Faris was the one who came to fetch Cassandra during the afternoon for her first training session with his brother. The basket-making session was interesting, and she learnt quite a lot, not only from her mother-in-law but also from other women, who were eager to teach her.
Now they were headed off towards the training arena with Faris’s hands behind his back as he walked casually alongside her, whistling some melody.
"I guess I rescued you from dying of boredom. Training sessions are where the real fun will be," he haughtily said, staring up ahead with a cunning smile.
Cassandra let out a small chuckle understanding how different the definition of fun for men and women was.
"I quite enjoyed it. There was so much skill involved," Cassandra countered, walking carefully so as not to fill her shoes with sand.
"For me, it’s dull work, but I can’t wait to give you pointers for the training sessions. I saw you have some insane skills with the sword; some polishing is needed," he added, swaying his arm in front to mimic a sword fight.
"I appreciate it, Faris."
"Oh! You will be thankful I will be there. Brother is one tough mentor. He tires us out until we are about to die. He will give us a few drops of water and put us to grind once again. I am looking forward to seeing how he treats you." Mischief danced in his eyes and saturated his voice. Cassandra had to stifle a laugh with her hand.
"You want to see if he would treat me the same way he does all of you, and then you will tease him of favouritism when he won’t." Cassandra laid it out for him and he guffawed in return.
"Bless-o! SIL, I love how smart you are."
They arrived at the training arena, past the barrier. It was a gigantic circular area. With many obstacle courses, wooden beams and target practice boards.
There were raised platforms all around so people could sit and watch during the Luna Trials and Alpha Games. Two very popular events in their region. Where people fought for glory. There were no deaths in these events as they were kept friendly but were important for piquing the interest of the masses and proving who was the strongest and smartest.
Siroos, in all his six-foot-five-inch glory, was standing tall with his buffed arms crossed against his muscled chest. A bunch of his huffing warriors stood in front. The sweat covered their half-naked bodies like a layer of sheen. Some had their hands on their knees as they bent over taking deep gulps of oxygen to fill their lungs.
Seeing Cassandra approach with Faris, Siroos dismissed the warriors. They scuttled away, seeing this golden opportunity to flee.
"Tch! So cruel. Who hurt you brother to make you like this," Faris innocently questioned, batting his long lashes at his brother.
"If I were you, I would watch my tongue, or it would be ten laps around the arena. You want?"
Siroos raised his perfectly shaped right brow at his brother, who quickly raised his hands and bunched his lips, showing he would keep his mouth shut.
"Just what I thought."
Siroos’s gaze finally wavered to his sweet mate. She was eyeing him with glimmers of excitement dancing in her violet eyes. The events of the night flashed in their brains and she unashamedly smiled at him.
"Come!" Siroos ushered her to his side and gave Faris a look which was very blatantly ignored. Faris took long strides and lazily planted himself on one of the platforms.
Cassandra tried not to laugh as she made her way to Siroos and stood by his side.
"Faris! I would like to train my mate alone. LEAVE!" The last word was said in his loud Alpha tone.
Faris placed his hand behind his ear and pretended to have not heard. His left hand was behind his head, and his legs were spread out as he sat comfortably, about to enjoy a very interesting act.
"He is going to get his ass kicked," Siroos blazed and Cassandra placed her hand on his steely arm and gently squeezed.
"It’s alright. I enjoy his company. Let him watch."
Siroos shook his head but didn’t press this matter any further, giving into his mate’s request. Her touch was enough to blow away any anger that lingered.
"Sorry, I couldn’t sleep with you in my arms for too long. Elders came to remind me of their stupid rules. I was frustrated so I came here to train after I left you in your room," Siroos explained, extending his bent knuckles and slowly rubbing her cute cheek.
"I understand but I loved every moment with the spirit animals. We should do it again sometimes."
"Yes! My Malakti, we will. I hope you know why we are here. The Luna Trials are just around the corner," Siroos began to explain and Cassandra made an understanding nod with her head.
"The rules of every event are different and so are the phases and different stages one has to pass. They are mostly decided by a Superior Council of Elders, composed of one member from each participating pack. They are under oath to not reveal any part to the contestants and keep these trials fair." Siroos paused and searched Cassandra’s eyes to see if she was comprehending what he was explaining.
"I understand. Please continue," her words made him speak again.
"As per rules, recently marked Lunas take part in this event so it’s a test of how capable they are of running the pack. It doesn’t define them, though, so don’t worry even if you don’t win." Siroos’s bent knuckles opened and he cupped her face. He didn’t want her to self-doubt but remain self-assured.
"I will give it my best, and I will win, Siro," she unblinkingly said, and he could understand her determination behind her words. He has been loving the nickname she had started using for him.
"I know you will, Malakti. Let me explain to you about the tasks. They could be as mundane as baking a single loaf of bread to as intense as hunting down a wild animal, skinning it and cutting its meat into small edible pieces. Anything can be possible in these trials. I have ensured that there is no shifting part this time around and most of them revolve around the wits and smarts. But let’s see what they throw our way."
Cassandra absorbed every word Siroos had uttered, making mental notes of the areas in which she was weak and the ones in which she was average and strong. She needed to work on the ones she was weak.
"From where do we begin?" She questioned.
"We will begin by checking your stamina and enhancing it to double what you have right now. Today, we will start with two laps around the arena, and we will gradually increase it daily. Are you ready? Cassa?"
"I am, let’s go." Cassandra was pumped up, and Siroos proudly smiled, seeing her determined face.
"I will run with you. Let’s start." Siroos guided her towards the starting line and they began.