Chapter 16
Kenny walked back to Chidi, his face unusually serious.
“That looks serious,” she said, eyeing him warily.
Kenny remained quiet, his expression unreadable.
“And you look serious,” she added, tilting her head.
Kenny took a breath, trying to find the right words. The weight of what he was about to say pressed against his chest.
“Come on, spit it out! What’s wrong?”
Kenny exhaled sharply. “Chidi… the attack.” He hesitated. “It was from a lycan during a full moon.”
Chidi frowned. “Yeah, so?”
“That means the injury you got… it was infected.”
Her face scrunched in confusion. “Infected? What does that mean? Am I—”
"You might be a werewolf too."
“Wait. You’re saying I might—” She stopped, then inhaled sharply.
Kenny nodded. “We won’t know for sure until next month.”
Chidi blinked a few times, processing. “So I might turn into a werewolf?”
Kenny hesitated before nodding again.
Chidi groaned. “Damn it. Do I at least get cool claws or something?”
Kenny smirked despite himself. “I have no idea.”
Chidi sighed. “Great. That’s reassuring.”
She bombarded Kenny with questions—what would happen if she turned, what lycans were really like, if there was a way to stop it. But Kenny didn’t have many answers. This was all new to him too.
Fortunately, before they could spiral too far into uncertainty, they spotted Isabella walking up the hall.
“Good,” Kenny muttered. “Someone with answers.”
“Answers to what?” Isabella asked, folding her arms.
“Lycans! The mantle!” Chidi and Kenny answered at the same time.
Isabella blinked. “Okay… You go first.”
Chidi wasted no time. “What happens if I turn? Is there a protocol for this?”
Isabella’s face grew thoughtful. “Well… in Deciroy, if you become a lycan, you’re technically under the Grand Alpha’s authority.”
“The Grand Alpha?”
“The ruler of the werewolves,” Isabella explained. “Normally, turning someone without permission is illegal, which means this isn’t something that happens often. It’s a big deal.”
Chidi frowned. “So what if I don’t want to be part of their pack?”
Isabella hesitated. “Then you’re considered an omega. And in werewolf culture, that’s… not great. There’s a stigma. Most lone wolves don’t last long.”
Kenny and Chidi exchanged looks. This was getting worse by the second.
“What’s the transformation like?” Chidi asked.
Isabella shrugged. “You should really ask Hernandez about this. He’s a lycan, so he knows more than I do.”
Chidi’s eyebrows shot up. “What?!”
"How else do you think we found you, Lycans are great trackers".
Kenny nodded. “Yeah, I guess that’s good news. He seems well-adjusted.”
Isabella chuckled. “Yeah, it’s a relief. He’s in total control of his transformation, and, y’know… not evil.”
Chidi exhaled. “Good. So if he can do it, maybe I can too.”
Isabella shifted. “Well… don’t quote me on this, but it’s different for new wolves. It takes time to control the transformation. Hernandez was born a lycan—he had his whole life and a community to help him. You… might not have the same privilege.”
Kenny nudged Chidi. “Yeah, but you’re a quick study. I’m sure you’ll master it in no time.”
“I have no doubt,” Isabella added with a reassuring smile.
Chidi set her jaw. “I need to see Hernandez.” Without another word, she turned and strode off.
Kenny moved to follow, but she waved him off. “Don’t worry, I’ll find my way.”
Kenny watched her go, unsure whether to feel relieved or anxious.
“Perhaps,” Isabella said, turning to Kenny, “we can discuss our training.”
Kenny raised a brow. “Now?”
She smirked. “We’re on a time crunch. Besides, I’m bored out of my soul, and you said you had questions.”
Kenny sighed. “Alright. I do have a big one—if lycans exist, how many other kinds are there?”
Isabella’s eyes gleamed. “There are ten kingdoms. Each with its own kind.”
“Hernandez mentioned that. Tell me about them.”
Isabella crossed her arms. “How much time do you have? You will find out about all of those kingdoms.”
Kenny frowned. “Why?”
“Because the Mantle grants you the power of the ten kingdoms.”
Kenny’s breath caught. “Wait—so you’re saying I’m all of them now? Like… I’m part werewolf? Part whatever-you-are?”
“Sort of.” Isabella shrugged. “Usually, you travel to each kingdom, where they help you unlock the ability tied to their people. Then they train you.”
Kenny narrowed his eyes. “The power is locked?”
“Not exactly,” Isabella admitted. “It’s not like you can’t use them—it’s just… different. I don’t fully understand it myself, and I think that’s by design.” She scratched the back of her head. “The Mantle is powerful. If you suddenly had access to everything at once, it might be… overwhelming.”
Kenny processed that. “So living amongst the people… helps me control it?”
“That’s the idea.” Isabella spread her hands. “But honestly? I don’t know all the details. I just know it works.”
Kenny exhaled. “Great. Another mystery.”
“Yep.” Isabella grinned. “Oh, by the way—I’m a druid. Same as Adisa.”
Kenny blinked. “What’s that?”
Isabella held out her hand, and in an instant, a swirl of energy formed, taking shape into a delicate, glowing flower.
“I do magic.” She smirked.
Kenny watched, awed. “Can I do that too?”
Isabella tossed the flower at him. He caught it. It vanished into a wisp of light.
“Yes,” she said, “after I’m done with you.”