The Luna is a Witch

Chapter 17: Claire

I wake up to sunlight filtering through the broken roof and the faint sound of humming. I dont't even remember falling asleep. My eyes open slowly. LJ is sprawled across the loveseat, snoring lightly, one arm thrown over her face like she’s posing dramatically in her sleep. Blankets are everywhere. Spell supplies everywhere. There’s demon ash in my potted plants.

I look around for Draven and find him sitting cross-legged on the floor, Carter asleep against his chest. Both of them wrapped in the blanket LJ must’ve tossed over them at some point. Carter’s tiny hand is fisted in Draven’s shirt. Draven’s chin rests gently on Carter’s curls. I almost don’t hate this. I know I didn't want him here, at first, but I don't think I could take someone away from Carter. Not when he is vulnerable.

Draven must sense me watching. His eyes open—slow, silver fading back to humaan. He doesn’t move, like he’s afraid of waking Carter. “Morning,” he whispers.

My voice is raspy with sleep“Morning.”

He studies my face like he’s checking for injuries he missed last night. For pain I’m hiding. “Are you okay?” he asks.

I swallow. “Not really.”

He nods—like he expected that.

“Carter?” I whisper.

His eyes soften. “He wouldn’t let go.” A pause. “Not like I wanted him to anyway.”

My chest tightens. Yeah, I can't ask him to leave now. I sit on the edge of the couch, pulling my knees up. “Draven… last night—what happened between you and Carter—what does it mean?”

He exhales through his nose. “I figured you’d ask,” he says softly. “LJ certainly asked—multiple times—between throwing a pillow at me and accusing me of being the wolf version of a gold digger.”

I choke on a laugh. He smiles faintly. But then his expression shifts—gentler, more serious.

“Claire… when a lunar-sensitive child reaches out to a wolf… especially in fear… it isn’t random.”

I tense.“It means something?”

“It means everything,” he says quietly.

My breath stalls. “Tell me.”

Draven’s fingers brush Carter’s back in slow, protective circles. “When a child with lunar magic is scared, hurting, or overwhelmed, they reach for whatever feels safest. Whatever feels strongest. Whatever their instincts decide won’t let them die.”

I close my eyes. “Carter reached for you,” I whisper. In his time of need, Carter didn't reach for me, he reached for the person he BARELY knows.

“No.” His voice is gentle but firm.“Claire, listen carefully.”

I open my eyes. Draven’s gaze holds mine.

“Carter didn’t reach for protection,” he says. “He reached for the bond.”

My throat goes tight.“No,” I say quickly. “No, he’s two, he doesn’t even understand—”

“Children understand instinct,” Draven interrupts quietly. “Better than adults do.”

Carter shifts in his sleep, snuggling closer to him. Draven’s voice softens even further. “When a wolf pup chooses a protector… that bond lasts a lifetime.”

“But Carter’s not a wolf,” I argue, voice trembling.

“No,” Draven agrees.“He’s something stronger.”

My stomach flips. “What does that mean?” I whisper.

Draven adjusts Carter slightly, careful not to wake him.“Claire… lunar children don’t just bond to wolves. They bond to the ones fate ties them to. The ones strong enough to help them survive their power.”

Something cold and hot moves down my spine at once. “Are you saying—”

He looks straight into me.“Carter chose me. And that…”Draven swallows, voice cracking just faintly,“…that means I am bound to protect him. Always.”

I want to argue. I want to scream. I want to tell him no, that’s too big, too dangerous, too much. But my sweet boy has his tiny hand clutched in Draven’s shirt like it’s the only safe place in the world. And Draven holds him the same way I do. Gentle, protective and terrified to break him.

“What about…” I force myself to breathe. “What about me?”

Draven stiffens. “Claire… wolves don’t bond with children unless…” His jaw tightens. “Unless the Luna is tied to them too.”

My heart stops.“No,” I whisper. “No. You’re not saying—”

He whispers back: “Carter didn’t just sense me. He sensed you and he tied us together.”

My hands shake. “Draven, that is not— I’m not—”

He lowers his voice so much it’s almost a breath.“You’re a Luna, Claire.” I flinch. “And your son,” he adds, “just claimed me as his wolf.”

It’s too much. It’s too fast. It’s too soon. “Draven…” My voice breaks. “I can’t—this is—this is too much.”

He finally moves— Looks up at me with eyes that aren’t alpha, or wolf, or prophecy. Just honest.

“I know.”

Carter stirs again and mumbles:“Woof…”

Draven’s jaw tightens like the word hurts him and makes him whole at the same time. He takes a slow breath. “You don’t owe me anything,” he says gently. “Not trust. Not answers. Not a future, but I owe your son everything and you,” he adds, voice cracking just slightly, “I will never force anything on you. I am here for you and Carter. Until my last breathe."

I look down. Carter is safe in his arms and for the first time in a long time…I don’t feel alone.