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.

my chest amidst the armor

I knew what it

knew they didn't need my

knew the

wanted to do it,

more 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 some

didn't just crave to be loved; I wanted to love. And out of the two, loving someone secretly would be definitely less

me as I contemplated him. The rage in his eyes

I smiled faintly.

and keep it all locked in my heart. Their

of us together weren't good. I still

for was with them. The first time someone cared

not equal, but above them...

first time someone had stood up for me, someone had tried to understand me, help me, protect me even though it meant putting themselves

lady's title. I had to honor it with all the strength I could

Clenching my jaws, I

narrowed with shock

proud smirk spread across Ezra's face, and he held his head a little higher, as though what I did had somehow elevated his status

alphas in all the three realms. I don't know what that made me. But it

was no longer bowing before

with impassive eyes before he lowered his gaze and bowed before me. All the sneers of the members of the Virgo pack turned into

grit their teeth before they forced themselves into a bow before

All except one.

spine, his glare piercing daggers into

eyes made me

stoic face and even when I could feel the tremble originate in my bones; I ignored the unsettling churn in my

our gaze collided,

full experience. You won't find the next chapter anywhere

numb almost in an instant as I crashed into the shards

of him

wide eyes turned into the creeping hatred. His eyes darkened, and I felt

my body. It

a man by mistake, I would find Nikolai's eyes ripping me naked as though he wanted to tear me apart. One of the most recent memories flashed in

***

right before I moved out of the Virgo palace. I was shifting

rest of my stuff, I came across

more to it and my conversation with that stranger lasted less than a minute, but when I went

I didn't have to look at him twice to realize he was in

he?" He

glanced

video of me talking to that stranger on his phone, he walked to me. I felt my blood curdle in my veins

moved out and you are already acting like a whore, sis? Who is he? Your new

shook my head, panic rising within

was just... giving him

head, bringing his face close to mine.

my shoulder in

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