Trigger warning: violence, blood

Chapter 63: Pool of Blood

It was still early morning. I was sitting uncomfortably in the train while staring outside, the unfamiliar surrounding flashing before my eyes. Alexander and I were both silent since we left Van Zanth.

I wasn't able to say goodbye to the senior staff in the apothecary. The only thought in my head was the desire to fix things up so I could finally go back home.

Home.

Van Zanth indeed became the place that I could call home with people waiting for me to come back. All my life I never had that... a place I couldn't wait to go back to.

"Are you worried?"

I turned to Alexander sitting opposite from me in the train booth. Breakfast was served earlier but both of us barely touch our food. "A bit," I mumbled, returning my gaze to the window, staring at the passing woods outside the train tracks.

I admit, I'm scared of the situation I'm going to face now that we've traced where the contract took place... in my very own hometown, the place that supposed to protect me.

"Nasabi ko na sa kanilang alpha ang pagdating natin," muling sabi ni Alexander. "He promised he'll help us tidy up this mess given that it happened in his territory."

The last statement lingered in my head. Had he known about this kind of incident or were we the first people who informed him? Umiling ako sa naisip. Their alpha must have no idea it was happening in his own territory.

We arrived in the town of Grassco by noon. I was restless the entire train ride. I wasn't able to eat or rest even though the trip took the entire morning.

A car and a driver was waiting for us outside the station. The driver informed us that it was prepared by the alpha not to inconvenience us further. Maybe it was because it's been raining since we've arrived in town.

Inside the car, I tried to remember if we've received the same treatment the first time Alexander and I visited the place. We had a pleasant trip that time, visiting my old home and where my parents rested. But I had no chance to know where the alpha or the other hybrids in the area were residing.

The car passed by unfamiliar terrain blanketed by the rain. The sight somehow calmed the unsteady anxious beating in my chest. We drove away from the downtown and residential houses. We must be heading to their alpha's residence.

Bumaling ako kay Alexander na tahimik na nakaupo sa tabi ko sa backseat. Napansin ko na bahagyang nakakunot ang kanyang noo na tila maging siya hindi pamilyar sa daan na aming tinatahak.

We've arrived in a road lined with trees, muting the sound and drops of rain, until we reached what seemed to be a compound of cabins and cottages in the middle of the forest. It must be their headquarters. I've seen the same sight whenever I visit the orders' headquarters in Van Zanth.

The car stopped at the muddy driveway. Two orders immediately approached us with wide black umbrellas to protect us from the rain. Without much introduction, we were led inside one of the largest building in the compound. It was the first time I was seeing hybrids in this town.

"Please head to the alpha's office," instructed by one of the orders to Alexander.

I turned to my brother. Is he the only one needed?

"I need my sister with me," he stated.

"She will be guided to the drawing room upon arrival so she can rest," the second order informed us. "The subject matter regarding this case is sensitive."

Alexander thought the statement through before facing me. "I'll be back," he said.

I was left with no choice but to nod. Guided by an order, Alexander headed to the hallway leading to the alpha's office. Their alpha had been approachable and pleasant during our first encounter. He must be busy right now.

The remaining order guided me to a narrow hallway in the opposite direction of the building. Once we've arrived, he opened the door of the drawing room for me.

"Please wait here."

He closed the door the moment I stepped inside. I roamed my eyes around the room. Natural light barely reach the interior because of the thick blanket of green ivy covering the walls and windows outside, added to the fact that the weather was dreary.

I sat on the black leather couch while being surrounded by shelves of books. Is the situation that serious for Alexander to meet the alpha alone?

I waited for thirty minutes inside the room, silently trying to make myself comfortable in the couch. But no matter what I do, I kept fidgeting, unable to stay still.

While the downpour became heavier outside, the door of the drawing room finally burst open. I automatically stood up from the couch, expecting to see Alexander. Instead, a familiar woman stepped inside, dragging her round heavy body, a nasty smile on her wicked lips.

Fear spread like liquid fire in my body. I stepped back, eyes wide with terror.

"It's been a while..."

Her familiar venomous voice reached me, my thumping heartbeat filled my ears.

"Madame..." My voice quivered, lips trembling. Why is she here?

Realization immediately struck me. I run to the door. Alexander, where is my brother?!

Before I could reach the door knob, a hand pulled my hair so harsh I stumbled to the floor in pain while clutching my head. Madame stood before me, staring down at me on the floor with half of her face covered with the rim of her wide hat.

"Did you miss me?" Terror sipped into my system with her question. "Welcome back, my slave."

I pushed her away with my own hands, standing up and scrambling to reach the door only to realize it was locked. I was lost on what to do and ended up facing her with my back against the door, with my hand still trying to unlock the knob.

"Why are you here?" I managed to say. "You're supposed to be in jail!"

She calmly raised both of her hands and to my surprise, she started clapping slowly, the sharp sound filling the room. "Quite a surprise you have here. You, talking back to me when all you did a year ago was whimper in fear."

I gritted my teeth while glaring at her. "I'm no longer yours."

She chuckled, the same chuckle that filled my nightmares. She sat on the couch, taking her time. "Being an alpha's mate doesn't warrant you freedom from the contract you've signed yourself. You should know this by now."

I stared at her, the corner of my eyes stinging.

"My slave, a mate of an alpha from a powerful clan. How interesting, isn't it? Imagine all the things I can ask from your mate in exchange for your freedom. Land? Property? Wealth? You think he could give everything I ask?"

The thought made her wicked smile wider.

"I won't let you."

"You've really gained the courage to say what's on your mind." Madame leaned against the couch, her heavy body dipping on the cushion.

"Do you have any idea about the betrayal I felt learning that you were able to live freely while I was suffering in jail because of your stupidity? Gutted, I aimed to rip your life apart."

The statement sent cold shivers down my whole body. She slowly removed the wide rimmed hat from her head to expose her entire face. For the first time in a long time, I was in front of the same face that could sent me shivering with a mere gaze.

But this time, something had changed. Without my skill to keep her body in its best form, Madame seemed to aged ten years. And her face... half of her face was ruined... burnt.

"See what you did?" she snickered, seeing the fear in my eyes. "You think I will let you go this easy after all the mess you've put me through?"

My words faded, my throat dry.

"You don't deserve to be happy, you stupid dog!"

Noise from the other side of the door startled me. Madame stood up from the couch at the same time the door brashly opened behind me, pushing me to the floor.

"Take her with me," instructed Madame to the three men who entered the drawing room.

They immediately grabbed my shoulders and arms before I could even stand, dragging me out of the room to the narrow hallway while I struggled out of their strong grasp.

I gritted my teeth, pulling myself away, making a ruckus on the dim hallway. But their grasps... their hands and clawed fingers only dug deeper into my skin.

"Kuya..." my voice called, weakened by their grasp on my throat. I trashed my head around while being dragged on the floor. "Alexander..."

"Stop calling for him. He won't be coming."

I faced Madame with my tear stained face. "W-What do you mean?"

"You should really think through the people you trust," she said, steps heavy in front of me without looking back. "For towns not as prosperous as Van Zanth, there are other ways to earn, you know?" she chuckled at the irony of her statement.

Natulala ako. The alpha of this town... Madame being here... and the contract set in this town. My head was whirling, spinning. But one thing remained clear. I need to get away.

With all my might, I bit the arm holding me in place and knocked someone down with a kick between their legs. I pulled myself away, running in the hallway, until a clawed hand easily grabbed back my shoulders.

"You bitch!"

I closed my eyes shut as he was about to smash my head against the wall in severe irritation. But Madame's words prevented him. "As much as I want to crush her skull, we need to keep her intact," she instructed to the three men with her.

They dragged me out of the building until I felt the cold breeze and raindrops on my face, pulling me to the same car that brought us here from the terminal.

"Bring her inside."

The three men started shoving me inside the backseat of the car. I no longer mind if I was being bruised or wounded by their grasp, I kept myself outside, my feet not leaving the ground. Because I know, once they take me away... I could no longer go back home... just like what happened years ago.

A commotion erupted from somewhere. Nawala ang mahigpit nilang pagkakahawak sa'kin. All the attention shifted to the front door of the building.

"Eleanor!"

I stared, eyes wide as Alexander rushed toward me. "Kuya..." My words faded as soon as it came, face frozen as I stared at Alexander. Why... is he covered in blood?

"Kuya..."

Tila nauulit ang lahat. Wala akong maintindihan. Unti-unting gumuguho ang lahat.

"What are you doing? Get her inside!" Madame hastily yelled at her men who forcefully push me inside the car. Ngunit wala na doon ang aking atensyon.

In front of me, several steps from me was my brother, trying to rush to me while being crowded by orders from the building. Three... five... until ten people were around him, simultaneously attacking him with their fangs and their claws.

Alexander's eyes were lit like flame on a torch, trying to get away from their heavy blows, from the sharp claws wounding him, while wiping the dripping blood off his face, all... just to get to me.

"Kuya..." It's happening again... it's happening again. I don't want this. I'm so scared.

Alexander was rabidly attacking everyone around him, wounding the bodies he was determined to kill, with blood spouting everywhere, including his. I've never saw this side of him. He was always been careful not to show me this side of him.

"Come on now, you don't want to witness this, do you?" Madame pushed my head inside the car. "Such a nuisance... that boy ended up being the beta."

They completely shoved me inside the car, but before they were able to close the door, from the corner of my eyes I saw Alexander moving swiftly away from the bloody bodies scattered on the ground. But before he could reach the car, a sharp sound erupted in the entire vicinity.

I turned to Madame, my body frozen in shock, my heart beating wild inside my chest. She was standing outside the car with a familiar weapon still rattling in her hand from the blow.

"I didn't aim to use this but you were testing my patience."

My heart completely stopped beating. Strength left my entire body. I tried to get out of the car but my entire body was shaking, my head blank.

On the ground was Alexander... around him was pool of blood staining the grass... from the gunshot on his chest.

***