Chapter 34 Her chosen ones

Loud bellows and animalistic cheers rang out from below the stage.

Standing at such a high place and having all eyes on her Sydney felt her knees go weak, she had a bad feeling about this and her heart kept pounding in her chest. Looking at the hundreds of unfamiliar faces, her green eyes rushed back to where she had last seen her chosen ones. If not for the familiarity she shared with them, they'd have disappeared from her sight but gladly, she was able to see them sticking together.

Her tense nerves calmed down a bit.

She looked at the other six females who were standing at the podium calmly. They were from this world hence nothing really scared them that much and there were fellow clansmen among the many beastmen while for her, she was obviously the only human in this place.

With no father, mother, sister or brother to rely on, she had to rely on the handsome strangers she had been living with.

"Hey!" a soft voice drew her attention and she looked at the other females, they seemed to be leaving the stage. She walked to catch up with them and realised a special place had been assigned and there were seven seats. Under the gazes of emotionally hungry males, Sydney walked over only to find that the middle seat was the only one left. She walked over and sat obediently but kept her eyes where she had left Shawn and the others, it was hard to see them from this distance.

Welcome all, today's is the bonfire, a tradition where the new females are introduced to everyone in our city and also the chance for all single males to showcase their skills for a chance to be selected by the beloved females." A vibrant male played the role of mcee and gave the introduction speech which was answered with heavy cheers and different animal sounds.

"We shall begin. Our first female was brought over from the leopard village. She's a beautiful female, those who wish to duel for a chance to chosen can come onto the stage!" He said and the leopard female stood from her seat to be clearly seen.

Many males, around twenty cheered and jumped onto the stage enthusiastically after seeing the first female. She was around 5'3ft with bright yellow hair, her face was small and her eyes were also a bright yellow. She looked confident and zealously scanned the males who had come on stage to fight for her favour. She didn't seem scared of the males aggressive excitement. She then walked back to her seat and attentively kept her eyes on the duel.

Sydney looked at the process and thought of herself going to that stage. Her heart trembled from the mere thought but she also attentively looked at the stage. The sun was still high in the sky and she could see clearly.

The battle begun, all twenty males attacked eachother viciously that Sydney was taken back, she didn't know who to keep her eyes on. Ferocious growls rang out and blood begun to spill!

The rules were simple, you can't kill at the podium but males were vicious against their love rivals and many became crippled or sustained heavy wounds from stubbornly insisting to fight, those who withdrew became a shame and laughing stock in the city and many were forced to leave the city but the solitary life was a dangerous life.

A leopard beast who was beaten badly was the first to surrender. Covered in bruises and wounds caused by his opponents claws, the two rank beastman looked at his clans female but she sneered and rolled her eyes not pleased with his performance.

Sneering laughter rang out from below the stage shaming the poor guy further. He lowered his head in shame and limped to get down the stage.

Sydney frowned watching the poor guy to walk away then to those that were still in a heated fight on the stage. By the time the duel came to an end, the podium was covered in blood and it's stench was strong in the air. The leopard female walked over to the stage and looked at the remaining eight males, she made her selection and walked off the stage with five of them. The other three also followed despite having not been chosen. They now had to pursue her to raise their impression before her eyes.

The duels went on and on till it was Sydney's turn. It was already evening and an orange hue covered the sky. Her heart was thumping loudly in her ears. When she tood up to walk to the stage, The beastmen cheered loudly to the point thatt it was defeaning., she cringed and covered her ears her small face crunching up.

She didn't appreciate their enthusiasm.

When the mcee came to make her introduction, The cheers grew louder and louder. " Those that wish to win her favour may come up on the stage to duel!" he said and around a hundred males stepped onto the stage. Her mouth fell open in disbelief at the number of unfamiliar faces. She searched and soon caught sight of her four chosen ones.

They also looked at her with soft smiles. She shook her head telling them not to fight. It's was useless and they'd get hurt!

Caden and the others made their way to her and she also gave a short run to them. The other beastmen gave way to her with their eyes locked on her in a trance at her beauty now that they were seeing her up close.

Stopping before them, she looked at Shawn. I really don't want you guys to fight..it's pointless! I don't want to see you getting hurt!" she complained as she held onto Caden and Ash's hands without realising it since both of them were at her side. " I've already accepted you as my family.... there's no need for you to fight against one another.... instead, can you fight to protect eachother? I don't know about the rules but since we are family, we should be protecting eachother from others, right?! You'll do that right?!" Her eyes glistened with unshed tears blurring her vision.

Don't cry...don't cry....we will do what you want!" Ken was so flustered that he wiped her tears away carefully.

Yes...we will do that! Don't cry now...." Shawn also said trying to comfort her.

I just want us to go home!" Sydney couldn't keep her emotions at bay, she wasn't bawling her eyes out but the tears kept falling.

Ash who had his big hand clasped by her small one rugged her to himself and carried her off the ground and into his arms. One arm was below her but supporting her while the other gabe gentle pats to her back. He didn't say much. Sydney let her tears fall as she buried her small face in his neck. "I'll keep everyone safe..you can trust me." Ash vowed to which Sydney found herself nodding. She knew he was the strongest in the whole city so she could take his word for it.

A minute later, Sydney was done crying but she didn't dare get out of Ash's embrace. She was embarrassed to the moon and back! Her face, ears and neck were all red!

"Do you still want to cry?!" Ash asked.

Do you have to ask that?" she punched his back with her small fist.

Ash smiled softly and let her go placing her on the ground carefully. Sniffing, she kept her head lowered in embarrassment. "Protect yourselves well, we have to go home and eat our fish!" she said and stole a glance at them with her big eyes and smiled. She hugged Shawn first and pecked his cheek once again. She then went to each and everyone of the other three and did the same and by the time she was done, steam was leaving her head. She didn't look at them and ran back to her seat.

The whole place was in silence and watching the whole exchange with complicated emotions.