The Lycan Runes

Runes

(11 Years Ago)

Kieran lit up like a kid on Christmas morning when Aqua handed him her radar invention.

“Thank you so much, Aqua. You have no idea how much I needed something like this. It’ll make collecting the rest of the runes so much easier,” he said, practically glowing. “I was really worried I wouldn’t be able to find any more.”

“Any more?” Aqua blinked. “You already have some?”

“I do. Two of them. But I still need to find the other five.”

He stood quickly, excitement buzzing off him.

Aqua watched as he crossed to the bed area, opened a nightstand drawer, and returned with two iridescent stones. They shimmered faintly in his palm, catching the dim cabin light.

“Oh…” Aqua frowned. “It kind of sounds like you already knew about these lucky stones. So why were you acting like you’d never heard of them before?”

“It’s true—I’ve never heard them called lucky stones,” Kieran said quickly, worried he’d upset her. “My gramps always called them Lycan Runes.”

“Lycan Runes? What the hell is that?” Aqua asked, her suspicion finally kicking in.

“Uh… it’s a long explanation. Are you sure you want to know?” Kieran asked cautiously.

“Of course I want to know! That’s the only way you can prove you’re not a sketchy weirdo!” Aqua shot back.

“I swear I’m not a sketchy weirdo!” Kieran lifted his hands in surrender. “I’ll tell you everything I know. But you have to promise to keep it a secret.”

“Fine. Whatever. I promise.” She slapped a hand over her heart dramatically.

Kieran took a deep breath and met her eyes.

“What I know comes from my gramps. He swore me to secrecy too. This is exactly what he told me.” His voice softened. “These stones are the Lycan Runes… the tears of the Moon Goddess.”

“Tears of the Moon Goddess?” Aqua repeated. She remembered him mentioning the moon earlier. “Do you seriously believe in a Moon Goddess?”

“Yes. I do. As did my gramps. As did our entire pack.”

There was no hesitation in his voice. “He told me there are Lycan Runes all over the world. And if you find ten of them, something special happens.”

“So I only needed seven more lucky stones for something magical to happen?” Aqua asked skeptically.

“Yes. You can even see the elements on them.” He pointed to the markings.

Aqua examined the stone again. “Elements. They’re just weird scratches from erosion.”

“To someone like you, maybe,” Kieran said gently. “But they represent elements in Wolvish—our language.” He traced the pattern with his finger. “You brought stones water, flower, and fire. I have thunder and earth.”

Aqua gasped. Now that he’d said it, the swirling lines did look like a script—consistent, intentional, almost elegant. Her analytical brain sparked with curiosity.

“Is there a reason why they have elements inscribed into them?” she asked.

“Well… once you collect at least ten, you can summon the Moon Goddess. She’ll send one of her Moon Cubs to Earth, and the cub will grant you a wish.”

Aqua shot to her feet. “Are you being serious right now?”

“Yes. Completely.” Kieran nodded earnestly. “My gramps made me promise that when I turned eighteen, I’d find the rest of the runes and use my wish to bring back our wolfpack—the Elderwood pack. That’s why I was so happy you gave me the tracker. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to fulfill his last wish.”

Aqua backed toward the door, eyes wide.

“Everything you’re saying is so foreign to me. Moon Goddess? Lycan Runes? Elderwood wolfpack? A magical moon cub granting wishes? It’s… honestly kind of scaring me.”

“That doesn’t sound scary to me,” Kieran said, confused.

“Are you making up some fantasy story to keep me here? To hold me for ransom? Do you know who my father is? And how stinking rich he is?” she cried, hands fumbling behind her for the doorknob.

“Aqua, you don’t need to be scared of me,” Kieran pleaded. “I promise everything I’m saying is true. And I have no idea who your father is or how rich he is!”

Aqua had no response, she just fumbled with the doorknob more.

“Of course I’m not trying to trick you. Here—let me help.” Kieran kept his voice soft as he leaned over her shoulder and jiggled the stubborn doorknob.

“It gets stuck this time of year. Humidity.”

Aqua blinked. “You’re… really letting me go?”

“How else can I prove I’m not dangerous and definitely not trying to hold you hostage?” he said simply.

“And you’re not worried I’ll run home and tell everyone a werewolf lives out here?” she pressed.

Kieran shook his head. “I don’t know why, but I don’t think you’ll do that. Something about you feels… trustworthy.” Then he added with a crooked smile, “Besides, I’m not a dangerous werewolf.”

Maybe it was foolish. Maybe it was reckless.

But just like that, her fear loosened its grip. Something about him—his sincerity, his awkwardness, his honesty—made her want to believe him.

She exhaled shakily and even managed a laugh.

“So you’re actually a werewolf,” she said, half‑in disbelief. “Who would’ve thought my lucky‑stone scavenger hunt would end with meeting a real live werewolf? Definitely not me.”

“And I wasn’t expecting to meet a typical human today,” Kieran teased, eyes sparkling. “You are a typical human, right?”

“As typical and ordinary as they come,” Aqua deadpanned.

“That’s not what I meant.” He shook his head, earnest again. “Out of all the humans I’ve ever met, you have the nicest face.”

Aqua’s cheeks warmed instantly. She wasn’t used to compliments—especially not ones delivered so matter‑of‑factly.

“Oh. Um… thank you. That’s really sweet.”

“Just being honest.” He shrugged. “So… did you want to stay for dinner? I haven’t had company in forever, and I caught all these fish.”

“I’d love to, but my parents would freak out. I’m already way too far from home, and if I’m late for curfew…” She winced. “Yeah. I should head back.”

Kieran’s disappointment was immediate and painfully obvious. Aqua’s heart squeezed—then an idea sparked.

“What if…” She brightened. “What if you come have dinner at my place instead?”

Kieran’s head snapped up. “Really? You want me to have dinner with you?”

“Yes! I’ve never had dinner with a werewolf before. I have so many questions.” She grinned. “You wouldn’t mind if I take notes, right?”

“I don’t think I’d mind.” His smile returned, wide and genuine. “And yes—I’d love to have dinner with you. I just need half an hour to put away these fish.”

“Oh, I can help! I’ve been gutting fish with my dad since forever.” Aqua rolled up her sleeves.

“That’s awesome.” Kieran led her toward the kitchen area, then hesitated. “Um… can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“I don’t know what it is, but you smell… delicious.” He looked embarrassed but determined. “It’s driving me crazy. Do you know what it is?”

“Me? Delicious? Impossible. I’m sweaty and I’m not even wearing perfume.” Aqua waved him off.

“No, I swear. It’s sweet. Definitely coming from you.”

“Wait—maybe it’s my snacks.” She swung her backpack around and dug through the front pocket. “I packed two boxes of Pocky.”

“What’s… pocky?” Kieran asked, confused as ever.

“These!” Aqua triumphantly held up a red box.

Kieran snatched it gently from her hands and inhaled deeply. His eyes practically rolled back.

“Yes! This is it. This is the sweet smell.” He looked like he might drool. “May I have one?”

“Help yourself,” Aqua laughed. “I guess werewolves really do have super‑sensitive noses.”

Kieran tore open the box and bit into a chocolate‑covered biscuit stick. The blissed‑out expression on his face was so dramatic that Aqua burst into giggles.

“You can have the whole box,” she said, picking up a small knife. “I’ll start gutting the fish.”

“Thank you, Aqua! These are amazing. Will you have more at your house?” he asked around a mouthful of Pocky.

“Oh yeah, tons. And different flavors. You have to try strawberry—it’s the best.”

“I’m so excited to see your house now!”

With that, Kieran inhaled the rest of the Pocky like a starving wolf and hurried to help her with the remaining fish.