Lana arrived the next day to take Cassandra along for morning meals and the marking ritual. She brought a fresh bucket of water along and placed it into the washing area.
She found Cassandra curled up into herself and sleeping alone.
Lana felt pity for her Luna and cursed the gods in her heart for the curse.
Bending down she gently shook her.
"Nissa! Time to wake up."
Cassandra lazily opened her eyes and the first thought she had was about the bunny. She quickly glanced towards her belly but found it empty. It was gone.
Had she imagined him? A way to find solace.
Slowly she rose and let out a lazy yawn and asked.
"Lana! Does anyone have a white pet rabbit?"
"Rabbit? No, Nissa. We don’t even have rabbit shifters; there is only one female, and she is brown as far as I remember. She hardly shifts into her rabbit form because she finds it useless."
Lana was slightly confused at why Cassandra was asking about rabbits first thing in the morning. At the same time, she observed how puffed Cassandra’s eyes were; it seemed like she had been crying all night.
She knew she would have to give her some cold water treatment.
"Very well."
As Cassandra had predicted, it was not a shifter, then the question arose.
Who was that rabbit and where did it come from?
She glanced around her room again, hoping to see the cute creature but found nothing. Disappointed, her shoulders dropped and the events of last night flashed in front of her eyes.
Siroos’s betrayal stung worse than that snake’s sting.
Lana had turned around to take out a new garb for Cassandra.
"The seamstress will visit today for new gowns; let her know your preferences, Nissa. Which one for today? Marking ritual will take place after the morning meal but it will just be the Eders, Vera Haylia, Sera Faria and Alpha."
She held out two dresses. One was a knee-length pleat gown in a beige colour with light embroidery. The other was a sundress, light pink like cotton candy in shade.
Cassandra’s heart dived down into an abyss of utter despair. The tendrils of agony leached onto her heart, draining her.
She didn’t wish to be marked by Siroos but knew she had no choice.
"Whichever you like Lana, I don’t have a preference," she disheartenedly said, getting up from her bedding with a sigh of her pain.
Lana’s face etched in worry and she quietly chose the sundress, not wishing to bother her Luna.
She helped her wash up avoiding the burnt patch on her arm. Taking off Cassandra’s dress she helped her into the new one.
Lana then took off her bandage as had been instructed by Fownso. The Pack’s sigil sat dyed in red on her arm. There was very little pain now, all due to the healing balm and that bitter medicine which Cassandra later took.
"How do you feel?" Lana asked, discarding the bandages.
"Fine, I guess," Cassandra disheartenedly said. She had no energy to start the day, but as the Luna, she was requested to. No one was going to care about her feelings.
Lana wished she could say it would become better but knew that would be a lie, so she held her tongue.
Softly brushing her gold-imbued hair, Lana braided and fastened them at the base of her head.
"All set, you look beautiful," Lana said, smoothing her hair with her hands and giving her a small smile.
"Thank you, I appreciate your help." Cassandra returned it with her forced one and stood up. She tried to muster all the energy her body possessed. She needed it today.
Both ladies left Cassandra’s chamber and headed downstairs to the main area. The natural walls had torches fixed in them to keep the area lit.
Descending the stairs they found hustle and bustle of activity. The smell of fresh bread being baked wafted through the air, but it did nothing for Cassandra. She had no appetite.
Lana led her to the table where Haylia was sitting. There was no sign of Siroos. Most women present greeted her respectfully although some women just sneered from the distance.
"Good morning! I hope you had a peaceful sleep," Haylia said with a controlled smile, offering for Cassandra to sit.
"I did, thank you." Pushing the chair back, Cassandra elegantly adjusted her dress before settling in it. She placed her hands in her lap.
Lana went over to the cookery to get something for Cassandra to eat.
"I am glad to hear of it. I hope Lana told you that today will be the marking ceremony. It cannot be delayed any further."
Cassandra’s hands itched in her lap but she kept a soft smile going. No one would see her as weak and vulnerable. She will find her own way.
"She did, I am ready."
"Excellent, you are such a fine young woman, Cassandra. The way you have accepted everything and fallen into the role. I am so proud of you."
Haylia reached out and clasped Cassandra’s hands. She knew Siroos had spoken to her and seeing her sit so composed and agreeing to the ceremony brimmed her heart with joy.
She thought Cassandra was shy and compliant.
The girl with violet eyes chose to remain silent so Haylia continued to speak.
"As you must know, Siroos is the Alpha. Since he can’t have an heir with you, he still needs an heir."
A vein in Cassandra’s temple twitched and she clutched her hands tighter. The bond in her chest squirmed so painfully that she thought it would burst.
"You must not stop him from that. It’s very common for Alpha’s to have breeders and concubines you see. You will still be his Luna, no one can take that from you."
Haylia continued with a fake smile, although she knew how hurtful her words were for Cassandra. Seemed like she cared more about her own principles and didn’t consider his heed.
The back of Cassandra’s eyes scalded from an effort to fight back tears and keep them from spilling out. Her facial muscles ached from that insincere smile she had going. She let out a breath which carried her pains and yet everyone was unaware of them.
"As his Luna, this will be highly disrespectful to me. He is not the only one who should want an heir. What about me? Don’t I deserve to have one?"
Cassandra politely asked but her words were dipped in sarcasm.