Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

Today, my brothers will kill me. At least on the inside. I have to tell them my decision on training with Angelo wherever he was training. This wasn’t for my safety—for them. The family who took care of me. This was my way to give back on their efforts on me.

I expected Felix would open up a hot debate about the matter. They won’t let me go. For them, it would be too dangerous. They didn’t want me to open up as a half-blood werewolf. They wanted to keep things normal to me. But life wouldn’t be normal because I’m different. And I belong to these creatures living in this town.

Felix was watching a thriller action movie on our television—Jay was folding clothes. I choked my fears as I approached them.

“Catherine,” Felix muttered. He has strong instincts as he felt my presence though I wasn’t too close to him. “You need anything?”

We weren’t siblings only in paper. He’s my brother because of our connection.

“I don’t. I have to tell you something.” He picked the remote lying on the border of the couch. His body tilted to face me. Jay stopped folding the clothes on the other side of the couch. His attention sprawled on me.

“I will train with Angelo during Saturdays.”

Their forehead creased as they exchanged glances. I was vague—I had to be. If I was specific, they would ignite into a fire—at least for Felix. Jay was the type of brother who doesn’t get mad easily.

“For what?” Felix turned into his haunting seriousness again. Why does it feel like I’m asking him to have a boyfriend? Angelo and I are going to train so I could shapeshift and protect them. If my parents were killed, then those werewolves who killed them were also after us.

“Our lives are at stake. I don’t want to wait and be constantly saved. I will wake my inner wolf so I would be able to shapeshift or fight other wolves.”

“That’s not going to happen, Cath…” He shook his head as if he disagreed with what I said. I lurched to the couch and pulled Felix’s arms.

“I will. I want to.”

“Mom and Dad told us to protect you. We promised them that whatever happens to them that night, their life will stay normal. We won’t let your true identity ruin you,” Jay explained.

“But this is for us…” I smiled at Felix; blinked at Jay. “Mom and Dad died. And I knew I’m a half-blood. Other students in the school knew about my identity. I want to train with Angelo so I could protect myself and especially the two of you. You’re the only family that I have.”

“Catherine, this is not going to happen. We’re going to leave this town. We’re going to travel to different places. We’re going to protect you no matter what! We are your brothers and we should be the one who protects you and the other way around.”

“You’ve done more than what I need, Felix…” I turned to… “Jay. And I don’t want to constantly escape my true identity. I knew there was a reason why Mom and Dad were killed. And if we continue to escape that, the two of you will be harmed. I don’t want that to happen.”

I brushed my hand on Felix’s arms. He avoided his face on me. But as soon as he faced back, his face swelled with tears. He’s crying.

“What if something happens to you if you continue being a werewolf? What if you get killed like what happened to Mom and Dad?”

I lurched my body forward and hugged him. Jay inched to us and combined his body with us. “That’s not going to happen. I promise the two of you. Maybe we’ll get the answer that we deserve. We’ll get the justice for Mom and Dad.”

…

The next day, I woke up at 4 AM morning. After I took bath, I headed to my brothers’ room and kissed their forehead. I left an electronic letter that I’m going to leave for training. Angelo explained that the training will happen at 5:30 in the morning and end by noon. I would be hungry by then that’s why I ate a quick oatmeal breakfast.

I wear black jogging pants and a white t-shirt as Angelo suggested. I waited inside my room, scrolled on Goodreads until Gelo texted me he was outside. I grabbed my tote bag where I put my essentials—water bottle, snacks, phone, and AirPods. I don’t know how the training would go, but it mostly includes physical training.

Gelo’s wearing brown jogging pants and a white t-shirt. His midnight blue eyes were visible through the dark dusk.

“How’s your conversation with your brothers?” he asked.

“It’s fine. They agreed. I persuaded them that this is also for them.”

“The training’s going to be pretty tough. And we’re going to walk too far. I don’t have a car. Sage or Minnie was too tired to drive us there. I hope you’re fine with walking.”

“I’ve always loved walking—especially in mornings.”

He smiled at me. The way he smiled was a delightful way to satisfy me. My eyes adjusted to the dark. I was able to see the surroundings more clearly. I saw Nana again watering her plants in her mini garden.

“Good to see the two of you. Gelo’s bringing a cookie that I baked last night. I told him to share those with you whenever you’re hungry.” Nana stepped slowly towards me. She touched my forehead and pressed it in a circular motion. This wasn’t a spell, right. Then she kissed my forehead.

“That wasn’t a spell right?”

“No, it isn’t, dear. On us, it’s a way to send you good luck. This is the start of your journey as a half-blood. Your parents must be proud of you.”

I wish they are. But I thought they won’t agree to my decision. I chose to turn to an unexpected path of embracing my identity as a werewolf.

Nana brushed my palm for one last time. “Some would think of you as a threat because you’re truly are.”

I don’t know what she was talking about. Aside from not being a full-blooded werewolf, I wasn’t trained physically and mentally.

Angelo grabbed my hands lightly. He exasperated my heart when he did that. “Let’s go, Catherine.

And my journey begins here.