The Lycan Runes

Sasaki Mansion

(11 Year Ago)

They finished cleaning the fish faster than Aqua expected — Kieran was surprisingly skilled — and left the cabin about fifteen minutes later. Aqua climbed onto the ATV, taking the front seat, and Kieran slid in behind her. His hands rested lightly on the seat, but every time he leaned in to speak over the engine, a warm shiver rippled down her spine. She ignored it, focusing on getting home before her parents started to worry.

When they arrived at the Sasaki Mansion, Aqua introduced Kieran to her parents. They were polite, but she could tell they were wary — especially her father, Yamato Sasaki, who had perfected the art of smiling while interrogating someone.

But then something unexpected happened.

“Your grandfather is Knox Castle?” Yamato asked, pausing mid‑bite as he studied Kieran’s face. “That’s why you looked familiar. You resemble him.”

Crystal’s eyes lit up. “What are the chances that Knox’s grandson is sitting at our table?”

Kieran blinked. “You… both knew my grandfather?”

“My wife never met him,” Yamato said, “but she knows what he meant to me. He saved my life.”

Crystal squeezed her husband’s hand. “If it weren’t for your grandfather, I never would’ve met this wonderful man.”

Aqua watched Kieran’s expression soften with something like awe.

Then Yamato launched into the story — the one that explained everything about the “lucky stones.”

When he was a college student, he and his friends had gone camping at Mount Elbert in Colorado. During a hike, Yamato found a strange, shimmering stone — a Lycan Rune — though he didn’t know its name then. He kept it because it looked cool. After the trip, they stopped at a bar in town.

Yamato admitted he’d had too much to drink. On the way out, he stumbled into a huge guy playing pool, ruining the man’s shot.

Before Yamato could apologize, the man swung at him.

But the punch never landed.

A stranger — Knox Castle — caught the man’s fist mid‑air. When the bully pulled out a switchblade, Yamato thought he was going to die. Knox didn’t even flinch. He disarmed the man with a few swift movements and knocked him flat.

When they escaped, Yamato tried to repay him with money. Knox refused. The only thing he wanted was the stone Yamato had found.

“These stones are very lucky,” Knox had said in his gravelly voice. “The more you have, the more luck you’ll get. And there ain’t no amount of money in the world that can buy you this much good luck.”

That was the moment the idea of “lucky stones” took root in Yamato’s mind. Over the years, he collected three more — and each one, he claimed, brought him good fortune. Meeting Crystal. Selling his first startup. Learning he would become a father.

Across the table, Aqua and Kieran exchanged a look — a quiet understanding. Knox had lied to protect the truth. Yamato had no idea what the stones really were.

Kieran’s gaze dropped to his plate, and Aqua wondered if he was thinking about the promise he’d made to his grandfather — to find all ten Lycan Runes and summon the Moon Goddess’s celestial wolf. The idea still felt unreal to her, but the sincerity in Kieran’s voice earlier… it made her want to believe.

Yamato continued, explaining how he’d stayed in touch with Knox out of gratitude. Knox rarely needed help — he was too independent for that — but nine years ago, Yamato received a desperate midnight call. Knox needed to disappear. Somewhere remote. Somewhere safe.

Yamato didn’t hesitate. He bought the cabin in the Scarlet Glades and the 200 acres surrounding it, no questions asked.

“Your grandpa kept in touch, though not consistently,” Yamato said with a fond smile. “He’d write a few times a year. I think I’m due for another letter soon. How’s the old man doing these days?”

Kieran’s fork paused mid‑air. “I’m… sorry, sir. My gramps passed away several months ago.”

Crystal gasped softly. Yamato’s expression fell.

“Oh dear. I had no idea. He was so strong… sometimes I forgot how old he really was.”

“I thought he’d live forever,” Kieran murmured. “But maybe that was just a silly wish.”

Silence settled over the table.

“So, Kieran,” Yamato said gently, “if I understand correctly, you’ve been living with your grandfather in that cabin for the last nine years?”

“Yes, sir.” Kieran swallowed, unsure if he was in trouble.

“Strange,” Yamato mused. “In his letters, he mentioned you only a handful of times — almost as if you were just visiting. If I’d known a child was living with him, I would’ve done more.”

Kieran’s eyes widened. “Were you behind all those packages we got over the years?”

“Yes,” Yamato admitted with a sheepish grin. “Care packages. Especially around Christmas.”

Kieran’s face lit up. “Those turkey dinners were the best! The stuffing, the cranberry sauce, the pies — especially the blueberry. Gramps and I would split them right down the middle.”

“You’re welcome, Kieran,” Yamato said warmly. “Your grandfather raised a remarkable young man.”

Kieran flushed and ducked his head. “Thank you, sir.”

Dinner continued with light conversation, but Aqua barely heard any of it. She watched Kieran instead — the way he ate with genuine hunger, the way he listened intently to her parents, the way he seemed both out of place and completely at ease.

There was so much she didn’t know about him.

And she wanted to know everything.

Especially now that she knew he was a werewolf.

Especially now that she knew he was on a quest to find the Lycan Runes — the Moon Goddess’s tears.

It sounded like a grand adventure.

One she wished she could go on.

After dessert, Yamato cleared his throat. “Kieran, my wife and I were wondering if you’d like to spend the night here.”

Kieran froze mid‑scrape, spoon still digging for the last crumbs of apple crumble. He looked up, startled.

“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble? I don’t want to outstay my welcome.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Yamato said. “And considering how far Scarlet Glade is, it’s safer if you stay.”

“I’ll have the guest suite prepared,” Crystal added, already rising from her seat.

“Thank you, sir. And… ma’am.” Kieran looked overwhelmed with gratitude.

Crystal smiled. “You’re a good kid, Kieran. We’re happy to host you.”

When she left, Yamato turned back to him. “Before you head to bed, I’d like to have a conversation with you. Now that I know you’ve been living alone in that cabin, I feel some responsibility to look after you. But I need to discuss it with my wife first.”

“Of course, sir,” Kieran said, though Aqua could see the confusion — and worry — in his eyes.

When her father left, Aqua leaned closer. “Are you okay?”

Kieran wrung his hands. “I’m just… worried about what your father wants to discuss.”

“Yeah, he was a bit heavy‑handed,” Aqua admitted. “But whatever he wants to talk about will probably help you.”

Kieran let out a shaky breath and covered his face. “I shouldn’t have agreed to dinner. This is my fault.”

“No! Don’t say that.” Aqua nudged him gently. “We had fun, didn’t we? You ate three helpings.”

Kieran cracked a small smile. “It’s true. I haven’t had a home‑cooked meal like that since my gramps passed.”

“So you regret eating all that meatloaf?” she teased.

“No! Never. I could never regret something that delicious.”

Aqua grinned. “If it makes you feel better, I can go with you when you talk to my dad.”

Kieran’s head snapped up. “You’d do that?”

“Of course.”

Relief washed over his face. “Thank you, Aqua. That… that makes me feel so much better.”

Aqua felt her heart flutter — just a little.

She didn’t know it yet, but this night — this boy — was going to change everything.