Red String (Howl Series #1) PUBLISHED UNDER IMMAC PPH

CHAPTER 5

HUNGRY

NAABUTAN KONG NAGHIHINTAY sa East gate sina Ayla at Nanay Melly. Tinanong niya ako kung bakit natagalan daw ako. Sinabi ko na lang na napasarap ang kwentuhan namin ni Doc Morgan. She looks convinced kaya naman hindi na siya nag-usisa pa.

Mahigit isang oras ang layo ng bayan. Kael and Kaleb were kind enough to drive us to town. Umalis din naman sila pagkahatid sa amin.

"Welcome to Ashwood Town, Bella," I murmured.

Ito ang pinakamalapit na bayan sa Highcrest Mountain. It is also the biggest town in Preousia. Hindi lang mga normal na tao ang naninirahan dito. May mga hybrids at pure werewolves din. At may mga witches din daw na naninirahan dito sabi ni Ayla.

I like this town. The last time I went here was on my eighteenth birthday. Dinala ako nila Nanay Melly at Ayla rito para epasyal. At that time, the town was also celebrating its anniversary kaya nag-enjoy ako sa maraming mga pakulo.

We went to Mystic St. kung saan naninirahan ang kaibigan ni Nanay Melly. Balita ko nag-iisa lang daw ito. Maaga raw kasing nabiyuda. She's mated to a werewolf. Her husband was one of the Scouts but rogues killed him.

"Cora! Kumusta?" bati ni Nanay Melly sa babaeng nasa labas ng bahay. I think the woman has the same age as Nanay Melly.

"Melly?! Ikaw nga!" the woman named Cora exclaimed. "Mabuti at nakadalaw kayo rito. Na miss ko kayo ni Ayla," sabi niya sabay ngiti.

"May kasama pala kami," Nanay Melly said as she held my shoulder. "Cora, si Ysobella, Ysobella siya naman ang kaibigan kong matalik, si Cora."

Ngumiti ako kay Aling Cora at ganun din siya sa akin. "Ang ganda mo naman, 'nak. Melly, siya ba iyong naekwento mo rati?" namamanghang tanong ni Aling Cora.

"Oo, at sa Highcrest Mountain na siya nakatira ngayon," sagot naman ni Nanay Melly.

"Naku, ang mabuti ay sa loob na tayo magusap. Ipaghahanda ko rin kayo ng makakain." Aling Cora then motioned us to get inside her house. 

Aling Cora is a good cook. She's also a very good host. We talked about a lot of things like how she met her husband.

It was almost noon when we decided to take a stroll in the town. Aling Cora took us to her favorite shops and I also met some of Ayla's friends and one of them is Jason.

Jason owns a small book shop. Mabait ito at mabibo, naaalala ko sa kanya si Logan. Bago kami umalis sa book shop ay binigyan ako ni Jason ng mga lumang libro na hindi na nila binibenta.

Malapit ng gumabi at napagpasyahan naming bumalik sa mansyon. Aling Cora took us to Polo. He was the man with a top knot hair, iyong lalaking naghatid ng supplies at siya ang maghahatid sa amin pa uwi.

Here in Aldemore, we use the carriage as a means of transportation.

On our way back, hindi ko maiwasang alalahanin ang nangyari kanina kasama si Alpha Lucien. That was our closest encounter and I can't forget the warmth of his hands.

Wala sa sarili kong hinaplos ang pulsohan kung saan niya ako hinawakan kanina. Napapikit naman ako ng mariin sa naalala. Bakit ba kasi nangyari iyon?

But admit, Ysobella. You liked. You liked his warmth. My inner self uttered.

"Are you okay, Bella? You seem like you're in deep thought." Napukaw ang atensyon ko sa tanong ni Ayla.

"Uh, don't mind me. Medyo pagod lang," sabi ko sabay ngiti sa kanya.

"Sigurado ka, Bella? Parang namumula ka," Nanay Melly said which made my eyes widen.

Did I really blush?! Parang gusto ko tuloy magpalamon sa lupa. Naningkit din ang mga mata ni Ayla. It was like she is suspecting something. Kaya bago pa siya makapagsalita ay inunahan ko na siya.