KABANATA XX
Everly's POV
Another morning, another transformation. Muli na naman akong bumalik sa dati kong anyo. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa din ako sanay sa mga nangyayaring ito pero pilit ko na lamang sinisiksik sa aking utak ang mga planong meron ako. Those plans that still seem too high for me to accomplish.
For the whole night I tried to think of a better plan to impress the whole pack. How can I atleast make them see something important in me? How can I make them accept me as their luna?
Siguradong oras na makita nila ako sa ganitong itsura ay sigurado na ang kahihinatnan ko. Hindi ko naman sila masisisi kung nanaisin nilang itakwil ako bilang kanilang luna dahil tanggap ko naman na malayong-malayo sa pagiging isang luna at pinuno ng malagong pack ang isang kagaya ko.
I'm weak, and most importantly still clueless about the true identity behind me. Kung nagpakita lang sana ulit sa akin ang lobong iyon. I tried waiting for it in my dreams last night, but how can I do that when I can only sleep for about 2-3 hours before waking up?.
Magdamag na nanatiling gising ang aking diwa.
Isa pa ay siguradong aakalain din ng buong pack na mayroon akong kaparehong sakit sa Luna. Which will only add up to their list of reasons for rejecting me as their luna. Just thinking of all those makes me question my decisions. Umpisa palang ay talo na ako sa laban na ito.
But, I'd already made a promise to myself. I will continue to do my best in this battle, and regardless of the outcome, I will accept it wholeheartedly. This is the first time I'll have the courage to fight back knowing that I'll lose in the end.
However, knowing that I'm finally starting to make a change within myself still excites me.
"Argh!" Nasabunutan ko na lamang ang aking buhok dahil sa labis na inis. I can't seem to focus now that I have a very big event coming. Wala naman akong magagawa kundi paghandaan ng lubos ang mga mangyayari.
"Ija?" Mabilis na napunta ang aking tingin sa pinto ng may mahinang kumatok doon. Siguradong si manang na iyan. Napakunot naman ang aking noo dahil 'tila napaka-aga nito magsundo ngayon.
I'm sure it was still six in the morning. Tuluyan na akong tumayo sa aking kama at dumiretso sa pinto. When I opened it up I was welcomed by Manang Linda's worried face.
"Manang?" I asked cluelessly but then realize what her worried face might mean. Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako at tumango sa kanya. I almost forgot that my training with Greyson starts today.
I'm not sure what kind of training I'll get from the Alpha, but I'll put my trust in him. He knows more about the pack than anyone else. I just hope I make it through the day without breaking any bones.
"Good morning." Pagbaba namin sa sala ay pamilyar na boses kaagad ni Jake ang rumehistro sa aking tenga. I looked around the sala and noticed him sitting comfortably in the middle sofa, reading a newspaper.
With that smile on his face, he looks dashing. However, I am only interested in my own mate. Isa ako sa babati sa lalaking 'to oras na makita niya na ang kanyang mate. They are surely both lucky to have each other.
"What took you long?" I was about to look for the source of that voice when I noticed him walking down to the sala. When I saw him again in daylight, I almost held my breath. He is attractive even when he is not smiling. Sanay na ako sa ganitong ekspresyon niya.
"Uhm–" I can't just tell him that I wasn't able to sleep last night. Siguradong pagagalitan niya na naman ako. Naramdaman ko nalang ang mahinang pagsiko sa akin ni manang.
"We'll go eat some breakfast ijo. Ako na ang maghahatid kay Everly sa old cabin kapag nakahanda na siya." Napangiti naman ako sa direksyon ni manang dahil doon. I mouthed 'Thank you' to her.
"Go on, we'll wait for you at the cabin." Sambit ni Beta Jake bago sila tuluyang naglakad pag-alis. Medyo nakaramdam naman ako ng lungkot dahil hindi man lang lumingon sa akin si Greyson. Looks like he is still pissed with what happened.
Pero hindi na namin ito mapipigilan. It was his very own father's decision. Hindi ko tuloy lubos maisip kung anong mararamdaman ko oras na makaharap ko na ito at ang bagong luna. I don't think I'm capable of making a lasting impression on Greyson, who is the only man he follows and looks up to.
Shivers ran down my spine just thinking about Alpha Marcus's stares. Grand Orleas' most successful but sad alpha. How lonely he must have felt after years of trying to distance himself from Greyson. Just thinking about it made me want to try to mend their relationship. Pero sa tingin ko ay hindi magiging ganun kadali ang lahat.
"Kaya ko na po manang." Sambit ko dito at tuluyan ng nagpaalam sa kanya para mauna nang pumunta sa hardin. She smiled at me and said, 'Good luck,' before turning around and returning to the mansion.
Napabuntong hininga naman ako habang tinatanaw ang malawak na hardin. The sunlight almost reveals every beautiful thing in that place. Malinaw kong natanaw ang daan patungo sa lumang kubo.
I took another deep breath before walking through the garden and towards the old cabin.
Nasa malayo palang ay natanaw ko na ang pamilyar na bulto ni Beta Jake na kalalabas lang ng kubo. Mukhang katatapos lang nito makipag-usap sa Alpha. I wonder what they talked about? Probably about the pack. Bigla naman akong nakonsensya ngayon na mas pinili ng Alpha na manatili dito upang sanayin ako kesa asikasuhin ang pack.
"What's with the sad face?" Napa-angat na lamang ako ng tingin sa direksyon nito. Muling bumungad sa aking paningin ang kanyang nakangiting mukha. This man is the epitome of a gentleman; whenever I see him, I feel instantly safe, and his smile brightens the atmosphere.
Unang beses ko itong nakilala ay hindi na naalis ang ngiti sa labi nito. He always has that pure smile on his face that will surely melt any woman's heart.
"Hindi ba maraming kailangan asikasuhin sa pack?" I worriedly stated. Mas lumawak lang naman ang ngiti nito bago umiling sa akin.
"Well, Alpha Marcus temporarily replaced Greyson for the meantime. Looks like he really wants to meet his son's mate." I don't know if I should be happy or nervous to know that.
"Rest assured that everything is under control. Just focus on the Alpha's training, okay?" Nakangiting sambit nito bago ibinaba ang mukha palapit sa aking tenga. Saglit naman akong natigilan dahil sa kanyang ginawa.
"Our future luna." That's the last words he whispered before giving a slight pat in my shoulders. Hindi ko mapigilan ang biglang pag-iinit ng aking mukha at tenga dahil sa kanyang sinabi. He is already claiming me as the pack's luna, I hope that the whole pack would see the same thing he sees in me.
With enough courage in my heart, I began to close the gap between myself and the old cabin's door. Tuluyan ko ng pinihit ang sedura at itinulak iyon pabukas bago tahimik na pumasok sa loob.
I was about to take another step inside when I became aware of something approaching me. Mabilis akong napaatras at pinanood ang mabilis na pagdaan ng matalim na bagay sa aking harapan.
Nanlalaki ang matang tinitigan ko ang maliit na punyal na kahoy na iyon na ngayon ay nakabaon na sa likod ng kasasarado ko lang na pinto. For a brief moment, I was aware that my heart was racing rapidly inside my rib cage as a result of what had happened. Segundo lang ang lumipas mula sa muntik kong kamatayan.
"Looks like you're not that unaware of your surroundings." That's when I realized what had happened and began looking for him all over the place. I looked at him with a shocked expression on my face.
Pero ni hindi man lang nagbago ang emosyon nito sa mukha. It's still cold and unbothered. Pinagmasdan ko ang kanyang paglapit hanggang sa tuluyan niya ng kunin mula sa pagkakabaon ang kahoy na punyal na iyon sa pinto.
Pilit ko pa ding pinapakalma ang aking sarili dahil sa nangyari. Mukhang hindi ako mababalian ng buto kundi mauubusan ng dugo sa sobrang nerbyos. Did he really intend to kill me? Paulit-ulit na usal ko sa aking sarili.
Napakislot ako ng maramdaman ko ang paghawak niya sa aking kamay. He left the wooden knife in my hands.
"Wipe that expression off your face. Dapat ay masanay ka na sa ganitong bagay. Soon you'll face more terrifying attacks than this. That is how you'll prove to them that you're worthy to be their luna." Malamig na sambit nito sa akin habang dire-diretsong naglakad patungo sa gitna ng kubong iyon.
He stood there waiting for me to catch my breath. Finally, I was able to adjust and tightly grip that wooden knife.
"Right. I should get used to this." Mahinang usal ko nalang sa aking sarili bago tuluyang naglakad sa kanyang direksyon. I stood a meter in front of him.
"We'll start with your combat skills. Since there's not much for you to use in battle, you'll rely more on your combat skills." Sambit nito sa akin. I smiled a little while trying to hand him that wooden knife.
"No, use that to fight me." Sambit nito na muli kong kinatigil. I locked my gaze on him for a moment, perhaps waiting for more instructions? Aside from the bow and arrow, I have no idea how to fight or attack.
"If you successfully wounded me with that knife then today's training is done." Sambit nito. It's easier said than done. How can I possibly wound him with this wooden knife? Mukhang makalapit pa nga lang dito ay napaka-impossible na sa akin.
Pero pilit ko pa ding pinalakas ang aking loob. Hinigpitan ko ang kapit sa punyal na iyon bago nag-umpisang sumugod sa kanya.
I tried holding the knife with both hands and aiming it straight at him, but he easily avoided it, and I felt his strong hands pushing me from the side. Dire-diretso akong bumagsak sa sahig dahil doon.
"You don't have a proper base, and you hold your weapon the wrong way." Komento nito habang tinutulungan ko ang aking sarili na tumayo. Muli akong napabuga ng hangin bago muling iniangat ang hawak kong punyal.
When I faced him this time, I remembered how my sister used to look while training with our brother Dave. I used to watch them fight each other, but it was too fast for me to keep up with all of their moves.
I place one of my feet slightly behind, slightly bend my knees, and hold the wooden knife in front of me with only my left hand.
Sa pagtaas ng kilay nito ay napagtanto ko na medyo nabigla ito sa bilis ng pagbabago ko ng posisyon. I wasted no time and attacked his direction once more. I lowered my body to prevent him from pushing me again and attempted to swing the knife up in his arms.
But he was so fast to avoid it once again. I step back a few meters trying to find a way to attack again.
"You're learning fast." Muling komento nito. Just when I thought I was the one to attack again I got surprised to see him quickly closing his distance to me.
Kung hindi lang ako muling napaatras ay siguradong sa sahig na naman ako pupulutin. When I take a step back, I carelessly swing my knife at him again, but he catches my knife-wielding hands.
"Aw!" Reklamo ko dahil sa mahigpit na pagkapit niya saking pulso. I believe he's trying to get me to let go of the knife, which I did, but then I caught it with my other free hand and tried to stab him in the neck.
But I came to a halt when he abruptly let go of my other hand, causing me to fall directly to the ground. Umiindang napahimas naman ako sa aking balakang dahil sa matigas na sahig.
He'll undoubtedly break one of my bones before this training is over. If that happens, I'm hoping he'll use his healing magic on me. I can't live my entire life with a broken bone in my body.
"Nice try." Napahinga nalang ako at tinanggap ang kanyang palad. Fortunately he tried to help me from getting up this time.
The pain is still present, but there is no time to complain because he has resumed his attacks. He pushed me again before I could even take a few steps away from him. Pilit kong itinayo ang aking sarili at iniwasan ang kanyang atake.
To be honest, he is putting all of his energy into fighting me. He's not even making an effort to avoid my attacks. He appears to have predicted my every move, and I am now trapped in him.
When I try to shield my face with my arms against his punch, I feel a sharp pain in my shoulder.
"Is this all you can do?" Walang buhay na usal nito habang pilit kong iniiwasan ang mga atake niya. Kahit pa siguradong kayang-kaya ako nitong tamaan kung gugustuhin nito. I know how hard he tries to be patient with me, realizing that I shift my focus to giving him the best that I have to offer.
I jumped to his side and kicked his feet when he least expected it, but he jumped mid-air to avoid that, which I already expected, so when he landed back on the ground, I took my shot and released the wooden knife in his direction.
He was once again distracted by dodging it and didn't notice my fist in his face. I was about to punch him when a smirk formed on his lips, which distracted me, caused me to lose my cool, and caused me to miss my punch.
Naramdaman ko nalang ang mahigpit niyang hawak sa aking kamao at mabilis iyong pinihit sa aking likuran. Mariin kong naipikit ang aking mata ng maramdaman ko ang matalim na bagay na iyon sa aking leeg.
I don't know what else to do now that I'm trapped by him. That's my final strategy, and it just goes to show how strong this man is. Turning my own attack against me.
"Give up?" Ramdam ko ng kanyang paghinga sa aking tenga ng sabihin niya ang mga salitang iyon. Napabuntong hininga ako.
In situations like this, this man is a great fighter. I can't say he's already won. I'd escaped death twice now and was ready to admit defeat.
"No." Sambit ko at puno ng pwersang ini-apak ang aking paa sa kanyang paa. Using my remaining energy, I grabbed his hands that were holding the knife against my neck and twisted my body to face him, then quickly used my two hands to push his own hands that were holding the knife against his neck, eventually making a small cut on his skin.
I can't help but jump in happiness because of that.
"I won!" I exclaimed in happiness as I jumped in happiness.
"Impressive." Nakangising komento nito bago tuluyang umayos sa pagkakatayo. He walked towards me and handed me back the wooden knife.
"You can keep this from now on." Sambit nito sa akin na mas nagpalawak ng ngiti sa aking labi.
"T-Talaga?" Hindi makapaniwalang bulalas ko dito.
"Yes. Prepare yourself because we're just getting started." Once again I felt like my energy drained in an instant because of that. Alanganin na lamang akong ngumiti at tumango sa kanya.
Kung ganun ay hindi pa pala kami nag-uumpisa? Right. Tss.. Why did I even take this man's word seriously?
Tahimik na reklamo ko na lamang sa aking isip. Looks like I have to prepare for so much worse starting this moment. Wala pa kami sa kalahatian ng araw ay ganito na katindi ang mga nangyayari. I wonder if I'll be able to survive today? I hope so.
Third Person's POV
In the middle of the woods, in a small village called Novak, where the majority of the villagers are neutral warlocks seeking a peaceful life free of discrimination from other packs and threats to their lives. Kasama sa territoryo ng Flinstones ang maliit na nayon na iyon at sa kabutihang palad ay nagagawa nilang mabuhay ng maayos at tahimik sa kabila ng kabi-kabilang pag-atake ng mga halimaw sa ibang pack.
Sa gitnang kagubatan na madaraanan bago makapasok sa nayon ay doon nakatayo ang isang maliit at lumang-luma na kubo na pagmamay-ari ng matandang babaeng nagngangalang Mizda. The elderly lady who assisted Miciera during her rebel days in the previous years.
Siya ang tumulong kay Miciera na mas maintindihan ang gamit ng kanyang kapangyarihan at mas ingatan ang sariling buhay. Ito ang kumupkop sa kanya at nag-alaga magmula noon kaya naman hindi niya na kailangan ibenta ang sarili upang aliwin ang kung sino para lang may mailaman sa tiyan.
"Diyusko kang bata ka. Ilang beses ba kitang pagsasabihan bago ka magtigil sa paglalagay sa iyong sarili sa kapahamakan?" Puno ng pag-aalalang reklamo ni Lola Mizda sa alaga na noon ay maliit lang na naiangat ang labi upang ngumiti.
"Huwag ka masyadong mag-alala lola. Buhay pa din naman ako kahit papano." Nagawa pa niyang biruin ang matanda sa kabila ng pag-aalala nito dahilan kung bakit mahina na lamang na pinitik ni lola mizda ang noo nito.
"Hihintayin ko pa ba na bangkay mo nalang ang sasalubungin ko sa hinaharap bago ka magtino?" Muling pangaral nito sa kanya habang pinagmamasdan ang noon ay puno pa ding pagod na ekspresyon ng dalaga.
Sa ilang taon na nagkasama ang dalawa ay walang isang araw na hindi nito itinuring na anak ang dalaga. They say blood is thicker than water, but they are also proof that even if you have no blood relation to someone, you can still treat them as family. Kahit nga siguro may biglang lumitaw ngayon at nagpakilala na kamag-anak ng dalaga ay siguradong mas pipiliin nito na manatili sa kubong iyon kasama niya.
That is the strength of their bond. They've never met anyone who understands them better than they understand themselves.
"Pede bang pag pahingahin mo muna ako lola sa sermon mo. Kahit dalawang araw lang, okay?" May pagka-paos na usal ni Miciera bago marahang ipinikit ang mata pero nanatiling gising ang kanyang diwa. Talagang hindi lang niya kayang pilitin ang sarili na bumangon dahil hindi pa kaya ng katawan niya.
Her energy is so drain and her body is failing due to so much exhaustion. Hindi niya alam kung dahil pa din ba ito sa kapangyarihang natanggap niya mula kay Lord Gallore.
When she remembered the old man again, she couldn't stop the tears that were welling up in her eyes. Her worst enemy had died right in her arms, but what hurts the most is that she doesn't really want him to die, she doesn't want their fight to end.
"He's dead." She finally announces after some minutes of being silent. Maging si lola mizda ay natigilan sa biglang sinabi nito. After a while, the old woman's gaze quickly returned to Miciera's direction, and she confirmed what the woman was referring to.
"T-Totoo ba iyan ija?" Hindi makapaniwalang usal nito, hindi mapigilan ang pag-angat ng ngiti sa labi nito. The news is heartbreaking, but she can't help but rejoice because she is finally free of his curse.
Mahinang itinango ni Miciera ang kanyang ulo.
"That means you don't have to call me by fake names." Hindi na magawang maitago ni Miciera ang mapait na ngiti sa kanyang labi. She didn't know that her ultimate goal of lifting up her curse can be this painful.
"Isang magandang balita iyan ija—" Hindi na nagawang matapos ni Mizda ang kanyang sasabihin ng mapansin niya ang kakaibang lungkot sa mukha ng dalaga. That's when she realized something and can't help but lift a small knowing smile on her lips.
Miciera has finally grasped what she has been trying to grasp. That death isn't the only way to exact vengeance, or even to make that person feel what you're feeling. Vengeance could bring you either satisfaction or more pain.
And Miciera obviously got blinded by her vengeance and has now come to an end of more sufferings.
"Magpahinga ka na muna. Nasa likod lang ako kung kailangan mo ng tulong." Malumanay na usal niya dito bago tuluyang tumalikod at nagtungo sa maliit na hardin sa likod ng kanilang maliit na kubo.
Miciera remained silent for a long time, thinking about her own decisions over the years and where they had led her. Perhaps there is a reason he met the man in the first place. This new name he's given her will most likely not go to waste.
A divine gift. Perhaps this time it will be her own fate that pulls her along this path in her life. She now has more than things she wants to accomplish, not to mention finally putting an end to her years of suffering at the hands of those evil creatures.
She'll find a way to free them from this curse. Just as her greatest foe delivered her from this agony.
Moonstone Pack
Just when Greyson and Jake went back to the pack using Greyson's teleportation spell an unusual commotion welcomed them. Nakapagtataka ang dami ng lobo na nasa harap ng central mansion. This made them think of the possible reason. Which was then interrupted by the sudden sound of carriages coming towards the central mansion.
Both of them stared down from Greyson's office on the second floor to watch those familiar people descend from the inside of the carriages.
"Isn't that Alpha Douglas?" Puno ng pagtatakhang usal ni Beta Jake na tinanguan lamang ng Alpha. That's when they also spotted the other unwelcome guest out of the other carriages.
"Even Alpha Gerald and Alpha Edmond? What the heck is with these leaders suddenly going here uninvited?" Puno ng pagtatakhang usal ni Jake. Pareho silang walang ediya sa biglaang pagsugod ng tatlong leader na iyon, mga pinunong noon pa ay hindi na gusto si Greyson bilang susunod na Alpha.
They did not announce any meetings tonight so they were really clueless on the sudden visit.
Lumipas ang ilang segundo ng maging ang ibang mga kilalang nilalang ay unti-unting lumitaw sa harap ng central pack.
Gideon, the Institute of Protection's chief commander. Fergus of Chief Medicine and the chief doctor's respective assistants. Even the two chief market representatives of the Flintstones and the Crescent Moon Pack can be seen walking through the crowd. Higit lalo ang kanang kamay ni King Emillian ng half-bloods ay naroon.
Alpha Greyson and Beta Jake can't help but wonder if something is wrong with all of these powerful people suddenly congregating around the central mansion at such an unexpected time of day.
Mabilis na pinihit ng dalawa ang kanyang tingin sa direksyon ng pinto ng bigla iyong bumukas.
"Greyson ijo." Bati ni Luna Katherine. His second mother which treated him like he is her own son. The sweetest and kindest luna they had ever met. Kaagad na napakunot ang noo ni Greyson dahil sa malaking ngiti na nakapaskil sa labi nito.
"You have visitors to entertain. Hello, Beta Jake." Puno ng lumanay at sayang bati nito maging kay Jake na noon ay napakamot na lamang sa kanyang batok sa kaba. Bigla siyang nakaramdam na nasa malaking problema sila pareho.
"Care to enlighten me what is happening mother?" Seryosong sambit niya dito. Luna Katherine just smiled and announced something he still finds difficult to accept.
"The information of you finally finding your mate spread to the whole pack like a wildfire. Even the other allied packs became aware of the news faster than mine." Her voice remained calm, despite the obvious bitterness in her expression. She's upset because Greyson didn't inform her sooner. She was the last person to find out.
Mas tumabingi na lamang ang ngiti ni Jake ng matalim na lumipat ang tingin ng Luna sa kanyang direksyon.
"U-Uhm..." Both of them are speechless because of this.
How can a news possibly spread so quick like this? Parang naging triple ang pakpak ng balita pagdating sa kanya.
"All of us are looking forward in meeting her." Greyson is thinking about his decisions because there is a visible hint of excitement in the Luna's eyes. There appears to be no turning back now. Siguradong pare-pareho silang madadamay sa kung ano mang resultang kahinatnan ng mga ito.
To be continued...
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𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓'𝒔 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆: Here's the update, just as promised. Merry christmas everyone!! Bawi na lang ako sa mga susunod na araw. Medyo unmotivated lang ako mag-sulat nowadays pero don't worry normal lang 'to kay author hahahaha magugulat nalang kayo sa mga susunod na week at sunod-sunod na naman update ko. Ganito lang talaga ako minsan kapag tinamaan ng katamaran. I don't really believe in writer's block since I always have something to write, there are just times that I feel unmotivated to do so : ) Hope you all understand <3 Love you guysss
Thank you for reading, god bless シ︎
Credits to the rightful owner of all the videos and pictures that I included and used in this story.
©pribadongmanunulat1_2022
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