Offered to the Triplet Alphas

Chapter-60. The stare

[Xanthea]

Goosebumps zapped through my body as Ezra's words sent an intense ripple of heavy gravity across the crowd, unleashing a storm within me.

His protective arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer and closer into a possessive embrace.

Ezra's growl echoed in my mind repeatedly.

'Bow before the High Lady of the Infernal Pack!'

Yet, I still couldn't believe my ears.

Despite knowing it was a lie, I never expected him to introduce me as the High Lady of the Infernal Pack. The title, the rank - it was all beyond my wildest imagination. Even if it was merely a con, I didn't deserve to be the High lady.

But when I looked into his eyes, seeking his usual playful deception and chaotic carefreeness, all I found was unshakable conviction and sheer sincerity. There wasn't a hint of doubt or second thoughts on his face, not even a single wrinkle in contradiction to his words.

His lie was so convincing that for a moment, I almost believed he truly meant what he said.

As I took in a heavy breath, my eyelids fluttered low, my heart thundering in my ears.

Ezra stood strong beside his declaration before the gathering.

I clenched my fists. The man standing beside me had his own burdens to carry, burdens too heavy for his own shoulders. He had no obligation to help me in any manner. Still, he was standing beside me and that, for some unknown reason, filled my cold chest with a fire I had never felt before.

Although he might have referred to me as the High lady impulsively, it was my responsibility to uphold the integrity of his words and the honor of this rank.

Taking a steadying breath, I straightened my spine, gathering my composure and turned to face the Virgo pack.

I could feel the weight that threatened to crush me to my knees as all their blazing scrutiny bore down on me.

They didn't say it in words, but from the disgusted looks on their faces, it was clear: they wanted me to lower my gaze, to bend and bow before them, to stay below them. The eyes that screamed how superior they were to me, a reminder of how small, inferior and worthless they considered me.

I blinked weakly and was about to lower my gaze when, out of the blue, Raven's words rang in my mind.

'The only ones you need to bow before are your husbands. No one else. Get that in your head.'

'You have created a soul pact with us. That means something. That makes you something.'

My chest felt tighter than before, but in a way that helped me steel my heart.

I felt a sense of unfathomable security and liberation rising from within. It was exactly how I felt when I was close to Asher. It almost felt as though Asher was nearby.

I couldn't decipher the origin of the strength within me, but it stopped me from cowering under the intimidating glares.

I looked at Ezra.

I might still not have an identity of my own to be proud of, but I was the demon lords' wife, and that was an identity I wanted to wear with pride and flaunt, even if it lasted for a year.

If my time with them was limited, I wanted to make the most out of it. I quickly blinked away the mist in my eyes.

As stupid as it might sound, I wanted to... love them.

Asher.

Raven.

Ezra.

chest amidst the armor

knew what

I knew they didn't

knew

to do it,

agonizing. Ezra told me I could let go of everything I was holding back today, so maybe I'll let go of these restraints on myself as well. I knew they would never reciprocate my love. They might break my emotions into

loved; I wanted to love. And out of the

rage in his eyes flickered to something

I smiled faintly.

could love them and keep it all locked

good. I still had

with them. The first time someone cared about my dreams

equal, but above

was the first time someone had stood up for me, someone had tried to understand me, help me, protect me even though it meant putting themselves in unnecessary trouble. It would be unfair and disrespectful to

worthy of the High lady's title. I had to

gaze before Ezra. Clenching my jaws, I glared back at those

their eyes narrowed with

his head a little higher, as though

alphas in all the three realms. I don't know what that made me. But it clearly made me something more than just

longer bowing before people who didn't

He contemplated me with impassive eyes before he lowered his gaze and

few of them grit their teeth before they forced themselves

All except one.

straight spine, his glare piercing

silent threat in his eyes made

I avoided looking in his direction like I had always done, but this time, I pushed forward a stoic face and even when I could feel the tremble originate in my bones; I

as our gaze collided, a chill ran

the full experience. You won't find the next

crashed into the shards of memories that still stabbed deep

dared lift my gaze in front of him and now

creeping hatred. His eyes darkened, and I felt

of every inch of my body. It was happening

I would find Nikolai's eyes ripping

***

of the Virgo palace. I was shifting my stuff into

of my stuff, I came across a boy who was almost my age. He asked me for directions and I helped

conversation with that stranger lasted less than a minute, but when I went back to

have to look at him twice to realize

he?" He

glanced at

me. I felt my blood curdle in my veins as

a whore, sis? Who is he? Your new client? You can't get any other job,

head, panic rising

was just... giving him

tilted his head, bringing his face close to

grabbed my

live however you want. Do you think you have got a free ticket to ruin the royal family's image? Your every inappropriate action will lead to consequences, sis." He growled. I remembered I was trembling so badly that I couldn't even explain myself to him. Not that

let go