Chapter 7

Bianca's eyes glanced outwardly at Veronica, who was chatting with the man yesterday, Stephen Laurent. Not the kind of guy she could trust to look after Veronica really. But her older brother—Theodore Pedrosa, asked her to trust him. If her brother believed that man, then she must believe it too. She did not understand why Theo could easily give permission to the man without paying attention to the territory entry permit protocol as was usually emphasized on all werewolves and vampires who intend to enter Pedrosa's territory. The man asked permission five minutes before entering his family territory. Five minutes! Whereas it should have been, if a foreign party wanted to enter the Pedrosa area, the permit could only be obtained at the earliest the day before they enter.

No, no. She better not think about it anymore. Her brother clearly did not mind it, which meant there was a high chance that her brother knew Stephen. Her brother must have done it thoughtfully. Yes. She must not doubt her brother's decision.

Her mind was on Veronica's story earlier. She took out her smartphone, looking for her brother's name.

"Hello, Theo?" She said after the call connected with her brother. While Veronica was still chatting with Stephen, she took the opportunity to sprint out of the classroom, heading towards the back of her campus building in a few seconds. "I just got news—"

"I know," Theo cut in. “Just now Isabella told me. They got away and we're still tracking them. Your friend is fine, right? ”

"Yes. She's with Laurent now. "

"It's good if she is safe now, "replied her brother. "What's with that tone? Still annoyed that I just let Laurent in?"

"Why did you ask if you knew it?"

“I know Laurent very well, don't worry. We can trust him."

"But I—"

"Rather than that, you don't intend to skip training again, I hope?"

Bianca turned her gaze upwards, looking at the leaves on the trees moving in the gust of the wind. The sky was getting dark. Looks like it was going to rain soon. "Errr ... that ..."

"You know, what will happen when you skip your training again?" Her brother said it while taking a deep breath. “You are the future successor of the Pedrosa family. Stop playing around and try to get serious. What's so difficult with that, anyway? "

"But you already in that position Theo. What should I also train for? "

“You know, that position isn't left to me forever. You're the rightful heir, not me. You should understand more about that. "

She paused, clenched her fists. This was why he hated spending time at home. It was always like that. Her brother was always eliminated just because her brother was the illegitimate child of their father's affair. Meanwhile her mother, her father's legal wife, clearly showed her dislike for Theodore, especially since her brother was appointed as the head of the Pedrosa family. Although the position was only given temporarily by their father because he waited until she was twenty-five years old, according to the tradition of the appointment of the head of the Pedrosa family.

Even though her brother was far more talented than her. But why was she the one her father and mother expected to be the heir? Why not her brother?

“Bianca? Did you listen to what I said?"

"I'm listening," she said, after waking up from his reverie. "Why don't you hate me? Why do you always say— "

“Bianca. I don't want to hear that question again, you got it?"

She lowered her head, clenching her fists even more. "Yes. I understand. I'll be home soon. "

Her phone calls were cut off. She pushed her smartphone away from her ear, took a quick glance at her smartphone before stuffing it into her jacket pocket. Reluctantly, she forced her leg, which now felt heavy, to step away, away from that place.

***

The sound of wooden sticks clashing against each other echoed in the basement practice room of the Pedrosa family residence.

"Very nice! Keep up your move, Bianca."

Erick Zhang—her mentor who was appointed by Theo to practice her fighting skills in preparation for becoming head of the Pedrosa family, brushed aside Bianca's attack. A satisfied smile was painted on the face of the man of Chinese descent when he saw her movement.

"I know!"

Bianca accelerated her attacks even further, aiming the tip of her wooden stick for the vital parts, but Erick always dodged her attacks. She took a few steps back, then sprinted at full speed, jumping and turning her body into the air, above the man. The stick she pointed behind managed to hit Erick's back. When she landed on her feet, she was caught off guard. Erick managed to take the opportunity to hit both legs, sending her crashing and losing her balance.

"Yes. Enough for today. There are still some gaps in your fighting style earlier, but it's much better. Just try to be more serious about your practice," Erick left her for a while, and returned with two bottles of isotonic drinks, giving them to her.

"Thanks," she said, taking the bottle and drinking it until it was half, then sitting on the floor. "If I rarely practice and my father finds out, surely the position will remain in Theo's hands."

Erick sat next to her and took a sip of her drink, raising an eyebrow. "That's why you always skip your training? I thought because you didn't like it so much the fact I was your coach. "

"How could it be? You're Theo's boyfriend. I already considered you as my own family," Bianca nudged Erick's arm. “I don't know why Theo doesn't hate me at all. Even though you know yourself, how does my family treat my brother."

"Easy," Erick stroked Bianca's head. "Because you never hated him. That's more than enough for him."

"Only that?"

Erick nodded, taking his hand away from Bianca's head. “What other reason is there besides that? If you want your brother to stay by your side, try to be serious."

“But…” Bianca looked at the bottle. "What if my brother would be dumped once I become head of the family?"

"Well, it will be your turn to protect him. When you officially become the head of the Pedrosa family, change those rigid rules. Your brother can't do it because of his position, but you can."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Besides, he still has me," Erick Zhang clenched his hands in front of his chest, getting ready to punch. “And I won't let anyone hurt your brother, just like you. Hence, try to change your playful attitude. "

"You're so nosy. It's up to me! Besides, I'm comfortable with the situation I am in now."

"As I thought, it's difficult talking to you," Erick shook his head, then moved from his place. “Better consider my words earlier. I heard there is a movement that wants to unite all supernatural beings to fight the dragon clan. Have you heard the news? "

Bianca's forehead frowned. "Absolutely not. Who is the leader? "

"William Schneider."

"Never heard of his name," Bianca moved from her place, following Erick who walked out of the room to the dressing room. "When did they start appearing?"

"It's been ten years ago, in Germany. They say they have arrived at this place. It's just a matter of time until war breaks out."

"War?"

"So don't keep playing around. You don't even know the news like this," Erick took off his clothes, then tapped Bianca's forehead. "And again, your dressing room is not here, Miss. Over there, in the woman's changing room!"

"Ouch! It hurts, you know!" Bianca stroked her throbbing forehead from Erick's tantrum. "It's more practical here."

"Ah, you starting again," Erick slung his towel over his shoulder, hands on his hips. The man's eyes then widened when he saw her began to take off her clothes. "Get out, dummy! How come you still doing it here?!”

"Hey, so lousy!" grumbled Bianca. "I just took off my clothes and you already screamed. Besides, I'm still wearing my undershirt! It's still safe, you know!"

"Your brother will beat me up if I let you change your clothes here. Get out!"

“Arrgh! Yes yes! Gosh, having a brother-in-law so nosy like you!" Bianca frowned, picked up the clothes she had put on the shelf earlier, then walked out of the men's changing room. "I'm moving now! Satisfied!?"

"I'm just telling you the truth! Why are you angry!?"

Bianca stuck her tongue, slammed the door to the room. With a heavy heart, she was forced to enter the women's changing room. Taking off her clothes one by one, then entered the shower room. Soaking her whole body with hot running water, giving a relaxing sensation to her tense muscles.

Her head looked up, aimed the showerhead at her face and closed her eyes. Ten years ago? For this, she had to admit Erick's words. She played around too often until she did not know about the Schneider movement that had appeared ten years ago. This means that the movement appeared sometime after the attack incident that Veronica experienced as a child— according to what Febrina told her, Veronica's older sister at the first time she visited Veronica's house when she was in high school.

Indeed, since a long time ago, the vampire and wolf clans have always taken issue with the dragon clan attitude of always looking for trouble. This month alone there have been several members of the Pedrosa clan who were seriously injured after doing their best to restrain the people from the dragon clan who ventured into Pedrosa's territory, thinking that their great position did not require permission. Really arrogant. Even though she knew, the new leader of the dragon clan was a very low-profile type, even though he never appeared to public. She only learned the news from Theo when he attended a meeting held by the new dragon clan leader.

What was his name, huh? She forgot. All she remembered was the first letter, K. When her brother explained the results of the meeting held last year, she was busy replying to a message from one of her girlfriends, so she did not pay attention to what his brother said.

Well, she hated the dragon clan, but she was reluctant to have to fight against them. Indeed, the idea of ​​uniting all the clans to battle against the dragon clan seemed a little tantalizing, considering how arrogant they had been. But she was not sure it would be a good thing. In terms of strength, it was clear that those who fought the dragon clan would lose. Then how will the Schneider group move to defeat the dragon that was known to be strong? Combining all those powers would not be enough against the dragon clan. That one dragon could defeat thousands of humans in the past, what if all groups of supernatural beings unite? Impossible.

Her hand moved to turn the shower knob, turning off the water. She grabbed a towel that was nearby, then went out. Put on the spare clothes she brought, then sat on the bench in front of the locker. Her hands rested on her thighs, forming a pyramid. Her mind was fixed on what Veronica had said earlier, while still in class.

"There were a few vampires who came to my apartment today."

Her high school best friend who found out her identity yesterday—thanks to an annoying man named Stephen Laurent—told her about the vampires who came to her best friend's apartment. Hearing what her friend said, she was very sure that they were not from the Pedrosa family. Especially from what her brother said, it seemed that the vampires had bad intentions.

There was a knock on the door from outside, interrupting her reverie in an instant.

“Bianca? Are you finished?" Erick shouted from outside. His tone sounded exasperated as he called out to her. Her feeling suddenly became uneasy. Hurriedly she ran out of the door to open the locker room, toward Erick.

"What's wrong?"

Her eyes noticed Erick's trembling hand, holding his smartphone. "Theo. He called me earlier ... "

"Theo?" she didn't flinch, waiting for Erick's words. "So, what's wrong? Did something happen—"

"Theo's in the hospital now," Erick managed to calm himself down. "But that's not the case. What I'm saying right now isn't good news for you."

"What?"

“Your mother died. Killed by a group of vampires who defected to the Schneider group."

Her body felt limp. She took a few steps back from Erick. Her vision blurred at once. After that, she did not remember anything else.

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