Chapter 21: *...too eclectic to settle on a favorite...*
With the music pounding through the speakers, Alora seemed to relax. Alora was moving to the music a bit, her head and hips swaying slightly. Kain, who was observing, felt that there was just something about her movements that drew the eye.
Alora’s aura seemed to be stronger, beings who would normally dismiss her presence before were now staring. More than a few males and some females shot appreciative looks at her. It was as if they were seeing Alora for the first time.
The group continued past the stadium's underground food court, to the first set of concrete stairs that lead to the stadium's first level of seating. The stairways in the stadium were twelve feet wide and twelve feet tall. They were built to let multiple large beings pass through comfortably.
A pair of fox shifters ran up the stairs around them, giggling as they did. Darien’s arm around Serenity tightened when their group reached the first level of seating. The area each fighter class was supposed to sit was clearly marked. As was the side of the stadium all the parents and other family members were to sit.
Then there was the seating for the students who were not participating in the senior students final Fight Training and Rank Placement Exam. The Alpha Class was at the very top, then from there it was Beta, Delta, Enforcer, Scout, and finally the Reserve Class.
The Reserve fighter rank was made up of all the Omegas of the Pack. Omega, however, did not automatically translate to weak, at least not among this Pack. Omegas while not having the magic or power higher ranking wolves had, were still strong. They just prefer not to fight.
The song changed, Indestructible by Disturbed was now playing. Looking in the direction parents and family were supposed to be sitting, Darien could see more than a few disgruntled faces looking up at the speakers. Darien took that to mean that the adults were not appreciative of the music choices.
“I guess metal music first thing in the morning isn’t for everyone.” Galen said with a chuckle.
Kain laughed, a now curious Alora looked over to see what they were looking at, then she was chuckling too. Alora could listen to death metal first thing after waking up, so the irritated faces of the adults amused her as well.
“I like listening to classical instrumental music first thing in the morning, or classic rock. Like Heart, Laura Branigan, and Pat Benatar.” Serenity commented. “But I don’t mind Disturbed.”
Alora was smiling at Serenity, “I like your taste in music so far.”
Serenity brightened, “You listen to them too?” she asked.
Nodding Alora said, “I do.”
The group was just standing at the bottom of the stairs that would lead them all to their assigned seats. Serenity and Darien were reluctant to part, and they didn’t have to just yet.
There was still a little more time before they had to be seated. The walkways in front of the benches were wide enough they didn’t cause a traffic jam just standing there.
“Do you have a favorite Genre?” Galen asked.
Galen’s question made Darien chuckle, drawing a curious look from Serenity and Kain. Darien shook his head then nodded at Alora. Telling them to listen to Alora’s answer.
Alora looked at Galen with a thoughtful expression on her face, then she began to ramble. “I would say rock music, but I also listen to a lot of electronic music like synthwave, techno and dubstep, and I also like swing dance jazz and some of the early vinyl dance music and some retro radio music, and then there's some hip hop or R&B, not a lot of rap. I also listen to a wide range of foreign music and a wide range of music. So, I guess I don’t really have an answer to your question, my taste in music is too eclectic to settle on a favorite genre.”
Galen and Kain looked stunned, and Darien laughed at their expressions. Serenity let out a little giggle and received a glare from both brothers, this just brought full on laughter out of her.
“What?” Alora asked, confused by the group's reaction to her words.
Galen let out a sigh, “You sound just like our sister when it comes to music. So, I guess I should ask what your least liked genre of music is.”
Alora’s answer though, was immediate and emphatic. “Country.”
It had everyone looking at her, the only one not surprised by Alora’s quick response was Darien. If there was one music type Darien knew Alora could barely tolerate and would actively go out of her way to avoid, it was Country.
“Wow.” Kain said, “You said that so quickly.”
“Quick enough that it has to be more than a general dislike of that genre.” Galen stated.
“What kind of music do you two like?” Alora asked the twins quickly. Alora did not want to answer any questions as to why she didn’t like Country Music.
With a finger pointed at Alora, Kain turned his head to look at Galen and asked jokingly, “That was deflection, right?”
Galen turned his head to face Kain and nodded, “You would be right about that, that was definitely a deflection tactic.”
At this point Darien was laughing loudly, and Serenity was doing her best trying not to laugh with him. Serenity was trying to look at Darien disapprovingly and was failing because of her own amusement.
Alora let out a frustrated sigh, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Why not?” Kain asked teasingly.
“I just don’t.” Alora said, crossing her arms, her expression was a little sullen.
Galen thought Alora looked cute, pouting the way she was. His amusement at her response to Country music continued to rise.
“Oh come on. why don’t you tell us what you don’t like about Country Music.” Galen teased.
Alora growled, Kain and Galen laughed at this response. Serenity stepped away from Darien's side and started slapping at her brothers. Darien, chuckling, wrapped his arms around Serenity’s waste and drew her back and away from her brothers.
Alora, no longer irritated and highly amused at the sight, started to chuckle. Then there was a break in the music for an announcement.
“Hellooooooooo Everyone! Welcome Parent and assorted family members to the Moon Mountain Pack High School! In another fifteen minutes we need all Seniors in their assigned seating areas, divided according to your fight training class rank. There will be announcements made before the start of the final exam fights.” The friendly male voice echoed throughout the stadium from the speakers.
The music came back on, Believer by Imagine Dragons. In the middle of the stadium, dropping down from the center of the roof was a metal rig. The rig held four enormous LED screens, back to back.
The screens were angled down so they could be seen from all around the stadium, with the action happening far below them. Each of the screens had the music video to the song playing. With a countdown clock going in the corner of each screen.
Alora wanted to give Darien and Serenity a few moments of privacy. As the couple was now looking at each other like they were about to be separated by miles instead of a few rows of seats. Alora caught the gazes of both Kain and Galen, and with a slight tilt of her head, she motioned for them to follow her. They nodded, getting the message after they had their own glance at the couple.
Quietly and without a word to the couple they moved away from the group. After a few feet they stopped, stepping close to the railing that was in front of the first row. It was a fifteen foot drop to the arena floor. With the roof of the stadium thirty feet above that. It was important to have that space when supernatural beings fought. Especially those of the Alpha Class
“I don’t even think they realize we’ve left their side.” Kain said looking back at Darien and Serenity.
Alora looked, then let out a laugh. “No, they are definitely in their own world.”
“A world only the two of them exist in.” Galen commented, his expression showing he was struggling with his thoughts. “I’m not sure how to feel about that.”
Alora let out another laugh, completely oblivious to the effect the sound of it had on others. “Be happy for your sister, and that the wolf she's mated to isn’t some deadbeat.” Alora said with a smile, amusement in her tone.
Galen let out a short, disgruntled growl saying, “You’re right.” in such reluctantly that Alora and Kain laughed at him.
Galen just growled again, getting more laughter out of the two. There were a lot of heads turning to that laughter, drawn by Alora’s enchanting voice. Some didn’t realize who it was they were looking at, not recognizing Alora in the clothes she was wearing. Others were looking at her with new eyes and were liking what they saw.
There were many already seated who had borne witness to the rejection Alora just went through. They thought Alora had to be amazingly strong, for being able to laugh so genuinely after such a tragic event. One that would have left them crumpled and desolate.
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