I woke up and saw Duke's closed eyes in front of me. Nakadapa ito sa kama at hindi natatakpan ng kumot ang kanyang likod. The sunlight gracefully lighted his features. He's so calm and soft when he's asleep, malayo sa kanyang matigas at maangas na ekspresyon kapag gising.

He took me over and over again last night. And because of it, I was able to communicate with my wolf. I was able to control my temperature and nerves. I even had the chance to touch Duke's wolf. It was like an open passage. I can read his thoughts, I can feel what he feel. Weird but I felt like my heart is beating with the same pace as his.

And last night is one of the best nights I've ever had.

Napadilat si Duke habang nakatitig pa rin ako sa kanya. We stayed silent for a moment until he planted a small kiss on my forehead. Agaran din siyang tumayo mula sa kama at nagsuot ng damit. I remained in bed. I don't think I will be able to make any move right now.

"You sore?" tanong nito sa'kin habang isinusuot ang kanyang pantalon. His voice is husky and manly, and shit! Stop it, Gabriel. I absentmindedly bit my lower lip, unable to utter any single word.

"Of course you are." aniya nang hindi nakakuha ng sagot sa'kin. Mas lalong napahigpit ang kapit ko sa kumot na nakatakip sa aking katawan. He smirked like he's proud of everything he had... done!

Nauna itong lumabas ng kwarto. Ilang sandali pa akong nakatulala sa bughaw na kalangitan bago nagdesisyong maligo.

The smell of scrambled egg and fried bacon enveloped my nose as I walk down the stairs. I silently stare at Duke as he cooks our food. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi parin ako makapaniwalang nasa iisang bahay kami. It felt surreal. The happiness is overflowing my whole system. Pakiramdam ko'y sasabog ako sa saya dahil ngayon.

He served me coffee first and then food. He's been talking a lot as we ate breakfast while I still stutter at answering him. Bakit parang wala lang sa kanya ang lahat? He act like nothing happened... like I wasn't underneath him the whole night.

"What's with the frown?" nagtataka nitong tanong. Napanguso ako dahil sa naiisip. Buti na lang at tinuruan niya akong magsara ng mindlink dahil kung hindi ay malamang pinagtatawanan na nito ako ngayon.

"Did I made it right last night?" I asked with the tiniest voice I could ever make. His reaction tells that he was blown away with my question. Napaawang ang bibig nito na tila ba naghahanap ng pwedeng sagot. It was already late when I realized what I just asked. I pressed my lips into a thin line because of embarrassment. Kung pwede lang na kainin ako ng lupa ngayon ay ako pa ang magprepresenta.

He raised my chin with his index finger and made me look directly into his eyes.

"Everything felt right when I'm with you, Gabriel." sagot nito sa'kin. I bit my tongue as I suppress my smile. I saw him shyly smiled. A heartily chuckle rose from him as he face his food again. Binigyan niya ng distansya ang kanyang sarili mula sa'kin.

"What is it?" kuryoso kong tanong. He immediately stopped. His gaze intensifies when it bore to mine and I could almost see his eyes turning from black to sparkling gold.

"Goodness! I'm so sorry, Gabriel." aniya at lumapit sa'kin. Nagulat ako sa biglaang pag-iiba ng kanyang kilos ngunit nanatili akong tahimik.

"I know, I tired you last night. I know you're still sore down there. But... I want you again."

The sun shine brightly taking over the place. It's already four in the afternoon. Two hours since we started the training again. The wind blew some strands of my hair even though I already tied it in a bun. Sumasabay sa hangin ang mga dahon ng puno sa paligid. The place is perfect for wolf shifting but my wolf won't cooperate.

"Concentrate Gabriel!" Ylva shouted few steps away from my point. She's the one who will train me today and the rest of days or until I could perfectly execute my shifting. At hindi ko alam na mas strikto pa siya kumpara sa kanyang ama.

"Dig her inside of you! Hanapin mo siya sa puso mo saka mo kausapin gamit ang utak!" dagdag nito.

I closed again my eyes and did what she told me to do.

Come on, wolf. Come on. I talked to it. I've been searching the fire inside but I just can't find it. It felt hollow and deep.

"I can read your thoughts Gabriel! Don't think you can't find it! Dive into the deep and grab your fucking wolf!" Ylva frustratedly shouted. Tila napipigtas na rin ang pasensya nito sa'kin. That ruthless brat! She's getting into my nerves!

Umiling ako habang nakapikit parin ang mga mata. I breathed slowly and surely just to search for my wolf. Napadilat ako nang maramdamang wala talaga itong balak magpakita sa'kin kahit ilang ulit ko ng sinubukan.

Nakita ko ang buntong hininga ng grupo, maliban kay Ylva na nakangisi at kay Duke na walang imik at hindi nakikitaan ng anumang ekspresyon sa mukha.

"I can't do it." ani ko sa kanilang lahat. Base sa pwesto ng araw ay mag-aalas sais na ng gabi. Halos takpan na ng dilim ang buong kakahuyan sa paligid namin.

"Of course, I can make you do it." Ylva confidently answered. Napakunot ang noo ko nang mahimigan ang kakaibang tunog sa kanyang boses.

She then grabbed her brother's arm and pushed him. Napaluhod si Duke sa damuhan ngunit nanatili pa rin itong walang imik.

"Oh shit, you won't pull that stunt Ylva!" Vil's hysterical when he saw Ylva's moves. Wala akong ibang magawa kundi titigan ang nagtatalong grupo.

"She needs to shift right now!" I heard Lara shouted back.

"Pero unang shift niya pa lang. She might outrage! Baka kung ano ang gawin niya! We might not stop her if she will!" si Karleen.

"Oh come on, sissy. We're four in here. Plus the five comrades." Ylva rolled her eyes. Narinig ko ang buntong-hininga ni Karleen bago dahan-dahang sumang-ayon.

In one swift move, Ylva kicked her brother. Tumilapon si Duke sa malayo. I heard his grunt. Nakita kong hawak nito ang tiyan at paika-ikang bumangon. Hindi pa man tuluyang nakakatayo ay muli siyang sinipa ni Ylva palayo mula sa kanyang pwesto.

"Duke!" I shouted. Before I could even make a step, the group blocked my way and encircled me. Si Lara ang nasa harap ko ngayon. Her face is stoic and behind her, I could see Ylva beating his brother to death!

"Let me pass!" I shouted at her. Umiling lang ito at ngumisi. Pumalit sina Audrey, Mela, at Hansel sa kanilang pwesto. The three walked towards Duke. I gasped when I saw them kicked and punched him. Pinagtulong-tulongan nila ito kahit na hindi lumalaban.

I clenched my fist at the sight. Ilang ulit ko silang pinatitigil ngunit walang nakikinig sa'kin. I could almost smell Duke's fresh blood from his mouth. Suddenly, my body went in fire. A red light occupied my eyes as the raging fire crawled into my senses. I couldn't see the surroundings. I'm losing my nerves and I can't feel my body anymore. It went from burning to numb. With a flicker, my senses advanced. I can clearly hear screams and shouts like "Stop her now!" My eyes became like an x-ray, I could scan almost everything. I could clearly zoom in my vision towards objects.

The next thing I know I am gasping for air, Duke's behind me. I am enclosed between his arms, my back on his broad chest.

"Hush, Gabriel. Hush." his voice is calm. Unti-unti ay napaupo ako sa damuhan. Duke caught me in his arms. I breathed in and out as I am trying to calm the rapid beat of my heart. Ramdam na ramdam ko pa rin ang init mula sa aking katawan, ngunit hindi kagaya kanina, unti-unti itong nawawala sa ibabaw ng mga palad ko. Like my palms suck the fire in gradually.

I heard steps coming towards us. Napatingin ako doon at nakita ang nakangising si Ylva. I immediately got up but Duke stopped me from attacking her little bratty sister.

"It's okay Gabriel. You did it." he said. Nabaling sa kanya ang atensyon ko. Despite the darkness, I still saw blood flowing from his head down to his well-defined jaw.

"They hurt you!" I defended. Tumango-tango ito ngunit nakangiti.

"They have to for you to shift." aniya. Mabibigat ang aking paghinga ngunit kumalma iyon nang marinig ang kanyang sagot. Nabaling ang tingin ko sa grupo at inaninag ang kanilang mga mukha sa dilim.

"We know we look like shit." ani Vil at napatawa ang lahat.

"Wolves are protective. To their pack, to their territory, especially to their mates." Solene explained. The group decided to grill something and have few drinks. I'm a bit guilty I hurt them. Ang kwento ni Karleen sa'kin ay halos isang oras nila akong pinigilan at pilit takasan. I've been raging since the second I shifted, at hindi nila alam kung paano ako papakalmahin. And the result? I've hurt them. Not too bad but still... I don't want to hurt another wolf again.

Solene's been telling me it's okay. She explained to me how I did it. Aniya, nagagalit ang isang lobo kapag nakikitang nasasaktan ang kapareha nito. And it really worked. The time I saw them beating Duke, my body naturally reacted, like I need to protect and defend him whatever the cost it.

"The next time you'll shift, it'll be easier for you to communicate with your wolf." aniya at uminom sa kanyang wine glass. I smiled and sipped on my cocktail drink.

"Madam," I called her. Ibinaling nito ang tingin sa'kin. Her innocent and expressive eyes immediately flickered when it met mine.

"Thank you..." I sincerely told her. She smiled and tucked some strands of my hair to the back of my ear. Her touch is so gentle and warm and kind. Halos maramdaman ko si Ina mula sa kanyang haplos.

"Venus is so proud of you..." she answered. I slightly smiled with the thought of my mom.

"I only have one request," dagdag nito. I patiently waited for her to speak up.

"Call me Mom," she added. Napaawang ang bibig ko habang nakatitig sa kanya. She avoided my gaze and her lips formed a smirk, like she's saying she won't take a no for an answer.

"Of course. It-It's a pleasure to call you Mom, Mom" I answered her with a hint of smile on my voice. Napatingin ito sa'kin at kumindat. We both then turned our eyes to the group who's carelessly laughing at the garden.

I was laying in bed when I heard the bathroom door clicked open. I turned my head from the book I'm reading to Duke who's standing in front of me. Malayang tumatama sa kanya ang sinag ng buwan mula sa itaas. I bit my lower lip as I stare at his manliness, proudly standing at my sight. Dahan-dahan itong naglakad palapit sa'kin, his hawk-like gaze never left my eyes as he slowly crawled beside me. His iris intensified when he finally reached my point. He closed the book in my hands and set it aside. His manly scent mixed with aftershave enveloped my nose.

"Are you tired?" he asked with so much calmness. I slowly shook my head as I stare at him. He smirked as he pressed his body closer to mine.

"Good. 'Cause I'm gonna tire you again, wife."

We're having breakfast, as usual, Duke cooks the food while I stare at him from the table, waiting for a newly cooked meal. I'm quite shocked at his cooking skills. He knows a lot and even though it's hard for me to say, but I admit he's better in cooking than me.

The silence broke when I heard a scream not far from us. Napatigil si Duke dahil doon. The scream continued. With the help of our hearing senses, we knew it came from Mom's house.

Dali-dali kaming nagpunta doon at nakita ang gulat na anyo ng lahat. I heard Gesa's sobs as Theron hug her. Nang marinig ang pagdating namin ay agad itong bumaling ng tingin sa'kin. She handed me her tablet and let me watch the video sent from the Headquarters.

Halos mabasag ko ang salamin nito nang makita ang brutal na pagpaparusa ni Marcus kay Helen. He punched and slapped and hit her with a baseball bat numerous times while Helen's foot and wrists were tied in a metal chain. Her body color turned from white to bluish violet, indication that she was treated like this for days. Halos bumalot ang sarili nitong dugo sa kabuuan ng kanyang puting uniporme. Paulit-ulit siyang pinaghahampas ni Marcus habang sinisigaw na traydor ito.

My heart shattered into pieces as I hear Helen's screams because of the excruciating pain. Pakiramdam ko'y kasalanan ko ang lahat kung bakit niya nararanasan ito. She's only a teen and yet she's beaten up to death and it's because of me, it's because she chose to help me rather than help herself. Unconsciously, my tears fell on the tablet. Isa-isa itong pumatak doon habang inaalala ko ang pagiging tapat ni Helen sa'kin hindi lamang isang miyembro ng Trevino kundi bilang isang kaibigan.

I was about to turn it off when Marcus faced the camera and spoke.

"Save your friend Gabriel. Save her before I could even kill her!" he angrily shouted. Theron grabbed it from me and furiously threw it in the wall. The tablet immediately broke into pieces.

"Bastard, I will kill you!" sigaw niya na tila ba maririnig ito ng kanyang kapatid.