The Werewolf and the Hybrid

CHAPTER 26

MABANGIS na angil ang pumailanlang sa katahimikan ng gabi. It was full moon and all the mated wolves were in heat. Mated werewolves are having a good moment with their mates. The unmated ones are alone and having fun at the bar and in a place where they are comfortable. But as for the King of werewolves, he was silently and alone struggling in the dungeon.

Lawrence was in heat. Ito na ang ikatlong beses na mararanasan niya ang in heat na ‘to. Wala siyang tiwala sa sarili niya. He knew he would lose control of himself once his mate was near, and he didn’t want that to happen. To avoid committing a grave mistake, he locked himself in the dungeon.

Lawrence and Lucas are struggling about who will take over their body. Tuwing kabilugan ng buwan, mas malakas ang lobo ni Lawrence. Since he was the King of werewolves, he was more powerful than anyone. At siguradong hindi siya mapipigilan nila Caleb kung magwawala siya kaya naman ikinulong niya ang mismong sarili sa loob ng silver cell sa loob ng dungeon. The silver cell inside the dungeon was once used by his father, and now it was his turn.

Hinihingal na humiga ang lobo ni Lawrence sa sahig. He was in his wolf form, and he was wounded by the silver cell. Hindi niya inalintana ang hapdi ng sugat niya. The heat was already subsided, but he knew that it would occur again.

Lawrence howled, and it was heard throughout the whole forest. While he was battling with himself, Blythe had a calm night. She was standing on the balcony and watching the full moon.

“Beautiful…” mahina niyang sambit. Naalala niya ang kapatid niya. They used to watch the full moon together. “At this time, is my sister watching the full moon too like me?” she couldn’t help but ask herself.

Ezra and the pack warriors who were patrolling the palace saw the Queen on the balcony.

This is already the third time. Sabi ni Ezra. And at this moment, he knew that King Lawrence was experiencing in heat. And that was painful for them as werewolves.

WHEN morning came and Blythe didn’t see Lawrence, he asked one of the pack warriors.

“I apologized, Your Highness, but I didn’t see His Majesty.”

Tumango si Blythe saka nagpatuloy sa paghahanap kay Lawrence. Pero kahit anong hanap niya sa binata hindi niya ito nahanap. She pouted. May sasabihin pa naman siya sana rito.

“Where is he?” Blythe asked while walking. And her walking turned into strolling around the palace.

Habang naglalakad siya sa paligid ng palasyo, hindi niya namalayan na nakarating siya sa isang parte ng palasyo. And there’s a plaque saying ‘Ancestral Hall’.

Blythe got curious and at the same time, she heard someone calling her name again.

“Blythe…”

Kumunot ang nuo ni Blythe dahil parang nanggagaling sa loob ng Ancestral Hall ang boses na tumatawag sa kaniya. She stared at the Ancestral Hall. Walang nagbabantay at nakasara ang pinto ng Ancestral Hall. For no reason, the Ancestral Hall opened. At parang may kung anong humila kay Blythe para pumasok siya sa loob.

She entered the Ancestral Hall and her eyes settled on the Sword above the floating platform. Ang floating platform na kinaroroonan ng Golden Sword ay nakalutang naman sa ibabaw ng tubig ng fountain na nasa loob mismo ng Ancestral Hall.

Then the Golden Sword glowed. It projected an image – specifically an event that happened.

Hindi inalis ni Blythe ang tingin sa projected image na inilabas ng Golden Sword. It was an image of a woman wielding the Golden Sword. Nagtaka siya dahil pamilyar sa kaniya ang imahe ng babae. It was Lawrence’s mother. She saw Lawrence’s mother’s image through the painting in the hallway.

The Golden Sword projected another image – an event to be exact, and that event looked like it was a war. Hanggang sa nawala ang projected image ng Golden Sword, nakatitig pa rin si Blythe rito. The war she saw projected by the Golden Sword is different from the wars she has seen in movies. It was different. Very different. The projected image of the Golden Sword is more bloody, dangerous, and covered with pain and grief.

Napahawak si Blythe sa tapat ng kaniyang puso. Hindi niya maintindihan ang emosyon niya. She was grieving for those people who died and for those people who lost their loved ones in that war.

Why am I feeling like this?

“Baby…”

Napasinghap si Blythe saka mabilis na napatingin kay Lawrence na kakapasok lang sa loob ng Ancestral Hall.

“This is a restricted area.”

“Oh,” Blythe said. “I didn’t know. Wala namang nakasulat sa labas. Moreover, the door opened on its own and I didn’t open it.”

Ngumiti si Lawrence. “I know. Walang nagbabantay sa labas ng Ancestral Hall dahil walang nakakapasok rito. This place is only for the Royalties because they are the guardian of the Golden Sword. You entered the Ancestral Hall without any difficulty. So, I guessed that the Moon Goddess had already blessed you as part of the Royal Family.” Then he looked at the Golden Sword. He was surprised to see the Golden Sword glowing.

Lawrence looked at his mate. I’ve been guarding it for many years. My mother said that the Golden Sword would wait for its new owner. I had never seen it glow like this before… could it be that…

“Bakit?” tanong ni Blythe.

Umiling si Lawrence saka ngumiti. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ng mate niya. “Let’s go.”

Tumango si Blythe saka nagpaubaya kay Lawrence.

“Saan ka pala pumunta?” tanong ni Blythe sa binata. “Kanina pa kita hinahanap.”

“Why? Miss me?”

Blythe tsked. “Hindi. May gusto lang sana akong sabihin sa ‘yo.”

“Oh. Ano ‘yon?”

Humawak si Blythe sa braso ni Lawrence. “It’s a request.”

Lawrence was curious. “What is it?” tanong niya. Ito ang unang beses na humiling sa kaniya si Blythe.

“Can we spar?”

Literal na napatigil sa paglalakad si Lawrence. Then he looked at his mate in disbelief. “Spar? As in?”

Tumango si Blythe.

Lawrence was still weak because of the pain he endured the previous night. But he couldn’t say no to his mate.

“I asked Cade. He said that you are good at martial arts. I’m good at wielding a sword and I know martial arts. So, can we spar? No wielding swords, just martial arts.” Sabi ni Blythe. Umaasa siya na sana pumayag si Lawrence sa hiling.

“When?” Lawrence asked.

Blythe’s face lit up. “Whenever you’re ready,” Tumikhim siya. “You looked weak.”

“I’m not weak.” Depensa naman ni Lawrence sa sarili saka nagpatuloy sa paglakakad.

“Alam kong hindi ka mahina.” Sabi ni Blythe. “Pero nagpapahina sa ‘yo ang in heat na nararanasan mo tuwing kabilugan ng buwan.”

Nagulat si Lawrence. “Paano mo alam ang tungkol doon?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.

“I’ve been reading a lot of books lately. I asked Ezralyn, and she told me the truth about it.” Tumingin siya kay Lawrence. “Thank you for not forcing me. I appreciate it.” And I didn’t regret my choice of not leaving this place… I do not regret leaving you.

Ngumiti si Lawrence. “I like you. You are my mate. It’s natural for me to wait for you. I told you and I promised you before that I wouldn’t force you to do anything you do not like. And I am already grateful that you didn’t leave me. It’s already enough that you stayed with me. Dahil hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kung umalis ka.”

“So sweet.” Tudyo ni Blythe. “Pinapakilig mo ba ako, Your Majesty?”

Lawrence blew a loud breath. “It’s you who’s making me feel giddy.” Aniya. “Let’s go. Let’s have breakfast. I have to replenish my energy. I still have work to do.”

“Can you rest just for today?” Blythe asked. “Kahit ngayon lang. Alam kong lagi kang abala nitong mga nakaraang araw pero pwede bang magpahinga ka kahit ngayong araw lang.”

“So considerate.” Sabi ni Lawrence. “Pero hindi ako pwedeng magpahinga. Marami akong kailangang gawin – “

“Please, Ren.”

One word from his mate and Lawrence immediately surrendered. Ngumiti siya. “Okay. I won’t work today, but can I rest in your room?”

Napasimangot si Blythe. “That was originally your room.”

Lawrence chuckled. “Even so. I need my mate’s consent before I sleep there.”

Ngumiti si Blythe saka tumango. “Okay. You can sleep there. I’ll accompany you. And sleep in bed, not on the sofa. It will only make you uncomfortable.”

Tumango si Lawrence. “Thanks, Baby.” Masaya niyang saad. Syempre hindi niya papalagpasin ang pagkakataon. It was his mate who was offering him to sleep on the bed.

Ngumiti lang naman si Blythe.

When he was whipped, Lawrence noticed that Blythe became considerate and indulgent to him. Did something happen? He asked himself but didn’t directly ask Blythe. He feared that she might misunderstand him.

After eating breakfast, Lawrence instructed Cade to do some of his work on his behalf.

“Your Majesty, you always personally do your work, especially when it comes to the pack. Why are you suddenly instructing me?” Nagtatakang tanong ni Cade. “Not that I’m complaining, Your Majesty. I’m happy to work, but I’m just curious.”

Tinapik ni Lawrence ang balikat ni Cade. “Because my Queen told me to rest for today. Don’t worry, I’ll work tomorrow.” Aniya saka umalis at iniwan si Cade sa study room.

He went to his mate. And he knew that he would have a good rest.