Iván sat stiffly in the living room, his mother staring daggers at him from across the room. The TV buzzed in the background, the news reporter's voice filling the tense silence.
"It was late last night when residents reported hearing heavy gunfire," the reporter said. "Police are calling it a training exercise—"
Iván scoffed quietly.
"—but key witnesses claim they saw a strange blue light just before a helicopter arrived. Some are even suggesting it could be aliens… and the government are covering it up."
His mom didn't take her eyes off him.
"Sound familiar?" she asked coldly.
Iván sank lower into the couch.
"…Maybe a little."
So yeah, you might be wondering—what the hell happened on that rooftop? Well, for starters, I found out I'm apparently a freaking magic samurai . Oh, and there was a werewolf. Without Lune, I would've ended up as its lunch.
Then his mom showed up, looking like she stepped out of an action movie, blasting away like it was just another Friday night.
On the way home, I asked her about it. Turns out, she was in the military—thanks to my grandpa, who's is a politician.
Yeah, who knew right
Which raises another question: what about my dad? Is he dead? Alive? Because if werewolves are real… What else is out there?
And yeah, she totally dodged that question in the car.
"Iván, tell me—how did you do that? Because there aren't many people out there without a proper family lineage who could pull off what you did," she said, folding her arms and glaring at her son.
"Plead the fifth," Lune whispered in his mind. "She can't know. I'm too young to go to jail."
Lune, now's not the time for jokes. She's my mom—and besides, she's not going to tell anyone… I hope so.
"You hope? If they pull me out of your heart, I'm done for!"
Okay, I really don't think my mom is going to let anyone cut me open.
"Mom, listen… Dad gave me a relic, and somehow it ended up in my chest. Oh, right—this." He held up the pendant. "It's the source of my power. This is just an illusion, but—"
"Okay…" she paused, her voice shaking slightly. "So you're telling me your father—my husband—thought it was a good idea to give you the relic? The same relic he told me he put somewhere safe? He looked me in the eyes and lied—and now it's in your hands?"
Her grip tightened around a glass bottle on the counter.
"Yeah, I'm going to lose it," she muttered—and then she did, hurling the bottle across the room. It shattered against the wall.
Iván flinched. He'd never seen his mother this angry before.
"You want to know what happened to your dad?" she said, her voice cold. "He's on the run. From the government. And I've been lying to protect him. He gave you that relic knowing exactly what it was—and now he's vanished, leaving you in the crossfire."
She stepped closer, her eyes fierce.
"So listen to me, Iván. You need to keep quiet. If anyone finds out the origin of your power… they'll come for you."
"Who's they? You mean Grandpa?"
"No…" she said, her voice low. "It's not just the government. A lot of people want that relic. Dangerous people."
She turned to the window, her eyes narrowing at the figures outside.
"That's why I want you to go to school. Lay low. And for the love of God, don't do anything stupid. As for the men in black—I'll handle them."
Iván turned and saw them—men in black suits, looking like some secret service unit.
What the hell—were they watching this whole time?
Yes, Master. It seems they arrived just after you entered your home, Lune whispered in his mind.
Iván peeked through the blinds. His mom had already stepped outside and was talking to them. One of the men pulled out a badge. It was hard to see in the dark, but he could just make out an eagle.
Iván took a step back and yawned. "Man… my life really got turned upside down, huh?"
"And Dad… so you're on the run. Thank God you're alive—somewhere out there," Iván muttered. "But seriously? Giving me something that half the world apparently wants? Real father-of-the-year material. Great job," he added sarcastically.
But that wasn't his only problem.
"And then there's you," he said, turning inward. "Lune—what the hell? Why would you call that thing?"
"Well, my master," Lune said with a smug tone, "you're weak and pathetic. I want you to grow stronger—to ensure my survival. I mean… your survival, of course."
"Right… of course."
He sighed. "So, uh… how many other werewolves are there, anyway?"
"Well… maybe a few in Beacon Hills. I could be wrong.
"I shouldn't have asked," Iván sighed, heading to his room and throwing himself onto the bed. He snuggled into the blankets, slowly drifting off to sleep—dreaming of something sweet… and probably a little embarrassing. Yeah, let's not get into the details.
He was snoring peacefully, completely out—until someone dumped ice-cold water all over him and the bed.
Iván's eyes shot open. "What the hell?! My bed!"
Standing there, holding the empty cup, was his little sister Sofia—still in her pajamas.
"Oh, now you decide to wake up," she said smugly.
"You—!" He jumped out of bed and chased after her. She ran, laughing, but he caught her easily.
"Let me go!" she squealed.
So he did—flipping her right onto the sofa, where she landed with perfect style.
"My brother, I have a request to make," she announced dramatically.
Iván sighed. Here it comes. But deep down, he didn't mind. He loved his sister. And now, knowing the kind of world they lived in, he would make sure nothing ever happened to her.
"Aww, that's sweet," Lune said in his mind. "But I thought siblings were supposed to hate each other's guts?"
"Well, yeah—my sister's annoying," Iván admitted. "But she's still my sister. My little sister. And if anyone dares to hurt her… or break her heart…"
His eyes narrowed.
"I want food. Take me to get food," she said, clasping her hands together. "Please?"
Without wasting time, he and his sister headed out to grab something to eat at McDonald's. They ate well—well, she did. Sofia ordered a whole combo, and a McFlurry, and a box of nuggets.
Iván just stuck with a Big Mac. It hit the spot… but man, he really missed In-N-Out.
As Iván dipped his fries into the ketchup, Lune's voice echoed in his mind with a warning.
"The person from yesterday is back. He's outside—watching you."
Can you see who it is? Iván asked.
"Of course, my master."
Lune created a small illusion of herself, then left her usual spot on his neck—though the illusion remained, still wrapped around his neck like she hadn't moved at all.
"It's a man in a leather jacket, white t-shirt. He's leaning against a black Camaro and giving off major creep vibes. Might be a perv."
Iván nearly choked on his fries.