His Beloved Queen

CHAPTER 7

WHEN Connor finds out Serenity is missing, he went to the forest where Serenity's butler told him that she went to the forest behind the orphanage before she got missing. Nang makapasok siya sa loob ng gubat. He called Serenity's name many times but there were no reponse.

The forest was quiet.

Serenity went missing yesterday. Nang malaman niya na nawawala ito kaninang umaga, mabilis siyang umalis sa pack para hanapin si Serenity. Kasama niya si Hunter na naghahanap kay Serenity.

"Maybe she was kidnapped already," Hunter said.

Malakas ang ulan kagabi kaya wala ng trace ang amoy ni Serenity. He can't track her scent. Napabuga siya ng hangin.

"I don't know if she's kidnapped or not. She's been here before. This is her playground. Sigurado akong pamilyar siya sa lahat ng sulok ng kagubatan na 'to," sabi ni Connor. "At kaibigan niya rin ang mga hayop sa gubat na 'to," dagdag niya.

Nagtaka si Hunter. "What do you mean? Paano mo nalaman na pamilyar siya sa gubat na 'to? Did you meet her before? And why are we searching for her anyway?"

Connor looked at Hunter. "You have many questions. But I have only one answer. She is my mate."

Natigilan si Hunter. "Your mate?" Hindi makapaniwalang saad niya.

Tumango si Connor. "So, we need to find her as soon as possible." Tumingin siya sa mga pack warriors na kasama nila. "Split into two groups. The other group, grow with Hunter while the other group, come with me. We need to my find my mate before dusk."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

They split into two groups. Hunter's group went the to the left side of the forest and Connor's group went to the right side of the forest. The heavy rain yesterday washed everything. Hindi mapapanatag si Connor hangga't hindi niya nakikita ang mate niya. Alpha is also uneasy. He wanted to take over his body but he's controlling him.

Serenity disappeared here in the forest. Could it be that she encountered danger? Rogues?

Connor sighed deeply. Sana maayos ang kalagayan ni Serenity.

Connor was disappointed that day because they couldn't find Serenity. Napabuntong hininga na lang siya nang makababa siya ng sasakyan. Pumasok siya sa loob ng pack house at umupo sa living room. Napuntahan nila ang lahat ng sulok ng gubat kung saan pumasok si Serenity pero hindi nila ito nakita. There’s no trace of her. Walang palatandaan kung may aksidente bang nangyari rito o wala.

"Connor, don't lose your hope. We could find her."

Napabuga siya ng hangin at tumingin kay Hunter. "I'm not losing my hope. I'm waiting for her for more than a hundred years now. If I know that she is my mate eleven years ago. I shouldn't have think about the problem before. Kinuha ko na lang sana siya para hindi na siya nailayo sa akin. Now that I learned that she's my mate, she went missing."

Umupo si Hunter sa tabi ni Connor. Tinapik niya ang balikat nito. "If she's lucky enough then she will survive whatever she encountered in that forest."

Tumango si Connor.

The next day, Connor went to that forest again to find Serenity but until dusk, he couldn't find her. He's worried sick and anxious because he couldn't find her.

Now, this is the third day that Serenity is missing.

"Your Majesty."

Napatingin siya kay Gianna na lumapit sa kaniya. Yumukod ito. "What's the matter?" tanong niya.

"Your Majesty, an invitation arrived."

Kumunot ang nuo ni Connor. "Invitation?" Kinuha niya ang iniaabot ni Gianna na white envelope.

"Invitation from the Hendrix Moon Pack, King. Alpha Chase has already found his mate but..."

"But what?" Connor opened the white envelope and read the invitation.

"His mate is a human."

Natigilan si Connor. "What?"

Tumango si Gianna. "That's what I have heard, King. Alpha Chase' mate is a human but I also heard that his mate has a unique beauty. His mate has an unrivaled beauty that including his claimed mate, Hailey, is not match to that Lady's beauty."

Natawa si Connor. "Really?" Binasa niya ang envelope. "The ceremony of confinement is two days from now. Hindi ba masyadong mabilis? His mate is a human. Is his mate know about werewolf?"

Umiling si Gianna. "I don't know, King. Forgive me." Gianna bowed. "But I heard that his mate came from Wolf Hunters. I am not sure but that's what I have heard."

"Interesting." Aniya. He wanted to go to watch the fun but most importantly now is his mate. He sighed. "Gianna, tell this to Hunter. I will also bring Rowan with me, so as the Beta Female of this pack, I will leave the pack to you."

Yumukod si Gianna. "At your service, Your Majesty."

Tumango si Connor at napatitig sa invitation na nasa kamay niya. He suddenly felt uneasy.

IT'S been five days since she was kidnapped by that Alpha. She's not allowed to go out from this room. May naghahatid naman sa kaniya ng pagkain pero konti lang ang kinakain niya dahil hindi niya alam baka may inilagay pa sila doon na lason. Gusto niyang tumakas pero alam niyang hindi siya makakatakas dahil mahigpit ang bantay ng mga tauhan nito sa labas ng kwarto niya at mayroon rin sa bintana.

Nangalumbaba siya habang nakatingin siya sa labas ng kwarto niya. Nasa tabi siya ng bintana. Ano kaya ang gagawin niya para makaalis siya sa lugar na 'to? Ayaw niya rito. Napahawak siya sa pisngi niya. Naghilom na ang sugat niya na likha ni Hailey. Hindi naman nag-iwan ng peklat ang silver knife na ginamit nito. Mabuti na lang at hindi ito pumupunta sa kwarto niya. Ayaw niya itong makita mas lalo na ang Chase na 'yon.

Kumuyom ang kamay niya habang naalala ang ginawa nito noong isang araw sa kaniya.

Serenity is reading a book when her room's door suddenly opened. Pumasok si Chase na namumula ang mata. Halatang naka-inom ito. Napalunok siya at kinabahan.

"Serenity, come here."

Mabilis na umalis ng kama si Serenity at lumayo kay Chase. Chase suddenly locked the door.

"This is bad," mahina niyang saad sa sarili. "Amira, help me."

'Don't worry. He can't do anything to do as long as I am here.'

'Thanks.'

'Too early to say thanks.' Sabi ni Amira.

"Come here, you human. Let's have some fun." Nakangising sabi ni Chase.

Hindi nagsalita si Serenity at nanatiling nakatingin kay Chase. Inoobserbahan niya ang mga kilos nito. Mukhang nasa impluwensiya ito ng alak.

Napasinghap si Serenity nang bigla na lang nasa harapan niya si Chase. Hinawakan nito ang magkabilang balikat niya saka siya nito itinulak sa kama. Napahiga siya sa kama. Babangon sana siya pero mabilis na dumagan sa kaniya si Chase.

"You are my mate so I can do whatever I want to you," sabi ni Chase habang nakangisi.

"Let go." She's trying to push Chase but given that he's a man, mas malakas pa rin ito sa kaniya.

Serenity didn't want her dignity to be tarnished by a bad man so she asked Amira's help.

'Amira, help me. Do something.'

Pilit niyang iniiwas ang mukha nang tangkain siya nitong halikan.

'Let me take over.'

'Okay. Do it now.'

She suddenly felt a change in her emotion and body. Amira forcefully pushed Chase away from them. Napalakas yata ang pagtulak ni Amira kay Chase dahil tumalsik pa ito sa pader. At mukhang nawalan ito ng malay nang bumagsak na ito sa sahig. Gulat na napabangon si Serenity mula sa kama at nanlaki ang kaniyang mata. Napatingin siya sa sariling kamay.

"Amira, did you do that?"

'Of course, I did. He deserves it. That bastard!' Sabi ni Amira.

Serenity sighed. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang naghihintay sa kaniya sa lugar na 'to. Ngayon naintindihan na niya kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng kaniyang ina nang sabihin nito na may sarili siyang pananaw sa mga tao at nangyayari sa paligid niya. At may sarili siyang desisyon na kung anuman ang kalalabasan ng desisyon niya ay kailangan niyang tanggapin.

Now that someone claimed her as his mate, he doesn’t like her and she feels the same. Ayaw niyang maging mate si Alpha Chase dahil sa ugali nito. Alam niyang balang araw ay siya ang mahihirapan. At mukhang hindi rin ito mapagkakatiwalaan kaya ayaw niya rito. It's either she will reject him or he will reject her. But how will she reject her, Amira can't even take over her body for a long period of time because she's sealed inside her.

Napatingin siya sa pinto nang bumukas ito at pumasok ang isang babae. Yumukod ito. "Luna."

"Don't call me that. I am not your Luna." Aniya.

Hindi pinansin ng babae ang sinabi niya. "Luna, here's your dress." Inilapag nito ang isang white box sa kama. "Please, wear it for your confinement tomorrow."

Kumunot ang nuo ni Serenity. "Confinement?" Nagtataka niyang saad. "Confinement of what?"

"Confinement of being a Luna of this pack," sabad ni Hailey na nasa pintuan.

"Nonsense! I don't want to be your Luna." Aniya.

"Well, it's the Alpha's order. Wala kang magagawa kung hindi ang sumunod," nakangising sabi ni Hailey at umalis.

Yumukod naman ang babae na nagdala ng damit niya at umalis.

Kumuyom ang kamay ni Serenity. Binuksan niya ang kahon at nakita niya ang isang magandang damit na kulay asul. She needed to plan. Kailangan niyang umalis sa pack na 'to pagkatapos ng pesteng confinement na 'yan. Hindi siya papayag na dito na lang siya. She knew that sooner or later, Alpha Chase' pack member will humiliate her and bully her. Hindi niya hahayaan na mangyari ang mga 'yon sa kaniya.

Like what her mother told her in her dream, her journey has just begun. Ibig sabihin ay marami pa siyang pagdadaanan. She won't just end up in this Hendrix Moon Pack. She knew that she has mission in this world and in the world of werewolves.

The next day is Serenity's confinement and it will be held at night. Doon lang siya pinayagan ni Chase na lumabas ng kwarto. She's wearing a full-length blue gown and she has a small tiara on her head. She saw Hailey and she's also wearing a blue gown like her. Kumunot ang nuo niya.

'Seren, I sensed that there will be a big happening tonight.' Sabi ni Amira.

'Tell me that we can get out here tonight.'

'Hmm... I don't know.' Amira said.

Serenity sighed. 'You crushed my hope.' Aniya.

She saw that Amira just laughed at her. Napailing na lang siya.

"Let's acknowledge the presence of our King. King Connor Greyson!"

Nanlaki ang mata ni Serenity dahil sa narinig.

King Connor Greyson? Connor Greyson? King?

"The king of werewolves. He's here."

Napatingin siya sa mga taga-Hendrix Moon Pack na nasa living room. King of Werewolves?

"I heard he hadn't found his mate yet. Many girls from different pack are going after him but he doesn't like any of them."

Connor Greyson? It's you.

'Lucky you, you met him.' Amira said. 'I like him.'

'Shut it, Amira. Hindi ito ang panahon para lumandi. Kailangan nating mag-isip ng paraan upang maakalis sa lugar na 'to ngayong gabi.'

'How about if we ask his help?' Amira suggested.

'How can we ask his help?' Tinignan niya ang dalawang pack warrior na nagbabantay sa kaniya. 'Hindi nga tayo iniiwan ng dalawang 'yan.'

'Let's crushed them.'

Serenity sighed. 'Amira, even if I wanted to but we can't. Masyadong maraming nakakakita rito.'

"Get ready."

Napatingin si Serenity kay Chase nang lumapit ito sa kaniya. "What?"

"Your confinement is about to begin."

"Chase, just let me go. I don't want this."

"And what if I don't?" Chase asked.

Napabuga ng hangin si Serenity.

"Don't worry, I will let you go tonight but it depends on your luck." Nakangising sabi ni Chase.

"What do you mean? Anong plano mo?" tanong ni Serenity. Nararamdaman niya na may gagawin si Chase. Kailangan niyang maging handa sa kung anuman 'yon.

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Chase. "You will know later. Let's go." Hinawakan nito ang pulsuhan niya saka siya nito hinila. "Don't cause any trouble and do what will I say. Understood?"

Tumingin si Serenity kay Chase.

"Understood?!" Lumakas ang boses ni Chase.

Serenity sighed. "Understood."

Ngumisi si Chase.

CONNOR felt more uneasy the moment he entered the Hendrix Moon Pack. Umupo siya sa designated seat niya habang nasa tabi niya si Hunter at Rowan. Napabuga siya ng hangin. He felt uneasy because until now he didn't yet find his mate. He sent half of his pack warriors to find Serenity. Sana lang pagbalik niya sa Greyson Golden Pack ay may magandang balita ang mga ito.

Tumingin siya sa paligid at nakita niyang halos lahat ng mga Alpha at Luna ng lahat ng pack ay nandito sa Hendrix Moon Pack. Confinement of a Luna is a big celebration. The Alpha and a Luna is the foundation of a pack. Without a Luna and Alpha, it wouldn't be call as pack.

Bigla siyang natigilan nang malanghap niya ang pamilyar na amoy.

"Serenity?" Mabilis siyang napatayo.

"King, what's the matter?" tanong ni Hunter.

"I inhaled her scent."

"Ah?"

"Serenity is here."

Mabilis naman na tumingin si Hunter at Rowan sa paligid.

"But impossible, King. Serenity..." Hunter cut off his own words when he realized something. "Could it be?"

Huminga ng malalim si Connor. Hindi siya maaaring magkamali, ang pamilyar na amoy na nalalanghap niya ay nagmumula kay Serenity. Kumuyom ang kamay niya. Kapag may ginawa si Chase kay Serenity, papatayin niya ito sa harapan ng lahat.

"Welcome, Alphas, Lunas and everyone. Tonight, is a big celebration for Hendrix Moon Pack because tonight is the confinement of our Luna," the Beta of Hendrix Moon Pack announced.

Everyone clapped their hands.

"So, let's welcome our Alpha. Alpha Chase Hendrix together with his Luna, Serenity."

Lumabas mula sa pack house ang mga tinawag. Napatayo si Connor nang makitang si Serenity ang hawak-hawak ni Alpha Chase. Napatingin sa kaniya si Serenity at nagtama ang mata nilang dalawa.

Serenity, why is it you? All of the women? Why did you become his mate?