CHAPTER 8
Jay was massaging my nose with an ice pack. There’s a stream of blood that bled from it earlier. The way Ms. Durrant spanked my face with the plank must be that hard to cause bleeding.
Angelo saved me. I don’t know what happened to me if he didn’t arrive there. Those three teachers must’ve killed me. The two other werewolves he was with were Minnie and Sage. The two of them looked the same as what I saw in their picture frame.
The night was already dark when we left the basement of that building. There was no other person in the school aside from the three teachers who kidnapped me, me, and three people who saved me. The school was surprisingly open during the night even without bodyguards. We’re lucky that we didn’t encounter any wolves. I mean, there were werewolves in human form around. But none of them shapeshifted into a wolf.
“What happened, Catherine?” Felix asked. He wasn’t mad at this moment. Instead, worries were planted all over his face. If it’s my fault that I was lost last time, today I was kidnapped. Mr. Higgins must’ve purposely conducted that remedial session earlier to kidnap me.
“I failed the exam in one of my classes. Then Mr. Higgins said I will take a remedial class alone with him. While I was retaking a test, I smelled a scent that causes a headache. I lost my consciousness afterward. Then I woke up in the basement of one of the rooms in the school.”
“How did you find me there?” I asked Angelo. He wasn’t guessing when he pinpoint where my location is. Maybe he has also a smelling power like Ms. Durrant.
“Two of you classmates. A boy with spiky hair and a girl with hair that only reaches her ears. They said Mr. Higgins with the two other teachers carried you to the basement I knew I won’t be able to fight them alone. And those two didn’t want to join me. That’s why I waited for my brother and sister to save you.”
With his description, I knew that the two students who approached him were Gwen and Aki. I knew they were kind-hearted. Still, I don’t know if I should trust them.
Jay sighed in relief. “We’re glad that Angelo was there so save you. Your nose bled earlier. Did someone hit you?” He pressed the ice again to my face.
“Ms. Durrant spanked me with a plank.”
“There must be a reason why they catch you. Did they say something about you?” Minnie asked. She has an angelic and unique voice. Her lips were black and her hair was auburn red.
“Yes. They said I’m a threat! They were forcing me what my identity is, but they don’t believe I’m a human. They said I have strong energy surrounding me.”
Nana cleared her throat. She gazed at Felix and Jay. “There’s something that you should know. I’m not in the position to tell you that. You should trust your brothers with whatever they’re going to tell you.”
What is it? After knowing that everyone in this town is werewolves, there’s still something that I didn’t know? I don’t if I’m going to be ready to do whatever they were going to confess. I had to accept it no matter what it is.
We had to leave Nana’s house. She said we needed privacy for whatever I’m going to hear from my brothers. This is it. This is the truth. I don’t know if the truth was a slap on my face or a pinch on my nose.
We were all seated on the couch. My two brothers were on two opposite sides of the couch. I chose to sit while leaning on Jay’s body. He brushed my hair. The silence crept on us. It made my heart throbbed abnormally. Whatever this confession is, I had to accept it, I told myself.
“No matter what you hear from us, don’t forget that we truly love you,” Felix said as he approached me. I knew that, Felix. Though they were protective of me, they treated me like a princess. They didn’t leave me behind though I’m the worst in most of the things. “We love you so much that’s why we hid this thing from you.”
What is it? I can’t wait anymore to hear about it.
Jay stroked my hair. “Do you remember when Mom said that you’re the gift that God gave her? You’re a gift for us. We’ve been wishing to have a princess in the family. Mom as the queen. Father is the king. Felix and I were the two princes. We wanted a princess but Mom failed in her pregnancy. She can’t get pregnant anymore after she had a miscarriage.”
They didn’t tell me that Mom had a miscarriage. If Mom had a miscarriage, then it means…
Felix continued, “You’re still our sister. Nana offered you to our mother. She said you’re a half-blood werewolf. You can’t shapeshift if you’re not trained. It means you can be a normal girl if we hid your identity.”
Tears started to fall to my cheeks. I wasn’t their biological sister. It wasn’t painful to know. I cried because of joy. The joy that they brought me because I was their princess.
“Nana was taking care of you when you’re a baby. She was supposed to be the one who will take care of you. But Mom and Dad were great friends with her. She heard that Mom wanted a princess and a little girl. So she gifted you on us.”
Jay pressed my back. “Nothing will change on us, Catherine. We are still your brother. It isn’t blood that connects us. It’s the relationship we established since the day you were with us.”
I wiped my tears using my hand. I told myself that I will accept whatever they were going to tell me. I breathed all the air I could capture. “Thank you for everything that you did for me. Though I wasn’t your family yet you gave me everything. And I’m the reason why Mom and Dad died. You must be mad at me for losing your parents just because you have to save me.”
Felix inched forward to me. This was the calmest night he had since then. “Shh… Don’t think about that, Cath. We love you. We’re not blaming you. The reason why we’re here was to protect you.”
“But who are my real parents? I want to meet them.”
Jay and Felix shook their head. “We don’t know who your parents are. Nana said it is forbidden for werewolves to fall in love with humans. They must’ve left you alone somewhere Nana found you. I’m sorry if we can’t give you a definite answer. We don’t know as well.”
My tears stopped. “It’s okay. I don’t have to find out who they are. The two of you are enough as my family.” Felix and Jay wrapped their arms around me tight. I grasped on both of their arms and whispered, “You did everything to me and I have to find out who killed our mom and dad.”
CHAPTER 9Gwen and Aki chaired themselves on both of my sides. Their face was curious. I knew they were going to ask about what happened yesterday. I had to thank them for telling Angelo where I was. They indirectly saved my life.“I’m flattered to see that you’re perfectly fine. We knew what happened yesterday,” Gwen said. Her dazzling hair was blown by the wind coming from the outside. I hope they were not gaining my trust for the worst-case scenario. I reminded myself to socialize with them but not put my trust in the first place.“We’re still unable to shapeshift. We knew Gelo already learned how to shapeshift. Our parents were slaves of betas. Fighting them would put our life at stake,” Aki explained. Then he narrated a whole lot of a story about his friendship with Gwen since they were kids. Unfair justice was also applicable in the life of these werewolves. We can’t go wrong on our steps, especially if we&rs
CHAPTER 10Today, my brothers will kill me. At least on the inside. I have to tell them my decision on training with Angelo wherever he was training. This wasn’t for my safety—for them. The family who took care of me. This was my way to give back on their efforts on me.I expected Felix would open up a hot debate about the matter. They won’t let me go. For them, it would be too dangerous. They didn’t want me to open up as a half-blood werewolf. They wanted to keep things normal to me. But life wouldn’t be normal because I’m different. And I belong to these creatures living in this town.Felix was watching a thriller action movie on our television—Jay was folding clothes. I choked my fears as I approached them.“Catherine,” Felix muttered. He has strong instincts as he felt my presence though I wasn’t too close to him. “You need anything?”We weren’t siblings only in paper
CHAPTER 11The training grounds look like a gym.There were a few attractions like hurdles and sit-ups. It wasn’t a typical training ground where we are going to train outside. There’s an apartment-like house near the low-lying grasses. Inside the building, there were gym types of equipment like stationary bikes and things I don’t know the name of. I wasn’t going to the gym even before. Running and walking was the only exercise that I know.I didn’t care about how our training would be. Walking our way here was more of a training than a warm-up. If Angelo described it as a warm-up, I’m afraid that the training would be vigorous.The last time I count the number of young peers in here, we were eleven. I lost count when I answered the registration form. I don’t know how things work in this place. But it’s a similar process to what humans do.Unlike the classroom in the community school, this place was f
Chapter 12Three kilometers into my pedometer and I can’t run anymore. We didn’t have a proper warm-up. And the rule was that we can’t walk around. My muscles were soaring and I can’t handle this anymore.I was gasping. I needed water to hydrate myself. I lost more than a liter by all the sweat all over my body. Angelo was either beside or behind me. I was never behind him.There’s a huge gap between our conditions. At this moment, I already lost all my energy. But he’s fine as if he didn’t run at all. It made sense that he’d been doing this since the day he trained her.I wanted to stop. I wanted to quit. But quitting is for weak people. It is for those who can’t handle things anymore. If I didn’t continue to train here, I wouldn’t be able to gain the strength to protect my brothers. This isn’t just for me, I reminded myself. This is for my brothers and justice on the death of
CHAPTER 13I finished the contemporary book I was reading just after Angelo took a bath. He asked me yesterday if we could bake cookies at his place, but it turned out he wasn’t expecting me early. As a morning person, I would go to him early if he didn’t specify a time.I don’t have anyone to talk to. Minnie was still asleep. Sage was in his room—as always. Except for Nana who sat on the couch the moment Angelo entered his room to wear an outfit.“What are you going today? It seems that you have plans, dear?” Nana asked. I never met my grandparents on Mom and Dad. Maybe they’re as sweet as Nana—who would ask questions and take care of her grandchildren.“He asked me to bake cookies.” I don’t have anything to do at home that’s why I agreed to the plan. Besides, he’s my only friend. And I should do better as his friend.“Oh, that is his favorite pastime
CHAPTER 14“There’s another person in this town. I mean human like you and Felix,” I told Jay. He was reading one of my books while the television was on. Felix was in the kitchen, preparing our dinner, which I can smell was java rice and some kind of pork dish.Jay slipped the bookmark between the pages of the book. He placed it on his lap and turned to me. “Why do you look so amazed?”“I thought everyone in this town are all werewolves. I kind of had confidence that not everyone will attack humans. Before, I was afraid to think of werewolves. I thought they were going to attack every human in their way.”“No, they don’t. Like us, they have a purpose in doing those things.”I glanced at the book that he was reading. A self-help book about having a purpose in life. He’s only saying those because of what he read. “You mean they have a purpose in killing our parents. What k
CHAPTER 15There’s no escape from this creature. Why would a guy enter a female restroom to attack an innocent woman like me? He can’t turn into a wolf because it’s a day. The sun was shining bright outside. At the same time, I was afraid he might punch me or kill me with his fists. He remained in his place, ready to hit me with his balled hands.“Marvel, don’t hit her,” a woman from the outside said. Marvel calmed down. His face relaxed for a bit. They should be in guidance counseling right now for assaulting me inside the restroom!The woman who talked showed pup behind Marvel. She had blonde hair, and pink lipstick, his skin was pearl white.Marvel growled at her. “She’s a threat. I can scent it. Glitter, she’s a threat!”Why does he sound so crazy about me? He looked like a dog with rabies who would attack a person. While Glitter was a calmer version of him. Hence, they bot
CHAPTER 16The first time I had a crush was when I was in freshman. The thought of having a campus crush similar to the book boyfriends that I have excites me. There’s this classmate I had in one of the advanced classes that I took. He was tall at an early age. I learned that he’s part of the campus band and was a junior. It shocked my system that this guy was older than me. Age doesn’t matter so I continued on making him my inspiration.Like any other girl on the planet, I stalked my crush on his social media account. He was part of Yankee, a band of juniors and seniors formed in our school, making him famous. He almost had all of the social media that exists on this planet. That time, I was distracted. I even had a reading slump and the only cure I had was to read stories about bands.One time in school, we had an activity wherein every sophomore will be a part of a senior group. That time, it’s been more than a year since I had a crush
FINAL CHAPTERScreams of wolves, whispers of blood, and cries of battle filled in the dawn. My forces, my alliance, the good side of the war is about to win. I did not expect the amount of minions and troops that my father has. He has a lot, almost outnumbering us.I noticed they weren’t trained enough. Some of them were forced. One was a teenage guy whom Gelo spared a life because the guy explained he was scared of what the alpha might do to their family so he unleashes in the fight. However, some are straight-up evil. Just like the alpha, they believed that this is fun. A wholesome entertainment until I came upon and slit their throat with my slasher claws.I’m a bit tired. If this wasn’t a huge fight, I would’ve opted for a coffee break. I need that. Just like how I crave it when I’m reading a book at the very late hours of the night. But no, there’s no way I could until this ends.The alpha is gone. He’s missing. One of the troops, now dead, said the alpha’s family already fled o
Chapter 60As the sun falls into the horizon, the people, or should I say the werewolves, of the town of Dusk and Dawn starts to gather at our place. Tonight the alpha’s madness will end. Tonight, everything will be more normal and free. No more threats and darkness. Only good, light, and life.“We’ll become a victor,” Jay told me while he was in the process of wearing the protective gear Nana personally made for him and Mom. They were the only humans to fight. Heroes, I believe. “It felt like I’m going in a fantasy war with these yet I have a small knife instead of a sword.”“It’s sharp though,” I said, trying the knife on my skin. A little more pressure and it will cut my skin. Nana told them to their brains or the heart. This knife will surely pierce through those body parts. “I’m scared.”“On what aspect?”“To fail. I have planned this. I have committed to this. The scary news is that it is really gonna happen.”Jay faced me and touched my face using his palms. “Darkness won’t end
Chapter 59Gelo wasn’t talking or even showing up to me for days. I hate that it happens because I love talking to him. In this town, he is my favorite person to talk to. My best friend. My boyfriend. But I do understand why. His father died. Another person in his family died. And as far as I know, his greatest fear is losing a person who’s been a huge part of his life.I swear I wanted to talk to tell him I’ll be by his side no matter what happens. I’ve been through what he’d been through before. I lost three important people in my life. Then I found out how fucked up my life is. Being the daughter of the worst man on the planet.“It wasn’t your fault,” Gwen told me when she came over to visit. “You didn’t do anything. It’s just it is that bastard who kills almost anyone.”She wrapped me in her presence. I’ve been longing for this feeling. Gwen is the only female friend I have in this town. I don’t know if I can treat Stacy and other women the same. Gwen listens. It’s just we rarely
Chapter 58“Mom.” I smiled at my mother who died months ago. “Dad.” And to my father who died with her the same night. “I’m sorry if I broke your rule of consulting you out before having a boyfriend. But I have one.”I expected them to throw killer grin at me. I expected them to shout at me for breaking their rule. In the neighborhood I lived in, it is normal for teenagers my age to date a whole set of men. My parents were different. They won’t let me unless I tell them. Maybe my brothers were the only exception, or maybe I am the exception to this neighborhood’s culture.I opened the door so Gelo could enter. He wore his wide and happy smile as he greets my parents on a very nice day. We all sat on the couch, everyone has their own teacup of the hibiscus tea my parents like to bring whenever they’re on a vacation from different states.We all chattered even though I couldn’t understand anything. We were just… talking. Nonstop. My parents seemed so happy to finally meet Angelo. It all
CHAPTER 57This could have been my perfect date with my boyfriend, who happens to be my only best friend in this town. I thought that the place Gelo picked is a safe one. It happens that the alpha is going to be here, ruining my fucking date.He grinned like he wins a reality television show where the father caught his daughter dating someone he doesn’t want to. Why does he always think he’s winning? Why does he’s always the one with power? Is it because he is the leader of the werewolf pack in this town? Or because he is a man?Just because he’s a man, it doesn’t mean he can claim everything he wants.He can never take me away from the family that took care of me. He already killed my brother, Mom, and Dad.After all, he never became a father to me.“What are you doing here?” I asked. Galo rushed behind me. He touched and caressed my hand which somehow calmed my system. The man in front of us is the one who ruined lives in this one. The antagonist of everyone’s story and I don’t nee
CHAPTER 56Gelo asked me on a date! I feel like a normal teenager asked by her long-time crush to go on a date. I never knew what a date feels like. I badly wanted to experience the right person.A perfect date in my head is when a person waits for you outside your house with his fancy car and a bouquet of roses and chocolates in his hand. That’s romantic, even in books.But reality struck me. After fixing myself on my spring-themed dress, I got down to face Angelo. He didn’t bring any bouquet of roses, just a stem on his hand and neither he has a car as well. But that’s love. Neither person or date is perfect. The world was just cruel to provide that for us.I do love Angelo, that’s the only thing that matters for now.“You’re going on a date?” Mom asked me. She pretends to be the evil stepmother who will do anything so the princess could not go on a date. “You’re not even asking me and telling me everything.”“I swear I forgot. Ever since I came here, Angelo’s been the person who we
CHAPTER 55“Chaz! Chaz!” I rushed to Chaz’s house the next day. He should know what we are planning and I know he’s going to join us. He’s one of those I knew who was wronged by the alpha so badly.Chaz didn’t answer. I was so excited to enter his house without knocking. Gladly, it wasn’t locked.The house smelled plain. I saw Chaz making out with Kaz in their living room. Holy shit! My innocent eyes! “Oh, Catherine. Can’t you knock for once?” Chaz said. “You came to bother us.” He stood up from the sofa, as well as Kaz. They only have their boxers on their bodies. I faced my back to them and waited to wear their clothes. “I’m gonna sue you next time. You can face us now.”“I’m sorry. I was just too excited to see you. I forgot that the last time I got here, you were doing the same with Kaz. I promise not to do it again.”“Don’t promise things you can’t accomplish, kid. So what’s with your commotion on ruining my morning sex with the love of my life?”I told him the story. What he ne
CHAPTER 54Their jaws dropped. They didn’t expect what I said. But that’s the very best thing that I know that could benefit everyone. Not just me but every family who lost someone because of the alpha.“The alpha killed Mom, Dad, and Felix. He killed more people than we knew. He manipulates people. He’s using his power.”“But you’re not a killer, Catherine!” That’s the first time Jay shouted at me. “Do not let your intrusive thoughts ruin you. You can’t become this kind of person. I know you’re not like that.”“Cath, as much as I want to kill that man. As much as I want to give him what he deserves, I don’t want my only daughter to become a killer. You can’t hold a knife and just kill somebody. Please.”“I talked to him last night.”Spoons clattered on plates when I said that. Gelo almost chokes himself as well. Maybe telling them the truth will make them understand my point more. I have to tell them this now. I know the alpha. He won’t stop getting what he wants until he gets it. He
CHAPTER 53I shouldn’t feel bad about what I did to my father, but why I am crying on my way back home? It was midnight and it was cold, so I could feel the tears warming up my face. I never longed for a father, even before. My past Mom and Dad were there. I never feel any complications in our relationship. I felt full. I felt loved.But when I saw him when he touch him. I felt a pang inside my chest. This man is my father. And this man killed the ones I loved. It wasn’t because I want us to be a complete family. We can’t be like that. My heart aches because the truth is my father is a killer. And I have to live with that truth until the day that I die. It wasn’t a history to tell. It’s a carved mark on my identity.Although there wasn’t any noise on my way, I don’t feel that everything is silent and quiet. My mind was attacking me with all of my thoughts. What are Mom and Alpha living better? What if they got to each other? What if the mess didn’t happen? What if Mom, Dad, and Felix