Fear the Reaper

Chapter 13:

Red

"So I was saying that I have to hmmmmmm," napatigil ako sa pagsasalita noong nasamyo ko ang isang kakaibang amoy ng isang babaeng dumaan sa aking harapan.

It was a mixed smell of jasmine and fresh ground cinnamon. It's so intoxicating. Napatayo ako sa aking kinauupuan at sinundan ng tingin ang babae.

I know she's a girl base na rin sa hubog ng katawan nito sa likuran. She's wearing a hooded coat and a pair of black skinny jeans. At ang sapin ng kanyang mga paa ay isang pares ng high cut black sneakers.

Mate! Mate! Mate!

Iyon ang paulit-ulit na sigaw ni Fenrir sa aking isipan.

"Go and check our mate!!!!!!!!" aniya na hindi mapakali kung tatayo ba o hindi.

"Calm down will you?" sabi ko sa kanya.

"Dude, where are you going?" tanong sa akin ni Levi.

Tumingin ako sa kanya at iyon ay naintindihan naman niya agad.

He probably saw it in my eyes. Tumango-tango pa ito sa akin at ngumiti.

Nagmamadali akong hinabol ang babae at noong mahabol ko siya ay hinawakan konsiyansa braso at pinaikot patingin sa akin.

Naramdaman ko agad ang mumunting balkonahe na dumaloy sa aming dalawa.

It's the spark. It's the spark of mates. Sign na siya nga talaga ang aking mate, ang aking kaparehas.

"Excuse me? What do you think you're doing?" tanong niya sa akin na nakatingin sa aking kamay na nakahawak sa kanyang braso. Her eyes are bordeaux. Her eyes are rare and probably she's a vampire.

She has a cute little nose and pouty lips. She's not pale in fact, she's tan, like some human latinas I knew and I have dated for a night. When it comes to height, she's a little taller then Green and way more but her beauty couldn't rival Green's.

"Ugh! Stop comparing them! Our mate is unique. Do not disrespect her infront of me, Red," narinig kong sabi ni Fenrir.

"I didn't! She might not be the same as Green, but she's fine. And it's okay with me," sagot ko sa kanya.

"Good. Because if our mate will feel less confident when she meets Green and you will let that happen, I promise you, I will take over our body and I will be the one with our mate," babala niya sa akin.

"Of course I won't do that. I'll cherish our mate. That's a promise," sagot ko sa kanya.

"Excuse me, mister? Why are you holding me? I don't even know you," sabi sa akin ng babae na ngayon ay nakatingin na sa akin.

"Sorry," nakangiting sagot ko sa kanya. "I'm Red," sabi ko sa kanya.

"Yeah I know you," sagot niya sa akin.

"Oh really? How?"

"You're the son of Raven, the owner of this building. Of course I know you. Everyone knows you in terms of being a bad boy and a playboy," sagot niyang seryoso.

Napaamang ako at napailing na lamang si Fenrir.

"Yes I am the son of Raven and no I'm not a playboy nor bad boy," napapakamot sa ulong sabi ko. Hindi ko aaminin iyon. "So uhh can I know your name?"

"Eight," sagot niya bago ito tumalikod at nagmamadaling pumasok sa loob ng building.

Huh? Eight? Is she kidding me? May pangalan bang ganoon?

Go after her! Don't you dare to let her out of our sight!" utos ni Fenrir.

Hindi ko na siya sinagot. Bagkus ay nagmamadali akong pumasok sa loob ng building at nagpalinga-linga.

"Prince? What are you doing here?" tanong ni Alchor sa akin, ang warior na naatasang magbantay kay mama.

"Have you seen a girl that wears all black enter here? Like she's wearing a black hoodie?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Oh are you talking about Miss Eight?" tanong niya.

"Yeah that's her," sagot ko.

"She's with the Queen. I think she'll be working here on the job training," sabi niya. "Why are you looking for her?"

Napangiti ako.

"She's my mate," sagot ko sa kanya.

Na-surprise ito sa sinabi ko.

"Really?! Then congrats, Prince. Introduce her to us soon," aniya..

"Yeah, don't worry. I will," sabi ko sa kanya at nagmamadaling umalis papunta sa office ni Mama.

"Yes, I'm done every papers ma'am," magalang na sabi ni Eight habang nakikipag-usap ito kay Mama noong maabutan ko sa loob mismo ng opisina ni Mama.

"Good morning, ma," nakangiting bati ko sa kanya.

"Morning, son," sagot niya bago tumingin kay Eight. "Iha, you can go back to your table for now. I need to talk to my son," sabi sa kanya ng mama.

Nagpaalam si Eight sa kanya at pagkatapos ay umalis na. I followed her moves and I saw how good her ass is.

"Eyes down, Red," sabi sa akin ni mam noong mapansin niya ako.

Natatawa ako sa kanya.

"Twenty six mom, you don't need to remind me," sagot ko sa kanya. "And I know what I'm doing," sabi ko pa.

"Yes, I shouldn't but the way you look at one of my human workers is no no to me, son. And besides, she just turned eighteen. Don't you dare lay your fingers at her," sagot niya.

Napatawa ako.

"Mom, you know after waiting for eight years of my life for my mate, sorry but I'll disobey you this time. That girl is my mate," sagot ko sa kanya na nagpatigil sa ginagawa niya.

"Are you kidding?" na-excite na tanong niya.

"Yes mom! Thanks goodness moon goddess heard my wish," nakangiti kong sagot.

"Congrats, son. It's been a long long wait for you," aniya pa.

"Yeah ma. Finally," sabi ko.

But unlike the vampires and she-wolves I dated who just say yes to me the moment I open my mouth, this mate of mine is aloof and she doesn't read the atmosphere surrounding me.

"Hey wanna lunch together? My call," sabi ko sa akin.

Nag-angat lang ito ng paningin mula sa laptop na nasa harapan at saka muli ring bumalik sa ginagawa.

"Don't you get it?" tanong niya. "I don't want to talk to you nor go dine with you. Please just leave me alone. I don't want you," sabi niya sa akin.

Ouch.

Iba ang dating ng sinabi niya na iyon sa akin. My mate's rejecting me? Why? Pangit ba ako? I know I'm not since hindi naman mga birong nagkakandarapa sa akin. Is this my karma? Hindi naman siguro dahil sa pagkakaalam ko ay wala naman akong sinaktan, I mean sila naman ang nagpumilit na maging kami gayong alam naman nila na the feeling is not mutual. s*x is good. Iyon lang.

I heard Fenrir's whimpers. .

"Talk to mate! Persuade her not to dislike us. She belongs to us, Red," pakiusap niya sa akin.

"Don't worry, buddy, I got this," assurance ko sa kanya.

"Okay. Don't mess up this time," aniya.

"That's harsh baby. Don't you want to give me a chance?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Ugh," iyon ang narinig ko mula sa kanya at huminto sa ginagawa. "Why are you so persistent huh? Look, I don't care if you are the owner's son. I love myself and I won't involve myself with a guy that is extremely playboy. I won't trust you," aniya pa.

"Now that's rude, baby," sagot ko sa kanya. "You haven't seen the real me yet," sabi ko pa. "I'm not like that. I promise you," sabi ko pa, not giving up.

"Come on. Naubusan ka na ba ng mga babaeng kasing edad mo kayabsa mga bata naman ang susunod mong target?" aniya.

Damn it. Her walls are freaking high at ang hirap tibagin. Her guard is all up.

"No. I still have a lot of women who want my attention. It's just that I like you more than them," sabi ko.

Nakita kong umarko ang isang kilay niya.

Walang anu-ano ay hinila niya ng collar ng aking damit palapit sa kanyang mukha.

"If you think you can get me that easily, Daddy. You're wrong," aniya at pagkatapos ay bigla na lang akong iniwan.

Hindi ako makapaniwalang natatawa na lang sa nangyari. Did she just grab my collar and called me daddy? Aba.. iba din.

Hinintay ko siyang muling makabalik sa kanyang temporary office. I knew she's still student but she's legal now means, she can do more adult thing at hindi na iyon bawal.

"To hell with your lewd thoughts, Red!" hiyaw ni Fenrir sa akin na ikinatawa ko lang.

"It's a joke. Hindi ko gagawin iyon sa kanya," sagot ko sa kanya.

"You better be," sagot niya sa akin.

"So nandito ka pa rin?" sabi ng bagong dating na si Eight.

"I was waiting for you," kaswal na sagot ko sa kanya.

"Hindi ba malinaw na sabi ko sa iyo na ayaw ko sa iyo?" aniya na naupo sa upuan at simulang buksan ang kanyang laptop.

"So?" tanong ko na humakbang palapit sa kanyang mesa at naupo sa isang sulok niyon.

"Don't you have any more work to do than coming here everyday?" inis na tanong niya. "Do you like me huh?"

"Yes. Obviously," sagot ko sa kanya.

Her bordeaux eyes bored mine.

"So you want a fresh meat?" tanong niya bago nag-crossleg at bahagyang inilayo ang swivel chair niya sa mesa.

"Yes and also I want a serious relationship with you," seryosong sagot ko.

"Why?"

"Because we are supposed to be like that."

Nakatitig lang siya sa akin at hindi nagsalita habang dahan-dahan akong lumalapit sa kanya.

"Is that so? You want a nerd girl now?" tanong niya maya-maya pagkatapos kong hilahin ang swivel chair niya palapit sa inupuan ko na datinay nakapwesto ang kanyang upuan.

"Yeah. So wanna date me? Let's try if you and I will be compatible," sabi ko sa kanya.

"Well then," aniya bago tumayo sa kinauupuan. "If you insist," aniya ba before grabbing my face and kiss me on the lips.

It was just a touch kiss. Just our lips touched and then she chuckled.

It was a mere kiss but damn that tingles! It was so freaking great. The moment her lips touched mine, inatake ako ng samut-saring kiliti mula sa kuryenteng gumapang mula sa kanyang labi.

"If you really that serious, court me," aniya bago binitbit ang kanyang bag. "But I'm telling you, hindi ako ganoon kabilis ma-pleased. I have to go. May gagawin pa ako assignment. See you tomorrow, Red," aniya na bahagya pang natawa.

And just like that, iniwan niya ako sa office niya but she said we will try going out.

"Oh congrats, bastard. Court her in a right way. Hindi yung asal playboy. Naiinintindihan mo?" sabi ni Fenrir.

"You don't have to tell me. I know what I'm going to do," sagot ko sa kanya determined.

Maaga akong umuwi kinahapunan. I was planning to work overtime due to spending all day inside Eighth's office. Halos two weeks din akong nangulit sa kanya. At now lang niya ako binigyan ng pansin and gave me a chance.

Nadatnan kong nagkagulo ang palasyo.

Warriors are alert masusi nilang sinusuyod ang buong kagubatan at masusi rin nilang tinitignan ang papasok at palabas ng palasyo.

"What happen?" tanong ko sa isa sa mga guard.

"Some rouge wolf came here with cut hands in his mouth. He told the queen that he found the hand near his cave that falls down from the sky," aniya.

"And? Anong connection? Why?"

"The queen saw the hands and the tribal tatoo on it. She said it's the same tattoo tahg Selene, our goddess, had. She said that it must be Selene's and when she tried to contact her, she's not answering anymore," sagot nito sa akin.

"What on earth is actually happening?" naguguluhang tanong ko.

"Please, prince go inside. The queen has been looking for you. She instructed us to check everything. The queen must be currently asking the rogue wolf," aniya pa.

Nagmamadali akong pumasok sa loob at nadatnan ko roon sina Mama at ang mga leaders ng warriord at alphas ng mga pack na napalibot sa palasyo sa ibang bansa.

"I only saw the light from the moon. And the sounds of chains clanking as if someone pulled the chain from it. And when I came outside my cave, I saw the hand fall down on the moon. So I took it to you, my queen," sagot niya.

Nakita ko ang takot sa mukha ni mama. It was the first time I saw her face like that. Just who is this enemy that they were talking to? At bakit parang kinatatakutan niya ito at maging ni Green?