Chapter 30: Raining Bullets

Gaynell

What the heck was that? Why are we being followed? Bakit kami pinaputukan ng bala?

WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENS?

"Good job Bren," sabi ni Cole praised his driver. Kung hindi lang bulletproof ang sasakyan, malamang ay butas butas na ang mga katawan namin.

Saka lang ako nakahinga ng maluwag noong pumasok na ang aming sasakyan sa gate ng House of Duke.

"Ah that's looks awful," sabi ng isang lalaking may mahabang buhok na yumakap kay Joshue. "I'm glad your safe, honey," sabi na ito.

Tumingin ako sa sasakyan. Maraming mga butas butas ito sanhi ng mga balang pinaulan sa amin. Ang hindi ko lubusang maintindihan, bakit kami inambush?

"The duke is waiting for you inside," sabi nito sa amin. "I'll escort you to him," sabi pa niya.

Tumango-tango si Cole at saka kami nagsimulang lumakad habang nakasunod sa lalaking mahabng buhok kasabay ni Joshue.

"That's his husband," sabi ni Cole sa akin before he entwined my finger to his

"I figure it out," sagot ko sa kanya.

Ngumiti ito sa akin na parang walang nangyari.

"You seem calm after what happened to us," sabi ko sa kanya.

Tumawa siya.

"I'm used to it. In the world I'm in, sanay na akong kainggitan ng iba at marami na ring nagtangkang umambush sa akin," sagot niya.

Napamulagat ang aking mga matang napatingin sa kanya.

"Are you serious? Do you take it as normal happenings for you? Jusko, I don't want to be a widow," sagot ko sa kanya.

"Hey, I'm gonna die or something. Ngayon pa bang ikakasal na tayo? There's no way I will allow fate to get me," natatawang sabi niya.

Hindi na ako makapagsalita ng binuksan ni asawa ni Joshue ang golden double doors na may nakaukit na family crest ng Sandoval. Nakita kong nakaupo sa isang mahogany colored table si Marius habang nakasuot ng salamin sa mata. Sa likod niya ay ang royal blue flag ng Bree.

"Good morning, your grace," bati ni Cole at Joshue sa kanya.

Nag-angat ng paningin si Marius at tinanggal ang salamin sa mga mata bago tumayo. He looked so fresh hindi katulad noong unang kita namin na may eyebags ito at haggard.

"Cole, what brings you here? I heard that you were ambushed again. How many lives do you still have?" pabirong bati nito sa kanya na para bang matagal na silang magkakilala.

"Not many as your's, your grace," sagot ni Cole.

Bumaling sa akin si Marius.

"So you're finally become Cole's mate, Gaynell," sabi niya. "Nothing's good will happen to you if you choose to be with that bastard," sabi niya na biglang umasim ang mukha. "Anyway you two have a seat," yaya niya.

Pagkatapos makaupo ay sumeryoso si Cole at Marius.

"It's positive," sabi ni Cole. "Haize approached Sebastian and Gaynell saw him coming in and out of his office," sabi pa niya.

Napatingin sa akin si Marius na ikinatango ko bilang pagsang-ayon sa sinabi ni Cole.

"I thought it was just a simple business meeting. If that is all about it, dapat ay kasali ako sa meeting since ako ang secretary but no. Hindi ako pinayagan ni Sebastian na sumama o pumasok sa mga meeting nila," sabi ko. "And then I heard the words bring down the big sharks. Akala ko ay plano nilang maungusan iyong mga businessman sa business world but my guts keeps on telling me it's something else. Hindi ako mapakali so I told Cole to come here and warn you since Sebastian's still obsessed with Avery and his child," sagot ko.

"He's a sick bastard desiring something that has never been his since," sagit ni Marius. "I see why Haize came to him," sabi pa niya.

"I suggest that you double your mate's guards, your grace, and always keep an eye on him. I'm sure he's Sebastian's target now," sagot ni Cole.

Wait. Hindi ba sabi ni Cole is rumored lang ang pagiging member ni Haize sa Haze? Bakit kapag nag-uusap ang dalawa ay parang miyembro na nga ito.

"Uhm, I'm being confused here, your grace, Cole but do you two know each other and you're both saying that Haize is a real member of Haze?" nalilitong tanong ko.

Napatingin si Marius kay Cole.

"You didn't tell him?" amused na tanong nito kay Cole. "And enough with formality. I don't suit you," aniya pa.

Nakita kong napakamot ng ulo si Cole bago tumingin sa akin.

"Well?" tanong ko anticipating what he is about to say.

"I'm Marius' right-hand man when we're young," sagot niya. "But since I'm not a royal blood, I went to all alpha's from middle to high school," sagot niya. "In other words, we've been friends before he met Sebastian." sagot niya.

"You're missing something," singit ni Marius.

Mas lalong napakamot ng ulo si Cole.

"We're both members of Anti-Terrorist Task Force," sagot niya.

"Huh? Taskforce? I didn't know about that. Enlighten me," sabi ko na nakatingin sa kanya, sending him my curiosity why he didn't tell me about this.

"I was already a member when I was still in High school. Call me a Police fanatic but it was really my dream to become one aside from being a businessman," sagot niya.

Nag-isip ako. Come to think of it. I remember Cole left Aster when he was still a sophomore after he moved one from his mate's death. Nagulat na lang ako muli itong lumitaw noong nasa last year na ako ng senior high school. So does it mean that he undergoes training or something like that?

"I see," sagot ko sa kanya. "I thought you couldn't moved on from your mate's death kung kaya akala ko iyon ang dahilan ng bigla mong pagkawala," sabi ko pa.

Napatawa si Cole.

"I'm sorry," aniya.

Bumuntong-hininga ako. May dapat pa ba akong ikagalit?

"Forgiven," sagot ko sa kanya.

Niyakap lamang nito ako ng mahigpit.

"Sorry to disturb you two but I don't think that the car who chased you is one of your business rivals, Cole," sabi ni Marius bago ipinatong ang mga braso sa bahagyang nakabukaka niyang mga hita.

"I doubt it too," seryosong sagot ni Cole. "If by chance, Haize probably knew about my connection with Gaynell," sabi pa niya. "That car probably meant to eliminate him before he can even reach you," sagot pa niya. "The only problem is, how did he know that we are going to meet you?"

Bumuntong-hininga si Marius clenching his fist.

"Excuse me, but who's this Heize again? Why are you two so sure about him being a member of Haze?" naguguluhang tanong ko.

"Heize used to be me and Sebastian's friend. He was an outgoing person and a top student in academics and sports during middle school. One day, he was kidnapped. It took him almost a month before rescued. Back then Haze was already existing. His parents suspected that it was them behind Haize's abduction. And when he finally went back to school. Haize changed. He wasn't the Haize we used to know. And the last thing we heard about him was his father withdrew his right to be the next king," sagot ni Marius.

"I thought he voluntarily gave the crown to his younger brother," sabi ko.

"No, it wasn't. Before the king died, he already secretly left a will that if in case that he died before passing the crown, he chooses his second son to be his successor. By the time Haize thought he would be the next king, the crown had already passed to his younger brother. And then he disappeared. And then our group received a letter from the king telling us that he is suspecting his son was affiliated with the Haze. He suspected that during his abduction, he was probably brainwashed," sagot niya.

"And also, Haize is the recruiting boss of Haze. That's why you saw him entering and leaving Sebastian's office. He recruited him," dugtong ni Cole. "I've been secretly following him when he suddenly appeared. I found out that the business he was making was actually brainwashing people to go against the authorities."

Ah! Too many revelations. But how does he know about Marius and Sebastian's dispute?

"You probably wonder why he decided to approach Sebastian?" tanong ni Marius.

Tumango ako sa kanya.

"He probably knew about Avery. Both Sebastian and I's weaknesses. He'll go to use him against me," sagot niya.

Hindi ako naimik. Somehow Sebastian is still my mate since Cole didn't erased his mark yet, nakakaramdam din ako ng awa sa kanya.

"If you knew what Haize's doing, why don't you arrest him?" tanong ko.

"We can't," sagot ni Cole. "At least not yet. Haze doesn't have any headquarters but we track them down that learned that they are all over the world. Some countries from the other side have already been destroyed because of them. Some of those countries' royalties were all assassinated by them," sagot pa niya.

"Jesus! What heck is with Haze? Are they all insane? Are they that hungry of power to do that?" naninindig balahibong tanong ko.

"Their motto is to free the countries from monarchy, to live freely but that is not true. They wanted to gain control of everything that the world can give, in other words, they want to rule the world," sagot ni Marius.

Hindi ako makahuma sa sinabi ni Marius.

"So I'm suggesting that your mate must be protected at all cost," sabi nito kay Cole. "I'm suggesting that he'll be with Avery," sabi pa niya. "In that way, he can be protected considering your job, Cole," sabi niya.

"That's an good idea, Marius," sagot ni Cole.

Huh? Ano daw? Kaming dalawa ni Avery? Akala ko ba ay uuwi din kami agad.

"Cole?" nagtatanong mga matang tumingin sa kanya.

Tumingin sa akin si Cole.

"You'll be safe here, babe," sagot niya. I'll be out on a mission and I can't risk you being alone especially when Haize knew about your connection to me. He'll use you against me. Please understand," sabi pa niya.

"But my parents?" nag-aalalang tanong ko.

"They are safe. Trust me," sabi pa niya.

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita pa noong isinakay ako patungo sa mansion ni Marius. For my part, hindi pa ako ha dang harapin si Avery at hindi rin ako handa sa mga nangyayari. Pakiramdam ko ay lumusong ako sa tubig na hindi ko alam na may mga buwayang nakatira doon. At ang tanging tulong na pwede kong tanggapin ay ang mga bangka nina Marius at Cole.

To survive from a controlling beast named Haize and a fool of a mate that I have, I need to learn on Cole and Marius.

CHAPTER 32

Avery

"Huh?" gulat na gulat kong tanong ng mukha ni Gaynell ang bumungad sa akin kasama sina Marius at isa pang alphang noon ko lang nakita. "What's the meaning of this?" kinakabahang tanong ko kay Marius.

"It's alright babe," sagot ni sabay hawak sa akin trying to calm me down.

"What is he doing here? Is Sebastian also here?" sunod-sunod kong tanong sa kanya.

"No. Sebastian isn't here and also Gaynell's no longer a mate of his. The guy standing behind him is his mate now. Actually the choice mate. So calm down okay? You're nervous, I can feel it," sabi niya pagkatapos trying to rub my back to soothe me.

"Ooh," tanging naisagot ko sa kanya.

I'm not ready to meet him mainly because I'm ashamed of what I did.

"Hi Avery. We meet again," nakangiting sabi niya. "Can we talk? Hindi ako galit," sabi pa niya.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya.

"Sorry," nahihiyang sabi ko sa kanya.

"It's okay," sabi pa niya. "Is it a boy or a girl?" tanong niya na tila nahihiya pa.

"Two boys," nakangiting sagot ko sa kanya. "Marius marked me again and imprinted him as their father to the babies," sagot ko pa.

"I envy you," sabi niya.

Napayuko ako. Nahihiya pa rin ako sa kanya.

"It's not because you were chosen by Sebastian over me but because you can conceive unlike me," sabi pa niya. "I cannot have children with him so he treated me badly and he became so obsessed with getting you back when he learned about you, being pregnant. At first, I was angry, yes at you but when Sebastian's real color was slowly revealed, I came to my senses. So left him," sabi pa niya.

Hinawakan ko ang kanyang mga kamay. Naaawa ako sa kanya. Wala naman siyang naging kasalanan kung hindi ang makuha ang dapat ay sa kanya.

"Don't worry. My babies will never acknowledge him as their father. Marius would never allow it," nakangiting sagot ko sa kanya. "I'm really sorry for making Sebastian mine, for making it difficult for you and hurting you," buong pakumbabang sabi ko sa kanya.

"Ano ka ba, it's okay. Napakatanga ako sa taong mali. Both of us should move on," sabi pa niya sabay hawak ng aking mga kamay ay pinisil iyon. "We can be friends," sabi pa niya.

"Sure," sagot ko sa kanya.

When I learned about Sebastian's schemes, nalaman ko rin na titira muna sa amin si Gaynell hanggang sa mabuwag ang Haze. Sa ngayon ay pareho kaming kahinaan ng aming mga partners na maaring gamitin laban sa kanila.

"What's that?" tanong sa akin ni Gaynell noong makitang may choker band sa aking leeg habang nagbi-bake kami ng cake. Kakabigay lang sa akin ito ni Marius para raw protection sa aking leeg. Sabi niya tanging mga fingerprint niya ang makaka-unlock dito.

"Marius is very paranoid so he gave me

this custom-made band for me," sagot niya. "He's afraid that Sebastian might sneak in and bite me," sagot ko.

Natawa ito.

"At this tight security? I bet he can never enter here," sagot niya habang nagmimix ng cake batter habang ako ay nagma-mash ng blueberry.

"He's worry to much," natatawa kong sagot. "Here taste this. Let me know if sobra ba ang sugar or kailangan ko pang dagdagan," sabi ko pa sabay abot ng kutsara na may crushed blueberry.

Hindi pa nakakarating sa kanyang bunganga ang kutsara ay agad nitong nabitawan at nagmamadaling pumunta ng banyo. Agad ko siyang pinuntahan at nadatnan kong suka siya ng suka sa lababo.

"What's wrong?" tanong ko sa kanya habang inaalo-alo ang kanyang likuran.

"That smashed blueberry. It smell awfully," sagot niya sa akin bago nagmumumog at naghilamos ng mukha. "I feel sick," sabi niya pagkatapos magpunas ng tissue.

"Awful? Are you sure? Fresh from the farm iyon. Binigay ng mother-in-law ko iyon," sagot.

"I'm sorry but I don't really like it. Hindi naman ako ganito dati," sagot niya.

Nag-isip ako.

"You said you can't conceive a baby, right?" tanong ko habang naglalakad kami pabalik ng kusina.

"Yeah," sagot niya.

"Well, I need to call my doctor and let him come here. Mabuti na iyong alam natin kung bakit ka nasuka sa blueberry," sabi ko bago nagdial ng number sa smartphone ko. Ilang sandali lang au sumagot na ito. Mabuti na lang at wala siyang duty sa dalawa ospital na pinapasukan niya at pwede siyang pumunta sa dito.

"Kinakabahan ako," sabi niya. "What if may sakit ako?" aniya pa.

"Calm down alright?" sabi ko sa kanya. "Magaling na doctor ang pupunta dito so rest assured na mapapagaling ka man niya kung ano man ang nararamdaman mo."

Hindi rin nagtagal at dumating si Dimitri. Like us, he's also an omega at isang license na OB-gyne.

"So? Anong sakit niya?" tanong ko kay Dimitri matapos niyang tanggalin ang stethoscope sa kanyang tenga pagkatapos niyang macheck ang abdomen ni Gaynell.

"I need to confirm something sir before I'll give my answer," sagot niya bago kinuha ang portable ultrasound na dala niya.

Pinahiran niya ng gel ang tiyan ni Gaynell at saka idinikit ang detector sa ibabaw ng kanyang tiyan. As soon as the detector touched his abdomen, malakas na pintig ng puso ang sumalubong sa amin.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Gaynell.

"Congrats you are two months pregnant," nakangiting sagot ni Dimitri sa akin.

"Are you serious? I was diagnosed as infecund. There's no way I can get pregnant," hindi naniniwala sagot nito.

"Look at this bean-sized thing inside of your womb. This is your healthy baby. Its heartbeat is strong like it's trying to tell you that you have him inside of you," nakangiting sabi ni Dimitri. "Fate sometimes surprises us."

Nakita kong tumulo ang mga luha ni Gaynell hanggang sa mapahagulhol siya sa iyak. He deserved to be a mom. Christ only knows what kind of suffering he experienced with Sebastian.

"If this is a dream please don't wake me up," sabi pa niya habang patuloy na umaagos ang mga luha sa kanyang mga mata bago nayuko at hinaplos-haplos ang kanyang tiyan.

"No it's not," sagot ko sa kanya. "You are pregnant. You'll be a mom soon," sabi ko pa sabay yakap sa kanya habang nangingiti lang sa amin si Dimitri.

"It's Cole's," sagot nito sa kanya. "My fated pair couldn't make me pregnant so I'm sure it's Cole," sabi pa niya.

"Do you know how this happens?" tanong ko kay Dimitri.

"As I said, fate is cruel but sometimes it surprises us. I'm sure about what fate is thinking but I do know, just a hypothetically that sperm hormones of an alpha such as your pair could have developed fewer sperm counts and couldn't reach your womb but also mythically, the womb itself withered if those sperm didn't reach the opening of it. Maybe when you were diagnosed infecund, it could be that your womb has withered. It needed enough sperm to be able to do its job just like a flower. It needed water to survive," sagot ni Dimitri.

"My gosh, is there something you don't know?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Maybe, ask me," natatawang sagot niya. "Anyways, I have to go. Don't forget to drink the vitamins I listed in my prescription to you Gaynell at least once a day. I'll be seeing you again next month," nakangiting sabi niya bago lumabas ng main door ng bahay.

"So? Nanaginip ka pa rin ba?" natatawang tanong ko kay Gaynell.

Mangiyak-ngiyak na tumingin siya sa akin.

"I thought I'll never gonna get pregnant ever again," hindi pa ring naniniwalang sabi niya.

"Well, you are now. I'm sure masusupresa si Cole kapag nalaman niyang buntis ka. And also it's Sebastian's loss not yours," sabi ko pa.

Ngumiti siya sa akin at saka nagpahid ng luha sa kanyang mga mata.

"I'm scared," sabi pa niya.

"Don't be. Nandito naman ako eh. Hindi kita papabayaan," sagot ko sa kanya.

"Hindi ba dapat ako ang magsabi niyan dahil ilang buwan na lang ay manganganak ka na? Tapos kambal pa," sabi niya.

Natawa ako.

"It's my second time already. At ikaw ay first time pa. I'll help you," pagpupumilit ko.

Few days passed, mas lalo kaming naging close ni Gaynell. Naging mas sensitibo ang kanyang pagbubuntis. Palagi na siyang naduduwal at tinatamad na kumilos. Minsan ay kagigising lang niya tapos bigla na lang muling matutulog. Minsan nakahilata siya sa sofa at minsan ay nasa rocking chair pa. Natatawa ako kaya minsan ay hinahayaan ko na siya.

Still naroon pa rin itong guilt sa akin na inagawan ko siya ng mate. Ano kaya ang future nila ni Sebastian kung hindi ako pumasok sa buhay nila? Napabuntong-hininga ako. This feud between those two friends was partially my fault.

"Mommy," narinig kong sabi ni Cameron pagkatapos niyang sa kanyang homeschooling. Marius decided to homeschool our son since we don't know when the bad guys strike.

"Yes?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"When will Papa go home?" tanong niya sa akin.

"Oh he'll be here next week son. May meeting lang kasing dinaluhan ang Papa mo. Don't worry he'll be here soon," sagot ko sa kanya.

"Ah," sagot niya sa akin pagkatapos ay bumaling kay Gaynell na nakanganga pa habang natutulog. "What's wrong with Uncle?" tanong niya.

"He's just tired," sagot ko sa kanya. "Do you want to eat something?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Pancakes," sagot niya.

Akma na sana akong maglalakad sa patungo sa kusina ng bigla na lamang may sumabog sa mismong harapan ng gate. Nagulantang si Gaynell at bigla niyang itinakip ang mga kamay sa kanyang tiyan.

"What was that?" gulat na gulat niyang tanong.

Bigla na lang nagbukas ang pintuan at limang kalalakihang guard ang pumasok sa loob.

"Secure them," utos ng isang lalaking nakahawak ng baril. Lead them to the safe room immediately," utos pa nito.

"This way, sirs, young master," sabi ng isa na nagpatiuna sa amin.

"Hurry!" sigaw ng nasa labas. "We can't hold them!"

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyayari basta mahigpit kong hinawakan ang kamay ni Cameron habang nakasunod sa amin si Gaynell.

Isang sikretong lagusan ang tumambad sa aming paningin matapos galawin ng isang libro sa shelf malapit sa study room ni Marius.

"Get inside sir. Lock it from the inside. Do not open it no matter what," sabi ng kalbong nakaitim na suit sa akin. "There's been a spy within us. Don't worry. Only the Duke can open it from the outside after being locked inside. Now hurry and close it," utos niya.

Agad kong sinunod ang gusto niya. Just what the hell is happening?

"Avery I'm scared," sabi ni Gaynell.

"Shh calm down. Our husband will find us. We have to trust them," sagot ko sa kanya.

Please hurry! Marius, please!