Ara and Cassandra began to slowly stroll towards the training arena. Cassandra had on a knee-length sheath dress so she could easily train.
Ara was silent, that chirpy personality and the twinkle in her eyes was missing.
"What is it, Ara? I have observed you have been awfully quiet," Cassandra softly asked and Ara lowered her eyes, trying to hide the pain that dwelled there.
"I know I shouldn’t look desperate, but recently, I think I do."
"What makes you say that? Can you elaborate for me? I am sure we can figure out the solution together," Cassandra asked while watching the beautiful girl from the side of her eyes.
"I have tried to find my mate, Nissa.
I swear– I have. Every event that has been held, I have searched for him till my eyes dry, but I am tired, and Sera Faris is like that soothing balm which heals my wounded heart," she answered, then hesitated and stopped with a blush creeping up on her tanned cheeks.
"Go on, I am listening and it will remain between us. Don’t be afraid I won’t even share this with your Alpha. I take my Luna duties very seriously, and it is my duty to ensure all my females are well-cared for."
It gave Ara strength and she began to speak again with a slight nod.
"Sera Faris gives me tons of gifts, brings me flowers, tells me funny stories, and makes me laugh. But he does that to many other females as well who haven’t found their mates. We all know he just does it to keep us happy and hopeful that one day we will find our mates as well. He isn’t mine but..."
Ara stared ahead with her chest heaving and Cassandra placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and completed her sentence for her.
"But you have begun to catch feelings and it makes you jealous when he gives attention to others, especially how he was with my sister for the last three days."
Ara sadly nodded her head, and her heart ached.
"I am not a jealous person, Nissa and I am not Kela. What she did horrified us all but she was always a jealous snake. I don’t want to be consumed like that when he finds his mate. I know he is not mine to keep but I don’t know what to do."
Tears leaked out from the sides of Ara’s eyes and Cassandra had to halt. Placing both her hands around Ara’s shoulders she hugged the trembling girl, slowly rubbing her back.
Ara wailed in her Nissa’s arms.
"It’s alright, let it all out. Don’t let this consume you, Ara," Cassandra consoled.
She gave her time, letting her quiet down. Cassandra understood it was all part of the curse that they couldn’t even find their mates most of the time and were led to either indulge in relationships with other people than their mates or lead a loveless life.
There was no easy way around this and she wished to change it, by any means possible.
Once Ara had stabilised a bit, Cassandra let her go but kept her hand on her shoulder.
"Lonely life is not easy, Ara. I am sure Faris feels the same way; inside his heart, he craves for his mate, too, like you. He just has his way of dealing with it because of his nature. He doesn’t like to show his vulnerable side to anyone. So to fill that gap, he keeps this flirty happy visage with everyone. He teases and jokes. All I can wish for is that both of you can find your mates soon."
"What if we never do?" Ara disheartenedly questioned.
"Then I will personally speak to Faris to take you on as his chosen mate. That’s my promise to you," Cassandra brightly smiled at Ara, making her forget all her weariness. The moment was almost magical as love seeped into her heart and made her forget all that heaviness wearing her down.
"Oh! Nissa, I wish I could kiss you right now. Will you really do that for me?" Ara almost jumped in the air.
"Yes! I will. As his sister-in-law, it’s my duty to give him the best advice and this is the best one," Cassandra answered, shocking herself. She had reached a position and a point where she was ready to make such decisions.
Both of them finally resumed walking; Ara’s heart was light as a feather now, for hope had been ignited inside it.
Reaching the training arena, Cassandra gave her permission to return. Striding forward she reached the point where Siroos was.
Hanging on a high bar, the hulking male was doing push-ups, his back facing her. His sandy-shaded body was glistening under the golden rays of the sun. The droplets of sweat were streaming down the sinewy grooves of his muscles. Like a river running through a ravine.
The muscles rippled, they flexed and relaxed.
The scent of sage hit her like a cyclone and she was lost in staring at her mate, her mouth watered at the delicious sight in front of her.
"Malakti! Come forward." Sensing her eyes on his back he called her forward.
Trotting ahead, she went onto stand in front of him and a generous smile appeared on his face. He let go of the bar and perfectly landed on his feet in front of her.
"You took your time. Faris’s shenanigans got to Ara?" He asked, straightening up and dusting his hands.
"Privilege talk, sorry can’t share," Cassandra added with a slight shrug and pout of her lips.
Siroos stepped closer and wrapped her in his big muscled arm, bringing her head closer to his lips, he placed a tender kiss there.
"I expect nothing less from you. Thank you, for not ratting us out to Lotus as well. I know you could have shared every detail with your sister but you didn’t."
Cassandra’s heart pained as if a splinter had been pierced in it. It was always going to be a sour topic for her.
"I didn’t do it for you, Siro. I did it for her. There was no point in saddening her with something she had no control over. Don’t fuck me over though. Remember your promise. You touch another woman is the day I will leave."