50

"Beatrix? What are you doing here? How did you even get back?" Lavana couldn't help but ask after seeing who it was. The little girl turned her head to see her and her mate standing behind her with his hands behind him..
"Big sis?' she called out in doubt and quickly got off the chair. She saw that her eldest bro was behind this tall, tan-skinned lady before her. The eyes and voice were the same as her big sis though.
"Riri, you're doubting if I'm your big sis?" Lavana asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Um... I saw you were still um... smaller when I left and now, I'm seeing a tall lady with much more meat on her body. Of course, I'd question my vision." she replied. Then a big smile appeared on her face as she ran to hug Lavana but the latter simply dodged and she ended up hugging Phoenix's leg.
"Hehe, eldest brother." she laughed sheepishly.
"Stand back. I'm not in the mood for hugs," he stated coldly.
"Haha, I already back off," Beatrix said with a smile. She then turned to look at Lavana, blinking thrice in a cute way but the latter only moved away by two steps. A muddled expression soon appeared on the little girl’s face. "Aren't you glad to see me, big sis?"
"Why are you here and how did you even get here?" Lavana questioned.
"Big sis, I love you so much." Beatrix chortled.
"Don't try to evade my question, Riri," Lavana said with folded arms, wearing a stern look.
Beatrix pouted and then stared at Phoenix with puppy eyes but he turned to look elsewhere. The little one looked defeated and finally sighed. "Um... I just wanted to hug you before the competition," she responded in a tiny voice while looking at the floor.
"Beatrix!" Lavana called out in a loud, incensed tone startling Beatrix. 'How could she do this? Doesn't she know how risky it is to come out all alone?' Lavana thought.
"Big sis, don't be angry. I...I... didn't come out alone. Big brother came with me too."
Phoenix chipped in. "Oh, she's right. He should be venting at some of nature's treasure. I sensed him some seconds ago."
Lavana sat on the couch and made Beatrix sit down with her. Her look changed to a tender one after sighing. She stroked Beatrix's hair. "Dear, do you know I'm reluctant to part with you?" she asked softly.
"Yeah," Beatrix nodded her head.
"I have to go to this competition and win. If this pack gets an Alpha then it will not disband and Pedro will not need to move with his parents to another pack."
"I know. I... Some hours ago, I felt this pain in my wrist and I knew you were in trouble. Then after a while, it became okay and I assumed you were out of danger or my brother was with you."
Lavana nodded. "Yes, he was with me,"
"I had this thought of wanting to see you and wish you victory and also hug you. I convinced big bro to take me here. He's not happy because I told my parents what he did."
"Well, he did do wrong to sell you for cheap money. His actions are not befitting of what a normal person would do. He deserves punishment for his error."
"Big sis, that.. that... *sighs* He... He didn't sell me."
"Eh?" Lavana thought her ears were playing tricks on her.
"It's just the people he handled me into their care, pretended to be nice after receiving that money and when he left they turned out to be traffickers. If you hadn't saved me that day..."
"Alright, it's okay. You came to check up on me because you were worried and you took someone with you. That's great. But your parents don't know you snuck out, do they?"
"Um... I did leave a note that I'm out to gaze at the moon with big brother."
"Oh," Lavana nodded. "Alright. I'm sorry for being harsh on you. I was just really worried."
"It's okay. I know you didn't mean it. And I promise not to sneak out again unless it's really crucial."
"You will not sneak out at all. I'll come to visit you after the competition, alright?"
"Okay, big sis. But I really would like to spend the last night with you."
Lavana looked at Phoenix who nodded.
"I agree. But you guys won't sleep here tonight. Let's go to the palace. Don't worry, you won't have to meet my parents yet." Phoenix reassured.
"But what about the pack members here? I bet they must be worried sick about my disappearance." Lavana immediately rose from the chair. "I gotta go find Rolandro."
"No need, big sis." Beatrix held Lavana’s hand, also rising from the couch.
"Huh? Why Beatrix?" Lavana asked in puzzlement.
"Um, I was able to send aunt Regina a message with my phone before coming here. It should dispel their fears when you went missing."
"Oh, let me see." Phoenix walked over.
Beatrix took her phone out of the pocket of her beautiful silver lace gown that stopped just below her knees. She then handed it to Phoenix who glanced through and chuckled.
"Riri, you'll make them think I'm someone who does things as I like."
"But it's true," Beatrix interrupted.
"Well... That's gonna change. Lavana is my mate now."
"Hehe, big sis, you have a great mission ahead of you then." Beatrix laughed while Lavana simply smiled.
Her eyes suddenly widened. "Oh, and we need to find Peter then we can leave."
"Oh, so he'll follow us back to the palace?" Beatrix asked.
"Not just that. Beatrix, you owe him a sincere apology." Lavana pointed out and then bent to carry the little girl on her right arm.
"Yeah, I really do owe him one." Beatrix turned sad. "But do you think that he'll forgive me?"
"He's your brother. None of us is perfect. We all erred and need forgiveness many times. You lied and caused him to be punished. Of course, he has some resentment but he won't hate you for it. Let's go say hello. I myself have some apologizing to do too." Lavana headed out of the room with the little one while Phoenix locked the door. Dragon wings sprouted from her back and she levitated.
Phoenix also levitated and all flew into the woods.
…
Ten minutes later, they found Peter and landed behind him. Peter was seated on his flying scepter that was glowing with arms folded. He seemed lost in thought.
"Alright, you go to him. We're behind you, honey." Lavana whispered and pecked Beatrix's forehead before gently putting her down. Beatrix slowly walked to Peter and poked at his back.
Peter turned his head. "You're done hugging your sister-in-law?" he asked with a long face.
"Um... not really," Beatrix replied in a tiny voice.
"Then why are you here? To bid me goodbye? Dear, that's not happening. If I'm leaving, I'm leaving with you."
"Big brother, I'm sorry," Beatrix said while looking at her feet.
"Eh? What did you say?" Peter couldn't believe his ears. He looked at Beatrix intently to see if this was a fake standing before him.
"Big brother, I was wrong to lie against you. I promise not to do it again. I'm sorry. Can you please forgive me?"
"Forgive you? *furrow eyebrows* What makes you think I will?"
"I'm your little sister and we aren't perfect? Does that count?"
"Nah. I won't forgive you." Peter shook his head and looked away with his arms folded. She walked to his front and knelt with her hands across her chest while staring at him sadly.
"You... Get up."
"If I do, does that mean you forgive me?"
"You really want me to forgive you?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Beatrix nodded.
"Then, little drama queen, please show your sincerity and I might change my mind depending on your performance," Peter said with his nose to the sky.
"Okay." Beatrix rose and patted the dust from her knees. Then she cleared her throat. "Eldest brother, can you play music for me." she suddenly asked while facing her left.
"Phoenix's here?" Peter was shocked. How did he not sense that fellow at all?
"Alright," Phoenix walked to Beatrix, holding a white flute he took out from his spatial ring. "Hello, Peter." he waved. "Desire a hug?" he offered but Peter merely sneered. Who would want to accept a hug from the person who beat him up because of a female? Hmph!
Phoenix stood behind Beatrix and started fluting. The music was ethereal and made her heart flutter. Soon Beatrix's once sad face changed to a surprised one. She started dancing slowly in an elegant manner around Phoenix with a smile. Under this full moon night, it was a fabulous sight to behold.
Lavana was stupefied. "This little sis of mine really knows how to dance," she exclaimed in her heart. She subconsciously came out of hiding and stood in a spot where she could watch everything. Peter's apathetic face soon changed to a gentle one. Some minutes later, he took out a small red drum (that had strange white symbols as a design) from his spatial ring and started playing along.
Lavana suddenly felt the need to sing without words. This song for some reason felt very familiar to her even though this was her first time hearing it.
For a moment, the other three stopped what they were doing to stare at her in shock but they soon resumed and the white symbols on Peter's drum lit up to his shock. But he didn't pause for a second. The volume of the instruments increased tenfold and neither minded the consequences. They just enjoyed this good moment. The atmosphere became tense as Beatrix's dance became fierce with little gentleness.
Phoenix walked closer to his mate while still playing the flute. Lavana walked ahead seven steps away from the dancing Beatrix. She also started dancing slowly in a gentle manner.
...
Back in Bloodstar pack.
Many pack members had come out of their homes wearing nonplussed faces. They were hearing a strange yet enticing song. Today was the full moon and while it's not obligatory for werewolves to shift and howl to the moon nor hold a moon festival as it was done centuries ago, packs whether ruled by an Alpha or Alphaless would occasionally hold a party at a chosen month's full moon. They held such a party two months ago. This song, they felt couldn't be sung nor played by normal humans.
They saw the moon even shine brighter and the gentle wind caressed their skin.
"Who's playing and singing in our territory?" Rolandro asked with hands on his waist.
"No, Rolandro. It's not in our territory but it's somehow close to our territory. One who can play this song doesn't have bad intentions and is definitely not human. Still, they are not of our kind. My great-grandfather told me that a siren's voice is a healing to the body." an old lady, Mrs Antonio chipped in.
"Siren? *furrows her eyebrows* You mean mermaid?" Regina asked.
"No, a siren does indeed look like a mermaid but what differentiates them is that they are able to use their mouth to heal and attack and also defend." the elderly lady replied.
"How do you know this is a siren singing? Isn't it said that mermaids were extinct?" Mel asked the old woman.
"Says the record but who said there isn't even one living but just hiding until today?" she questioned him back.
"How are you so sure?" Mel asked again.
"My great-grandpa told me that a siren's song if sung at night with pleasure will make the moon smile or shine brighter. Tell me, what time have you seen the moon shine as brightly as this?"
"A drum and flute are accompanying this song. What do you say to that?" Rolandro asked.
"The only clan permitted to play along with the Sirens' melody are the wizards." Mrs Antonio answered.
"What? So you mean there are two members of the wiz clan and a siren close to our territory playing this song with 'pure' intentions?" Rolandro asked in disbelief. Why did such a trio choose to perform close to their pack especially when they were to leave tomorrow for the competition?
"Fret not, sirens won't do anything unless you trouble them. Let's just listen to it until it ends. It's a rare moment." the old lady put her hands behind her back while staring at the moon which seemed to have brightened as the song became louder.
"That's indeed a siren to be able to reach us from far away." Carmelia sighed. Can we consider this good or bad?" she mindlinked her mate.
"Sigh. Whether good or bad, as long as they don't come looking for trouble," he replied in mind link. During the period when merfolk were plentiful, werewolves had to be cautious around one because they possessed magic which the werewolves didn't have. In a battle, it's best not to let them be near a water body or else that werewolf no matter the rank is as good as dead.
Wizards are naturally stronger than werewolves too. Their combat ability is not something even the werewolf council members can even match. Now, these two powerful clans are performing close to their territory. Of course, they will have some anxiety.
...
5 minutes later, the music stopped completely.
The pack members were kind of unhappy that the music stopped because they were already dancing to it after throwing their worries out the window.
"Do you think they'll play another song?" a little girl asked her mom.
"I don't know sweetie. But too much of everything is bad, you know." the mother who had short brown curly hair replied while stroking her daughter's head.
"Alright everybody, go into your homes. Chosen warriors make sure to prepare, for we'll depart by 6:00 am sharp if we are to arrive there in time." Mel announced and everyone dispersed.
"Mel, I want to investigate. Mind coming?" Rolandro asked his buddy in mind link.
"What? That's dangerous!"
"We aren't going there to provoke them or fight. Let's go check."
"Alright. What to tell our mates?" Mel asked.
"Carmelia?" Rolandro called out to his wife who was chatting with Regina about the moon still being bright and how she felt this magical feeling during the last few minutes of the melody.
"Dear, what is it?" she asked.
"I and Mel we're gonna check something out. We'll be back in no time. You guys can continue chatting."
"Where are you two going? Don't tell me you plan on seeing if you can catch a glimpse of the siren and the wizards?" Carmelia asked with hands akimbo.
Mel smiled sheepishly while rubbing his neck with his right hand.
"Man, seems we gotta miss out on this opportunity. I don't have enough strength for a fight. I'm off buddy." he telepathed to Rolandro before going over to his wife who immediately pulled his left ear.
"Ow! Ow! It hurts, honey," he whined but his mate simply harrumphed.
"It was Rolandro who suggested this. I haven't said I'd go," he explained but she simply pulled him away by his pants. Mel looked behind and shrugged while making a helpless expression.
Now it was just Rolandro and his soulmate left. He nervously laughed while his wife wore a stern face. He gulped.
"You know what's coming, don't you?" Carmelia mindlinked her husband.
"Mate, please go easy on me. I have to compete soon."
"Of course. I'm very lenient." Carmelia said with a meaningful smile as she pulled him away by his left hand.
"Wife, you promise to be lenient?"
"Don't you trust your other half?" his wife asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I... I do,"
"How many per cent?"
"1000%"
"Good. I will be lenient enough for you to understand not to throw yourself into danger."
"But I wasn't gonna…" his wife interrupted him.
"Shh! Be silent. Save your strength for the punishment ahead."
(A/n: What do you think is the punishment to be meted out to both men? It's up to your imagination, people! (: )