The Werewolf and the Hybrid

CHAPTER 5

LAWRENCE couldn’t focus on his Alpha duties. Hindi mawala sa isipan niya ang tungkol sa babaeng nakita niya sa kakahuyan – his soulmate. Hinilot niya ang kaniyang sentido. Ano ba kasi ang nangyari? Bakit siya nawalan ng malay? Kung hindi sana siya nawalan ng malay, siguro nakausap pa niya ang mate niya. But wait… thinking about what had happened in the woods, he saw his mate gesture to her hand, then a green light emerged in her hands. After that, he lost consciousness.

But she is a human, isn’t she? Lucas asked. Hindi ko naamoy ang pagiging lobo sa kaniya.

Lawrence sighed. “But she doesn’t smell like a human, Lucas.”

Then what is she?

“Hindi ko alam. Hindi naman natin siya nakausap.” Sabi ni Lawrence saka tumayo. Humarap siya sa malaking bintana na nasa mismong likuran ng kaniyang lamesa. Tumingin siya sa labas at nakita niya ang ilang mga kabataan na naglalaro sa may playground ng palasyo.

The kids were accompanied by their parents. Some of them are warrior’s sons and some are children of servants. He made sure that his pack members were not going to look down on the servants just because they had low positions. Para sa kaniya, pantay-pantay ang lahat. Her mother, the former queen, was fair and just. Walang mababa at walang mataas para rito.

Pero mayroon pa ring ilang taong-lobo ang may ayaw na makihalubilo sa mga taong-lobo na may mababang posisyon sa palasyo. Yes, he was talking about the Elders. Ilan sa mga ito ay ayaw sa mga taong-lobo na may mababang posisyon.

Then Lawrence’s eyes were focused on the palace gate when he saw the Royal Guard open it. Pumasok ang isang magarang kotse. Agad na nakaamoy si Lawrence nang hindi magandang hangin at nalukot ang kaniyang mukha nang makita niya kung sino ang bumaba sa kotse.

Napabuntong hininga na lamang ang hari saka tinawag ang kaniyang Beta.

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“May pupuntahan ako. I don’t want to face Elder Otto. Sigurado akong kukulitin na naman niya ako tungkol sa pagpapakasal ko sa babaeng napili nila para sa akin. It’s annoying.” Aniya saka mabilis na tumalon sa malaking bintana bago pa man makapagsalita si Cade. He ran through the woods, but his feet brought him to the woods where he met his mate.

“Where will I see you again, my mate?”

Umupo si Lawrence sa naka-usling ugat ng puno.

This part of the woods was still part of the Night Moon Pack. Huminga ng malalim si Lawrence saka napaisip. How did his mate appear there? Tinanong niya si Cade na siyang nakakita sa kaniya noong nawalan siya ng malay. Wala raw silang nakita kundi siya lang mag-isa.

How did his mate appear and disappear without any trace?

While Lawrence was busy thinking about his mate, a group of hunters were approaching. Naramdaman ito ni Lawrence kaya naman mabilis siyang umakyat sa puno saka tumayo sa isang sanga. He looked down, and he saw Cole, Cade’s brother.

Cade is a pure werewolf. Cole is not a werewolf, but he was trained to be a warrior just like his brother, Cade. Their parents are mates and that makes them siblings. Though they weren’t biological siblings, Cade and Cole were close. Halos hindi mapaghiwalay ang mga ito noong mga bata pa sila. Cole always follows his brother while Cade is trying his best to protect his little brother.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing up there?” Cole asked and looked up.

Lumundag si Lawrence pababa. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

Nagkibit ng balikat si Cole. “Patrolling. Anong ginagawa mo rito, Your Majesty? Patrolling also?”

Umiling si Lawrence. “No. My tinatakasan lang ako sa palasyo.”

Nakakalokong ngumiti si Cole. “Your soon-to-be-queen?”

Lawrence rolled his eyes. “No. The queen who will stand by my side in the future is my soulmate and not any chosen mate by the Elders. Damn! I’m pissed off at them. They are all annoying!”

Napailing si Cole. “Yeah, my brother told me that you are pissed at the Elders. And you wanted to get rid of all of them. Reforming the council, huh? That will be a long fight against your Council, Your Majesty.”

Lawrence just sighed. Yeah, indeed. It will be a long fight. And it requires patience, but I don’t have a choice. It’s time for a change in the court.

When Lawrence came back to the palace, Elder Otto was still there and didn’t leave.

“I’m sorry, Alpha. I tried my best, but he said he wanted to talk to you.” Cade apologized.

“It’s okay.” Sabi ni Lawrence saka tinapik ang balikat ni Cade. “This Elder…” he muttered under his breath and shook his head.

Pumunta si Lawrence sa isang living room ng palasyo upang kausapin si Elder Otto. Nadatnan niya itong umiinom ng tsaa. Nang makita siya nito, kaagad itong tumayo at yumukod sa kaniya.

“Your Majesty.”

Lawrence nodded his head to accept Elder Otto’s bow. “At ease, Elder. You may take your seat.” Aniya saka umupo. Then Cade, who was behind him, stepped forward... and poured tea into the teacup, and gave it to him.

“Thanks, Cade.”

Cade bowed his head and stood behind the Alpha King.

“What can I do for you, Elder Otto?” Lawrence asked... as if he didn’t know what the Elder wanted to tell him. It’s not about pretending. Nope, he is just being polite to them since they are the Elders.

Ngumiti si Elder Otto. “Your Majesty, as you know, you need a Queen to run the whole pack and the whole werewolf’s society. We found a suitable Queen for you, and she can fight by your side.”

Lawrence sighed. “A Queen?” he asked. “I’m not interested in marrying a woman I didn’t know. Isa pa, hindi siya ang mate ko. Elder Otto, I have already talked to the Council before. I will only marry my mate and no one else.”

“But, Your Majesty, it’s not easy to rule the whole werewolf’s race without a Queen by your side. Hindi mo pa naman nakikita ang mate mo…” Napatigil sa pagsasalita si Elder Otto nang marinig ang pag-angil ng Alpha King.

Lucas suddenly took over Lawrence’s body. “I said I would only marry my mate!” he growled. “You are pissing me, huh. Lawrence was nice that he still hadn’t killed you all. If only I did not respect the Former Queen Celeste, you were already dead the moment you entered the palace earlier,” he said in a dangerous voice.

Napalunok naman si Elder Otto sa kaba.

Humaba ang kuko ni Lawrence na ngayon ay si Lucas ang may kontrol sa katawan nito. “Elder, do you want to die?” he asked and stood up.

Si Cade na nakatayo sa likuran ng Alpha King ay nanatiling kalmado. He only knew that Lucas was trying to threaten the Elder and not to kill him. Lucas wouldn’t dare to kill anyone because if there was someone he was afraid of, that would be the Former Queen Celeste, Lawrence’s mother.

But for Elder Otto, the current Alpha King is far more dangerous than the former one, Alpha King Lucian Everson. The current one is dangerous even though he has a kind face. Kaya naman nang makita niyang nag-take over ang wolf nito, nakaramdam na siya ng takot. Walang sinasanto ang wolf ng Alpha King.

“I-I was just saying…”

Lucas growled, stopping the Elder. “Lawrence will not marry anyone. He will only marry our mate. No one is suitable to be the queen, none other than our mate,” he said and looked at the Elder sharply. “If you mention this one more time, your blood will spill on the floor.” He threatened, and with that, he left and walked outside the palace.

He shifted into his wolf form and ran into the forest. He ran and ran, his paws were thumping into the forest floor... until he reached the lake. He was thirsty, and he lapped water from the lake. Not until she smelled the familiar scent, the sweet jasmine. He sniffed into the air. Hindi siya pwedeng magkamali.

It’s her.

MALALIM na lamang na napabuntong hininga si Blythe dahil hindi siya tinitigilan ni Faye. She kept on teasing her about the man they saw in the woods.

“You find him handsome, right? kaya ka hindi makatulog ng ilang gabi. Come on, my twin. Don’t deny it. Don’t lie. I can feel your emotions.”

“Shut up, Faye. Hindi nakakatuwa ang mga biro mo.” Sabi ni Blythe habang nakaupo sa gitna ng kama.

They were in the bedroom. Blythe had no classes because it was a holiday. Her sister went to the university to settle something. Naiwan naman siya sa bahay nila at hindi talaga siya tinitigilan ni Faye.

May berdeng usok ang nanggaling sa kaniya. The green smoke formed a human figure and Faye appeared. Faye is a beautiful girl with braided hair. Flowers are used to decorate her braided hair. But Blythe and Faye share the same features of faces. Magmamukha silang dalawa. Maybe because they are twin guardians. Blythe is the Nymph, while Faye is her Guardian.

Blythe couldn’t help but to roll her eyes. “Stop teasing me, Faye. Hindi na ako natutuwa.”

Tumawa lang naman si Faye. Kambal-diwa ni Blythe si Faye at konektado silang dalawa sa isa’t-isa. They could feel each other’s emotions.

“Blythe, I want to see him,” Faye said.

Blythe narrowed her eyes to Faye. “Him?”

Tumango si Faye.

Umiling si Blythe. “No, I won’t go back to that place.”

Faye pouted. “Please.”

Napabuga ng hangin si Blythe. “Hindi tayo sigurado kung makikita natin siya sa lugar na ‘yon.”

“Sige na.” Humawak si Faye sa braso ni Blythe. “Please.” Pagmakaawa ni Faye sa kaniyang kambal-diwa.

Sandaling tinitigan ni Blythe si Faye. Faye is her twin guardian and she could feel her emotions. It’s the same as hers, calm and collected. Wala naman siyang maramdaman na kakaiba kay Faye.

“Bakit gusto mo siyang makita?”

Misteryosong ngumiti si Faye.

Blythe sighed and nodded her head. Kinuha niya ang espada niya na nasa mismong ilalim ng kama. “Okay. Let’s go.” I don’t know, but I feel like I wanted to see him too, which was weird on my part.

Napailing si Blythe saka sabay silang naglaho ni Faye. Mabuti na lang at naalala pa niya ang lugar na ‘yon. Lumitaw sila sa lugar na ‘yon. Then Faye went back inside Blythe’s body.

Blythe is a Nymph, inhaling the cold and fresh breeze makes her feel at ease. Habang ninanamnam niya ang malamig at sariwang hangin, nakarinig siya ng ingay. Dumadagundong na ingay. It was like it was thumping on the forest floor.

Out of curiosity, Blythe walked forward to see what the sound was coming from. Nakarating siya sa isang lawa at nagulat siya nang may makita siyang itim na lobo na umiinom sa lawa. The black wolf felt her presence and looked up at her.

Brianna, Blythe’s foster sister was a werewolf. Nakita na niya itong nagpalit ng anyo kaya naman hindi na bago sa kaniya na makakita ng ganitong uri ng lobo. She knew that this black wolf in front of her was a werewolf, but that wolf in front of her was bigger than her brother’s wolf.

Blythe and the black wolf stared at each other.

Then Blythe and the black wolf started to walk. Habang naglalakad ang dalawa pasalubong sa isa’t-isa, ramdam ni Blythe na parang may koneksiyon siya sa lobong kaharap niya. Wala siyang masyadong alam sa mga lobo dahil wala namang sinasabi sa kaniya ang kapatid niya at isa pa, hindi naman siya nagtatanong.

Blythe, do you feel that? Faye asked.

Blythe stared at the wolf in front of him. She thought this black wolf was aggressive, but she was wrong. She could see the happiness and excitement in the wolf’s eyes while looking at her. Umangat ang kamay niya at hahawakan niya sana ang lobo nang maramdaman niyang may paparating.

She looked around and saw a group of men. Looking at their faces, this group of men had no emotion in their eyes. Their scent was different, they didn’t smell like humans, hunters, or werewolves. But somewhat their scent was familiar to her. Napatingin siya sa lobong nasa tabi niya nang marinig niyang umangil ito at parang galit.

Nakasunod lamang ng tingin si Blythe sa lobo hanggang sa maglakad ito papunta sa harapan niya na parang pinoprotektahan siya.

“Run!”

Nagtaka si Blythe nang may narinig siyang nagsalita.

“Run, mate!”

Blythe looked at the wolf, and he was also looking at her, almost begging her to leave. Nagtaka siya kung ano ang nangyayari. But before she could ask the wolf, she saw the group of men change their appearance. Nagulat siya nang makita niya ang naging hitsura ng mga ito.

“Vampires…” she muttered. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa kaniyang espada. Instead of running away, she faced them with braveness. No fear could be seen in her eyes.

“Take the girl and the wolf.” One of the vampires in the group ordered. “Their blood scent is for the king. Take them!”

Lucas growled dangerously. He wouldn’t let anyone take away his mate.

Blythe, they smelled your blood. Vampires feed on blood to live. I think your blood and this wolf’s blood scent beside us are being loved by vampires. Konti na lang tutulo na ang laway nila habang nakatingin sa inyong dalawa ng lobong kasama natin. Sabi ni Faye.

Kahit nasa panganib na, kalmado pa rin si Blythe, unlike Lucas, he was worried about his mate’s safety. He had already called for backup, but Cade are not responding to the pack link. Parang may kung anong nakaharang at hindi niya makausap si Cade.

Faye, let’s fight them.

What? Faye couldn’t believe it. Your brother told you to avoid them.

Blythe sighed. My father was killed by them. I want to avenge his death.

Si Faye naman ngayon ang napabuntong hininga. Okay.

Tinignan ni Blythe ang lobong nasa kaniyang harapan. “Don’t worry about me. I can protect myself.”

“Please, leave.”

Right, as a Nymph, Blythe couldn’t understand animal language.

Umiling siya. “No, I will stay.” Aniya. “And even I will leave, I can’t leave here.” She pointed to the barrier above them. “There’s a barrier. We can’t call for help. We can only rely to ourself.” Hindi niya rin alam kung ano ang sumapi sa kaniya para samahan ang lobong ‘to. Pero hindi rin naman niya kaya na iwan ito. This wolf will be devoured by the vampires if she leaves him here.

But the black wolf said something that stopped Blythe. “I don’t want to lose you.”

Blythe stared at the wolf because she didn’t know what to say. Before she could ask, the vampires attacked them. She doesn’t have a choice but to draw her sword and face her enemy.