3

[MASK]

After the war, it was always etched in my mind that I needed to protect my brother. I know he can handle himself but I will not let him lose, his my only family now.

He is all I have and I am all he has. I need to protect him not because our  parents left us, but because that’s what he deserves.

I stared in the gray envelope. I watched it, from the linings to the message contained therein.

I accepted this mission because we were no longer safe in the Center and in the West. I hate it, no matter how strong I am, I will not work with many of them.

Rouge is our opponent but this time, hunters like us is also our enemy. I can handle them if only one fight happens but I am at a disadvantage when there are many. It would be better to accept the mission to protect the Alpha of this pack. It's a win-win situation. While we are protecting their Alpha, they are also protecting us.

But as I lay on the soft bed I couldn’t help but wonder. Alpha is said to be the strongest in a Pack. Is their enemy so many that they need our presence? That Alpha is very weak then. He doesn’t deserve especially since their pack is so big.

*****

I woke up to the sunlight touching my face. I closed my eyes tightly before finally standing up.

Immediately a big picture popped up in front of me. Me, Aikee and my non-biological parents.

In the picture, I frowned there while Aikee smiled. Mama Greta was also smiling as Papa Jose hugged her back. Next to that big picture is a picture of Aikee and me. I really don't like those pictures but I remember that time when Aikee cried, so they finally have my consent to take a picture.

I looked around the room. There are more pictures on the other wall. Those are the swords I have long dreamed of getting. But sad to say, it belongs to one of the alpha's here in the west. Their Alpha is very wild and very strong. That was the news at the center. I can't wait for him to fight back. How strong could he be?

I washed first and rinsed before finally leaving the room. I immediately saw my brother sitting on the sofa while watching T.V. Somehow the North is not giving up on modernity. That's based on what I saw yesterday. There are gigantic T.V’s, expensive cellphones and many more gadgets that hurts in someone’s pocket.

"Aikee, have you eaten yet?" I asked before adjusting my boxershorts. Because the thing inside is stuck.

He nodded while watching T.V. "Yes, brother! I also cooked for you to eat," he replied.

I shook my head. It looked like he wouldn't be able to practice again later.

The dining room was just near the sofa so somehow I could watch what he was watching. I saw a yellow object there. It was box -shaped and had a holes with it.

"What are you watching, Aikee?" I asked.

He nodded and faced me. "It's called Spongebob, brother. It's a cartoon for kids," he replied.

I frowned. "Are you still a kid? Aren't you 16 already?" I immediately asked.

He was out of breath. "Brother ... it's bad to speak while eating. Didn't Mama teach you that? Do you want to report me later when I pray?"

I laughed. "I'm just kidding."

"Brother, you should come with me to watch once!"

I shook my head again. I don't watch television anymore. I would rather practice to avenge the death of our Mama Greta. In my situation, Idon’t know if I can retaliate in my current state. That's why I practice every day.

I don't know whether it's a rouge or a  pack that rushed to the village back then. So, when I learned that a wolf could be killed, I immediately made a mask to become a full -fledged hunter. Since then I have focused myself on practicing.

"Brother? I have a question. I didn't sleep last night because of this question."

I was stunned by the food I was eating. I poured water into the glass and drank before I looked back.

"What question? Just don't do math, ok? I might throw you out," I replied.

I graduated from high school but never went to college. I haven't been able to study for two years so I'm not good at math. Another thing I don't like is that people speak another to me. Not like my brother who is smart enough.

"Promise me that you don't laugh at me, Brother!" he said, made me laugh.

"As you wish," I replied.

He take out a deep breath. "Aren't there hunters in the Center and the West for hunting-in the Rouges? Here in the North, what do you call those who hunt the lost Rouges and People?" His question made me grin.

"Your mind is getting sharp, Aikee."

"Brother!"

I drank water again before speaking. "Northerners take only two hunters. As I recall, each pack could take two hunters to protect their territory. Wild Rouge is stronger. I always tell you, don't I?"

"Eh, what about those who took us? Can't they protect their Alpha? Isn't it when Alpha, strong?" he question back.

"I know," I shrugged in response. "I haven't seen an Alpha yet."

Most of the rouges I killed were formerly betas. They were the traitors so they were expelled.

After I washed up I went with Aikee to watch. Until I was surprised when he fell asleep on the sofa he was sitting on. I just laughed.

I went into the room to get him a pillow and a blanket.

After I fixed him on the sofa I went back to my room.

When I entered I immediately took off my outer garment. I looked in the mirror and saw the perfect shape of my body. Well, I practiced every day,.

I don’t know if I’ll change my boxers. I feel more comfortable if I only use briefs. But I prefer to wear boxershorts now because this one is also short.

Until I finally start my training. I conditioned first. Push-ups two hundred times, sit-ups a hundred times until I was completely sweaty. I was so sweaty that I seemed to run into an oval for an hour.

I bit my lips because I forgot to bring water. Fucker, I'm really thirsty.

I looked in the mirror first. My sweat drips down my body. My abs are so shaped because I take care of them the most. Better body, more women. I just smiled because of the bulge in the middle of my body. Before I could finally make something to eat with my strength I took a towel and thought of going out.

I even heard a noise before opening the door. When I turned it around I saw my brother was seen shouting at the four guys at the door. There are Beta Arnal and the three we met yesterday.

"Why are you here?" my brother shouted.

The four didn't answer because they were just staring at Aikee. I walked over and when they noticed me they were even more amazed and swallowed.

"I-It's delicious," said the youngest of them.

The beta also swallowed while looking at me. The rest of them exchanged glances with my brother and me.

"What are you doing here, ah?" I sighed.

They couldn't answer because they were staring at Aikee and me. That’s when I just thought we forgot wearing the mask. Fuck, really!

"Aikee! The mask!" I shouted.

His eyes widened before finally going to the door where the four were standing. They were surprised at what my brother did. Fortunately, Aikee acted quickly. No going out. They have nowhere to go.

"W-What are you going to do? W-Will you take me to your room? All right! Just t-take it easy, hehe!" Said the smallest of them.

"Shut your mouth if you don't want to go to hell," I said. "No one will come out. I don't care who you are as long as no one comes out of you." I turned to Aikee. He nodded.

I went into the bedroom and immediately got dressed. I also took my sword before finally coming out. When I came out they were still standing.

 "Sit on the sofa," I ordered.

I watched them how they shivered as they sat on the sofa. Only the beta was not afraid of my presence.

I took a deep breath. "Next time you learn to knock!" I shout at them.

"Brother! You're talking to Beta! You said I need to respect them, right? But why are you shouting?" He asked.

I refrain from looking at them. "You saw our faces ..."

I didn’t finish what I was about to say when the smallest of them spoke.

“Can I also see your dick, paps?"

He was immediately stopped by his two companions. "Please be patient to my friend. He just doesn't know who he's facing right now," said the one with the biggest body.

"You're really crazy, aren't you? You're going to give us our death with your mouth!" shout of the tallest next to him.

Arnal was speechless. "Sorry, we thought you always wore a mask."

Aikee laughed. "You really have the strength to joke, don't you? First the letter and now the mask? Are you really a beta?" he asked.

"Aikee!" I stopped him.

He slightly bowed to me. "I-I'm sorry, brother," he replied.

Look at my brother. He said yesterday that he was respectful but he was disrespectful now, haha. Is this the result of watching the cartoon he says?

I stared at them one by one. The three were scared but the beta remained serious. “Not everyone can figure out who’s behind the mask,” I began.

"But you can't watch Alpha while wearing your mask," said the largest body.

I smiled. "I know," I replied.

I looked at the beta. "We accepted the mission so please follow what I say. No one can know what it looks like behind this mask. Not because we are scared but because we want a normal life somehow. Do you understand me? " I asked.

The three nodded. At the same time as they nodded, Arnal, who is the beta of this pack, confronted me.

"Can we talk? I'm here to discuss some important details regarding your mission."

I nodded at what he asked. He turned to the three again. "Ace, Ashley, Vincent. Can you leave us first?" he asked.

The three bowed to him. "Yes,," they said.

"Aikee, join them in the kitchen. Just cook anything," I said.

He is still trampled with joy. My brother really likes cooking.

"What else are you doing there? Let's go!" he said at three.

They went to the kitchen while I faced Arnal.

"The former Alpha wants to test your ability. He decided to make a twist in your mission," he said.

"What kind of twist?" I wondered.

"He said you first need to know who Alpha is. By that, you prove to him that you are enough to keep and to protect our Alpha."

"Then? That's all?"

"Yes. And I wanted to tell you that you and your brother need to study in a university."

It made me stopped . Can I study again? This is good news. Maybe that's enough compensation for keeping an eye on their Alpha.

My forehead furrowed. "How can we get in? We're not members of your pack. They will immediately know that there are strangers attacking" I replied.

"Don't worry." He took two papers out of his pocket. "Take this," he said and handed it to me.

There I saw the symbol of their pack. Gray moon with black thorns in the middle.

"This is the symbol of our pack. Stick it on your arm and fill it with water. After a few minutes, remove it," he said.

I nodded and he spoke again. "It is not removable. It takes a month before it disappears."

I nodded and looked him in the eye again. "Some will wonder who we are. What will we say about our identity?" I asked.

He grinned. "Graywond is the biggest pack here in the north. Only me and the pack council can symbolize the new comers. We have permanently marks but I only gave it to you for a short time. But to be sure, I can suggest to the former Alpha to give you a background."

"I can be friends with those three." My suggestion.

He smiled to me. "Great! That's exactly what I'm going to say." After he said that I breathed a sigh of relief.

They ate lunch, here in our house. I found out the names of the three. Ace who is the tallest of them, Ashley who is the smallest and Vincent who is the biggest. I also found out that these three were the main guard. I was no longer surprised. That's why they have the ability when they met us yesterday. I also can't deny that they were good yesterday. They quickly knocked down their opponent, rouge.

They said they felt something strange as they walked around. They were even scared but when they saw us, they immediately showed up. What do they think, we are weak? Fools. They also said that one of them was surprised because of the familiar mask. I can't help but to smile. Someone noticed our mask.

After eating, they went outside to patrol.

"Thanks for the food, Aikee!" Ashley said. He even looked at me. "Next time I will eat your older brother! I can't wait to taste him!" He even giggled before being hit by Ace.

"Your mouth!" 

"All right, just let me punch you five times," my brother replied with a smile.

“Thanks for the food,” Vincent said. I just nodded it up.

We were already at the door when the beta stopped. He turned to me and smiled. Smile that I have once seen in women who like me.

"You look good without your mask."

Sugarmaui