Trigger warning: violence, blood, death

Chapter 65: Final

Third Person's POV

Owen stood in front of the alpha's office, hesitating to knock on the door. Ilang segundo siyang nanatiling nakatayo sa corridor. But the situation was urgent at kailangan itong malaman agad ng alpha.

Sandali siyang bumaling sa lalakeng nakatayo sa kanyang tabi. Callahan raised an eyebrow at him as if telling asking what he was waiting for. Nagbuntong hininga si Owen bago kumatok.

"What is it?" the heavy voice of the alpha asked from the other room.

"Do I really have to go through this security to talk to the alpha?" maikli ang pasensya na tanong ni Callahan.

There was silence from the office before Zackary muttered. "Come in."

Nakakunot ang noo ni Zackary nang masilayan si Callahan na pumasok sa kanyang opisina. Sumandal siya sa leather seat, nakahalukipkip ang mga braso habang tinititigan ang bisita.

Callahan sat with the air of an expected guest in one of the seat opposite Zackary's desk. Pinagsiklop niya ang mga palad, resting them on his close legs while facing Zackary.

"What is it?" kunot noong tanong ng alpha.

"You don't look so good," puna ni Callahan. "Is it because your mate isn't inside the town's premises?"

Zackary gave him a glare. "Go straight to the point."

Ngumiti si Callahan at prenteng sumandal sa silya. "You know so well I'm only here when I needed something," he blurted out. "But this time, it was I that you will need."

Lalo lamang nagdilim ang paningin ng alpha dahil sa narinig. He peeled his back away from the leather seat with his eyes fixed on the elite in front of him.

"Mukhang hindi pa nakakarating sa'yo ang balita," muling pahayag ni Callahan.

"I don't have the patience to play mind games, Winslow," tukoy ng alpha kay Callahan.

Walang balak patagalin ni Callahan ang usapan kaya naman sinabi niya agad ang pakay. "An information from Fabrice reached me this afternoon. The beta was heavily injured and Eleanor was nowhere to be found."

The heavy wood desk rattled when Zackary stood from his seat.

"Hindi mo ito nararamdaman dahil ilang daang milya ang layo niya mula sa'yo. But having Alexander in that condition only meant Eleanor is in great danger."

With heavy breathing, the alpha grab his coat to leave his office. Pero bago tuluyang makalabas, isang bagay ang pinaalala ni Callahan. "You can't leave this town. A beta and an alpha can't leave the town at the same time. You do realize that this is what the council is aiming at-- for the town to reach its weakest form--"

The rattling of the glass windows cut Callahan's words short. Nakakuyom ang kamao ng alpha. His entire office was slowly being surround ed by an unsettling energy from him. Maging si Callahan ay hindi ito gustong masaksihan.

"Just send the people you need and stay in town. I can oversee them while searching for her."

The alpha's face was now darkened by his shadowed expression. "For what?" he growled, unable to let anyone or anything stop him from getting to Eleanor.

Despite the air in the office, Callahan couldn't help but scoff. "This is Eleanor we are talking about. She can save anyone but herself," he stated.

"I happen to know where she could be. So let other people handle this situation," muling paalala ni Callahan. "As the alpha, you must know where your priorities lie."

Zackary stood motionless after what he had heard. He dropped his coat back to the couch at mahinahon na bumalik sa kanyang desk. Hindi ito ang inaasahang makita ni Callahan.

You would really put the town's sake before her, he thought. You disappointed me, Zackary.

Ngunit isang bagay ang ikinabigla niya. Zackary picked up the phone from his desk. Ilang segundo ang lumipas, isang tao ang sumagot ng tawag.

"Dad... I need you in the headquarters."

It was far from what Callahan had expected to witness. Matagal na niyang kilala si Zackary. He would always choose to deal things on his own rather than ask help from his father. Dahil hindi nito gustong makita itong mahina ng kahit sino man, lalo na ng dating alpha. That's why seeing the great Zackary asked help from the former alpha meant lowering his pride.

With eyebrow raised and a smirk on his face, napailing si Callahan. You really are something.

While in the middle of gathering the orders who would take the trip to Fabrice where Eleanor could be, dumating sa headquarters ang dating alpha kasama si Zandra. Everyone in the premises lowered their heads, except Zackary.

Zackary and the rest didn't expect Zanra to be in the premises. Owen had to bring her inside the building to avoid hearing the severity of the situation.

"She heard the phone call. She insisted on coming here," Zander, the former alpha stated.

Zackary took a deep breath before he explained the situation to his father. "I need to leave the town." Zackary managed to stay calm while talking. But the former alpha could see him losing control as minutes passed by.

"I understand," Zander told his son after hearing the situation. "I will call Sebastian so we can oversee things while you're gone."

Zackary lowered his head in front of his father in a bow. "I apologize for making you step in this position again."

Maging ang mga orders na nakapaligid ay yumuko ng mas mababa bilang paggalang sa kanilang pinuno. Habang nanatiling nakayuko, Zander tapped his son's shoulder.

"An alpha will always be one," he said.

Zackary raised his head to stare at his father. The person he wanted to become... and person he admired all his life for being a great leader... was first and foremost, his father. At ngayon niya ito labis na nararamdaman.

"I have to inform your mother about the situation in case she have to prepare the medical facilities once you come back." Zander gripped his son's arm. "Try not to make your mother worry."

Zackary nodded. Before leaving, Zander called for his son for the last time. "You're the alpha of Van Zanth, my son. You don't have to fear anything."

Zackary and the group of orders were ready to embark with him. He couldn't bring as much person as he needed because it would ensue disturbance and civil distress to the town they were about to head to. It would cause him time if he had to go through the process of formalized visit.

Patungo na sila sa mga nakaparadang sasakyan nang habulin sila ni Zanra matapos marinig ang totoong sitwasyon mula sa ama. From the building, she run through the entire courtyard heading to where her brother was giving last minute instructions to the orders.

"Are you going to be alright? Is Alexander and Eleanor alright? I heard everything and I--"

Zackary placed a hand on top of his sister's head. "They're going to be. They're going to come back to Van Zanth," he assured Zanra who had tears brimming in her eyes.

Zanra bit her trembling lip. She took several deep breaths to calm herself before she managed to stare at her brother's face. "Of course, they would come back. You would all come back safe, right? We'll be waiting for your return."

Ginulo ni Zackary ang ibabaw ng buhok nito. "We'll come back safe."

Pinagmasdan ni Zanra ang kapatid nang muli itong bumalik upang kausapin ang mga order sa huling pagkakataon bago sila umalis. Napansin ni Zanra ang kamao ng alpha na nanatiling nakakuyom at ang matinding pagpigili dito.

They were all aware the situation wasn't good.

--

Two hundred miles away from Van Zanth, Eleanor remained shackled inside a dark cell on the basement of a mansion. A thin blanket was covering her cold aching body. The tray of food remained untouched. There were no longer tears in her eyes and she remained sitting on the floor at the corner of the dark cell.

It was almost dawn when she heard people rushing in the narrow corridor leading to the basement. Mabibigat ang kanilang mga yapak habang nag-uusap. Their rushed and hushed voices echoing in the dark basement.

"Kailangan nating magmadali. They're on their way."

"Those bastards! How did they even know she's here?!"

"Mukhang galing ang kanilang impormasyon kay Morelia. She was paid by a son of an elite family from Van Zanth to spill everything she knew."

"That bitch!" isang singhal ang narinig sa corridor. "They are all the same!"

Their faces came into view in the dark. Nasilayan ni Eleanor ang kanilang mga mukha sa kabilang bahagi ng rehas. Nagmadaling binuksan ng tauhan ang selda at marahas na hinila patayo ang nanghihinang si Eleanor. Eleanor's knees wobbled, followed by her raspy breathing.

Mahigpit na hinawakan ng tauhan ang kanyang braso, his sharp fingernails clawing her skin. Sa madilim na corridor, naiinip na naghihintay si Mr. Wicke, ang miyembro ng konseho.

"Ano bang problema? Hindi ba sinabi kong magmadali?!"

Eleanor remained too weak to match their rushed movements. Nanggigigil na hinila siya ni Mr. Wicke para tumayo nang maayos. "Sumunod ka at 'wag gagawa ng ano mang ingay," babala nito. "Kundi sasabog ang bungo mo."

Muling nasilayan ni Eleanor ang mga ilaw at liwanag ng mansiyon pag-akyat nila sa living room. Ngunit sandali lamang ito dahil patuloy ang paghila sa kanya hanggang sa tuluyan silang makalabas sa likod na bahagi ng mansiyon.

All over Eleanor's body were dried blood-- her blood. Walang ibang pumapasok sa kanyang isip maliban sa usapan na kanyang naririnig habang nanatiling tahimik at tila abandunado ang likod na bahagi ng mansiyon na kanilang tinatahak.

"Maiiwan ang lahat ng mga tauhan sa mansiyon. You have to deal with them."

"Malalalaman at malalaman nila na nanggaling siya dito. Saan niyo siya balak dalhin?"

"You think I will still keep this bitch? I will take her to the people who could sell her away."

With those words, Eleanor's eyes widen. She snapped back in consciousness. Biglang bumalik ang matinding takot dahilan para magising ang kanyang sistema.

Hinila niya ang kanyang mga braso mula sa kanilang pagkakahawak. Nagmatigas siya at hindi gumalaw mula sa kinatatayuhan. Gamit ang kanyang natitirang lakas, she tried to get away from the grasps of the two men.

Hindi siya maaaring umalis. Sa oras na iwan niya ang masiyon... hindi na siya mahahanap pang muli. Hindi na siya makakabalik pa sa Van Zanth.

Isang nakakabinging sampal ang tumama sa kanyang pisngi. Agad namaga ang gilid ng kanyang mukha. Beyond the ringing in her ears, Eleanor could hear the council member yelling.

"Not now, you bitch!"

The pain was spreading like fire on her cheeks. A sharp pain was clawing her chest. Eleanor was terrified... she didn't want to leave... to go back to being sold like an item.

In the dark courtyard surrounded by looming evergreen trees, they reached the tall back gates kung saan isang itim na sasakyan ang naghihintay sa labas.

Eleanor's vision was blurry and hazy, the ringing never left her ears. Fresh blood oozed out of her wounds while struggling to break free from their grasps. Binuksan ng tauhan ang pintuan at tinulak si Eleanor papasok sa backseat bago ito isinara at ini-lock. Eleanor's voice was muted inside the car.

"Kailangan ko bang sumama?" tanong ng tauhan sa amo.

"What are you saying?" singhal ni Mr. Wicke habang nagmamadaling nagtungo sa driver's seat. "You need to oversee things here and make sure I'm not being followed! Have you requested assistance from the council?"

"They're not responding," tanging sagot ng tauhan. "But we have fifty trained staff in the area--"

Lalong nawalan ng pasensya ang amo. Mula sa bintana ng driver's seat, inabot ni Mr. Wicke ang kwelyo ng tauhan na nakatayo sa labas ng sasakyan.

"Look at me! Do you think I would rush out of here kung sapat ang tauhang binanggit mo?" asik niya. "It's the Van Zanth we're talking about! That bastard Zackary could easily kill them all."

Mr. Wicke released his staff before muttering a series of sordid words. "I'm gonna kill him myself one way or another." Binuhay niya ang engine ng sasakyan. "Make sure to do a good job here," muli niyang paalala. "And let the council know about this insubordination. They would pay for this."

Tuluyang humarurot palayo ang sasakyan at iniwan ang madilim na mansiyon. Panay ang mura na lumalabas sa bibig ng miyembro ng konseho habang tila lumilipad ang sasakyan sa bilis ng kanyang pagmamaneho.

From the backseat of the car, Eleanor could see the endless tree trunks lining the silent road from the beam of headlight slitting the dark. Clasping the rough seat with her trembling hands, Eleanor pushed herself up.

Once she leave this place... she would never see his face again...she could never be with Zackary again.

Inabot ni Eleanor ang pintuan ng sasakyan na nanatiling naka-lock. Bumaling sa kanya si Mr. Wicke mula sa rearview mirror. "What are you doing--"

Eleanor jumped at him from the backseat. Pilit niyang inabot ang steering wheel. Eleanor no longer care. It's going to be worse for her once she leave. But if he's here... if Zackary was really here searching for her... she wanted to see him for the last time.

Both of them lost control of the steering wheel. The car went astray. Bumulusok ito patungo sa gilid ng daan bago tumama ito sa higanteng trunk ng puno.

Eleanor's upper body hit the dashboard, with her head and back receiving the most impact. Seeing the council member nearly unconscious from hitting his head against the car window, Eleanor took the chance to unlock the door and head out.

Blood began dripping from her head as she fell into the ground on the way out of the car. Agad siyang tumayo at hindi ininda ang sakit na bumabalot sa kanyang buong katawan.

Muli siyang naglakad hanggang sa tuluyan siyang tumakbo pabalik sa direksyon ng mansiyon. He's here... Zackary's here. Eleanor could feel it in her bones.

Pinahid niya ang dugo na tumulo sa gilid ng kanyang mukha habang tumatakbo. Hanggang sa bigla siyang huminto. Isang pamilyar na tunog ang kanyang narinig. The click of a gun.

With her heart pounding, tumigil siya sa gitna ng abandunadong daan.

"One more step and this weapon will drill a hole in your skull."

It was the voice of the council member several meters away from her. Nanatiling nakatitig si Eleanor sa madilim na daan sa kanyang harapan. The only light blanketing the road surrounded by the woods was the fading headlight from the crushed hood of the car.

"This is a private road. No one will pass by. No one will see you dying."

Kahit hindi nakikita ni Eleanor ang mukha ng council member, alam niyang napuruhan ito dahil sa aksidente. Ramdam niya ang daing sa bawat salitang lumalabas sa bibig nito.

"Zackary... he will come," Eleanor mumbled. "He would find me."

A scoff erupted from Mr. Wicke's throat. Unti-unti itong naglakad palayo sa umuusok na sasakyan at palapit kay Eleanor. "Don't trust a Van Zanth too much. You think after dealing with that number of people, he'll come out unscathed?"

Eleanor's heart continued to pound inside her chest, beating erratically. She could feel him... Zackary's close and she could feel him being surrounded by pain and range. The sharp sudden pangs of pain in her body... they were all coming from him. Zackary... needed her right now.

"Why do you have to go to such extent to witness the downfall of the Van Zanth..." Eleanor mumbled. "Why do you want to take control over what's not yours..."

A chuckle erupted in the dark, sending shiver down Eleanor's spine.

"You have no idea how politics operate. If you can't control the people below you, time will come when they will pull you down to take themselves up. Van Zanth is the council's black sheep for decades. A small collateral damage like you won't mean much compared to our aim."

Eleanor's gaze remained on the empty road ahead of her where thick fog was slowly blanketing the silent forest. The dawn was breaking. She could see the sliver of light in the horizon.

"Now, now. Head straight here if you want your skull still intact," commanded the council member. "Head back to the car and accept your fate."

With her chest rising and falling in deep breaths, Eleanor turned her heels around to face the council member. Tahimik siyang huminga nang malalim bago naglakad papunta dito.

"That's right. No reason to make yourself suffer more."

The council member was injured. Tulad ni Eleanor, may dugong dumadaloy mula sa kanyang ulo. But in his face remained the wicked smile of someone who could only execute pain and never go through consequences.

In the middle of the still environment, Eleanor's steps echoed along with the natural noises of the surrounding forest. She took her time walking, staring at the man with a blank gaze.

"Come on now." Tinuro nito ang sasakyan na umuusok mula sa dented hood nito. "Get inside the car."

The gun remained pointing at Eleanor's direction. Nang tuluyan siyang makalapit, the tip of the gun touched the side of her head. In the council member's face was a manic expression of wide smile and dark blank gaze.

Bago pa sila maglakad patungo sa umuusok na sasakyan, Eleanor calmly raised her hand na ikinabigla ng council member. She grabbed the gun from his hold.

"What are you doing--!"

Hindi kumawala si Eleanor sa pagkakahawak ng baril. Kahit pa kasalukuyan siyang mas mahina siya kumpara sa council member, she gripped the weapon tight in her hands.

"I would no longer do what people command me to," she declared in a bare voice, gritting with defiance and determination. "I'm no one's slave!"

The sharp sound of gunshot in the air disturbed the entire woods. Birds flew out of the tree branches, small animals scampered from the forest ground.

The council member stumbled back, a sharp pain slowly spreading on his right leg. Bumakas ang dugo sa kanyang suot na pantalon, hanggang sa mabilis itong kumalat. He was bleeding furiously while Eleanor stood motionless.

"Eleanor..."

Natulala si Eleanor nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses. Tuluyan siyang napalingon sa pinanggalingan nito. Sa 'di kalayuan, sa gitna ng madilim na daan na binabalutan ng makapal na hamog, isang tao ang patungo sa kanyang direksyon.

Naaninag ni Eleanor ang kanyang mukha-- ang mukha na inakala niyang hindi na niya muling masisilayan.

"Zackary..." He made it... she thought. He found me.

Tumulo ang luha mula sa mga mata ni Eleanor. In the middle of the commotion, napansin ni Eleanor ang estato ng katawan ni Zackary. He was bloody. His flesh was exposed on the right arm to his shoulder. His head was bleeding, dripping down his left eye.

Both Zackary and Eleanor were breathing heavily as they stared at each other in the middle of the road. Isang malamig na metal ang muling naramdaman ni Eleanor sa kanyang sintido.

The council member's ragged breathing reached Eleanor's ears as he stood behind her. "One wrong move," sinabi nito habang nakatitig sa alpha. "I will burst her skull open."

Hindi nakagalaw si Eleanor sa kanyang kinatatayuan. Patuloy ang pagtulo ng kanyang luha habang nakatitig kay Zackary na ilang hakbang lang ang layo mula sa kanya.

"This, right here... is indeed your weakness."

Malalim ang paghinga ni Zackary habang nakatitig kay Eleanor. "Eleanor..."

Eleanor tried to gave him a reassuring smile kahit pa unti-unti ang paglalim ng kanyang hininga. Napalunok si Eleanor at napapikit nang mas lalong dumikit sa kanyang sintido ang baril.

"Don't do anything..." Zackary warned.

Isang mapanudyong halakhak ang kumawala sa bibig ng council member. "Get your mate back, Zackary. Do what you always do. Lose control."

The three of them stood in front of each other in the middle of the deserted road.

"Don't hurt her," mariin na sinabi ni Zackary.

His statement caused the council member to raise an eyebrow. "Do I hear defiance in your voice? Do you think you still have authority in this situation?"

Nagngitngit si Zackary, his jaw clenching, but he pulled himself up to remain silent.

"There's only one thing I want to witness from you. I would gladly let her go if you do it." Nanatili ang ngiti sa labi ng council member bago muling nagsalita. "Plead on your knees."

Eleanor was unable to believe what she just heard.

"Beg, Van Zanth. Beg like the dog that you are."

Napalunok si Eleanor, nanginginig ang buong kalamnan. No... Van Zanth alphas never bow their heads to just anyone, much more beg on their knees. Hindi... hindi niya hahayaang gawin ito ni Zackary. Nagpumiglas ni Eleanor ngunit naging mariin ang baril sa kanyang sintido.

"Stay still and watch your mate do what I say."

Eleanor tried to catch Zackary's gaze, trying to tell him not to do it. Nagtama ang kanilang paningin. Tahimik na umiling si Eleanor. Don't, Zackary. It's okay... I'm okay.

Eleanor gasped. Zackary, without hesitation, dropped to his knees on the ground. Iniyuko nito ang ulo at tahimik na nagmakaawa. "Please give her back to me..."

Nanatiling nakatulala si Eleanor, nakatitig kay Zackary. Hanggang sa muling tumulo ang kanyang mga luha.

"Please give her back to me..."

Zackary, the alpha who was taught not to bow or lower his head to anyone, was on his knees, eyes on the ground, begging in front of the council member.

Ilang minutong nanatili ang alpha sa ganoong posisyon na tila nagsasaya ang council member sa nakikita. In the middle of the fog laden woods, several people rushed to the scene. There were the orders from Van Zanth, including Owen and Callahan.

Natigilan ang mga ito sa nadatnan. Hindi nila nagawang makalapit nang tuluyang makita ang baril sa sintido ni Eleanor at ang kanilang pinuno na nakaluhod sa gitna ng daan.

"Alpha..."

"Don't make any move," mariin na utos ni Zackary. "Keep her safe."

Lalong nagdiwang ang council member sa nakikita. The humiliation of a Van Zanth seemed to be the greatest sight of all. Humigpit ang hawak nito kay Eleanor at sa armas sa palad nito.

"What are you waiting for?!" sigaw nito na pumukaw sa katahimikan ng kakahuyan. "Your alpha is on his knees begging. Don't you think you have to do the same thing?"

Five of the orders fell to their knees on the ground before lowering their heads. Naiwang nakatayo si Callahan, gritting his teeth, seething at the council member. Ngunit nang muli niyang masilayan ang baril na nakatapat kay Eleanor, wala siyang nagawa kundi ang sumunod ang lumuhod sa lupa.

A manic laughter filled the air. Eleanor could feel the council member's shaking chest, gasping, catching his breath. "How foolish, all of you. For a slave, you would do this."

Eleanor was having a hard time standing upright. Mabilis na nanlalabo ang kanyang paningin. The pain she was trying to ignore was slowly spreading in her entire body. Isang bagay ang ang pumapasok sa kanyang isipan.

She wanted it all to end.

Naramdaman niya ang biglang pag-angat ng tip ng baril mula sa kanyang sintido at pagtapat nito sa direksyon ni Zackary... the alpha who had his head and gaze to the ground. Before he pulled the trigger, Eleanor grabbed the hand holding the fatal weapon. Tumapat ito sa kanya at tuluyang pumutok.

The sharp sound echoed in the woods. Several crows from a distance let out ear splitting screeches before flying away from the scene. Tuluyang binalot ng dugo ang dibdib ni Eleanor bago siya tuluyang bumagsak sa lupa.

The scene was so sudden.

Mabilis na sumugod ang mga orders sa direksyon ng council member. Hindi para atakihin ito kundi para pigilan ang kanilang pinuno na mabilis na hinawakan ang leeg nito gamit ang matutulis na mga kuko at nagngingitngit na mga kamay.

In flash of movements, they reached a wide trunk of a tree where the alpha lifted his body up in the air while the council member was screaming incoherent words of pleading and threat. Tila ipinako ito sa trunk ng puno nang gilitan ni Zackary ang kanyang leeg at tuluyang bumulwak ang dugo sa paligid.

Before the alpha completely lose control, Callahan gripped on the alpha's shoulder. Doon lamang nakalapit nang tuluyan ang iba pang orders.

"Zackary," Callahan said. "She's..." Hindi nito magawang ituloy ang sasabihin.

In the midst of the chaos, Zackary turned his gaze back to Eleanor. Owen was with her, trying to contain the unending bleeding from her chest.

Naglakad si Zackary papunta kay Eleanor, tila wala sa sarili dahil sa nakikita.

"Alpha... it's a fatal shot... she's..."

Ngunit tila wala nang naririnig pa si Zackary. Eleanor was still breathing when Zackary lifted her up from the ground. He had his hand on her delicate face while embracing her and carrying her on his chest.

"I need to bring her to the hospital..."

Eleanor was losing breaths in seconds at ramdam ito ni Zackary. Alam niyang kahit anong gawin niya ngayon, maaaring impossible ang hinihingi niya.

A word escaped Eleanor's lips. "Zack..."

Muli hinaplos ni Zackary ang mukha ni Eleanor. "It's okay... it's okay now, Eleanor... we're going home now..." Eleanor's eyelids were dropping, her eyes slowly shutting close.

"Eleanor, keep your eyes open. Please... please stay awake. We're heading home..."

Eleanor stared up at his face where tears were falling from his eyes to her cheeks. "I'm... okay..." she whispered. "Zack... bring me back home... to Van Zanth."

Zackary held Eleanor closer to his chest. Muli nilang pinaandar ang sasakyan upang dalhin siya sa pinakamalapit na pagamutan. Owen was driving while Callahan was in the front seat, knowing fully well what was about to happen.

Zackary held Eleanor in the backseat, snugging her body close.

"I love you... I love you..." he repeatedly said like a lullaby.

But Eleanor had her eyes closed and she had completely stopped breathing for the last several minutes. Embracing her body, Zackary placed a kiss on her forehead.

"We're going home."

***