The Werewolf and the Hybrid

CHAPTER 10

BRIANNA was inside Cole’s office. She was telling him why the hunters wanted to catch her. Syempre, hindi niya sinabi rito ang tungkol sa pagiging hybrid niya. She needs to become vigilant and wary of the people in her surroundings. Kahit pa mabait si Cole, alam niyang may kapalit ang pagtulong nito sa kaniya. Everything comes with a price. There’s no free bread in this world.

Cole sighed after hearing Brianna’s story. “Sorry about that. But rest assured that we are good hunters. We won’t harm you.”

Tumango si Brianna. Half-believing what Cole had said.

Napailing naman si Cole nang makitang hindi naniniwala sa kaniya si Brianna. Hindi naman niya ito masisisi. After hearing her story, how her parents died because of bad hunters, he understands why she didn’t trust him fully.

Tumikhim si Brianna. “Then can I leave now?”

Nagulat si Cole. “Leave? Saan ka pupunta?” tanong niya. “It’s dangerous for you to go outside.”

“I need to find my sister. I need to see myself that she is safe. Those vampires might kill her if they see her.” Sabi ni Brianna saka kumuyom ang kaniyang palad. “I’m worried about her.”

“I already sent my team to look for her. And I also asked a favor from the Alpha King since the accident happened in his territory.”

“Alpha king?” The king of werewolves?

Tumango si Cole. “Hunters and werewolves had a peace treaty. We are in peace except for those rogues and hunters who were trying to create chaos everywhere.” Aniya. “Sa Night Moon Pack naganap ang labanan. Don’t worry, I’ll update you once he calls.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t worry too much.” Napabuga ng hangin si Cole. “Vampires? Another enemy? I’m sure the Alpha King will get a headache because of this.” Napailing siya. “Then more work on the upcoming days.” He clicked his tongue, looked at Brianna, and saw her looking at him. “What?”

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Brianna saka umiling. “Nothing.” I just can’t believe that you are my mate.

Werewolves can live long, but humans’ lives are short.

Tumayo si Cole. “Let’s go. I’ll bring you to my house. Wala naman akong kasama doon.”

“House?” Kumunot ang nuo ni Brianna.

“Yeah. I live alone. My two fathers have their own house. My brother and I used to live together, but now, he is the Beta of the Night Moon Pack, so, I live alone. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t dare to do anything to you if that’s what you think, and you are worried about.” Sabi ni Cole saka nakakalokong ngumiti.

“I’m pretty sure you’ll drop dead before you can touch me.” Ganti ni Brianna. “But thank you. Hindi ko kasi alam kung saan ako pupunta ngayon.”

Ngumiti si Cole. “Let’s go.” Kinuha niya ang jacket saka sinuot.

Then they both leave his office.

Cole brought Brianna to his house. Bahay nilang magkapatid ‘yon noong naisipan nilang bumukod sa kanilang mga magulang pero hindi naman tumitira rito ang kapatid niya dahil laging nasa palasyo ito. So, he was living alone. Hindi naman siya nag-aalala na may pumunta rito dahil wala namang bibisita sa kaniya. His two fathers were busy traveling, and his brother was busy as the Beta of the Night Moon Pack.

“This will be your room.” He opened the guest room. “And that’s my room.” He pointed to the room at the end of the hallway.

Tumango si Brianna. “Thanks.”

Ngumiti si Cole at sandaling napatitig sa dalaga. I don’t know, but I felt something weird towards you. It was like I always wanted to see you to make myself calm and motivated.

“Bakit?” tanong ni Brianna nang mapansing nakatitig sa kaniya si Cole.

Umiling si Cole. “Wala naman. Kung may kailangan ka kumatok ka lang sa kwarto ko.”

Tumikhim si Brianna. “Since I will live here, is it okay for me to cook and clean your house?”

“Feel free.” And with that Cole went to his own room. Pagkapasok niya sa kaniyang silid at pagkasara niya ng pinto napahawak siya sa tapat ng kaniyang puso.

Mabilis ang pagtibok ng kaniyang puso. What the hell is wrong with me?!

BLYTHE took a deep breath as she walked around the massive room – Lawrence's room, to be exact. Pang dugong bughaw ang mga kagamitan sa loob ng kwarto at parang hindi normal ang laki nito. Nasagot na lamang ang katanungan sa kaniyang isipan nang makalabas siya sa mismong terasa ng kwarto at nakitang nasa palasyo siya. She never imagined in her life that she would stay in a palace one day.

Napabuntong hininga si Blythe saka naglakad patungo sa terasa ng kwarto. Pagkalabas niya, tumingin siya sa ibaba at nakitang halos abala lahat sa kani-kanilang mga gawain. Kusang gumuhit ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi nang magawi ang tingin niya sa mga batang naglalaro.

Hindi napansin ni Blythe na napatingin sa kaniya ang mga taong nasa ibaba. Ang ilan ay nagtatanong kung sino siya at kung bakit naroon siya sa loob ng silid ng Alpha King. Ang ilan naman ay batid kung sino siya sa buhay ng Alpha King. Everyone in the palace knew how the Alpha King respects women. At hindi ito basta-basta nakikipag-usap sa mga babae. Always, his Beta and his Gamma would do the job for him. And also, they never saw the Alpha King with a woman, except now.

It’s been three days since Blythe woke up. Bumabalik na ang lakas niya na ipinagpapasalamat naman niya. Every day, Lawrence would visit her in the morning and at night to ask how she was doing. She thought since it was Lawrence’s room, he would sleep in the same room as her, but Lawrence told her he was sleeping in his study room.

Blythe felt guilty for taking Lawrence’s room. Sinabi niya sa binata na sa ibang room na lamang siya pero hindi ito pumayag. Hindi raw mapapanatag ang loob nito kapag sa ibang kwarto siya matutulog. She observed that Lawrence’s kindness to her was genuine, and she became slightly comfortable with him, but she still didn’t let her guard down. She’s still wary of him. Though she felt something inside her, something weird that was pulling him towards Lawrence whenever he was around. Hindi niya alam kung ano ‘yon, basta naramdaman na lamang niya na may kung ano nagtutulak sa kaniya patungo kay Lawrence. Like something saying at the back of her mind to get close to Lawrence. Pero syempre hindi niya ginawa ‘yon dahil kahihiyan ‘yon para sa kaniya. Lawrence saved her and she was grateful to him. Of course, she wouldn’t take advantage of him.

Kapag malakas na siya, hahanapin niya ang Ate Brianna niya. Ito na lamang ang kaniyang pamilya at hindi siya papayag na mawala ito. Kung sakali man na nakuha ito ng mga hunters, hindi siya susuko hangga’t hindi sila nagkikita.

Napatingin si Blythe sa loob ng kwarto nang marinig niyang bumukas ang pinto. Lawrence entered the room with two people. A man who she thinks is the same age as Lawrence or younger than him. Then a woman who she thinks is the same age as her.

“Baby – I mean, Blythe, I wanted to introduce someone to you.” Ani Lawrence. He went to the terrace where his mate was, and the siblings followed him.

“Your Highness.” Ezra and his sister greeted the Alpha King’s mate and bowed their head.

Napangiwi naman si Blythe. “I am not a royalty. You don’t have to bow to me and just call me Blythe.” Aniya.

Pero syempre hindi makikinig si Ezra at Ezralyn. They respect the Alpha King, and they will do the same to his mate – their Luna Queen.

“Mate, this is Ezra and Ezralyn. They are siblings. Ezra is my Gamma, and he is in charge of the peace in the whole pack. Now he will be your protector.”

“Ahmm…I’m sorry. I am grateful to you because you saved me. You don’t have to do this, Lawrence.”

Ngumiti si Lawrence. “You are my mate and I want the best for you.”

Umiling si Blythe. “I don’t understand. What is mate?” tanong niya. Lawrence called her that when he still didn’t know her name.

Sa tanong ni Blythe, nagkatinginan ang tatlo.

Blythe continued and looked at Ezra apologetically. “I’m sorry, but I don’t need a protector. I could protect myself.” Aniya.

Lawrence sighed. Tinignan niya si Ezralyn. Tumango naman ito kaya lumabas na si Lawrence at Ezra sa silid. After he left the room, he frustratedly combed his fingers on his hair.

“Your Majesty, are you okay?”

Umiling si Lawrence saka napabuga ng hangin. “She’s avoiding me, and she’s wary of me.”

Ezra sighed. “That’s normal, Your Majesty. She doesn’t know you. Maybe she was protecting herself.”

Malalim na napabuntong hininga si Lawrence. “Forget it. Just protect her.”

Ezra bowed.

Lawrence left.

Napatitig naman si Ezra sa papalayong bulto ng Alpha King. If the Luna Queen is a werewolf like us, His Majesty won’t be like this.

Meanwhile, back inside the room, Ezralyn introduced herself to the Luna Queen. “I’m Ezralyn, Your Highness. Nice to meet you.”

“Just Blythe. I think we are of the same age. Don’t call me Your Highness.” Sabi ni Blythe. Hindi siya sanay na tinatawag na ganun. She’s not even royalty.

Umiling si Ezralyn. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. But I won’t call you just by your name. It’s disrespectful. His Majesty was kind, but he would spare no one if we disrespected you.”

Napabuntong hininga na lamang si Blythe saka hindi na pinapilit ang kaniyang gusto dahil alam niyang hindi siya mananalo.

“Your Highness, may I ask how old you are now?”

“Seventeen.” Sagot ni Blythe. “You?”

Ngumiti si Ezralyn. “I am also seventeen, Your Highness. I’m glad that I found someone who’s the same age as me,” she said with excitement.

Blythe inwardly smiled. “I have a question.”

“I’m happy to answer you if I can, Your Highness.” Nakangiting sabi ni Ezralyn.

“Ahmm… Lawrence called me mate? What is that?”

Natigilan si Ezralyn saka napangiwi. “I apologized, Your Highness. Alam ko man ang sagot pero hindi ko pwedeng sagutin ang tanong niyo. His Majesty will be the only one who can explain to you what a mate is.”

“Oh, okay.” Blythe didn’t push Ezralyn to answer.

A few days had passed, Blythe’s life was just moving around Lawrence’s room. Sometimes, Ezralyn visits her and she becomes comfortable with her. Ezralyn was genuine, and they are at the same age, so they have probably become friends now. Well, masasabi niyang magkaibigan sila kasi panay ang kwento sa kaniya ni Ezralyn tungkol sa buhay nito, sa kapatid nito at tungkol kay Lawrence. Pero nagpapasalamat na lamang siya na hindi nagtatanong si Ezralyn tungkol sa buhay niya dahil wala siyang balak magkwento.

One time…naisipan ni Blythe na lumabas ng kwartong kinaroroonan niya. She wanted to see her surroundings. And, of course, to observe the place… for escape…

Nagtaka pa si Blythe nang makita niya si Ezra na nakatayo sa labas ng silid pero naalala niyang ito pa ang magpoprotekta sa kaniya. Paano siya makakatakas nito kung may nagbabantay sa kaniya? At isa pa, hindi niya kailangan ng magprotekta sa kaniya, kaya niyang protektahan ang sarili niya.

But that day, Lawrence gave her an expression that there was no room for negotiation.

Ezra bowed. “Your Highness.”

“Just Blythe.”

Ngumiti lang si Ezra kaya alam ni Blythe na hindi ito makikinig sa kaniya. Habang naglalakad siya sa hallway at nakasunod naman sa kaniya si Ezra, natigilan siya nang makita ang mga portrait na nakalagay sa pader.

She saw a portrait of a man and a woman. Kamukha ni Lawrence ang lalaki. They looked powerful and they oozed confidence. His parents?

“That’s King Lawrence’s parents.” Ani Ezra. “Sad to say, his father passed away before he was born because of the war between rogues and hunters. The Former King sacrificed himself.”

Blythe felt saddened for Lawrence. He never sees his father. At least for me, I saw my father, but his face was already vivid in my mind.

“How about his mother?” Blythe asked.

“The Former Queen went to live in seclusion after she passed the throne to King Lawrence.”

Napatango si Blythe.

Then at the end of the hallway, he saw Lawrence’s portrait. And he was alone.

“Seeing you now was like seeing the former queen looking at these portraits.”

Mabilis na napatingin si Blythe sa taong nagsalita sa kaniyang likuran. Hindi si Ezra kundi ibang tao. The man was handsome, but Lawrence was more handsome. Napailing siya. Bakit ba si Lawrence na naman ang pumasok sa kaniyang isipan? And this man – though he doesn’t look young, but not old either.

The man smiled and introduced himself to the future queen, “I am Caleb Montero. The Former Beta of Night Moon Pack. It’s nice to meet you, Your Highness.”

Blythe doesn’t know how a pack of werewolves works. Her sister never said anything about their kind. Basta ang sinabi lang nito sa kaniya na ang isang pack ay pinamumunuan ng isang Alpha at Luna. Napailing siya. So, complicated. “Just call me ‘Blythe’. And please, don’t bow. It’s uncomfortable.”

Caleb smiled. The former Queen and future queen had the same personality. Aniya sa kaniyang isipan. But she seemed confused.

Tumingin si Caleb kay Ezra.

Ezra avoids the Former Beta’s gaze. He wanted to save himself from trouble.

Caleb sighed. “Where is His Majesty?” he asked Ezra.

“In his private office, Uncle.”

Nginitian ni Caleb si Blythe bago siya umalis at tinungo ang opisina ni Lawrence.

Napailing na lamang siya nang makita niya ang Alpha King mula sa nakabukas na pinto ng opisina nito na seryosong ginagawa ang Alpha duties nito. He knocked and he got Lawrence’s attention.

Nawala ang pagkaseryoso ng mukha ni Lawrence at lumiwanag ang mukha ng makita ang Former Beta. “Uncle!” Mabilis siyang tumayo at sinalubong ng yakap ang bagong dating.

Caleb chuckled and tapped Lawrence’s shoulder. “Congratulations. You found your mate.” Aniya pagkatapos niyang umupo sa sofa.

Ngumiti si Lawrence pero hindi umabot hanggang mata ang saya nito.

“What’s the matter?” Caleb asked.

“She was wary of me, Uncle.”

“You mean she doesn’t trust you?”

Tumango si Lawrence.

Nagkibit ng balikat si Caleb. “Well, your father worked hard to gain your mother’s trust because, like your mate, your mother didn’t trust your father at first, and she even wanted to escape.”

Then hope glints into Lawrence’s eyes. “So, if I work hard, I will gain my mate’s trust.”

Tumango si Caleb. “Wala kang pagpipilian kundi gawin ‘yon.”

“Thanks, Uncle Caleb. Where’s Uncle Cassian?” tanong ni Lawrence. Sa pagkakaalam niya hindi halos mapaghiwalay ang dalawa.

“He was talking with Cade. Don’t worry, he will come to see you later,” Caleb answered. “But let’s go back to you. Your mate…she’s not a human, right? She doesn’t smell like one.”

Umiling si Lawrence. “She’s not a human, Uncle.”

But even if she’s not like us, and whatever she is, I will work hard to gain her trust.