"You visited the Palace? What happened?"
A crease formed on Hanan's forehead as she looked longer at the man who broke into the Council's courtroom. He wasn't just anybody. The clean hairstyle, the nobleman's attire, the royalty badge. He was a real deal. Not to mention, he just said his father wanted to summon the Councils.
Hanan did not know the name of the man, but there was only one person in this prestigious Kingdom who had the power to call the advicers.
The Alpha.
Hanan could not help but feel awe. She scrutinized his physique, to make sure she'd recognize him the next time they met. He had to be one of the Alpha's sons. He had to be one of the majesties that she'd serve. But which one was he?
His height had to be six plus. The number of his abs should be the same. He had broad shoulders. Fair skin. Bow-shaped thin lips. Roman nose. Red eyes..
Red eyes…
"I'm afraid I cannot disclose such important information in front of your unknown guest, Council…" The man tilted his head to glaze his eyes at Hanan, who had been looking at him for quite some time now. His expression remained the same. Stoic. "Perhaps you can rearrange this meeting, so you can immediately attend to my father's needs."
"She's the newly elected Governor General, Bathala." Marikudo did not hesitate to introduce Hanan. "She's not just a guest."
Bathala.
It was the Alpha's first son who led the expedition last summer. The one known as the strength of the Mandaya pack. The role model, and the first instructor of the Warriors Assembly, who contributed a lot to their fighting style.
A prodigy.
"The fourth Governor General…" Bathala looked at Hanan for a few more seconds. But though his voice effused recognition, it did not reflect on his face. "Very well. I am just about to visit you in your designed room after I relay my father's word."
"It's my honor to meet you, Bathala." Hanan saluted, formally greeting the first son. "But I have a scheduled meeting with the other Governor General."
"Then I shall advise them to allow your absence."
"Is this about the next expedition, Bathala?" Sultan, who was already walking down the parquet staircase, asked. "You can't bring her in. The Alpha has plans for her."
Hanan's eyes emitted inquisitive interest. If she was following it right, they were talking about Bathala's plan to go on another expedition. There had been a circulating rumor about a certain island that the Mandaya pack owned. Apparently, wolves from the other pack were claiming it as theirs.
But it was too insignificant. For a trivial matter like that to attract Bathala's interest, there had to be something else. Something they couldn't discuss with the public, even in the five groups.
Or perhaps, the rumors were purposely created to hide what it was they wanted to fight for. Either way, if it was Bathala's plan, then there would be war.
"Yes, Council. But don't worry, I'll talk to my father about it. For now, I'll take her with me." Bathala, who was resolved, turned around to head towards the entrance door. "You should also be on your way."
Hanan was not given a chance to answer. As soon as Bathala left the courtroom, Hanan knew she had to abide by the first son's invitation. As such, Hanan paid respect to the Council, and excused herself. She followed Bathala, who was already then in the middle of the hallway.
But there was something that bugged her. Whilst she was maintaining the distance between her and Alpha's son, Hanan chewed over on what was aforementioned inside the room. The Alpha has plans for her? At some point, that sounded crucial.
Hanan cannot fully fathom whether or not the Council said it in her presence with purpose. But she could tell it wasn't a fluke. What was it that they wanted her to carry out?
She was inexperienced. Could it be that the Alpha's plans were her pile of work for the whole year? All governor generals who had been elected undertook such significant tasks to fulfill their roles as one of the faces that would represent the Kingdom. Each of them were to make a list of every accomplishment in their first year, so they would not be demoted. It was a requirement, to prove that one was suitable and rightful for the position one was bestowed upon.
That… or another.
Hanan's eyes landed on Bathala with scrutiny. But if the Alpha's first son wanted to bring her to the pack's next expedition, then it would be counted as merit, right? After all, she came from the Warriors Assembly, whose job was to take part in expeditions, war, and missions outside the Kingdom. Additionally, if they were to succeed in their aim, it'd be a huge achievement.
Hanan did not need to overthink it.
She trudged in towards the Alpha's first son, who was in front of the royal carriage. Beside him was a man clad in a light coloured shirt, business suit and tie, with a royal badge on his right shoulder. A butler.
But not an ordinary one. If Hanan could remember it right, the butlers assigned to each of the Alpha's sons were retired instructors from each of the five groups. Which meant the one in front of her was one with enough experience and knowledge of fighting.
I keep coming across strong and worthy figures. Hanan thought.
"I'd like to bring her to the headquarters, Amon."
"The new governor general?"
"Yes. If what I heard about her is right, then she'll be useful to me."
Hanan could not help but catch bits of their conversation as she closed the distance. She put up a smile laced with familiarity. Before she stopped on her track. The butler, Amon, looked at her. But though there was a bright welcoming look in his face, Hanan refused to fall for it.
"Indeed, Bathala." Hanan's voice resonated with formality and amiable tone. She clasped her hands together over her lower abdomen. "But I take it you won't let me in easily?"
"Of course." Bathala turned to her. "Albeit I believe you're capable enough to be elected as the governor general, I have my own standard."
Own standard? Of course. It was the very same reason Hanan was not given a chance to join his team until today. Though the qualifications were never revealed, it was surely hard to meet. Given out of twenty high-ranked wolves that their instructor would choose, only one or two would be selected. And those who were talented enough to meet his standard were the only ones allowed to see him. Bathala was a man who disliked appearing in public, thus until now, Bathala remained unknown even to Hanan. She wouldn't even recognize him, had it not been because of the Council who spoke his name.
"I'm sure you do." Hanan cracked an astute look, glazing her eyes at Bathala, whose expression hadn't changed since the first minute she saw him. He was cold. But what can she expect from a respectable wolf like him who was sure not fond of socializing? "But I'm surprised I caught your interest. You only ever wanted men to join your team."
Amon, upon hearing Hanan's remark, chuckled. He lowered down his gaze for a bit, complimenting the guts of the woman before them, before he returned his eyes to his Majesty. Surely, Bathala was offended by that. He hated receiving comments from wolves he barely knew. That said, Amon suppressed his smile, waiting for Bathala's comeback.
But Bathala remained silent for the next seconds.
Bathala, however, continued to look down on the newly elected governor general, whose height could only reach his shoulder. He honored her physique with his pair of red eyes, trailing every inch. To her skinny legs, waist and chest, to her arms, and shoulders. Hanan had a small body frame. Definitely not the size of a wolf ready to go into a war.
He had heard of her before. Twice in a year she was recommended by the instructors of the Warrior Assembly, and not once had he accepted her as a candidate. She was a newbie. Despite her overwhelming strength and intelligence at using weapons. Bathala had always thought she wasn't suitable.
Sure, she'd win one on one. She was strong, so they say, and wise. But can she psychologically digest the overwhelming numbers of enemies, if she were, for instance, chosen to participate in war? Can she die fighting? Would she be emotionally ready for what was to happen during the war? Bathala worked with different types of warriors. Most of them were really strong. Some were wise but were incapable of standing with their own feet on a battlefield. He had been through a lot of battles. And during those times, he had seen a lot of blessed wolves crawl out of fear the moment they were exposed to danger.
He didn't mean to discriminate between men and women. He believed both could be strong and capable. But it was a matter of who could do a certain thing. So, Bathala would often come for men, whose emotions were more resolved than women.
"Yes…" Bathala's lashes fluttered, staring at Hanan. "But I'm willing to make an exception, Hanan. So take the test and prove that you're worthy of my attention."
- - - - - - -
"The schedule for Hanan's inauguration has been set, Alpha." Sultan respectfully informed his Majesty, who was lying on the royal bed inside his room.
Sultan, Sumakwel, and Marikudo bowed their heads, avoiding looking at the Alpha's face. It was not their mandated way of respecting him, but a gesture to express their compassion for their King, who had become weak after he was diagnosed with an unknown disease. They cannot look at him the same knowing he was in an awful state. For the three councils who had been serving him for ninety years now, it was distressing.
It had been a year, but no doctor nor physician was able to determine what it truly was that befell him. Whilst many of them had labelled it as a disease, none were ever able to tell what it specifically was. Thus, they did not know what could cure him. Tragically, over the months, he was getting weaker.
"That's not the reason I summoned you here." With his voice a scratch, it was not difficult to determine how bad his condition had become. The Alpha, Sikat, tried to lift himself to properly look at his Councils who were lined up horizontally in front. "Where is Bathala?"
"I believe he's on his way to his headquarters now. He's with Hanan." Mirakudo spoke. "What is it you wanted to discuss with us, Alpha? You should be resting. The new doctor your second born son, Apolaki, found is coming later this day."
The Alpha shook his head. "There is no hope, Mirakudo. This disease will kill me, and I doubt the doctor my son found will be of any help."
"Please, do not say that."
"I want to make this order while I still can. " The Alpha rested his back on the layered pillows behind him. With his blurry vision, he threw his Councils a look. He could barely recognize their features. But even then, resolved marked his eyes. "I want to give my throne to my first born, Bathala. Make the preparations needed. I want him to inherit my position, as well as the right to this Kingdom."