Chapter III — Pair

A soft knock sounded and Rosalieé entered the room, closing the door behind her. She had just left her own room where Lucas was catching on the much needed sleep he had missed due to last night's events.

She recognised the soundproof spell cast over the room.

Cassandra was wrapped in nothing but a towel, her pale white skin glistening from the shower droplets. Her hair was wrapped in a turban and rested atop of her head. Even as a fellow female, Rosalieé found her beauty enthralling.

"Oh. I'm sorry, Hig-"

Cassandra waved her off, shaking her head slightly and Rosalieé handed the clothes over.

"I hope the clothes are to your liking."

Cassandra acknowledged.

Exiting the bath, this time fully clothed, Rosalieé watched as she walked towards the window across the room and opened it.

"How...how are you really?"

Cassandra gave her a glance, before answering softly.

"...I've been better."

"You look awfully tired. When was the last time you had a proper rest?"

"..." She did not answer this time.

"It's nearing-..." Rosalieé stopped herself. "Stay awhile, High Priestess Cassandra."

"Priestess Rosalieé, you know I..."

"Just a couple of days.-"

"The Lilium Pack..."

"The Lilium Pack welcomes you with open arms, High Priestess Cassandra. Jayden was the one who requested me to extend this to you." Rosalieé reassures.

"And although I cannot help much, but I can offer company. It has to be terribly lonely to be out there alone. Just stay and rest. Relax a few days. We can even practice together too."

Rosalieé pleaded and when Cassandra's violet eyes met her emerald green ones, the latter saw the worry and concern in them.

She gave in and nodded.

Rosalieé's face broke into a smile which Cassandra found herself returning.

A black raven swooped in, giving Rosalieé a startle and landed on Cassandra's outstretched arm.

"Is he..."

Stroking his head, Cassandra answered, still smiling.

"He was a gift."

Rosalieé's mouth fell into an o-shape and she watched as Cassandra whisper to the familiar, in a foreign, ancient language.

It was her first time witnessing it.

He gave a low croak before taking off, leaving the way he came. The two of them watched him till he was out of sight.

"Where did you send him?" Rosalieé asked curiously.

"To deliver a message."

Cassandra answered with a mysterious smile, turning to her.

"Shall we have that walk now?"

...................

The metal gates to the cells creaked as they were swung open. The guards on duty bowed their heads as their Beta entered and returned to their posts.

Dylan nodded in return. He descended the stairs and walked down the dimly lit hallway and stopped in front of a cell.

Behind the silver bars, were the two captured rogues. They were identical twins with blonde hair and sea-green eyes. They were in their mid-teens — fifteen or sixteen, if he had to guess.

Both were sleeping, with the sister wrapped in her brother's arms and both stirred awake, alert as soon as they heard footsteps approach but they kept their heads bowed in respect.

"What were you chased for?"

At the question, both their heads snapped up, looking at him. They looked at him confused.

Not getting an immediate reply, he asked again, rephrasing his question as he did so. "What is it that you have that the Lady Cassandra wants?"

He watched as the twins' eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets.

"You have met her." The brother spoke — it was not a question.

"She is a guest."

The sister trembled while the brother hugged her close. He addressed the Beta before him who was observing them silently.

"Yet, you do not ask her yourselves because you know she will not answer."

Dylan's eyebrow rose at the bold and blunt statement the boy made. There was no doubt, no question nor hesitation in it.

Dylan gave no affirmation and the teenage boy continued.

"You do not know who she is, do you, Beta?"

Dylan was surprised at the address of his title by the rogue though he did not show it either. It was not a common behaviour for a rogue.

"She is a witch of the Covens."

The teenage boy shook his head but said nothing more. Dylan knew he was missing something, he pressed.

"She is powerful."

The aura surrounding her and air around her magic when she cast it was unnerving, daunting, dark. It was nothing like the soothing magic he was used to when Rosalieé casted hers. It was enough to put Dylan's wolf on edge.

"She is."

"And you fear her."

It was Rosalieé's acknowledgement as her Coven sister and trust in her that convinced Dylan to lower his guard, if only slightly, around her. However, that did not mean he was at ease in her presence.

"Yes."

Dylan was shocked, he was not expecting the boy to openly admit it.

"You would be a fool not to, if you knew who she is."

Dylan frowned.

"You will not tell us who she is."

More than once, Dylan had deliberated asking Rosalieé but something told him he wouldn't be getting the direct answers he wanted, just like now. He also didn't wish to put Rosalieé who had grown to be like a sister to him on the spot where she had to choose between her family and her people.

"We will not. If she does not tell you herself, it means that she does not want you to know. And hence, we will not as well for we do not want to cross her."

"Even if it means crossing us, your captors, who could say starve or torture you?"

"Yes, for we would rather face the punishment for crossing you than the wrath for crossing her."

Dylan frown deepened as he was offered no further explanation.

"And with all due respect, Beta, if you had wanted to torture or starve us, you have already done so. However, I do not see this pack as one that is so cruel and heartless to practice as such."

And to say Dylan was impressed by this young boy's astounding resolution and sound reasoning was an understatement. He eyed the boy whom had in this short span of their conversation, earned his respect and recognition. He saw the sea-green eyes that held a steely determination in them.

"She has requested to meet the two of you." He informed them.

Hearing it, the brother went rigid and Dylan thought the sister looked to be on the verge of hyperventilating. The brother attempted to calm her down, tightening his hold on her.

"She does not wish to harm you. It seems likely that she wants information. Therefore, we agreed." Dylan added.

"May we ask when?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Might I ask your names?"

"...Bryan Grace and this is my sister, Clary Grace."

...................

Everywhere they went, heads turned.

Those who had noticed their Gamma female and pack witch walking around bowed their heads respectfully while left breath-taken at the sight of her companion. It was without doubt the pair left a burning trail of curiosity in their wake.

Their stroll had brought them to the pack's training area which was bustling with activity.

It was teeming with males of age ranging from late teens till adult ages. A fair number of females could also be seen.

"The pack trains from morning till afternoon daily, in preparation for the upcoming Quinquennial Summer Decathlon. And because it's currently summer vacation, kids thirteen years and up are also undergoing training. Girls are required to take basic combat training and other classes and train for five years till their eighteen. Then from there, they have an option to move up the ranks or not. It is mandatory for the boys, on the other hand, to choose which area they would want to specialise in; guards, trackers, warriors.-"

Rosalieé was cut-off mid explanation when someone called her name.

Turning, they were greeted by a tall yet petite and slender ebony girl who looked to be no older than twenty-one, in a sports bra and work-out tights. Two identical twins who were shirtless trailed closely behind her. They all had slightly Asian features.

"Victoria! How's training? Hello Daniel, Edmund."

"My muscles are killing me. We just piled on an extra couple hours to work out new tactics. Because of last nights' events, they stepped up training for all units. I guess we have you to thank for that, heard you were the one who were after the rogues that entered our territory. I must say you gave us quite the chase." The girl named Victoria addressed the last part to Cassandra, but she held no malice nor accusation in her tone, instead it was a light-hearted jab.

Cassandra merely cocked her head to the side. She took in the profile of the newcomers.

The two twins Daniel and Edmund looked to be several years older than Victoria. They had an easy-going nature about them.

"The whole pack's been talking about it. Actually, just mostly you. The mysterious witch who managed to have six rogues running for their lives with their tails tucked in between." Edmund said.

"I was there myself — I could hardly believe it. I would never have thought they were running from someone. None of us had detected you either until our Alpha did. You threw all of us off guard — then you just disappeared! So many of us were so confused but it was brilliant! You must have cast an invisibility cloak spell together with the apparition spell right? It was an ingenious misdirection! We totally fell for it too!" Victoria commented excitedly.

Cassandra's eyebrows rose slightly, impressed with the she-wolf's knowledge of witchcraft and her ability to figure out the spells she had cast. Though considering she was a close friend of Rosalieé's, Cassandra reckoned it wasn't all that surprising she was knowledgeable of witchcraft. She nodded in answer to the question.

"Oh and don't forget the beauty." Daniel added.

"Two thirds of the unmated male population have been all the rage about her."

"And meeting her now, we can totally see why."

The two boys were practically drooling as they took her in, which earned them a smack on the heads from Victoria.

"Ow!"

"What was that for!"

Rosalieé merely smiled and shook her head, introducing them.

"Victoria, Daniel, Edmund. This is Cassandra. She will be staying with us a few days. Cassandra, may I introduce Victoria MacKenzie, pack doctor in-training and my closest friend in the pack as well as Daniel and Edmund Sim, newly appointed Head Trackers."

"Pleasure to meet you, my lady." They bowed dramatically.

Cassandra found herself chuckling lightly and to humour them, she responded, "The pleasure is all mine."

Their antics reminded her of a certain someone.

The boys tripped and were blushing furiously as they recovered. Her laugh was as enchanting as her voice.

...................

He watched from his study as she strolled around and interacted with his Head Trackers and Pack Doctor in-training.

He had seen the way heads turned and eyes clouded with lust follow her wherever she went and it took everything in his willpower to not charge down there and mark her as his. Jealousy boiled, as he fought the urge. He wanted nothing more than to punish his own pack members, especially the ones whose lust for her were clearly written all over them.

His only consolation was that he got to see that bewitching smile of hers despite that it was not directed at him. He hoped one day it would.

A knock sounded, breaking him out of his reverie and his best friend entered.

Dylan joined him at the window overlooking the training grounds.

"So she's staying."

"Yes, if only for a few days."

"You will have to thank Rosalieé for that. God knows what she said to her to convince her."

Jayden nodded distractedly and a beat of silence passed before he spoke.

"She is my mate."

Dylan purses his lips, pausing a moment to take it in. Though he had expected as much and should be rejoicing at the fact his pack had finally found their Luna, the conversation he had just had with the two rogue twins was still fresh in his memory, and he was overall still unnerved about the entirety of it.

"You've managed to confirm it."

It wasn't a question, but Jayden nodded anyways, answering, "I grabbed her wrist and she reacted. She definitely felt the sparks but...she acted as if it didn't affect her...Something felt off too. I just can't place my finger on it."

Not knowing what else to say, Dylan placed a hand on his best friend's shoulder. And another beat of silence passed.

The conversation in the cell continued to replay in Dylan's mind.

"I have made the arrangements, the meeting is tomorrow morning." Dylan informed.

There were several other things he wanted to bring up but held back, seeing as his best friend was distracted and troubled enough. He decided it can wait, besides he lacked the crucial information.

"Your parents and sister are returning tomorrow night."

"I know."

The unspoken question of What will you do? was left hanging in the air.

...................

The buzzing atmosphere surrounding the dinner table had an underlying tension everyone was tiptoeing around and being careful not to step on.

"How was your tour?"

"It was enjoyable. You have a wonderful pack."

Her earnest reply caused him to smile broadly and feel a rush of pride for his pack but before he could reply, a screeching voice tore through the hall.

"Jaayyden!"

The strawberry-blonde girl who threw herself at Jayden, causing him to drop the knife he was cutting the stick with, drew the eyes of nearly everyone in the room. She wore an overly revealing dress, more suited for a nightclub party than a casual dinner.

"Training ended later than usual today. It was awful! Why did you have to increase the intensity of the training! It left me with almost no time to get ready! And I'm starving!"

Her mouth continued to yap, her high-pitched voice, grating to the ears.

"Leia Smith. She's from the Orchidaceae Pack. Her father's the Beta and she's here to train with us for the summer." Rosalieé supplied.

Cassandra couldn't help but notice the twinge of irritation as well as distaste in her voice and chuckled internally. It was rare for someone like Rosalieé to dislike anyone, but looking at the girl who was incessantly clinging to Jayden's arm and lamenting her woes, Cassandra could understand — this girl could easily get on anyone's nerves.

Meanwhile, Jayden was desparately trying to pry off the said girl's arms as his eyes nervously shifted to Cassandra.

"It's okay, Leia. Please, take a seat. There's plenty of food left. I'm sure you won't go to bed hungry."

Dylan and Lucas who were watching the scene, attempted to hold in their laughter, which earned a glare from their struggling friend. Leia remained oblivious. The others at the table had already gone back to their own conversations and meals, apparently this wasn't the first time this has happened.

Jayden's reply earned him what he assumed was supposed to be a seductive smile from her but he thought it only made her look like a maniac. He could only internally facepalm for his own stupid mistake.

"But Jay, no matter how much I eat, I will still be hungry..." she whispered seductively into his ear, but everyone had heard it.

By now, Lucas and Dylan were close to having fits from holding in their laughter.

Jayden panicked internally as Leia ran a fingernail up his arm and he couldn't help but find it repulsive. He had to hold back from snapping at her and pushing her off.

The entire time Cassandra had his full attention and worry. He didn't want her to think there was anything going on between him and Leia. However, when he caught her violet eyes, instead of jealousy and anger, he found them to be dancing with amusement in light of the situation. His brows furrowed deeper.

Being merciful, Dylan then chose to save his best friend.

"Leia, you're causing Jayden's food to be cold, let him eat."

She shot a glare at Dylan and pouted before moving to sit down but that was when her eyes landed on the woman who was sitting in her usual spot, on Jayden's left.

For this dinner, they had rearranged themselves such that Rosalieé sat next to Cassandra to accompany her, instead of her usual seat next to Lucas. Seated at the head of the table was Jayden and the next two seats to his right were always occupied by Dylan and Lucas like they were tonight. The seat on the left, on the other hand, was usually reserved for the Luna and offering the seat to Cassandra at the beginning of the meal had a symbolic meaning to it. One that was realised by his closest friends and noticed by the sharpest of eyes in the room, but lost to the one sitting in it.

"Who are you?" She asked rudely.

"Leia, this is Hig- Cassandra. She is a coven sister and Jayden's guest. She will be staying with us for a few days." Rosalieé introduced, stressing on the two words, as if sending across some kind of message.

"So she's a witch?"

The way Leia had spat the last word caused Cassandra's expression to darken slightly.

Rosalieé, on the other hand, looked ready to blow a fuse.

Lucas was scowling while Jayden wore a stony expression. Dylan's face was impassive.

"You're the witch everyone's been talking about."

Leia narrowed her beady eyes at Cassandra. The latter merely cocked her head to the side, face an unreadable mask.

"You are the one responsible for the rogues that entered the territory! Everyone said they were running from you — or more likely you were running from them — but you're probably the one who led them here on purpose! Who knows what is it that you witches do! I bet you seduced and cast a spell on those rogues to do your bidding!"

By now, Leia had gained the attention of the whole dining hall who was watching the drama unfold.

"I would suggest," Cassandra's voice came out soft yet cold and clipped, causing many in the room to feel a shiver run down their spine, "that you find the evidence for such statements first before making them, Ms Smith. I do not take too kindly to baseless accusations or insults to myself and my people."

A taut, thick tension filled the room.

Leia froze as an unfathomable fear gripped her, and the arrogant sneer on her face faltered for a moment under those piercing violet eyes that bore right through her before she shook it off and an expression full of scorn replaced it.

She opened her mouth, about to throw out another insult when Dylan cut through, voice hard as steel.

"Leia, I would also suggest keeping the rest of your comments to yourself. You have embarrassed yourself enough. And Cassandra is a guest here just as much as you are."

"No! I will not let this-"

"Enough."

Jayden said through gritted teeth, fighting to control his anger. Leia's head snapped to him and at Jayden's beyond livid expression, everything Leia wanted to say died at the tip of her tongue.

"Return to your room. Your meal will be delivered." Dylan spoke.

Leia's eyes left Jayden's livid stare to do a quick sweep of the entire room and being met with many annoyed stares, she turned on her heel and stomped away but not before casting one last hateful glare at Cassandra.

Silence enveloped the room once again before Dylan cleared his throat.

"Please continue."

The room's occupants obeyed, taking that as an indication to return to their previous activities, soft murmurs broke out and some shuffled to leave.

"We apologise for her rude behaviour."

"You are not responsible for her actions. She is a grown adult. She alone is responsible for her own actions. There is no need for you to apologise on her behalf for something she has done."

She said as she stared right into his azure blue eyes before looking at the rest.

"If you will excuse me, I will be retiring for the night. I will see you tomorrow. Have a pleasant evening."

She rose gracefully from her seat, collecting her plate and glided out of the room, leaving behind a group whom was still digesting her previous statements.

....................

The red liquid in the cup swirled. The one who held it watched its motion, but he had a distant, forlorn look on his face.

He had tuned out the lively, mellow chatter around him. The food that lay in front of him was untouched as well.

He set the cup down distractedly and quietly excused himself.

A set of red eyes followed him.