Mission Avoidance

Karaoke And Then Some...

The Bachelor party went on through the night and broke up shortly before the sun started its morning ascension. It was a very peaceful feeling.

Today was their last chance to perfect the amulet and glamour. While it was so good that even Cameron didn't recognize his own fated mate, Eliza, Penny and Lana had noticed Wyatt, Wendy's older brother snooping around their boat and William made it all too obvious he had recognized Wendy.

They hoped it was simply because they were family and Wendy's little mannerisms gave her away instead of her scent or aura. They already had to modify Cheska's a lot since her aura and scent are more powerful because of her lineage.

A lot of wicked people would go after supernaturals who come from good families. They can profit more, be it from selling them for their genes or even holding them for ransom. There are even some sick enough to collect them like they are art pieces and keep them as slaves. Others still go the extra mile in depravity and try to "breed" them like they would livestock...

If the amulet and glamour could completely conceal Cheska, they would feel more at ease. It could mean the safety of the youngsters who could not yet control their auras or ones who are in puberty where their scents and hormones are going all over the place.

Tomorrow, Cheska will have to officially "rush home for a family emergency" and she will be mingling with all of the guests. Lana hoped that her being undetected by even the highest ranking wolves and faes spelled success in their little project and they can distribute the plethora of locally sourced accessories that they have enchanted before mass production and distribution of the specially designed ones are ready.

So far, nobody suspected anything save for Lola Sherry. She probably told her close friend Grandma Cornelia about the project too. The latter had enlisted the help of some local shamans in Siquijor to help strengthen the barrier around Engkanto and the Fuentes estate turning it into a makeshift shelter.

Attending Eliza's grand wedding ceremony was the perfect excuse for everyone to gather . Lamanok Island was also a very welcome bonus.

Rajah Amihan, Rajah Alon's older brother is a long time friend of the Fuentes' and Salvatores. He is also a local chieftain, guardian and deity. And the grudge he held against the Hunters grew to bigger proportions each year.

There was no end to their greed. First it was just the fish, to eat, for food. Then they killed for sport. From the tiniest minnows to the majestic Butanding Whale sharks. They even manage to lay their filthy hands on siren children and innocent human children from the local fisherfolk. They've murdered parents to steal their children and destroyed corals depriving a lot of creatures their home.

He could not wait to vent his anger but for now, he was just a little relieved that Eliza made powerful friends overseas who had somehow successfully managed to create a temporary solution to protect their kind while everybody worked on a more permanent one.

His brother, Alon, could not stop gushing about the two Fae sisters from Ireland and group "baby" Cheska, who doesn't seem to do anything but snack all day.

Amihan laughed inwardly. He had heard about Cheska, Francesca Hadelund from Sherry and Tony. She is the young, elusive CEO of Hadelund Holdings who was a child prodigy.

While nobody had seen her in actual combat, it was rumored that her skills could rival her brother, Alpha Frederick. What she lacked in physical strength, she more than made up for in speed and precision. His brother Alon had no clue their glutton "baby bunso" is the deadliest of the bunch.

"So what's the plan ?" he asked Alon.

"Karaoke baby !" his brother answered gleefully.

Islanders love their music. Amihan loved to believe it was because of the siren blood mixed between the land dwellers and sirens throughout the centuries. He knows he is biased, of course, but for him, there is no other island in the archipelago that are prettier nor better singers as a group.

There has been a handful of famous singers that claim their roots from Bohol. Even a choir from a small town upriver, the Loboc Children's Choir, did some international rounds. He couldn't be more proud !

"Do you know if it's going to be another of those betting parties ? " Alon asked.

" Probably not. " Amihan shrugged nonchalantly.

Everybody knows nobody can outsing a siren. An tipsy island siren even worse. It will be a good show for onlookers but nobody will be getting any sleep for days as they have the stamina and competitive drive to get going. Or until they get sobered up enough anyway.

He decided to make his rounds when he caught sight of Lana and Penny. He has yet to meet them in person but has always admired the work that they did. Now that they were here and helping out his kinfolks, he wouldn't mind getting better acquainted.

It couldn't hurt that these beauties were a feast to the eyes. Sirens are inherently beautiful but these two can give any siren a run for their money. And it wasn't because they were wearing any glamour either. Those glamour spells don't work on deities as they are immune.

Dinner was more scrumptious than the norm and Cheska felt sorry that she had to leave in a few days. This island life is really growing on her. Save for the crow of the morning roosters, but that can easily be remedied.

If she ever built herself an island getaway, it will be here, on this island. Maybe not as close to the sea, since she prefers the jungle and mountain scenery better. She even toyed with the idea of building a large enough greenhouse for the cute Tarsiers to help rehabilitate their numbers. She found them the cutest in the creepiest sort of way.

After dinner, she ducked in for a quick change into a comfy shirt and shorts. Tonight will be the last chance they get to tweak their enchantments and tomorrow, hopefully, they will be distributing the enchanted accessories as gifts.

She had already sent Yiyi and Marina to Cebu, the neighboring island . It was right next door to Bohol and is dubbed "The Queen City of the South". She needed them away for their plan to work but also wanted some insight on logistics if she wanted to expand her business in Bohol. She wouldn't mind investing in the local cottage industry. Some of the artisans are really gifted with their hands.

Of course, the fact that even with Cebu's proximity to Bohol, they boasted of different treats was not lost on Cheska. She planned to sample everything she could until she left the country. With both of her girls there, she was assured there will be a small feast waiting for her in their suite once she finished her business with the prototypes.

She found the rest of their little group in one of the secluded bars in the Engkanto resort. She still can't help giggle when the name "Engkanto" was explained to her. It meant "Fairy" in the local dialect. Talk about hiding in plain sight.

On her way over, she ran into Babaylan Tamblot. He is another guardian deity but of the hills and mountains. He was made famous by the rebellion he led against the Spaniards a couple hundred years back but was soundly defeated after 40 or so years.

He is a big mountain of a man, easily towering over 6ft tall. He had very well defined muscles and his tribal ink looked sinfully and suggestively sexy. Although he is easily hundreds of years old as an immortal, he doesn't look a day older than 24.

Cheska smiled up at him as he grinned back at her. She remembered that he had sent over specially grown murado bananas for her and Yiyi after she mentioned to Lola Sherry how much she loved them.

"Salamat sa saging, Babaylan." Thank you for the bananas, Babaylan. She said in her newly learned Bisaya.

She saw his grin widen as he pulled her into a hug. "Way sapayan Inday !" You're welcome little one.

She has always been a quick study when it came to languages and Bisaya came to her easier than most. Whatever it was, she was grateful. She had met so many people during her stay in Anda that she felt she gained a whole new clan.

Now she somewhat understood the joking comments about Filipinos and how everyone is "related". In fact, she felt a little jealous of her two part Filipino friends Wendy and Eliza. Not that she didn't have a whole pack back home to call family, but somehow, the dynamic and warmth of her adopted clan on this side of the world is something else.

Stateside, most of their employees gave her a wide berth as the young heiress and CEO. Their pack was slightly better, but because she grew up as an Alpha's daughter with Alpha bloodline on both side, she didn't have many friends growing up.

In fact, her little group from their university days are her closest friends who knew Cheska as a person, not as CEO Hadelund or Miss Hadelund. The only place she can really let lose and let all pretenses go, outside of her immediate family of course.

Screeching was in full swing when she finally got inside. She found Lana belting out some Mariah Carey song that she's murdered beyond belief. Siobhan beside her was studying the little binder for the list of songs while Eliza and Cam were lost in their own little world nestled together.

Cheska smiled to herself. Maybe someday she can be that blissful when her fated mate comes along. Who knows. She's not searching but if he shows up and turns up halfway decent, she might just give it a chance.

"ahhh Joey, the scum of the earth..." Lux all but snickered.

"oh shut up you useless wolf ! " she parried playfully "you could've warned me of all the strange smells of the slutty girls he's been with you know, superior nose and all"

Lux snorted then huffed, Cheska can't help but giggle inwardly. She caught sight of Wendy who was waving her over desperately and she felt a wave of gratefulness pass through her. Yes, she was indeed very blessed.

"Do you have a song in mind, babe?" Wendy asked. Cheska gave her a hug and snuggled. Wendy is like her oldest sister of the bunch and boy had she missed her the last couple of years.

They had talked of her visiting Wendy's pack or Wendy visiting hers but after the whole Joey fiasco and her decision to "find herself", she was just grateful to be able to regularly videocall her girls.

"Did you run into your favorite Fae when you were in Siquijor? " she whispered quietly. Wendy's expression saddened. "He's in PMA and won't be back for another couple of years. "

Cheska regretted asking. Wendy is single for all intents and purposes but she has been trapped in this unrequited love for too long. She took a swig of her friend's drink and promptly went into a coughing fit. "Ewwww Wendy ! What in Goddess' name is that ? "

" Bahalina" Wendy told her with a wink before everyone around her erupted in loud guffaws.

She shook her head . Guess that settles that. She started to make her way to the bar wanting something minty, just to get the weird vinegary taste out of her mouth. She still had a whole handful of Stork eucalyptus candy that she stole from Marina. That should do in a pinch.

-------

Wyatt and Will found themselves with the local guardians Alon, Amihan and Tamblot at the bar with a handful of Eliza's cousins. The place itself was tucked away in the far corner of the resort and was equipped with a Karaoke machine.

The singers progressively got bolder as the night wore on and more alcohol was poured. Penny and Lana, Wendy's favorite "Witchy Bitches " were so hammered but still managed a decent rendition of "Tell him" by Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand. It seemed like they were singing it specially for her.

No doubt just teasing her about her long time crush and unrequited love. A cute little cherubic girl was draped all over Wendy and both of them were whispering intimately. Then, the girl grabbed Wendy's drink, took a swig and sputtered like she was just poisoned. Instead of being concerned, their group erupted in raucous laughter.

Wyatt saw her head toward the bar and was shocked as he took in her appearance. He never went for blondes but he can't seem to take his eyes off of this one. Then it hit him again, that sweet smell of mint and lavender with something floral mixed in there. It was intoxicating and his wolf screamed in his mind. "MATE ! THAT'S OUR MATE ! CLAIM HER QUICK "

He quickly drained his own drink and ordered another to have an excuse to strike up a conversation. He didn't expect her to be so quick that they almost collided as he turned. He reached out to steady her and saw the most mesmerizing blue eyes with golden specks in them.

"Thanks !" she murmured, gazing into his emerald green orbs. She felt a few jolts of electric shock from where his hand was still on the small of her back and subconsciously took a deep breath. Eucalyptus and lemongrass, her favorite combo in all the world. She wished she could ask for the name of his cologne then felt silly a split second later.

Could this be her mate ? the intoxicating scent, the sense of utter safety in his arms, the sparks she felt from his bare skin and this irresistible urge to kiss him.

With all her will power, she escaped from his grasp, grabbed her drinks, a mojito and an appletini, and headed back to her group.

Nevermind that her heart pounded like it was going to leap out of her chest, or the fact that Lux was hopping around doing a sexy slutty happy dance in her head. Of all the rotten luck, she had to meet her mate like this, in these circumstances, while she was in a few layers of enchantment and glamour. Would he even be able to see her true face or smell her true scent ?

She felt so sad as realization dawned on her. Would he still be able to sense the mate bond ? and if he did, what did he see ? does he see the one that the glamour spells adjusted just for him? or did he see someone else entirely ? Or Maybe, the glamour spells did not affect him at all. Either way, we can always ask Eliza after the wedding when things settled down.

Then, another thought occurred to her. With all these enchanted jewelry and glamour, was she really seeing his real appearance ? or does glamour this strong and complex also made her see something else.