The Alpha's Mate (Alphas of Lair Series #1)

Chapter Ten: Under Guard

Inilagay ko ang huling damit sa loob ng bag bago iyon isinara. I sighed and checked the time from my wrist watch. It's only five in the morning and the school's call time is at six. May isang oras pa akong uubusin para magplano ng gagawin ngayong gabi.

Today's the first day of camping. During the past two weeks, I have been going back and forth at the forest and at the school, hoping I can see again the people who dropped the mysterious pill. Kauuwi ko lang tatlong oras ang nakalipas ngunit dumating na ang araw ng camping ay hindi ko na sila nakitang muli.

Gesa ang Elen have been in contact with me since we found out about it. Ngunit maging sila ay wala ring masabi sa akin. They can only look at the library archives and I can only investigate from here. If we try to search it on the computer data, the higher ups will know even before we can find answers.

I glanced at my phone when I saw Karleen's name on the screen. Kagabi niya pa ako pinapaalalahanan sa mga dadalhin. I even doubt she slept since her excitement started two weeks ago.

She greeted me, Good morning! See you! and sent a photo of them and their bags. My eyes went to look for Duke but he wasn't in the picture and there are only three bags.

I grunted and mentally slapped my self. Why do I always have to look for him? Hindi kaya ay ginamitan niya ako ng kung ano? Simula noong nagkasama kami sa Lacuston, pakiramdam ko ay mas lalo lang akong naguluhan. I even dreamt of him twice this week! So much for trying to avoid, Gabrielle!

Mabilis ang takbo ng oras. I arrived at the school on time. Kumpulan na ang mga estudyante ngunit mabilis kong nakita si Karleen kasama ang dalawa. They were silently discussing under the tree. Vil was shaking his head, somehow disagreeing with the two. Nang nakitang palapit ako ay umayos sila ng tayo at tinapos ang usapan. I didn't mind asking, not that I can speak anyway.

"Good morning, Dianne," si Vil ang bumati sa akin. I only nodded as a response. Hindi nagtagal ay tinawag kami upang luminya papunta sa bus.

Lara is unusually quiet. She wasn't really talking to me but this morning, I felt like she's purposely distancing herself. Nawala lang sa kanya ang atensyon ko nang siniko ako ni Karleen at inginuso ang isang direksyon. I glanced at the school's gate and immediately held my breath.

Tamad na naglalakad si Duke sa gitna ng kumpulan ng mga estudyante. Even though he wasn't asking, the students made way for him, and he didn't even mind those glances the girls are giving. Nasa daan ang mata habang ang dalawang kamay ay nasa magkabilang bulsa ng itim na pantalon. Someone from the side called him. Lumingon ito at tumango lang sa lalake bago bumaling sa gawi namin.

Umiwas ako ng tingin at bahagyang tumalikod. Ngumisi ang kanyang kapatid sa akin bago ako pwersahang pinaharap sa dating direksyon. When I turned, I can already see Duke's dogtag. Halos mapapikit ako sa biglaang pag-atake ng panlalakeng pabango niya sa ilong ko.

"Akala ko magmo-motor ka," komento ni Karleen habang nakakawit pa rin sa braso ko. Kinunotan ko ito ng noo pero hindi na siya tumingin sa akin. When I glanced at Duke, I saw how his eyes remained on me before answering her sister.

"I got no gas," aniya at sinuklay ang buhok gamit ang kamay.

I tore my eyes off his lazily combed hair. If only Gesa can see me right now, she probably gave me a punch already. I felt dumb. Kailan pa ako nagsimulang mailang?

"Alright, but you sit alone. Magkatabi kami ni Dianne," ani Karleen at tuluyan na akong hinila papasok ng bus.

True enough, I seated beside Karleen. Sa gilid ko ang bintana kaya hindi na rin ako nagreklamo. At least I get to see the view and not listen to Karleen until the end of trip.