KABANATA 25

Chattering noises can be heard around the huge garden of the werewolves' den. It's their Alpha's birthday and the atmosphere was very lively. Ethan's parents wanted a grand celebration because it's been a while since they celebrate it together. Ethan refused, iminungkahi niya na sa bahay na lamang sila mag-celebrate.

Alpas gave him a wonderful gift first thing in the morning. The gift was—they did a few rounds of exercise in their room. It was a wonderful birthday gift for Ethan, he was still in pure bliss.

“Halika ka na. Bumaba na tayo,” bulong ni Ethan.

Alpas lazily sat down and he rested his head against Ethan's shoulder.

“Want me to help you get ready?” Ethan questioned while caressing Alpas’ exposed torso.

“Hmn.” Alpas hummed in agreement.

Ethan chuckled deeply. “Okay.”

Binuhat niya si Alpas patungo sa banyo at tinulungan niya itong maligo. Ethan love how the other just keep staring at him with half lidded eyes. He gently traced his mate's body with soap.

He can't help but to lean forward to steal a kiss. Alpas winced a bit because his lips were abused from the earlier activity.

“Gusto mo bang bumaba o magpahinga ka muna?” Ethan asked.

“Sama na ako sa'yo,” Alpas replied.

Ethan smiled. Pagkatapos ay akmang tututlungan niya ring magbihis si Alpas.

“Ako na,” Alpas said with a chuckle.

“Okay. I'll wait for you outside. 'Tapos sabay na tayong bumaba,” sabi ni Ethan bago lumabas ng kanilang kwarto.

After a couple of minutes, they found their way into the garden. May mahabang lamesa na puno ng iba't ibang klaseng pagkain. Lahat ng nadadaanan nila ay binabati nang maligayang kaarawan si Ethan.

Ethan also invited Carlos. Despite the distance, his friend was willing to go. Alpas invited Yahree too.

“Hey. Ba't ngayon ka lang bumaba?” tanong ni Prince pagkakita niya agad kay Ethan.

“Bakit daw, Alpas?” Ethan teased.

Nag-init naman agad ang mukha ni Alpas at dumikit kay Ethan para kurutin ito nang patago.

“Ahh-ouch,” natatawang sambit ni Ethan.

Napataas ang kilay ni Prince sa dalawa na nasa harapan niya. Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto, napa-iling na lamang ito.

“Anyway, happy birth-” napatigil siya sa pagsasalita. He took a deep inhale and his brown orbs were immediately replaced with golden. “Mate...” he growled.

“Ethan!”

Carlos' familiar voice was suddenly heard. There's a warrior guiding him and he nodded at Ethan before leaving.

Hindi gumalaw si Ethan sa kaniyang kinatatayuan dahil nakatitig siya kay Prince. He's sure that the newly arrived friend of his was Prince's mate.

“S-sir?” nagtatakang tanong ni Carlos nang makalapit siya kila Ethan.

“Hi,” Alpas said shortly with a slightly awkward laugh.

Magsasalita pa sana si Carlos nang marinig nila ang malalim na boses ni Prince.

“Mate,” Prince repeated.

Napalingon naman agad si Carlos sa direksyon kung saan nanggaling ang boses. He was stunned when he met those golden eyes. He felt a chill down his spine and his fingers trembled a bit. Prince was so excited and he almost pounced at Carlos.

Kaagad naman kinapit nang mahigpit ni Ethan ang kaniyang  braso. Prince tried to break free but his Alpha’s strength was on different level.

“Ethan, what are you doing?” iritadong tanong ni Prince habang ang mga mata niya ay nakatitig kay Carlos.

“Calm down first,” Ethan whispered, only the two of them can hear.

“He's my fucking mate, why are you restraining me?” galit na sambit ni Prince habang tinitignan nang masama si Ethan.

Ethan was unaffected and he kept a firm hold of Prince.

Prince grited his teeth. “Azrael.”

Ethan ignored him. “Love, can you take Carlos inside first?” he spoke.

Carlos was so confused on what's happening but he still looked at Prince curiously. Those pair of golden eyes were like magnet, he felt like he should draw closer.

“Tara, pasok muna tayo.” sabi ni Alpas.

Carlos reluctantly went inside the house with Alpas but not after he glance at Prince’s angry, handsome face.

“Let me go,” Prince said.

“Not until you've calmed down,” Ethan said.

Prince glared at Ethan. The other werewolves trembled at the intese tension between the first and second strongest in their pack.

“I finally met my mate and why are you doing this to me?” Prince ask desperately. He wanted to be free and claim his mate already.

“Kapag hindi ka kumalma, I won't let you see him for the mean time,” sagot ni Ethan.

He knows that once he let go of Prince, Prince would immediately mark Carlos. Carlos is human and he will be needing sometime before agreeing to be marked.

Nagpumiglas si Prince pero ayaw niyang saktan si Ethan kaya marahan lamang ito. He stood there helplessly and he bit his lip.

“F-fine...” he gave up and closed his eyes slowly.

Ethan let out a sigh of relief and he squeezed the shoulders of Prince to help him calm down.

“Don't mark him immediately, hmm? Forced mark is not a good idea. I'll let you two to get to know each other today,” sabi ni Ethan at agad namang iminulat ni Prince ang kaniyang mata.

“In one condition,” Ethan added.

Prince groaned. “What?”

“Be patient with him, he's not like us. Take things slowly. Do you get me?” Ethan spoke.

Prince wanted to protest but it dawned on him that Carlos is a human. Dahan-dahan siyang tumango at nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga.

Ethan watched as Prince's eyes turn into their original brown color.

“Ready to get to know him?” Ethan asked.

Tumango ulit si Prince. Ethan smiled and he nodded to the direction of the other werewolves to assure them. Then, he and Prince walked into the house.

Nakita nila si Carlos at Alpas na naka-upo sa sofa. Prince tried to calm himself when he saw his mate and inhaled his wonderful cranberry scent again.

“Carlos, this is Prince. Pinsan ko,” Ethan introduced.

Prince held his hand out, he's very eager to feel his mate's touch. The corner of Carlos’ lips lifted for some reason and he gladly accepted it.

Prince had the urge to pull the other in his arms but he restrained himself because Ethan was right.

Carlos felt unfamiliar tingling, electrifying sensation when he touched Prince. He gasped softly and he retracted his hands.

“Let's go outside? I want to get to know you more, Carlos,” Prince spoke after letting go of Carlos' hand.

Napatingin si Carlos kay Ethan, as if seeking for permission. Ngumiti naman si Ethan at tumango.

“Happy birthday,” Carlos blurted out the word he forgot to say earlier because of a certain someone's eyes made him speechless.

Speaking of his eyes, nalito si Carlos kung bakit nag-iba bigla ang mga kulay ng mata ni Prince. But after a few seconds, he shrugged it off thinking that—he just removed his contact lenses. He's also sensing something different but he can't quite guess what is it.

Tumango naman si Ethan, he muttered a thanks. Akmang yayayain din niya si Alpas na lumabas at napatigil nang makita niya itong namumula.

“Okay ka lang?” tanong ni Ethan at marahang hinagod ang likod ni Alpas.

“Y-yeah,” Nauutal niyang sagot.

“Namumula ka,” Ethan said while feeling Alpas’ cheeks with his palm.

“W-what do you expect? You called me love and I had to tell him that we're together,” sabi ni Alpas at tumingin sa baba.

Ethan crouched down and he looked at Alpas' face. “And were you uncomfortable with that, love? I'm sorry.”

“No. I was just a bit embarrassed,” Alpas whispered.

Napakunot ang noo ni Ethan sa kaniyang narinig. “Bakit?” tanong nito nang mahina.

“Kasi tinanong niya kung ako ba daw yung kumagat s-sa braso mo noong closing party...” Alpas said softly.

Ethan was stunned because the answer he received was unexpected and after a second, he restrained himself from laughing. The reason of Alpas why he's embarrassed made Ethan kind of happy. He was expecting a reason like—Alpas is embarrassed because he called him love.

“Anong sinagot mo?” tanong ni Ethan at bakas sa kaniyang boses ang pagkatuwa.

Tinapunan naman siya nang tingin ni Alpas. “D-did you really expect me to answer that kind of question?” naiinis na tanong nito.

Ethan chuckled deeply. “Eh, I was just wondering if you answered.”

After a few seconds, Ethan stood up and planted a soft kiss on Alpas' head. “Let's go?”

Alpas took a deep breath and he stood up as well. Nginitian siya ni Ethan at hinawakan ang kamay nito.

They both went outside to eat an socialize with everyone. Then Yahree said something came up and he can't go. Alpas understood and told his brother that it's fine.

“A-Alpha,” a soft voice suddenly whispered.

Nilingon naman agad ito ni Ethan at nakita niya si Calix na nakatago ang mga kamay sa kaniyang likuran.

“Hmn?” Ethan hummed questioningly with a smile.

Calix still can't look at Ethan's eyes directly. If he did, even if Ethan doesn't mean any harm, he would be forced into submission. Just Ethan's mere presence is making him tremble.

“H-happy birthday,” Calix whispered softly and hesitantly stretched his hand in front of Ethan.

Ethan chuckled softly while saying his thanks and he held his hand out. Calix placed a pebble on it. It was a small, smooth, and color blue.

Ethan was stunned and he didn't know what to do for a second.

“Cute,” Alpas whispered with a soft chuckle.

Napatingin sa kaniya si Ethan at kumurap.

“What? Say thank you. He gave you a gift,” bulong ni Alpas.

Ethan pecked Alpas' lips that was close to him before flashing a gentle smile and looking at Calix.

“Thank you, little one,” Ethan said and patted Calix's head.

Calix blushed and trembled a bit before saying goodbye to the two with a stuttering voice.

“So adorable.” Alpas let out a little chuckle.

Ethan shook his head with a smile while slipping the pebble inside his pocket.

“Ethan,” Alpas said suddenly.

“Hmm?” Ethan hummed questioningly.

“Will y-you want your own little one someday?” Alpas whispered.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Ethan at nilibot niya ang kaniyang paningin sa mukha ni Alpas, as if searching for something. Hindi siya matignan ni Alpas sa mata at namumula ang mga tenga nito.

“Why ask that suddenly, love?” Ethan chuckled while cupping Alpas’ face with the both of his hands.

“G-gusto ko lang malaman,” bulong ni Alpas at hindi niya rin natiis na tignan si Ethan sa mata. He held both of Ethan's wrists.

“Buntisin kita?” natatawang tanong ni Ethan, disregarding Alpas' question.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Alpas at lalong nag-init ang kaniyang mukha. “Nonsense!”

Ethan chuckled deeply. He's slightly squeezing Alpas cheeks and the other doesn't have the slightest idea how cute he looks right now. Ethan playfully rubbed Alpas' ears with his fingers.

“Kung hindi rin lang galing sa 'yo, ayaw ko,” Ethan said with a smile.

“W-what? Pero imposible 'yon,” Alpas said softly.

“Edi 'wag na lang. Having my mate by my side is all I could ask for,” Ethan said and he leaned to kiss Alpas' lips. He then continued, “So don't ask if I want a little one. Having you is enough.”

Alpas’ lips trembled and he forced himself not to cry, pero hindi niya napigilan ang hikbi na nagbabadyang lumabas galing sa kaniyang bibig. He's aware that many people can see them right now that's why he's restraining himself from crying. His heart was so full of Ethan's love and it's about to burst—it did burst, and the warmth spread all over his body.

Ethan didn't say anything anymore and he wrapped his mate in his arms while rubbing soothing circles on his back.

“Are you saying that I'm already too much to handle?” Alpas said with his muffled voice. “Kaya ayaw mo na ng little one?” dagdag pa nito.

Muntikan pang masamid si Ethan bago ito makapagsalita. “What? No!”

Alpas’ shoulders shook and he laughed.

With that, Ethan laughed as well before planting a kiss on Alpas’ forehead. Then as if remembering something, he asked, “What about you? Do you want a little one?”

“I honestly don't know. Sa ngayon ayaw ko muna. I don't know if my mind will change someday,” Alpas said.

Ethan smiled in understanding. “Okay. There are a lot of possibilities out there anyway if you ever want us to raise a child together someday.”

Marahan na tumango si Alpas.

“Oops- sorry to bother you both. But would you like to have a drink with us?” Prince suddenly asked.

Tinitigan siya ni Ethan at napansin niyang naka-akbay ito kay Carlos. He thought, “Tsk. He can't quite restrain himself.”

However, Ethan himself understood Prince. Because at first, he can't quite restrain himself as well when it comes to inhaling his sweet mate's scent. He definitely knew how hard it is not to mark your mate immediately.

Ethan agreed to have a drink with them and he let Alpas to catch up with his parents.

ㅡ to be continued.

A/N: Hello! Late update huhu may pinabasa kasi na novel sa amin sa Great Books tapos i-re-report namin. Then nag-exam din kami ng napakadami at nagpraktis maghagis ng flair bottle. In short, we had a productive week, hehe. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this latest chapter~! Have a great weekend! ♡