Haylia only politely smiled at her son and didn’t argue with his decision. She was a very smart woman and her son was drunk on the new mate bond. She had to give him time before she would speak with him.
"Call me if you need anything," she calmly murmured before taking her leave and closing the door.
"You don’t have to stay with me for the whole day. You might have duties. I am better now," Cassandra spoke, loving how tenderly his fingers brushed up and down her arm.
The way he had calmed her agitated heart earlier, the newfound greediness in her wished for more of such delectable touches.
"You are the paramount duty for me right now and I will stay until I ensure your life is out of danger." His hands kept her confined to his flesh as he slowly dipped and buried his slim nose into the pit of her clavicle, breathing in her scent that was pushing him towards the sea of madness.
Her mind turned hazy as her skin became charged with his touch and no amount of resistance in her body wished to push him away.
He took his time inhaling while restlessness grew inside her.
"Malakti (My queen)," he sinfully murmured into her heated skin; the very hair on her nape bristled from his deeply erotic voice, and before she could turn and tumble into those swirling golds, their door knocked again.
Siroos let out a groan but lifted his face to give permission. Cassandra bit her lower lip and tried to control the erratic beats of her heart.
Lana entered with two other women, carrying wooden plates. She had a warmth about her that extended to her eyes and smile.
"Alpha! Nissa!" All of them bowed and marched forward with wooden plates containing hot simmering food.
Siroos and Cassandra acknowledged them with a nod of their heads.
"We heard about the incident. How are you feeling?" Lana inquired, placing down the plates on the low wooden table the other women had placed in front of them.
"I am better now," she answered, trying to not get affected by his constant presence behind her. Her mind was occupied with his nearness and her cheeks had turned into cherries.
The women left after serving their breakfast but Lana remained.
"I made camel stew and matzo. Plus date dessert mixed with camel milk. It will give you strength," Lana explained the dishes they had brought.
"I appreciate this, Lana. Can I have some water?" Cassandra’s throat was dry like the desert again; she wasn’t used to such weather and on her very first day there, a disaster hit.
"Of course!" Filling the earthen pot from the large urn they had brought, Lana handed it over to Cassandra. Siroos tipped his head forward, observing her as her long beautiful neck gulped down the water.
Cassandra emptied the small pot in no time and separated it from her lips. Only then Siroos realised how thirsty she was but she didn’t tell him.
"You should have asked for water earlier. I would have gotten it for you," his tone slightly upset and accusatory as his discontented eyes inspected her. He was also cross with himself for not realising it.
"I didn’t get a chance," Cassandra quickly responded, seeing the changing expressions on his face.
"Lana! There should always be an earthen urn filled with water in my mate’s room. She shouldn’t be hungry or thirsty at any point," he focused his attention towards Lana and she briskly nodded her head and stated.
"I will ensure all the needs of Nissa are met."
Moving forward, Siroos was about to pick up the plate so he could feed her when he received the mind link from Faris that the pack elders requested his audience. They needed to discuss the incident and his future plans now that he had found his mate.
’Can’t they wait? I am with my mate right now,’ Siroos grunted through the mind link.
’They say it’s urgent and have been hounding me for hours. Hurry, for they are terrified of your future actions and I can’t digest any more of their whines,’ Faris pleaded.
Siroos understood what they wanted; the more time he spent with her, the more apprehensive his pack became.
’I am coming but they better not wreck my mood. It’s already soured,’ he warned so Faris would inform them in advance.
"Eat, finish everything Lana has brought and take your medicine. I have to finish something urgent. But I will be back soon," he instructed, finally untangling himself from her.
His eyes flashed with fondness and intimacy. Cassandra could already feel a void inside her. He had been holding her since last night and the loss of that touch pinched her heart. But she tried not to reveal it, and instead, she said sincerely.
"I will, thank you for taking care of me."
Her affectionate words brimmed his heart and he couldn’t fight back a smile which revealed his pearly whites.
’What a rare sight I am beholding,’ Cassandra wondered, for he hardly ever smiled.
So she returned it with one of her own.
"Lana, stay with her until I return," he instructed.
"I will, Alpha."
Battling an urge to claim Cassandra’s lips, so tender and so inviting, he finally left her bedding and disappeared through the door. Cassandra was left wistfully staring after him.
Lana observed how Cassandra’s eyes lost the gleam once their alpha was gone.
"You must eat before it gets cold, Alpha will be back soon."
Lana’s words brought Cassandra back to her senses and she reined in the turbulent emotions. Picking up the plate, she began to eat the delicious meal.
"This is something I have never eaten before and it’s very tasty," Cassandra praised Lana.
"Thank you, we were all very worried when we heard. No one saw any snake enter; they are still looking for it," Lana informed her, and Cassandra hoped again that it was just a snake.
Just to change the depressing topic of the snake Cassandra asked.
"What do Alpha Siroos like to eat? Can you teach me when I am slightly better?"
Lana’s eyes flashed with happiness. Their new Nissa was already taking interest in their alpha.
"Tendered ribs of a deer along with any stew are his favourite. Although he is not very picky. He eats what’s provided. He is very considerate in that matter. And yes, I will teach you but first you must eat."
Cassandra nodded and returned to her meal.
After finishing the meal, Cassandra took the medicine, the healer had left her. It made her feel sleepy. It was intentional so she could rest peacefully and heal quickly.
As soon as her head hit the soft bedding, Cassandra fell into a blissful sleep.
She was awakened by the tantalising touch on her face as if someone was brushing her wild hair aside. She groggily opened her eyes and found herself staring into the cauldrons of melted gold coins, but it was the intensity that baffled her.
He didn’t seem pleased. Instead, he appeared mad.