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

Chapter Twenty-Five

Nagpasundo ako kay Theron sa eskwelahan. Hindi ko na rin inabala pang gisingin sina Karleen upang magpaalam. I decided to leave a note on my bed. Hindi rin naman kasi ako magtatagal. I just need to talk to Gesa and maybe ask for some hints for the whereabouts of Duke's parents. I am sure I can contact her until afternoon.

It's already thirty minutes after five in the morning. Maliwanag na rin ang paligid kahit hindi pa gaanong sumisikat ang araw. Ang mga tuyong dahon ay nililipad ng malamig na hangin papunta sa iisang direksyon. Pinagmasdan ko iyon habang pinapakiramdaman ang tahimik at abandunado ang paligid.

I glanced at my wrist watch just to find out I've been sitting for about ten minutes. Masyado ng natatagalan si Theron. Oo nga't may kalayuan ang paaralan mula sa tinutuluyan namin, but Theron's a bad ass when it comes to driving. He has a map and he's a reckless driver. Imposibleng hindi pa siya makakarating dito sa loob ng sampung minuto.

Napaangat ako ng tingin nang marinig ang pagtigil ng isang sasakyan sa aking tapat. A black Cadillac Escalade appeared in front of me. Nakita ko ang paglabas ng apat na tao mula doon. Ngunit base pa lamang sa suot at tindig, alam kong mga kapwa hunter ang mga ito.

Napatayo ako nang lumapit ang mga ito sa'kin, lalo na ng makita ko ang isang pamilyar na mukha. I didn't expect this thing to happen. Bakit sila nandito? Where is Theron?

"Magandang umaga, Gabriel.", ani ng isa sa kanila. Nakangisi itong lumapit sa'kin. I hate how his smirk formed but I remained expressionless. Nagtanggal ito ng kanyang gloves habang palapit sa'kin.

"Maaari ko bang malaman kung bakit ka nandito sa ganitong oras?", aniya sa nanunuyang tinig. I suddenly felt my blood boil. It's been years since I last saw him, and God knows I don't even care. And what's with him? Susulpot na lang siya sa harapan ko at magtatanong ng kung anu-ano. This evil...

"A hunter like you doesn't need to be informed of the assassin's businesses.", I coldly answered, emphasizing the 'assassin' on it. Hindi ko alam kung anong ibig nitong sabihin kung bakit ako nandito. I have a hint of who sent them here but I don't get why do they need to follow me. I am the assassin. No one ever dares to interfere my mission. Ever.

"Well, you are no longer the assassin.", prente nitong sagot sa'kin. Matalim ko siyang tiningnan. He doesn't changed at all. He's still arrogant, proud, and a pain in the ass. Yes, Theron is such a jerk. But his brother is in another form of dominance - the kind of attitude I never want to see again.

Kahit gulat sa kanyang sinabi ay nanatili akong walang kibo. Kung papaanong natanggal ako bilang assassin ay hindi ko alam. Was it because I am taking this mission too long? Masyado bang natatagalan si Chief sa'kin ngayon? But it doesn't mean I am no longer a hunter anymore. I am still the daugther of the two most powerful Trevino hunters. The word 'huntress' flows in my blood. Nothing can change that.

"Really?", I smirked. "Baka gusto mong ipaalala ko sa'yo, Marcus. Assassin or not, I can still kill anyone I want to kill.", ani ko sa malamig na boses. I inserted my hand on the pocket of the leather jacket I grabbed from Karleen's closet. Inilabas ko mula doon ang aking kutsilyo. I traced the metal in front of my eyes. I saw how his associate shiver. Nagtinginan ang mga ito at halatang natatakot. But Marcus, is Marcus.

"Gabriel, Gabriel.", aniya at inikotan ako habang pumapalakpak. Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko alam kung bakit naging kapatid siya ni Theron. Sure, they kind of look alike. But when it comes to attitude, they are total opposites.

Noon pa man, inaasam na ni Marcus ang pagiging Assassin. He even made to the point that he intended to hurt his brother just to prove the Chief that he deserves the title. But I came in the circle. Magmula noon, itinuring niya akong kalaban. We entered the same trainings and classes, we had practice huntings, at sa lahat ng iyon, palagi ko siyang natatalo. Despite that I am three years younger than him, I excel in tactics and physical strength. Iyon ang hindi niya matanggap-tanggap. That he is Marcus Luxien, but I defeated him countless of times.

When I was declared as the official Assassin of the Trevino Clan of Hunters, Marcus Luxien disappeared. I don't know where or what did he do for the last years I didn't saw him. Ngunit sa kanyang tindig at tikas ay halatang lumakas ito kumpara noong huli ko siyang makita. His body became leaner. He even gained biceps and his chest became broader. Ang kanyang mahabang buhok ay naging clean cut. But despite how his body changes, his dark, expressive eyes remained. His lips became reddish and even his eyebrows became more beautiful.

"Why don't you come with me? Para naman makita mo kung paano nila i-anunsyo ang pagiging assassin ko?", he whispered to my ears when he's at my back. Hinawi niya ang ibang hibla ng aking buhok at inilagay iyon sa likod ng aking tainga. What he did next made me shut my eyes. He planted a small kiss at the back of my ears, sending shivers at my spine. Ngunit hindi iyon gaya ng pakiramdam na inaakala ko. For years, I've been wishing to see him again. And now that he's in front of me, that eagerness disappeared. My mind thought I want it, but my body tells I am not.

"I am sorry, Gabriel.", his voice became soft and pleading. I immediately opened my eyes when I heared those words from him. Agad akong lumayo sa kanya. Napabitaw ito sa pagkakahawak sa ibang hibla ng aking buhok. I turned my face to see him. Napakunot ang noo ko ng makita ang ekspresyon na ibinibigay ng kanyang mga mata.

"I don't care, Marcus. Wala akong pakialam sa pagiging Assassin mo. I don't care if you're sorry. It wasn't a big deal after all.", I answered using the coldest voice I can ever use, looking at him directly at his eyes. Nakita ko ang pagguhit ng sakit sa kanyang mga mata. I was shocked but I remained stoic. No, I won't fall for his words again. I won't fall for his eyes again.

"Let me explain, Gabriel.", he pleaded. The proud, arrogant Marcus Luxien suddenly disappeared. All I am seeing now is the Marcus I met seven years ago. The Marcus who became my happy pill in the midst of loneliness, the Marcus who is my greatest rival but then became my best friend, the Marcus Luxien I fall inlove with. I am confused of his expressions. Pero alam kong marami rin akong tanong na gusto kong masagot. Those questions that has been bothering me ever since he left, ever since he broke my heart.

Napatitig ako sa eskwelahan na nasa kanyang likod, na para bang doon ako kumukuha ng kasagutan kung sasama ba ako o hindi. After few seconds of silence, I directed my eyes to his. Unti-unti nitong inilahad ang kanyang palad sa aking harapan. I stared at it with confusion.

"Please...", his voice broke. "Please, Gabriel. I am choosing you this time. Let me choose you this time.", aniya sa mahinang boses. I was about to put my hand on his palm when I saw a flicker at one of the buildings of the school. Napatitig ako doon at unti-unting naaninag ang isang pamilyar na tindig na nakasandal sa isa sa mga pinto ng silid.

His body flexed when he realized I am staring at him. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, like he is also waiting for my decision. Pagkatapos ng ilang sandali ay ibinulsa nito ang kanyang mga kamay sa kanyang pantalon. Umayos ito ng tindig habang nakatingin sa'min.

Bago pa ako mahila ni Marcus papunta sa loob ng sasakyan, nakita ko ang tahimik nitong pag-alis mula sa kanyang kinatatayuan.

I told him I'll be back this afternoon, but I need to clear out things first with Marcus. I need, or should I say, we somehow need closure between us. Maybe, in that way, I can eventually understand what I am feeling towards him. Maybe after this, I can finally open my heart for Duke.