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.

side of him, Axel looks very dangerous when mad making

always be on

somebody else, and that, right there, confuses me.” He pauses and wrinkles his

lick to his lips,

to come to the ball. So why are those ‘pests’ finally decided to come to the ball? On that specific

must be

I lowered my eyes to our marble table and took a sudden interest in my

my salad,

that reminds me, I actually got this notice regarding a new race joining the ball.” He announced, killing the silence that devoured

this, Howard choke on his chicken while Axel on

hand, snapped her attention at Dad, almost glaring at

Seth?

remained quiet. Too

his presence if it

new race?” Howard immediately inquired after

my gaze to

go stiff then

statement; he just unintentionally confirmed to me that HUMANS

Shit!

in my seat. While everybody else, who was not expecting that,

Howard and Axel screeched.

raised his perfect eyebrow

attending the ball this year, well next year. Thanks to the hunting season.” Seth

“But, ” Howard started.

Axel finished

confused faces from us

Dad — who I believe just got out of his shock — finally spoke, his tongue rolling like the

elaborate, sweetheart?” Mum asked while sitting

and one by one, he shot us a knowing

seeing that we are all situated,

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

saving the bloodline, the Hue Kingdom step in to work. It took them half a year to

of solutions they have come up with and used, our species started to successfully thrive once more. It

until three years later — the time after the war, and happens to be this year, the same old crisis occurred.

mean worse?” Howard interrupted, he

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

We don't know why but we assume that the case is related to the recognition of the new breeds — specifically,

we could blame them for their existence but it does reduce the chances of finding a pair. Hybrids tend to block the scent of the pure breeds, making the REDless confused and

when the elders spoke about how our figures decreased this past nine months... We are at our lowest, two percent to be exact. That's almost two childbirths

Axel straightforwardly asked, worry

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

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

Seth only nodded.

as to what we are talking

before anyone could even inquire or proceed, I quickly fired questions at Seth — mostly inquiries as to why I was

I just

chuckles. “One topic at a time, please. And before you ask another question, made sure I had already answered the

but nodded my head

my reaction, Seth

my answers are

arms made their way to the table and then he relaxes

into deaf ears now because my mind went numb the second I heard

when fleeting ideas about the invitation, Seth's confirmation about Human attendees, Red Moonball, mixed-race breeds, Cayden's

processing all

then, like a snap of

I gasped.

will be using humans as part of your breeding process, aren't you?”

surprised by either my quick thinking or my

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

all my

I thought I need

I could only shrug.

dangerous?” Howard protested, “I mean, hello, humans are PREY and we are

I

when

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