Reborn As Cursed Alpha's Mate-Chapter 26: Arriving In Dusartine

The Lands of Dusartine were vast with rugged terrain characterised by its harsh climate. The scorching sun shone mercilessly on the ochre-coloured earth and gold-shaded sand during the day. While nights brought a sharp drop in temperature and howling winds.

It was interspersed with towering sand dunes, which occasionally shifted with winds. The monumental rock formations provided natural shelters. These formations were often riddled with caves and tunnels, some of which served as the entrances to Siroos’s shifter clan.

Most of their dwellings were inside these caves or underground in the vast natural area.

It was cool which shielded them from the sun and other predators that lurked in the sands of Dusartine.

Some stone houses had been built along the biggest oasis that lay outside their main dwelling.

The ’Lunar Mirror’, as the oasis was called, a sacred place for the shifter pack. It was surrounded by palm trees on three sides. Totem poles with the symbol of Dusartine Pack carved on them and large magical crystals had been erected in between these trees to keep away the enemy and other creatures.

Behind the oasis lay the saffron fields which served as the main livelihood of the people of Dusartine.

The whole Shifter clan had gathered outside to welcome their Alpha and future Luna. One of the men who was accompanying Siroos was an Eagle shifter. So he had shifted and flown ahead to inform their people that Alpha would be arriving soon.

Everyone impatiently waited as the stillness of the evening was disrupted by the galloping of the horses across the desert. Their hooves pounded the sunbaked earth, sending clouds of golden grains spiralling into the air.

The dry, gritty particles scattered in all directions getting caught in the last embers of the dying sun. Dust trails marked their path, lingering in the wake of their passage before slowly drifting back to the ground. The desert announced its arrival before reclaiming its stillness.

Siroos’s obsidian beast was in the lead as he pulled the reins and the stallion raised its front legs in the air before dramatically bringing them down and halted, neighing loudly.

Siroos cast a devoted look at his people and raised his fist in the air and shouted.

"Nissa huna! (Luna is here)."

The thick crowd of almost naked bodies went into a frenzy seeing their Alpha return and hearing the announcement. Men mostly wore loincloths around their private regions held by all kinds of belts, depending on their rank. From gold to silver to simple brown leather and animal hide.

Women wore lighter fabrics and were more clothed than men. Some adorned knee-length dresses of very light material while others used animal hides.

Almost all of them had bronzed skin, the colour of the sand below their feet.

In front stood some older women and men of their clan with satisfied smiles twisting their faces. They were the elders of the pack, the most respected people. They made the rules and ensured they were followed by all, including their unruly Alpha.

Prominent amidst them was an elegant woman with beautiful chestnut-shaded hair that had been adorned with beads and desert flowers. She held two small garlands adorned with desert marigolds and saffron, native to Dusartine.

Other horses filed behind Siroos, and the carriage containing Cassandra halted behind him, too.

The frenzied shouts dimmed to whispers of anticipation as everyone tried to stand on the tips of their toes to take a look at their Nissa. Siroos dismounted his stallion and patted him for bearing him through this difficult journey.

His Gamma stepped forward and bowed, taking the reins of the stallion.

"Alpha! Welcome back to the lands."

"It’s an honour to return," Siroos gleefully stated, making his way towards the carriage. He wasn’t sure if Cassandra had chosen to wear the gown he had offered her earlier.

Faris had dismounted his steed as well and held the door open.

Siroos approached and waited for Cassandra to appear in the doorway with a frantic heart. His awaiting eyes darted to the open space and she poked her head out, dressed in the gown he had gifted her.

Their eyes met, violet mingled with the sandy gold.

Beats of his heart turned erratic as he extended his hand and offered his palm for her to take. Her soft hand landed in his and his rough fingers bent and curled up against hers.

Sparks like fireflies erupted where their hands connected and they fluttered not only around their skin but in their bellies as well.

He carefully guided her down, the crowd held their breaths, craned their necks and stood mesmerised as Siroos raised Cassandra’s hand. They enraptured in the deafening sounds of their victorious howls and growls that pierced the silent evening.

Cassandra raised her curious gaze and took in his people. Tanned glistening skin, dark hair, layers and layers of muscles and expectant eyes.

What they expected from her was foreign to her for now.

Siroos guided her forward towards a woman in her mid-fifties, holding garlands. She was affectionately smiling at the approaching couple. Wearing a gold silk gown among the others, it showed Cassandra she held a high rank.

The noise died down as Siroos raised his free fist while stopping in front of the woman. She said in a very calming but shrewd voice.

"Siroos, my son. The gods have blessed you." Siroos bowed his head in front of her and she placed the garland around his neck.

"Mother!" He uttered with respect and raised his head. Letting Cassandra’s hand go he took the hand of his mother and placed a small kiss on its back.

"May I present, my mate. Cassandra LeBlanc," he reverently stated.

His mother’s wisdom-filled eyes were already focused on his mate. While Cassandra observed her appearance was striking, her features sharp just like her son’s and were framed by dark, flowing hair that seemed to move with a life of its own.

"What a pretty little mate you have been blessed with. Welcome to Dusartine." Her words held this sharp edginess to them, which Cassandra felt in her bones, and they hinted at her quick wit.

Stepping forward she placed the garland around a very bewildered Cassandra. Who was still trying not to panic being around so many unfamiliar people?

And now she had been thrust right in front of Siroos’s mother. She wasn’t even sure what to call her so she sufficed.

"Thank you! For your kindness."

"Haylia. You can address me as Luna Haylia."

Vera was the title for former Luna or any adult female who belonged to a high rank. Since Siroos didn’t have a mate, his mother was currently handling all the pack affairs. Therefore, she still held Luna’s status in the pack but the way she had said it had Cassandra’s mind whirling in many directions.

While Siroos was busy introducing his mate to his mother and other elders of the pack, a jealous pair of eyes were following his every move from afar and then they narrowed at Cassandra.

’Siroos is mine, in flesh and in heart. Let’s see how long you last, Cassandra,’ she spoke slowly but in spite so only the two girls standing beside her could hear.

Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.co(m) for the b𝘦st novel reading experience