The Werewolf and the Hybrid

CHAPTER 30

HINDI na napigilan ni Elder Aslan ang sarili. Together with Elder Maximus and Elder Calix, they stood up. “Elder Silas, it is appropriate to ask our Alpha King to abdicate his throne just because he couldn’t marry the woman you picked for him.” Seryoso niyang saad.

“We are the Elders and His Majesty should obey.” Sabi ni Elder Otto.

“Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?” Tumaas ang boses ni Elder Calix. “You are forcing the Alpha King to submit. I’m afraid I have to disagree. I promised the later Former Alpha King Lucian Everson to prioritize his son's happiness. I would never turn back on my promise.” Humarap siya sa Alpha King. “Your Majesty, you can marry anyone you like. No one will force you to marry the woman you don't like.”

“Calix!” Sauron called. “You’re not with us! Take back what you said!”

Ngumisi si Calix. “I won’t take back what I have said.” Aniya saka umupo at hindi na nagsalita.

Bahagya namang nagulat si Lawrence dahil hindi niya inaasahan na ganun ang sasabihin ni Elder Calix. Is he on my side for real or what?

Elder Silas sighed. “Your Majesty, we are the Council. We are the law of werewolves. If you do not want to marry the woman we picked for you, then you must abdicate your throne.”

“Abdicate?” A voice from the Gamma boomed over the whole hall. Napatingin ang lahat sa Gamma nang umalis ito sa kinatatayuan nito at naglakad paakyat sa stage.

Alaina and Ezra looked at each other.

Ezra looked away and faced everyone. “His Majesty has been doing everything he can to maintain the peace of werewolf society, and he could barely have time for leisure. Now that he wanted to follow his heart, you asked him to abdicate his throne just because he couldn’t obey what you want, Elders. Elders, are you trying to control His Majesty and control the way he leads his people?”

“Outrageous!” Elder Silas angrily snapped. “Who do you think you are? You are just a Gamma! You have no place to speak here!”

Ngumisi si Ezra. “I have no place to speak here? But His Majesty,” iminuwestra niya ang kamay sa Alpha King, “told me that I am equal to him. His Majesty and I have the same power and authority.”

Lawrence smiled.

Naguluhan naman ang iba at nagkaroon ng iba’t-ibang spekulasyon.

Nagtaka naman si Josiah. Nakilala na niya si Blythe na mate ni Lawrence at sigurado siyang hindi si Ezra ‘yon.

“Are our Alpha King and Gamma Ezra were mates?”

“Are they together?”

Lawrence could only facepalm on what he had heard from the guest.

Pinigilan naman ni Ezra ang sarili niya na tumawa dahil narinig rin niya ang mga sinasabi ng mga guest na nasa ibaba ng stage.

Naglakad si Lawrence paakyat ng stage saka nilapitan si Ezra. “Change back and save my dignity, My Queen.”

The ‘Ezra’ in front of Lawrence, smiled before he changed his appearance and became a woman with a unique beauty that stunned everyone inside the Elder’s Hall. The beautiful woman was Blythe. As a nymph, may kakayahan siyang gumaya ng anyo ng ibang tao pero may limitasyon iyon, may oras at hindi rin nagtatagal ang kakayahan na ‘yon. Pwede rin niyang gayahin ang halaman at puno maliban sa hayop.

Earlier, before they entered the Elders’ Hall, she asked Ezra if she could take his appearance. Pumayag naman si Ezra kaya ginaya niya ang anyo nito at nagpanggap siya bilang Gamma Ezra.

Then the guest saw Gamma Ezra come out from backstage and stand beside Alaina.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Alphas, Lunas, and everyone who was here inside the Elder’s Hall, I am happy to introduce to you my mate, My Queen, Blythe Davis.”

Blythe slightly bowed her head as a sign of courtesy and politeness. Then she stood straight and chin up. Humawak siya sa kamay ni Lawrence at ngumiti sa lahat. “I’m sorry for what I did. I know it's rude to take someone’s appearance, but I don’t have any choice.”

Walang nagsalita at lahat ay nakatingin lang sa ipinakilalang reyna.

Lawrence growled. Doon lang naman parang natauhan ang lahat at yumukod sa reyna.

“Your Highness!” They greeted Blythe and congratulated Lawrence.

Blythe looked at Lawrence.

Lawrence smiled and looked at Ezra. He nodded at him.

Ezra bowed before he held Alaina’s hand. “I got this.”

Tumango si Alaina. “May tiwala ako sa ‘yo.”

At sapat na ‘yon para kay Ezra na gawin ang nararapat niyang gawin. “Alaina Briones is my mate. I apologize in advance, but I will take her away. I won’t let anyone touch her.”

Lawrence smiled at Ezra’s possessiveness towards his mate.

Then Ezra took Alaina away.

So, Lawrence took a deep breath and looked at the Elders. “Two weeks from now, there will be a congregation meeting. See you all there,” he said and scooped his mate, who immediately clung to him. “Let’s go.”

Blythe smiled and nodded. Then, in front of everyone, they disappeared.

Nang mawala ang hari at reyna sa kanilang harapan, parang doon lang naman natauhan ang mga bisita.

Then Cade spoke, “Elders, you know His Majesty. You watched him growing up. Despite being young and not experienced, he knew how to handle the worst and dangerous situations. He helped many werewolves with the help of his own money. Elders, His Majesty is not cruel, but he can be when it comes to messing with his mate,” he said with a smile, then bowed his head. “I’m leaving. Have a good night, everyone.” And he left the Elder’s Hall.

“SO, EZRA had already met his mate before his mate was introduced to me by the Elders?” Lawrence asked.

Tumango si Cade. “Yes, Your Majesty. Ezra wanted to introduce his mate to you. But no one knew what would happen. So, he didn’t say anything to you and waited for your response from the Elders.”

Napabuga ng hangin si Lawrence saka napailing. “Ezra will always be Ezra. He’s always thinking of others instead of himself…his happiness.”

“You know his character, Your Majesty.”

Lawrence sighed. “Where is Ezra now?”

“He brought his mate to his mansion and…” tumikhim si Cade. “They’re having a good time.”

Kumunot ang nuo ni Lawrence nang marinig ang tono ng boses ni Cade. “Are you jealous?”

Cade clicked his tongue. “Your Majesty, the three of us grew up together. I am the oldest, and yet I am the one who hasn’t found his mate yet,” he complained. “It’s so unfair for me.”

Natawa ng mahina si Lawrence. “Then how about I give you a one-month vacation? Pwede kang pumunta kahit saan mo gusto. I won’t stop you.”

“It’s tempting but no.” Umiling si Cade. “Baka pagbalik ko hindi na ako ang Beta mo.”

Ngumiti lang si Lawrence at hindi nagsalita. Kahit naman umalis si Cade ng hindi nagpapaalam wala siyang balak na palitan ito bilang Beta niya. Cade was his brother and best friend. Cade will always be his Beta. Pero syempre wala siyang balak na sabihin rito ang tungkol roon baka lumaki ang ulo, eh.

“By the way, Your Majesty, I heard that the Elders were talking of impeaching you. Except Elder Maximus, Elder Aslan, and Elder Calix, all of them are impeaching you.”

The names of the three Elders pique Lawrence’s interest. Those three Elders stood for him. Napatango siya. I know what to do now.

“Cade, let’s go to the training ground. I heard from Liam that the pack warriors' training was improved.” Ani Lawrence saka nagmamadaling lumabas ng study room.

“Well, I heard that they were inspired by the Queen.”

A proud smile appeared on Lawrence’s lips. “I knew it. Blythe can do it.”

Napailing na lang si Cade sa nakikita niyang ngiti ng Alpha King. He’s already whipped by love.

Pagdating nila sa training ground nakita nilang nag-e-ensayo ang mga pack warriors kasama ang ilang Royal Guards.

“Your Majesty!”

They stopped their training and bowed to the King.

“At ease.” A powerful and authoritative voice came out from Lawrence's lips. “You may all continue what you are doing.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Then everyone went back to their training.

“Your Majesty, it’s rare for you to come here.” Sabi ni Liam.

Ngumiti si Lawrence. “I heard that everyone’s training has improved. Of course, I have to see it myself – “ napatigil siya sa pagsasalita nang may maalala siya. “s**t! How could I forget about that?” Aniya.

“What’s the matter, Your Majesty?” tanong ni Cade.

Humarap si Lawrence kay Cade. “I forgot Blythe’s request.” Aniya.

“Request? Your Majesty, we can do it on your behalf.” Ani Liam.

Umiling si Lawrence. “The Queen asked me to make her request personally.” Aniya.

“Your Majesty, what was Her Highness's request?”

“She wanted me to spar with her,” Sabi ni Lawrence.

Napatanga si Cade at Liam.

“Her Highness?” gulat na gagad ni Cade.

Tumango si Lawrence. “How could I forget about it?”

“You can spar anytime you want, Your Majesty. But I suggest that you two should spar in front of us. You know to boost our morale.” Nakangising sabi ni Cade. But he just wanted to know if His Majesty would let himself lose in front of his people, or if he would play by the book to let Her Highness win.

“Yes, Your Majesty. That will be a good thing.” Sabi naman ng isa sa mga pack warriors na sinang-ayunan ng iba.

Tumikhim si Lawrence saka bumulong kay Cade. “Why do I feel like they value the Queen now more than me?”

Natawa naman ng mahina si Cade. “Your Majesty, ngayon mo lang napansin? Everyone in the palace was talking about how nice Her Highness was. Everyone was praising her for being nice. They say that she is a good Queen.”

“Oh.” Ngumiti si Lawrence saka napatango. “That’s good. It’s a pity that she went to school today. We can’t spar.”

“Marami pa naman ang araw, Your Majesty.” Sabi ni Liam. “We are waiting here on the training ground.”

Tumango si Lawrence saka inilagay ang dalawang kamay sa likuran. Aalis na sana siya nang maramdaman niya ang isang presensiya na pumasok sa loob ng compound ng palasyo.

“Lawrence, dear! I miss you!”