After meeting Haylia they turned their attention to the little girls in Lotus and Lana’s arms. Both the women were grinning in elation seeing Siroos and Cassandra return.
Cassandra’s heart fully melted seeing the tiny heads, one with midnight black hair and other with light golden. The small paws seemed so sticking out from the woollen blankets they had been wrapped in.
"Come see these dolls of happiness," Lotus ushered them close. Although the girls were twins they had different features.
Cassandra rushed to embrace a very tired but delighted Lana while Siroos accepted one of the baby girl’s from Lotus.
"So proud of you girl. How are you doing?" Cassandra rubbed Lana’s back, filling her heart with joy.
"Congratulations Lana," Siroos offered while gently cradling the little bundle in his arms.
"Thank you, it has been a blessed journey. Here." Lana handed over the little girl who seemed to be sleeping like a tiny angel in a yellow blanket to Cassandra.
"Aww!" Cassandra took her in her arms and gently rocked her. Placing her lips and nose on her scalp she kissed the side of her tiny head gently.
Siroos was rocking the other one in his big burly arms, she appeared like a little butterfly in his hold.
"She is like a furball," Siroos cooed, observing her tightly clenched little fists as she watched him with her soft brown eyes.
"They are the heart and soul of me," Ranon answered, touching his daughter’s small nose. The ladies observed how delicately Siroos handled the little one.
"Many more children to come," Siroos commented, rubbing the tip of his thumb on her fragile head.
"It’s your and Cassandra’s turn now," Lotus openly teased with a wink making Siroos’s head snap towards her.
He meaningfully said. "Firstly it’s going to be the exchange of vows between you and Razial. Also Faris and Aiko’s bonding ceremony, so get ready."
Cassandra and Lana giggled, Haylia approved with a hearty nod, seeming overly pleased.
Lotus stood up and straightened her frilly rose pink dress. "Oh! I am ready. I have even chosen the colour and style for my dress. I was waiting for the two of you."
"We have a lot to reveal. Let’s talk over dinner and fill each other in." Siroos handed the little one back to Ranon. They all agreed there was so much needed to be revealed. Ranon handed the little girl back to his mama.
Men left the chamber with Haylia. Siroos wished to speak with the elders.
Cassandra was still rocking the other twin in her arm and asked.
"Thought of any names yet?"
"Actually, we did. This one here is Ara, in the memory of our loving Ara. While the one you are holding in your arms is Asara, named after the goddess of love who changed our lives forever," Lana answered with a meaningful smile making Cassandra feel all the emotions down to her soul.
Lotus hummed in agreement.
"That’s very thoughtful. I can’t wait to see how our little girls grow up and become this amazing woman." She watched the sleeping girl in her arms who had light golden hair just like hers as if the sand had taken residence in them.
"You have been our light, Nissa. It’s time for you to become blessed." Lana said while rocking little Ara in her arms.
Kissing her soft forehead Cassandra laid her back alongside Lana, letting her sleep. Both mother and the kids needed to rest.
"We will let you catch up with some sleep." Lotus covered Lana and the girls with a blanket letting them sleep a while before exiting her chamber and closing the door behind them.
Once they resumed walking Lotus spoke in disappointment.
"Did you meet our beloved sister? Can you imagine her audacity? She attacked with a vampire army."
Cassandra let out air through her nose in an act of derision.
"I gave her a befitting ending. She will no longer torment anyone again, especially the weak."
Lotus paused slightly in her steps and Cassandra turned towards her sister.
"What did you do, Cass?"
The younger sister took the arm of her older sister and urged her to keep walking as she revealed everything that had transpired, from her visit to the moon to Axiom and then Stephanie.
"She will become an appropriate pet for the goddess of jealousy. Both are oppressors, who enjoy tormenting others." Cassandra shrugged her shoulders while upturning her lips.
Lotus was in a state of awe for how much her sister had accomplished.
"I never doubted you and Stephanie had it coming. She was always slightly crazy but now she was literally unhinged. Sad that father lost mother and all his daughters as well." Lotus shook her head, her pretty hair bounced on her slim shoulders.
Cassandra had thought of visiting her father but there was no point now. The man had no spine and now he would be left alone without an heir or loyal commander by his side.
"One decision affected so many lives. Maybe in future when I will feel a bit more forgiving, I might grant him a visit but for now all I want to do is plan your and Faris’s ceremony. Come, we must find Aiko."
Both sisters sped up. Being the Luna of the pack, Cassandra had a whole lot of responsibilities.
They met numerous pack members along the way, men respectfully bowed while women happily hugged Cassandra.
Then they heard a shout.
"You are back. Faris just told me." They saw Aiko rushing towards them with cheeks blossoming like pink flowers. Her expression one of sheer joy to see the sisters. Faris had informed her of their return.
She gleefully embraced Cassandra and almost jumped up and down in excitement.
"I am. Now it’s time to celebrate. Let’s plan your ceremonies."
Aiko crossed her arm with Cassandra and walked with a joyful skip in her step which was so akin to her mate.
"I want a blue dress and have a design in my mind."
"Show me, Aiko."
They headed towards the seamstress so the dresses could be explained before they headed over for the supper and the announcement for the pack.