KABANATA 29

Instantly, everyone's alerted. Even Thiago unconsciously hid Ethan behind him. It was instict. For him, Ethan is someone who still needs to be protected. Yes, he already passed the title to his son, pero hangga't kaya niya itong protektahan, hangga't malakas pa ito, he's willing to fight for his him.

He's not doubting Ethan's strength to fight but he still wanted to keep him safe.

From their perspective, the guy who was calm earlier, widened his eyes and shook his head when he saw his companions. He was gesturing, moving his head vigorously, as if telling them to go away quickly.

The newly arrived group looks so confused but nevertheless, they helped the guy by untying him from the huge tree. Dalawa ang tumutulong sa kaniya habang ang lima nagmamasid-masid sa paligid.

“Looks like he wasn't expecting them, that's why he's calm earlier. He accepted his fate but someone still came for him,” bulong ni Dehano. “And they’re a group of 7. Let's attack,” dagdag pa nito.

Bumuntong-hininga si Thiago. He relaxed slowly. “No need to move,” sabi nito.

“What? Why?” naguguluhang tanong ni Dehano.

Almost immediately after he asked, all of the newly arrived people dropped on the ground, leaving the guy who was almost freed from the shackles.

Napataas ang kilay ni Dehano. “A sniper?”

“Hmm.” Tumango-tango si Thiago. “We don't need to waste our energy yet. A sniper is enough.”

“Sino po yung sniper?” tanong ni Prince.

“Codename’s Winner. Ipapakilala ko sa inyo sa susunod,” sabi ni Thiago.

“Now what are we gonna do with those dead bodies? Can I drink their blood?” tanong ni Dehano. His eyes were glowing red.

“Suit yourself. Do whatever you want,” sagot ni Thiago.

Dehano flashed an eerie smile. “Thanks, pup.”

A vein appeared on Thiago’s forehead but before he can even lash out, Dehano ran away with a laugh.

“The hell is wrong with that blood sucking creature? He kept on calling us with stupid names,” reklamo ni Prince.

Napa-iling na lamang si Ethan. “Says the one who keeps calling him a blood sucking creature.”

“Eh?! Totoo naman ah? Look at him, he's a blood sucking creature,” pagpapaliwang ni Prince. “Eyy? Wait- that reminds me of something...”

Tumaas ang kilay ni Ethan. May kutob siya na walang saysay na naman ang lalabas sa bibig ni Prince.

“Ethan... Say, vampires—they do suck blood right? Parang lamok lang!” natatawang banggit nito. “Should I call him mosquito?” sabi nito.

Sarkastikong tumawa si Ethan. “Ha ha, that's it. I'm sending you back home.”

Prince shut his mouth. Humaba ang nguso nito at umupo.

Ethan wanted to shake his head in disapproval but he didn’t. Kanina pa siya napapa-iling sa mga salita ng mga taong nakapalibot sa kaniya.

Pero nagtataka si Ethan sa kaniyang sarili kung bakit hindi niya magawang matawa, bagkus kahit corny na biro ay tinatawanan niya dati. And he chose to think—no, he came up with the reason that he wasn't safe right now, anything bad might happen, and he doesn't know if he can still see his mate after going out of their current situation. Masyado siyang naging seryoso.

Ethan cleared his mind. Humarap siya kay Thiago. “So we're sticking to plan A, Pa?” tanong nito.

Tumango si Thiago. “I’m sure, hindi palalagpasin ito ng organisasyong iyon. After a couple of hours without the presence of the group they sent, they will surely send another group here. And maybe they're suspecting something right now. The plan is—we'll just keep on attacking, and we must prepare ourselves for a war,” saad nito.

Ethan nodded. Bago pa man siya makapagsalita ulit, narinig nila ang sigaw ni Dehano.

“Hey, little wolves! Come here for a second! Something's wrong with their blood.”

Nagkatinginan sila Ethan at Thiago bago tinahak ang daan papunta sa pwesto kung nasaan sila Dehano. Tumayo agad si Prince at sumunod sa kanila.

Nang makalapit sila, a faint smell entered their nostril. It was so faint that they would think it was just their imagination. But with their sharp sense of smell, they're sure that they took a whiff of a weird scent. It was so weird that they hated it for some reason.

“Ang baho ng dugo niyo. Ain't no way I would drink this shit,” saad ni Dehano. Inamoy niya ang lahat at sigurado siya na pare-parehas ang amoy ng mga ito.

“Anong meron sa dugo niyo?” tanong ni Dehano sa lalake na natitirang buhay at nakatali pa rin.

Prince, while scrunching his nose, crouched down to secure the other guy tightly against the tree.

“Of course, you wouldn't answer me,” sabi ni Dehano.

“I guess I'll just see for myself.” He got a drop of blood with his finger and he licked it. “Aw-fuck! I knew it! Vervain!”

He spit it out immediately.

“Ethan, why don't you taste it, dear? See if it has wolfsbane as well?” iminungkahi ni Dehano habang tumatayo.

“No, Ethan. Don't listen to him. I know by the smell that they have wolfsbane in their system as well. But it was faint,” sabi ni Thiago. “I wasn't sure earlier dahil may ibang amoy. And know I think it's because of vervain. This humans have a mixed of vervain and wolfsbane in their bodies.”

“Oh... But why don't you taste it to confirm?” sabi ni Dehano. “Hindi pupwedeng ako lang. I sacrificed my tongue because this shit won't speak,” dagdag pa nito habang sinisipa-sipa ang lalake ng mahina.

“Hindi na namin kasalanan 'yon. You know that something’s wrong with their blood and you still stubbornly tasted it. Are you really a hundred years old? Why are you so stupid?”  sabi ni Thiago.

Prince was amused. He was enjoying while watching them. Kulang na lang ay ngumuya siya ng popcorn.

Humawak si Dehano sa kaniyang dibdib. “That really hurts, pup. Did you just call me me stupid?”

Thiago who seldom show his emotions through his expression, rolled his eyes in annoyance.  “Shut up, let's go back.”

He started walking towards their original place, away from the guy and the dead bodies. And the others followed him.

Nang makabalik sila sa kanilang puwesto, nagsalita si Ethan.

“Pa, can I send Prince home?”

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Prince. “Azrael! Nanahimik na nga ako eh! Why are you sending me home?”

“So I can rest assured,” walang pag-aalinlangang sagot ni Ethan.

“Elaborate,” sabi ni Thiago.

“Tito!” Prince objected.

“My mate and the others need someone there in case something happens. I need someone to be there with the elders, children, and my mate. I want to send my beta there together with a couple of warriors for protection. Please, Pa,” Ethan said

“No need to say please. I was just asking you to elaborate. You are the alpha. Nirerespeto ko ang desisyon mo. And I think that's a good idea. Kahit na nasa safe hall sila, I agree that they still need someone to be there with them.”

“Send Zylan instead, why me?” Prince asked helplessly.

“Zylan is directing the warriors here. And I believe that you can protect the others with that strength of yours. Besides, don't you want to be with your mate? I'm sure Carlos is aching to see you. You just marked him. Kaya huwag ka ng magtanong. Go on, take some warriors with you and guard them there. Leave the rest to us,” mahabang sagot ni Ethan.

He can see that Prince is hesitating. Ethan brought his hand on Prince’s shoulder and he squeezed it firmly.

“Go. Kung gusto mo, I can also send someone to be there with you guys,” sabat ni Dehano.

Napangiwi si Prince. “No thanks. I can manage. I don't need a blood sucking- a mosquito with me.”

“The hell?! Ako na nga 'tong nag-o-offer ng tulong,” Dehano said.

“Sige na, Prince. You may go,” sabi ni Thiago.

Bumagsak ang mga balikat ni Prince at yumakap kay Ethan.

“Azrael. Go back home safe. Alpas is waiting for you,” bulong ni Prince bago kumalas ang kaniyang yakap.

“I trust you, Prince. Protect him and everyone. Be alert all the times,” sabi ni Ethan.

Tumango-tango si Prince. “I will,” saad nito habang nakasimangot. “Though, I want to stay here.”

Napangiti si Ethan at tinapik ang likuran ni Prince. “Go.”

Prince was reluctant but an order of his Alpha was an order he cannot disregard. His alpha gave him a mission to protect everyone who's currently at the safe house. Though he wanted to protect his Alpha, his heart also whishes to be close with his mate and protect him as well. With that, he gave Ethan a final nod before walking away.

A few warriors came out of their hiding places and they followed Prince. Alam niya na si Ethan ang nag-utos sa mga ito na sumama sa kaniya.

Ethan watched their retreating backs until they disappeared from his view. Doon pa lamang niya napagtanto na pasikat na ang araw dahil unti-unti ng lumiliwanag.

He missed waking up beside his mate already kahit na kahapon ay gumising siya sa tabi ni Alpas na mahimbing ang tulog. He showered his mate with kisses without waking him up before he left the pack house.

“You should rest,” sabi ni Thiago sa nakatulalang anak nito.

“Yeah. You have been awake for 24 hours now. Leave this to us. We, vampires, don't need to sleep anyway. I'll alert you if something happens,” sabi naman ni Dehano.

Tumango na lamang si Ethan at hindi na tumanggi pa dahil nakaramdam din siya ng pagod. Dumiretso ito sa nakatagong tent kung saan nandoroon ang mga kagamitan nila. And Ethan made a space for himself. Humiga siya at pumikit.

A sigh escaped from his lips—he just wants everything to be settled so he can be with his mate again.

ㅡ to be continued.

A/N: Malapit na pong matapos ang HGW omg, maraming salamat sa pagsuporta at pagbabasa. I appreciate each and everyone of you! <3