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

Chapter Twenty-Three

I ran towards Duke's house. Hindi ko alam kung nandoon siya ngayon ngunit kailangan kong magbaka-sakali. It was on the other end of Winston, located above the hills. Malayo ngunit wala na akong oras upang bumalik pa sa bahay at kunin ang sasakyan. I need to be there first before they can touch him.

Inabot ako ng sampung minuto sa pagtakbo. Hindi na bago sa akin ang pagtakbo at pag-akyat sa mga puno ngunit ngayon ko lang naramdaman na hinihingal ako. Was it because the anticipation? Tumigil ako saglit at tumingin sa kalangitan. The crescent moon illuminated its light one me. Tila nakatutok iyon sa aking pwesto. The stars are shining brightly just like the past days. I inhaled and exhaled deeply, breathing in the fresh, cold air of the early morning. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa bahay ni Duke. The house was dark and eerie silent. Kung sa normal na tao ay pagkakamalan itong haunted house, ngunit iba ang dating nito sa'kin. It was a feeling that this is my home. It calms my body, it calms my feelings.

Umatras ako ng kaunti at kumuha ng buwelo. When I had the right position, I immediately climbed their gate. Nagkaroon ng maliit na ingay ang bakal na pultahan. Saglit akong napatingin doon bago tumingin sa bahay na nasa aking harapan. Hindi ako nagdalawang-isip na dumeretso sa kanilang pintuan. I knocked on their wooden door for three times. Nagsimula na akong mainip dahil wala parin akong nakukuhang sagot.

I crossed my arms before my chest because of impatience. Napatigil ako ng maramdaman ang isang bagay sa loob nito. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na hawak ko ang aking cellphone. I grabbed it and texted Karleen to tell her I am infront of their respective house.

Ilang segundo pa lang ay nakita ko ang pagliwanag ng isa sa mga kwarto at ang sala. Bumukas ang pintuan na nasa aking harapan at tumambad sa aking ang gulat na mukha ni Karleen. Agad niya akong niyakap ng mahigpit.

"I miss you so much!", aniya habang nakayakap parin sa'kin. I remained still trying not to react. Her wolf smell enveloped my nose. It was mixed with maybe perfume and body soap. I hate the smell of their fur, but with Karleen, she's an exemption. It was sweet and relaxing. Nakita ko ang madaling pagbaba nina Vil at Lara mula sa taas. Both with shock in their faces. Of course, who won't be shocked? A hunter in a house of wolves at three in the morning.

I saw Vil's familiar grin when my eyes averted at him. Nanatiling walang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Lara ngunit nag-uumapaw ng kasiyahan ang kanyang mga mata.

"Saan ka nanggaling? You smells... alcohol.", ani Karleen ng humiwalay ito ng yakap sa'kin.

"Kaya pala hindi kita naamoy. Your body smells like mixed alcohol and smoke.", ani Lara. Napatingin ako sa kanya at nakitang sinusuri ako nito. She directed her eyes to my hand which holds the knife. Agad ko iyong ibinulsa upang itago.

"Wait, you're from the club? Wala namang club sa Winston. O, uminom ka lang sa tabi-tabi?", naguguluhang tanong ni Vil habang nakaturo sa'kin. Napakunot ang noo ko sa kanyang linya habang ang kaharap kong si Karleen ay napairap na lang kahit hindi ito nakikita ni Vil dahil nasa likod niya ito.

"Where's Duke?", tanong ko sa kanilang tatlo.

"Your posture and aura screams huntress.", nabaling ang paningin ko sa isang babaeng pababa sa kanilang hagdan. Her brown hazelnut hair flows and bounces naturally with every curl. Nang marating ang sala ay dumapo sa akin ang kanyang dilaw na mata. Her lashes are long and her eyes are expressive. Her thin pinkish lips are perfect just like how her nose is carved.

"Bakit namin sasabihin sa'yo kung nasaan siya if you could kill him when you found out?", dagdag nito. I was amazed by her stand. It was cold and powerful. Halatang naiinis ito sa pagdating ko kahit hindi ko alam kung bakit. But one things is for sure, if I screams huntress, hers screams wolf - a powerful and dominant shewolf.

"Ylva, that's not how you treat a visitor." ani Karleen sa babae. Humarap ito sa kanya ng nakapameywang. Nakita kong napataas ang kilay ng babae sa naging galaw ni Karleen. For a teen, she's so... nevermind. Who is she by the way?

"Karleen, nasaan si Duke?", tanong ko ulit sa kanya. Humarap ito sa akin ngunit hindi kaagad nagsalita.

"Kapag sasabihin ko ba sa'yo, papatayin mo ba siya?", pabalik nitong tanong sa'kin. Napakunot ang noo ko. Maybe, because it was my mission after all.

"If I am planning to kill him tonight, hindi ako magtatanong sa inyo kung nasaan siya. I could've kill him straight without asking you where he is.", sagot ko dito. Nanatili siyang nakatingin sa'kin. He let out a breath turning her gaze to the little brat. There, I said it. Nagpakawala ito ng buntong hininga bago tuluyang sumagot.

"I don't know."

Napatingin ako kay Karleen ngunit nagkibit lang ito ng balikat sa'kin. Sumunod akong tumingin kay Lara ngunit tumalikod ito at nagtungo sa sofa ng kanilang sala at tuluyang naging tahimik.

"Vil...", pagbabanta ko kay Vil. He lowered his gaze fixing his eyes to the carpet.

"Truth is, hindi pa siya umuuwi dito. Dalawang araw na.", Karleen answered in a downcast tone. Napatigil ako at nag-isip. That was the day I saw him in the store when I'm with Theron. Ibig sabihin, hindi pa nila ito nahahanap hanggang ngayon.

"But, I think he'll be coming home tonight.", Karleen's tone changed. It is playful and excited this time.

"Anong oras?", tanong ko ulit. Ngumiti lang ito sa'kin. Ngayon, hindi ko alam kung dapat bang sa kanila ako nagtatanong. Duke's life is in danger right now!

"Ylva, wanna find out what I told you?", tanong ni Karleen sa babae. Umirap ito at inihipan ang buhok na tumakip sa kanyang mukha. Naglakad ito palapit sa'kin.

In a blink of an eye, she clawed one of my arms. Gumuhit ang sugat dulot ng kaniyang matutulis na kuko. Blood dripped from it and I can't help but curse.

"What the hell?!", sigaw ko sa kanya habang hawak-hawak ang duguang kamay. Nanatili itong nakatayo sa aking harapan. I am pissed and she's grinning from ear to ear.

"Patay.", bulong ni Vil ng makita ang dugo mula doon. "You sure hindi tayo magagaya diyan?", pahabol nitong tanong. Lara laughed, and it was the first time I heard her laugh like that.

"You want to see Duke, right?", tanong ni Karleen sa'kin. Napapikit ako dahil sa sakit.

"He'll be here.", aniya at iniwan ako doon upang daluhan si Lara na hanggang ngayon ay tumatawa parin. The two even made a hand gesture.

"Let me see how this works.", ani ng babaeng nasa harapan ko. I can't help but to throw a glare at her ngunit nanatili itong nakangiti sa'kin. Susugurin ko na sana ito ng marinig ang isang malakas na paglagabag ng pinto sa aking likod.

"Fuck!", malutong na mura ng isang pamilyar na boses galing sa aking likod. Agad akong napatigil dahil doon. My body froze even by his voice. A hand grabbed my bleeding arm. Nabaling kay Duke ang tingin ko. His eyes are dark and he's fuming mad. Ngunit iba ang pakiramdam ng kanyang hawak. It was so soft, so gentle. A total opposite to his look right now.

"Who the fuck did this to her?!", his voice boomed inside the house. Napapikit si Karleen dahil doon. Hinarap niya ang apat ngunit nanatiling nakakuyom ang isang kamao nito.

"SUMAGOT KAYO!", his voice is pure of wrath. Binitawan niya ang pagkakahawak sa aking kamay. I know he's ready to kill now. Parehong kamay niya ang nakakuyom at ang kanyang tindig ay nakikitaan ng nagpupuyos na galit. Sa tingin ko'y binitawan niya ako upang hindi ko maramdaman ito ngunit kahit nakatalikod sa akin ay alam kong isang kalabit nalang ay magwawala na ito.

I didn't know what has gotten into me but I threw myself at him. I hugged him from behind. Hindi ko inalinta ang sakit sa aking braso. His body relaxed when he felt my embrace. Halos maramdaman ko ang pagbaba ng temperatura sa kanyang katawan. I remained in the position.

"Akala ko, hindi ka na dadating.", I whispered. His breathing relaxed and his fist became loose. Hinarap ako nito gamit ang pagod na mga mata. But even his eyes are tired, I can't help but admire it. I will always admire it every time it lays on mine. He pulled me towards him. I buried my face on his broad chest.

"I won't leave you. Of course, I won't leave you.", bulong nito sa'kin.

"It worked! See that, Ylva? It worked!", sigaw ni Karleen. I didn't bother to look at the group. I was too carried away by Duke's scent, his arms, and the feeling of being home.