Chapter 7 A Lycan

• “You can sleep here.”
• Kael opened the door of the only room in the cabin. They entered inside.
• There was a small bed in the center, enough for one person. But it was too big for Cassia’s size.
• “But where will you sleep?”
• “Don’t mind me. I can sleep on the couch.” Kael stared at her. “Unless you want to share the bed with me.”
• It took time before Cassia understood what Kael meant. “You pervert!” She might be too innocent about everything, but she knows what might happen if a man and a woman share a bed.
• Kael smirked. “Not that innocent, huh?” He shook his head. “Here. This is big for you. But I think you can manage. You can clean yourself in the bathroom.”
• Kael put a large t-shirt and pants on the bed.
• Cassia took it. “Thank you.”
• Kael nodded. “You can rest now. I’ll just be outside if you need something.”
• Cassia didn’t answer anymore. She waited for Kael to leave the room before going to the bathroom.
• She really needs a bath already.
• The next morning, something smelled delicious.
• Cassia’s eyes fluttered open.
• For a moment, she had no idea where she was.
• Then it all rushed back—running from the vampires, meeting Kael, the night in the tree.
• She yawned and stretched, rolling onto her side. The bed was so comfortable she was tempted to stay there forever.
• But that smell…
• Her stomach growled.
• Cassia sat up groggily and rubbed her eyes. She grabbed the clothes Kael had given her—simple but comfortable—before padding barefoot out of the room.
• She froze.
• There was someone in the kitchen.
• And it wasn’t Kael.
• An old woman stood at the stove, stirring something in a steaming pot. She was small, with long silver hair tied in a loose braid. Her wrinkled hands moved with practiced ease, and the scent of herbs, broth, and something rich filled the air.
• Cassia blinked.
• The woman wasn’t Kael.
• And Kael didn’t mention anyone else living here.
• Cassia took a cautious step forward. “Um… hello?”
• The old woman didn’t even flinch.
• “I was wondering when you’d wake up,” she said, voice warm and calm. “He already talked to me about you.”
• Cassia’s stomach clenched. “Who are you?”
• The old woman finally turned and smiled.
• “My name is Edna, dear.”
• Cassia frowned. “Do you live here?”
• Edna chuckled, shaking her head. “No, no. I just visit from time to time. Keep an eye on the boy.”
• Cassia blinked. “Boy? You mean Kael?”
• Edna hummed in amusement. “Yes. Though he probably hates it when I call him that.”
• Cassia frowned, glancing toward the door. She hadn’t seen Kael yet.
• “Where is he?”
• Edna waved a hand. “Off hunting. He’ll be back soon.”
• Cassia exhaled. Okay. That made sense.
• She hesitated before taking a step closer. “What are you cooking?”
• “Breakfast,” Edna said simply. “Sit, child. You must be starving.”
• As if on cue, Cassia’s stomach growled loudly.
• Edna chuckled, ladling something into a bowl before placing it on the wooden table. “Eat.”
• Cassia hesitated only for a second before sitting down.
• She took a tentative bite.
• Oh.
• It was delicious.
• Warm broth, tender meat, soft vegetables—it was the best thing Cassia had ever tasted.
• She devoured it.
• Edna watched with an amused smile.
• “Slow down, dear. You’ll choke.”
• Cassia barely managed to slow down.
• She had never had food like this before. The meals in the tower had been plain, minimal. Never anything rich or comforting.
• She had never known food could taste like this.
• When she was finally full, she sat back with a sigh. “That was amazing.”
• Edna smiled softly. “I’m glad you liked it.”
• Cassia studied her. There was something… different about this woman.
• She wasn’t just some old lady who wandered into the woods.
• There was something else.
• Cassia leaned forward. “Who are you, really?”
• Edna’s smile didn’t falter.
• But something was knowing in her eyes.
• “You ask a lot of questions, child.”
• Cassia scowled. “That’s what Kael said too.”
• Edna chuckled. “Well, he’s not wrong.”
• Cassia huffed. “If I don’t ask questions, how else will I get answers?”
• Edna’s gaze softened. “You remind me of someone.”
• Cassia tilted her head. “Who?”
• The old woman didn’t answer right away. Instead, she wiped her hands on her apron and sat across from Cassia.
• She looked at her closely, as if she were studying something hidden beneath her skin.
• Then, in a quiet, measured voice, she said:
• “You are different. You are not just a werewolf, are you?”
• Cassia blinked. “What?”
• Edna’s gaze didn’t waver.
• “You are something much more.”
• Cassia felt a cold shiver creep down her spine.
• “What do you mean?”
• Edna sighed, leaning forward. “Tell me, child. Has anything about you ever felt… different?”
• Cassia hesitated.
• She thought about the way her wounds healed too quickly. The way she could fight, even when she had never been trained.
• The way her father had kept her locked away.
• “...Yes,” she admitted.
• Edna nodded, as if she had already known the answer.
• “That is because you are not an ordinary werewolf, my dear.”
• She met Cassia’s gaze.
• “You are a Lycan.”
• The words hit like a hammer.
• Cassia froze.
• She stared at Edna, waiting for her to say she was joking.
• Waiting for her to laugh.
• But Edna’s expression was dead serious.
• Cassia let out a weak, breathless laugh. “That’s not possible.”
• Edna remained calm. “Is it not?”
• Cassia shook her head frantically. “No! No, I—I would know if I was a Lycan! Lycans are—”
• She stopped.
• What were they?
• Stronger than werewolves. Faster. More powerful.
• They were legends.
• Rare. Feared.
• More especially… they were half-vampires. A hybrid of both lineages.
• And Cassia could not be one of them.
• She couldn’t.
• Edna’s voice was gentle. “Think, child. Why would your father keep you locked away?”
• Cassia’s stomach twisted.
• “No,” she whispered.
• Edna’s gaze didn’t waver.
• “You heal faster than normal. You are stronger than normal. You have instincts that should take years of training.” She tilted her head. “And you have never shifted, have you?”
• Cassia’s breath hitched.
• How did she know that?
• Edna nodded as if she had her answer. “Your father kept you locked away because he was afraid. Afraid of what you would become. Afraid of what others would do if they found out.”
• “H-How did you know I was locked away?”
• Edna sighed. “Kael informed me. I wasn’t sure at first, but seeing you now. I could sense it already.”
• Cassia felt sick.
• No.
• This wasn’t true.
• It couldn’t be true.
• But deep down, in the pit of her stomach… she knew it was.
• Her father had never let her shift.
• Had never let her train.
• Had kept her hidden.
• Because she wasn’t normal.
• Because she was never meant to be seen.
• Cassia swallowed, her voice barely above a whisper.
• “Why are you telling me this?”
• Edna’s gaze softened.
• “Because child… you cannot run from what you are. You should be ready of what danger would come for you.”