CHAPTER 9
Gwen and Aki chaired themselves on both of my sides. Their face was curious. I knew they were going to ask about what happened yesterday. I had to thank them for telling Angelo where I was. They indirectly saved my life.
“I’m flattered to see that you’re perfectly fine. We knew what happened yesterday,” Gwen said. Her dazzling hair was blown by the wind coming from the outside. I hope they were not gaining my trust for the worst-case scenario. I reminded myself to socialize with them but not put my trust in the first place.
“We’re still unable to shapeshift. We knew Gelo already learned how to shapeshift. Our parents were slaves of betas. Fighting them would put our life at stake,” Aki explained. Then he narrated a whole lot of a story about his friendship with Gwen since they were kids. Unfair justice was also applicable in the life of these werewolves. We can’t go wrong on our steps, especially if we’re going to face the higher-ups.
“Don’t worry that much about me. Angelo saved me. And I’m totally fine. I’m afraid of the consequence of what happened last night.”
“Yeah, right. The consequence will matter. Those three teachers will gravitate themselves even more.” Gwen warned me with her stare. “Take care of yourself, Catherine. This place is more dangerous than you ever thought of.”
“And it wasn’t only the teachers who are after you.” Aki’s head moved to the right, pointing to the window. There were students peeking from the small holes of our jalousied windows. “They’re also coming after you.”
…
I don’t know how news spreads in this place. Paparazzi’s weren’t present in here. I wasn’t a KPOP Idol or a Pop Queen for everyone to follow me everywhere. But since what happened last night, I was more than that.
Students stalked me even during lunch. I was lucky to have Gwen and Aki by my side. I still don’t trust them. Maybe I needed someone to join me not as a stalker.
“Cath, we can cover you up with these other omegas. But when it’s the children of the betas, we have to save our lives as well,” Gwen explained.
I nodded at her as I finished my ice-cold coke. I appreciate how she and Aki joined me so others wouldn’t approach me in a weird way. They accepted their role as my colleagues, though they looked like my bodyguards. If only Angelo and I shared a class, these things won’t be that complicated.
Why would these strangers stalk me around this campus? Was it a big deal for these werewolves to find out there’s another species in the school? I’m also a werewolf, just a half-blood of it. I wonder if they knew I was only a half-blood, and they see me as a threat as well.
After lunch, we attended our class with Mrs. Score. She was unwell after the fight yesterday. She taught our class as if nothing had happened between the two of us. Aside from glaring, she bombed me with dozens of questions about English Literature. She asked the wrong person. I’ve read most of those classics more than three times.
In Mr. Higgins’ class the next day, he announced our score in public. I was surprised that I hadn’t got a low score on the exam. I got the passing score. Not bad for a person who didn’t review for that exam. There were other classmates who failed the exam. So what happened yesterday was only for a show.
Ms. Durrant was the worst of it all.
She was an immature adult for not approaching me during class. I tried to answer one of her recitations, but she didn’t call my name. I was the only one raising my hand at that time.
“She’s mad at you,” Aki said after our class on her. “The way she looks at you and how she ignored you. That’s a sign of anger.”
“I should be the one to get mad at her. She hits my head with a plank!”
Gwen rolled her eyes. She was sassier than I thought. With the expensive bags she was bringing in the class, I wouldn’t think she’s a daughter of slaves. Slave on her was being a secretary of the billionaire beta. Though it's a high-paying job for humans. It's being slaves for them because they needed to follow the orders of that beta. “That’s absurd if she did that to you. You should try hitting her with a plank as well.”
The three of us laughed on our way to the library. Aki was the one laughing the loudest. He stopped when three expensive-looking women trashed in front of us.
“The one in the middle. She’s the daughter of my father’s boss,” Aki whispered. I do understand when he stepped backward. Aki was pop-looking yet he folds on bullies. I was no one. I don’t have parents who will lose a job if they messed up with the daughter of a beta. At the same time, I wasn’t brave to talk to this sassy woman. I don’t know how to talk to them at all.
“So here’s the son of our slave. I’m not surprised to find you with your petty friend. Who’s also a child of a slave.” I hate this feeling. We should remove ourselves from this place now. Angelo reminded me before not to mess up with bullies, especially betas’ children. The woman in the middle deadly-glared at me. “So you’re the new trend of the school. Don’t get yourself to be friends with these two. Don’t be dumb, half-blood.”
The woman walked past us. I wasn’t surprised at how rude she was. I was surprised by the last word she left us. Half-blood! That explains why everyone was stalking me. They knew I was a half-blood!
…
“I thought you knew that everyone has found out that you’re a half-blood. We have a page on the internet where everyone is confessing. Someone confessed with your full name about your identity. They highlighted that you’re a threat,” Gwen explained. I knew one of the three who kidnapped me was the main suspect in what happened.
“We’re sorry that you only found about it because of Akisha,” he said. “My father and Mr. Arnold Wormer have a strong friendship. She threatened me to break the friendship between the two if I messed up with her. Her father wanted me to be her mate yet she sucks me out. If her father got mad at me or my parents, my father would lose a job. And the worst of it all, he might kill my father. I trust Mr. Wormer, but not when he’s mad.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me. I’m glad that I have…” Friends, the first word I thought of. Hence, I wasn’t trusting them. I can only trust Angelo, the guy who saved me. Though I badly wanted to trust these two people. “You…”
Trusting them shouldn’t feel like a crime. There’s something I wanted to ask them, but I kept it to myself for now. Maybe their parents knew who my real parents are and who killed Mom and Dad.
…
Angelo comforted himself on their brown leather couch. He was wearing a beige t-shirt and black shorts. Since it’s Sunday, we decided to watch movies at his place. His brothers and sisters also announced that they’ll be going home every weekend. I saw a different smile on him. He must’ve loved having his family by his side. But his father was still stuck at work.
“Do you want horror or romance?”
It’s noon. The sizzling time of the day. Watching horror wasn’t the best option. I don’t myself, but watching horror during the day was a waste of time. While in the evening, it’s giving me more fear than I thought of.
“We should try a Fantasy one.”
“The Hunger Games?”
“I’ve read and watched the whole trilogy.”
“You pick.” He scrolled the movie list using the remote of their Smart TV. I chose a movie that I found a lot of good reviews about. It wasn’t a book-to-movie adaptation so the storyline was fresh in my eyes.
In the first twenty minutes of the movie, Minnie brought two medium-sized ceramic bowls. “Instant ramen for the two of you.”
“Thanks,” We both said.
“I bought that in the Korean Store near my workplace. I thought that the two of you should try it. It’s a bit spicy but there’s a bunch of milk cartons in the fridge if you need.”
Minnie was the friendliest person I knew in this town. She’s the best sister, like how good my brothers were to me. On the other hand, Gelo’s brother Sage was quiet. I haven’t had a conversation since the day I met him. One time I was looking for a glass so I could wet my dry throat. Instead of answering me with a word, he pointed to the fridge where I found pitchers of water. He wasn’t mute or deaf because I heard him one time talking to Gelo. He has a dark, raspy, and deep voice. And most of the time, he’s inside his room.
“How is it?” Minnie’s face delighted.
Though it’s a bit spicy, I was able to finish my bowl. My throat was already sizzling. “I need milk.” Minnie laughed at me. She paced to their kitchen and brought me a full glass of milk. I drank it all up before I could muster a word. “It’s good but it’s hot.”
“But did you like it?”
Honestly, I wasn’t a big fan of spicy foods, but I enjoyed eating. “Yes.”
“I’m glad you love it. Sage hates it. I hate him for hating my favorite food though.”
Minnie joined us while watching the movie. Halfway through the movie, Gelo asked me, “They knew in the school that you’re a half-blood, right?”
“Those three teachers must be the ones to blame with that. They were the only ones who I knew would do that to me. I wished no one would kidnap me again.”
“Did you say what?” I almost stumbled when Nana killer-clowned us. Earlier, I saw her reading a book. I was surprised to find her reading a modern romance book written by the queen of summer reads.
“Uh… Students in my school knew about my identity. Ms. Durrant must’ve cracked out the scent that I have.”
She puffed out air from her mouth. “This matter is serious. Now that they knew you’re different from them, more people would catch up on you.” She’s right. They were already stalking me now. “You should start learning how to defend yourself. You’re lucky if Gelo’s always around. But what if they kidnapped you again and no one found you?”
I don’t know what she was referring to. Should I attend a martial arts class? “How?”
Nana showed her trademark smile. “Join Angelo on his training every Saturday.”
That made sense but am I ready for this? Am I ready to accept that I’m a half-blood? If werewolves are after me, then I should try to become one of them. I don’t want someone to kill my two brothers with me not being able to defend them. This is the way for me to become someone more than just this.
“Is there a tuition or payment?” That’s my only question. I don’t want to ask for money for my brothers. They were already sacrificing for me. They even lost their parents because of me. Now, I want to spend their money to train as a werewolf.
“Yes. But don’t think about that. I pay for Gelo’s and I might as well pay for yours!”
This old woman must have a pension. She does have a lot of money, huh?
What I’m waiting for? I should answer her right now. “It’s a yes. I’ll train with Angelo.”