~ Eight ~

Lyall hurriedly put on his shirt then grabbed his bag and went downstairs. Yes, he was going to be late. He really couldn't sleep for the past two nights since the incident in the forest. He was still thinking about what happened two days ago. He was sure he would change. But strangely when he looked into Eira's eyes, everything changed. But why?

His father once said that if he met his mate, he would know for sure. He would experience changes, from his heart beating erratically when he was near her, her natural scent that only he could smell and one thing for sure, he would be madly in love with our mate. Lyall tried to remember if he felt all that. No, he didn't find any memories of it. Instead, he wanted to get as far away from Eira as he could and of course, for him, Eira was a strange girl.

Lyall headed to the dining room.

"Good morning, Lyall." Greeted his uncle who was also the alpha of RaClaws, Carl. Carl came to Lyall's house early in the morning bringing beta Ron. For some reason, Lyall didn’t ask and he didn’t care. Carl sat down on one of the chairs.

“Morning, uncle.” Lyall drank his milk and then left.

“Lyall, your breakfast.” His mother scolded him. Lyall stopped and looked at his plate. There was a delicious-looking sandwich waiting for him. Lyall looked at his mother.

“Not hungry.”

Lyall walked back out of the house followed by Zaiden. Carl chuckled.

“Tough kid.” Carl commented.

“Don’t start, Carl.” Stella stopped him. Carl laughed.

“That’s true and that’s good. He won’t be easily influenced by other people. He’ll be a great alpha and king.”

“Yes, if he can make it past his eighteenth birthday. I’m worried, Carl. What if he doesn’t make it? I’m scared, Carl.” Fear was clearly visible on Stella’s face. “I’ve already lost Lycaon and my husband. I don’t want to lose my other children again. I can’t take it.”

Carl patted Stella’s back gently. “We’ll find a way.”

“But how?! You know there’s only one who can save him. I know I’m so cruel, I’m crazy for hoping that Lyall’s mate will come and save him. Because you all know, only his mate can save him but his mate has to die, Carl. Am… Am I cruel for thinking like that? I just want my son to be safe!” Stella started to shed tears. She felt guilty for expecting Lyall’s mate to come and die to save Lyall. Just like she expected Eira to be Lyall’s mate.

“No, that’s normal, Stella. You’re a mother. It’s natural for you to want to save Lyall. Therefore, let’s find a solution to this.”

“But how?” Stella looked desperate.

“The witches.” Carl answered shortly. Stella frowned.

“You want to…. Involve them?”

“I have to.”

“No.” Stella stood up from her seat. “I don’t want to involve the witch. Not again.” Stella refused firmly.

“But Stella...”

“No, Carl. Last time I killed my best friend! I killed Ben!!”

“You didn’t kill him!” Carl insisted.

“I made him get killed.” Stella sat down on the chair again, crying. “I can’t...”

“Listen to me.” Carl moved his chair closer to his only sister and held her hand. “We have to ask for their help. If Lyall can’t control it or we can't find his mate, Lyall will kill everyone here. And that will be a problem. Ordinary humans will find out about us and they will kill Lyall. We don’t want that to happen.”

Stella wiped her tears. “Then what?”

“We have a meeting with the witch and find a solution. Maybe, they have a spell so Lyall can find his mate faster.”

Stella shook her head. “No, not that poor girl.”

“If the first mate dies, there’s always a second mate, Stella. Just like your father-in-law, Alexius. He killed his first mate and married his second mate. That's how your husband and his sister were born."

"But you know very well how it feels to lose a mate. Lyall won't be able to stand it. He's still a child!"

"He'll be fine. You have to be able to trust your son."

Stella sighed. "I don't know Carl. I really don't know."

They both fell silent in their thoughts.

***

"I'm disappointed with the grades of some of you. Have you never repeated your lessons? Or maybe you don't understand what your teacher taught? Very disappointing." Mr. Borden, Lyall's homeroom teacher shook his head. He fixed her glasses that had slipped. His eyes were still staring at the sheet of paper in his hand. "Ahh! But two people seem to be competing with each other. Lyall and Eira. It looks like you have quite a strong rival this time Eira."

Mr. Borden stood up and distributed one by one their exam results from yesterday.

"Okay, tomorrow we have the second tryout. I beg you, study. You will soon be seniors!”

Eira stared at her exam paper in silence. It seemed she was not focused, she had a lot on her mind.

FLASHBACK

Eira finished making breakfast but Scott still didn’t come down to eat. Usually, Scott always came down to eat. Not this time. Charlie had left early in the morning because of his work. Eira decided to check on her brother before going to school. She knocked on her brother’s door several times but there was no answer. Eira turned the doorknob and opened Scott’s door halfway. There was no one there. His room was very messy. Clothes were scattered. Books were no less numerous.

Eira sighed then entered the room and cleaned up the scattered items one by one. Her eyes fell on an open book on the bed. Eira sat down and opened the pages of the book one by one. She frowned. There were many pictures and information about supernatural creatures. Since when was her brother interested in unreasonable things like this? Scott was interested in science. He majored in medicine in college. But since their parents died, he dropped out of college and started doing strange things. Now this? Eira looked at the front cover of her book. Beastiary and supernatural. Eira took another book that was thinner than the previous book. It was written on the cover, Supernatural Guardian Family. Eira opened the book, she read several names until she got to her family name, Lurvine. In the book, her family history was written. Eira looked serious reading it, she even forgot that she had to go to school. Eira thought maybe her family name was the same until she found her parents's names and even her two older siblings's names and her own! Eira's body shuddered. The hair on her neck stood up like there was an electric shock for a moment. Eira took the book then, put it in her bag, and immediately left.

FLASHBACK END

Mr. Borden patted Eira's shoulder, breaking her reverie. "This time your rival is tough, Eira. Don't be discouraged..." Mrs. Borden smiled and walked to her desk. Eira just kept quiet. "Okay, let's open your books. Let's start the lesson."

"You know Lyall, instead of just staring at her, wouldn't it be better if you talked to her?" Miro whispered. His voice was barely audible but Lyall heard it. Lyall ignored it. Miro caught Lyall stealing glances at Eira. "I'm sure she's your mate. You haven't changed. Isn't that for sure? I'm sure you're covering it up."

"Shut up." Lyall whispered.

"Oh, come on, Lyall. Everyone in the pack knows about that incident. How Lyall is fascinated by Eira. She's your mate, right? Don't hide it."

"Shut the hell up."

"No, I won't shut up. Moreover, I saw you keep staring at her earlier. Are you curious about her? I'm sure yes (chuckles) I'm sure you've fallen in l—"

"SHUT UP!!" Lyall shouted, surprising the class. Even Lyall was shocked because he let it slip.

"Excuse me? You told me to be shut up, Lyall??" Mr. Borden's face was irritated.

"I—I.. I didn't... (takes a deep breath) Sorry, Mr. Borden." Lyall finally said. He growled softly at Miro.

"If you don't like my subject, you can get out of this class." Mr. Borden shook her head. "Read page 275, Lyall."

"Me?"

"Isn't your name Lyall?"

Lyall growled softly. Miro chuckled and it was heard in Lyall's ears. Watch out!

***

Scott stood still on the road. He stared at the asphalt on the road. There was no one there. Only him and the forest on both sides of the road. His clothes were shabby, his face was messy, and his black hair was tangled. He was wearing a blue t-shirt that looked too big, and its color was starting to fade, and his light brown long pants. He looked like he hadn't slept and hadn't changed his clothes for days. Scott brought a book with him. The book he hugged tightly. The street looked quiet. Only occasionally a car passed by.

With shaking hands, Scott opened the book to the page he had marked. He looked nervous. He looked around. Then he took out a small knife that he kept in the book. He put the book on the floor and raised his left hand to his chest. Scott took a breath, giving himself more confidence. With his shaking hand, he scratched his hand with the knife. Scott screamed a little. Blood started to come out and drip. Scott dripped the blood onto the book. Scott took a breath, trying to calm himself.

"I am the Lurvine, a family of supernatural guardians. I call to do my deal."

He waited. But nothing happened.

"I am the Lurvine, a family of supernatural guardians. I call to fulfill my promise.”

He repeated it and waited again. But after a while, still, nothing happened. Did he fail?

“Akhh…” the pain in his injured hand was getting worse. It seemed like he had scratched it too deep. Scott held his injured arm while staring at the wound and took a deep breath. It turned out that it was all in vain.

“This is a very… Unusual meeting place.” A voice answered. Scott looked towards the voice. Across the street was a middle-aged man wearing a long white cloths and a fat body. Together with another person who looked younger. Their clothes were the same. Scott looked at them warily.

“That’s right, unusual.” Two more people appeared. Their clothes were soaked. It looked like they had just gone swimming. They were also not wearing shoes.

“Odys… Nice to meet you again—”

“I am not happy to see you and don't speak to me, Mr. witch.” Cut off the person who had just arrived. He interrupted the greeting from the man in white.

“I just want, if permitted, to dry your clothes and give you footwear.” The man in white said still with his friendliness.

“No, no need. We are fine.” The man with shoulder-length hair still answered with a curt voice.

“But I am not fine, father.” Said a girl next to him. The man ignored her. The girl sighed.

“I must admit this is indeed an unusual place.” Scott turned his body. A man was standing on one of the tree branches. “And hmm… (inhales the air) the smell of blood. Your blood must be very tasty.”

“Get down Pierre.” Said a young man leaning against a tree.

“But it is very nice here. I can see everything.”

The man who was leaning shook his head.

“He seems to be getting… Cheerful, Your Majesty.” The wizard man began to greet again.

“Ugh don’t give him compliments, Darius. He will get a big head. I can't take it anymore."

"But I learned from you." The brown-haired man, Pierre, just jumped from the tree. He could land without difficulty from a fairly high position.

"Ugh right." Complained the white-haired man, Nick.

"I was right, your majesty. Ughh I'm starting to smell dog."

"Behave, Pierre." Warned Nick.

Pierre snorted in annoyance. "Okay...okay..."

"Scott??"

Scott turned his head and was surprised to find Carl there. "Mr. Morrison? (looks at Ron) Ron?"

Carl took a deep breath and then looked at Ron. They were standing across the street, right next to the witches.

"Whoah.... It seems like you guys are getting taller."

"Your Highness, Gerrera. Of course not. Our height can't grow any taller." Answered the two fairies who had just arrived. The fairies were two meters tall and wore very elegant clothes. Scott almost jumped from his place, surprised at how tall the fairies were.

"Oh, forgive me, sir human. I didn't mean to scare you." The fairy said then changed her body to normal human size.

“Is everyone here?”

“Ugh, don’t ask. I’m sure the demons won’t come.”

“Again? (shaking his head.) they have no sense of responsibility.” Nick Gerrera commented.

“Are you alone, Scott?” Carl asked. Scott nodded. “Why didn’t you invite Charlie or Eira? They could be your witnesses.”

Scott just stared at each person there one by one.

“I smell fear and nervousness from him.” Nick stood right next to Scott suddenly making him reflexively walk away. He didn’t forget to take the book earlier. Nick had a pale face with white hair and red eyes. Nick looked at him with a questioning gaze.

“Isn’t that normal, Nick? Especially if he finds out…” Pierre bared his fangs, his face turning scary. Scott was shocked and moved further away from them.

“You made him stand in the middle of the road, Pierre!” Nick shook his head.

“No problem, your majesty. I have enchanted this road.” Said Darius Ardelean, the witch.

“Hmm, that’s good. And considering you came here directly, it seems like this is getting more… Interesting.”

“You praise too much, your masjesty. I just happened to be here of course.”

“Stop talking nonsense. When are we going to start all this?” the man in wet clothes and barefoot started to get annoyed.

“Why is that fish so impatient?” Pierre grumbled.

“Y-you… Who are you?” Scott finally spoke. Everyone stared at Scott with a confused look.

“He really asked that?!” Pierre half shouted.

“Scott..” Carl called. Scott turned and looked at Carl. “You called us. You’re holding the book. That means you know everything.”

“I… I…”

“You know who you are, right, Mr. Lurvine?” Darius asked along.

“Guardian… Guardian…”

“Supernatural, that’s right. By dripping your blood onto the book, it will summon a representative of the supernatural.” Darius explained.

“All-all?”

“Oh not all, Mr. Lurvine. As you’ve read, well I assume you’ve read it, there are many types of supernatural creatures. And we are their representatives.” Darius paused for a moment. “The witches...” he continued. “Me and Mr. Vattin represent humans and balance. Over there (pointing to his right), Mr. Odys and his daughter, Pearliea, represent the ocean. His majesty, Nicholson Gerrera, the Vampire. (pointing to Nick) He represents immortality creatures. The fairies (pointing to two men standing on his left) represent nature. And finally the werewolves. (patting Carl's shoulder) represent wild creatures.”

“Ahh, actually, there is one more, right, Darius?”

“Right Sebastian, that's right.”

“Okay, stop all this. If he calls us, it means he already knows everything. Why explain it again?! What a waste of time!” Ody snorted in annoyance.

“Odys is right. I agree with that.”

“Okay, then, let’s get started, shall we?”

“I… I…” Scott looked at each person there.

“Uhm… He’s getting more nervous. His heartbeat is irregular. His breathing—”

Everyone was shocked. Scott was lying on the cold asphalt, just like that.

“Scott?” Carl called.

“He passed out.”

Everyone stared in confusion and shock.

“He passed out just like that?!” Pierre shouted. Carl and Darius looked at each other and took a deep breath.

***