32

Rolandro rubbed the back of his neck and smiled sheepishly before wearing the serious face again.

At this time, Lavana had already stepped out. She stood at the indicated spot where the other participants once stood to showcase their talent and another music that was catchy was being played. When Rolandro saw her earlier fidgeting, it was true. Do you know why?

 This damn Thora suddenly felt weak and went into slumber, just like the others had been. The reason was that she'd used up quite a lot of energy in the dancing show-off earlier on the board during the human table game. Now, she heartlessly ditched Lavana like this. How could she not fidget? She can not dance, for heaven’s sake.

“Even though that guy got booed at, he at least was able to dance a little and spin four hoops. Can I even spin one?" she thought in distress. She had no tears to shed. Everyone was staring at her now, wanting to see how she'd perform with the hoops. Maggie was more excited.

 Since Lavana was going to teach her dancing when she was free, seeing her about to display her talent made her stomach flip. Maybe Lavana could even handle 20 to 30 hoops? Or even more? She's a queen of dancing, alright.

The assigned pack member in charge of the hoops threw one yellow hoop at her. She hastily caught it, almost falling in the process. Maggie's expression changed.

"Could it be she wanted to pretend to be weak and then show off later?" she thought in puzzlement.

Now the hoop was in her hand. She looked at the others and saw Beatrice and Maggie smiling at her. She was sure that they were smiling for different reasons. Her heart was beating hard.

How should she spin this thing? She recalled the hoop is placed around the waist. Hopefully, her waist will not break from this.

She started trying to spin the hoop slowly. Her movements were awkward and the next moment, the hoop fell.

Everyone was stunned! She couldn’t even spin one hoop successfully? Was she weak or what? Their little ones could spin one or two with the exception of genius Pedro.

Why was it like this?

“Hehe… I got distracted.” Lavana picked up the fallen hoop and gave it back to the assigned pack member with a sheepish smile.

“Alright. She’s shown us her wonderful talent. A round of applause for her.” Rolandro said and everyone applauded for a short time. It wasn’t even loud but it was better than nothing. This was meant to encourage the Omega.

“We look forward to a better performance next time. You surely amazed us in odd ways. Thank you very much for your effort.” Rolandro said.

“Alright. So Pedro is the winner of this last game. It’s been a fun night. We get to learn a lot about each other. We got amazed and laughed. Thank you very much you all for being present tonight. I’m humbled that you deemed this activity worthy of your attention. Thank you very much. The triennial competition is at hand. Let’s work harder and push ourselves to our true limits. If any of us could become Alpha, that’ll be a good thing. For now, it’s late. Let’s all retire to bed and enjoy the best night's rest ever. Tomorrow is a big day.”

At this, the pack members rose and thanked Rolandro and Mel for being good hosts for tonight's events. Then they retreated to their various homes while chatting happily. There were many who commended Lavana, not wanting her to feel down at her inability to spin one hoop.

Maggie pulled Lavana to a corner.

“Lava, be honest with me. Did you pretend to be unable to use the hoop?” she asked with a questioning look.

“I’m not an all-rounder,” Lavana replied.

“Even so, at least with the moves you showed earlier during that human table game, you should be able to spin one hoop. How can you not? Or could the fact be that you can’t dance at all? It was just your wolf was in control during that game?"

“Er... You can say that. Well, enough of the questions, Maggie. I’m exhausted.” she said leisurely.

“Yeah. We’re both exhausted. I’m sure you, the temptress is tired too. Why don’t you go sleep and hopefully your brain will reset back to factory setting?” Beatrix who just arrived said.

“You…” Maggie was rendered speechless. Was this kid telling her she had a nut loose from her brain? What guts she has!

“Rix, apologize.” Lavana said in a serious tone. Unwillingly, Beatrix turned to look at Maggie again and sighed.

"I’m sorry. But you should select your words next time. If you make my big sis mad, I vow, I’ll deal with you.”

“Is this an apology?” Maggie asked in shock.

Was this little unshifted baby threatening her, an adult Upsilon wolf? Seriously?

“Rix!” Lavana looked unhappy.

“Big sis, she should learn to overlook things. If I don’t butt in, she’ll ask too much. I’m tired. I need to sleep. Big sis, you can join me when you’re done here.” Beatrix started to walk away.

“Hey, Boss…”

“Get lost, annoying pup.” Beatrix barked, causing Pedro to flinch and just not block her path.

“What happened?” Mel asked while walking over to the ladies.

“I don’t know why Beatrix is angry. Is it because I took the crown for Hula hoop dancing?” Pedro asked in distress.

“Don’t worry. She has that temper. I’ll go calm her down. Um… thank you for the amazing night. I loved it. Wish you all sweet dreams.” Lavana said with a small smile before turning around and walking away quickly.

Maggie sighed.

“Well, Magnolia, care to tell me what happened here?” Regina asked as she arrived.

“She... She showed great moves during that game earlier. Why in the last game, she was so… Now I know she was under the control of her wolf and can’t really dance. That kinda hurt me. She should have said it from the beginning.”

“Does she answer to you just because you brought her here? Magnolia, go reflect on yourself.” Mel chided.

Magnolia sighed and nodded her head.

“Alright, Mel. Goodnight and thank you for the event,” she said before leaving.

Rolandro and Carmelia walked over, holding hands.

“What happened?”

“Magnolia seems to have brought down the newcomers’ mood,” answered Regina with folded hands.

“We’ll settle this tomorrow. It’s late. Goodnight, Mel, Regina.” said Roladro as he took his little boy’s hand.

“Goodnight.” the couple replied before leaving.

“Carmelia honey, I have a feeling that Lavana is not an ordinary Omega. Her aura in the living room wasn’t a joke.” Rolandro telepathed to his wife.

“Do you mean…”

“Yeah. I plan to train her. You know, there are female Alphas too. Though they are on the minority side, their packs are doing well. If we can train her and she proves us right, then she can become the Alpha of this pack. She has got that fighting spirit inside her. Hearing that the triennial competition was approaching, she had excitedly asked if anyone was allowed to compete.”

“Okay. I see you have a point there. You can train her. Just don’t compliment her.”

“Are you still jealous?”

“Nope. A good trainer must be strict,” she said.

“A lax one can still produce excellent results, sweetie.”

“Andy, you remember you still haven’t collected your reward from me for tonight?.”

“Jeez! Mimi, you actually still recall that? I’m kinda tired. Can we shift it to another day, honey? Please!”

“A promise is a promise, Andro. You just have to lie back down and let me do my job.”

“Mimi, please have mercy on me, okay?”

Pedro wondered why his parents were looking at each other for an eternity. His father had even let go of his hand. How engrossed in this telepathy thing were they?

Yes, he knew that all shifted werewolves could telepath, but why did his father’s face turn from a serious one to that of someone afraid and begging for mercy, while his mom seemed to become an evil dragon with her smile? He could detect she must have evil intentions in mind.

“Mom, are you planning to hurt daddy?” he couldn't help asking.

“Um… no. Why would I do such a bad thing? How could you even think such a thing of me? I'm your mum.” Carmelia asked, looking hurt.

“You looked like you wanna do something bad and dad seemed afraid.” Pedro pointed out.

“Me? Hahaha. That was to fool you. Mom and I are just playing a game and she won that’s why she’s happy.” Rolandro replied.

“Is it a mind game? Is it that fun? I want to grow up and play the game too. I’m pretty sure I’d win over Beatrix.” he said with determination, causing his parents to cough awkwardly.

This kid!

“Mimi, you said you’d send him to fantasyland, right?” Rolandro mind-linked his wife.

“I’m an expert.” she boasted.

“Good. Coz we really need that tonight.”

“I can see that.”

“Mom, Dad, I'm right here. I exist, you know.” Pedro said while waving his hands.

“We know,” they replied in unison while chuckling.

******

Meanwhile, Lavana, on entering the room, found that Beatrix was already asleep. Beside the little babe on the bed was something Lavana had never seen before. But she had an inkling as to what it could be.

"Beatrix!" she was forced to call out in a deep tone.

"Huh?" the little girl woke up.

"What did you promise?" Lavana questioned.

"Er?" Beatrix looked around and saw a golden staff on the bed. She quickly looked at her finger and found that there was still a golden ring on the index finger.

"Big sis, this is not my witch scepter," she said in panic and quickly got off the bed.

This scepter on the bed was way bigger and more majestic than hers.

An ancient brown book designed with dried vines appeared beside the scepter and it was glowing so brightly.

Beatrix kept shaking her head.

"It's not mine, big sis."

"I know now. I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions too early. Can you forgive me, honey?”

“It’s fine. I know you care about me. I keep my promises.” Beatrix smiled and Lavana rubbed her head gently.

“Thank you hone. You have a big heart, you know.” she squatted and placed a kiss on Beatrix’s forehead. She then looked at the bed again with puzzlement.

“But who exactly has this?" Lavana asked with furrowed brows. These things on the bed did not belong to the little one. Beatrix was just a witch apprentice and her ring was still on her finger, which means she hadn’t broken their promise as she thought earlier.

"It's me." they heard a male voice.

"Who?" Lavana asked, bringing the little one close to her for safety.

“Why are you scared Riri?” the voice asked.

“Big brother?” Beatrix called out in surprise.

“Bingo!” immediately, a figure materialised on the bed.

It was a man wearing a purple hat that had a silver feather. He was dressed in a red crop top and a blue jean jacket. He wore yellow loose trousers and was barefooted. Expensive jewellery bedecked his hands and neck. He even had a nose chain and earrings on.

His auburn curly hair is shoulder length.

“Hi, Riri.” the man waved with a smile.

“Big sis, save me.” Beatrix cried out.

“Eh? Isn’t he your big brother?” Lavana asked in puzzlement.

“Yeah. But he’s a bully. He promised to help me train faster to become a certified witch but you know what he did? He sold me for just 500 dollars!”

“I sold you? I gave you away to be pampered by the Morrisons.” He defended.

“You still have the mouth to say that. Big sis, he’s irresponsible. I hate you, Peter.”

“Calm down, honey,” Lavana said before walking over to the man on the bed.

“Care to explain?”

“Who are you to her?” Peter asked with folded arms.

“I’m her sworn big sis.”

“I’m her biological brother,” Peter said with pride.

“Pei! I don’t have a brother like you.” Beatrice spat.

“Riri… You’re hurting my feelings, you know. How could you say such an awful thing?” he said with a pained expression.

“Hurt your feelings? Ha! A terrorist has feelings?” Beatrice spat in contempt.

“That’s a bad name to call your kin, you know.” Peter chided.

“Hey stop it you two. Beatrice and I were about to get some sleep here. How did you get in here and what do you want?”

“Well, I’ve been keeping track of her using this pearl.” he brought out a fist-sized blue glowing pearl.

“It will dim when she’s in great danger and will start turning black if she’s dying. It so far has remained bright, which means she’s having fun outside. Our parents and I are missing her so much so I came to claim her back.”

“You want her back? No way. I get to bring her back, Mr Peter.”

“When do you plan on doing so, skeleton princess?”

“What did you just say?” Beatrix barked.

“She’s so skinny. What’s with that look? I’m not lying, you know. Is she suffering from kwashiorkor? If she were shorter, I’d say she has Marasmus.” he said with a playful smile.

“Yes, I’m indeed very skinny.” Lavana walked towards Peter. “Do you have an issue with that?”

“You’re too close to me,” Peter said.

The next thing, before he knew it, she tore off the front part of his crop top and set fire to his jacket.

“My gosh.” he took them off quickly. Before he could even complain, she set fire to his loose trousers.

“Hey!” he wanted to run to the bathroom but she blocked him.

“Take it off.” Lavana ordered.

“Beatrix, I’m your brother. Your flesh and blood.”

“Hmph. I don’t know you.” Beatrix looked away without a care.

“You dare traumatize my little sis. You aren’t even sorry for what you did and you come here to insult me. What do you know?” Lavana bellowed after Peter had taken off his pants. Now he was left with his purple hat and his black speedo. He quickly took off his hat and used it to cover his crotch area.

“You… aren’t you an Omega?”

“Yeah. But I’m a special one. You insult me again, I’ll burn your hat.”

“You can’t burn it. It’s resistant to many elements.” Beatrix said.

“Oh? It’s a sign of his wizardhood?”

“Yeah.” Beatrix nodded.

“Gosh. This is too embarrassing.” Peter said with a pained face.

Beatrix had already collected his book while Lavana took his staff. She did not get a backlash as he hoped. Non-wizard or witch descendants can’t hold the scepter of a witch or wizard. Now he found a person who defied the odds. Now he had no way to help himself. He couldn’t go out like this. It would be the shame of his life.

“Miss,” he went to his knees in defeat.

“I’m sorry. I had a loose tongue. I will be careful next time.” He said.

“What about Beatrix. Don’t you owe her something?” Lavana said while inspecting his staff.

“Riri, I’m sorry. I should have told you beforehand. I won’t try it ever again. Please, can you both forgive me for my sins?”

“No!” the both of them replied.

“Eh? Why?” he couldn’t reconcile with this fact.

“You have to bring big brother here or else, we won’t be releasing your staff and your book. Gimme that hat.” Beatrix ordered.

“No, I can’t.”

Lavana immediately took it from him, causing him to squat with a red face.

“You can go now. Go out through the window and come back with big brother tomorrow evening or else, you won’t be getting any of these.” Beatrix said.

“I can go but can you at least let me borrow a shirt? I really can’t go out like this.” He pleaded.

Beatrix walked to the wardrobe and fished out a big shirt that belonged to Lavana. She then came back and gave it to him.

He quickly wore it. It barely covered his thighs but he was grateful to an extent.

“I won’t come back if I don’t see big brother,” Beatrix said as he scaled the window.

“Beatrix, keep my stuff safe. I’ll be back by tomorrow evening. Love ya, Riri!” he blew a kiss at her before running away.

Beatrix threw out the book and collected the staff and hat from Lavana. She also threw these out the window before closing it back.

“Why did you do that?”

“He’ll surely get them back while we are asleep, anyway. Better save him the stress.” Beatrix said as she climbed onto the bed.

“Girl, you never told me you had an older brother,” Lavana said as she also got on the bed.

“I actually have two brothers but they are annoying. But I like my other brother more.” Beatrix replied.

“Oh. Is Peter your elder bro?”

“No. You’ll see the one I like tomorrow evening. And you’ll be the one to take me back home. I won’t let either of them.” Beatrix said with a smile.

Lavana sighed and told Beatrix to lay her head down. They had to sleep. Tomorrow was gonna be a busy day.

“Goodnight, big sis.”

“Night, baby girl,” she whispered to Beatrix, planting a kiss on the little one’s forehead.

Meanwhile, Peter whose clothes had already changed to that of a wizard’s flew back to the window and watched his sister sleeping so comfortably with the abnormal Omega female.

“Sweet dreams, you two,” he whispered before wearing his wizard hat back. The ancient book glowed and became smaller. He placed it in his pocket, then the scepter flew to him and he sat on it.

“Off I go!” he said with glee as the scepter took him away at an abnormal speed.