Fangs And Claws [Night Creatures]

Chapter One: Remus and Sylvian

-chapter one-

"Seraphina!"

Huminto sa ere ang wooden sword na hawak-hawak ko nang marinig ang pagsigaw sa pangalan. Abel, my sparring partner, stepped back and sheathed his sword. Pinunasan niya ang pawis sa noo na dulot ng ilang oras naming paglalaban.

There are about twenty people on the training grounds. Lahat sila'y napatingin sa pinto nang pahampas itong binuksan at pumasok ang natatarantang si Wulfred. I calmly put the sword back on the shelf, walking to the elder Beta who was frantically searching the place with his eyes.

Did something bad happen? O muli na namang nilayasan si Wulfred ng aso niya?

"Kuya Fred!" nakangising bati ni Abel sa kaniyang kuya. "Anong hinahanap mo? Si Worm na naman ba?"

Hindi ko pa rin lubos na maisip kung anong pumasok sa utak ni Wulfred at pinangalanang uod ang aso niya.

Wulfred glared at his little brother. Nang dumako sa'kin ang mata niya ay hindi pa rin nawawala ang pag-aalala do'n. His eyes are drowning in so much concern that I also began to worry.

A chilling fear creeped up on my chest, placing itself on my throat. Hindi ko mapigilang mag-isip ng iba't ibang rason para mataranta at matakot si Wulfred. It can't be a break-in or the warning bell would already ring.

"Head Beta." I greeted with utmost respect. "Ano po ba ang nangyari? Maayos lang po ba ang lagay ni Head Alpha at Luna?"

Wulfred nodded twice, looking more and more stricken as time passed. "Maayos lang sila. Ngunit masama ang nangyayari ngayon, Sera. Akala ko sumilip naman siya dito, pero wala din pala."

I frowned. What is it? Pilit kong inalala kung sino sa buong pack ang sisilip dito sa training grounds.

"What is it?"

"Remus is missing," Wulfred said, horrified. "He's not in the main house! Wala din siya sa kwarto. That's why I thought he'll be here with you!"

The growing fear from my throat finally exploded in my heart. I'm pretty sure I'm currently mirroring his expression. Remus is gone? Missing? Why would he-?

But then, Remus is a young boy. Siguradong marami itong gustong gawin at puntahan. The Lancaster pack rules the Werewolves territory, one of the largest territories that occupied a hunting ground. Kinakabahan ako sa posibleng mangyari sa kaniya, but I also have confidence in Remus' abilities and intelligence.

He wouldn't stray so far from the territory.

I turned around to face the other training members, noticing the panic in their faces as well. Nawala na ang ngisi sa labi ni Abel.

This is an urgent matter. The next head alpha is currently missing.

"Hanggang dito na lang ang training natin ngayon. I want you to search the hunting grounds and stop all ongoing hunts. Tell the Sentinels to close all gates. Spread the search so we can find Remus quicker." I barked out the orders, watching them instantly obey. Sunod kong tiningnan si Abel. "Abel, sino ang nagle-lead sa scouts ngayon?"

"Si Lovella." kaagad niyang sagot. "I'll go tell her."

Tumango ako sa kaniya at kaagad siyang tumakbo palabas. That only leaves me and a worried Wulfred. Sa mukha na mayro'n siya, ramdam kong napagalitan ito ni Luna.

"Luna found out?" tanong ko nang sabay kaming lumabas.

The pack members outside were also running around, looking for the missing heir. Remus never goes outside, not without a sitter. Hindi ko na-expect na pipiliin niya ang mismong araw na ito para magrebelde.