Alpha's Nala
Chapter 25. Human Trial
Legaxy
The Red Moonball is like any other mating ball in this world.
Yes, it happens once a year, every year. And yes, it has the same goal of assisting mythical creatures in finding their other halves.
The usual setting…
Though, the difference with this particular ball is its concept, in which other species are not allowed to join.
It is tradition for events like this to involve other people, particularly different kinds of existences, in order to have a higher chance of pairing.
However, the mixed-race, knowing how unpredictable they are, choose to ignore the belief and decided to keep it for themselves.
Not to be selfish or strict now, but to be SAFE — For others' sake, to be precise...
Not to mention, they are a PROUD race. They make sure their generations consist only of PURE breeds.
No hybrids, or so they believed.
So when Axel questioned the attendance part — indicating that the ball should be a Vampire and Witch party ONLY,
Then connecting it to what Seth mentioned earlier about the rogue vampires and black witches' hunting season,
And me realizing that it should be HUMANS that needed to be hunted,
My eyes widened like saucers.
It can't be...
But why?
The palace knew how tempting the mortal race is. That's why they figured it would be smart enough to ban them to the ball.
And for what?
Since prey is prey. Surely, inviting one to the occasion could cause an uproar, or worse, a war — and wars are not really a good thing right now.
Then, all of a sudden, I recalled Cayden's words, reminding me of how real and possible my assumption was.
So Humans, my race, THEY will be attending the Red Moonball…
My breath hitched at the thought.
I was about to speak my mind out when Howard beat me to it, explaining, “Axel has a point. Those ‘pests’, even if impulsive, are not that stupid to go to a battlefield knowing there is no conflict.”
“True, they are careful and strategic beings.” Dad nodded his head, “But they wanted to HUNT, at the Red Moonball? They do realize the place will be filled by us once they get there, right?”
“Love, it's hunting season.” Mum, turning to her right to face Dad, reminded gently. “Surely, the ‘pests’ will not mind if their hunting ground was packed or not. They only wished to feed and cause mayhem... That's all they seek.”
Dad growled after hearing that.
“But it's a foolish move, Love. A wasted effort. They know every time they strike, they will lose. Yet, they keep on going. Like dying was some kind of a game for them.” He paused and stared at Mum, “They were once our brothers and sisters… it's just annoying that instead of giving us a chance to cure them, they taunt us back. Insult us, in a manner of choosing death over family.” He ended, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Mum let out a quiet sigh.
“That's their fault and not ours, Jacob.” She placed her hand on Dad's chest, “Don't think too much about it. Okay?”
Dad only nodded while stroking Mum's hand on his chest. Then, the two started ogling at each other.
Howard had to clear his throat, twice, to break our parents' moment.
Thankfully, the two didn't mind and went back to eating.
The rest of us followed.
“I just can't believe we don't have any leads as to why they wanted to ambush at the ball.” Howard started after a long pause, “There's nothing there to pique their interest,” he added and took a bite of his roasted chicken.
“I think — ” was all that I could say before Axel interrupted me.
And I'm like, seriously?
I frowned.
“Which takes me back to my point.” Axel snapped, sounding furious now.
seen this side of him, Axel looks very dangerous when
self; always be on his
here. It's somebody else, and that, right there, confuses me.” He pauses and wrinkles his forehead
a lick to his lips,
palace does not allow other people, primarily mortals, to come to the ball. So why are those ‘pests’ finally decided to come to the ball? On that specific day? What do you guys think draws them to HUNT at the event?” He queried, sounding almost intrigued and
dead silent then; all must be contemplating on what Axel just voice
lowered my eyes to our marble table and took a sudden interest in my
eating my salad,
reminds me, I actually got this notice regarding a new race joining the ball.” He announced, killing the silence that devoured the
chicken while Axel on the water he was
the other hand, snapped her attention at Dad, almost
Seth?
quiet. Too
if it
immediately inquired after drinking the water I had
uttered, and when I shifted my gaze to look at him, he was already looking
felt myself go stiff then
statement; he just
Shit!
trembled in my seat. While everybody
Howard and Axel screeched.
his perfect eyebrow at the
well next year. Thanks to the hunting
“But, ” Howard started.
finished
replied, earning confused faces from us
Dad — who I believe just got out of his shock — finally spoke, his tongue rolling like the
to elaborate, sweetheart?” Mum asked while sitting up
and one by one, he
seat and seeing that we are all situated, Seth
lesson first.” Seth started and crossed his arms in front of his chest, “Three years ago, before the war between the werewolves, the Hue Kingdom encountered a problem. This problem revolved around the RED's difficulty in breeding. And seeing that it
Kingdom step in to work. It took them half a year to find
what kind of solutions they have come up with and used, our species started to successfully thrive once more. It was small
the time after the war, and happens to be this year, the same
you mean worse?” Howard interrupted,
match count dropped.” Seth bluntly responds, frowning at him — Big brother hates disruptions when he's talking, “Before, we can reach eight out of ten
We don't know why but we assume that the case
existence but it does reduce the chances of finding a pair. Hybrids tend to block
decreased this past nine months... We are at our lowest, two percent to be exact. That's almost two childbirths
Axel straightforwardly asked, worry
but we're slowly getting there. Yet, we do have a plan.” Seth turned his attention to me, “Do you remember what I promised last Monday,
chirp through my confusion, “you promised
Seth only nodded.
what we are talking about.
questions at Seth — mostly
the long wait I've experienced from Seth; I just wanted this to be
he chuckles. “One topic at a time, please. And before you ask another question, made sure I had already answered the previous one. Got
at him but nodded my head
reaction, Seth proceeded with his
answers are
the table and then he
falling into deaf ears now because my
help either when fleeting ideas about the invitation, Seth's confirmation about Human attendees, Red Moonball, mixed-race
all
like a snap of a finger, I
I gasped.
process, aren't you?” I asked Seth, sounding more
thinking or my tone. And
why the Hue Kingdom invited the humans to join the ball, to increase the chances
all
I thought I need to
I could only shrug.
it all too dangerous?” Howard protested, “I mean, hello, humans are PREY and we are
I didn't
was about to respond when Mum cut him off.
might change once you get into the process.” Mum said and I caught a glimpse of her smiling at