Mikha's Pov

"Mikhs, good luck later," Gwen said.

"Good luck din sa inyo sa practice natin," I said.

Naghuhugas kami ni Gwen ng mga pinagkainan habang sinamahan ni Jho at Colet sila Aiah sa second floor. Kasama ko matutulog sa room ko si Aiah. Bakit kasi hindi pa namin naayos ang guest room? Okay lang naman sakin kasama siya kasi nag-sleepover naman kami noon, pero nung bata pa kami yun.

"Other topic, Mikhs. What's your plan?" Gwen asked.

FLASHBACK

"Is it okay that we didn't tell Kuya Enzo?" Jho asked.

"I have this gut feeling that he doesn't need to know for now," I said.

We're inside my parents vacation house in the woods.

"I agree with Mikha. Kuya Enzo may be the alpha, but the way he picked his betas is not my type," Gwen said.

"Yeah, Aki and JL are alright, but the others are not worth the gift of the bite," Jho said.

After a few minutes, Mr. Arceta arrived with Coach Mickey. I also told Gwen and Jho about Coach being the pack's emissary.

"Before I give Johan's claws, Mickey will ask you something," Mr. Arceta said.

"What is it, coach?" I asked.

"Those claws have a memory that your dad hides for a reason. Are you ready to know that memory? Even if it may not be good," Coach Mickey asked.

I look at Gwen and Jho. They nod at me. I know they will be there for me.

"I'm ready," I said.

Nilabas ni Mr. Arceta ang isang box, binuksan niya. Inside are the claws of my dad.

"To see the memory, either Gwen and Jho will use the claw at the back of Mikha's neck," Coach Mickey said.

"I'll do it," Gwen said.

I prepared myself while my Dad's claws were magnetically inserted into Gwen's fingers.

"Ready, Mikha?" Coach Mickey asked.

I nodded, then I felt the claws at the back of my neck. A memory is flooding in; I saw my mom with Gwen and Jho. The rest of the memory happened so fast. Then I felt Jho's hand on my shoulder.

"Mikhs okay ka lang?" Jho asked.

I look around me.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Your claws were out and your eyes were glowing," Jho said.

"I saw it all. How mom died, then the three of us were there with my mom," I said.

"If we were with her, then why don't we remember it?" Gwen asked.

"Because Johan removed those memories. That's why Mikha just woke up seeing her dad preparing Mina's funeral," Coach Mickey said.

"I saw a teenage boy who used a crossbow and shot my mom. I'm holding mom while Jho and Gwen were crying. Dad appeared and went to the teenage boy. I heard him call his name," I said.

"What name?" Mr. Arceta asked.

"Bryan King," I said.

Mr. Arceta suddenly held on to Coach Mickey's shoulder.

"Mikha, are you sure that's the name your dad said?" Coach Mickey asked.

"Yes, coach. I need to find him before I give the claws to my brother," I said.

"Mikha, you can easily find him because that teenage boy is my son, Aiah's brother," Mr. Arceta said.

"Your son? Aiah's brother na palagi niya kwinekwento sakin noon? He's the one that killed my mom," I said.

Mr. Arceta showed us their family picture. It's him. He's the teenage boy in the memory.

"He's in danger. My brother will be after him," I said.

"Wait, Mikhs, how can you be so calm? Nalaman lang natin na kuya ni Aiah ang pumatay kay Tita Mina," Gwen said.

"Maybe because I'm not like Kuya Enzo. I mean, sure, I want revenge for mom, but I don't want Aiah to lose a brother," I said.

"Mikhs, you lost your mom," Jho said.

"What if Enzo will make you kill Bryan? Can you prevent that, especially since he's an alpha?" Coach Mickey asked.

"I'll stop myself even if I have to hurt myself," I said.

"Mikha honestly, hindi ko alam ang ginawa ni Bryan. No wonder bigla nalang siya pumunta ng ibang bansa," Mr. Arceta said.

"This means he's been hiding a secret from his family that he killed someone," Jho said.

"Mikhs, what's your plan?" Gwen asked.

"I don't know yet, but all I know is hanggang hindi pa umuuwi ang Kuya ni Aiah, then everything will be fine for a while," I said.

"You're really like your parents, always seeing the bright side of things before taking action," Mr. Arceta said.

"Werewolves and hunters are each other's enemies, but you and my parents are friends," I said.

"That's because not everything can be done by killing each other," Coach Mickey said.

"Werewolves and other supernatural creatures are still humans," Mr. Arceta said.

END OF FLASHBACK

"We'll meet with Tito Diego tomorrow at the vacation house again," I said.

"I sure hope we have a plan, especially that we have our first game soon and the full moon is coming," Gwen said.

The full moon is the time that our werewolf powers are going to be much more powerful. Meaning we can't control ourselves, and we will attack anyone we see. Luckily, me, Jho, and Gwen have been trained to stay calm and disciplined when that happens. Nasanay na kami sa full moon. What we're thinking is that the new betas of the pack are not trained yet.

After washing the dishes, we went upstairs. Everyone is in Jho's room except Aiah. I know where she is, surely in my room. Tama ako, she's inside looking at the photos on the wall.

"Hi," I said.

"Looks like you still have our picture from when we were kids," Aiah said.

"We're childhood bestfriends, it's a core memory," I said.

"Core memory?" Aiah asked.

"I mean, meeting you and being your childhood bestfriend is one of the greatest things that will always have a special part in my life," I said.

"Kahit hindi na tayo masyado nag-bond nung naging busy ako at sa school lang tayo nagkikita?" Aiah asked.

"Yes, you're still the Aiahkins that I know," I said.

We smiled at each other. I let her borrow my clothes, then we went to sleep.

The next day, I felt an arm around my waist. She still sleeps the same. She likes to hug her pillows, and this time I'm the pillow. I slowly removed her arm to not wake her up, then kinumutan ko siya.



I went downstairs; no one is awake yet. I cooked breakfast for everyone before going to the school oval for a jog.



I'm currently at the gym; I was about to go back to the Papi House when Kuya Enzo appeared.

"I saw the memory. Dad hides a memory from you," Kuya Enzo said.

I gave the claws to my brother, but we didn't tell him that we already used it. Meaning we have to pretend that we didn't do anything with it.

"What's the memory?" I asked.

"You, Gwen, and Jho were there when mom died," Kuya Enzo said.

"But we don't remember anything," I said.

"I found a new emissary. She said it's possible that dad removed your memories," Kuya Enzo said.

"That's why I only remembered dad preparing mom's funeral," I said.

"Dad mentioned the name of the killer, Bryan King," Kuya Enzo said.

"Bryan?" I asked.

"Yes, a teenage boy before, but now probably is the same age as me," Kuya Enzo said.

"Kuya, you should be training Gelo and the others first to control themselves. The full moon is coming," I said.

"They can control themselves," Kuya Enzo said.

"No, they don't. Jho, Gwen, and I have to keep an eye on them, especially in school," I said.

"I'll talk to them later. What's important is that I already know who Bryan is. That's why I'm here to tell you to stay away from the Arceta family, especially Aiah," Kuya Enzo said.

Oh no, Kuya Enzo already knows Kuya Bryan is an Arceta.

"I won't do that," I said.

"Her brother killed our mom. He needs to pay for what he has done," Kuya Enzo said.

"We need to know first his side before we take action. The Arceta family helped you get the alpha power," I said.

"Kahit na tinulungan nila ako, I still want revenge for our mom. Someone has to die, even if it's not Bryan but anyone in their family," Kuya Enzo said.

"I'll protect them from you even if Aiah will know I'm a werewolf," I said.

"Wow, Mikhaela Janna Lim, you're going to choose them instead of us. We're your pack and family. Sa tingin mo ba Aiah will accept na werewolf ka? She's a hunter," Kuya Enzo said.

"I'm not like you, Kuya. I'm not going to kill someone just for revenge," I said.

"Dyan ka mahina Mikha, kaya hindi bagay sayo ang alpha power. You don't have the guts to kill," Kuya Enzo said.

"I'm still respecting you as my brother but not as an alpha. If our parents were alive, they would rather listen first before taking action," I said.

Before I left Kuya Enzo, I looked at him.

"I'm serious about protecting the Arceta family. Kuya Enzo, you don't know yet my full capabilities," I said.

I went back to the Papi House. Kasalukuyan sila kumakain ng breakfast.

"Rest day, pero nag-jogging imbes bumawi ng tulog," Maloi said.

"Ganyan kasi dedicated ang captain namin," Colet said.

"Aga niyo ata mang-asar," I said.

"Mikhs, ginising mo din sana ako. Para nakasama ako sa pag-jogging," Aiah said.

"Aiah diba bumabawi ka ng pahinga since kakatapos ng first game natin?" Sheena asked.

"Yes, but wala naman masama kung mag-jogging ako," Aiah said.

"Aiah, if you want, we can do night jog," I said.

"Talaga Mikhs? Let's do it tonight," Aiah said.

"Sasabog na naman ang BiniU sa X dahil sa kanila," Jho said.

"Rest day pero mas trip nila mag-night jog," Stacey said.

"Alam niyo kayong dalawa, pagdating sa pag-aasar samin ni Aiah dyan kayo nagkakasundo," I said.

Mag-sasalita sana si Jho, pero sinubuan ko na siya agad ng bacon.

"Ayan ang aga-aga kasi mang-asar pa," Gwen said.

"Kumain lang kayo ng luto ko," I said.

"Luto mo??" They all asked at the same time.

I nodded, then went to my room to take a bath. After a few minutes, I sent a message to Mr. Arceta and Coach Mickey, and then bumalik ako sa baba. The others are already in the living room except Colet and Maloi, who are washing the dishes.

"Seryoso Mikhs ikaw nagluto? Akala ko si Gwen," Jho said.

"Akala ko nga si Colet," Gwen said.

"Infairness nagulat ako sa breakfast," Stacey said.

"So ano rate niyo sa luto ko?" I asked.

Tumingin muna sila sa isa't-isa then nag-thumbs up sakin.

"100% masarap," They all said at the same time.

Lumapit na samin si Colet at Maloi.

"Mukhang may kasama na ako lagi magluluto dito sa bahay," Colet said.

"Halata meron na, nakakagulat talaga ikaw nagluto ng breakfast, Mikhs," Maloi said.

"Mabuti hindi nasunog ang kusina," Colet said.

"Minsan lang naman ako magluto," I said.

"Ay pa-humble po si Mikhaela Lim," Colet said.

"Here in the Papi house, Colet is the captain," I said.

I went to the kitchen to make myself coffee. I usually don't eat breakfast. I just drink coffee. Pagkabalik ko sa sala, nag-uusap sila kung gagala ngayong umaga.

"Pass ako, uwi ako saglit sa bahay," I said.

"Same, sasama ako kay Mikhs," Gwen said.

"Jho sumama kana din kila Mikhs," Stacey said.

"Pwede naman ako hindi sumama kila Mikhs pero gusto ko magpa-miss muna sayo Staku," Jho said.

"Ikaw mamimiss ko? Feeling ka Robles," Stacey said.

"Ayan na naman ang jhocey," I said.

"I'm betting na magkakatuluyan sila," Aiah said.

"We'll see, but I'm not betting with you, baka matalo pa ako," I said.

"Mikha Lim, don't forget tonight," Aiah said.

"I won't, Aiahkins," I said.

Aiah smiled at me. What is this I'm feeling? Mikha Lim, calm your heart. Remember, she's your childhood bestfriend. Ihahatid ko sana si Aiah, pero kila Colet na daw siya sasabay kasi uuwi din si Colet at same compound lang sila.

Si Maloi nagpa-iwan muna. Iidlip sana kami nila Gwen at Jho sa sala, pero pinigilan kami ni Maloi.

"The three of you, be honest. May hindi kayo sinasabi sakin," Maloi said.

Kwinento ko ang situation habang seryoso siya nakikinig. She quickly decided to come with us later. We took a nap the whole day then ate late lunch before going to the vacation house.

Pagdating namin ay nasa loob na din si Coach Mickey at Mr. Arceta.

"Coach, can you put mountain ash powder around the Arceta house?" I asked.

"I could do that," Coach Mickey said.

"Then hindi ka din makakapasok Mikhs, paano pag niyaya ka niya mag-dinner? Makaka-halata siya," Jho said.

"I'll make excuses if she invites me inside. There's a chance that Kuya Enzo will attack during the full moon," I said.

"Can the three of you resist the full moon?" Coach Mickey asked.

"We can coach, but Gelo and the others can't resist it yet. If a fight will happen, I'll fight," I said.

"Even if you'll fight your brother?" Mr. Arceta asked.

"Yes, Tito. I'll fight, but I will not kill," I said.

Mr. Arceta pats my shoulder. I missed my parents, but I never felt alone. Since I was a kid, aside from Gwen's parents, who have been my guardians, there's also Aiah's parents, who have been there for me.

We started planning for an hour and a half to think of some backup plans just in case. After a few minutes, umalis na din si Coach Mickey at Mr. Arceta.

"The three of you should have told me the situation," Maloi said.

"We were about to tell you," Gwen said.

"Really? Sarap sana gamitin powers ko sa inyo," Maloi said.

"Mauna na pala ako. See you later," I said.

The three of them are looking at me; I know they're teasing me.

"It's just a night jog. I'm just making sure she's safe," I said.

"Enjoy captain," Jho said.

I went home to the Lim mansion to change into a jogging outfit before going to Aiah's house. We jogged around their compound.

"You're early," Aiah said.

"Just making sure not to make my childhood bestfriend wait," I said while smiling.

"Great privilege being your childhood bestfriend," Aiah said while smiling back.

She pinched my nose, then ran a bit ahead of me. She's still a bit childish sometimes. I ran after her, and we raced to a lake.

"This is the first time we did this, a night jog," Aiah said.



"Let's do it again sometimes," I said.

"Are you sure?" Aiah asked.

"Yes, I always have time for you, Aiahkins," I said.