Chapter 30: Unconditional

Alexander had to leave the training camp early that day to deal with a sudden duty call in town. Bago umalis, kinausap niya si Zackary para bilinan, knowing that he wouldn't be able to go with us to the next town.

"Bring her back safely," I heard him say to Zackary with a hint of warning.

Maging si Anabeth hindi maiwasan na magalala. Wala akong makakasama kundi si Zackary. Even the orders weren't allowed to follow us. The leader of the next town rarely allows official visits and to avoid the hostility, minabuti ni Zackary na gawing personal ang pagbisita.

Bago umalis sa training camp, Zackary instructed Owen to supervise while both leaders were gone. Matapos ang paguusap, hinatid kami ng ilang orders sa paanan ng camp while two of them accompanied us down the mountain.

The hike didn't take long since we took the route closer to the next town and Zackary basically had to lift me in several occasions so we could easily pass boulders and rocks.

Pagbaba sa bundok, dalawang orders ang naghihintay sa'min sa daan with a black car. Isa sa kanila ang binuksan ang passenger seat para makapasok ako. From the window, I watched Zackary gave them last minute instructions before he opened the door to the driver's seat and sat next to me.

He hovered over me to double check the latch on my seat belt bago binuhay ang engine ng sasakyan. Alam kong nagaalala siya sa pagsama sa'kin sa ganito kaimportanteng lakad and my nerves were slowly creeping in as well.

I hope I won't mess up.

We drove along the circular twisted road of the mountains. I stared outside the car window, enamoured by the scenes before me, specially when the car passed through a long steel bridge connecting two mountains. Fascinated, I watched the top of the trees and rocks in the running river below.

Zackary noticed my wide-eye staring and told me that the bridge connects the two towns, the town of Van Zanth and Ellesmere, built in the year they were born as sign of alliance of the two leaders of the towns.

"Kaya ba importante na maipagpatuloy mo ang kasunduang 'yon?" tanong ko.

"Father respected this family," Zackary said, eyes fixed on the road. "They were a great ally in his leadership. Madami ang naipatayong infrastructure dahil sa pagkakasundo ng dalawang bayan." Humigpit ang hawak ni Zackary sa steering wheel.

"But Sir Albert, the town leader, was clear from the start. It doesn't matter if he and father are close acquaintances. He would only extent the alliance if he sees me fit for it."

His jaw clenched as he held his breath in frustration.

"But you are," I told him. "You're a great leader, Zack."

Sumulyap siya sa'kin bago kumorba ang sulok ng labi niya sa isang ngiti, the first light gesture I saw from him since this morning. Inabot niya ang palad ko at mahigpit na hinawakan, intertwining both of our fingers together while his gaze remained in front. He released a tensed breath before he lifted my hand to his lips, planting a gently kiss on my knuckles.

"I'm glad you're here with me."

After an hour drive through the twisted mountain road, narating namin ang bayan ng Ellesmere. Dumaan kami sa downtown, which was a lot smaller in area compared to Van Zanth. Concrete houses and establishments scattered around the town proper in the midst of the fog laden mountain. The streets were wet and the sky was gloomy. Mula noong dumating kami, hindi tumigil ang mahinang ambon sa buong bayan.

The car reached a narrower road with a lane of towering trees surrounding us. Unti-unting bumungad sa aming paningin ang isang mataas na kahoy na gate na pinaliligiran ang malawak na parte ng kakahuyan.

"We're here."

Dalawang taga-bantay ang nagbukas ng higanteng gate, which was three times the height of an average human. Hindi ko napigilang mangamba seeing how secured the place was. It wasn't like the Van Zanth mansion which was normally open for everyone's concern. Natatakot akong magkamali.

Napansin ni Zackary ang pagtahimik ko sa passenger seat. Hinawakan niya ang pisngi ko at hinaplos. "It's gonna be fine," he assured me. "You're here with me."

Paglabas ni Zackary sa sasakyan, agad siyang binati ng ilang taga-bantay. Sila siguro ang mga orders sa lugar na ito. They were wearing this army green vest to differentiate them from civilians and maintain minimal interaction with us.

"Nandito na ang alpha ng Van Zanth," announced one of them in a deep bow.

Maging ang mga taga-silbi na nasa paligid ng mansion ay napatingin, lalo na nang buksan ni Zackary ang pintuan para sa'kin, holding my hand as I stepped out of the car.

"Let's go."

We walked towards the three story house in front of us, with its heavy brick walls and small tower-like structure on the sides with tall circular glass windows. One of the servants opened the door for us to the living room.

A crystal chandelier hanging on the high ceiling above a enormous staircase greeted our sights. Dalawang tao ang tumayo mula sa mahahabang couches sa gitna ng living room. Both of them faced us with such grace and calmness I only see from people with high positions, like Sir Zander and Miss Laura.

The couple greeted us. They might be in their fifties, with such fit and slim bodies. The man clasped Zackary's hand to shake and greeted him with a loud, booming voice.

"Zackary."

Both alphas had this distinct intimidating aura about them, both representing their people. So this is what Zackary's normal working day looked like. Showing his A-game all the time, playing with his strengths with no time to doubt. No wonder he's exhausted at the end of the day.

The woman, his wife I assumed, greeted us with a warm smile. "I'm glad you grant our request to revisit." Right away, I knew the reason of this visit came from her. Compared to her pleasant greeting, her husband didn't seem too pleased with all of this.

"Who's this beautiful lady you're with, Zackary?"

I introduced myself to the woman. "I'm a staff of Van Zanth's apothecary." I dipped my head low. "I'm Eleanor."

"I'm glad to meet you." The woman held my hand and introduced herself as Ms. Ivette.

"Apothecary?" Bakas ang pagbabago sa tono ni Sir Albert, the town leader. Kumunot ang kanyang noo habang pinagmamasdan ako, tila hindi gusto ang nakikita. "We don't need any help from your facility. We're sufficient here."

So this is what Zackary had mentioned earlier on the car ride. That offering help without initial discussion wouldn't always be taken in a positive way because every leader holds a pride that their town could provide enough.

The woman held his husband's arm. "Honey, calm down."

Zackary remained dignified with his stand in the situation. "I'm not offering you help to undermine your leadership," he told Sir Albert, voice calm, tone even. "This is part of the negotiation of my offer to push through with the alliance."

Bumaling ako kay Zackary. Hindi ako sanay makita siya sa ganitong sitwasyon, serious, calm, and with the professional aura of a leader. At first I thought his choice of words would be taken in a bad way by Sir Albert. Nagsalubong ang malagong kilay nito, his wrinkled eyes squinting, pinagaaralan ang mga salita mula sa batang pinuno sa kanyang harapan.

I held my breath at his next words.

"What can you offer?"

Bahagya akong nakahinga nang maluwag nang tila pumayag ito sa alok ni Zackary. The four of us sat on the living room while the leaders discussed things. Makaraan nang ilang minuto na wala paring mapagkasunduan, inimbita ako ng asawa nito na sandaling magtungo sa garden.

The garden was located on the back of the mansion. It was a magnificent garden with waist high hedges and several gazebos and fountains around the premises. Ilan lang ang nakatanim ditong mga halaman but the green hedges was enough sight to make the garden minimal yet breathtaking.

Sa gitna ng pagkamangha ko, hindi ko maiwasan na magalala sa dalawang taong iniwan namin sa living room. "Okay lang po ba iniwan natin sila?" tanong ko.

Ngumiti si Ms. Ivette. "It's rare to see my husband get along with someone."

Hindi ko mapigilang sumulyap dahil sa sinabi niya. They get along? But not long ago they both have this threatening aura surrounding them. It almost felt like they were ready to rip each other's throats for one mistake.

"Zackary is a good reader of character." Nanatili ang tingin ni Ms. Ivette sa malawak na garden. "I love my husband, but sometimes, his pride gets in the way of the right thing to do."

Bumaling siya sa'kin saka ngumiti. "But Zackary seems to know how to approach this kind of situation. He speaks my husband's language and instead of offering help, he stated that it was part of the negotiation process which made my husband reconsider."

Pareho kaming natahimik habang pinagmamasdan ang paglampas ng ilang mga ligaw na ibon sa garden. "Your daughter..." I started. "Is she here?"

Tumango si Ms. Ivette. "She's here. But she barely leaves her room."

"Ilang taon na po siya?"

"She's twelve years old. We had her late in life after losing hope that we would have a child. She's our miracle. But... it was also the reason why she's suffering."

She held her hand without realizing she's brushing her knuckles in anxiety.

"She gets pretty sick often, specially when she was younger. While kids her age go to school, have friends and hang in groups, she was home schooled and usually alone. Nitong taon lang siya nag-enroll sa paaralan ng bayan but she always ends up being sick and refusing to leave her room."

She held her breath. "Do you think you can help her?"

"I'll... look into it and try, Ms. Ivette."

Ngumiti siya at inabot ang aking kamay. I was surprised with the gesture. "Thank you, Eleanor," she said to me. "You know, I see our younger days in the two of you. Ganyan na ganyan din kami noong ng asawa ko."

My eyelids fluttered, a little confused with her statement.

"Madalas ko siyang samahan noon sa mga importanteng lakad," she continued. "But unlike us, you must take the chances while you're young. Kailan niyo balak magpakasal?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. I raised my hands, waving them frantically, refuting her question. "We're not...together..." I explained to the smiling woman. "I'm only a staff in the apothecary he brought with him."

Nanatili ang ngiti sa kanyang manipis na labi. "Eleanor, I see how the man looks at you," she stated with the knowledge that comes with experience. "It's the eyes, they never lie."

Hindi ako nakasagot sa kanyang sinabi. A part of me was scared to face this fact because I knew I wasn't in the right status or position to be with Zackary.

"Normally, alphas marry young because they need someone to be on their side and assure them that despite of their titles, they are still people who are capable of giving and receiving unconditional love. It's what makes them human."

Tuluyan akong nanahimik sa kanyang sinabi. Isang tanong ang pilit gumagambala sa isipan ko.

What if that person isn't me... what if there's someone destined to give that kind of love to him?

***

Author's Note:

Hi! Happy 30th chapter for this story! I'll always be thankful for everyone who gave this story a chance. It means so much to me that you're here with me as I continue the Van Zanth's legacy.

Comments and feedback are deeply appreciated! I love reading them so please don't hesitate. I'm as excited as you whenever I read your comments! You can also tweet your feels using #neverbetamed I hope you enjoy this chapter! Until the next!

Your author from fantasy world,
April