AFTER dinner, I joined Iris in the entertainment room and watched her favorite kiddie show with her. An hour later, I tucked her to bed and went to my office. I turned on my computer to review the documents regarding the hybrids in case there were details that I missed. Tonight was the tenth time we encountered some of the hybrids but it just proved that they were either back in the country or that they didn’t leave the country at all. The pack once located some of them in Asia and Australia. The problem was that most of the hybrids would rather slash their throats than be interrogated. I didn’t know how a heartless man like Kenji managed to have such loyal subordinates who would rather sacrifice themselves than expose their king. Over the past years, Dad and I had worked together to build an empire for the wolves. We did it in memories of Mom and Alexandra. Our number and strength were so much better than before. The wolves were no longer easy to take down. Our army now was stronge
(Cassandra)I STARED at the image of God at the center of the church I was in. The mass was already over and yet, I remained seated. I didn’t think I was a religious person. But this was where I found myself after driving around San Antonio. I had a feeling that I had been here before.From the airport, it was like I knew exactly where to go. I only rested for a night in a hotel in Manila before I went to this town in Nueva Ecija. Half of me was feeling guilty because I told Valerian that I would only be staying in Manila in preparation for another exhibit.He wanted to come to the Philippines with me. Thankfully, he had a business-related meeting. I wanted to come alone. The exhibit was true. A well-known director from a gallery in the city gave me an offer and I used it as an excuse to visit this country.Fortunately, Alice, the gallery director, also had a business here in San Antonio. She was also the one who prepared for my hotel accommodation. She personally picked me up from th
(Richard)THE minute I inhaled the woman’s scent and realized that I misunderstood, I cleared my throat and switched back to polite mode. “I’m sorry, Miss. I mistook you for someone I know.”Alexandra was dead before the wolves could proclaim her as the Luna Queen. And the massive change in the Alpha King’s personality drilled that truth in our heads over and over again. It was just that the resemblance was uncanny.I was among the lucky ones who was able to train under Alexandra’s direct supervision when we were in Manila. I looked up to her. Her height, complexion, and almost everything about her appearance was similar to the woman I respected the most. Almost. Because her hair and scent were different than our Queen. This one didn’t even have a mark on her neck which would have proved her identity.“I would also like to apologize on behalf of our princess. She is just missing her mother.”“What are you saying, Uncle Richard? She is my mother!” the princess insisted.“No, she’s not,
WHETHER he was angry or not, the Alpha King was very frightening. And then there was Sir Calypso as well. All of us should really get going now. But I couldn’t seem to disturb the princess’ moment with Cassandra. The sight was so precious that it was suddenly making my eyes water.When they released each other, both of their eyes now looked puffy. Cassandra gently rubbed her nose against the princess’ nose and then both of them smiled which took our breaths away.“I will see you again, Iris.”“Me, too, Mommy,” the princess replied. This time, she was the one who wiped Cassandra’s tears away. Even that part of them was very similar. How could this happen?Cassandra stood up and looked at me straight in the eye. I never knew that someone could still look so dignified even with traces of tears on her face.“Thank you. Please take care of the princess.”“We will,” I said when I found my voice at last.The princess was now calm when she walked towards the limousine. But before she stepped
THERE was a thought that suddenly crossed my mind. I knew it was impossible. In fact, it was such a ridiculous thought that I should have just ignored it. But just to be sure, I still dialed Nick’s number.“Hello-““I want you to investigate something for me, Nick. I need a result as soon as possible.”I gave him the details and ended up the call while pacing the room back and forth. I could feel a tornado of emotion brewing inside my heart. My mind was in chaos as well. And my hands were cold. I didn’t think I would feel this way because of a woman.Cassandra was doing it again. She was making me worry again. But the situation was worse than before.Now that I thought about it, she did mention that she was currently in San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, the very town where Sinclair lived. She said she was there to look around and to accompany a certain gallery director. But was that really it? Or was meeting Sinclair her true agenda?Half of me was saying that there was nothing wrong with it,
(Cassandra)“HELLO again, Cassandra. Do you remember me?”As soon as I closed the door of my cabin, I heard that voice. It was easy to remember the owner of that voice because he was the only one who had sent shivers all through my bones when I first saw him. He was Kenneth, Valerian’s acquaintance. Even if the two men seemed to be close to each other, I couldn’t bring myself to like him the way I liked Nick. The sight of him made my stomach churn.It was hate at first sight six years ago. Six years later, it was still hate at second sight. It was as if we were mortal enemies in our past lives.“Why are you here? How did you even get in? This isn’t right. We are not close enough for you to come inside my cabin. Please get out. I don’t want you inside my personal space, Mr. Alvarez. If you want to talk to me, let’s do it outside.”This resort in Nueva Ecija was widely known for its beauty and tight security. The first one proved to be true, but not the second.Kenneth laughed. “Still a
(Valerian)I WAS in the middle of dealing with the thirteenth guard who tried to stop me from getting inside the castle when I sensed their King’s presence at last. I tossed the guard outside the door. If Kenneth had not evaded the guard, his white suit would have gotten dirty with blood.He eyed his fallen men. Most of them were unconscious. Lucky for him, they were still breathing although I must admit I was almost tempted to snap their necks and pull out their hearts. He gazed at the broken windows and furniture and at the blood on the white carpet.“You had made quite a mess in my castle, Sir,” Kenneth calmy said as he stepped inside. “I didn’t know that you have a thing for this. Had you informed my assistant about your arrival and about how much you wanted to be welcomed with blood, I would have prepared blood bags for you. We have tons of them in the kitchen and in the storage room.”In an instant, I was already in front of Kenneth. I held him by the collar. Many of his Knights
I RELEASED Kenneth and stepped out of his castle. At the gate, I saw Nick waiting for me. So, he was the reason why I heard the sound of a helicopter a while ago.“I had a feeling that I would find you here and I was right. Where do you plan to go now, Val? Tell me and I will drop you off. With your current state of emotion, I am worried that you might break things. If you want to pick up Cassandra-”“No, I won’t. I’m going back to Maryland.”“Are you leaving Cassandra behind?”I walked past him. “As if I could do that to the only woman who made me feel that I still have a heart. When I told her that I would protect her, I meant it. That promise still stands regardless of who she is. All of my weapons are in Maryland. I need to get them back.”I was excited to see Cassandra, but I couldn’t seem to face her right away knowing that she was Alexandra. When I remembered Kenneth’s compulsion, it took all of my willpower not to go back to the castle and attack him again.It was true that I