CHAPTER 14

“There’s another person in this town. I mean human like you and Felix,” I told Jay. He was reading one of my books while the television was on. Felix was in the kitchen, preparing our dinner, which I can smell was java rice and some kind of pork dish.

Jay slipped the bookmark between the pages of the book. He placed it on his lap and turned to me. “Why do you look so amazed?”

“I thought everyone in this town are all werewolves. I kind of had confidence that not everyone will attack humans. Before, I was afraid to think of werewolves. I thought they were going to attack every human in their way.”

“No, they don’t. Like us, they have a purpose in doing those things.”

I glanced at the book that he was reading. A self-help book about having a purpose in life. He’s only saying those because of what he read. “You mean they have a purpose in killing our parents. What kind of purpose is that?”

“Bad and wrong purpose. You should keep that to yourself. You should have the right and correct purpose in your life and every decision that you make.”

Is it bad to think of taking revenge on the people who killed Mom and Dad? I guessed so. But that’s the thing that I want. I do still have a good purpose in my life. I want to protect my brothers. I want to seek out the truth. Maybe people have a mixture of both purposes.

…

Aki gave me a bar of chocolate during math class. He said I looked sleepy and drunk and he always has three bars inside his bag whenever he’s feeling sleepy. Classes make me feel sleepy as well, but chocolates weren’t even a good thing to consume. It would give us slumps of energy. We’ll feel energetic and after a few hours, we feel dead.

I accepted his chocolate though and had a few bites. I offered the others to Gwen who seemed to like snacks during classes. Gladly, the teacher let us eat during class. She’s the youngest and kindest teacher that I know. Still, no trust in these people.

Angelo told me to befriend Gwen and Aki. He was right that it was time for me to talk and befriend other people. I just should not give my full trust to them. They were still strangers and trusting them was lethal.

Aki sipped his cold chocolate drink. “Why do they all look at us again, Cath? Did you post something in the Facebook group of the town and school or did someone confess their love to you?” The town and school felt normal. They have websites and pages wherein students can confess their feelings to each other. Corny high school ways to find their sweetheart. I guessed for werewolves, they call it finding their mate. I would never try to post my confession on a social media platform.

“I don’t use them,” I answered. The only distraction that I have was watching Youtube and TikTok videos. I know it was a waste of time, but I couldn’t stop myself from doing that.

“I’ll check it out for you.” Gwen pulled her phone from her pockets. She scrolled down, tapped the screen, and her eyes enlarged as if she’d seen someone being killed in a video. “It’s not you.”

“Then why are these people staring at me?” I wasn’t mad. I hate being the center of attention of these werewolves I don’t even know. It wasn’t just awkward—it is painful and annoying.

“The betas are back. I mean the parents of the bullies in here. Someone dared to post something about it. They said they were back because of you—the half-blood werewolf in this town.”

“The betas are back?!” Aki couldn’t believe it. If there’s someone who’s the most afraid of these betas between the three of us, it would be Aki. I don’t believe in gender stereotypes that’s why I accept him being the weakest link when it comes to emotions.

“What are they up to? Why are they going to catch me? Did I even do something bad to them or their family?”

“They won’t do things to you. At least, I’ll spy on my father to tell me their business on you. I’ll warn you when it costs your life. I guessed that they were only spying on you. You’re a half-blood. Unusual in our town. And I still don’t know why they think you’re a threat. I wish I could have that power to scent auras of other werewolves,” Gwen said.

Chaz and Nana could make a drink that can heal muscle pains and such. Ms. Durrant could scent a half-blood. I guessed being a half-blood was a huge disadvantage because I couldn’t have the power of these werewolves.

“I’ll try to ask my father too. We are friends. We should care about you.” Aki smiled. Our fists bumped into each other. Every day, more and more people are coming out for me. Who really am I?

…

After our class in our Statistics, I headed to the bathroom. I don’t feel that I’m going to pee. I needed a safe space to feel alone, away from the crowd and stares of the people in this place. It sucked that this town and my identity turned me from nobody to campus’ topic. The thing I hated the most in our school.

Back then, my colleagues would talk about a certain person who’s the current trend at school. They’re going to throw shades on that person, humiliating him or her with words. It was a form of backstabbing. I couldn’t imagine I became part of it. But I only listen to them. I couldn’t throw shades into people I don’t know that much. Except for those who were mean to me.

At least Gwen didn’t tell me that those betas are going to kill me. Gelo’s family wasn’t part of the pack—yet they weren’t killed. I hoped they’ll just observe me. I still won’t go that far. During the day, there’s a fear of being kidnapped. While at night, there’s a fear of being attacked by werewolves.

I sat on the toiled, focusing my eyes on the white door. The comfort room in this school doesn’t smell like fish. Maybe because the janitors go back in here at least once an hour. I don’t know how much this school costs, but I guessed the miscellaneous fee would be higher compared to the school I attended before.

I didn’t count how many minutes I spent inside the room before someone slammed the door. Heavy, cracking, and angry slams of a werewolf. I shivered to my place and quickly stand up. One more slam and the door collapsed. A guy, taller than me. Raging face, growling tooth, and huge body were ready to capture me.