The Werewolf and the Hybrid

CHAPTER 29

BLYTHE looked at herself in the long mirror. Muntikan na niyang hindi makilala ang kaniyang sarili pagkatapos siyang ayusan ni Ezralyn. She was wearing an A-line Beautiful Emerald Green Dress. It was a floor-length evening dress, and it was off-the-shoulder with full-length sleeves. It was decorated with a floral print adorned with crystals. The dress was beautiful and it depicted nature. It suits her taste.

“Beautiful.” Puri ni Ezralyn.

Blythe smiled. “Thanks. You picked the right dress for me.” Aniya.

Ngumiti si Ezralyn. “His Majesty didn’t tell you?”

Nagtaka naman si Blythe. “Tell me what?”

“He picked the dress personally. Sabi niya nature lover ka daw kaya ang bagay sa ‘yo is ‘yong pang-nature na dress, so he picked your dress. He was wearing a green corsage kaya match kayong dalawa.”

Napangiti na lang si Blythe. “He didn’t tell me.” Tumingin siya kay Ezralyn na nasa likuran niya at sinusuklay ang mahaba niyang buhok.

She looked at herself again in the mirror. Her dress matched the color of her eyes. Green.

Oh, well, I have to thank Ren later for picking this dress for me.

“Ahmm, Ez, hindi ka ba sasama sa gathering?” tanong ni Blythe. Sigurado kasing wala siyang makakasama doon. At wala siyang kilala sa party na ‘yon sa Elder’s Hall.

“I will come, but I will be on guard.” Sabi ni Ezralyn. “His Majesty is worried about you. Though we all know that you are capable of protecting yourself. It’s just that… the Elders of the Council are cunning. They might harm you there. So better be safe than sorry.”

Napatango na lang si Blythe. “Thanks.”

“Don’t say that, Your Highness. It’s an honor to serve you.”

“Honor?”

Ngumiti si Ezralyn. “When others found out that we had already become friends, they envied me. Protecting and serving the Queen is an honor for me and my Wolf, Your Highness. So, just let me serve and protect you until my last breath.”

“There will be no last breath, Ez. One day, you will find your mate. You two will eventually get married and have kids. Of course, your family will be your top priority.”

“Then I won’t get married and have kids, Your Highness. I will forever serve and protect you.” Desididong sabi ni Ezralyn.

Hindi na nakipag-argumento si Blythe at napailing na lang. She knew that one day, Ezralyn would find her mate, get married and have kids. After all, there is no forever. Everything has its limits.

Kusang gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ni Blythe nang maramdaman niya ang presensiya ni Lawrence na pumasok sa loob ng kwarto.

“Your Majesty,” Ezralyn greeted the Alpha King and bowed her head. Then she took a three-step backward before she left the room.

“You're beautiful.” Puri ni Lawrence kay Blythe.

Umikot paharap si Blythe kay Lawrence. “What can you say?”

“Gorgeous.”

Ngumiti si Blythe. “Yeah, but I won’t wear that heel.” Sabay turo niya sa three inches na high heels.

“I know you don’t like to wear it. So, I bought a flat shoe for you, My Queen.” Then Lawrence opened the box he was holding, revealing a pair of beautiful green flat shoes. “Sit on the edge of the bed. I will wear it for you.”

Kaagad namang tumalima si Blythe.

Lumuhod naman si Lawrence sa harapan ni Blythe saka isinuot rito ang sapatos na binili niya para rito. “There. Comfortable?”

Tumango si Blythe. “Thank you, Ren.”

Lawrence smiled. “Anything for my mate.” Then he stood up and wore a black mask that covered his eyes.

“Why are you wearing a mask?” tanong ni Blythe. “You’re handsome. Bakit mo tinatakpan ang kagwapuhan mo? Was it a tradition?”

Napangiti si Lawrence sa narinig niyang papuri sa kaniya ng mate niya. “It’s not a tradition. But I have already got used to wearing a mask when going to a party or any gathering.”

“Oh.” Nasabi na lang ni Blythe. Then she took the initiative to hold Lawrence’s hand.

“Let’s go, My Queen.”

Lumabas sila ng kwarto at nagtungo sa Elder’s Hall. Beta Cade, Gamma Ezra and the other pack warriors are escorting them.

Meanwhile, the Elders who hosted the party were having a conversation.

“Do you think His Majesty will come?” Elder Silas asked.

Elder Aragorn, the one who picked the right woman for His Majesty, smiled proudly. “Of course, His Majesty will come. It’s time for him to get married. And we found the right woman for him.”

Napailing na lang si Elder Maximus. “I heard that he had already found his mate. If you continue doing this, your plan will be in vain.” Aniya saka lumayo. Ayaw niyang sumali sa usapan ng mga kasama niya.

Calix took a glass of champagne from the servant and walked towards Maximus. Nakita naman ni Aslan ang dalawa kaya nilapitan niya ito.

“How’s life?” Aslan asked Calix and Maximus. “You two looked like you were bored.”

Calix sighed. “If I was not part of the Council I wouldn’t come here.”

“Yeah,” sang-ayon ni Maximus saka napabuntong hininga. “Otto and Silas are pushing His Majesty to get married, but I think their plan will just be in vain tonight.”

Kumunot ang nuo ni Aslan at Calix.

“What do you mean?”

Ngumiti lang si Maximus. “Nothing. But before anything else, after that night, get ready for a change.” Aniya saka sumimsim ng alak.

Marami ang mga nandito sa Elder Hall’s. The Elders invited the Alphas and Lunas of different packs.

Napailing si Aslan. This will be a trouble. Aniya.

Then everyone went silent when they felt the powerful aura enter the Elder’s Hall. Everyone could feel the oozing confidence, dangerous and powerful aura of the Alpha King.

“Your Majesty!”

The Elders bowed their head. While everyone, except the Elders, dropped to their knees and bowed to the Alpha King. Kasama ang Alpha King ang Beta at Gamma nito pati na ang mga pack warriors. They are all familiar with their presence, but they could feel another presence… a unique presence, but they couldn’t see any stranger from the Alpha King’s entourage.

“Rise.” A simple yet powerful voice from the Alpha King made everyone feel fear.

Everyone rises.

“Your Majesty, I’m glad that you came.” Ani Elder Silas.

Tumango si Lawrence. “I came here for two reasons.”

Ngumiti si Elder Silas. He ignored the Alpha King’s word. “Your Majesty, please have a seat.” Iminuwestra niya ang mataas na upuan sa mahabang lamesa.

Lawrence looked at Ezra. Ezra nodded and walked behind the Alpha King. Then he looked at the Beta. Cade just nodded at Ezra.

Umupo naman si Lawrence sa upuan na nakalaan para sa kaniya. Cade and Ezra stood behind the Alpha King.

Elder Silas went to the platform and took the microphone. “Good evening. I thank everyone for coming here. We hosted this party to introduce to you the next Queen of werewolves.”

As of cue, a woman emerged on the stage. The woman was beautiful, but for Lawrence, his mate was more beautiful. Blythe had a unique beauty. Napansin na niya ito noong una pero dahil siguro sa isa itong Nymph, kakaiba ang taglay nitong ganda.

“Your Majesty, the Queen they picked for you was beautiful.” Nakangising sabi sa kaniya ni Ezra.

Lawrence clicked his tongue.

“I am presenting you Alaina – “

“Hold on.” Isang boses mula kay Lawrence ang narinig kaya napatigil si Elder Silas sa pagsasalita.

“And here comes the start of the trouble.” Sabi ni Elder Aslan saka napailing. Wala siyang balak makisawsaw sa kaganapan na ‘to kaya tahimik lang siya.

“Aslan, is it just me or do I see the Gamma acting strangely?” Maximus asked.

Tumingin naman si Aslan sa kinaroroonan ng Gamma ng Night Moon Pack. Napansin niyang iba ang galaw ng Gamma. Most of the pack warriors who were with the Alpha King were all standing straight with their hands on their backs, including Beta Cade, but as for the Gamma… Umiling siya. “He’s weird.”

Napatango si Maximus. “Forget it. Let’s just focus on what’s happening now.”

“Your Majesty, do you have any concern?” tanong ni Elder Silas.

The guests were looking at the Alpha King and Elder Silas. Sobrang tahimik ng Elder’s Hall na para bang may dumaang anghel sa sobrang katahimikan. Eveyrone could feel the rising tension even though no one was arguing. Hindi tuloy alam ng mga bisita kung nararamdaman ba ng mga Elders ang galit na nararamdaman ng Alpha King o sinadya kayang ayaw lang ng mga itong pansinin ang nararamdaman ng Alpha King.

Alpha Josiah couldn’t help himself to shake his head. The Elders are asking for trouble for themselves.

“Like what I have said earlier, I have two reasons why I attended this party hosted by you, Elder Silas.” Malamig na saad ni Lawrence. “First reason, I came here as respect to all the Elders of the Council and to show respect to the woman you dragged into this mess.”

Alaina gasped. Natutop niya ang kaniyang labi. She was hoping that the Alpha King wouldn’t agree to this marriage. After all, she was forced by her father to be here. Hindi rin naman niya gusto na nandito siya. She was praying that the Alpha King wouldn’t accept her. Though she will be a laughingstock, she can’t be with a man who is not her mate.

“Second reason, I’m here to announce something,” Lawrence said.

“Your Majesty,” Elder Otto stood from his seat, “ano ang ibig mong sabihin? This is not a mess. This is an engagement party for you.”

Natawa ng mahina si Lawrence. “Engagement party without my consent?” he asked in a cold voice. “Elders, though I am young, and I still have a lot to learn to lead my people. But invading my privacy is being disrespect to me. Werewolves have mates, and we do not carry out arranged marriages. Ano ang ibig niyong sabihin na may pinili kayong babae para sa akin na papakasalan ko? Elders, mukhang nakakalimutan niyo na yata kung sino ako? At mukhang nakalimutan niyo na rin yata na buhay pa ang aking ina? Kung may taong magdesisyon man sa pagpapakasal ko, ‘yon ang aking ina dahil buhay pa siya.”

Josiah was smiling. That’s my best friend!

“But the Former Queen already live-in seclusion, Your Majesty,” Elder Sauron wanted to reason.

“Yes, she is now living in seclusion, but she’s not dead yet!” Lumakas ang boses ni Lawrence.

Everyone inside the hall was now feeling the tension.

“I refused to marry the woman you picked for me. I have my mate, and she will be the only one I will love for the rest of my life.” May diing saad ni Lawrence. “Sorry to disappoint you, Council.”

Nakahinga ng maluwang si Alaina.

“If you don’t marry my daughter, Your Majesty, it would be a disgrace to her.”

“Disgrace?” Lawrence was confused. “Alpha Absalon, are you hearing yourself? How could it be a disgrace to her? We have never seen each other until now, and I never touched her.” Tumango siya. “I understand your concern, Alpha Absalon, you are protecting your daughter’s dignity, and I admire you for that. But let me ask you, are you willing for your daughter to be married to me, and in the future, once I find my real mate, will I cut my bond with her? If that's the case in the future, then she will be a disgrace.”

Natahimik si Alpha Absalon dahil totoo ang sinabi ng Alpha King. He looked at his daughter and he could see in his daughter’s eyes that she was also reluctant. But before he could voice his opinion, Elder Silas’ voice was heard.

“If you don’t want to marry Alaina, then you have to abdicate your throne, Your Majesty.”

Nagulat ang lahat.

Lawrence fisted. “Abdicate?” He growled.

They were cutting off my father’s legacy.