The Lycan Runes

Extra Questions

(11 Years Ago)



Aqua pulled up a seat on the end‑of‑bed bench, while Kieran shuffled all the way to the footboard of his new bed, hugging a pillow to his chest. Only the carved wooden footboard separated them as they talked.

“What else would you like to know?” Kieran asked, staring up at the ceiling.

Aqua’s mind buzzed. “Where do I even start? Do I ask the classic werewolf questions? Like how you transform? Or if the full moon thing is real? And I definitely need to know more about this mind‑link connection your pack shares.”

Kieran winced. “Uh… I actually don’t have all the answers. Gramps taught me everything he could, but I think he expected we’d get our pack back someday. Then I’d learn the rest naturally.”

“So… you don’t know the answers to any of my questions?” Aqua asked.

“Well… I know shifting usually happens around eighteen. But it’s different for everyone. Some wolves shift at twenty‑five. Most at eighteen.” He paused. “Your wolf just… erupts out of your body.”

Aqua blinked. “So, you couldn’t even transform right now?”

Kieran hesitated. “Um… I didn’t want to scare you, but my wolf came early.”

Aqua giggled. “I’m not scared of you anymore, silly. And that’s impressive! You shifted earlier than most werewolves.”

Kieran looked genuinely surprised. “I never thought about it like that. I guess it is impressive.”

“So how did it happen? Tell me everything.”

Kieran’s expression fell. “It happened when I realized my grandfather passed away. It was a full moon. He didn’t shift like he always did. I tried to wake him up but… he wouldn’t. No matter how much I tried. I cried. I screamed. But he didn’t wake up.”

Aqua’s heart twisted. “Kieran… that must have been awful.”

“It was. I felt alone. Scared. Sad. Everything inside me was too much. I ran out of the cabin and then… it happened. I shifted. My wolf came out and saved me. It made me feel less alone.”

Aqua softened. “Do you want me to change the subject?”

“No,” he said quickly. “It actually feels good to talk about this. Ask me another question.”

“Okay… the mind link. Your grandpa escaped because he felt the deaths of the Alpha and Beta families, right?”

Kieran sat up, propping the pillow behind him. “Yeah. What about it?”

“Was he the only one who escaped? Could other wolves have felt the deaths and run too?”

“Yes!” Kieran brightened. “Gramps said a handful of Omega wolves got away.”

“Really? Then why didn’t they reunite and take your home back? And if they’re alive, why didn’t you go to them?”

Kieran hopped over the footboard, landing beside her on the bench. “It’s not that simple.”

He held up one finger.

“First: Alphas and Betas are the strongest fighters. We need them to retake our territory. Omegas can’t do it alone.”

A second finger.

“Second: The Crimson River pack knows survivors exist. Staying apart makes it harder for them to find us.”

A third finger.

“And third: All the survivors used the mind link one last time and agreed Gramps should collect all the Lycan Runes. He was the best tracker. Once he had all ten, he’d summon the Moon Goddess’s Moon Cub and wish our pack back to life.”

Aqua’s eyes widened. “That’s incredible. Hard, but incredible. And you’re doing it alone now. You’re going to need my help.”

Kieran blinked. “You want to help me? Even more than you already have? You don’t have to. I can do it.”

“Why not?” Aqua shrugged. “My dad’s buried in some new military tech project. My mom’s off doing theatre in New York. They warned me this summer would be boring. I think they’re thrilled you’re here — you can keep me company.”

Kieran smiled shyly. “What are your parents doing? I didn’t understand half of what you said.”

“Oh! Right. You wouldn’t know.” Aqua laughed. “My dad is the CEO of Sasaki Family Incorporated — a tech company that does construction, mining, electronics, and high‑tech weaponry.”

Kieran’s eyes widened. “Weaponry? Like… actual weapons?”

“Yeah. He designs the concepts. He’s a genius with machines.”

“That’s really cool,” Kieran said. “I don’t know much about tech because of the new Alpha’s decree, but from what I’ve seen here… it seems beautiful.”

Aqua smirked. “Why do I feel like a mermaid movie made you think technology is beautiful?”

Kieran’s cheeks reddened. “Aquamarine may have had something to do with it.”

Aqua laughed. “And my mom? She’s an actress. She just landed a supporting role in a play in New York. It runs from summer to Christmas.”

Kieran’s jaw dropped. “Your mom is an actress? Like the mermaid girl?! Does she know her?”

“No,” Aqua said quickly. “Mom does theatre, not movies. She hated Hollywood. She likes acting for the art, not the fame.”

Kieran nodded like he understood — though Aqua suspected he didn’t.

“Think of it this way,” she explained. “Movies are like Aquamarine. Theatre is like the plays you did with your pack as kids — but on a huge stage with sets and music.”

Kieran’s eyes lit up. “I want to see that! Can we see your mom in a play?”

“Of course! Dad and I never miss her opening nights. She’ll get you a ticket.”

Kieran’s expression softened. “Your parents are so cool, Aqua. You’re so lucky.”

Aqua heard that a lot — and usually hated it. But coming from Kieran, it didn’t feel like jealousy. It felt like longing.

“So… you know about my parents,” she said gently. “What about yours? You never talk about them.”

Kieran looked down. “Gramps raised me. My parents were never really in the picture.”

“What happened to them?”

“My father, Kalvin, died when he tried to leave the pack. His wolf was too weak to survive the severing of the mind link. I was three. I don’t remember him.”

Aqua wrapped an arm around him. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. I never knew him.”

“Why did he want to leave?”

Kieran sighed. “My gramps told me that my dad never jived with the wolfpack life. He didn't like hunting or tracking, and he found the mining work far too rough. He was more connected to the human part of his soul. He wanted to go to college, he wanted to travel the world, and he wanted to leave his life at Chestnut Bay far behind.”

Aqua frowned. “He was going to leave you and your mom behind?”

“I don't know if it's true, but Grandpa said that my dad planned to get settled somewhere, and then he was going to send for us. But he never got past the cutting off of the mind link, so we'll never know." Kieran told her with barely any emotion in his voice.

“Is it normal for werewolves to die from leaving the pack?”

“No. Only if their wolf is weak. Strong wolves can leave and become rogue wolves.”

Aqua perked up. “Rogue wolves? Are they special?”

"I don't think so? They're just werewolves that have no connection to a pack. For most of us, that would make us weaker because there's strength in being part of a pack. Being on your own would make wolf life harder." Kieran explained.

“Have you ever met one?”

Kieran nodded. “My Uncle Kaleb is a rogue wolf.”

Aqua’s eyes widened. “Your uncle?”

“Yeah. He left the pack years ago. Survived the severing. He used to visit us sometimes — bring me little treasures he found. He was wild, but he cared. After the attack… he disappeared.”

Aqua squeezed his hand. “Maybe he’s still out there. Maybe you’ll find him.”

Kieran smiled faintly. “Maybe.”