hint of magic in them because the whole house shook in response.

“I left them behind,” I replied.

Her brows furrowed and I knew this wasn’t going to be over soon.

“I sent you this since sunset, and you only return now with nothing but excuses,” she said.

“I was pursued by a Lycan,” I finally confessed.

She paused, and her brows relaxed. It looked like she was convinced, but I knew it was far from that.

She burst out laughing to my surprise and I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or more alert in case another slap came.

“You have to be kidding me,” she said. “There’s no way there had been a Lycan out there.”

I knew I couldn’t go further with this. It was best that I agreed to this and moved on.

“Now go out there and get the herbs I asked for or there will be no dinner for you!” She yelled.

I nodded and clenched my jaws. Her words were finally. I turned around and stepped out of the house, wondering where I was going to go.

The lights from the houses shone on the paths as I walked solemnly heading towards the same place I had barely escaped death a few hours ago.

But I was halted by the sound of steps behind me. I turned around and found a girl who was half hidden by the shadows.

“Emma,” I called. “What are you doing stalking me?”

Emma laughed as she came forward, her whole face coming into view. She had curly blonde hair with bright blue eyes and a warm smile that could charm anyone.

“I heard what happened between you and your aunt,” she said. “I do believe you though.”

I laughed.

“It wasn’t true,” I lied.

I stared at Emma, her face half-lit by the village lanterns, her eyes glinting with mischief.

“You don’t believe me about the Lycan, do you?” I said, trying to keep my voice light despite the knot in my stomach. The memory of those crimson eyes still haunted me, and now I had to go back into those woods.

Emma grinned.

“I believe you’re spooked. Come on, let me come with you. Two’s better than one.”

I shook my head, my heart racing at the thought of dragging her into danger. “No, Emma, it’s too dangerous. I barely got out alive.”

She crossed her arms, smirking.

“If you were lying about the Lycan, then we’re safe, right? No beast, no problem.”

I opened my mouth to argue but stopped. She had me there. If I insisted on the truth, I’d scare her off—or worse, she’d demand details I couldn’t share without risking the witch council’s wrath. I sighed, defeated.

“Fine. But stay close and don’t do anything stupid.”

Emma’s grin widened, and she fell into step beside me as we headed toward the forest. The village lights faded behind us, swallowed by the dark canopy of trees.

The air grew heavy with the scent of damp earth and pine, the same smell that had filled my nose during my escape. My chest tightened, but Emma’s chatter about her latest prank on the baker kept me grounded.

We reached the clearing where I’d been picking herbs earlier. My basket lay abandoned near a cluster of moonwort, untouched. I let out a shaky breath, grateful it was still there.

“Let’s make this quick,” I said, kneeling to gather the herbs Aunt Greta needed. Emma helped, her nimble fingers plucking leaves with surprising care.

As we worked, I kept glancing into the shadows, expecting those crimson eyes to reappear. But the woods were quiet, save for the rustle of leaves and Emma’s occasional hum. My magic felt drained, barely a flicker left after my spells earlier. If that Lycan came back, we’d be defenseless.

“Are you sure there isn’t something lurking in the bushes?” Emma asked behind me.

I turned to find her staring at me with her arms folded. She still had that bright smile on her face. I wondered if she would still have that smile on her face if he somehow ran into the Lycan again.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, playing dumb. It was stupid but I didn’t have any other choice. The last thing I wanted was for her to find out about the Lycan that had attacked me.

I should have died. But somehow, I was back at the same spot where it had begun. There was an eerie feeling in the air. I wanted to get out of here quickly. I wanted to head back to the village at once.

“You keep looking at your surroundings like there’s something about to pounce on us,” she replied.

I sighed and rubbed my forehead trying to find amusement in her reply.

“Sorry. It’s late, and it’s dangerous to be around here at this time,” I pointed out.

Emma chuckled.

“We are witches, Lila. The shadows should be scared of us,” she said with a hint of cockiness in her tone.

“Wait until you realize what is lurking out here,” I murmured to myself.

“What did you say?” She asked, coming closer.

“Just help me get the herbs so we can be out of here quickly,” I said, picking up the basket.

“Okay Mom,” Emma said sarcastically.

It was silent after that. We filled the basket in no time, and I stood, brushing dirt from my gown.

“Thanks, Emma. I owe you.”

She waved it off.

“Just don’t tell Greta I helped. She’d probably hex me for ‘meddling.’”

I managed a small laugh, and we started back toward the village, the basket heavy in my arms.

The tension in my chest eased with every step closer to home. Maybe the Lycan was gone for good. Maybe that strange voice in my head—mate—was just my imagination.

But as we neared the village, a sharp tang of smoke stung my nose. At a distance was a huge cloud of smoke high in the air. It was just above the village as well.

Emma froze beside me, her eyes wide in horror.

“What’s that?”

We broke into a run, the basket bouncing against my hip. As we cleared the trees, my heart stopped. What stood before us was unimaginable.

The village was ablaze, flames licking at rooftops, smoke choking the air. Bodies lay scattered across the paths—motionless, broken.

I stood frozen, the basket slipping from my hands, shock rooting me to the ground as the world I knew burned before me.

“What the hell is going on here?” Emma’s voice sounded beside me.

I couldn’t reply. I could only stare at the havoc that burned before my eyes. My world, the village we knew was being burned to the ground. It made me wonder if the Lycan had followed me here.

At that moment, a thought struck me. My house. Aunt Greta. I had to look for her. I made a move but a strong hand grabbed me.

I turned around to see Emma holding me back. Her bright blue eyes burned with rage and guilt.

“What are you doing?” I asked, staring at her in disgust. “We have to look for my aunt. We have to look for survivors.”

“Don’t go, Lila!” She warned. “The enemy may still be around.”

“I don’t care!” I yelled, my eyes burning in rage.

Emma looked at me completely dumbfounded.

“Are you crazy? That suicide!” She said, “I can’t let you do that!”

I tried pulling my hand away but her grip was as strong as a vice.

“I can’t do that, Lila. Aunt Greta won’t forgive me if I lead you to your death,” she said. “Think about her.”

I paused and stared at the fire. It scorched the whole village, its fierce heat consuming everything in its path.

Emma was right. I sighed in defeat.

“Now let’s go!” She said pulling me back into the woods.

I followed her as we ran away from the fire. I was still in disbelief. The place I called home was destroyed. And the only thing left of it was both our rage and our hope of revenge.