The Werewolf and the Hybrid

CHAPTER 19

“THEN what are you?” Seryosong tanong ni Austin sa mate ng kaibigang si Lawrence.

Ngumiti lang naman si Blythe bilang sagot saka nagkibit ng balikat. “I’m not telling you.” Aniya saka tumingin kay Lawrence.

Lawrence just affectionately patted Blythe’s head. “If you don’t want to tell others, it’s okay. I’m here.”

That widened Blythe’s smile and she continued eating.

Nagkatinginan na lang ang mga kaibigan ni Lawrence.

“So, what with this private dinner?” tanong ni Josiah. “Not that we’re complaining.”

“Let’s wait for Cole.” Sabi ni Lawrence saka tumingin kay Cade.

Tumayo naman si Cade. “He’s here.” Aniya nang maramdaman niya ang presensiya ng kapatid niya saka yumukod sa Alpha King at lumabas ng kusina. Sinalubong niya ang kapatid sa living room ng palasyo. They did a man hug and guided his brother to the dining hall.

“Sorry, I’m late.” Hingi ni Cole ng paumanhin.

Tumango si Lawrence. “It’s okay.”

Ngumiti si Lawrence saka ipinakilala si Blythe kay Cole. “This is Blythe Davis, my mate and my future queen. Blythe and everyone, this is Cole Montero-Asteria, the Hunter’s Leader and Cade’s brother.” Pakilala niya kay Cole sa mga kaibigan na hindi pa nakakakilala rito.

Bahagyang yumukod si Cole.

“Hunter?” Blythe muttered.

Nag-angat ng tingin si Cole saka napatingin sa mate ni King Lawrence. He knew this girl because this was Brianna’s sister. Ipinakita sa kaniya ni Brianna ang larawan ng kapatid nito kaya niya ito namukhaan. But he promised Brianna that he wouldn’t tell anyone about her, even Brianna’s sister. He knew that Brianna would do something in the future.

“Yes, I am the Hunter’s Leader.”

Napakurap si Blythe saka tumingin kay Lawrence. Asking for an explanation.

Lawrence explained, “Hunters and werewolves have a peace treaty. We also have a pact. The Hunter’s Organization and the werewolves are fighting rogues and bad hunters together.”

Napatango si Blythe. That’s why.

“Have a seat.” Iminuwestra ni Lawrence ang kamay sa upuan kay Cole.

“Thank you, Kuya – I mean Your Majesty.” Umupo si Cole sa tabi ng Kuya Cade niya.

The arrangement of the table was like this – Lawrence sat at the end of the long table, while on the left side of the table, it consisted of Lawrence’s friends. While on the right side, it consists of Blythe, Cade, Cole, Samuel, and Liam.

They continued eating until Lawrence created a barrier so that no one would hear what they were going to talk about.

Nang makita naman ni Blythe ang ginawa ni Lawrence, nagtaka siya. Not that she felt something bad would happen, but she was curious why Lawrence needed to create a barrier.

“Someone’s eavesdropping. Ayaw kong malaman ng iba ang pag-uusapan natin.” Seryosong sabi ni Lawrence.

Nakakaintinding tumango ang lahat. But not Blythe. It’s not because she didn’t understand what Lawrence had said. Naintindihan niya ang sinabi nito pero nang marinig niya ang seryosong tono ng boses ni Lawrence, pakiramdam niya ay hindi si Lawrence ang nagsalita. She’s been in the palace for nearly one month. Nasanay siya sa laging malambing at masuyong boses ng binata kapag nakikipag-usap ito sa kaniya. Now, she heard Lawrence’s serious voice. Nanibago siya. This Lawrence in front of her now is not the one who always calls her ‘baby’ or ‘my mate’. This man in front of her now is the Alpha King who is respected by all. Lawrence’s voice held with authority and power as he spoke.

And what am I doing here? Tanong ni Blythe sa sarili.

Lawrence, who saw his mate’s expression, held Blythe’s hand. “Just stay,” he said with a tender voice.

Tumaas naman ang kilay ni Josiah pati na ang ibang kaibigan ni Lawrence.

So, Lawrence Everson knows how to speak tenderly. Josiah thought.

Lawrence changed. Austin and Shawn thought.

Why do I feel like this man in front of me is not my friend? Masyado siyang affectionate sa mate niya. Parehong nasa isipan ni Ryan at Blake.

Sa kanilang magkakaibigan, si Lawrence pa lang ang nakahanap ng mate nito at wala pa sa lima kaya naman hindi nila maintindihan si Lawrence – hindi nila maintindihan ang mga kilos patungo sa mate nito.

Tumikhim si Lawrence. “Okay, while eating let me tell you this.” He took a deep breath before saying, “I want to reform the council and I need your support.”

Maliban kay Josiah at Blythe, napatigil ang lahat ng nasa mesa. They all looked at Lawrence.

“What?”

“Are you serious, Lawrence?”

“It won’t be easy.”

“They’re a bunch of old men from the old generations, and they didn’t want to leave their positions.”

Meanwhile, Ezra, Samuel and Liam extended their support to their Alpha King.

Nagtaas naman ng kamay si Cole. “May I ask, do I need to be here? I mean this is your territory of work. I’m not part of it. I’m a hunter.”

Lawrence looked at Cole. “You are needed here. Actually, malaki ang gagampanan mo rito.”

“Oh.” Cole reacted and shrugged his shoulders.” What should I do?”

Before Lawrence answered Cole, he looked at his friends. “So, do I have your support?”

“Of course!”

“I’m tired of those old men,” sabi ni Austin.

Nagkibit ng balikat lang naman ang iba.

Lawrence smiled. “Thank you.” Then he turned his attention to Cole. “Ikaw ang pinakamataas na lider ng Hunter Organization. At ikaw ang may kontrol ng mga Hunter Organization sa buong mundo. Do me a favor.”

“I’m all ears.” Sabi ni Cole at nang marinig ang pabor na hinihingi ng Alpha King, napangisi na lamang siya. “Okay. Do I need to crash them?” he asked.

“Bahala ka.”

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi ni Cole. “Leave it to me.”

“And also, alamin mo kung may Elders ang involved sa kanila. I’m getting suspicious of the Council since they lied to me about the vampires.” Seryosong saad ni Lawrence saka kumuyom ang kaniyang kamao.

“It seems that you wanted to get rid of those old men,” Ani Shawn.

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Lawrence. “Mom told me not to trust any of them. At first, I didn’t know why, but later, as the years passed, they were getting into my nerves.” Sumimsim siya ng wine. “I wanted to reform the council. I wanted to change the other inappropriate rules for werewolves, but the council told me that those rules had already been carved in stone over hundreds of centuries ago.”

Josiah sipped his wine. “Indeed, some rules don’t fit into this modern world. And some need change.”

Napatango naman ang iba habang ang iba ay nakikinig lang.

“If you wanted a new reform, you need to be shameless.” Sabi ni Blythe na kanina pa tahimik lang na kumakain pero nakikinig kaya lahat ay napatingin sa kaniya.

“What do you mean?” tanong ni Lawrence.

“Hindi ko alam kung ano ang Council na sinasabi niyo. I only knew little about werewolves. But as I listened to your meeting, those old men you were talking about are getting on your nerves.” Blythe smiled. “Kapag pinagpipilitan nila ang gusto nila na manatili kayo sa dilim – I mean you were being ruled by those traditional rules… mapag-iiwan na kayo ng panahon. Look at our world now. Many modern technologies are emerging. Indeed, some things need to be change but not for the worst, but for a better world. If those bunch of old men still stick to their own ways, then you must be shameless and a little bit cruel to them. After all, you are the Alpha King. Let us considered those old men as your advisers, but they are just advisers. You are still the King. Nasa iyo pa rin ang desisyon. Kapag sinunod mo ang gusto nila at may nangyaring hindi maganda, ikaw pa rin ang masisisi dahil ikaw ang hari. So, sometimes it’s not bad to be shameless and cruel as long as you are in the right place.” After Blythe said her speech, she took a deep breath.

Everyone was gaping at Blythe. They were all speechless.

“What?” Blythe asked.

“Woah.” Lawrence was amazed. “I never thought that you hadn't still take your lesson about werewolves. You know what you are saying. You are indeed my queen.”

Everyone at the table agreed.

“You spoke like a queen.” Ani Josiah.

Lawrence was proud.

Tumikhim si Blythe. “I only said what’s on my mind.” Aniya saka nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

Ngumiti si Lawrence saka hinaplos ang buhok ni Blythe. “Be shameless and be cruel.” Natawa siya ng mahina saka napailing. “Actually, I can do that.”

“So, anong gagawin namin?” tanong ni Blake.

“Make a name.” Sabi ni Lawrence.

“Huh?”

Napuno ng pagtataka ang mukha ng mga kaibigan ni Lawrence.

“His Majesty means that you have to do something for your name to rise. Makilala kayo ng lahat.”

“Annouce it to the world.” Shawn suggested pero halatang nagbibiro lang.

“There are newspapers, radio, television and many media that can make us well-known,” Said Austin.

“Do we need to sign up for modeling?” Shawn asked.

Lawrence facepalmed. He was serious and yet his friends were asking, as if it was fun. Napailing na lamang siya dahil sanay na siya sa mga kaibigan niya. They were a bunch of crazy people. Napabuntong hininga na lamang siya saka tumingin sa mate niya. Nakita niyang tapos na itong kumain. “If you wanted to rest, you can go. Leave the rest to me.”

Tumango si Blythe. “But I’m going to rest. Ezralyn said I would have a lesson with her.”

“Oh.” Agad na nakuha ni Lawrence kung ano ang lesson na ‘yon. He told Ezralyn to teach Blythe about werewolves.

“Okay. You can go now,” he said and patted Blythe’s head. “After your lesson, rest early.”

Ngumiti si Blythe. She excused herself and left the dining hall.

Lawrence smiled softly and sipped his wine.

“Lawrence.”

Lawrence looked at Josiah. “Yes?”

Umiling si Josiah. “Nanibago lang ako sa ‘yo.”

Kumunot ang nuo ni Lawrence. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve changed.” Sabi ni Ryan na kanina pa tahimik. “Noong huli tayong magkakasamang magkakaibigan, hindi ganito ang aura mo. Before, you had no emotion in your face. Now, you look like a lovesick fool.”

Sumang-ayon ang ibang kaibigan ni Lawrence.

Lawrence looked at Cade.

Cade nodded. “They’re telling the truth, Your Majesty.”

Tumango naman si Ezra, Samuel at Liam.

“I second the motion.” Sabi naman ni Cole.

Imbes na mainis, natawa na lang ng mahina si Lawrence saka hinayaan ang mga kasama.

“So,” nagseryoso na si Josiah, “what’s your other plan?”

“Pick some families who can replace the Council. And some families who will be the head of each continent. But first, I need to know who’s in the councils are traitors. Kung sino ang matira sa mga Council, sila ang magiging adviser ng mga magiging bagong Council but if they wanted to resign, why not?” Aniya saka nagkibit ng balikat.

“This will be a long fight. And it won't be easy,” sabi ni Ryan.

Blake sighed. “But as your friends, we will support you.”

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Lawrence. “of course, you will support me.” Sabi niya pero hindi sinabi na isa ang mga ito sa napili na uupo sa Council pagdating ng araw.

“Cade, investigate all the council of Elders. They came from old generations of werewolves. So, beware of them.” Utos ni Lawrence.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Lawrence sighed. Indeed, it will be a long fight to reform the council.

After they ate dinner, nagkayayaan silang uminom. Lawrence was confident that he wouldn’t get drunk, but the opposite happened. Well, at least he’s not drunk too much, just a little tipsy.