Warning: this chapter may contain explicit scenes.

Chapter 57: Good Girl

Madaling araw na nang makabalik ako sa apothecary. Matapos ang mahabang byahe, dumeretso agad ako sa aking kwarto. Yet I remained awake.

There's a tingly feeling inside of me now that I knew all the truth about who I am. Like someone had been locked up inside of me for years, a crying child, a version of me from the past. And I finally found the keys to set her free.

Eleanor Eldridge.

The name rolled inside my head many times as I lay on the bed. I came from a loving family from Grassco and now I'm a staff working in a apothecary in Van Zanth.

I smiled at the thought and closed my eyes.

But in the middle of the pleasant feeling, like a sunlight caressing my cheeks, a nagging image slowly materialized in the corner of my head. The familiar figure I've seen walking in the street of Grassco. Sigurado akong siya 'yon.

Shaking my head, I tried to erase the thought from my reverie. I didn't want to ruin the pleasant feeling with my irrational worry. That person was in jail. She could no longer touch or hurt me.

--

Days later, I visited the administrative office to update my files in the registry of employees in the apothecary. I attached the file containing  my birth origin that we got from Grassco. As I stared at my name, I couldn't help but smile.

I went back to the tower feeling light and giddy. Nadatnan ko si Anabeth na naghihintay sa kanyang work station. Lumapad ang kanyang ngiti nang tuluyan akong makaupo sa silya. Hinila niya ang kanyang upuan para humarap sa'kin.

"So you've updated your files?" tanong niya.

Mula noong dumating ako mula sa Grassco, tila mas excited pa siya sa'kin matapos marinig ang mga kwento tungkol sa bayan at mga lugar na binisita namin.

Tumango ako bilang sagot.

"I remember when you were filling up the form in your first day here," she told me. "You said it was no use since you have nothing to write anyway. Now you have an entire file stating your origin. I couldn't help but be proud."

Nakangiti ako, but the corner of my eyes stung and an overwhelming emotion erupted from my chest. I never thought having a name would  be this symbolic. I used to think I have no control over my own life because even my name was given by my owners. But I was wrong because who I am was always with me.

Napansin ni Anabeth ang pangingilid ng aking luha. She stood up and clasped her waist. "Nope, no crying today," she reminded me. "We're gonna visit Zanra, remember?"

Napangiti ako sa kanyang sinabi. Dumako ang tingin ko sa maliit na kalendaryo sa aking work station. We were scheduled to visit Zanra to check on her health today.

Matapos ang tanghalian ay nakahanda na ang mga dadalhin namin sa mansiyon. Habang nasa byahe, muling pumasok sa isip ko ang kagustuhan ni Zanra na umalis sa Van Zanth.

Naghihintay si Zanra sa front door noong dumating kami. Agad niya kaming sinalubong ng yakap at inanyaya kami sa loob ng mansiyon. Binati kami ng ilang taga-silbi while we marched to Zanra's room upstairs. Napansin ko na wala ang mga magulang niya sa mansiyon ngayong araw.

Nang makapasok sa kanyang kwarto, Zanra immediately sat on her bed.

"What's with the excitement?" mapanudyong tanong ni Anabeth habang nakataas ang kilay.

"Well," Zanra started with a smile. "I finally got accepted in the school of my dreams!"

The sudden announcement caused a gasp to escape from our lips.

"You mean you're really going?" Anabeth asked.

Tumango si Zanra na hindi parin naaalis ang ngiti sa kanyang labi. "Even my brother finally gave in and gave me his permission." The statement was followed by a roll of her expressive eyes. "Although he strongly believe I won't last a semester in that place."

Nag-alangan si Anabeth bago muling nagtanong. Tuluyang nawala ang ngiti at excitement sa aming mga mukha. "So next semester, you'll no longer be in Van Zanth?"

Pinagmasdan ni Zanra ang mukha namin. In our faces were a mixture of emotions we couldn't quite convey. Lalo na si Anabeth. She pulled her lips up, sulking.

Zanra giggled and adjusted herself on the bed. "You're acting like I won't be coming back. Uuwi parin namin ako. And my family  frequently visits Fabrice too."

I remembered the long train ride to Grassco. Fabrice was even further than that. To go home every week won't even be possible. I watched Zanra as her feet swayed lightly while touching the floor.

On the train ride, I've mentioned to Alexander about Zanra's plan to attend school far from Van Zanth. Mukhang alam niya din ang tungkol dito. When I asked him what he felt about it, all Alexander said was he's not in the place to have an opinion about Zanra's decisions.

"Enough about me," Zanra exclaimed, trying to change the subject before the heavy atmosphere drifted on us. Humarap siya sa'kin. "I've heard the good news. Eleanor, you've found your brother."

My lips pulled up at the corners to smile. "Yes."

"Alexander must have been so relieved," her voice mellowed down, her face soften. Her wide smile slowly faded into a soft one. "You're the person he used to tell me stories about." She lowered her gaze to her hands. "I'm glad his years of searching finally ended and he can rest."

"Nakausap mo na ba siya?" tanong ko.

Zanra raised her head to match my gaze. "About what?"

"About leaving Van Zanth."

Pilit siyang ngumiti bago umiling. "I have no reason to," she mumbled.

"Hindi ka man lang ba magpapaalam sa kanya bago ka umalis next semester?" muli kong tanong.

Zanra pursed her lips. The question lingered inside the room, unanswered. For a moment, I thought Zanra would finally give in and share what she really felt. But then she shook her head as if making a decision.

"It might be good to get away from here," she told us. "And it's not like I'm not coming back."

Iniangat niya ang magkabilang kamay sa ere na tila may inaabot, saka siya pabagsak na humiga sa kama. A bitter smile laced her face. "I consider him as my childhood crush, my first love. But people grow up from these childish feelings."

Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin. Because I also saw the same thing from Alexander. They were both holding back because what they both feel were the least of their priorities. I only hoped that there's a day they would see it with their own eyes. The feelings they were trying to keep from each other.

It took a moment before the heavy atmosphere faded from the room. We checked on Zanra's health while we shared stories about the apothecary and my visit to my hometown. While I was updating the logbook I brought with me, humarap sa'kin si Zanra na tila may  naalala.

"Do you have a dress for tonight?"

"A dress?" I asked, confused.

Zanra blinked, as though she was as surprise as me. "You're not going with my brother this evening?"

Huminto ako sa pagsusulat at napatitig sa kanya. I genuinely had no idea what she was referring to. Zanra slowly realized this and she  pursed her lips.

"Oh," she mumbled. "Mom and Dad usually go to these kind of events when Dad was still the alpha. So I thought you and Zackary would go together."

Umiling ako. "He didn't mention anything."

Silence swept the room before Zanra offered a smile. "You know  Zackary. He just probably doesn't want to shove you to uncomfortable situations."

"Anong event ito?" tanong ni Anabeth nang maging siya ay natigil sa ginagawa.

"It's a social gathering organized by the council. They usually hold these kind of events to strengthen connections and address issues and such. It's attended by leaders of different towns, usually with their partners."

"So the alpha is required to attend?"

Zanra nodded. "He's actually at home right now to prepare for the event."

Before the awkwardness of the situation escalated, nagyaya si Zanra na lumabas ng kwarto. She told us the refreshments will be served at the garden.

We stepped out of Zanra's room. Habang nag-uusap ang dalawa sa hallway, huminto ako sa paglalakad. Sabay silang lumingon sa'kin, nagtataka.

"Can you go first?" I asked. "I... need to check on something."

Nagkatinginan si Zanra at Anabeth. Zanra instantly waved both hands in a go forth motion. "Sure, sure. Take your time," she told me, followed by a silent giggle.

I remained standing in the hallway until they climbed down the staircase. I wasn't sure why I asked to be left behind in the first place. Gingerly, I bit my lower lip and exhaled heavily before facing the other end of the hallway.

I walked to the door of a familiar room. My hands hesitated before I took the courage to knock. I anxiously waited in silence for a few seconds. I was about to tap my knuckles on the door again when it suddenly burst open.

Zackary stood in front of me with an eyebrow raised, staring at me in surprise.

"Eleanor."

My eyelids fluttered. Hindi ko alam kung saan babaling. He was in the middle of drying his hair with a towel. His white cotton T-shirt was slightly damp from the water trickling from the tip of his hair down to his wide shoulders.

I slowly turned my gaze away nang mapansin na nakatitig siya sa'kin. "I just want to ask you something--"

He reached for my hand and pulled me inside the room. Before I could say another word, he closed the door behind me and pushed me gently against the door.

"What a privilege for my mate to visit me."

He was teasing me. I could see it with the way his lips twisted to a smirk. He smelled of fresh soap and minty shampoo. Zackary took a step closer to me, carefully inspecting my flushed face. I should have asked him to talk in the hallway instead. I couldn't think properly when he's this close to me.

"You rarely show your face to me despite being in the same place."

He leaned close to my face which made my skin tickle whenever his warm breath reach my bare skin. "I... I didn't know you're here at first. I don't want to disturb you."

I heard a playful scoff from him. The smile remained on his lips as he stepped closer, with almost no space between our bodies. "You're my best distraction."

His lips reached for my jaw. I stared up to the ceiling, shutting my eyes closed and giving his lips better access. Why am I here again? What do I want to talk about? All I was aware of was his lips on my bare skin. Lately, the more we were together, the more explosive the emotions I feel for him.

"I can't help myself when it comes to you..."

His words sent goosebumps on my back. As I bit my lower lip to swallow a sound, I noticed the black suit and tie hanging neatly at the corner of his room.

"Zack..." I mumbled once again.

Zackary instantly sensed my worry. He stopped and raised his head to meet my gaze. Tuluyang bumalik sa isip ko ang rason kung bakit ako nasa kanyang kwarto.

"Why don't you want me to go with you?"

He scrunched his eyebrow at my question. He followed my gaze until both of us were staring at the formal attire hanging in the corner of his room.

"I've heard about it from Zanra," I told him. "That the alpha and his partner usually attend events like this. Don't you... want me to accompany you?"

Zackary stepped back from me and sighed. I must have crossed the line because he didn't look so please about it. I leaned closer to the door, slightly ashamed.

Umiling ako bago pa siya muling magsalita. "Forget that I ask--"

Inabot ni Zackary ang aking palad. He took several backward steps until he sat himself on the edge of the bed while still holding my hand. "I don't want you to attend events that will only make you feel uncomfortable, Eleanor. I prioritize your comfort and safety over anything."

Even though I was standing and Zackary was sitting in front of me with his tall and ripped body, he barely had to tip his head up to match our gazes.

"But you'll be there alone."

The corners of his lips tugged up to a smile. With my hand still in his grasp, he raised my hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on my knuckles.

Zackary loved physical contact whenever we're together. Whether it's our hands intertwined together, his hands touching my face or him placing kisses on my skin. It was like his way of saying I'm here. I wondered if I'll be able to make him feel the same way. That I'm also here for him.

"I can protect you too by being there with you."

I managed to meet his gaze while my voice remained calm as I said those words.

"Do you really want to go with me? You don't have to force yourself."

"I'm not forcing myself," I told him. "I'm doing this because I care for you."

Nanatili siyang nakaupo sa kama nang hatakin niya ang kamay ko. He placed me on his lap with my back against his chest then he bent his broad back and dug his head at the crook of my neck, breathing my scent.

"Eleanor..."

All I could answer was a hum as something swelled under me followed by his groan. "Uh, fuck."

The peculiar rock-hard feeling made me move to adjust myself on his lap but Zackary placed both of his hands on my hips and whispered words to settle me.

"Don't move," he told me. "Just feel your effect on me."

My chest heaved deeply. I couldn't seem to breathe. Unconsciously, my hand reached for him on my shoulder and got my fingers tangled among his hair.

"Zack," I whispered as my back leaned against his chest. "I've learned my surname."

My hands slowly slid down to his neck before he lifted me gently from his lap until we're facing each other. My voice was breathy, my words shaky.

"Can I introduce myself again?"

Zackary placed both of my knees against the mattress and I lifted myself up with my hands over his shoulders so I could gaze down at  him.

"I'm Eleanor Eldridge."

One of his hand reached for my face and with a slow smile, his thumb caressed my heated cheek. "It's my pleasure to meet you, Eleanor Eldridge."

I gasped when he sat me back down on his lap with his hands on my hips. He leaned close to my ear and the words from his whisper sent wonderful shivers down my spine.

"But I apologize, the name won't last long."

He placed a finger under my chin and tipped my head up. A low hum escaped from my lips as my lower body harbored a building sensation that only Zackary can make me feel.

"Because you will soon be a Van Zanth."

I clasped his shoulders with my fingers and curled my toes as Zackary slowly moved me on his lap, grinning my body against him with his hands on my hips.

"Zack..."

Pareho kaming hinahabol ang aming hininga. We were like slow dancing to the rhythm of our bodies. Humigpit ang yakap ko sa kanyang balikat at kinagat ang aking labi nang naramdaman ang  unti-unti kong pag-abot sa alapaap.

"Zack... I'm..."

My words were swallowed by his mouth on mine, giving me a deep, nerve-racking kiss. White lights blinded my vision as I arrived,  reaching the heights of the sensation he had given me.

Nakabalot parin ang aking braso sa kanyang leeg nang sumandal ako sa kanyang balikat. Nakangiti si Zackary nang haplusin niya ang aking buhok, pababa sa aking likod na malalim parin ang paghinga.

He leaned close to my ear and whispered. "Good girl."

***