KABANATA XV
Third Person's POV
"You're back." Malumanay na sambit ni Jake ng muling lumitaw si Greyson sa loob ng opisina. But then, his expression says that something really did happened.
Hindi nag-aksaya ng oras si Greyson at kaagad na lumapit sa direksyon ni Jake.
"They already knew something about Everly." Doon na tuluyang nabalot ng seryoso ang ekspresyon ni Jake. When Greyson said those words he already knew whom he is referring to.
None other than their most deadly enemy. Those evil warlocks.
"How come? Wala namang nakakalabas na impormasyon sa mansion hindi ba?" Puno ng kaguluhang usal nito sa Alpha na bakas ang inis sa ekspresyon.
"A while back, I began to sense something was off. Then my heart began to pound quickly, as if someone was clutching it tightly. Nang dumating ako sa mansion ay doon ko nakumpirmang may nangyari nga kay Everly. She was found by manang, unconsciously lying on the floor of her own room." Doon ay natigilan si Jake. Hindi niya lubos maisip na ganito pala ka seryoso ang nangyari kanina kaya napilitang umalis si greyson ng walang pag-aalinlangan.
"Are you sure they are the ones who did this? I mean, we have a lot of enemies around, and one of them could've been behind this." May puntong usal nito kay Greyson na inilingan lang ng lalaki.
Ramdam niya pa hanggang ngayon ang lamig ng babae, siguro kung nahuli lang siya ng dating ay malamig na bangkay na lamang nito ang kanyang dadatnan. Her unusually slow heartbeat is still vivid in his mind.
"She almost died. Walang ibang mas may kakayanin na gumawa ng ganitong kasamaan bukod sa mga nilalang na iyon." Pinanood ni Jake ang pagkuyom ng palad ng Alpha habang bakas ang labis na galit sa ekspresyon nito.
"They're really doing anything to trap me." Napa diretso ng tayo si Jake at muling humarap sa nakabukas na bintanang iyon.
"What do we do now Alpha? We should do something to keep Everly as well as manag safe." Nababahalang sambit nito habang pilit na nag-iisip ng paraan paano masosolusyunan ang panibagong banta na ito.
"Did you already give our first command?" Balik na tanong nito na mahinang tinanguan ni Jake. He is referring to the undercover organization they established to conduct their secret investigation and carry out their plan. Sadly, Greyson wasn't there earlier to explain their strategy to the hidden group in person. But he is cognizant that his own Beta is the one person he can trust the most.
The two of them have been on each other's side since the very beginning.
"I did. Hindi lulubog ang araw ng hindi natin nalalaman ang mga impormasyong nakalap ng grupo. I just hope that they'll find something that we can use to temporarily stop those leader from doing anything against you." Sambit nito na tinanguan lamang ng Alpha. Pareho silang hindi sigurado kung may patutunguhan ba ang mga bagay na ginagawa nila ngayon, or kung may saysay ba ang pag-kuha nila sa mga tauhang iyon para tulungan sila sa kanilang plano.
They have no other option, though. They can't just complete the task on their own; in addition, they have a significant duty to the pack and must learn how to withstand enemies' unexpected attacks.
Greyson tightens his hold on the table as he considers a more effective strategy for keeping his enemy outside the mansion. His mind then wandered to his mother's former coven, which he immediately refused to accept.
Cooperating with them was never something he would waste time doing. They each view the situation differently. They wanted to take advantage of him and the power he inherited from his mother, making them basically the same to those evil warlocks.
If not for the pack, he would never want to use this power. The coven wants him to put the entire pack aside and concentrate on their mission of eliminating those evil warlocks. He would never do that. Magkamatayan na pero nakasalalay sa mga desisyong gagawin niya ang buhay ng buong pack.
"Alpha." Muling pagtawag ni Jake. He has an idea in mind but he doesn't think Greyson would consider it. Kaagad na ini-angat ng lalaki ang tingin sa sariling Beta. There's a hint of hesitation in Jake's eyes which instantly vanishes and is replaced by a determined expression.
"Now that they already know about Everly, isn't it the right time to reveal her to the whole pack—" Hindi pa man siya nakakatapos sa suhestyon ay mahina ng iniling ni Greyson ang ulo. Completely rejecting the idea.
"--No, it's too risky." Mabilis na putol niya dito. Napabuntong hininga naman si Jake bago humarap sa kaibigan. This time, he is thinking about the entire pack, not just Everly's condition. They needed a Luna right now, which was difficult to admit but was the reality of being in a pack.
They require more than just a capable and powerful alpha. But someone they could adore as the healer for the entire pack. Someone who has the power to uplift the group with her words and unfaltering love for everyone.
That is what a Luna should be. Supporting the pack like it was her very own family. Pero sa likod ng ediyang iyon ay naiisip din ni Jake na hindi magiging ganun kadali ang lahat oras na pumayag si Greyson.
"Hindi ba't mas masisiguro ang proteksyon ng Luna kung sakaling naririto siya sa central mansion? At least here we have tons of soldiers to protect her and manang. Wala ng dahilan para itago pa ang ating Luna dahil siguradong gagawin ng ating mga kaaway ang lahat para masaktan siya. And at Everly's state right now, I strongly think that she needed your protection more than anything else." Patuloy na paliwanag niya dito, pero hindi man lang natinag ang paninindigan nito na tanggihan ang kanyang suhestyon.
"Then what? Let our enemies here have another thing they could use against me? Pagtanggap pa nga lang sa akin bilang Alpha nila ay napakahirap na. Paano pa kung malaman nila ang tungkol kay Everly? Do you really think it would be that easy?" Pero nanindigan si Jake sa kanyang ediya. Wala siyang ibang naiisip na paraan upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ni Everly kundi ang dalhin ito dito sa pack.
Despite how absurd the idea may seem, Jake is still holding out hope that the Alpha will somehow understand. What matters now is not the pack's reaction to Everly; rather, what will happen to the pack if something happens to their Luna?
Knowing those evil warlocks could do everything to harm the pack it adds more danger in letting Everly stay in the mansion along with manang. Parang binigyan na lang din nila ng oportunidad ang kanilang kaaway na magawa ang gusto ng mga ito kay Everly.
"Our enemies here wouldn't dare lay their finger on Everly. Especially that the whole pack is watching. We could at least handle the consequences of the pack knowing about everly, that letting her and manang alone in the mansion. That would be more risky, don't you think." Jake pointed out the obvious but Greyson's mind is sealed with nothing but disapproval of his suggestion.
Even if Greyson never admits it. Something changed in him when he met his mate. As he spends more time with Luna, his affection for her grows even stronger. His willingness to use his magic over her is one indication of this. Knowing how cautious Greyson is about not provoking the pack with his power, they hardly ever witness this.
He is also afraid of the tendency of Greyson losing his control once something happens to her again.
"But didn't you consider how the entire pack might react if they learned that their supposed new luna would suffer the same fate as their old one?" Tuluyang natigilan si Jake sa sinabing iyon ng Alpha. Ito na mismo ang nagsalita sa nangyari sa nakaraan. Napailing nalang si Jake dahil doon. This is always his last resort, bringing up the past and comparing it to the present. Isang hindi magandang gawi ni Greyson.
The past ought to be history at this point. Nothing they could do could change what had happened. Now that Jake is attempting to persuade Greyson that they can do something to change the present, the Alpha's ear and eyes are firmly closed to his suggestion.
"How certain are you that Everly's fate will be the same as your mother's? Do you not feel that it is a little unfair to her? How would Everly react if she learned that you're not being honest with her and that you're drawing comparisons between her and the previous Luna just because they both have the same illness?" Tuluyan ng napakuyom si Jake sa kanyang palad dahil sa inis at kagustuhang maintindihan ng Alpha ang kanyang punto.
Sa maikling panahon na nakasama ng Beta si Everly ay alam niyang marami itong pinagkaiba sa dating luna. Yes, maybe both of them could die due to the same illness, but they could always do something to prevent that from happening. Ang gusto lang ipaintindi ni Jake kay Greyson ay mga bagay na maaring pagsisihan nito sa huli.
Their enemies are not to be underestimated. Even Greyson can't hold them back once they started attacking them. Sila ang labis na naaapektuhan sa tuwing susugod ang mga ito. They always end up gaining greater loss and disadvantage.
Kahit pa hindi aminin ni Greyson ay alam nito sa kanyang sarili na may punto ang kanyang sinasabi. There are things that Greyson could no longer control, and this is one of those things.
"It would be too painful for her. She might pass away without the pack accepting her, just like my mother did, and I know... I know how it feels to know that your own pack has rejected you. I never wanted her to experience the same excruciating pain that I have." Bakas ang pait sa ekspresyong nakapaskil sa mukha nito. Napaiwas naman ng tingin si Jake dahil maging siya ay nalulungkot sa trahedyang ito.
Why do they even have to experience this? Is it due to power? Or perhaps the poor choices made by their own ancestors? Bakit nga ba nagkaroon ng sigalot sa pagitan ng bawat lahi?
"Ngunit kahit saang angulo natin tingnan, dadating at dadating ang sandaling malalaman nila ang tungkol kay Everly. That's why I'm suggesting this to you now. Habang ligtas pa si Everly ay mas magandang ilayo na natin siya sa kapahamakan kesa mangyari pa ulit ang bagay na ito." Dire-diretsong usal ni Jake na muling inilingan ng Alpha. Looks like his efforts will went in vain. Pursigido na ang Alpha sa desisyon nito.
"No. It serves no purpose to drag Everly further into this misery. I'll take care of everything first, and when the time is right, I'll be the one to introduce her to the pack. We should therefore concentrate on our goals at this time." Puno ng kaseryosohang usal nito bago tuluyang umayos ng pagkakatayo.
"But–"
"--No matter what you say, Jake. I know what I'm doing. No one should know about her—"
"—Know about who?" Parehong natigilan ang dalawa at sabay na ipinihit ang tingin sa pinto na kabubukas lamang.
Tuluyang iniluwa niyon ang isang taong hindi nila nanaisin na makaalam ng tungkol kay Everly. Even though he is no longer the leader of this pack, the man who just entered the room with full grace and confident posture screams authority.
The man is none other than Greyson's Father, and the previous almighty Alpha of this pack. Alpha marcus.
"Father." Seryosong tawag ni Greyson bago tuluyang lumapit sa kanyang direksyon ang ama.
It's almost afternoon, but the darkness that surrounds the entire dark palace states the opposite. As if the only time in that area is night.
Mula sa kailaliman ng palasyo ay nakasentro ang isang kweba kung saan madalas na isinasagawa ang kanilang mga personal na ritwal. At the very middle of it was the second member of the evil coven.
Busy drawing fresh blood on the ground in preparation for some sort of ritual. Crizelle's body, which is all but motionless, is filled with the same blood. As the familiar color of red began to cover Crizelle's entire body Lady Freda's symbols began to lighten. Sa gitna ng simbolong iyon ay unti-unting lumutang ang katawan ng babae.
Sparks of light began to form an object as they started to illuminate the massive purple crystal that is parallel to Crizelle's body.
Isang ngisi ang namutawi sa labi ni Freda habang pinapanood ang mabilis na pamumuo ng panibagong nilalang na magsisilbi sa kanya. A new creature which will play a part to their victory.
Samantala, unti-unting natuyo at umitim ang dugong nagkalat sa katawan ni Crizelle. Her entire body began to lose its natural color, turning her once-vibrant skin into one that was pallid. As black veins began to rise on the surface of her skin, her hair turned white. Crizelle's physical appearance has changed.
In front of that crystal, a new life form emerged at the same time. A massive explosion of red smoke filled the entire dark room when the ritual was finally finished. Kasabay niyon ang tuluyang pagbagsak ng walang malay na katawan ni crizelle sa sahig. Any form of life has now been sucken out of crizelle's body.
"Hmm... not bad." As the creature's face began to emerge from the smoke, Lady Freda said. It is Crizelle, a perfect duplicate of her. To give birth to a new body, Freda practically drained Crizelle's entire life force and energy.
"Present yourself to me, my darling." She muttered under her devilish smile, and the woman's naked body began to approach her. On the woman's chest, a familiar Lady Freda symbol began to be engraved. A sign that the lady owns her and that nothing else will be able to win the lady's loyalty.
"My lady." The woman opens her eyes and looks directly into Freda's eyes with a familiar dark glint on them. Naningkit ang mata nito dahil sa isang bagay na napansin sa alaga. The replica instantly bowed down in front of her.
"Your too lifeless to look at." Naniningkit na komento niya dito dahilan ng muling pag-angat nito ng tingin sa kanya. Once more, Lady Freda used magic to lessen the darkness inside Crizelle's duplicate so that it wouldn't affect her emotions.
"Smile my dear, smile." The Lady's face formed a creepy smile, which the replica imitated. Her lips began to form a small smile as her eyes began to take on the hue of the genuine crizelle.
"There you go. You perfectly look like her." The woman spoke as she touched the woman's face and tilted it to check for flaws. Eventually, after deliberating for a while, she spoke a spell that instantly clothed the woman's naked body.
"Come with me, my dear." Usal nito bago tuluyang tumalikod at naglakad palabas sa kuwartong iyon. The woman simply got up from her position and obediently walked down the aisle with her lady.
"From now on, your name will be Crizelle." Sambit nito habang diretso nilang tinatahak ng madilim na hagdang iyon.
"Crizelle?" The woman muttered as memories of the true crizelle started to flash into her mind.
"Crizelle. That's me." She muttered after gaining all of those memory. Dahilan kung bakit namutawing muli ang ngisi sa labi ni Freda.
"Yes, and now, I have a very important task to give you." The lady once again stated as both of them instantly vanished from the aisle and into the Lady's own pavilion.
Samantala, ng sandaling makaalis na sila Freda ay siyang paglabas ng nilalang na iyon sa monumentong nakatayo sa gilid ng pasilyo. As he began to walk down the aisle, a cane in one hand and a dark cooer landing on his shoulder, a familiar green smoke filled the area.
"You sure love to put your life in danger aren't you?" Mahinang usal nito sa alaga na diretso lang nakatingin ang pulang mata sa madilim na pasilyong iyon.
I told you to just bring me back my own body and I will do this all on my own. The familiar voice of the woman registered into Gallore's ears. Isang ngisi ang namuo sa labi ng lalaki habang tahimik nilang tinatahak ang hagdan pababa sa ritual room.
"Why? Aren't you enjoying my company?" May panghihimok na usal nito sa alaga dahilan kung bakit nakatanggap siya ng malakas na huni mula dito.
Tss. Enjoying my ass. Hindi ko pa nakakalimutan ang mga kasalanan mo sa akin. Just wait 'till I come back to my own body, I'll surely get back to you this time.
"Oh really? Pasensya na ija pero nasa akin pa din ang desisyon sa bagay na iyan." Dagdag pa na inis niya dito. Dahilan kung bakit tuluyang lumipad pauna sa kanya ang babae.
Mahina na lamang siyang napatawa habang nag-uusal ng spell para pansamantalang ibalik ang katawan ng babae. She instantly fell down on the ground as her body changed to its previous form.
Kaagad na nanlaki ang mata nito ng makita ang parehong kamay na nakasuporta sa sahig ng malaglag siya. She instantly grip every part of her body, she misses this. She miss her own body.
"Wow, I didn't think I would miss my own body this much." She started hugging herself. But when she realized that she's naked, her eyes instantly went back to the man who was just smirking in his direction.
"You perverted old man!" Sigaw niya sa nagkibit balikat lang na lalaki. But then, he snapped his finger and her whole body instantly got wrapped into a comfortable set of clothes.
"Hmp!" Naiirap na usal niya dito bago huling beses na nagbigay ng masamang tingin dito at dire-diretsong nag martsa pauna sa direksyong tinatahak nila. Isang ngiti ang namutawi sa labi ng lalaki dahil sa gawing iyon ng dalaga.
For some reason someone's image flashed before his eyes.
The face of the woman that has been hunting him for years. Babaeng dahilan ng mga bagay na meron siya ngayon. Lord Gallore can't help but to stop at his feet and watch her slowly walk away.
The woman didn't realize the genuine smile and longing expression that the man had on his face.
If only he didn't choose power over his life. He wouldn't have to lose her.
His very own daughter.
"Walk faster old man! We don't have that much time for you to waste!" Sigaw nito ng tuluyang makababa sa hagdanan. His smile grew wider as he started to walk again. He didn't know where he would get himself into because of the things he is doing right now.
But one thing is for sure. He doesn't want the same thing to be repeated again. Losing someone important in his life once is enough for him to never want to experience it again.
He doesn't know why he feels connected to this woman for some reason. Kahit na aksidente lang ang pagkikita nilang dalawa. He somehow started to feel like she's lifting his own burdens.
Maybe because she reminds him of his own daughter. Those beautiful sets of almond eyes, and youthful appearance. But then, Gallore knew that his fantasies on his daughter would end soon. As he plans to put an end to this endless war.
That's why he needed this woman, which reminded him of his very own lovely daughter. So that he'll at least keep himself in his right mind for a little longer. Because losing his own daughter undoubtedly caused him to lose his mind for years, until he met this woman.
For now, he'll let himself be devoured by this illusion.
To be continued...
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𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓'𝒔 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆: Thank you for reading, god bless シ︎
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©pribadongmanunulat1_2022
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