The Werewolf and the Hybrid

CHAPTER 18

BLYTHE knew that prestigious universities are grand and have a lot to offer to students for their future careers. Her sister, Brianna, is a professor at a prestigious university and she was given a full-time scholarship. Malawak na ang dating university na pinanggalingan niya pero hindi niya akalain na mas malawak ang University na pag-aari ng Everson Family.

The Everson Family did really live up to its reputation.

Everson University had twenty-five hectares of land. May sarili itong cafés, restaurants, food courts, fast food chains, and school supply stores. Hanggang ikatlong palapag rin ang bawat gusali. There are some golf carts ridden by the students to go to their respective buildings for their classes.

“This is…” Blythe couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Ezralyn smiled and then explained, “Before, only werewolves were allowed to enter this university, but when the former Queen reigned, who was King Lawrence’s mother, she allowed humans to enroll. Well, of course, humans don’t know that they are interacting with werewolves.”

Napatango si Blythe. “This university is far more prestigious and grander than my previous school.”

Ezralyn continued, “Later, His Majesty King Lawrence developed it for students to have a bright future and better career.” Aniya.

Ngumiti si Blythe.

Hinawakan ni Ezralyn ang braso ni Lady Blythe at saka masuyo itong iginiya sa daan. “Let’s go.”

Sumunod naman si Blythe kay Ezralyn. They are in the same class and same schedule, so she followed her. Pero habang patungo sila sa kanilang classroom, hindi nakaligtas sa mga mata ni Blythe ang tingin sa kaniya ng ibang estudyante. Base sa ekspresyon na nababasa niya sa mukha ng ibang estudyante ang mga kakaibang tingin ng mga ito sa kaniya. Since she was a Nymph, she could distinguish between humans and werewolves. And those students who were giving her weird looks were werewolves.

Ipinagkibit na lang ni Blythe ng balikat ang mga tingin sa kaniya ng mga estudyante. Habang patungo sila sa classroom nila patuloy ang kwento ni Ezralyn tungkol sa university.

“I’ll tour you later, Lady Blythe.”

“Just Blythe, when the two of us.”

Tumango si Ezralyn saka ngumiti. “I’m happy. You see, His Majesty is kind. We, everyone in the pack were all worried about His Majesty’s mate. Nag-aalala kami kung ano ba ng klase ng ugali ang magiging mate ng Alpha King. Then we met you.”

“And?”

“We were all relieved when we learned you were genuine and sincere.” Ezralyn smiled again. “And I am so happy that we became friends.”

Blythe chuckled slightly and suddenly tickled Ezralyn.

Napasinghap naman si Ezralyn at bahagyang napatalon dahil sa pagkabigla. “Blythe!”

Itinaas ni Blythe ang dalawang kamay na para bang sumusuko. “Sorry. Ang cute mo kasi.”

Ezralyn clicked her tongue. “I will get back to you, B.”

Ngumiti lang naman si Blythe.

Then suddenly, a man – a werewolf – blocked their way.

Agad na sumama ang mukha ni Ezralyn ang makita ang lalaki.

“Hey, there, sweetie.” Nakangiting bati ng lalaking humarang at ang atensiyon nito ay kay Blythe.

Agad na humarang si Ezralyn sa harapan ni Blythe. “Back off, Dean Travis, if you want your head still attached to your neck before this day ends.” Banta niya sa lalaki habang ang mga kasama nito ay nakatayo sa gilid ng daan.

Tumawa naman si Dean. “Come on, Ezralyn. Hindi ka pa rin nagbabago. Who is this beautiful lady with you?” he whistled. “A new-found friend?”

Ezralyn growled dangerously at Dean.

“Woah! Woah! Easy… easy…” Agad na nagtaas ng kamay si Dean saka umatras pero hindi niya maalis ang tingin sa kasama ni Ezralyn na babae. Her beauty is one of a kind. He already met a lot of beautiful women here inside and outside the university, but this woman’s beauty is one of a kind.

“Dean, a piece of advice never lay your finger on my friend, or else you will experience an excruciating death.” Malamig na banta ni Ezralyn saka niyaya si Blythe na umalis na.

“Sino ‘yon?” tanong ni Blythe. “Not that I’m interested in knowing him. Ang angas niya lang kasing tignan. At hindi ako komportable sa tingin na binibigay niya sa akin.”

“Him?” Ezralyn clicked her tongue. “He is a scumbag. Madami na ‘yang pinaiyak na babae. Ang mga babae naman kasing mga ‘yon, alam na nilang babaero ang lalaking ‘yan papatulan pa nila. ‘kala mo naman kung sinong gwapo.” Inis niyang saad.

“Gwapo naman siya.” Sabi ni Blythe kaya napatingin sa kaniya si Ezralyn. Tumawa siya ng mahina. “Pero walang tatalo sa kagwapuhan ni Ren.”

Kumunot ang nuo ni Ezralyn. “Ren?”

“His Majesty.” Sabi ni Blythe.

“Oh.” Ezralyn smiled teasingly at Blythe. “I heard one time His Majesty called you ‘baby’ and now I hear you called him ‘Ren’. Is that His Majesty’s pet name for you?” tanong niya sa kaibigan. Nang tumango si Blythe, kinikilig na hinampas ni Ezralyn ang kaibigan. “Really? Yiee! You two already have an endearment to each other.”

“I’m not calling him by endearment.” Blythe defended. Totoo naman ‘yon. Pinaliit ko lang ang pangalan niya.

“Even so.” Nagkibit ng balikat si Ezralyn. “Pet name can be an endearment too.” She hummed happily. “Finally.”

Napailing na lang si Blythe kaya hinayaan na lang niya si Ezralyn na kiligin ng kiligin kahit sa tingin niya ay wala namang nakakakilig sa mga sinabi niya. Ezralyn can be weird sometimes. I thought she was always serious but smiling a lot. Serious but smiling a lot. What a combination.

KUSA at hindi namalayan ni Blythe na napangiti siya nang makita niya si Lawrence sa labas ng gate ng University. Lawrence was wearing a shade and leaning on the car. And he looks cool. Nakasuot lang ito ng simpleng v-neck white shirt, khaki pants at nakaputing sapatos.

Napansin ni Blythe na napapatingin rito ang ibang estudyante lalo na ang mga babae. Adoration filled their eyes while looking at Lawrence. Nawala ang ngiti sa labi ni Blythe at naningkit ang kaniyang mata at naramdaman niya ang isang emosyon na hindi niya maintindihan. Naiinis siya sa iisiping may ibang naaakit kay Lawrence.

Sinuway ni Blythe ang sarili saka naglakad patungo kay Lawrence.

Lawrence automatically smiled when he saw Blythe. “Hi, baby.”

“Hi.” Blythe smiled.

Tumikhim naman si Ezralyn na nasa likuran lang ni Blythe. “Una na ako. Sa kotse na ako ni Kuya sasakyan, Lady Blythe. See yah.”

“See yah.”

Ezralyn slightly bowed her head to the Alpha King and left. She went to the car behind the Alpha King’s car where her brother was waiting for her.

Kinuha ni Lawrence ang bag ni Blythe. Then he opened the passenger’s door for his mate. Ngumiti naman si Blythe saka nagpasalamat at pumasok sa loob ng kotse.

“How’s school?” Lawrence asked as he sat in the driver's seat and closed the door beside him.

Blythe pouted. “Boring.” She answered. “I thought I would learn something today but the instructors and professors just gave an orientation. Plus, the students are looking at me weirdly like I am not a human…” She stopped when she realized that she was not really human, “right I am not a human.”

“They are probably curious who are you? May tao at taong-lobo ang nag-aaral doon. Werewolves have a keen sense of smell. They probably notice your scent is different from humans.” Sabi naman ni Lawrence saka pinaandar ang makina ng kotse. “Let’s go home. There is a dinner meeting today. I will introduce you to my friend.”

“Can I pass?”

Lawrence smiled apologetically. “Sorry, Baby. You can’t pass.”

Napabuntong hininga si Blythe. “Okay. Fine.”

Pagkauwi nila sa palasyo, nagpalit muna ng damit si Blythe samantalang si Lawrence ay dumeretso na ito sa living room ng palasyo dahil dumating na raw ang bisita nito ayon kay Cade na sumalubong sa kanila.

After changing her uniform, she left the room and was guided by Ezra to the dining room. She was wearing a simple floral dress. Hindi naman siya ‘yong magarbong magdamit. Basta disenteng damit ayos na sa kaniya.

Pagpasok ni Blythe sa dining hall, agad siyang sinalubong ni Lawrence saka ipinakilala sa mga kaibigan nito. Kilala niya si Cade na naroon, si Ezra, Samuel, Liam kasama ang limang lalaki na hindi niya kilala pero nag-uumapaw ang kanilang mga kagwapuhan at malakas na awra na nagmumula sa mga ito pero syempre hindi papatalo si Lawrence.

“Everyone, this is Blythe Davis, my mate and the future queen.”

They bowed to her.

“Nice to meet you, Your Highness. I’m Josiah Almero Lopez. Alpha of Shadow Valley Pack.”

Tumango si Blythe.

“Austin Navarro, Dark Moon Pack. It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. Shawn Wilson, Alpha of Gold River Pack.”

“Ryan Ramirez from Blue Stone Pack.”

“Blake Scott. Forest Moon Pack. We are glad that Lawrence has found you.”

Ngumiti lang naman si Lawrence. “They are all Alphas from different countries and my friends.”

Napatango na lang ulit si Blythe. “Nice to meet you all. Thank you for being friends with Lawrence – I mean to His Majesty.” Aniya saka tumingin siya kay Lawrence.

“We were happy when Lawrence informed us that he had found his mate.” Sabi ni Shawn saka natawa ng mahina. “He will be stopped from being nosy.”

Si Blake naman ang tumawa. “He kept on asking us if we had already found out mate and when we said we had never found the right one for us, he would laugh at us.” Kwento niya.

Natawa si Blythe saka tumingin kay Lawrence. “I never thought you had a childish side.”

Lawrence clicked his tongue and covered Blythe’s ears with his hands. “Don’t listen to them, my queen. They are just spouting nonsense. Naiingit lang sila.”

Napailing na lang ang mga kaibigan ni Lawrence.

They sat and continued eating.

While Lawrence put food on Blythe’s plate... pasimple namang pinagmamasdan ng mga kaibigan ni Lawrence si Lawrence at ng mate nito. Hindi tao ang mate ni Lawrence. She doesn’t smell like humans, but she’s not a werewolf either.

Tumikhim si Shawn. “Excuse me, Your Highness – “

“Just Blythe. Thank you.” Tipid na ngumiti si Blythe.

Shawn looked at Lawrence, asking for his permission, then Lawrence nodded. Tumikhim muna siya saka nagtanong. “You’re not a human, are you? We’re just curious because you don’t smell like one.”

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Blythe. “I’m a witch. Be careful of your words, I might turn you into a toad.” Pagbibiro niya pero nakaseryoso siyang boses,

Muntikan ng matawa si Lawrence pero pinigilan niya ang kaniyang sarili. Kaya naman tumikhim na lamang siya.

Napatanga naman at nakaramdam ng takot dahil akala nila ay seryoso ang mate ng kaibigan nila sa sinabi nito habang ang ibang nasa mesa na alam ang totoo tungkol kay Blythe ay nagpipigil ng tawa. Cade, Ezra, Samuel, Liam and, including Lawrence, were shaking their head, and suppressing their laughter.

“What’s the matter?” Josiah asked. “Bakit parang natatawa kayo?”

Lawrence chuckled and shook his head. “Nothing.”

“Wala namang nakakatawa. Bakit kayo natatawa?” tanong pa ni Austin.

Blythe bit her lower lip to suppress her laughter.

“Are you really a witch?” tanong ni Ryan na naniwala talaga sa sagot ni Blythe.

Blythe couldn’t help it anymore. Umiling siya. “No, I’m just kidding.” Aniya. “But if one of you wanted to become a toad, you can tell me. I can make it true for you. I will turn you into a toad.”

Mas lalong napatanga ang mga kaibigan ni Lawrence.

At natawa na lang ang iba.

Blythe was also laughing because of her naughtiness.