Alpha's Nala

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.

have I seen this side of him, Axel looks very dangerous when mad making me

self; always be on his

about survival, then it's not us who's being chased here. It's somebody else, and that, right there, confuses me.” He pauses and wrinkles

to

On that specific day? What do you guys think draws them to HUNT at the event?” He queried, sounding almost intrigued and worried at the same

space became dead silent then; all must be contemplating

me, agreeing that my assumption stays an assumption, I lowered my eyes to our marble table and took a

eating my salad,

I actually got this notice regarding a new race joining the ball.” He

Howard choke on his chicken while

on the other hand, snapped her attention at

Seth?

quiet.

his presence if

race?” Howard immediately inquired after drinking the water I had offered

new race.” Seth finally uttered, and when I shifted my gaze

myself go stiff then

his stare now, but because of his statement; he just unintentionally confirmed to me that HUMANS ARE ATTENDING

Shit!

already had an idea about this, I trembled in my seat.

and Axel screeched.

quite amused, raised his perfect eyebrow

well next year. Thanks to the hunting

“But, ” Howard started.

Axel finished

Human Trial,” Seth replied, earning confused faces from us — and I mean, ALL of

believe just got out of his shock — finally

while

one by one, he shot us a knowing

comfortable on their seat and seeing that we

do a little history 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

work. It took them half a year to find

come up with and used, our species started to successfully thrive once more.

going. Well, not until three years later — the time after the war, and happens to be this year, the same old

mean worse?” Howard interrupted, he sounded troubled.

when he's talking, “Before, we can reach eight out of ten or even

and solution used three years ago. We don't know why but we assume that the case is related to the recognition of

of finding a pair. Hybrids tend to block the scent of the pure breeds, making

figures decreased this past nine months... We are at our lowest, two percent

are saying that we're probably endangered, brother?” Axel straightforwardly asked,

Well, not yet but we're slowly getting there. Yet, we do have a plan.” Seth turned his attention to me, “Do you remember what I

” I chirp through my confusion, “you promised to tell me the reason behind

Seth only nodded.

what we

fired questions at Seth —

Seth; I just wanted

slow down.” Seth interrupted my grumble as he chuckles. “One topic at a time, please. And before you

nodded my head in

Seth proceeded with

answers

to search for another way to solve the breeding problem.” His crossed arms made their way to the table and then he relaxes there, “That's how the ‘Human Trial’ was born. It's the same

now because my

Red Moonball, mixed-race breeds, Cayden's words, and the new process they call Human Trial swirled inside my

all

snap of a

I gasped.

process, aren't you?”

by either my quick thinking or my tone. And

the humans to join the ball, to increase the chances of getting matches. Especially the

all my

Boo. I thought I need to explain that

I could only shrug.

hurt your feelings brother, but isn't it all too dangerous?” Howard protested, “I mean, hello, humans are PREY and we are PREDATORS. That kind of relationship is not really symbiotic in

that, I didn't think

to respond when Mum cut him off.

a glimpse of her smiling at Dad, “You see,