THE UNTAMED LUNA

ONE OF A KIND

"Yes, I'm fine. The food is so delicious." Out of the blue, I blurt it out, despite not having sampled all the dishes laid out before me.

"Abby Jezz, would you like to take a walk?" Marvin inquired, catching me off guard with his observation, causing a brief moment of shock to register on my face.

"Yes, please."

As Marvin and I made our way to the backyard, a sense of tranquility washed over us. The serene atmosphere was truly captivating. Deep down, I longed to intertwine my fingers with Marvin's, to feel that connection. In a fleeting moment, he almost reached out for my hand, but hesitated and withdrew. The anticipation is driving me crazy, leaving me yearning for more.

"There is more you need to know, Jezz. Your father was like my people. He was one of us. But your mom wasn't. She didn't know anything about our ways. She didn't know who we were. She still didn't know until she got pregnant. Your father asked her to be his wife, but he hadn't explained everything that entailed or how her life would change. I want to make sure you know everything." He told me. I nodded, wanting him to continue.

"You are one of us. You are Robert's daughter, so you inherited his DNA and his genes. Even if you hadn't met me, you would still be going through some big changes when you turn 18."

His words caused me to stop in my tracks. Marvin allowed me to process it, yet I remained utterly bewildered. If my biological father is deceased, then who is this unfamiliar man?

"Can you share more information about my father? About Robert?" I asked.

"I don't really remember anything about him. All I have in my memories is that he always played with me in the backyard. My dad, Robert, and I are close to each other. I still remember riding on my father's lap. And there was a time when Dad was walking with Robert, carrying the bucket and pitchfork. They love fishing in the river. Dad always takes me with them." Marvin's story is mesmerizing.

"But seriously, please be considerate and patient with all things you might feel or see. This is what we call life. The life that we cared about for a long time. We are not against the creatures created by the goddess. But I believe all life in this world has a purpose. We just have to go with normal people all the time to survive,"

"Now I realize that this is the reason why I experienced special skills. With the sickness, the smell, and even seeing strange people around," I said.

"Jezz, Our uniqueness lies in our ability to transform ourselves from mere animals into complex human beings, showcasing our individual strengths and skills that set us apart from others. It is this evolution that shapes how we are perceived by the world around us, highlighting our distinctiveness in a sea of conformity." Marvin added.

Now I know, why the mysterious old man seemed to have followed me everywhere, if I am not wrong, he is aware of my in-born uniqueness. This is the reason behind his sudden calls in the bustling city that remains a mystery for me. His unexpected appearance in our backyard only adds to the intrigue. What could he possibly want from me? Marvin will forever be left in the dark about my thoughts during that encounter. The deeper I delved into the secrets of my biological father, the more inexplicable occurrences seemed to unfold around me.

"Could you please share with me any other emotions or experiences you encountered? I'm curious to know about the range of feelings and events that you went through.?"

"In the park, I came across an elderly man who caught my attention. It was as if he had a certain air of mystery, almost as if he had a hidden agenda. Later on, he unexpectedly showed up at a place I was at, but strangely enough, we didn't exchange any words. It left me wondering about the intentions of this enigmatic man. Have you ever experienced a similar encounter with someone who left you with more questions than answers?"

"No, my expertise lies within the same domain as that of our kind," Marvin said.

"Okay, perhaps it was simply a component of my growth. Maybe he is one of our neighbors and he knew that I was one of his kind."

Marvin nod at me in agreement. But honestly, I told myself that I will settle this situation if I have more time.

"Our community had living peacefully around, my people, our people" he corrected.

"We are werewolves."

"What...!?" I asked, totally shocked. The words that came out of Marvin's mouth left me in a state of shock - did he really just suggest that I might be a werewolf?

My mind was racing with disbelief and confusion, trying to process this unexpected revelation. Marvin's proximity only added to my unease, his presence making the situation feel even more surreal. I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that was slowly creeping over me. The idea of werewolves being real seemed absurd, but doubt lingered in my mind, leaving me on edge.

"I can't be a werewolf," I answered. I think I may be hyperventilating, like I'm going to pass out.

"Abby Jezz, pull yourself together and relax." Marvin's words echoed in my ears as I listened intently, captivated by the soothing timbre of his voice. Inhaling deeply, I could almost taste the tranquility in the air. As his scent enveloped me, I felt a wave of calm wash over my body, easing my tension ever so slightly.

"How can that be true?"

"Jezz, I know it sounds very far-fetched. But I'm telling you the truth. I would not lie to you."

As I let out a deep breath, I mustered the courage to express my thoughts to him once again."I am not a monster!"

The words he spoke were difficult for me to accept, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. Feeling the need for some space, I stepped away from him and turned my back, silently conveying my emotions without uttering a single word.

"Of course you're not. Being a human-wolf does not mean you are a monster, but you can be a hero by helping others or even humans" Marvin explained.

"Unlike wild animals, we don't spend our days running around aimlessly. In fact, it's a rarity for us to engage in such behavior. Our lives are quite ordinary, just like any other person's. The only thing that sets us apart is our inability to transform into majestic wolves. However, rest assured that when you reach the age of 18, we will be there to offer our assistance and support." He added.

"So, Mom doesn't know about this?"

"No, Robert's untimely demise prevented him from revealing the details to her on the fateful day. The opportunity was tragically snatched away from him. However, I felt compelled to inform you at the earliest opportunity, as I am genuinely eager to extend my assistance and support to you in any way possible." Marvin's expression was filled with fear, as if he had encountered something truly terrifying. However, upon closer observation, I came to the realization that his concern was directed towards me. At that moment, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of shock and confusion, unable to fully comprehend the reasons behind his worry.

"How did she become Robert's soul mate if she didn't have werewolf blood?" I asked for clarification.

"I have something important to share with you. Female werewolves are an incredibly rare and valuable part of our community. This rarity is one of the reasons why you hold such a special place among us. Out of a total of thirty-five werewolves in our community, only ten are female. The last nine births have all been boys, and this has caused concern among us as we fear for the future of our kind without the birth of female werewolves. Many of our men have embarked on journeys far and wide in search of their soulmates, hoping to bring back a female companion. While a few females have returned with them, they are not werewolves themselves. Robert, for example, was not originally from our community. He came here to teach at Zamboanga University and to find his soulmate. Eventually, he found your mother, and the joy and excitement were palpable among us all."

"So, are there a lot of werewolves in the Philippines?" I asked.

"No, not many. The number of Alphas in Nueva Ecija is quite limited, with only 13 individuals residing there. Moving towards the southern regions of Luzon, there are slightly more Alphas, totaling to 22 in some specific areas. In Visayas, the count remains at 13, while here in Mindanao, the exact number is yet to be confirmed. However, it is worth mentioning that in recent years, there were two foreign Alphas who embarked on a quest to find their destined mates. Astonishingly, they triumphed in their pursuit and successfully brought their newfound partners back to their home country, creating a heartwarming tale of love and unity."

"Do we have a history of existence? Where are we coming from? What did our ancestor say?"

Asking Marvin with deep thoughts.