Aiah's Pov

"Okay lang kaya si Mikha?" Sheena asked.

Kita nila na nakaupo si Mikha sa bench habang kausap si Coach Mickey.

"Her game is suddenly a bit off," Stacey said.

"Mikha will be okay. I know she can do it," I said.

"Aiah's right, it's normal for Mikha, especially since she's the captain," Maloi said.

"Girls, here's the food," Kuya Bryan said.

Kuya Bryan wanted to watch Sophia's first game. Manlilibre siya after the game.

"Thanks, Kuya," I said.

"Looks like Mikha is subbing back in," Maloi said.

"I told you," I said.

Mikha stood up from the bench and then looked at me. I did the I believe in you in sign language, and then she responded with a hand sign that I didn't expect.

"Wait, did Mikha just do that hand sign to Aiah?" Sheena asked.

"Namalikmata lang kayo shaka hand sign yun," I said.

"I love you hand sign yun." Stacey said.

"Gutom niyo lang yan at kaba sa game," I said.

Pumasok na sa court si Mikha, halata ang ganda na ng laro niya.

"She's really good," Kuya Bryan said.

"Everytime she's on the court, she always shows how amazing she plays. After all, she's Mikhaela Janna Jimenea Lim," I said.

"Need talaga sabihin full niya?" Maloi asked.

"I like her name, and it suits her well," I said.

"Akala ko pa naman sasabihin ni Aiah na gusto niya si Mikha," Sheena said.

"Go mikhaiah," Stacey said.

"Kung anu-ano sinasabi niyo, kasama natin si Kuya Bryan," I said.

Rinig ko nalang tumawa si Kuya Bryan. Pina-focus ko na sila sa pag-nuod at baka mahawa pa si Kuya Bryan sa pag-asar nila.

Mikha's team got the second set too. The third set was crucial, dikit na dikit ang score. Bumabawi agad na nakaka score ang kabilang team. But in the end, Mikha's team still won. First game palang pero ang tindi na ng laro. Colet is the player of the game.

We're currently in the hallway, just outside of the locker room. Waiting for Mikha and the others. As usual, si Mikha ang nauna lumabas at sumunod na yung iba.

"Congratulations, bebe galing mo," Sheena said.

"Thanks, Bebe," Gwen said.

"Congratulations, Robles. Hahabaan ko muna pasensya ko sayo dahil nanalo kayo," Stacey said.

"Salamat Staku, sabi ko na love mo ako eh," Jho said.

Napatawa kami sa pagpigil ni Stacey kay Jho. Lumapit ako kay Colet.

"Congratulations, POG Nicolette. Mukhang magiging best scorer for this season," I said.

"Konting practice pa," Colet said.

"Uso ata pagiging humble sa team niyo," I said.

"Nag-mana lang sila sa captain nila," Maloi said.

Lumapit ako kay Mikha na nakatingin sa phone niya.

"Congratulations, Mikha Lim," I said.

"Thanks, Aiah. Hinihintay niyo talaga kami," Mikha said.

"Of course. All for one, one for all," I said while smiling.

Nag-picture muna kami walo. Niyaya ko sila na sabay na mag-dinner samin. Sa Ricalde restaurant kami pumunta. Nagkwentuhan ng iba't-ibang topic habang kumakain. Katabi ko si Mikha at Kuya Bryan.

"Akala ko aabot ng fifth set," Jho said.

"Ang tindi ba naman ng laro ng kabilang team nung third set," Stacey said.

"Captain Mikha niyo na-sub out ng second set," Sheena said.

"Bakit ka pala na-sub out Mikhs?" I asked.

"My play was a bit off. Maybe because I forgot to eat before the game," Mikha said.

"Uso kumain before every game, kahit energy bars lang," I said.

"Mas pipiliin niyan umidlip kaysa kumain," Jho said.

"Jho tandaan mo may kasalanan ka pa sakin," Mikha said.

"Peace captain Lim," Jho said.

"Ikaw talaga Mikha Lim, bumawi kana ngayon dinner," I said.

Nilagyan ko ng food ang plate niya.

"Yes, Aiahkins," Mikha said.

"Puro matatamis ata mga inorder natin," Sheena said.

"Ito oh maanghang Shee," Colet said.

Sinubuan ni Colet ng maanghang si Sheena.

"Colet sobrang anghang naman niyan," Sheena said.

"Bebe tubig," Gwen said.

"Ay hindi na pala maanghang, thanks bebe," Sheena said.

Nakakatuwa friendship namin walo. Kita ko na naka-smile si Kuya Bryan samin. After namin kumain, nauna na kami ni Kuya Bryan lumabas ng restaurant habang nag-cr muna mga iba.

"Ganda ng bonding niyo sis," Kuya Bryan said.

"The best friendship," I said.

"Can you promise me something?" Kuya Bryan asked.

"Of course Kuya," I said.

"Promise me that no matter what happens, don't let anything ruin the friendship you guys have. Always fix things as much as possible," Kuya Bryan said.

"Ang weird mo Kuya," I said.

"Just promise me," Kuya Bryan said.

"I promise," I said.

Kuya Bryan pats my head. Lumabas na din sila Mikha. Nasa parking lot na kami when a familiar guy appeared who looks like Mikha.

"Kuya Enzo," Mikha said.

"Hi Bunso," Enzo said.

"Lorenzo iñigo Lim," Kuya Bryan said.

"Bryan King Arceta," Enzo said.

"Kilala niyo isa't-isa kuya?" I asked.

"Ah yes, we met abroad," Kuya Bryan said.

"Kuya Enzo, go home," Mikha said.

"I'm just inviting Bryan to a boys night out tonight," Enzo said.

"Sure, I'll go. Ihatid ko lang sister ko," Kuya Bryan said.

Mikha's brother left. I look at her, parang may kakaiba, in the way she talks to her brother.

"Mikhs, okay ka lang?" I asked.

"I'm okay, nabigla ata kayo kay Kuya Enzo," Mikha said.

"Ang gwapo din pala ng Kuya mo Mikhs," Sheena said.

"Epekto ng lagi nasa ibang bansa siya," Gwen said.

"Eh bakit hindi nag-effect sakin ng nagbakasyon ako sa Canada?" Jho asked.

"Jho magkaiba ang lagi sa nagbakasyon lang," Colet said.

"Malay niyo lang mas naging poganda ako sa atin papi line," Jho said.

"Jusko Jhoanna Christine Robles itulog mo nalang yan," Stacey said.

Tama si Kuya Bryan, I cherished this friendship, and I won't let anything ruin it. Umuwi na kami, then umalis din agad si Kuya.

Something is weird talaga, kanina ko pa napapansin. Hindi ako mapakali, I sent a message to our group chat.

Chat Conversation:



After three minutes, kasama ko na sila Sheena. Tracking device gamit namin pag-sunod kay Kuya Bryan dahil car ko ginamit niya. Dumating kami sa isang abandoned building.

"May boys night out ba sa isang abandoned building?" Stacey asked.

"I have a bad feeling about this," I said.

"Then it's a good thing I brought weapons," Colet said.

"Weapons?" Sheena asked.

Colet opened the trunk of her car, revealing guns, knives, and flash bombs.

"Hunter instinct," Colet said.

"Okay, pick your weapons," I said.

The four of us picked guns. We went inside the building and we heard voices. Not just the voice of Kuya Bryan but also Mikha's brother.

"Gelo and his friends," I said.

I see Gelo and his friends are tied to the post behind Mikha's brother.

"Aiah, what are you doing here? Umalis na kayo," Kuya Bryan said.

"Looks like this night is going to be more fun," Enzo said.

"Enzo hayaan mo sila umalis, hindi sila damay dito," Kuya Bryan said.

"Damay na din dahil hunters din sila. Baka gusto mo malaman nila ang ginawa mo," Enzo said.

"Kuya Bryan may sikreto ka ba?" I asked.

"Aiah the four of you should leave now," Kuya Bryan said.

"Your brother killed my mom. He killed the mom of your childhood bestfriend." Enzo said.

"Sabi ni dad sa sakit namatay si Tita Mina," I said.

"An arrow made with dangerous wolfsbane killed our mom. Your brother was the one who shot the arrow," Enzo said.

Wolfsbane? Wait, that's a toxic herb to supernatural creatures. Enzo Lim is a werewolf, meaning Tita Mina could also be a werewolf, and Mikha is a werewolf??

"You're lying. Kuya Bryan could not do that," I said.

"Kahit hindi ka maniwala, I'm still seeking revenge for my mom," Enzo said.

He transformed into his partially lupine form. Revealing his fangs, claws, and eyes glowed red.

"He's an alpha," Colet said.

"The alpha of a pack," Stacey said.

"His pack is behind him," Sheena said.

Gelo and his friends also transformed into their partially lupine form. Their eyes are glowing gold. Naka-tali pa din sila pero nakatingin sila samin. It's our first time seeing werewolves in person. I felt my hands shaking.

"The full moon is coming. No one can't stop me and my pack," Enzo said.

"I'll explain later. Girls get ready," Kuya Bryan said.

Naglabas ng gun si Kuya Bryan, then three people jumped from the second floor and are now in front of Kuya Bryan. Nakaharap sila kay Enzo Lim, likod lang nila nakikita namin.

"We can't stop you, but we can buy time for them to escape," Mikha said.

"Mikha," I said.

"Bunso, I told you I'm doing this for our mom," Enzo said.

"Kuya Enzo, I'll protect them even from you, my own pack, and my family," Mikha said.

It's really Mikha, I know her voice. She's not looking at us, but I see claws in her hands. I already feel the two other people are Jho and Gwen. Based on their shadows, they are in their partially lupine form. Maloi suddenly appeared behind us.

"Maloi, get them out of here," Mikha said.

"But Mikhs," Maloi said.

"Just do it!" Mikha said.

It's the first time na marinig ko ganun boses ni Mikha, a growling voice. Maloi quickly holds my hand while Sheena holds the hands of Colet and Stacey. Lumabas kami agad sa building.

"Aiah, let's go," Maloi said.

"M-Maloi, we can't leave," I said.

"We don't have a choice. Girls, get inside the car. Sheena will drive. Susunod ako sa inyo gamit motorcycle ni Gwen," Maloi said.

"Makinig kayo kay Maloi, kailangan na natin umalis," Sheena said.

Pumasok na kami sa car at nag-drive agad si Sheena. Dumiretso kami sa bahay. Bumungad samin si Mom at Sophia kausap si Coach Mickey sa sala. Niyakap agad ako ni Mom.

"Thank goodness," Mom said.

"Mom, please explain," I said.

"Tita naguguluhan kami," Stacey said.

"Si Kuya Bryan naiwan tapos werewolves sila Mikha," Colet said.

"Mickey will be the one doing the explanation," Mom said.

"Mom, baka ano mangyare kay Kuya," I said.

"Girls listen first," Coach Mickey said.

Umupo kami sa sala habang nag-explain si Coach Mickey. Safe daw kami dito sa bahay dahil may nakalagay na mountain ash powder sa paligid. Sinabi niya din na emissary siya ng Lim's pack. Nalaman din namin na banshee si Maloi.

"Banshee si Maloi, paano siya nakapasok dito?" Stacey asked.

"There are some supernatural creatures that can pass through mountain ash powder," Coach Mickey said.

"Coach babalik ako dun," Maloi said.

"Maloi wala sa plano ang bumalik ka dun," Coach Mickey said.

"Kahit na coach, I have this feeling that I need to go back," Maloi said.

Maloi was about to leave, but she looked at us first.

"Naiintindihan namin nagulat kayo sa sitwasyon lalo na werewolves sila Mikha. What's important for her is that we protected you guys," Maloi said.

Umalis na si Maloi. Nakayakap ako kay Sheena.

"I already know they are werewolves, Gwen told me," Sheena said.

"Since when?" I asked.

"During second year student week, before she confessed that she likes me, she asked if I could accept what she really is," Sheena said.

"That means they already know that we are hunters," Colet said.

"Gwen took the risk even if she knows the conflict between us and them," Stacey said.

"I already know too. Mom and dad told me to keep an eye on them," Sophia said.

"Hindi ka ba natakot Sophia?" I asked.

"At first I was scared, but the first time I met Ate Mikha and the others, I felt that they were different," Sophia said.

"How different?" Colet asked.

"Ate Colet, they may be monsters but not killers. They are protectors," Sophia said.

"I don't know what to feel; it's mixed emotions," I said.

"I hope you guys realized how lucky you are having them as your friends," Sophia said.

Sophia went upstairs.

"Guys, alam ko iba ang pakiramdam niyo ngayon sa kila Mikha, pero hindi magbabago ang pagtingin ko sa kanila. They are still friends," Sheena said.

"Ang importante ngayon safe kayo," Coach Mickey said.

"Wait, si dad?" I asked.

"Nandun din si dad mo, hindi siya nagpakita sa inyo. Tutulungan niya sila Mikha," Mom said.

"Kailangan ko bumalik dun," I said.

"Walang aalis nak," Mom said.

"Pero si dad," I said.

"Hindi hahayaan ni Mikha na may mangyare sa dad at Kuya Bryan mo. She's willing to protect them against her brother, their family, and pack," Coach Mickey said.

"Tara na sa taas, the four of you need to rest," Mom said.

The four of us just followed mom upstairs. I went to my room while the others are in the guest rooms. I look at my camera. I took a picture of her during the game, sumakto na tumingin siya sakin.



"

Why does this have to happen? You're a werewolf, and I'm a hunter. We're enemies, but we're childhood bestfriends," I said.

I looked out my window at the full moon. I know their powers are much stronger every full moon.

"I really don't know what I'm feeling right now, Mikhs," I said.