65

A large, round golden mirror appeared, levitating in front of her as she sat cross-legged on the exquisite wooden chair she'd taken out of her storage ring. The mirror glowed and a man (whose face was concealed behind an intricately crafted golden mask that had sapphire stones in the middle) could be seen. His shirtless, well-built body had terrifying tattoos of a skull and a three-headed serpent.
“How's it going, Glinda? Did you find something valuable?” the man asked in a raspy voice.
“Narfi, it's indeed a fact. The female is a tribrid. She is participating in the triennial contest so she is a werewolf for sure. And moments ago, I saw that she made a fellow werewolf kneel and even frighten a Luna without doing much. I can't tell what else she shifts into. But it has to be more powerful than a werewolf." the lady revealed.

"Probably, she's also a vampire king?" the man asked. Glinda shrugged at his question.
"Keep tabs on her. When it's time, we'll get her powers and become the ones feared by all races." Narfi laughed.
"Hey, your laugh is torture to my ears," she complained.
"(scoff) You aren't any better. Make sure to update me each day."
"Sure thing. So, how are we going to snatch her powers for ourselves? If this tribrid goes crazy, she'll be hard to beat, impossible even!" Glinda voiced out her worry.
"Worry not," said Narfi in a devil-may-care manner.

"Oh," she raised an eyebrow. "Brother, do you have plans already?"
"Yeah. If I'm right, she's not seasoned with her powers yet. And even if she is, we don't need to touch her at all."
"Really?" she asked with a doubtful face.
Narfi sighed before asking: "Remember when you said I'd win an oscar in acting?"
"(nod) Yeah, that was 10 years ago though." Glinda took out some berries from her spatial ring and started eating them.
"That skill will be put to use and fetch us gains easily." Narfi divulged, wearing a mischievous smile.
"Oh! So, what is it that you're cooking?" Glinda threw another berry into her mouth.
"Can't tell you but it is something grand."
"You can't even give me a hint?"
"Nah. But you'll know soon," he answered.
"If it's that way, fine. But it had better be a good surprise or I won't hesitate to fight to the death with you," she warned.
"(chuckle in amusement) Glinda, we're miles apart." he reminded.
"(scoff) So what? Even the strongest has a weakness."
"Forget it. I have to go. Make sure to keep an eye on her." the man could no longer be seen in the mirror. Now it just reflected Glinda just like a normal mirror would.
She sighed as she leisurely raised her right hand. The mirror flew into the storage ring and then she rose since she'd finished the berries in her hand anyway. She also put the chair back in the spatial ring and walked out of the restroom after changing her look and attire.
"Maiden, be sure to entertain me when the time comes," she said with an evil smirk.

...

Lavana sat beside her mate who asked her what happened since she didn't look so good. She then told him about the annoying Luna and her bodyguard.
"Don't go after them. I already taught them a lesson." she stopped him from rising from the seat.
He sighed. "Ok, I won't. Mate, look at me."
"Let's just... focus on the show," she said after taking a cookie from the carton.
"Lavana, before you left you looked uneasy. If it weren't that it's a female restroom, I wanted to follow you. I know it's right to also give you space but I'm even more worried when I see you now. Tell me the truth, did you cry?"

"Cry? What makes you ask that?" she didn't take her eyes off the event on the field.
"I felt you were in pain and very sad." he disclosed.
"Phoenix, I'm fine now. And I don't wish to talk about it," she replied.
He sighed and brought her closer to him. "It's fine. Just relax on my chest." he urged and she did as he said.
"Phoenix, thank you," she said as she let out a sniff.
"I'm only doing something I should." he planted a kiss on her forehead as she closed her eyes to relax.
Those two females who troubled his mate were very lucky. But if they did come looking for trouble again, he wouldn't mind paying their pack a visit.
"Lavie honey, know that I'm always available whenever you wish to speak about it. And my chest is always available as your pillow." he mind linked her.
"Thanks, mate." she managed to reply before falling asleep seconds after listening to his heartbeats. His heartbeats were the best lullaby to her.
He gently caressed her hair, blowing air unto it. If he guessed right, she wept because of his words earlier. Was she very close to the Alpha of that pack or recalling the gruesome destruction of her pack made her emotional? He internally sighed. The person she wanted to beat so badly might not appear here until the third day which is the finals for Alphaless packs.
As for Rolandro, he had decided to not hand over after completing all rounds of archery. He wanted to see how long he would last before reaching his limit.
He and two others won the 5 points of the 2nd activity and then they were allotted 10 minutes to prepare for the next.
...
Rolandro decided to give up after finishing the 6th activity which was running around the field ten times with sandbags tied to his hands and feet for the first round within the specified minutes. In the second round, they had to run around thrice on the field while donning a very heavy helmet, chest armour and boots.
He and another pack's warrior, Kyle Foster claimed the reward of 5 points that their packs sought. They were then given large bottles of water amidst cheers from the crowd. The warriors who participated were led to the costume hall to take off the burdensome things. Upon returning, that's when Rolandro raised his hand to give up.
So when he returned to join his pack members, he got applause coz he was the longest-lasting contestant, having partaken in 5 activities straight and taking first place in all. Zyair was the one who replaced him for the 7th activity which was surprisingly food-related.
"Buddy, you did well. I didn't know you can last that long and you even won in all 5 activities." Mel gave his friend two thumbs up with admiration in his eyes.
"Honestly, I thought I'd surrender after the second activity but something kept pushing me to go on and I didn't feel tired until after this sixth game," Rolandro clarified.
"In previous competitions, you always surrendered after one activity so you could rest and prepare to replace another of our warriors at the right time." Mel pointed out.
"Yeah, it's indeed strange," Rolandro said with furrowed eyebrows, holding his hand to his chin.
"I told you that liquid is effective." they heard Phoenix say. All five of them turned their heads to look at him.
"What's that thing you force-fed me last night?" Rolandro questioned. The smell and taste were something he could never forget!

"It's Grelnch," Phoenix replied.
"Grench?" Mel asked with creased eyebrows. He'd never heard of such a name before.
Rolandro's facial expression also showed he was confused. "What is Grench?"
"You're both saying it wrong. Forget it. Just relax and continue talking to each other."
"That... Thanks," said Rolandro in appreciation.
"I'm not giving you any of it again. It's rare and I spent so much on you," said Phoenix, while staring at his sleeping mate.
"It's fine. Thanks once again." Rolandro got up from his seat and walked to Phoenix. He then stretched his right hand for a handshake.
"If you call me prince, I'll accept it." the latter said and Rolandro dropped his hand.
"I haven't forgiven you for the crazy ride and sleepless night." Rolandro harrumphed before going to sit with Mel who comforted him.
"Calm down, buddy. You know how he is."
"If he wasn't her mate, I want to beat him." Rolandro telepathed Mel.
"Well, we all know no one in the pack except Lavana can attempt to beat him. Plus he can fly just like Lavana. They can vanish too. How do you expect to beat such a person?" Mel asked in mind link.
"Forget it. Let's focus on Zyair's performance." Rolandro said with a sigh.
However, they became stunned when Tyrion made his way over to sit close to them both and surprisingly asked for account details. They tried asking him why he wanted to send money but he kept saying it was none of their business. And also upon seeing Phoenix, he even fell to his knees and called him 'Father.' This earned him quite the glances as many wondered why he was behaving like this.
Lavana, who had abruptly awakened, gotten comfort from her mate and was about to doze off again on the comforting chest of her mate, was moved to attempt standing but her mate stopped her.
She looked at him in disbelief, pointing at Tyrion. Hearing the word 'Father' had made her open her eyes wide.
"That... That's your son?"

"Yeah," he replied smugly. "Told you you won't be able to hug him."
She sighed in defeat as she dropped her hand. "You win."
She lay her head on his chest again and closed her eyes.
Tyrion rose after Phoenix had acknowledged him. Rolandro couldn't believe that Phoenix could get the arrogant Tyrion to do this.
"My mate is bored. Add another ten..."
"No, no. Father..." Tyrion interrupted Phoenix and wanted to kneel again.
"No need. You can go after you're done with Rolandro." Phoenix then focused on his sleeping mate. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her left ear. Then he planted a kiss on her forehead. "Sleep well, my dear," he whispered.
Rolandro sighed.
This Phoenix couldn't be saved and seemed to love making people eat vinegar. He'd better focus on transacting with this guy.
This Tyrion was here to deliver not hundreds but thousands of dollars. He wondered how Phoenix got him to agree. Maybe he showed his strength and frightened Tyrion?
Tyrion on the other hand was shocked when he saw Phoenix's mate. She wasn't the petite weak lass needing help always that he'd envisioned in his mind.
If she wasn't that scary guy's mate, he would have fought to have her. This lady in his arms was not just a beauty but a unique one. Seeing her waking up and then dozing off again on Phoenix's chest made him wish he was the lucky one.
But he also knew he had no chance. He prayed his fated mate was as hot as this woman.
"Are you paying attention?" Mel tapped his shoulder.
"Oh, haha. Sorry. I zoned out."

Mel raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Zoned out? Don't tell me..."
Tyrion chortled. "Nah, I know better than dreaming of stealing someone's mate."
"Add 20 thousand." they suddenly heard Phoenix say.
Tyrion turned to look at Phoenix. "Father..."
"Another 5 thousand," Phoenix said as he caressed his mate's hair.
Rolandro and his buddy sighed. So this Tyrion provoked Phoenix and was rendered helpless by him.
If they were also right, he must have said something about taking Lavana earlier too.
"Tyrion, for your own sake, just add another 10,000," Mel advised.
Tyrion wished to find somewhere to hide. He had provoked Phoenix again and now even this Mel was doing this to him. But could he complain? He'd brought this upon himself.
He sighed internally before speaking: "Alright, I heard you. Let's continue."