The Werewolf and the Hybrid

CHAPTER 9

IN A VAST, unknown and bloody world, Blythe saw herself walking along an endless path. The windy and scary dessert makes her feel chill. She felt scared because she was alone and saw no one in this place. Napayakap na lamang siya sa kaniyang sarili dahil sa lamig ng hangin na bumabalot sa kaniya.

It’s been many days since she was here. Hindi niya alam kung paano siya nakarating sa lugar na ‘to. Ang tanging maalala niya lamang ay nahulog siya sa bangin at nawalan siya ng malay. Pagmulat niya ng kaniyang mata ay nandito na siya sa lugar na ‘to.

Hindi alam ni Blythe kung ano ang lugar na ‘to. Nakakatakot ang buong paligid. Kulay pula ang kalangitan, wala siyang makitang buhay na puno at halaman. Tuyong tuyo ang lupa at nagkakaroon na ito ng malalaking bitak dahil sa matinding katuyuan.

Napasinghap si Blythe nang makita niya ang kaniyang ama at nagulat siya nang makita niyang hawak nito ang limang taong gulang na batang babae. At kung hindi siya nagkakamali, siya ang batang babae na hawak nito. Kusang gumalaw ang kaniyang paa at sinundan ang mga ito. Ganun na lamang ang kaniyang takot nang makita ang mukha ng bampirang pumatay ng kaniyang ama.

Her father and the killer fought while her five-year-old self was crying and calling her father. And her father kept on telling her to run away. Napahawak si Blythe sa tapat ng kaniyang puso dahil ganitong-ganito ang nangyari noon. She could still feel the pain while looking at her father being killed in front of her.

“Papa…” she whispered as she looked at her father being killed by the killer and his body was taken away.

Then his five-year-old self disappeared.

“Blythe…”

Mabilis na napatingin si Blythe sa paligid nang marinig niyang may tumawag sa kaniyang pangalan.

“Blythe…”

“Sino ka?!”

Biglang nagbago ang kaniyang paligid but it was still the same sky – bloody color. Pero nag-iba na ang inaapakan niya. It was water, but the color of the water was different – it was red. Nakaapak siya sa ibabaw ng kulay pulang tubig at hindi niya alam kung ano ‘yon.

“Blythe...”

Mabilis na napatingin si Blythe sa kaniyang harapan at ganun na lamang ang kaniyang pagkagulat nang makita ang isang babae na nakadamit ng kulay itim na damit at kamukhang-kamukha niya. The woman also had the same green eyes as hers.

Faye! She tried calling her guardian, but Faye didn’t respond.

“In this world, your twin guardian's presence is not needed, Blythe.” Ani ng babaeng kamukha niya. Her voice was cold and sounded dangerous. If a voice could kill, she would have died already. The cold voice makes her shiver from where she stands.

“Sino ka? Anong kailangan mo sa akin? Bakit tayo magkamukha?” sunod-sunod na tanong ni Blythe.

The woman smiled coldly. “Ikaw ay ako. Ako ay ikaw. Tayong dalawa ay iisa.”

“Anong ibig mong sabihin?” tanong ni Blythe dahil hindi niya maintindihan ang sinabi nito.

“Malalaman mo rin sa tamang oras.”

Natigilan si Blythe nang makita niyang nagbago ang hitsura ng babaeng kamukha niya. Her fangs came out, her green eyes turned red and her claws grew.

NAPAMULAT ng mata si Blythe. Una niyang nakita ang hindi pamilyar na kisame. Then Faye suddenly came out and helped Blythe to get up.

“N-nasaan tayo?” mahina ang boses ni Blythe na nagtanong.

Umiling si Faye. “Hindi ko rin alam pero sa tingin ko nasa isang palasyo tayo. You were unconscious for one week and a man came to visit you every day and talk with you.”

Nagtaka si Blythe. “A man?”

Tumango si Faye. “Well… forget it.” Gusto niyang sabihin kay Blythe kung sino ang bumibisita rito pero pinili niyang manahimik. Wala ng thrill kapag sinabi niya. Iniba na lamang niya ang topiko saka muling pumasok sa loob ni Blythe. She was exhausted. She was guarding Blythe while they were here in a stranger’s place, but now that she was awake, all she could do was wait and protect Blythe if needed.

Tinignan ni Blythe ang silid. It was massive, and the room looked like it was for rich people because of its regal color. The room had ornate chandeliers, intricate woodwork, luxurious carpets, and even rugs. There are also large windows with flowing curtains and a private sitting area. In short, it was a grand room.

Sunod na tinignan ni Blythe ang kinaroroonan niyang kama. It was a queen-sized bed with a soft mattress. Napatingin siya sa bedside table at nagtaka siya nang makita doon ang isang kwnintas na pamilyar sa kaniya. The Red Crystal Moon Necklace. It was given to her by her father. Paanong nandito ang kwintas na ‘to? Maalala niyang ibinigay niya ito sa isang tao pero hindi niya maalala kung sino. And she doesn’t even know why she gave that necklace to a stranger.

Ibinaba ni Blythe ang paa sa sahig at sinubukan niyang tumayo pero wala siyang lakas kaya bumagsak siya.

Eksakto naman na bumukas ang pinto ng silid at pumasok ang isang pamilyar na lalaki.

“Mate!” Lawrence became instantly worried when he saw his mate on the floor. Agad siyang nasa tabi nito at inalalayan itong tumayo.

Blythe was too weak to pry off the man’s hand on her. Pinaupo siya nito sa gilid ng kama at nang lumuhod ito sa harapan niya para magpantay ang mukha nilang dalawa doon lang nakilala ni Blythe ang lalaki. It was him. The man she saw in the forest several weeks ago.

Lawrence smiled. “I’m glad you’re awake,” he said gently. “When I saved you, you were not in a good state, so, I’m glad that you’re awake.”

He saved me. “T-thanks…” Blythe stared at the man in front of her. He was handsome, and he was like God, but she didn’t let her guard down. Kaya naman ng hahawakan sana nito ang kamay niya kaagad niyang iniwas ang kamay niya.

Pain crosses in the man’s eyes, but it disappears as he smiles softly and warmly at her. “I am Lawrence Everson, my mate. And you, may I know your name?”

But Blythe didn’t answer. Instead, she looked at the necklace being placed on the bedside table.

Napansin naman ni Lawrence ang tingin ng mate niya sa kwintas kaya kinuha niya ito. “Here., I give it back to you. I know that it’s important to you.”

Blythe was confused but couldn’t find her voice to ask.

Napansin naman ni Lawrence ang pagtataka sa mukha ng mate niya kaya naman nagpaliwanag siya. “You gave the Red Crystal Moon Necklace to me before. I’m just giving it back because I know that it’s important to you.”

Nagulat si Blythe. He is the stranger. Marahil ay bata pa siya noon dahil hindi niya masyadong maalala ang mukha ng taong pinagbigyan niya ng kwintas na ‘yon.

Lawrence stood up. Isinuot niya sa mate niya ang kwintas at pagkasuot ni Blythe sa kwintas, kakaibang luwag ng pakiramdam ang kaniyang naramdaman. It eases her mind and her body relaxed. But Blythe still felt weak.

“Now, my mate, I can’t keep calling you ‘my mate’ even if I wanted to. May I know your name?” Tanong ni Lawrence sa masuyong boses. Kailangan niyang kunin ang loob ng mate niya upang gumaan ang pakiramdam nito sa kaniya.

Blythe saw this man in front of her once. At hindi siya masyadong nakikipag-usap sa ibang tao dahil na rin sa iniingatan niya ang kaniyang pagkatao na malaman ng iba. But looking at the man in front of her – Lawrence – she felt different. As if Lawrence is not an ordinary man.

She took a deep breath. “B-blythe…”

Ngumiti si Lawrence. “A beautiful name for my beautiful mate.” Aniya. Nanatili siyang nakatayo sa harapan ng mate niya. “Do you feel any discomfort? Pain? Anything… tell me.”

Umiling si Blythe. “My sister…”

“I already sent my pack warriors to look for her. Don’t worry.” Sabi ni Lawrence. “You have to rest. I have already called the doctor. He will be here to check on you.”

Nakagat ni Blythe ang pang-ibabang labi. Hindi niya kasi alam ang kaniyang sasabihin. Wala siyang maisip. Blanko ang kaniyang isipan. Siguro ay marahil ito ang epekto ng isang linggo na wala siyang malay. But she couldn’t stop staring at Lawrence who was helping her to lay down on the massive bed and put the quilt on her.

“What is it?” Lawrence asked and looked at her.

Umiling lamang si Blythe bilang sagot.

Lawrence smiled tenderly at his mate. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

Napatingin agad ni Blythe sa glass pitcher na nasa ibabaw ng bedside table.

Lawrence saw it, so he assumed Blythe wanted to drink water. Kaya naman nilagyan niya ng tubig ang baso saka ibinigay kay Blythe pero inalalayan niya pa rin ito baka mabitawan nito ang baso. He could feel that his mate was weak, so after Blythe drank the water, he transferred some of his powers to her again.

Blythe closed her eyes and she could feel the comfort.

He is transferring some of his powers to you. Sabi ni Faye. I admired him for that. Some men won’t do this to strangers, but look at him, he doesn’t even have the slightest hesitation. For him to have a magic power, he’s not an ordinary man.

Napatango na lang si Blythe dahil sa sinabi ng kaniyang kambal-diwa.

“Who are you?” ang tanging naitanong ni Blythe kay Lawrence pagkatapos siya nitong pasahan ng kapangyarihan nito.

Ngumiti si Lawrence saka umupo sa gilid ng kama. Tumingin siya kay Blythe. “You’re not human, right?”

Natigilan si Blythe. Worry and fear consumed her.

And Lawrence quickly pacifies his mate. “I won’t hurt you. I promise.”

Medyo kumalma si Blythe. But she became wary of Lawrence.

Mahinang napabuntong hininga si Lawrence. “I am a werewolf. I am the Alpha of the Night Moon Pack and the king of werewolves. And you, you are my mate. You are my Luna and my Queen. No one is above you. Everyone will answer your command and obey your request. And as a king and queen, we are both equal.”

Napakurap si Blythe. Sa lahat ng sinabi ni Lawrence, werewolf lang ang naintindihan niya.

Lawrence chuckled at Blythe's confused face. His mate looks adorable. “Huwag mo ng masyadong intindihin ang sinabi ko. Magpahinga ka na.”

But then they heard a knock on the door. Lawrence knew it was Dr. Elijah since he felt his presence. “Come in, doc.”

Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Dr. Elijah.

Dr. Elijah bowed his head. “Your Majesty.” He greeted the Alpha King. Then he bowed to the Alpha King’s mate, “Your Highness.”

“My name is Blythe. Not ‘Your Highness’, Sir. And please, just call me Blythe.” Sabi ni Blythe.

Dr. Elijah looked at the Alpha King.

Lawrence doesn’t sit him well that someone will call his mate by her name. “Call my mate ‘Her Highness’.”

Dr. Elijah bowed.

“I…” Magsasalita sana si Blythe pero naunahan siya ni Lawrence. “Your highness it is.” Aniya saka tumayo. Ipinakilala niya ang dalawa sa isa’t-isa. “Blythe, this is Dr. Elijah Mendez. Doc, this is my mate, Blythe.”

“It’s nice meeting you, Your Highness.” Dr. Elijah greeted. Looking back, he remembered how he met the Former Queen of werewolves. Puno rin ng kaguluhan ang mukha nito at ganun din ang mate ni Lawrence.

“Likewise, doc.” Sabi ni Blythe kahit pa naguguluhan siya sa sinasabi ni Lawrence na ‘mate’. Ano ang tungkol doon? Like it was a powerful word. And while looking at Lawrence, she didn’t feel any fear, but she felt uncomfortable.

“May I check on you, Your Highness?” Dr. Elijah asked.

Tumango si Blythe at nakita niyang tumayo sa tabi niya si Lawrence. Habang chine-checkup siya ng doktor, wala sa sariling napahawak siya sa suot niyang kwintas. It’s been so long. I didn’t expect to meet him again. Aniya saka sumulyap kay Lawrence.

Blythe was pulled back to her reverie when Dr. Elijah spoke. “So far so good. You’re fine, Your Highness. Just recuperate and eat nutritious food. It can make you gain the weight you have lost.”

“Thank you, doc.”

Dr. Elijah bowed. “Always, Your Highness.”

After the doctor left, Lawrence left the room and when he came back, he was holding three paper bags. Inilapag niya ang dala sa bench na nasa dulo ng kama at tumingin sa mate niya. “I told the chef to cook food for you. Let’s just wait for it.”

Tumango si Blythe.

“These are all undergarments that you could use. My Gamma’s sister brought it together earlier with some personal hygiene kit. This is my room and everything in this room is also yours. And also, you will be staying here.” Sabi ni Lawrence.

Fear crossed Blythe’s eyes. “Just let me go. That’s enough. Don’t lock me here.” She begged. How could she find her sister if she were locked here?

Lawrence was disappointed when he read what his mate had thought about him, but he couldn’t blame her. His expression softened and he walked towards his mate. Umupo siya sa gilid ng kama at humarap kay Blythe. “I won’t lock you here. I am saying that you will stay in my room. Don’t worry, I won’t dare to do anything to you.”

Kumurap si Blythe. She could feel the man’s sincerity, but she was still wary of him. Sino ba siya para pagtuunan nito ng pansin? She’s just nobody, but this man acted like she was a precious gem to him. After all, in this world, everything comes with a price.

“What do you want?” Blythe asked. Except for her father and her sister, no one cared for her. She was not used to others' kindness.

“What do you mean?” Lawrence asked.

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Blythe. “Sir, everything comes with a price.”

“Just call me Lawrence. Don’t call me ‘Sir’, I’m not a teacher.” Ani Lawrence.

So long. Blythe complained in her mind. Mapapagod ang dila niya na banggitin ang pangalan nito. It was just two characters, but she’s lazy to say it. She sighed and played with her fingers. She was still confused, but at that moment, even though Lawrence showed kindness to him, she was still wary. After all, Lawrence is a stranger to her.