KABANATA 23

Ethan greeted his beta named, Prince Rivera. It was his cousin whose parents died during the unexpected attack of the mysterious organization. Prince is tall but he's slightly shorter than Ethan. He has a good build just like Ethan and he always smile, showing his pearly white teeth. He has a always messy chocolate brown hair paired with dark brown eyes.

But don't get fooled with his smile because he surely have anger issues.

They both stood while watching the small pups running around the huge garden.

“Alpha, kailan uuwi rito si Luna?” tanong ni Prince.

“Just call me Ethan,” he said with a smile. Then he continued, “Pagkatapos siguro ng second sem ng mga estudyante niya.”

“Nakakapagtaka,” banggit ni Prince.

“Ang alin?” natatawang tanong ni Ethan.

“Bakit hindi mo na lang siya dinala agad dito? Kaladkarin mo, ikaw naman yung dominant eh. Tsaka mag-isa lang siya doon,” sabi ni Prince na tila bang nawala ang preno niya sa bibig.

Ethan's eyebrow twitched and he stared at Prince like he was out of his mind. Binatukan niya ito ng mahina, earning a soft hiss from his cousin.

“Hindi ko ugali ang pumilit ng tao, okay? At tsaka nagpapa-alam pa 'yun na lumipat dito,” sabi ni Ethan.

“Bakit ka nambabatok? Nagbibiro lang yung tao eh,” saad ni Prince ngunit hindi niya magawang taasan ang kaniyang boses.

“Nambibiro, tsk. Sa mga memorya na naaalala ko noong bata ako—wala talagang preno yang bibig mo. Kahit sino nga hindi mo inuurungan,” sabi ni Ethan.

Natawa na lang si Prince dahil ang sinabi ni Ethan ay tama. Sa katunayan nga—pati si Ethan ay naka-away na niya noong maliit pa lamang sila pero mukhang tunay na Alpha si Ethan dahil walang nakaka-pantay sa kaniyang lakas.

Ethan was chuckling too but he sensed a glare. He changed his expression immediately and he scanned his surroundings. He saw a tall teenager with a quite good build under the shade of a tree. The glare full of hatred was coming from him.

Hindi ito masisisi ni Ethan dahil ilang buwan pa lamang siya rito, pinakilala na agad siya ni Thiago bilang Alpha nila. Si Ethan ang mamamahala sa kanilang pack habang si Thiago ay pagtutuunan pa lalo ng pansin ang kumpanya. Sa hinaharap, magiging mabigat din ang responsibilidad ni Ethan sa kumpanya.

Nang dahil doon, hindi niya maiiwasan ang mga gustong umagaw sa kaniyang posisyon at ang mga may ayaw sa kaniya.

Ethan smiled softly at the teenager and he patted Prince back before turning around to leave.

“Sandali,” rinig ni Ethan na nanggaling sa binata.

Humarap si Ethan at napataas ang kaniyang kilay nang lumapit sa kaniya ang binata.

Prince was alerted and he stretched his arm instinctively to protect the Alpha.

“It's okay,” Ethan whispered while moving Prince's arm.

“I want to fight you,” sabi ng binata at tinitigan niya sa mata si Ethan.

“Sandali lang, Lael. Ayus-ayusin mo,” galit na sabi ni Prince.

“Lael? What a nice name. Sigurado ka ba?” tanong ni Ethan at napalingon sa kaniya si Prince.

Lael rolled his eyes, thinking that Ethan's gentleness wasn't real. An Alpha must be ruthless and strong, based on his sole knowledge. “Tsk. Sigurado, syempre.”

Nagalit lalo si Prince sa kaniyang narinig at akmang lalapit kay Lael. Pinigilan ito ni Ethan at tinulak ng mahina papunta sa kaniyang likuran.

“Kalma, Prince,” sabi ni Ethan at binaling niya muli ang atensyon niya kay Lael. “It's a rule after all. If you want to challenge me, then I'm up for it. Kapag nanalo ka, sayo ang title. Kapag nanalo ako, you know it,” sabi nito.

Ethan knew he have to prove to everyone that he is worthy of the title that he currently have. If he refused to fight, many will look down on him.

“Sure. Maghanda ka,” sabi ni Lael at umalis.

Natawa si Prince nang dahil sa kaniyang galit. “They're doubting your strength. Bakit ba kasi ang gentle mo? Magalit ka naman!”

Natawa si Ethan at humarap kay Prince. “I'm aware of their doubts. Pero Prince, I think you need to practice how to chill. At pwede ba, huwag mo akong ihalintulad sayo na laging galit,” sabi ni Ethan at pinisil ang balikat ni Prince.

Magsasalita pa sana si Prince nang may batang nadapa sa paanan ni Ethan. With his small frame, Ethan knew that he was an omega.

Ethan crouched down to help the child. The child stumbled but he managed to stand up while muttering his thanks. Pagkatingin niya kay Ethan, nanlaki ang mga mata nito at napaluhod.

“A-Alpha, sorry. H-hindi ko po sinasadya,” he spoke softly. Almost inaudible.

Agad na tinayo ni Ethan ang bata at ipinagpag ang mga tuhod nito na madumi at namumula. “Okay lang, don't be scared. Hindi naman ako nangangain ng tao,” natatawang sabi ni Ethan.

“Anong pangalan mo?” Ethan asked again.

“C-calix po,” he replied without looking at Ethan's eyes.

“Oh, Calix. Nice to meet you, little one,” Ethan whispered.

“P-permission to go back to my playmates,” the child said softly.

“Go on. Mag-ingat baka madapa ka ulit,” sabi ni Ethan at tumayo bago guluhin ang buhok ng bata.

Agad naman niyang nakita ang mga masamang titig ni Prince sa kaniya.

“See? You're so gentle,” Prince said and he rolled his eyes.

Natawa si Ethan at hindi na sinagot pa si Prince.

Little did anyone know, the gentle Alpha would turn into a beast once he is forced to prove that he is the strongest of them all.

The other day, Ethan stripped off his shirt, showcasing his perfectly carved physique to everyone that's watching them. Thiago and Alwina were present among the surrounding werewolves too. Alwin clutched his mate's hand—she can never get used to werewolve fights. After all, she's a human who has a fragile heart.

Thiago caressed her trembling hands but his eyes never left his son who's standing proudly in front of Lael. To be honest, a sense of pride is booming inside of him but he didn't dare to show it because his mate would kill him. Alwina gently wiped her escaped tears.

Ethan smiled. “Sure ka na ba?”

Lael glared at him. “Mukhang ikaw ang 'di sure eh.”

Ethan almost laughed but he didn't. They slowly stepped backwards, away from each other. Then after a few seconds, they shifted into their wolf forms. Ethan shook his black fur and bared his sharp canines at the gray wolf in front of him. The gray wolf did the same.

They started moving, circling, and waiting for the right time to attack.

Thiago was watching when someone stood beside him and leaned to whisper on his ear. It was one of the pack's warrior who's in charge of the security.

“Someone's here and he's claiming that he's Alpha's mate. May dala rin po siyang mga bagahe,” bulong nito.

Napataas ang kilay ni Thiago. “Assist him quickly. Bring his things into Ethan's room at papuntahin niyo siya rito,”

The warrior hesitated but he followed the order anyway. The fight was already starting. Growls and the loud cheering of the werewolves can be heard.

On the other side, Alpas thanked the warrior who let him in.

“Ako na po,” sabi ng isa pang warrior at kinuha ang bagahe ni Alpas.

“Salamat,” Alpas said softly.

Hindi niya sinabi kay Ethan na hindi na niya tinapos ang second sem at nagpa-alam na agad ito sa kaniyang mga magulang. Gusto niya kasing surpresahin si Ethan. These past few days, busy siya sa pag-iimpake at pagpapass ng resignation letter. Sinigurado niya rin na lumabas kasama sila Kiara at Edwin(his co-teachers) bago siya umalis. Agad din tinanong ni Yahree(his brother) ang kaniyang address pero hindi niya ito sinabi dahil tatanungin niya muna si Ethan patungkol doon.

“Sama po kayo sa akin,” sabi ng warrior at naglakad papunta sa direksyon ng likod ng bahay.

Nililibot ni Alpas ang kaniyang mga paningin at namamangha sa modernong disensyo ng bahay. Napakalaki nito at mula pa lamang sa labas malalaman mo na na may apat na palapag ito.

Alpas’ ears twitched in curiosity when he heard the cheering noises and inhuman growls. The warrior led him to Thiago’s side.

“Alpas, you came so suddenly. Pardon us for not giving you a warm welcome,” sabi ni Thiago at medyo may pagkamalakasan ang boses niya.

Alpas didn't answer. Napako siya sa kaniyang kinatatayuan. He saw the two wolves fighting and blood were spilling on the ground.

“W-what...” Alpas spoke weakly. He almost dropped on his knees when the black wolf stopped while sniffing and then he faced Alpas.

Alpas just stood with wide eyes when realization hits him. That's Ethan wolf! He cried mentally. The black fur and the glowing golden eyes.

The distracted Ethan, who inhaled the familiar scent of Alpas, almost got bitten on the neck. He immediately dodged and without holding back anymore, he pinned the already weakening gray wolf on the ground with a single paw and he bit the ear.

The gray wolf howled and struggled to stand up— after a couple of minutes, the cheers were very loud and proud of their current Alpha. Ethan left the crowd, didn't plan to kill Lael anyway. He only wanted to show to everyone who's the Alpha.

Lael, who's full of wounds, was laying down pitifully. His body felt so weak and he felt that his consciousness was slipping.

“Bring him to the pack doctor and go back to doing your own things,” Thiago's voice was heard and they all quickly followed him.

The proud, huge wolf walked to the direction of Alpas.

Alpas gulped, he was really beyond shocked from what he have just witnessed. His body was trembling but his first instinct was to circle the wolf and to see if he has wounds.

To his excitement, Ethan shifted back into his human form and he immediately hugged his anxious mate.

“Eww. At least wear something,” Prince commented at the side while holding Ethan's clothes.

Ethan laughed and he placed a kiss on his mark before snatching his clothes from Prince.

“Bakit hindi mo sinabi na pupunta ka ngayon?” Ethan asked softly while wearing his sweatpants.

Alpas bit his lips. He wasn't in the right mind to speak right now. Ethan noticed and he quickly wore his shirt before holding Alpas' trembling hand.

“Pa, ma, excuse us,” Ethan spoke and they both nodded.

“Your wounds...” Prince said.

“They'll heal, Prince. I-check mo na lang si Lael. I made sure not to kill him, if there's something just tell me,” Ethan said quickly before pulling his mate gently towards the direction of his room.

Ethan’s room was located at the uppermost part of the house. As an Alpha, he has his own floor. He quickly opened the door of his room and he helped Alpas to sit down on his bed.

“Alpas, are you scared?” Ethan asked immediately.

“Hmm,” Alpas didn't deny and a tear fell from his left eye.

Ethan quickly gathered his mate in his arms and placed him on his lap. He caressed his back, trying to soothe Alpas' trembling body.

“B-bakit ka nakikipatayan?” Alpas questioned with a sob. “Ethan...”

Ethan’s heart dropped and he tried to explain that certain rule—wherein an Alpha cannot refuse a challenge to prove that he's worthy to be their leader.

Alpas didn't like it and he hid his face against Ethan's neck.

“I'm sorry you had to witness that, love. I didn't know you're moving here today. I'm really sorry,” Ethan spoke softly while continuously caressing Alpas.

“S-susurpresahin sana kita,” bulong nito.

Natawa si Ethan. “Well you did surprise me, Alpas. Muntikan pa nga akong makagat sa leeg nang dahil nakita kita.”

“S-so kasalanan ko pa kung makakagat ka sa leeg?” saad ni Alpas at gumalaw para tignan ang mukha ni Ethan.

“Hindi po,” Ethan said and he leaned forward to kiss Alpas’ forehead.

Pagkatapos niyang hinalikan sa noo si Alpas, napansin niya ang mga bagahe na nakalagay sa kaniyang kwarto. Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata.

“Dito ka na titira?” masayang tanong nito kay Alpas.

“Hmm,” Alpas agreed.

“Nakapag-paalam ka na pala? Akala ko bang tatapusin mo yung buong school year?” tanong ni Ethan.

“Eh, kung bumalik ako at tapusin ko?” naiinis na sinabi ni Alpas.

“Huwag. Dito ka lang. Hindi ka na makakawala rito,” sabi ni Ethan at niyakap ng mahigpit si Alpas nang dahil sa tuwa.

Ngumiti naman nang patago si Alpas at niyakap pabalik si Ethan. Hindi na niya pinansin pa ang mga pangyayari na nasaksihan niya kanina dahil mas lalo lamang siyang kakabahan. 

ㅡto be continued.

New character unlocked!

A/N: So after ng HGW, may new story ako which is entitled “His Little Vampire” maybe this December ko siya ilalabas. Then sa 2023, may mini mpreg series din akong ilalabas kung sisipagin. Mga apat na stories din iyon. Hopefully tuloy-tuloy ang pagsusulat ko. Have a great weekend everyone~ <3