Lycan 27 (Patreon)

Author's note: Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well! Here is a new chapter! Enjoy and let me know what you think!

The morning was gray, clouds casting shadows over the clearing as Harry and Y/N prepared to leave for the pack territory. Niall’s message had been clear: Y/N’s father was nowhere to be found, and questions about her absence were stirring. They couldn’t wait any longer.

Y/N stood by Sienna, who was trying hard to keep a brave face. Y/N smiled, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Promise you’ll come visit?” Her voice was thick with emotion, even as she tried to sound lighthearted.

Sienna let out a soft laugh, but Y/N could feel her trembling slightly. “I promise,” she murmured, her voice laced with a sadness she couldn’t quite hide. Y/N had become the friend Sienna had longed for, the sister she’d never had, and letting her go felt like losing something precious.

Y/N gave her one last squeeze. “I mean it, Sienna. Don’t make me come back just to drag you out here.”

Sienna chuckled, blinking back tears. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Besides, you know I’m not good at goodbye.”

As they pulled apart, Harry clasped Sienna’s shoulder reassuringly. “We’ll stay in touch. And keep an eye out—anything feels off, you reach out.”

Sienna nodded, sharing a look with the men as they gathered nearby, all nodding their agreement to stay vigilant. With a last shared glance, Harry and Y/N took a step back, their resolve steady as they prepared to face whatever waited for them in the pack territory.

The drive back to the territory was a quiet one. Y/N stared out the window, watching the trees blur together as they sped down the winding roads. Harry’s jaw was clenched, his hands tight on the wheel. She could tell he was deep in thought, the weight of returning to the pack pressing down on both of them.

Just as they neared the hidden trail leading back to the pack, headlights flashed behind them, signaling for them to stop. Harry sighed, pulling over to the side of the road. Y/N’s heart sank as she recognized Mr. Brown and Niall waiting for them, Niall fidgeting nervously beside the elder.

Harry sighed and pulled over, rolling down the window as Mr. Brown approached. The older man squinted through the open window, his face shifting with shock when he saw Y/N in the passenger seat.

“Y/N?” Mr. Brown's voice was laced with disbelief, his brows knitting together. “Where on earth have you been? Last I heard, you’d left town months ago. We all thought you were gone for good.”

Y/N forced a small, polite smile, glancing at Harry before turning back to Mr. Brown. “It’s…a long story,” she replied, her voice steady. “I had some personal things to take care of.”

“Right,” he said, though he didn’t seem convinced. “Well, then. I’m going to need you to step out of the car so we can have a chat,” he added, his tone soft but insistent. “It’s important we clear things up—there are a lot of folks asking questions.”

Harry leaned slightly forward. “Is that really necessary, Mr. Brown?” he interjected, his tone calm but firm. “I don’t think it’s fair to make her answer to everyone after just getting back.”

Mr. Brown’s face hardened, his posture unwavering as he glanced between Harry and Y/N, clearly unconvinced by their attempts to ease the tension.

“No,” he said firmly, crossing his arms as he looked directly at Y/N. “I’m afraid I can’t just let this go, Y/N. People in town have been talking, wondering where you disappeared to. And as far as I knew, you left. No notice, no explanation. And now here you are, with…” He gestured toward Harry, a mixture of confusion and suspicion clouding his gaze. “When exactly did you two become close enough for him to be the one picking you up from the airport? I didn’t even know you were back in town.”

Y/N glanced at Harry, trying to keep her expression neutral. She knew Mr. Brown wasn’t about to let this slide, especially when she couldn’t even provide a simple explanation without risking the truth.

“Mr. Brown,” Harry cut in, his voice calm but with a protective edge, “I offered to help. She’s been through a lot, and I just thought it was the decent thing to do. Is that really such an issue?”

Mr. Brown’s gaze narrowed on Harry. “Look, I don’t know what’s gone on between you two, but people have been asking after Y/N. And if she’s back, they deserve to know. Y/N, I’d appreciate it if you’d step out of the car so we can have a word, privately.”

Niall, standing nearby, shifted uncomfortably, finally speaking up. “Maybe Mr. Brown’s right, Harry. But maybe this can wait until she’s had a chance to settle in. We’ve only just gotten back.”

Mr. Brown didn’t take his eyes off Y/N, his expression growing more expectant with each passing second. He was clearly not going to budge until he got the answers he wanted.

Mr. Brown opened the passenger door without a word, his hand gripping the handle with an authority that made Y/N’s stomach tighten. She hesitated, her feet feeling heavy as she looked up at Harry for a moment, silently pleading for him to intervene. But Harry just watched, his jaw set, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

Y/N’s heart hammered in her chest as she stepped out of the car, her legs unsteady, every muscle in her body screaming at her to stay in the safety of the vehicle. But the look in Mr. Brown’s eyes told her there was no avoiding this.

As soon as her feet touched the ground, Mr. Brown’s sharp gaze locked onto her. “People have been looking for you, Y/N,” he said, his voice low and steady but full of pressure. “I reached out to San Francisco—no one’s heard from you. No word, no nothing. You’ve gone off the radar for months.”

Y/N swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on her like a lead blanket. She could feel the truth clawing at the edges of her mind, the urge to tell him everything, but she couldn’t. Not yet. She didn’t trust him enough to open up.

Instead, she took a slow breath and forced herself to speak, her voice coming out a little shakier than she intended. “I’ve been… traveling,” she said, trying to sound as casual as possible, though every word felt like a lie. “Until recently. When I heard news that my father was missing, I had to come back. I couldn’t stay away anymore.”

Mr. Brown’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, it looked like he might question her further. But something in the way she said it seemed to hold him back, the mention of her father enough to cause him to reconsider.

“You should’ve contacted me,” he said, though his tone was softer now, a touch of concern creeping in. “This isn’t like you, Y/N. We’ve always kept in touch. I didn’t know you were so far off the radar. People around here… they were starting to get worried.”

Y/N nodded, her throat dry. “I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t think anyone would be that concerned. I just… needed some time. To think. It’s been… hard.”

Mr. Brown studied her for a long moment, clearly still skeptical, but with a hint of sympathy now threading through his gaze. Finally, he sighed and shook his head. “Just—just keep in touch from now on, alright? No more disappearing. I’ll help you find him, Y/N. We’ll figure this out.”

Y/N nodded quickly, swallowing the lump in her throat, desperate to get away from the interrogation. “Thank you. I—I’ll keep you updated.”

Mr. Brown hesitated, then gave her a nod, his eyes still searching her face for any sign of dishonesty, but he didn’t press further. “Good. I’ll be around if you need anything.”

As Mr. Brown started to walk back toward his car, he paused, turning his head over his shoulder to look at Y/N one last time. His voice was calmer now, though the tension still lingered in the air.

"One more thing," he added, his tone flat, but there was an edge to it. "Your friend Evelyn has been posting missing posters around town. She’s been desperate, asking anyone if they’ve seen you. She's at the diner now."

Y/N’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Evelyn. She hadn’t expected that, hadn't realized how far Evelyn would go to find her. The thought of her best friend searching for her, clearly worried, sent a wave of guilt crashing through her chest.

Mr. Brown gave her a pointed look before getting into his car, his eyes still slightly narrowed as if expecting her to say something more. But Y/N stayed silent, her mind racing.

She had to go to Evelyn. She couldn’t leave her hanging like this.

“I should go,” Y/N said quietly, more to herself than to anyone else.

Harry, who had been watching the exchange from the car, leaned across the seat, his face serious. “You can’t go alone, Y/N. Not right now. Remember who you are” he said referring to her role as Luna.

Y/N hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the situation settle around her like a heavy cloak. She knew she should go, but the last thing she wanted was to make things even more complicated, especially with Harry involved.

“I… I just need a minute, Harry,” she muttered, her voice catching in her throat. She didn’t know how to explain it, but she had to face Evelyn on her own first. She owed her that much.

He nodded reluctantly, but his expression was soft. “Alright. I’ll wait here. Call me if you need me.”

Y/N turned away from him, her footsteps slow and measured as she walked toward the diner, her mind in a whirlwind. She could already picture Evelyn sitting in one of the booths, probably clutching a cup of coffee, her face etched with worry.

By the time she reached the diner, her chest was tight with anticipation. As she pushed open the door, the familiar bell above it jingled, drawing Evelyn’s attention instantly. The moment their eyes met, Evelyn’s face transformed from confusion to something close to relief.

“Y/N!” she exclaimed, rushing to her feet. “Oh my god, where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

Y/N felt her throat tighten again as Evelyn enveloped her in a tight hug. She had no idea how to explain all of this—how to tell her friend that she wasn’t just “away” but had been hiding, and living her new life.

"I’m sorry, Evie," she whispered, fighting back tears. "I didn’t mean to make you worry."

Evelyn pulled back slightly, studying her friend’s face with a mix of concern and confusion. “Where have you been? What’s going on? People thought you left town for good...and then you stopped answering your phone”

Y/N hesitated. She couldn’t tell her the full story. Not yet. “I was… traveling. I didn’t realize how much people were looking for me.” She bit her lip, looking at the floor, trying to hold herself together. “But I’m here now.”

Evelyn searched her eyes, obviously not convinced by the vague explanation. “You’re here now, but where were you? And why didn't you let anyone know? I was losing my mind thinking something had happened to you.” Her voice wavered slightly, betraying just how much this had affected her.

Y/N felt her heart ache. She had no good answers, only more questions. “I… I didn’t know what to do, Evie. I didn’t want anyone to know where I was until I had a plan.”

Evelyn sighed deeply, stepping back to sit down at the booth. She patted the seat beside her. “Well, I’m just glad you’re safe. But you owe me an explanation, Y/N. We need to talk.”

Y/N nodded, sitting down across from her, the weight of everything pressing down on her shoulders. She didn’t know how to explain the lies, the secrets, or why she couldn’t let anyone know the full truth yet. She just didn’t have the words. But she’d tell Evelyn soon. She had to.

“I’ll tell you everything, Evie,” Y/N said quietly. “I promise. Just… not right now. I can’t right now.”

Evelyn, ever the understanding friend, just nodded. She leaned forward, her eyes softer now. “Alright. But don’t make me wait too long, okay? I’m just glad you’re back.”

Y/N took a deep breath, finally feeling some semblance of peace in the chaos. But as she sat there, Evelyn’s words still echoed in her mind: "People have been looking for you."

Y/N hugged Evelyn one more time before she left the diner, promising to meet up the next day. Evelyn had reluctantly agreed, but it was clear that she wasn’t fully satisfied with Y/N’s vague answers. As Y/N stepped back out into the cool night air, she felt the weight of the world press down on her once again. She hadn’t even told Evelyn the whole truth—just enough to get by.

When she reached the car, Harry was leaning against the driver’s side door, his eyes locked on her as she approached. His gaze softened when he saw the exhaustion on her face, but there was a question in his eyes too, one he hadn’t asked yet.

“You alright?” he asked gently, his voice low and concerned.

Y/N slid into the passenger seat without answering immediately. She sat there for a moment, her hands folded in her lap, her mind racing with everything she had just gone through. She wasn’t sure if she was okay. She had lied to Evelyn, had brushed off her concerns, and now, the truth was becoming harder and harder to keep buried.

Finally, she glanced over at Harry, her voice barely a whisper. “Harry… can I tell Evelyn the truth? About everything?”

There was a long pause as Harry started the car and pulled out of the diner parking lot, the engine’s hum filling the silence between them. He kept his eyes on the road, his hands gripping the wheel a little tighter than necessary.

"No," he said sharply, his tone brokering no room for argument. His eyes flickered to hers for a split second before he focused back on the road.

Y/N’s heart skipped. She had been hoping for a different answer—one that would give her permission to tell Evelyn everything she had been carrying. But Harry’s response was absolute.

“Why not?” Y/N asked, trying to keep her voice steady, though her emotions were beginning to rise. “She’s my best friend, Harry. She deserves to know the truth, doesn't she? About my dad, about everything that’s been happening.”

“I don’t care if she deserves to know,” Harry shot back, his voice tight. “She doesn’t need to know, not right now.”

The truth... It's not just about my dad, is it? It's about everything that's been happening... with the pack, with you." Her gaze shifted to him, searching his face for some kind of understanding. "How can I keep lying to her when it's affecting everything? Evelyn has the right to know."

Harry's jaw clenched, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel. He glanced over at her, eyes briefly meeting hers before flicking back to the road.

"Y/N," he said slowly, his voice low and controlled, "The truth... the full truth... about what we are... It's not something you can just tell anyone, especially not Evelyn. You don't know how dangerous it can be. How much risk it can put on her, on you."

Y/N's heart hammered against her ribs. She could feel the tension between them growing thicker with every word he said. "I don't care about the risk," she shot back, the frustration rising in her chest. "I just want to be honest with her. I want to tell her why I’ve been gone. Why I can’t just go back to how things were before. She’s been looking for me—for weeks, Harry. She deserves more than this half-truth nonsense."

"You don’t get it." Harry’s voice was more forceful now, the edge of frustration creeping into his words. "This world… this life… It’s not something you just tell people. You think telling Evelyn about werewolves is gonna make her understand? You think she’ll just shrug it off? No. It'll change everything, and not in the way you're hoping."

Y/N turned to face him, her face flushed with emotion. "Why?" she demanded. "Why can't I just tell her the truth? Why can’t I just tell her that my dad, that I’ve been hiding because I'm part of some... some pack? Why can't I just tell her that you’re not just some guy I met, that you’re this—that we’re both part of this world?"

Harry’s hands gripped the wheel even tighter, his knuckles white. He was visibly struggling to keep his cool, the muscles in his jaw ticking as he fought for control. "Because the world you're asking her to step into, Y/N... it doesn't work like that. You can’t just go around telling people about what we are. It’s dangerous. You have no idea what could happen if she finds out—if anyone finds out. There are people who’ll use that against you. Against all of us."

Y/N shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest. "So you want me to lie to her forever?" Her voice cracked with the weight of it. "You want me to keep pretending that everything is fine when it's not? When I'm not fine?"

"It’s not about lying," Harry said, his tone softening, though his words still had the same weight. "It’s about protecting you. Protecting the pack. Protecting her. This world isn’t as simple as you think. There are things out there that would do anything to exploit the knowledge of who we are, and once that door's open, there’s no closing it again. You think Evelyn can handle that? You think you can handle what comes with knowing the truth?"

Y/N’s mind raced. She had always known there was something different about the world Harry lived in. But hearing it laid out like this—hearing how dangerous it really was—made her question if she had the strength to carry this secret any longer.

"I don’t want to be part of the lies anymore," she said softly, looking down at her hands. "But I guess I don’t have a choice, do I?"

Harry didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he pulled the car onto a quiet stretch of road, the headlights cutting through the darkness as he slowed. There was a long pause, the only sound the soft hum of the engine.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "It’s not about having a choice, Y/N. It’s about doing what’s best. Not just for you, but for everyone you care about."

Y/N felt a pang in her chest. She knew he was right, but it didn’t make it any easier. She wanted to tell Evelyn. She wanted to tell her everything—the truth about her father, the truth about the pack, about werewolves, about Harry. But she also knew that once that truth was out, there was no going back.

She sighed, leaning back in her seat. "So, what now?" she asked, her voice resigned.

"We stick to the plan," Harry said, his voice firm but kind. "We keep everything between us for now. We protect you, protect the pack, protect Evelyn, and we deal with the fallout later. When it's safe."

Y/N didn't answer, but she could feel the heaviness of his words settle over her.