CHAPTER - 10

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The dawn of the annual festival began with a vibrant buzz of excitement. Every year and annual festival was held showcasing the successful year the beastmen had. Every year the festival was held in a different village.

This year, the festival was being held in the Nighthaven the Panther Village,  known for its agility and sleek beauty. The journey to the Panther Village was long and arduous, taking several days. Because of this, only a select group of adult males were permitted to travel, as the journey was deemed too dangerous and exhausting for females and cubs.

Aria woke to the sounds of laughter and chatter as her family bustled around, preparing for the trip. She had heard so many wonderful stories about the festival and was eager to experience it herself.

As the males gathered their belongings, Aria crawled over to Selwyn, her panther father and the leader of the group going to the panther village, and tugged at his pants, her big eyes filling with tears. She couldn’t speak yet, but her intentions were clear. She wanted to go with them.

Selwyn knelt down to her level, his expression gentle but firm. “I’m sorry, little one, but it’s too far and too dangerous for you. Only the adult males are going.” He explained softly, but his words did little to soothe her.

Aria’s face crumpled, and she started to cry, tiny sobs shaking her small frame. Liora, sensing her daughter’s distress, scooped Aria into her arms. “Shh, darling. One day you’ll go to the festival, but for now, you must stay here and keep us company,” she cooed, kissing Aria’s forehead. Aria’s cries grew louder, her tiny fists clenching in frustration.

Ursan, the bear father, approached with a comforting smile. “We’ll bring back with lots of stories and maybe even some gifts,” he promised. Despite their reassurances, Aria continued to wail, her small frame shaking with sobs. Each family member took turns trying to console her, their hearts aching at her sadness.

Eventually, her cries softened into hiccups as exhaustion took over, and she clung to Liora, her tiny fingers gripping tightly. The family exchanged sympathetic glances, knowing how much she wanted to visit the festival but also understanding the importance of keeping her safe.

As the family prepared, each member contributed in their unique way. Thorne and Kieran packed the decorations they had made for their stall, while Rael and Finn gathered food supplies for the group. Ursan, Selwyn, Rafe, and Jax ensured everything was in order. The air was filled with playful banter, highlighting their close bond.

Rael, in his playful wolf form, darted between the legs of his fathers and brothers, causing them to laugh and stumble. “Watch out, Rael,” Thorne called, shaking his head with a grin. “You don’t want to trip someone right before the big trip."

The morning of the departure, the family gathered to see the selected males off. Aria clung to Selwyn’s leg, reluctant to let him go. He gently pried her off and handed her to Liora, who held her tightly.

“Be good, little one,” Selwyn said, ruffling her hair. “We’ll be back so soon, you won’t even know we were gone”

Selwyn approached Liora, his eyes softened with affection as he prepared to say goodbye. “Take care of our little ones,” he said, his voice gentle yet firm. Liora nodded, her gaze steady and supportive. “I will. Be safe and bring back lots of stories for Aria,” she replied, her hand resting on his arm.

Selwyn leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. ”I’ll miss you,” he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. Liora smiled, a mix of pride and worry in her eyes. “And I’ll be waiting,” she whispered back, watching as Selwyn turned to join the departing group of males, his form strong and reassuring.

Aria sniffled, her tears drying as she watched Selwyn leave. The sight of him walking away, strong and determined, filled her with a mix of pride and sadness.

Upon arriving at the Panther Village, the adult males were greeted by a vibrant scene. Colorful banners adorned the streets, and the air was filled with the scent of delicious food and the sound of lively music. Villagers, dressed in their best attire, welcomed the newcomers warmly.

The festival’s marketplace was bustling with activity. Each village brought their specialties for trading—beautifully crafted goods, unique foods, and other treasures. Bear males were assigned to  help set up their stall for they possessed immense strength, rabbit males were assigned to scout other stalls, and wolf males were assigned protection duty, while Selwyn, with his keen eyes, ensured everything was perfectly displayed.

The festival featured traditional dances and music from each tribe. The Panther tribe’s sleek and agile dance performances were a sight to behold, mesmerizing everyone with their grace and fluidity. The males from Aria’s village watched in awe, appreciating the cultural exchange.

Elders from different tribes gathered around a grand bonfire, sharing legends and tales of their people. The males listened intently, soaking up the rich history and traditions.

As night fell, the grand feast began. The air was filled with the aroma of a variety of delicious dishes. The males enjoyed the feast, exchanging stories and laughter with their new friends.

Friendly competitions and games were a highlight of the evening. The playful rivalry and camaraderie among the villagers added to the festive spirit.

Back in the Fox Village, Aria couldn’t stop thinking about the festival. She imagined the sights, sounds, and smells described to her by her family. Though she tried to stay cheerful, her disappointment was evident.

Liora noticed and sat beside her. “I know you wanted to go, Aria. But there are many things here to enjoy as well. We can have our own little festival, just our family.

Liora and the other males spent the next few days creating a special time for Aria. They baked treats, made decorations, and shared stories. Though it wasn’t the same as the grand festival, it was filled with love and warmth, easing Aria’s disappointment.

When the males finally returned, they were greeted with excitement and relief. Aria ran into her father’s arms, feeling whole again.

“I missed you, little one,” Selwyn said, lifting her high into the air.

That evening, the family gathered around their own bonfire. Selwyn shared stories of the festival, painting vivid pictures with his words. Aria listened with wide eyes, feeling as if she had been there herself.

Though she hadn’t been able to attend the festival, Aria learned an important lesson about patience and family.

...

Hello, my lovely readers
It's been a while since I posted as I told you all that I was out of town, but now I AM BACK!!

So I'll try to keep up the regular updates though my college is starting soon so I might go to one update per week.
But then I'll ensure to keep the chapter lengthy.

So y'all don't have to worry about not having enough to read.

This chapter we found out about the annual festival, i didn't write the experience in detail as Aria wasn't present so I'll keep that for the time when she actually is able to attend it.

Well back to the questions-

• Any suggestions for what could happen when Aria attends the festival?

• Are you guys in school, college or working?
Like I just told y'all I am starting college soon.

So if any suggestions for that do comment about it.

• I have heard a lot of people say that school is better than college. Is that true for you as well?

I personally think it depends person to person.

Well that's about it for today.
Thank you for reading.😊

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