Haylia’s expression slightly soured at her son’s words. Since she was the one who had taken the initiative to place the black line on Cassandra, she took it personally.
Cassandra was an unmarked female and there was nothing wrong with following the tradition that their whole pack did.
"Cassandra is still unmarked, so it was appropriate to follow the tradition," Haylia addressed her son, but in a very subtle and quiet tone. She didn’t let any of her disapproval reflect in her voice.
Siroos, who was lost in staring at his mate, tore his eyes away and turned to face his mother.
"Ma, I understand. But I don’t want any black marks or any marks on her skin. Let that decision rest with me." The firmness of his tone revealed he didn’t wish to discuss this topic any further.
"As your wish. I will always respect that," Haylia answered, plastering a smile on her wisdom-ridden face.
But deep inside she was worried. This was just a small tradition and Siroos had not valued it. What will happen when he refuses to follow important traditions? The elders wouldn’t be pleased and there could be discord.
Cassandra studied their reactions carefully, trying to understand what triggered them.
Once everyone had settled, Siroos said grace, but unlike others, he didn’t thank gods and goddesses. It made Cassandra wonder if he was not a believer.
"Today’s meal is special. Today I have fulfilled my promise to my pack, the one I made when I ascended to the position of being your Alpha King. And I would like to take this moment and remind you all that I plan on keeping my oath as well. So no one needs to worry about this new development in my life. Nothing has changed. But, remember. Cassandra is my mate and she is off-limits. Anyone looks at her wrong and I will scour your eyes out," he warned.
While his pack rejoiced and agreed Cassandra felt a subtle sadness and dejection in his voice. His honey-shaded eyes flickered towards her for the briefest of seconds and the hints of worrying and regret she picked up instantly. Before she could dwell more on why he felt that way and what oath he spoke about. She was interrupted by Faris’s cheerful voice.
"We can finally treat you to a proper meal. Try this." He filled the wooden bowl placed in front of Cassandra with piping hot bean stew.
"Thank you!" Cassandra reluctantly smiled and offered her gratitude.
Before he could offer her camel meat and bread, Siroos cleared his throat.
"Focus on your eating, Faris." Siroos beat him to it and placed a large but tender piece of meat on Cassandra’s plate, wishing to serve his mate instead of letting anyone else do it.
The piece was so oversized that half of it dangled out of her plate. No way she could finish it alone.
"Bless-o! Brother is already jealous over you."
Faris snickered seeing his elder brother getting all mushy for his mate. He winked and went back to talking to the woman beside him.
Cassandra puzzledly stared at the meat and then at Siroos. She didn’t wish to be rude or act as if she was not appreciating their hospitality. But she also didn’t wish to waste the food they had cooked with so much love.
"I can’t eat all of this. It’s too much," she slowly spoke, leaning slightly towards him so only he could hear.
His brows raised in wariness at her words.
"You have hardly eaten anything during the journey. I might not be able to give you five-course meals like your father, but I won’t let you have an empty belly. Camel meat is delicious, try it."
Cassandra wished to roll her eyes at him for not understanding her point at all.
’Men!’ She thought.
"I don’t want five-course meals, but I also can’t overstuff myself." There was a silent plea in her voice. He didn’t understand that she had worn corsets most of her adult life and her stomach could only hold as much as the result.
"Eat as much as you can, I will take the rest," he instructed, easing her burdens.
Haylia was observing their interactions from her side and listening to their conversations. But she was very subtle about it, acting as if she was engaged otherwise.
Cassandra picked up the wooden spoon and dipped it in the stew. Taking a spoonful she elegantly brought it to her soft lips and sipped without making a noise.
The stew had a very distinctive taste with a balanced flavour of herbs she had never tasted before. It left her wanting to have more. She dipped the bread in it and relished the uniqueness of its taste as well. It was thick and soft. Soon, the whole bowl was empty, and she craved more.
Siroos watched her eat with satisfaction. He had observed her enough to know she wasn’t as entitled as the princesses usually were.
She began to break the meat with her hands and eat. Since they didn’t use any forks and knives to eat like royals did, Cassandra found the experience quite different.
But she tried to eat as others did when Haylia interrupted her.
"Is it difficult to eat with your hands? I understand royal families use a lot of cutlery," she asked, sipping on her stew. Haylia’s movements were very thorough, very different from the rest of the pack.
"A little but I will get used to it soon. The food is very delicious," Cassandra answered respectfully, earning herself an understanding smile from Haylia.
Cassandra ate until her stomach refused to accept any more food. Her belly has become bloated and she knew if she was in her father’s home, she would be reprimanded for eating like a commoner.
She let out a deep breath and moved her plate slightly towards Siroos. He quietly picked up the remaining piece and began to tear off the meat from the bones, using his teeth. He didn’t even use his fingers to scrape away the meat, cleaning the bone white.
After the meal, the dates were served. The speciality of their lands. They grew in abundance around the sacred oasis.
Again Siroos pushed the whole plate piled up with black dates in front of Cassandra.
"Eat, they are good for your health. You need to put some meat on those bones," he said without any reluctance and Cassandra wondered again if he was trying to fatten her up.
’Didn’t men prefer thin girls?’
She didn’t understand this man at all. The man who ate like there was no tomorrow and wished for her to do the same.