It did not surprise me how I managed to stay calm despite what I have just heard. I have been trained to mask off my emotions because they cloud judgement. And despite how my head is pulsating with anger and curiosity, I still went to sit with the group. When they saw me nearing the table, they quickly eased with the topic.
"See you tomorrow. Maliligo muna ako. Sama ka, Lara?" tanong ni Karleen at tumayo.
Hindi na ako nag-abalang tumingin sa kanya. The incident a while back made me extra careful. Not that I am afraid, but because I don't want to blow my cover this early.
"I'll join you," presenta ni Vil at sinamahan ang dalawa.
Karleen grunted and walked towards our tent to get her toiletries. Ganoon din ang ginawa ng dalawa bago sila tuluyang umalis. Naramdaman ko na lang ang katahimikan ng paligid nang kaming dalawa na lang ni Duke ang natira roon.
He heaved a heavy sigh which made me look at him. The limited light from the torches around us illuminated on his face. Nakakunot ang noo at salubong ang kilay na nakatitig sa akin.
"Aren't you cold?" pasimula niyang tanong.
I can't believe it is the first thing he wanted to ask. Dahil sa narinig kong usapan nila kanina, pakiramdam ko'y may nalaman na siya tungkol sa akin. I have prepared myself for that scenario yet he asked something different.
"Hmm?" tanong niyang muli nang walang nakuhang sagot sa akin.
Wala sa sarili akong tumango kahit na hindi naman talaga ako nilalamig. Kaagad siyang tumayo at hinubad ang itim na jacket. Umawang ang labi ko nang walang pasabing inabot niya ako sa lamesa at inilagay iyon sa balikat ko.
"Is that better?" tanong niyang muli nang bumalik siya sa pagkakaupo.
Tumango ako bilang sagot. Tila nakuntento naman siya roon dahil hindi na siya muling nagsalita.
A part of me is saying I can kill him, right here, right now. The three are gone and it is just the two of us. I can escape through the forest and no one will notice unless they will find his body.
But the other half won't let me do it. It wanted... this. To be looked by him. To have his attention. To sit with him in peace.
Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal kaming nakaupo roon. The faint sound of crickets and laughters from the other students enveloped us. We never talked again but his attentive eyes were glued to me the whole time and even when the three arrived, he never stopped looking.
Iyon ang naging laman ng utak ko nang nasa tent na. Tahimik na ang paligid at tulog na si Karleen sa tabi ko pero nanatili akong dilat. The news I heard from Lara and Duke confuse me a lot. Ni hindi ko alam kung bakit ako naguguluhan dahil alam ko naman ang pakay ko sa una pa lang.
I checked my wrist watch and saw that it is already three in the morning. I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to sleep. Pero sa tuwing ginagawa ko iyon, ang pagtitig naman ni Duke ang nakikita ko sa kawalan.
That is why I am mostly grumpy the whole morning. Sanay naman ako na kulang sa tulog, hindi nga lang dahil sa lalake.
When I joined the group for breakfast, Duke was not there. I didn't know the absence of a person could be... disappointing. I mentally slapped myself. Why the hell was he the first thing I looked for?
"Si Lara?" usisa ni Karleen kay Vil habang pinapanood namin siyang ipaghanda kami ng kakainin. Vil playfully smirked which made her roll her eyes. Kumunot ang noo ko na kaagad napansin ni Vil.
"What? You didn't get it?" tanong niya sa akin. Maging si Karleen ay naging kuryoso sa isasagot ko.
Alanganin ako umiling na siyang ikinatawa ni Vil. Mas lalo akong nagtaka sa kanyang reaksyon.
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The Alpha's Mate (Alphas of Lair Series #1)
Werewolf[COMPLETED | UNDER FIRST EDITING] Alphas of Lair 1 Assassin is next to her name. She's merciless, the strongest of their clan, and the most powerful. She's flawless, precise, and totally fatal. Behind her sweet and capturing eyes is a complete devil...
