KABANATA 19

“Kailan ba ‘to matatapos?!” reklamo ni Alpas habang naluluha ang kaniyang mga mata.

Natawa lang si Ethan sa kaniya at hinawakan ang tagiliran ni Alpas para suportahan siya. Natawa si Ethan dahil kahit na nagrereklamo si Alpas, hindi niya mapigilan ang paggalaw ng kaniyang katawan sa itaas ni Ethan.

“You’re enjoying this, aren't you?!” galit na sinabi ni Alpas.

“Love, it looks like you're enjoying it too,” Ethan replied with a chuckle.

Alpas pressed Ethan's abdomen with his palm while moving his hips up and down.

“Ngh... Who told you to be this big... Haah,” Alpas cried.

Ethan laughed and he guided Alpas’ movements. When the right spot was hit, Alpas trembled and his hip movement increased pace.

Ethan squeezed Alpas’ waist firmly as he watched his mate with heated gaze.

“Ahh!” Alpas’ head fell backwards and his member shot the thick liquid on Ethan's torso.

After that, he fell on top of Ethan. Ethan pulled out and he released it outside.

With a heavy breath, Alpas whispered, “Ethan...”

“Hmm?” Ethan asked while stroking Alpas’ hair.

“Nothing. I just wanted to call your name,” Alpas said softly.

Napangiti si Ethan at nilapatan niya ng halik ang noo ni Alpas.

“Let’s eat?” Ethan asked.

Alpas whined. “No.”

“Kailangan mong kumain,” sabi ni Ethan.

“Hmm. Ayaw,” Alpas said tiredly and his eyes were slowly closing.

“Alpas,” Ethan warned.

“Gusto kong matulog, please,” bulong ni Alpas.

Ethan sighed and he didn't ask him anymore. It's been 6 days since Alpas’ full heat started. Laging tinatanggian ni Alpas ang pagkain. The couple said it's normal but Ethan can't stop himself but to worry.

Alpas’ intensified scent was slowly going back to normal. He knew that Alpas is now moving on to post-heat stage.

He gently placed Alpas beside him and he stood up to get a wet towel. When he came back, he carefully cleaned his mate's body before bending down to kiss the permanent mark he left.

Then he cleaned himself. Before he can even settle back down, he heard a knock.

Sinuot niya ang kaniyang mga damit bago pumunta sa pintuan ng bahay. Binuksan niya ito at nabigla ng makita niya ang mga nasa labas.

“Huh?” nagtatakang binanggit ni Ethan.

“Hello, son,” the man said with his deep voice.

Ethan shot him a questioning look. He was starting to doubt himself—he thought that his ears were playing tricks with him. The couple who's outside right now were the one he saw during his graduation celebration.

“Paano niyo po nalaman na nandito ako?” tanong ni Ethan habang binigyan sila ng daan para makapasok sila.

“Sheena,” maikling sagot nito.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Oh, tapos tinawag niyo akong...” he paused.

“You heard it right,” the woman said softly while sitting down on the sofa.

Ethan's jaw tensed. “Paano po yun naging posible? Huwag niyo po akong lolokohin. Ni hindi ko nga po natanong yung pangalan niyo noong huli ko kayong nakita.”

“Sorry. Thiago Rivera and this is your mother, Alwina,” sabi ni Thiago.

Ethan's head throbbed when he heard those names. He felt like he heard those names many times before.

“Don’t expect me to believe you,” Ethan said.

“Sorry because you were left behind the park. Let me explain everything to you,” Thiago said.

Ethan was stunned, he never told anyone that except for Alpas. He looked at Thiago suspiciously but his heart was pounding. He didn't say anything.

“Let’s start from the beginning. I admit it's all my fault,” Thiago said and Alwina held his hand in comfort.

Ethan gulped and his instict was somehow telling him to believe the man in front of him.

“Hindi namin alam kung paano nagawa ng mga tao ang nangyari 7 years ago,” sabi ni Thiago bago huminga ng malalim.

“They were so advanced that they have a strategy on how did they attack us. Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang mga pangyayari noon,” he paused. “Back then we leave in the woods—us, and together with our pack. We were living peacefully until the humans and their crazy inventions caused havoc. They started killing everyone without any mercy. As an alpha, I didn't even know how to protect everyone back then. I feel so helpless.”

“Us, and the survivors ran away from our home. The humans were so advance that they can even weaken our inhuman strength with just a single shot.”

Napasandal si Ethan. “And my memories?”

“Ethan, you lost your memories because of your grandfather,” marahang sinabi ni Alwina.

Ethan’s heart dropped when he remembered the memory he regained when he saw the injection.

“We didn't know what he did to you,” banggit ni Thiago.

“After we left the woods, we went to your mother's house. And the other werewolves scattered and live in different cities. Nakabawi naman ako and I have learned how to run a business properly. But then your scientist grandfather saw you shift for the first time,” Thiago said.

“Sa kagustuhan naming pagsamahan ulit yung mga dati nating kasama sa iisang lugar lang, naging sobrang busy kami ng mama mo noon sa business and you actually shifted at 13. You were really born to be the next Alpha of our pack.”

“Then we didn't know where did your grandfather brought you when you shifted. We didn't even see your wolf for the first time. And the worst part is I can't even kill him because he has the information about you,” he sighed, it's really painful for him.

“When he was bed ridden, he told us everything. He said that he tried many ways to develop a serum that would shut your wolf down and he also tried to erase your memories. He succeeded and he sent you away—giving you an identity with just your name and your birthday. I asked him what was the reason why he did those nasty things to you. And you know what's his answer? He said; he wanted you to live a normal life. He knows that kind of organization who tried to kill and wipe us all.”

“We spread the news to our pack members and help up find a child whose name is Ethan Keith Figueroa. Sheena and Diana found you and we were glad really.”

“Sheena and Diana both lost their mates during the incident and they found comfort with each other. Me and your mother thought that you can stay with them first while we arrange everything, we were also hoping that you will gain your memories and your wolf form back. Now that we have built the mansion with fully developed defenses, all the pack members were ready to move and we want to tell you everything.”

Ethan’s eyes were glowing and his mind was quickly processing everything but it's too much information. His head was throbbing and without him noticing, he was clawing his wrist.

Thiago stood up and hugged his trembling son. “I’m so sorry you had to went through all of that, son.”

Ethan’s tears fell down from his eyes. His memories came flooding his brain without warning and he pushed the man in front of him with great force. He’s experiencing severe headache and he's breathing was getting shallower.

“Ethan?” A soft voice spoke while walking towards Ethan.

Alpas saw the strangers but he didn't mind them, his focus was on Ethan who was having a breakdown.

Alpas bent down and gently wrapped his arms around Ethan.

Ethan inhaled his mate’s scent and it's soothing everything that hurts. He hugged Alpas back while glaring at the couple with his golden eyes. Half of his face was pressed against Alpas’s shoulder and his eyes were peeking.

“He’s your mate, right?” Thiago asked while approaching.

“Stop,” Ethan said with muffled voice.

Thiago paused and sighed. “I don't mean any harm, son.”

Alpas eyes widened and he tried to face Thiago but Ethan's hug was firm, he was squeezing his nape too.

“Ethan,” Alpas whispered softly.

“Don’t make me let go of you,” Ethan said.

“G-gusto ko lang batiin mga magulang mo,” sabi ni Alpas.

Ethan didn't know why he was being possessive, he just regained his memories and the couple in front of him were really his parents. Maybe because he doesn't want to share the comfort of Alpas? Anyhow, he sighed gently and he turned Alpas’ body to face his parents. He then placed Alpas on his lap and pressed his lips against his back.

Namula ang mga pisngi ni Alpas at sinubukan niyang kumawala sa yakap ni Ethan ngunit napakahigpit nito. He looked helplessly at Ethan's parents.

Natawa si Thiago at kinaway ang kaniyang kamay para iparating kay Alpas na ayos lang. “Alpas, right? It's nice to meet you.”

Alpas nodded, he was so flustered. “Nice to meet you din po...”

“Thiago, and this is Alwina,” pagpapakilala nito.

“Hi, Alpas. Mukhang tapos na nga ang heat mo? Sheena informed us about everything.” Alwina said gently.

Namula lalo si Alpas at kinurot si Ethan dahil sa hiya.

“Huwag kang mahiya. I experienced heat too even if I was a human. It's normal when you have met your mate but they haven't marked you. Ang pinagtataka lang namin, how is it possible for a guy to experience heat?” saad ni Alwina.

“M-may mali po ba sa’kin?” Alpas asked anxiously.

“Wala, don't worry. We think that you're special,” she replied with a smile.

Ethan rubbed soothing circles on his mate's stomach to assure him. Inayos niya ang pagka-upo ni Alpas at hinarap niya ito sa kaniya.

Pagkatapos, tumayo si Ethan at binuhat si Alpas patungo sa kwarto niya. Hiniga niya ito at kinumutan.

“Matulog ka muna, hmm? I know you're tired,” sabi ni Ethan at hinalikan niya ang noo ni Alpas.

He knew Alpas should be sleeping right now, his energy was drained because of the heat.

Alpas blinked and he raised his hand to caress Ethan's cheek.

“You’ll be fine, I'm always here for you...” Alpas mumbled sleepy.

Even though he's sleepy, hindi pa rin niya maiwasan na maisip ang nangyayari kay Ethan kanina. Gusto niyang magtanong kung anong nangyari pero parang nilalamon na siya ng tulog.

Ethan's heart warmed in appreciation and he leaned down to kiss Alpas’ lips. “Thanks, love.”

Alpas smiled. Gusto niyang manatiling gising kaso pabigat nang pabigat ang talukap ng kaniyang mga mata. Hindi kanlaunan ay pumikit din ito.

Ethan was caressing his mate's cheeks with the pad of his thumb.

Napabuntong-hininga ito at alam niyang kailangan nitong kausapin ang kaniyang mga magulang.

ㅡ to be continued.