KABANATA 11

“Let’s go for a run?” Diana asked while stretching.

“Tara! Matagal tagal na din akong hindi tumatakbo,” sabi ni Sheena.

“Saan po tayo pupunta?” Ethan asked curiously.

“Since mainit init, doon tayo sa natural cold spring?” Diana suggested.

“Yes!” masayang sagot ni Sheena.

“We’ll drive hanggang sa entrance ng forest. Tapos sa bandang gitna na tayo magshift,” saad ni Diana.

Ethan followed them. To be honest, he's very excited because this time he have acquaintances.

Si Ethan ang nagprisintang magdrive. B City has a lot of forest compare to C City but Ethan was glad because in C City, they were living in a place with good environment.

Diana was instructing him we're would they be parking their car. After making sure that no one followed them, they found a place where to put their clothes and shift.

Ethan went away from the couple and he shifted after peeling off his clothes. After he shifted, he saw two gray wolves. They were both almost identical and Ethan was much larger than them.

The couple were shocked to see Ethan's form. They both thought that he would really make a good Alpha.

Diana took the lead and the two followed her. They run freely and fast. They checked if there's a people around the cold spring. When they confirmed there's no one, they Sheena and Diana dove into the water.

Ethan watched them and he checked the water with his paw first. When he thought that it's okay, he dove too. He felt so refreshed and he almost howled in satisfaction.

After a couple of minutes enjoying the refreshing cold water against their fur, they heard rustle of footsteps from a kilometer away because of their sharp hearing. Diana signaled them with her head towards the direction where they left their clothes.

They went out of the water, shook, their body and started running. The wind almost dried their fur. After shifting back to human and wearing their clothes, Ethan let out a laugh.

“That was fun!” Ethan said while laughing.

Ngumiti si Sheena at hinaplos ang likod ni Ethan.

“Tara na, balik na sa sasakyan,” sabi ni Diana.

They drove back home and Ethan was bursting with energy.

“I’ll cook,” sabi ni Sheena.

“Ako na po, ma,” sabi ni Ethan habang tumayo sa kaniyang kinauupuan.

“Ako na,” nakangiting sinabi ni Sheena at nagpatungo sa kusina.

Hinawakan ni Diana ang kamay ni Ethan at hinila niya ito ng mahina para umupo.

“You need to know how to control your emotions,” Diana said.

Ethan turned to look at her and he gave her his attention.

“Your extreme emotions will change your eye color into golden,” Diana continued.

“Oh...” Ethan said in understanding, now he know.

“At huwag na huwag mong sasabihin sa iba kung ano ka,” paalala ni Diana.

“Noted, nay,” Ethan held her hand to reassure her.

“Good. Now, ask me anything,” saad ni Diana.

“Anong edad po kayo noong first shift niyo?” tanong agad ni Ethan.

“15 years old. Most of the werewolves first shift is at the age of 13-18 years old,” sagot ni Diana na naging sanhi ng pagkalito ni Ethan.

“I’m 20 years old...” he said while looking confusedly at Diana.

Diana pursed her lips before saying, “... I don't know what is the reason behind that.”

Ethan said, “Maybe my lost memories have the answer to that.”

Nspabuntong-hininga na lamang si Diana at tinapik nang marahan ang likuran ni Ethan.

“Yung mga nakasama po natin kagabi, are they... like us?” Ethan asked reluctantly.

Napaisip muna si Diana bago tumango ng marahan.

“So there are a lot of us pala,” Ethan whispered, somehow feeling relieved.

“Mas marami dati...” Diana said softly.

Napakunot ang noo ni Ethan. “Ano pong nangyari?”

“Do you want me to tell you about the ranks of werewolves?” Diana asked, changing the topic.

Ethan felt that Diana was purposely avoiding the topic and he didn't ask anymore. He just nodded at Diana.

“Well there are Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Pack warriors and Omega.”

Ethan was suddenly curious and he's on all ears.

“Alpha is the leader of the pack, they're the strongest. Beta is the second in command, second strongest while Gamma is the third. The name says it all, pack warriors, the fighters. And omega were house servants and workers.” Diana explained briefly. Then she remembered something and said, “Oh and there's Luna, the mate of the alpha and also the Elders.”

“Oh...” Ethan said while processing everything quickly. The asked, “Then, aren't you guys supposed to be in one place?”

“Hindi ko muna masasagot yan sa ngayon. Sorry, Ethan,” sabi ni Diana at nag-iwas ng tingin.

Ethan thought silently for a moment then asked, “Then... Anong rank niyo po?” Ethan asked softly.

“Sheena and I are one of the pack warriors,” Diana said.

“Then you two must be strong,” Ethan said amusedly.

“Not that strong, If we were strong...” Diana stopped.

Ethan titled his head slightly. Nararamdaman niya talagang marami pa siyang hindi nalalaman. He really must recover his lost memories now.

“Kain na tayo.” sabi ni Sheena na biglang sumulpot.

Kahit na nalilito, sumilay pa rin ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Ethan. Tinapik niya ang kamay ni Diana bago tumayo at puntahan si Sheena sa dining room.

While eating, Ethan remembered to ask something he has been meaning to ask. “Kilala niyo po ba kung sinong biological parents ko?”

Sheena frozed and Diana took a sip from her glass of water.

“N-no,” Sheena said.

Diana was calm, as if she was prepared to answer this question. “We don't know, sorry.”

Ethan felt a bit disappointed. “It’s fine,” he said while forcing a smile.

They silently finished their dinner and went to do their things individually.

Ethan felt bored and somehow kind of distressed. He went outside to buy cigarettes.

Habang nakatayo siya sa labas ng sari-sari store, naalala niya yung nangyari sa kanya noong nakaraan na bumili siya ng yosi. Bumakas sa kaniyang utak ang pangyayari na iyon. Pagkatapos niyang bumili ng yosi, dali-dali siyang umuwi.

He went to his room and walked to the balcony. He lit a cigarette and took a puff. His mind was starting to wander.

Given that he is a werewolf, his parents were like him too, that's for sure. But the question is, why did he lost his memories? Why did his parents leave him somewhere in a park? He is sure that there's a reason, he really tried to understand his parents but he is still confused.

He put the fire of the cigarette out and he went to the bathroom to wash his face with cold water. He look at the mirror and started at his reflection for a couple of seconds.

He thought, “Why can't you remember anything?”

He washed his face again but he can’t wash away his troubled feelings with just cold water. He took a deep breath and went to their gym at the basement.

He secured his hands wind hand wraps and he wore the black boxing gloves. He looked at the punching bag with his dark eyes and he executed a single punch. With that single punch, he felt that he's craving for more. He punched it again and he hopped in satisfaction.

For the next five days, no cigarette, running, boxing, cold water, or anything that can calm him down. He felt so restless and aggressive. He's also sleep deprived.

“Nay, ma, balik na po ako sa B City.” sabi ni Ethan habang inuunat ang kaniyang mga kamay.

“Hatid ka na namin,” sabi ni Diana at umalis para kunin ang susi ng kanilang kotse.

Nang makasakay na silang lahat sa kotse, nagsalita so Sheena. “Ethan, don't force yourself to remember your past okay? I’m sure you will get your memories back.”

“Opo, ma,” mahinang sagot ni Ethan habang tumitingin sa labas. Gustong-gusto na niyang makita si Alpas.

“Nay ako na pong mag-drive?” tanong ni Ethan.

Tumawa si Diana at sinabing, “It looks like someone is eager to see their mate. Ako nalang, nak. Baka mabangga pa tayo sa pagmamadali mo.”

Ethan laughed because what Diana said was the truth. He massaged his temples and he leaned back, trying to calm down. It's ironic because he thought being away from Alpas would calm his nerves but he was wrong—so wrong. Now, he was restless and itching to hug his mate close to him.

He closed his eyes and clasped his slightly trembling hands together. The whole car ride felt like a year. It wasn't an exaggeration, Ethan can't wait to see his mate.

“Tuloy po kayo, nay, ma.” sabi ni Ethan. Pinigilan niya ang kaniyang sarili na tumakbo papasok sa bahay.

Restraining himself is kind of draining him.

“Sa susunod na lang, nak. May kailangan pa kaming puntahan,” sabi ni Diana.

“Ethan, ah? Remember what I said. Don't force Alpas into anything,” Sheena reminded with her soft voice.

“Yes, ma. Bye po. I'll see you again soon. Nay, ingat po,” Ethan said before going out of the car.

Ethan waved at the couple before fishing the key from his pocket. The moment he open the house, he ran into Alpas room and he didn't see anyone. He checked the whole house but he didn't see Alpas.

He frowned and thought that maybe Alpas went out with his friends or co-teachers. He forced himself to calm down. He went back to Alpas’ room and he curled himself under the fluffy blanket. Ethan’s restlessness was slowly fading when he inhaled his mate’s scent. He smiled to himself and he slowly fell asleep.

ㅡ to be continued.