"Penelope and Ethan are right about their claims, Aiden," Conrad said. "Even my wolf got offered by Alpha Ezekiel that once Aiden, Mark, and Lilith failed him, he will assign the mission to me in exchange for a permanent house and lot, a car, and one million dollars." "What?" Ethan blurted out, he even rushed to Conrad's spot and was about to reach out to his neck but I manage to stop him before everything goes wrong. The proposal may sound ridiculous to me but I believe Conrad cannot betray me. Though I know Conrad needs all those things Ezekiel proposed to him, he will not fall for them. Conrad and I have been honest about our friendship. Truth be told, I trusted him more than Ethan, my real brother. There is no way he can do it to me. "You even considered the mission, didn't you?." Ethan added while looking Conrad in the eye. Among the four of us in the infirmary, Ethan is the most expert about our werewolf abilities. That is one of the reasons I cannot argue with him furthe
My helpless wolf doesn't want to believe Penelope's claim. Of all the humans and wolves I know who could barely lie is my brother. He hates anyone who lies straight to his face. However, after knowing she knows more about Ethan's endeavors recently, my wolf finds it hard not to trust or believe in her words. Let alone her solemn expression is telling me nothing but the truth. And why would she lie to me if I want to believe in Ethan's words that he had visitors last night? So to fill my curiosity, I grab my phone and dialed every possible wolf who might visit him in the apartment. After a few minutes of reaching everyone on my contact list, they all denied the allegations. They were Ethan's closest friends and co-security guards who work in school, of course, Lilith and Mark would be the last people I would reach out to. "Don't waste your time reaching out to them, Aiden." speaking of the devil, Ethan finally appeared behind us. Perhaps he has been eavesdropping o
"Care to share what was currently bothering your mind, huh, Aiden?" Ethan whispered to me right after he shrugs off. "are you jealous of him?" I immediately remove Ethan's arm away from me when I could not believe he would ask me that. Of all the things he could ask me, that undesirable and unexpected one would come out of his mouth. "No, I'm not jealous of them, Ethan." I defensively said, but my eyes were obviously telling me the other way around. "Why would I get jealous of him? Penelope and I are just friends." "The question is, are you seeing her only as a friend?" Ethan insisted. I could not bare being nearby Ethan so I flash to Penelope and Alpha Romulo's spots. Of course, for them to stop talking, whatever it was. "Are you guys ready for the ceremony?" asks Alpha Romulo as soon as we are gathered in the middle of the oval. Around us are hundreds if not thousands of tables filled with food and drinks. Each table was also surrounded by four or five wo
"Do I know who that man is? Is he one of our classmates?" I insisted. No matter how hard I try thinking about one, my brain only ended up getting exhausted. "Just drop it off, Aiden," that was what Penelope told me instead of dragging someone's name. "you only ended up hurting yourself. For what it's worth, our wolves were already mated. Just make sure you can concede your promise to Ethan." I don't want to talk about my promise to Ethan that my wolf must protect Penelope even if it cost my life so I shut my mouth and stop asking questions. Not that I can't do it, but the main reason my wolf disagreed with Alpha Romulo was that I can't afford Penelope mating my brother instead of me. Maybe it will be reasonable if she gets mated to someone else. Ethan is too valuable to me. He is a brother and all I have. That is why I cannot imagine the daily tension, argument, or awkwardness between us when that would be the case. But why is it that Penelope could not bring
I know Ethan was simply telling me that to lessen the guilt that I felt inside me. What irritated me the most is that even if we both know it was my mistake, he still forgives me for what I have done. He always shows me the best side of him instead of punching me or scolding me back. That was supposed to do if I am the big brother. But, no, Ethan prefers peace over chaos. He would rather get beaten to death for me to feel okay. And that is completely ridiculous. Unreasonable. Unrealistic. I know he feels betrayed but he still chooses to act as the big brother. "Want to know why I deserve that punch?" Ethan added before he shrugs me off. "Because I keep one secret from you." then he smiled while glancing at the wide clear sky. "What are you talking about?" I asked. "I cannot blame you if your impression of me will change. It's up to you. But no matter what happens, I will forever be your big brother." "Go straight to the point, Ethan. We don't have much time. Penelope and I still
"Come on, Ethan!" I debated when I could not believe he has to lie to protect me. "We were brothers. Even if my wolf is a burden to you, we should be open with each other. Your problem is also my problem. How can I trust you f you keep lying to me?" Even if my wolf cannot help him in solving those issues but I deserve to know the truth. His truth is also part of my truth. It involves me and Penelope. "Okay." he ejected some air out of his mouth and nose. "From now on, I'd be honest with you. But I need your full cooperation on this case, Ethan." After talking to Ethan, heart to heart, the two of us went back to the apartment to prepare for work and school. Today is our last day of training before the annual game. And players must have to be as early as eight in the morning. Ethan then took charge of the meal while I went to the room to check on Penelope if she was already awake for us to have a proper talk. Our discussion last night did not go well when I could not
"Oh, you're not Ethan," he added. "That rugby uniform proves me that. Because he might be wearing his disgusting school's security guard's uniform." By that sarcastic statement, I concluded that my wolf should not put all my rage toward Ethan for stealing my first love, but toward this arrogant and boastful man in front of me. Clark can say terrible things about me or degrade me all he wants, but not to Ethan who did nothing to me but good. Being one of the school's security guards is all he could get because he sacrificed his dreams for me. And I am so proud of him because of that. Never in my life would I say such words to my brother when I become who I am now because of his sweat and blood. So before I could let out a word to Clark, I punch him in the face. Hard enough I made a cut on his lips before he stumbled to the ground a few times. All the students around us, including Penelope, could not deny their eyes dilated with their jaws being dropped to the gr
How on earth did I miss not recognizing the woman's scent that she is a fucking werewolf? For God's sake Aiden, you are only proving to Ethan and Penelope what they believe in you is all fucking true. That my wolf is completely useless, not worthy to be trusted, and irresponsible one. I even used it as an excuse for me to get away from them, have some drinks, and agreed to have sex with a stranger. "Then it's your chance to do that without brainwashing my brother, you monsters!" Ethan's voice suddenly resounded in my ears before he and two of our packs behind him jump in front of me in their werewolf forms. My eyes could not help but burst into tears when I just confirmed I am no longer in danger. Or maybe I still am but, with the fact that Ethan appeared to save my ass, I know he will not allow anyone from the wolves in front of us to lay the tip of their claws and fangs on me. I don't know how Ethan found me, but it does not matter anymore. What matters to me is
"This changes everything, Ethan," he murmured softly. "We might stand a chance against the witches if we unite our forces." Despite that my wolf still hadn't gotten the picture of his plan, I nodded in agreement, feeling a newfound sense of hope coursing through my veins. "Then we must get this done, Hunter," Aiden replied on my behalf. "The entire city has been hunted by the witches. It was them who are behind this madness." "Count me in," Conrad seconded, "Even if I don't have anything about magic spells or my wolf being the weakest in this group, I will help you with all I could have." "By the way, who are you people?" I could not help but ask those two werewolves Hunter Grey brought with him. They barely open their mouths as soon as they appeared in the bunker. And if I am not mistaken, they are not Hunter's friends or part of his pack. However, my instinct tells me that they were twins or siblings when they did not just have the same physical appearance b
"Okay, I think we plan B?" Conrad asked, his voice strained with worries, especially when Penelope's wolf started getting wild. "Ethan? Aiden? Plan B?" Penelope was now in her full werewolf transformation. And just like the first time that I met her in my dream, even my werewolf eyes could barely recognize her anymore. She was as though everything changed in just a blink of an eye from the once loving and caring Penelope, who turned into a wild murderer werewolf. And it was proven when she just jumped on top of me and began attacking me with her sharp and elongated claws and fangs. Aiden and Conrad were both stunned and dumbfounded by how strong Penelope's wolf really is. They were simply standing on their spots with their eyes wide open while Penelope was trying to bite and rip me apart. But I did not let her do what she really wants to happen. So, I put enough strength into my fist and punched her straight in the face. Aiden and Conrad's jaws dropped to the g
"Who said I am leaving her here?" I asked. "I brought her here so we could save Penelope from the witches. But first, we have to make sure she cannot escape or do something to us." Conrad, without asking further questions, wandered the entire house to look for anything we could use to hold Penelope. Aiden kept on talking to her, begging her to wake up. My wolf, on the other hand, kept my sharp eyes monitoring outside the house. I had to make sure no werewolves managed to follow me, especially since the house we are in has no fences around. Anyone can barge in at any time. Needless to say, our scents are everywhere. Newly bitten or shifted werewolves have more heightened senses compared to us. "Are you sure, Brother Ethan?" Aiden's face started to brighten. "Please, we need to help her. She must remember us as soon as possible." I nodded to Aiden without looking at him. Based on my quick observation, Penelope's condition after getting hit by lightning and thunde
"Penelope?" Conrad and Aiden breathed out her name in disbelief. "Is that really you, Penelope? What are you doing? Why are you with them?" Aiden asked, his voice laced with concern. "Isn't it obvious?" Penelope extended her response with a smile on her face. "I am here to be with you and Ethan, Aiden. And I missed you both so much. Get out of there, Aiden. Come. You can hug me." Despite Penelope's sweet and convincing words, my heightened wolf could barely sense and feel any emotions from her eyes. She managed to spill those words but I didn't sense any sincerity from her voice. Sad to say, Aiden was blinded by it. He begged me to remove the protective barrier so he can hug Penelope. I cannot blame him to fell for her words. My little brother was still in love with Penelope even if he already knew that she no longer belongs to him. Penelope loves me. That is why she accepted my wolf to be her mate. "Please, Brother Ethan," Aiden continued. His tears began pour
"How I wish you won't regret losing us again, Alpha Romulo," I replied, my voice strained with utter regret and dismay. "If we were the monsters you think we are, isn't it ironic that we are still locked up in this hell of a place?" Alpha Romulo's expression remained impassive, save for a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. Perhaps he was intrigued by my sudden shift in tone, my sincerity flowing through each word. After a lingering pause, he nodded to his betas, signaling their departure. They evacuated the place, leaving us alone once again, a sense of resignation settled upon us. We were trapped with no way to escape the inevitable. The hours ticked by. And the weight of our impending doom hanging heavily in the air. "You could have done something, Ethan," Conrad highly suggested it. "The Ethan that I know would do something, everything, in his power to make things right. But you didn't. And I started to doubt if you are the real one." "We are the real ones, Conr
All the information Conrad and Alpha Romulo brought to us was news to me to the point that I no longer knows what to do. Using magic was no longer an option for me. If I am gonna use magic, then what? Aiden and I will be running for our lives again? Where? To the outside world where we could only see burned trees, abandoned buildings, shoved grounds, and empty streets? To start a new life? There is no life outside anymore. We see it with our own eyes. Everyone was already occupying this underground world in order to survive. The three werewolf packs, despite their differences, managed to survive for two consecutive years. It only means there is no hope outside. While holding onto those awful thoughts, I could not help but drop my butt to the ground with my arms wrapping around my knees and my eyes closed. The holding cell was dimly lit, with the only source of light coming from a small window, casting shadows across the cold, stone walls. Aiden and Conrad lay on
"The only person who can answer our questions is Alpha Romulo, Aiden. The two of us missed the chance for two years, remember? And I can't wait to see him," I replied, my voice filled with overwhelming excitement. "Me either, Brother Ethan," Aiden agreed before he shrugged at me. "But do you think he grows old that much in two years?" I don't know what kind of question was that but all I know is that within those years, a lot of things could have happened. That includes Penelope. My wolf missed her so badly. I want to hold her hands. Kiss her lips for like ten minutes straight. But then again, it has been two years passed already. A lot of things could have happened within those long years of waiting. Perhaps Penelope happened to have her new mate by now. After a few minutes walk, Dexter stopped walking. Then Alpha Romulo emerged from the shadows, his tall figure illuminated by the pale tube lights. His intense gaze assessed us from head to toe, suspicion clouding his piercing e
"Yes. He's pretty alive." Dexter replied, his voice calm. "If you have more questions to ask, please, address them to Alpha Romulo. I am not allowed to give you more information about anything. My wolf was simply tonight's in charge to keep an eye on the mansion." Indeed, I had a lot of questions to ask Alpha Romulo. Questions that he was the only one who knows the answer. On the bright side, knowing that he was alive gives us faith and hope. Who could have thought the protective spell I cast two years ago remains strong and become their source of protection? But two years? Sorry, but it was pretty hard to believe when we just stayed in the past for weeks. Meanwhile, Aiden and I walked side by side, our spirits high, as Dexter confirmed the incredible news. Alpha Romulo and some of our werewolf guardians were still alive. For the past two years, they believed we perished in the battle against the witches, but now there was hope shining through. Dexter had confir
"What about the pack?" Aiden highly suggested it. "Perhaps if we go there, we could find Alpha Romulo. After all, he is one of the most powerful wolves I have ever known. Or at least one from the pack, right?" Everything began with Romulo's pack. His mansion has been the haven for the witches. They come and go without being noticed. And as far as I could remember before these terrible incidents happen to our world, the witches were furious at me for breaking the deal. I involved everyone, including Romulo's pack, believing that my plan of saving humanity will work, but it didn't. Perhaps this was the result of what I did. So I highly doubt Aiden's claim to be true. The pack, I believed, was the first target of the witches. Even if Romulo is a powerful alpha, his claws and fangs, or even his wealth don't stand a chance to someone who can cast magic. However, we can't stay in an empty school either. We need answers as soon as possible. I need to find someone to ask