Come!" Siroos softly asked Cassandra. His tone had entirely reversed its course as his hand spread out.
Straightening her dress she got up from her seat but still didn’t spare him a glance. She quietly took his hand and let him lead her.
The scorching heat erupted from his hand which seemed to engulf Cassandra in a firestorm. Every time this stubborn male came in contact with her skin, she burnt.
Her heart wanted one thing, but her brain warned about something else while that damn bond was the worst. It tugged her to him not understanding he wasn’t going to be hers.
His Elders wouldn’t let him.
His mother wouldn’t let him.
The gods wouldn’t let him.
Was it worth the battle?
Haylia had gotten up as well and moved ahead of them. She needed to sort everything before Siroos, and Cassandra arrived at the stone hut.
"Your anger persists," he asked matter of factly.
"I wouldn’t let you touch me if it wasn’t for this ceremony. Don’t think I have forgiven you just because you put Kela in her place," Cassandra answered; her heart profusely ached from his betrayal, and she wondered how she would ever heal.
"I will keep seeking forgiveness until you will grant me."
"Keep dreaming, Alpha Siroos," she sardonically answered, throwing his rank in his face as he had done to her multiple times.
Siroos turned to watch her, she seemed so pretty in a neat light pink gown and an elegant hairstyle. Her delicate features were highlighted by the light from the torches mounted on the walls. The fire cackled in them as they walked past in the narrow corridor.
A few pack members walked past them, greeting them. Cassandra acknowledged everyone with a nod and a pleasant smile. Once they were gone, Siroos said with a sigh.
"I have been in a dream since I met you but it’s turning into a nightmare."
"Maybe you should have thought about that before trying to manipulate me and lie to me," she flared, her temper rising. She knew her face must have turned into a strawberry.
"I never lied to you, Malakti. I just didn’t reveal the truth."
Cassandra had to pause and snort at his words. She finally lifted her sorrowed eyes at him and their gazes met.
Hurt crawled in hers.
Shame coated his.
"How is that any better? Am I supposed to feel better knowing this? Do you ever hear yourself? Or that Alpha ego has damaged that part of your brain?" She mocked, her razor-sharp words jagged his heart, but he stayed quiet. Knowing he deserved this.
"I just wish to apologise," he quietly said as they resumed walking and he led her outside.
The blinding sun was sending scorching heat their way.
’Shield our mate,’ Eagle proudly said.
Half-transforming into his eagle form he only let his brown wings sprout out from his back. They hovered over her head, shielding her from the sun.
"Thank you, kind eagle spirit," she said to the eagle, and he beat his wings in pride, and then she stubbornly addressed Siroos. "I reject your apology." His lips flat-lined.
The silence fell between them as he advanced with her to the Stonehouse of the pack elders. Ames and Ranon were standing outside, deep in talks. Seeing them approach, both of them bowed and Ames opened the door so they could enter.
"Thank you! Gamma Ames," Cassandra acknowledged him before entering and he kept his head low.
Siroos’s wings backtracked as soon as Cassandra went inside.
Faris was casually leaning against a wall looking bored out of his wits. Haylia was speaking to Walan and other elders. Everyone paused, seeing them, and diverted their attention towards them.
The scowl on Siroos’s face widened seeing Walan’s face yet again. He had no intention of letting go of what Kela had revealed to him. He angrily addressed the Elders.
"It has come to my knowledge that Elder Walan has conspired against me with a member of my pack. Which resulted in my mate getting deeply hurt. Elders are supposed to keep peace and give advice. Not create ridges between mates. Therefore, I unseat Elder Walan from his position. Effective immediately."
Siroos’s words sent everyone into chaos. Walan’s jaw dropped to the ground, not in his wildest imagination he had dreamt of this.
"You can’t do that," Walan seethed out, going ten shades of crimson in embarrassment.
"I can and I just did," Siroos calmly answered, challenging him.
"This decision should be taken through a plebiscite. You can’t just remove an Elder," another one spoke.
"As your Alpha, I can remove all of you but that would be disastrous for the pack. I have tolerated every decision, be in favour or against but if someone comes for my mate, that will not be tolerated. You wish to keep Cassandra in the pack and for me to mark her. Then Walan will no longer be an Elder. Challenge my decision and I would never mark her. The decision is yours."
Stunned silence followed his small speech and Elders threw him astonished glances. Their mouths hung open. Faris snickered while Haylia seemed disappointed that her son didn’t heed her warning.
Cassandra quietly watched the proceedings but she kept her head held high. She had no reason to feel that any of this was her fault. It was merely karma coming back to bite those who had tried to wrong her.
She kept minimum emotions on her face so they wouldn’t think she had been the one who put Siroos onto this.
"I have served with your father, boy. This is ridiculous. You weren’t even born when I was making decisions for the pack. And you wish to oust me?" Walan was staying at a distance from an enraged Siroos, knowing he had messed up but his tongue still wagged.
"Then you should have known better and taken decisions which wouldn’t go against your Alpha. And I don’t wish to oust you, I already have."
More angered murmurs followed Siroos’s statements.