54

Occasionally, they stopped to either answer the call of nature or refill their tanks. Lavana's stomach grumbled so much during the journey and they had to stop at a restaurant.
"Babe, I see you've eaten just some snacks along the way. Now we're in a good place. So you can eat as much as you want. We might not get a place as good as this until we arrive." Phoenix said.
"Okay. But I can't read what's on the menu." Lavana said with a sigh.
"I know that. But there are pictures in it. So look at them. What are you allergic to?"
"Phoenix, none of them will give me an issue." she replied.
"Great. Waiter!"
"Sir!" the waiter beside them answered.
"Everything on this menu, prepare them. Lavana, can you eat a plate of each?" he asked.
"Um... there are 20 dishes on the menu. A plate of each... maybe we can share them. You take ten, I take the other."
"Girl, that tribulation on that island made you stronger and if I'm right, you eat a lot at this rate. So don't be polite. I'm also accompanying you. Waiter, we need 3 plates of each. This table is large and can accommodate all. Also, I want to order a dish that's not on the menu. Here." Phonix gave him a piece of paper.
"Alright, sir. We'll do our best to serve you." the waiter said with a smile before leaving.
"Hey," Dante walked over. "Phoenix, seriously? Didn't you see the price tag? Simple looking as this restaurant is, the food here is very expensive. Look, the cheapest food here cost a 100 dollars."
"It's quality. You know it too." Phoenix replied with arms folded.
"Of course. But don't you forget. We are on budget. We didn't plan for this kind of meal along the way."
"Well, that's your problem."
"It's fine if you ordered 2 plates each. We'll manage. But how can you go ahead and order 60 plates?" Dante questioned unhappily.
"61 actually." Phoenix corrected.
"Man, are you trying to make us poor before the competition?"
"No. I don't plan on making you poorer than this."
"You..."
"Don't worry. Tell Rolandro that the bill's on me. You guys can order whatever you want."
"You'll pay?" Mel asked as he walked over.
"Yeah. Order whatever you really like. Take this as my apology for being rude earlier. What do you think?" Phoenix asked with a smirk.
"Alright. Waiter. Get me and my 5 buddies the most expensive dish you have. A plate each for each of us."
"Yes, sir." the nearby waiter responded.
"Thanks, Phoenix." Mel smiled.
"It's nothing. We'll be one soon anyway." Phoenix waved and Mel went away to join his buddy.
"Thanks!" they heard Rolandro say from his seat.
"You guys will be able to finish all the dishes you ordered?" Dante asked.
"Yeah. Why do you ask?" said Phoenix.
"Well, I thought even though we're, um... *whispers* werewolves, two people can't possibly finish that amount of food.
"It seems you don't know Lavana." said Mel as he patted Dante's back.
"She's the food lover here. Come on, man. Let's go." he pulled a reluctant Dante away.
Minutes later the waiters brought them their food. Dante watched as Lavana started eating. In minutes, everything on the table except two plates of food that Phoenix held were emptied. Everyone in the restaurant was shocked. A waiter even dropped the tray he was holding. What were they seeing? A super food lover!

"Mate, I thought I was the best glutton. Who knew you were the real deal?" Lavana's mate planted a kiss on her face.
"Are you full yet?" he asked.
"I'm full already. The dishes were amazing." Lavana licked her fingers clean.
"You're sure?"
"Yeah. That other dish that you gave them the recipe was the best." she gave him a thumbs up."
"Anything for my mate." he said with a smile.
"Um... I need to touch my make-up."
"But you didn't wear any."
"Can you not point that out?"
"If you wanna relieve yourself, just say so. No need to be shy. Let me escort you."
"No need. I don't think men are allowed there."
"Okay. Go on. I'll settle the bill."
Lavana walked to a waitress and asked where the restroom was. The waitress gave her directions with a smile and Lavana skipped away.
Phoenix rose after finishing the two dishes on the table. He called for two waiters to come clear the table, then headed to the counter to settle the bill.
"Sir, in total, your bill is..."
He interrupted the female chasier. "I want to see your boss."
"My boss?" the cashier asked, looking slightly afraid.
"I want to see him." Phoenix repeated.
"Well, he's in his office upstairs. Do you want me to..."
"Nah, don't worry. I'll go see him myself." he headed towards the stairs.
"Sir..." the chasier called out worriedly.

"I'll take responsibility. He won't blame you, dear." Phoenix reassured with a smile and ascended the stairs. Upon reaching his destination, he kicked the door of the office open and entered.
"Who dares... Ah, Savage Lord!" the middle-aged man who owned the restaurant quickly ran to Phoenix and knelt before him, hands across his chest.
"Reymond greets you, Savage Lord!" the man said with trembling.
"Don't be afraid. I'm not here to punish someone. Get up." Phoenix chuckled.
"Yes, yes. Thank you for your grace, my lord." Mr Reymond quickly rose.

"I won't spend much time here. Me and my buddies came over to eat and we um ordered a lot of food. I don't have enough cash on me. However, I do have this." Phoenix took out a fist sized glwoing white pearl. "I hope you can manage this."
"Ah!" Reymond fell to his knees. "No, my lord. I can't take this. This pearl can only be possesses by royalty."
"Relax. This is not the royal pearl. Just take it. I can't eat without paying. If my mate knows, she'll skin me alive."
"Eh? My lord, you have a mate now? This... Congratulations my lord." he did obeisance.
"Get up. And here." Phoenix put the pearl in his pocket. "It's already with you. I won't take it back. And um... sorry for how I treated your wife that day." he said in a low tone.
Reymond thought he was seeing things. Was this really the wiz prince or a fake?
"I shouldn't have had her stripped and thrown into the market square in this town. I should have just cut off one of her limbs and let her go with pride and honor."
Reymond shivered. Yes, that was indeed the scary wiz prince not a fake.
"Hahaha, my wife did wrong. She deserved it. Thank you for showing mercy to her that day. You are the wisest, savage lord. Um... Please if you don't mind. Can I see your mate?"
"My mate? You still need your eyes?"

"Hahaha. Of course, of course." Reymond laughed nervously.
"Then, don't cross the line. Also, delete the footage of me and the others who entered this place. I'll come to check in a few days if you hid anything. I'll surely reward you when I find out," Phoenix smiled.
"Hahaha, trust me, my lord. I always obey till the end. Thank you for visiting me today. I feel honored."
"No need to escort me out." Phoenix said before leaving as Reymond waved.
Seeing that the scary figure was gone, Reymond sighed in relief. He was once a criminal but Phoenix spared him and even helped him escape and establish a business here that's florishing. But his stupid wife cussed at Phoenix just because he visited without permission and disrupted their romantic monment. So Phoenix had her thrown in to the market square without clothing.

He immediately sent her to a remote village with no electricity to reflect on herself. She almost got him killed because of her impulsive actions. And after she came back a month ago, he made her a receptionist. He promised that if she behaved well, he would take her back with open arms. And she indeed didn't cause trouble for him today. Also, he now knew Phoenix had a mate. This mate must be really good or else Phoenix won't be so protective. He has a lot of enemies out there and if they find out, they might wanna capture her if he isn't there.

******
All 8 of them had left the restaurant. Dante thanked Phoenix profusely. "So you're this rich. You spent so much on us. I've never been this spoiled. Of course, this can't compare to my mate. She spoils me the most." Dante said with beaming eyes and Phoenix shook his head.
"If you're missing that big-boobed woman that much, you can be on your way back right now." Mel said.
"Hey, bro. It hasn't come to that. This is to give myself motivation." Dante hugged Mel from behind. "Don't drive me away. Please!"
"Get off me." Mel warned.
"Okay. I obey." Dante stood behind Zyair.
"Motivation indeed." Phoenix as he put his hand around Lavana's waist.
"Well, you still won't get her to sit with you for the rest of the trip." Rolandro notified.

"You... But I paid the bill." Phoenix exclaimed.
"And so?" Mel asked with folded arms.
"Oh, I see. You men are jealous of me..."
"Phoenix!" Lavana pulled at his ear.
"Hey, that hurts!" he sucked in his breath with one eye closed.
"You know what to do. Then I'll let your ear be."
"Rolandro, I'm sorry. I won't speak out of line again. Please forgive me."
"Lavana, just let him go. He's born with a bad mouth. I'm used to it." Rolandro said.



"Hey! How dare you say that?" Phoenix barked, and Lavana suddenly let go of his ears.
"Lavana, did you have to exert that much strength? What did I do to you?" he whined.
"What did you promise me?"
"To filter my words." Phoenix replied, looking at the floor.
"And what did you do now?"
"The opposite." Phoenix said meekly.
Dante tried his best not to laugh but couldn't help it. He covered his mouth as his body trembled. Here he was thinking Lavana would be pitiful in this relationship. Who knew it was the opposite? Rolandro himself was stunned too. He could never associate the meek, shy Lavana of the past with the one he was currently seeing. He hadn't seen her in one day and she's changed so much. But it's also a good thing that she can tame this bad-mouthed mate of hers.

"Man, you're lucky today or I'd have taught you a lesson." Phoenix whispered as he passed by Rolandro.
"*scoff* I'm not afraid." the latter replied.
"But you almost pissed your pants, man. I't's not good to lie. Haha." Phoenix chuckled as he walked ahead.
Lavana followed after him carrying a nylon containing food. She would eat these along the way.
Rolandro sighed.

At this rate, if they even arrived at the venue early morning, it was already good. By then, they'd be exhausted. How were they gonna compete in that state when they barely had rest? As they all got in the vehicles, Phoenix mind liked his mate that was in the other jeep.
"Lavie honey, I plan on applying a little magic here."
"You wanna make the vehicles move faster?" she replied telepathically.
"Yup. They won't notice. Besides, I don't want our group competing in an awful shape."
"Alright." Lavana nodded. "Just be careful." she reminded.
"It's a simple thing for me, mate." he replied.
"Mind linking your mate, huh?" Dante asked as he turned the page of a magazine he found in Zyair's bag.
"Mind your business." Phoenix hissed.
"Seems he's upset about not being allowed to sit with his mate." Zyair mind linked Dante.
"But they can mind link at least and looking at him, I don't think he's upset." Dante replied telepathically.
"Whatever. Our destination is 10 hours away."
"Which means so long as there isn't any stopping or traffic or any other emergency, we'll arrive at the venue at 2:am. Sigh. I'll sleep. If you're tired. Please tell me so I can take over." Dante offered.
"No. I'm not, Dante."
"Okay. I'll sleep first. If you're tired, please tell me, me."
"Noted. Now, you can go to la-la land." Zyair said before Dante closed his eyes.
"Girl, I've decided." Phoenix mind linked his mate, who was about dozing off.
"Wha.... What have you decided?" she asked.
"I'm going to shorten the distance by 8 hours."
"That..."
"Don't worry."
"Okay. As for me, I'm gonna sleep."
"Sorry for disturbing you, my dear."
"No, you didn't disturb me." she replied before closing her eyes.

Phoenix looked at the sleeping Dante and Zyair, who was focused on driving.
He closed his eyes and pressed his palms together. "Clone." he muttered and then vanished. In his place, a sleeping clone was left. The real Phoenix appeared above the jeep.
"Now this is way more comfortable." he sat cross-legged and gathered a ball of golden light. His eyes glowed and two golden bracelets appeared on his wrists.
"By my command, speed up." he muttered and both vehicles' speed increased.
"What's happening?" Zyair exclaimed.
He turned his head and saw that both Dante and Phoenix were asleep. He was the one driving and he'd been driving at 150 kph. Now though he was holding the damn steering wheel, it seemed the jeep was out of his control but surprisingly moving in a straight line and even so fast? What the heck was happening?
Those in the other jeep were worried too.
"Zehelina, what are you doing?" Mel asked in worry.
"It's not me. I swear. I can't drive like this. You know me." the female pack warrior said in distress.
"Then this is strange. Is the vehicle possessed?" Rolandro asked. He turned his head and saw that the jeep behind was as fast as theirs.
"Look. It's not just us. Even the other jeep is facing this situation." he pointed out. Mel turned his head and exclaimed in shock.
"This is serious." Mel said in alarm.

"What's happening?" Lavana asked after opening her eyes.
"For some reason, the vehicle is out of my control. I don't know why it's like this and Rolandro says the jeep behind is also facing the same issue. It's like the two vehicles are possessed." Zehelina said worriedly.
"Oh," Lavana closed her eyes again, stunning the others.
"She really closed her eyes to sleep? Is there something we don't know here?" Mel asked.
"Relax. We're safe." Lavana muttered.

"Relax? Lavana, how can you say that? We're gonna die without even reaching the venue and you're telling us to relax?" Rolandro scolded.
"What is the mystery?" Zehelina asked.
"Don't you wish we get there on time and have a good rest before tomorrow?" Lavana asked with her eyes still closed.
"Of course. But what's this?"
"Zehelina, stop trying so hard. You guys should simply relax. We'll be there soon. Trust me." shsaid before closing her eyes again.
The vehicles' speed increased again and this made them frightened. They became jealous of the sleeping Lavana. She wasn't even worried and snored! How hateful!

....
30 minutes later.
The two jeeps suddenly came to a halt and the people inside all came down to vomit.
They saw that the couple were still sleeping.
"I'm afraid gto drive. Mel please take over." Zehelina said after puking in the nearby bush.
"Fine. I'm confused, How the heck did our vehicles exceed the 360 limit and still not crash into anything?" Mel asked as he clutched his gut.
"I dunno. If this wasn't our only means of getting to the venue, I really don't wanna enter."
"This Phoenix is snoring so loudly." Dante complained while coughing. "I want to switch cars."
"Nah. That's not possible." Zyair said. "Unless you mean the two should sit together again."
"We don't know what's wrong with the vehicles." Zehelina said with a shiver.

"Lavana knows something. That's why she's relaxed. I guess this must be Phoenix's handwork." Rolandro said.
"Phoenix? But he's snoring so loudly." Dante protested.
"So? He can fake it. I need to search him." Rolandro walked to the second jeep and opened the car door.
"Hey, Phoenix. Wake up!" he said, lightly hitting Phoenix's face.
The latter opened his eyes and all felt a murderous aura.



"Do you want to die?" he yelled and suddenly alighted. He got into a fighting stance and Rolandro simply retreated.
"Get Lavana." Mel cried.
"No, just take him to his mate or someone will get hurt." Rolandro commanded.

Dante walked closer to Phoenix and held his hand.
"Calm down. You're going to sit with your mate for the rest of the trip. How does that sound."
"Good."
"Alright. Just the two of you will be in the jeep. We want you guys to have privacy. The rest of us can fit into this other jeep." Mel pushed Phoenix toward the other jeep and made him sit in the driver's seat.
"You know the way? Or you wanna follow behind us?" Mel asked.
"Don't worry. I know the way." Phoenix gave a thumbs up, wearing a smile.
"But um I want Lavana to be in the other jeep."
"Why?"
"Because she's been with you guys for long. I want to become closer to you guys. After all, I will soon become a pack member." Phoenix explained.
"That..."
"Rolandro, Mel and Dante, pls join me. Zehelina, please take my mate to the other jeep." Phoenix requested.
"Okay. If you say so." Zehelina carried Lavana out of the first jeep and placed her at the back seat in the other jeep.
Rolandro sat in the front seat of the first jeep while Mel and Dante sat at the back.
"Be careful, man." Rolandro advised.
"I will." Phoenix replied as he started the engine.
...
5 minutes later.
"AHHH!"
"SOMEONE HELP US!"
"PHOENIX, ARE YOU CRAZY? IS THIS HOW TO DRIVE?"
"You didn't ask me if I could drive and just shoved me into this seat. Well, this is the consequences." Phoenix replied with a shrug.
"Please stop. I'll drive. I beg you." Rolandro pleaded.
"No. I think driving is fun." Phoenix replied and increased the speed again.
"Phoenix, you're a demon." Dante cried.
"Now you know."
"It seems the other jeep is possessed this time. They are so close to us despite Phoenix driving like this. Zyair would never drive this fast. Phoenix, did you do something to the vehicles?" Mel asked with a shaky voice.
"Why do you care? Reaching the venue and lodging a hotel with a nice bed to rest, isn't that what you want?"
"With your bad driving skills, I'm sure the grave would be our resting place." Dante spat.
"Well, you guys happily put me here. I'm not getting out till we reach the venue." Phoenix chuckled as the others screamed at the top of their lungs.
****
An hour later, all of them got out of the vehicles. Except for Phoenix and his mate, the rest looked like they'd run 3 marathons!
Dante sat on the ground in the parking lot of the hotel.
"I'm tired. Please, no one should let this bastard control any car." he said with labored breath.
"You guys have suffered." Lavana said with an apologetic look.
She offered them canned water to refresh themselves. Then she walked to Phoenix who immediately retreated.
"I know I was wrong. Don't pull my ears."
"I won't. I just want to hug you."
"Why all of a sudden?" Phoenix kept retreating.
"If you move one step backward, I'll rush at you." she warned. Phoenix did not retreat any further.
She walked to him and asked him to close his eyes.
"This... You won't hurt me right?"
"Stop feigning fear, Sullivan."
Phoenix closed his eyes and he soon felt his feet were off the ground. No, he wasn't flying. His mate had carried him over her right shoulder.
"Put me down, Lavie."
"Someone got a tape?" Lavana asked.
'Yes." Zehelina brought one to Lavana.
"What are you going to do? Let me down, alright."
"He talks too much. Seal his mouth with the tape for me." Lavana requested and Zehelina happily did so.

"I'm sorry for the way he behaved. I'll teach him a lesson. You guys will surely be satisfied tomorrow." she said with a smile.
"Okay. We've all been refreshed and the trouble-maker is in good hands. Let's go get our rooms to lodge and relax." Rolandro said as he carried his luggage.
"Lavana, this is your bag. Carmelia had us buy some stuff in case." Zyair said.
"Thanks. Give it to Phoenix." Lavana smiled.
"Okay."
Now Phoenix was holding a bag while being carried by his mate.
"This is embarrassing.' he muttered.
"Serves you right." Dante made funny faces at him.
"We're all set. Let's go. Thankfully we reserved the 4 rooms in time. Or else, we would have had to get tents and a location to set them up." Mel said as they walked towards the reception.

"Honey, please put me down." Phoenix begged his mate through mind link.
"What did you promise me?"
"I'm sorry, mate. I kinda got carried away and then after being shoved into the driver's seat I wanted to frighten them a little." he explained.
"I'll carry you like this to the competition grounds tomorrow."
"No, don't. I'll do anything."
"Anything?" she asked with a raised eyebrow and he nodded vigorously.
"Anything, my dear mate."
"Okay. I''l think about it and tell you tomorrow. We are exhausted. What we need right now is a good bath, maybe some snakcs and then sleep." she said as she walked along with the others.
People in the hotel were surprised when they saw Phoenix situation. It looked so funny. At the same time, they had admiration in their hearts for this lady who carried the man. She looked skinny but was actually this strong enough to carry a grouwn man without stress. The females wanted to be like Lavana- strong and beautiful.
...
10 minutes later.
The 8 people had settled into the four rooms. Zehelina and Lavana were in one room. Dante and Mel were in another. Zyair and Oliver, the quietest of them all were paired together and finally, Rolandro ended up with the sulky Phoenix.
Currently in their assigned room, Phoenix sat on the sofa.
"I'll sleep here. You take the bed," he said while looking away.
"Don't be childish. Let's share the bed. Here, I use the pillows to separate us. Come on." Rolandro urged.
"No." Phoenix refused and rose from the sofa. He started taking off his clothes.
"Man. You tooK Lavana away but couldn't prepare a set of change clothes. Your lucky I prepared another set."
"Hmph. I planned to buy everything once we arrived."
"But as you can see, we're all tired." Rolandro lay on the bed and covered himself with the blanket.
"Goodnight."
"Yeah. Goodnight. And um... I'm sorry for what I did earlier. Sometimes, there's this part of me that makes me do annoying things."
"It's fine. Go take your bath and sleep. I'm off to la-la land." Rolandro said. Soon his snores could be heard. Phoenix picked up the clothes that he'd taken off and walked into the bathroom. He put them in another ring that appeared in his right thumb. Then he took out a towel and other necessities from his main spatial ring.
Rolandro who was asleep was awakened by the pungent smell he perceived.
"Gosh! Where's this awful smell from?" he muttered, pinching his nose as he got off the bed.
He found it was coming from the bathroom.
He walked to the door and knocked. "Phoenix, are you in there?"
Phoenix answered. "I am. Any issue?"
"Of course. There's a big issue. What's this awful smell that snatched me away from my beautiful dream?"
"What smell?"
"Don't play dumb. The smell's from the bathroom. If you don't tell me, I'll break in." Rolandro warned.