Reborn As Cursed Alpha's Mate-Chapter 87: The Festival

Such an affectionate smile graced Siroos’s lips at his mate’s innocent question.

"Of course! They would love to meet you. Tonight, after the celebration, you can spend time with them. As much as you want," Siroos happily answered; the smile made his eyes crinkle at the sides, and the hardened contours of his face smoothened out.

How handsome he looked when he smiled so affectionately at her.

Cassandra returned that smile, "I am looking forward to it."

Siroos placed one arm under her knees and the other behind her back, picking her up. Cassandra hooked her arms around his neck and leaned her head on his hard chest. He safely carried her to the wash area and gently placed her in the bathtub, containing cold water.

"Let’s get you ready for the celebration," Siroos winked with a deliberate grin, getting inside the bathtub with her. Cassandra could only shake her head, knowing what he meant.

***

By the time Siroos had donned Cassandra in the baby pink gown he had brought, the celebration drums had already started to sound. Meaning the guests were expected to arrive soon.

Picking up the hair accessory adorned with gold flowers Siroos placed them in Cassandra’s hair and smoothened them with his hands. There was a wildness about them which his hands had tamed for the moment.

The jewellery set he had brought now proudly decorated her slim neck, finger and wrist.

"You look beautiful, my Malakti. Give me the honour of introducing you to the guests for tonight." Siroos expectantly extended his bent arm and Cassandra took it with a dazzling smile.

"I appreciate you dressing me up and I love this gown and the jewellery. Let’s do it." Cassandra gave her approval as they walked out.

Sirros had chosen gold and red apparel and the gold-plated armlets Cassandra had gifted him. He wore them with pride for they were a gift from his Luna.

The torches had been lit as the area around the oasis was prepared for the celebrations. The festive music rippled through the air, making everyone’s heart dance in glee.

Multi-coloured ribbons hung from threads. The celebration drums were beating as people were dancing with tankards in their hands and flowers in their hair.

Different stalls had been set up, including skewered meat cooked on charcoal and wood, alcohol, perfumes, bangles, dates, dried saffron spice, pottery with gaudy colours painted on them and beautiful baskets hand woven from jute (another speciality of people of Dusartine.)

Whoever wished to purchase any of the items could do it. The pack flourished as people from different packs gathered and bought the stuff.

It was a merry atmosphere, the laughter and claps filled the night air. It was slightly less warm in the evening now that they had entered November. The nights were pleasantly cool.

"Here!" Siroos handed a small brown pouch to Cassandra and she stared up at him with questions in her eyes.

"For purchasing whatever you feel like. It’s your allowance," he explained and Cassandra accepted it with grateful eyes. Tears almost brimmed in them; she had never expected him to give her money to spend.

She went on to buy some bangles and two jute baskets. The elderly women were overjoyed to offer it for free to their Luna and Alpha. But Cassandra insisted on paying.

"Let me!" Siroos extended his hand and asked for the gold-coloured bangles.

Cassandra handed them to him. Taking her dainty wrist in his large, rough hand, which almost engulfed it, Siroos craftily slipped the bangles onto her arm. A small crowd had gathered to watch their Alpha place bangles on their Luna. It was a very popular tradition of their pack, the one men took pride in performing.

The crowd rejoiced when the last of the bangle made its way onto Cassandra’s arm and she jiggled it. The slow tinkling sound of the bangles was soothing for the ear and Siroos couldn’t help but smile seeing the bangles on her.

"I love them," Cassandra declared in awe while Siroos took her hand and whisked her off.

Faris was busy dancing with Ara and drinking wine; a group of teetering girls with hearts in their eyes surrounded him, seeking his attention and it seemed like he was entertaining all of them. Just like Cassandra all of them wore bangles purchased by Faris.

Haylia was in deep talks with Elder Ghala; he had taken the seat Walan had vacated and was in charge of the decision-making. Walan was nowhere to be seen. After his sacking, he had been keeping a low profile and avoiding the Alpha at all costs. He very much wanted to keep his head attached to his body.

Lana and Ranon were lost in each other’s arms. She had a beautiful yellow flower in her hair which Ranon had placed there. They didn’t have eyes for anyone else.

"Alpha! Luna!" Everyone bowed respectfully seeing them approach. Cassandra acknowledged them with her warm smile while Siroos offered curt nods.

Ranon and Lana finally scrambled towards them, coming out of their bubble as one of the eagle warriors mind-linked them.

"Alpha Argant and his Luna are arriving," Ranon urgently spoke while Lana’s eyes lit up seeing how beautiful Cassandra looked.

She winked at Cassandra, understanding that their Alpha had done a stellar job with her. Cassandra shyly smiled in return.

"We will receive them," Siroos said, guiding his mate forward so they could welcome them. Alpha Argant was a close acquaintance to Siroos, as close as one could call a friend.

A majestic carriage of cream and gold shades appeared, being dragged by four majestic beasts called Grydions. They looked like rhinoceros but were leaner and faster in speed. Their hide was thick, and their legs were long.

The guards riding camels flanked the carriage on the left and right side. The sand grains dusted the air as the carriage screeched to a halt.

Cassandra was astonished to see Grydions. They seemed like such grand creatures.

The guards stepped down from their camels and threw the carriage door open. Out stepped Alpha Argant and his Luna Simala, hand in hand and bright smiles adorning their faces.

Alpha Argant was tall and muscular, like Siroos but lacked the mass. He was wearing a long white and cream-shaded robe with gold embroidery. His head was decorated with a very elegant turban, its tail rested on his broad shoulder. His skin was sandy in hue.

His Luna wore a bright yellow flowing gown with cinched at her waist, revealing her curvy figure. Her hair was braided and held together by fancy hair clips; her bright brown eyes had a soft feel to them and that smile she wore reflected in them.

"Alpha Siroos!" Alpha Argant spread his arms and embraced his friend with a pleasant smile.

"Glad you made it, Argant," Siroos said with as much enthusiasm as he could muster.

"I wouldn’t miss it for the heck of it," Argant boisterously laughed.

While Luna Simala was graciously greeted by Cassandra.

"I hope you had a pleasant journey. Welcome to the lands of Dusartine." Cassandra held her hands.

"It’s an honour to be here and meet you. Alpha Siroos is the most powerful Alpha in the South and we were excited to see him find his mate," Luna Simala gently squeezed Cassandra’s hands. She was mesmerised by her beauty. The girl with golden hair was so different from the people of the South; a true Northern, she seemed.

"Luna Cassandra! Believe me, we never thought we would see the day when someone who could tame Siroos would enter his life. But we were always hopeful that he would find his mate," Argant reverently answered, patting Siroos’s hardback, earning an annoyed grunt from him.

Cassandra shyly smiled with a slight blush appearing on her cheeks.

"Come! Let’s talk with some wine and meat," Siroos invited them forward.

Soon they settled on the mats with round pillows and cushions. Colourful tents covered them. The servers served them fine wine, platters of charcoaled roasted meat and dates.

"How are you coping with desert life? It’s quite different from the North, where winters have snow," Simala said, taking a small sip of the wine.

"It’s a very different experience, but this is my home now, and I am learning something new every day," Cassandra answered, plucking a date from the pile and splitting it open.

Simala nodded in approval and was touched that Cassandra had adapted so quickly.

"It’s strange but a blessing too that the year you were supposed to host the Luna trials, you were blessed with a mate. Will Luna Cassandra be taking part in it?" Argant inquired and Siroos stole a cursory glance towards his mate before speaking.

"Yes! But this time the rules will be slightly different. I have spoken to the Elders, and they will hold talks with the Elders of all the participating packs. Since Cassandra is not a shifter, the shifting segment where Lunas are supposed to hunt in their werewolf form will not be a part of it."

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