9 Chapter 9 Meeting with father.

Turning her attention to the males who were watching her, she noticed that all eyes were on her. Dozens of eyes trained on her like she was in a zoo! She'd have loved to retort back since they were the ones that were utterly most eye catching with ears and tails, not only that, some were in their beast forms.

She hid behind Caden but then peeked back at the males with her big green eyes, their ears and tails were too fascinating to ignore and with her childlike innocence, she wouldn't hold back looking at them. Her action was so cute that the males couldn't help melting.

"Why are they staring so hard?" Sydney whispered to Shawn. He couldn't sense any malice from them so he thought they were fascinated by her beauty. "Because you are very pretty!" he said with conviction.

Hearing the compliment, Sydney felt her stomach flutter. "You are very handsome too!" she praised him making his eyes widen in surprise. Was he?! Did she find him attractive?

"Let's not waste time...we need to go to the eagle tribe." Sydney said feeling she'll die from the stares. Were they even breathing? Let's not talk about how they weren't even blinking!!! Is it true that females were rare around here hence this reaction?

Caden shifted into his beast form before her eyes catching her off guard but then, looked at the huge eagle in awe and admiration. He lowered himself a bit and Shawn held Sydney by her slim and frail waist hoisting her to sit on the eagle's back. "Hold tight ....I'll catch up with you at the eagle tribe castle." he said and Sydney nodded her fingers digging deep into the bird's feathers. It was like a horse ride....

Caden spread his wings and took flight startling the female on his back but he kept his attention on her. It was a thrilling experience for Sydney as she watched the city below in amazement. Never in her life had she expected that she will ride on the back of an eagle but here she was. Flying at a low altitude, Caden cooed to ask how she found the flight and her sudden burst of laughter and giggles told him she was fine. With hands spread wide and over, Sydney felt the wind blow past her "Woohoo!!!" she let out a happy cry but her ride didn't last long as she saw Caden slowing down and below, she could see a stone castle just like the one she had been residing in. They landed and he shifted back into his human form. "How was the ride?!" he asked in excitement. He felt sad for being unable to talk to her while he was still in the sky.

"Short!" she humped with hands over her chest. Just when she was beginning to enjoy.

"We can go back and fly some more!" Caden said feeling antsy.

"Let's meet the Eagle King first and pay our respects to him." Sydney said and walked ahead.

Taking the lead, Caden walked with the female receiving looks from his tribesmen. The eagle castle was humagous, standing tall and steady like a mountain, just..it was a little dull. She noted.

Is this where you grew up?" Sydney asked looking around. He must have played alot as the place had alot of space.

Yes...I grew up here and father is the King of our tribe. He's a person I look up to!" Caden said as they took another turn. All the eagle beastmen they met on the way were frozen seeing the female....she was extremely beautiful and she was with their Prince. Some of them had been there when she was rescued but hadn't gotten a chance to see her but now....they ought to at least try and woo her!

Father!" Caden said seeing him seated looking out the window lost in thought.

Looking where a strong man with an aura sat, Sydney felt this man commanded respect even just sitting there.

You came?" Carlos said and stood up. He looked at the female besides his son and smiled. You came Sydney... how's your morning?" he asked and watched as she stepped away from his son and walk his way. He raised a questioning brow at Caden who also shrugged not knowing.

Good morning Eagle King!" Sydney put a hand over her chest and bowed. She felt a princessy bow would only look weird.

"You don't have to bow...you are soon to become my son's mate. And this is your home now...right?" he asked and Sydney looked up with a smile. "Yes...this is home. Thank you for taking me in!" she said with delight and Carlos laughed. "So...can I call you father too?" Sydney asked carefully and Carlos flinched but it wasn't noticeable.

Sure...you can call me father." he said. I'll have your room prepared for your stay...um, Caden..."

"Father, I'll be staying at the city hall until the bonfire night and...I wanted to ask a favour from you..." she said carefully.

"A favour..." he looked up to see Caden with his hands in fists. Sure...what is it?" he asked.

Sydney walked up to him and tip toes to whisper in his ear. Carlos found himself bending to listen to what the female had to say to him. Caden in the other hand felt his chest constrict painfully seeing how intimately Sydney was with his father. He did not think lowly of any of them but those were emotions that he had no control over even after Sydney's promise to mate with him and his father's deceleration of not wanting a mate.

Alright....I'll let Caden know once it's done!" Carlos said dotingly to Sydney. He felt a certain sense of accomplishment. Male beastmen from childhood were required to fend for themselves in order to survive in their later years and hence, Caden had never asked Carlos for anything. With that, the eagle King grew feeling incompetent and having failed to raise his son well but having the small female request something he could fulfill, he felt a sense of fatherhood and he planned to stop at nothing to get it for her.

Sydney ran back to Caden's arms with a huge smile. "Are you strong?" she asked with a raised brow. The bitterness he felt initially disappeared and nodded his head vigorously. "Okay ..after our tour today ..we might get a little busy." she informed him and he nodded. He was a fourth rank beastman... he'd do anything!!

Take me around to see our tribesmen first and then we can proceed as planned." she said and rugged him to leave. Bye father!!" she didn't forget to say her farewell with a smile and left the eagle castle. Is it just me or have I not seen any females since morning...." Sydney frowned.

Most females are still sleeping and their mates are out to hunt.."

And those males without females?" she asked.

They train to become stronger, some volunteer as the city guards while others are up and about to pursue the females they like .." he explained.

"Did you have someone you liked?" Sydney asked batting her eyelashes at him curiously.

"I didn't like any of them!!!" he said flustered. Even when he hadn't come of age, many females were after him since he was already a four rank eagle. Many chiefs presented their daughters to him but he ruthlessly turned them down. He didn't want any female, no reason..he just didn't want them! But when he found Sydney...he felt himself change.

So you had..." Sydney said thoughtfully nodding her head.

"No....I swear! I only like you!!" he declared loud enough for his tribesmen to look at him in disbelief. Caden! To like a female?! Seeing the red haired female, they understood that even a block head like Caden wouldn't be spared.

Ummm Prince...." one eagle male came over. He was a two rank male. Sydney and Caden looked at him and the guy gulped the lump in his throat. Hello Female...I'm Jasper...and, you are very pretty...I...I like you! Can I become your male??!" Jasper stammered but bravely kept his eyes in the beautiful female. His brown eyes glittered expectantly at Sydney who felt her stomach drop.

Did... did this handsome man say he liked her? Well, she heard correct but how can he say that when Caden was here? He'd get offended!

Jasper what are you doing?" Caden stepped forth sheilding Sydney from Jasper's sharp eyes.

"Prince...I wish to become part of the female's family. I can hunt well and also sew good clothes. I also know how to take care of females. You know I have a little sister right? I ...I..." Jasper stuttered after pointing out his strong points. He wasn't bad himself...he was kind and loving and very protective.

"You'll have to duel during the bonfire night and don't forget, the choice always belongs to the female but Sydney is special." he said and stepped forward to whisper to him. "Better to withdraw now Jasper. The other tribes also plan on sending their best warriors to duel for a chance to mate with her...you could die!"

"I don't mind." he said softly and looked at Sydney who was looking their way.

"Let's go." he said and held Sydney by the hand to leave. Many beastmen were going to get hurt!

"What did you say to him? Is he alright?!" Sydney asked.

"He's going to wait till the bonfire. If he proves himself worth then the rest shall be up to you." Caden said.

"Can't I just give him ...I'm sorry!" Sydney said when Caden stopped in his tracks hearing what she was saying.

"If you keep thinking of accepting males so easily, you'll.... nevermind. We will do as you wish." he said and held her hand tightly.