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

Chapter Thirty-Six

Ang pamilyar na bahay nina Duke ang bumungad sa'min. I jumped from the wolf's back and landed swiftly on the road. Nang iangat ko ang aking paningin ay dalawang pamilyar na pares ng mga mata ang sumalubong sa aking titig. It's the familiar high-pitched black eyes that I've always been looking. There's this raging heartbeat again, but it's not stupid anymore. I've always longed for this beat to interrupt my senses again. Tila ba naramdam iyon ni Duke dahilan ng pagkawala ng isang ngisi sa kanyang labi. I'm finally home.

Before he could even make a single step towards me, Karleen threw his body to mine and hugged me tightly as she screams.

"I miss you so much!", she shrieked. Halos matumba kami sa lupa dahil sa biglaan niyang pagyakap sa'kin. I heard how Duke growled while the others laugh at Karleen's attitude.

"I'm so worried! Nadatnan na lang namin ang bahay na may mga patak ng dugo mo! I'm sure you own those droplets of blood. Tapos tatawag ka na lang na hindi ka pa sigurado kung babalik ka sa'min!", she sob like a baby. She didn't break the hug. Patuloy niya akong niyakap kahit na humihikbi ito sa balikat ko.

"You look like a three-year old kid, Ate. Pwede ba?", iritadong sambit naman ni Ylva na ngayon ay nakayap sa kanyang ina. Karleen didn't mind to acknowledge Ylva's remark about her. I return her hug and pats her back.

"I'm here. Hindi na ako mawawala.", I told her. Nagtama ang paningin namin ni Ylva at napangisi ito sa'kin. Today, it's different. Her smirk doesn't trumpets arrogance. Sure, she'll always be arrogant and proud, she's Duke's sister for Christ's sake. But happiness is more visible in it. Ngumiti ako sa kanya bilang tugon.

"Let's go inside. Naghanda kami ng makakain.", Lara broke the silence. Napakunot ang noo ko dahil sa narinig. They know we'll come home today? Tila nabasa ni Vil ang ekspresyon ko kaya't siya na ang sumagot sa'kin.

"Thanks to your partner.", aniya at kumindat. Hinapit nito ang baywang ni Lara at magkasabay na pumasok ang dalawa sa gate. Humiwalay si Karleen sa kanyang pagkakayap sa'kin. Pinahid niya ang kanyang luha bago ito muling magsalita.

"I'm sorry about that.", aniya. Ylva grunted at her sister. Nagawa pa nitong umirap kahit hindi nakatingin ang kapatid sa kanya.

"Let's go inside.', ang ama ni Duke ang nagsalita. Inanyayahan nito ang tatalong lobo na sumalubong sa'min sa bukana ng distrito. Ngumiti ako kay Karleen bago siya tuluyang sumunod sa mga magulang. She even called Gesa to accompany her. Napatingin si Gesa sa'kin at bahagya akong tumango. Don't worry, cousin. They won't eat you.

Nabaling ang paningin ko sa direksyon ni Duke. His arms are crossed before his chest as he stared at me. His muscles flex as he changed his position, putting his hands inside his pant's pocket. His move can even make my senses forgot their business. I know this feeling will push me at the edge of the cliff, but I'm willing to jump anytime as long as I'm with him.

Dahan-dahan itong naglakad palapit sa akin habang nakapamulsa ang mga kamay. I could almost forgot how to breath the time I felt his hands brushing my hair.

All my life, I am prepared to die anytime. Being the Assassin simply means I no longer hold my chance of living. Anumag oras ay maaari akong magaya sa kinahinatnat ng mga magulang ko. Ngunit hindi naging leksyon sa'kin ang pagkamatay nina Ama at Ina dahil sinuong ko pa rin ang panganib na maaaring pumatay sa'kin.

It's when I met Duke that I realized being a hunter is even easier than loving him. Recognizing my feelings for him is formidable but I never cared. Siguro'y tama nga si Gesa. I am stubborn. I am stubborn because my love for Duke is strong-willed. Kung nakaya kong paghandaan ang kamatayan dahil sa pagiging hunter, kaya kong mamatay para sa pag-ibig ko para sa kanya.