"My name is Aisha and...how do I say it... Caden's father is my brother and so I'm also like a mom to you since you call Carlos father!" Aisha introduced herself with a happy and infectious smile.
"I've heard alot about you. Even my mates praise your beauty and for a moment I thought they were going to leave me and pursue you but I'm glad they love me too much to dare! Hehe. It's a little sad my boys are still young and have not transformed yet..if only they were a little older... they'd also compete in tonight's bonfire and become mates with a female as beautiful as you! My eaglets are not very young though and in five years, they'd be old enough ....you can accept them then!" Aisha couldn't stop talking.
"Oh also, I've looked after Caden since she was an eaglet and if he dares to bully you, you can come to me. Though he's actually a kind and well behaved boy...he can be annoying sometimes. Anyway am I talking alot? I'm not being annoying now, right! Guess not! Actually, I've been meaning to ask you, how many males do you intend to take in as your mates? I can give me your recommendations on the best tribes to find mates from! ...."
Sydney was silent with a smile on as she watched Caden's aunt talk non stop. It wasn't annoying at all and she found her to be extremely cute. She looked to see Carlos helplessly shaking his head, it was a funny sight to see. Caden was sporting a blank face but one could clearly see the slight annoyance in his eyes! No one liked to let their friends learn of embarrassing childhood moments.
"So how many males do you want?!" Aisha asked again looking at Sydney expectantly.
"Um....I'm not sure yet but I think my hands are already full." Sydney said shyly. She had four men who already seemed to make their stands clear. If she took in more, then life would get tough for her!
"You should consider a tiger beastman, they are fluffy to hug to sleep and are docile beasts, lion beastmen are too proud and tend to think they own the world..such a behaviour is annoying, not a good choice! Jaguars, leopards, cheetahs and panthers are also a good choice depends on your taste..those males are great hunters and you'll never have to worry about your food. Mmm, wolves are loyal but are a little too possessive for my liking, the sky beastmen are also a good choice, better the eagle beastmen, our clan is a one in a the whole beast world. The poisonous beastmen are too aggressive and majorly cold blooded, their tempers are just like their blood, cold! But you can consider taking in a cold beastman, they become useful during the dry season when the sun is too high that you want to walk around naked. I've never taken in one because they have cold tempers I can't handle, I'm already a bundle of trouble myself."
Sydney listened attentively in awe and giggled when she heard Aisha say she was a bundle of trouble. Although she knew these things, hearing them from a fellow female felt different.
"Aisha, enough talking .. Sydney needs to eat!" Carlos interrupted the female's talk since they were already at the dinning area.
"Fine fine....I'll stop for now! But I'm resuming as soon as the food is done! I'm going to keep Sydney company today. I'm sure Caden will hide her away in her home and won't let her come out once they officially mate!" She walked past the seat her mate had pulled out for her and went to seat next to Sydney. "You won't be bored with me around!" Aisha declared and picked a yellow fruit and gave it to Sydney to eat.
Sydney took the fruit and one bit from it made her stomach flutter sweetly. Her taste buds danced in joy and she continued to savour the fruit.
Sadly, she didn't notice the devilish smile on Aisha's lips.
Caden glared at Aisha for the trick she just pulled now. And he thought he'd allow his mate to meet with her sneaky self?!! In her dreams...he wouldn't allow this at all!
Sydney remained the whole day in Aisha's company and learnt that Aisha was indeed a trouble bundle herself. She was extremely energetic and dragged her all around the eagle castle where she got acquainted with other females who volunteered to join Sydney at her bonfire.
Sydney who hadn't been feeling well since morning had been able to keep her discomfort unnoticed. Her whole body was in pain and she couldn't pinpoint what the problem was. She was sure it wasn't her period since she had already finished with it ten days before she was dragged over by the tornado.
"Are you ready?" Caden came to find Sydney who was with Aisha.
Yeah....I'm ready." she smiled and looked at Aisha and the other females. They walked out of the castle under the protection of their mates. It was already afternoon and the sky was dyed with bright blinding light from the sun. Flocks of flying beastmen could be seen heading to the venture of the bonfire with great enthusiasm screeching out happily? Probably!
Sydney looked towards Caden and he shifted into his beast form, the hawk eagle before her eyes. It was a fascinating sight to see as midnight black feathers with a white patch that trailed from his neck to the rest of his head stood out alot covering his body at a high speed and his arms stretched out behind him to become wings, his legs elongated and soon were replaced with firm and sturdy pale yellow legs with sharp claws. He stood majestically like the king of the skies.
She walked to him in fascination and smiled placing her small hand onto his feathers. Caden let out a screech which was answered by his clansmen. He lowered himself for her to get on but he was still too high for her to climb up. She trembled when a pair of warm rough hands held her waist. She turned and to look and saw that it was Ash, he lifted her up and placed her on the eagle's back.
Caden rose to his full length and Sydney stuffed her fingers tightly into his feathers to hold on. Spreading his wings out, Caden took flight without further ado and the others followed religiously but again, the journey wasn't long enough for Sydney to enjoy this beautiful ride to the fullest since immediately as they descended, she was appalled to see the number of beastmen below her. Roughly, they were around a thousand or more! and in the center stood a circular stone stage. It was as wide as an acre of land.
She felt her stomach drop but swallowed everything in. She took a deep breath and soon they were on the ground. This time round it was Ken who picked her from Caden's back. Aisha and the others had already landed and were walking to where she was.
"Sydney...come here.. you'll be over there at the podium with the other females like you. From there, you'll be able to watch the duel very well and make a choice." Aisha said and took her hand to drag her there.
Sydney looked at the four males she was familiar with and frowned a little. She knew this was their tradition but she alread made her choice.
"Is it really necessary?" Sydney asked Caden who was besides her. She had willingly agreed to become useful to them while she stayed her as she found her way back home but she didn't expect that they'd have to fight to figure out who'd become her male.
"Can't I just choose?!" she asked once again.
"Sydney..do you not want to? If you are choosing your mates, you need to find those that shall be able to provide for and protect you at all costs. And they must prove themselves to be entrusted with you. However, we shall not force you to take anyone you don't want. The duels are necessary but the choice shall ultimately remain yours. But at least give those males a chance to prove themselves to you." Caden helplessly told her. The other three also unwilling nodded and agreed with Caden's words
"Will you guys also duel?" she frowned majorly her concern being Shawn.
"I don't know about the others but I have to." Caden replied gingerly. Being a young blood, he always got overly excited whenever she spoke to him.
"But I already accepted you....why duel?" Sydney asked.
"I wish to prove myself." he resolved his heart. He hated receiving things on a silver platter. He wanted to work hard for her and show her that she didn't make a mistake to choose him since she had gone to the extent of even looking his way.
"Fine...I won't ruin your fun. Just don't get hurt, all of you.... I'll become really mad if you do!" Sydney relented and walked over to the circular podium where the other new females were standing.
"You underestimate us alot. We males have not only tough skins but tough egos too. I don't want to ashame you so I'll do my best." he looked at her small figure smiling at her dotingly. He was the luckiest beastman alive!
Caden ranks up by two levels during the duel