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.

guy, and never have I seen this side of him, Axel looks very dangerous when mad making me

always be on his

chased here. It's somebody else, and that, right there, confuses me.” He pauses and wrinkles his forehead in

to his lips, Axel

On that specific day? What do

space became dead silent then; all must be contemplating

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

of eating my

new race joining the ball.” He announced, killing

while Axel on the water he was currently

the other hand, snapped her attention at Dad, almost glaring at

Seth?

remained quiet. Too

if

Howard immediately inquired

my gaze to look at him, he

myself go

statement; he just

Shit!

trembled in my seat. While everybody else, who

Both Howard and Axel screeched.

amused, raised his perfect eyebrow at the

the ball this year, well

“But, ” Howard started.

finished

Trial,” Seth replied, earning confused faces from us

believe just got out of his shock —

elaborate, sweetheart?” Mum asked while sitting up straight on

by one, he shot us a knowing

seat and seeing that we are all situated, Seth began

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 breeding. And seeing that it was a big issue, the elders of the mixed council started questioning our race's

being determined on saving the bloodline, the Hue Kingdom step in to work. It took them half a year to find the right ways to resolve

come up with and used, our species started to successfully

later — the time after the war, and happens to be this year, the same old crisis

worse?” Howard interrupted, he sounded troubled.

count dropped.” Seth bluntly responds, frowning at him — Big brother hates disruptions when he's talking, “Before, we can reach eight out of ten or even a perfect ten — with or without

two out of the ten, even with the same procedure and solution used three years ago. We don't know why but we assume that the case is related

a

nine months... We are at our lowest, two percent to be exact. That's almost two childbirths every four years.” He explained, his frown turned into

probably endangered, brother?” Axel straightforwardly asked, worry was evident in both his face

slowly getting there. Yet, we do have a plan.” Seth turned his attention to me, “Do you remember what

confusion, “you promised to tell me the reason

Seth only nodded.

as to what

I quickly fired questions at Seth —

experienced from Seth; I just wanted this

slow down.” Seth interrupted my grumble as he chuckles. “One topic at a time, please. And before you ask another question, made sure I had already

but nodded my head in

Seth

answers are

Hue Kingdom decided 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 mind went numb the second I heard the word,

confirmation about Human attendees, Red Moonball, mixed-race breeds, Cayden's words, and the new process they call

all their

a snap of a finger,

I gasped.

using humans as part of your breeding process, aren't you?” I asked Seth, sounding

thinking

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

was all

need to explain that further.”

I could only shrug.

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

I

was about to respond when Mum

and I caught a glimpse of her smiling at Dad, “You see, when you get to meet your RED, you instantly feel this pull towards them, telling you that she's your other