Mikha's Pov

"Jho nasaan na sila Gwen? Need na natin si Coach Mickey," I said.

"Malapit na daw sila," Jho said.

"Uyab, please stay awake," Maloi said.

"Colet, don't close your eyes," I said.

Colet is badly injured by Gelo. By the time Jho and I came to their location, Maloi's already holding Colet, and Gelo just struck his claws at Nate.

FLASHBACK

"Gelo!" I said.

"Well, here comes the alpha," Gelo said.

Jho and I are in our partially lupine form, just like Gelo. I told Jho to protect the others while I confronted Gelo.

"What do you want, Gelo? You're still part of my family's pack," I said.

"I am, but your brother is not my alpha anymore. I have chosen to follow another Lim," Gelo said.

"Javier Lim," I said.

"You're really a smart person, just like what your uncle said," Gelo said.

"Gelo, you should not follow him. He's dangerous," I said.

"I already know he's dangerous. But I'll be more dangerous when I do this," Gelo said.

He quickly used his claws on the side of my body.

"I want your alpha powers and Aiah Arceta," Gelo said.

Instead of my powers being drained, I felt becoming stronger when he mentioned Aiah's name. I pushed him, and he got thrown at a nearby tree.

"That's impossible. I was trying to take your powers," Gelo said.

"Umalis kana Gelo, you done enough. I told you before, don't you dare get close to Aiah," I said.

He stood up and left. We quickly went back to the Papi House. Nate is on the armchair while Colet is on the sofa.

"Mikha, be careful. Protect everyone," Nate said.

END OF FLASHBACK

After Nate said those words, he lost his life. Bakit kailangan may mamatay na naman? Kailangan ba idaan sa violence para matapos ang mga problema?

Dumating na si Coach Mickey, pero hindi lang si Gwen ang kasama niya kundi pati si Aiah, Sheena, and Stacey.

"Coach, si Colet," I said.

Nilapitan agad ni Coach Mickey si Colet. Habang hinawakan muna nila Aiah si Maloi.

"Colet stay with us," Coach Mickey said.

"I'll use my healing powers," I said.

"Mikhs no," Colet said.

"We can't lose you; Maloi can't lose you," I said.

"Don't use it, Mikhs," Colet said.

"The injury is really bad. Gelo is a beta, but he's quite strong," Coach Mickey said.

"Coach, let's bring Colet to the hospital," I said.

"We don't have time to do that. Mikha, there's only one choice," Coach Mickey said.

I already know in my mind what Coach is saying. The bite of an alpha.

"Mikha, do it," Colet said.

"Are you crazy? It's not easy to be a werewolf," I said.

"It's also not easy being a hunter. Mikhs, just do it. I trust you," Colet said.

I look at the others. They nod at me; they are respecting Colet's decision.

"Love, go to my room upstairs with the others. Iris is also there. Close your ears, please. Wait for us to tell you when to come out," I said.

"Do it for Maloi. Save our friend, we can't lose her," Aiah said.

"I will," I said.

They went to the extra room, leaving me, Gwen, Jho, and Coach Mickey with Colet on the sofa. I turned to my partially lupine form.

"Remember, this is my choice. I want to keep living for myself, this pack, and Maloi," Colet said.

"I'm going to do it, Colet," I said.

"I'm ready," Colet said.

I bit her shoulder while Jho and Gwen were holding her. She screamed in pain for a few seconds, then her injury is slowly healing. I transformed back to human form.

Binuhat ni Gwen at Jho si Colet sa room niya bago tinawag na pwede na lumabas sila Aiah sa room ko. Pumunta muna ako sa backyard kasama si Coach Mickey.

"Mikha, you now have your first beta," Coach Mickey said.

"I didn't expect this to happen," I said.

"I didn't say that it was wrong for you to do that," Coach Mickey said.

"I always think first before taking action, but it's Colet. We can't lose our friend," I said.

"You had the right judgement. The next thing you need to do is train her; be an alpha to your beta," Coach Mickey said.

"Thank you for being here, Coach. This is going to be another new experience for me," I said.

"Having a hunter as your girlfriend, your brother already experienced that. Your new experience is having a friend who is a hunter turned werewolf," Coach Mickey said.

"Is there a manual I can read for this new experience? I think that I might need it now," I said.

"None, but it looks like you're going to be the first one to write a manual for that," Coach Mickey said.

He pats my shoulder.

"Alis lang ako saglit. Your girlfriend is at the door," Coach Mickey said.

Coach Mickey went back inside while Aiah went closer to me. She hugged me, and I started to cry.

"I had to do it," I said.

"We understand what you needed to do, especially since it's her choice," Aiah said.

"If only I was a bit faster to go to them," I said.

"It's not your fault. They know that they needed to give Iris time to get to you," Aiah said.

After a few more minutes, I stopped crying. Pinupunasan ni Aiah mukha ko.

"You did well, love," Aiah said.

"That's my line," I said.

"Well, you need to hear those words from me," Aiah said while smiling.

That smile, that damn smile. She held my hand, then we went back inside. All of them are in the living room except Maloi. Nate's body is not in the armchair, Gwen and Jho might move it to the guest room. Iris hugged me.

"You're safe, Iris," I said.

"Ate Colet and Ate Maloi saved me," Iris said.

"We will always be here for you," I said.

"Is Ate Colet going to be okay? Ate Maloi was crying earlier, and now she's smiling," Iris said.

"She's happy that Colet is now okay. You were brave to follow what they said to you," I said.

"Iris is brave, just like her eight Ate's," Iris said.

I pat her head. She went to Stacey and Jho, who are in the kitchen. Aiah and I went upstairs to Colet's room. Maloi is sitting at the edge of the bed.

"Mikha, thank you," Maloi said.

"Your welcome, Maloi," I said.

"Kwinekwento ko lang sa kanya kanina na we're a pack of supernaturals and hunters. Now she's a werewolf," Maloi said.

"She said that she wants to keep living for herself, for this pack, and for you," I said.

"My uyab," Maloi said.

We hugged Maloi first before we went back downstairs. Nasa kusina pa din si Jho, Stacey at Iris habang nasa sala na si Gwen at Sheena na kakatapos nag-ayos.

"I think we need to tell Iris," Gwen said.

"Gwen's right, Iris needs to know the whole truth about her father," Sheena said.

I think tama sila. Lumapit na samin sila Jho na may dala mga coffee.

"Iris wants to make coffee for us," Stacey said.

We thanked Iris, then I told her to sit between me and Aiah. We told her the truth about her father.

"Iris, the guy named Gelo earlier. He wants to take you to your father," I said.

"I don't want to go to him. I felt that mom left me to the orphanage to save me from him," Iris said.

"You're really a smart kid," Aiah said.

"Opo. Just like my cousins, Ate Mikha and Ate Gwen," Iris said.

After a few minutes, Coach Mickey came back with Kuya Enzo and Mr. Arceta. Kuya Enzo quickly hugged me, Gwen, and Iris.

"Thank goodness you guys are okay," Kuya Enzo said.

"We are, but I had to bite Colet," I said.

"Mickey already told me the situation. You did what you had to do, bunso," Kuya Enzo said.

Inuwi ni Mr. Arceta si Iris habang tuloy pa din pag-uusap namin kila Kuya Enzo. Aiah is holding my hand.

"Earlier, Gelo couldn't steal my powers," I said.

"Because he really can't," Coach Mickey said.

"Only a few werewolves know that only the beta of a true alpha can steal its power," Kuya Enzo said.

"Colet is my beta now. She wouldn't do that," I said.

"We know. Mabuti nalang hindi ko nasabi kilo Gelo noon ang fact na yan," Kuya Enzo said.

"I have a question," I said.

"Ask away, bunso," Kuya Enzo said.

"Is there a manual on how to be an alpha to a beta who is a hunter?" I asked.

Napa-facepalm si Kuya Enzo, Jho, and Gwen. Nagpipigil pa ata sila ng smile nila.

"Sige pigilan niyo pa smile niyo. I'm serious here," I said.

"Love, we'll help you figure that out," Aiah said.

"Thank you, love," I said.

"Mikhs, we know you're going to be a great alpha," Stacey said.

"After all, you're the great captain of the volleyball team," Sheena said.

"Mabuti pa kayo supportive. Hindi katulad ng girlfriend at manliligaw niyo dyan," I said.

"Supportive kami sayo," Gwen said.

"Lalo na sa pagpigil kay Colet, kung sakali mag-trigger," Jho said.

"Train her before the finals game. There's going to be a full moon," Coach Mickey said.

Wrong timing ka naman full moon.

"Kami na muna bahala maghanap kay Tito Javier at mag-bantay kay Iris habang unahin niyo muna pag train kay Colet," Kuya Enzo said.

"But call us if you need help, Kuya," I said.

"Yes, bunso. Alis na din kami para makapagpahinga kayo," Kuya Enzo said.

Kinuha nila Kuya Enzo ang body ni Nate habang pumunta na din kami sa mga sari-sariling room. Nagpumilit mga kikay line na bukas nalang sila uuwi since there's no class tomorrow.

Nakayakap sakin si Aiah habang naka-tingin ako sa ceiling.

"Mikha Lim uso matulog," Aiah said.

"Mauna kana love," I said.

"No, sabay tayo," Aiah said.

"Sorry po, I'm just a bit nervous about this new experience having a beta; then we still have the problem with Tito Javier," I said.

"Sa volleyball hindi ka kinakabahan. A captain and an alpha are kinda the same," Aiah said.

"Volleyball is different; being a captain is leading the team, while being an alpha is being a leader to your pack," I said.

Napa-isip ako sa nasabi ko. I look at Aiah, na-gets ko na ibig sabihin niya.

"Both define being a leader," I said.

"You already proven yourself to be a leader to your volleyball team," Aiah said.

"Being an alpha to my beta is no different," I said.

"Maloi is right that us eight is already a pack even if we're both different. You're the alpha and the girl I love," Aiah said.

"You really know the words to say right now," I said.

"Remember that I'll always be here for you," Aiah said.

"Always?" I asked.

"Always." Aiah said while smiling.

She fixed my hair.

"I love you, Mikha Lim," Aiah said.

"I love you too, Aiahkins," I said.

I held her cheeks, then did a quick kiss on her lips. Namula siya at niyakap ulit ako. I'll always protect you, even if it means losing my life.

The next three days, we have been training Colet. She's a fast learner. Well, she's also one of the smartest in our class. We're currently in the woods, and we're sleeping tonight in the vacation house.



"Colet during the finals game, when the full moon starts. Make sure you think of your anchor," I said.

"I will Mikhs," Colet said.

Dahan-dahan lang lakad namin pabalik sa vacation house.

"I want to take Aiah on a date before the final game," I said.

"Where are you going to take her?" Colet asked.

"I don't know yet; I'm still thinking," I said.

"Dami mo alam kay Aiah pero wala ka maisip ngayon Mikhs," Colet said while laughing a bit.

"I know she likes the beach, camping, and watching the stars," I said.

"Then pick between the three," Colet said.

Nakabalik na sila sa vacation house. Nagluluto si Gwen ng dinner habang nag-grocery si Jho at Aki. Aki is the one taking care of this place.

"What's for dinner, Gwen?" I asked.

"Tinola," Gwen said.

"I'm okay with that," I said.

"Joke lang Mikhs, it's nilagang baboy. Himala nag-okay ka agad naman sa tinola, hindi ka naman mahilig," Gwen said.

"Nag-iisip pa kasi siya kung saan niya idadate si Aiah before our games," Colet said.

"Idala ko kaya siya sa siargao?" I asked.

"Mikhs, kahit simpleng date lang okay na kay Aiah," Colet said.

"Kaya nga, papagudin mo pa mag-byahe ng malayo, malapit na ang game," Gwen said.

"I'm open to any suggestions," I said.

"How about a planetarium date?" Aki asked.

Jho and Aki just came back.

"Narinig namin usapan niyo, naka-activate hearing senses namin in case may kalaban," Jho said.

"That's a great suggestion. Simple but sweet, and it's going to be amazing," I said.

"Dahil nakaisip kana ay kumain na din tayo," Gwen said.

"Treat ko kayo after ng date namin ni Aiah," I said.

Natuwa naman sila agad, pagdating talaga sa libre. A planetarium date with my Aiahkins.