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.

small ache throbbed in my chest amidst the

I knew

I knew they didn't need

I knew the

wanted to

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

I wanted to love. And out of the

me as I contemplated him. The rage in his eyes flickered to something soft that made my heart

I smiled faintly.

locked in

all of us together weren't good. I still

felt welcomed and cared for was with them. The first time

you'll stand not equal, but

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 them - to

deemed me worthy of the High lady's title. I had to honor it

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

narrowed with

held his head a little higher, as though what I did had somehow elevated his

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

longer bowing before people who didn't deserve

at me. He contemplated me with impassive eyes before he lowered his gaze and bowed before me. All the sneers of the members

of them grit their teeth

All except one.

stood tall with a straight spine, his glare piercing daggers

made me tighten my

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

gaze collided,

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an instant as I crashed into the shards of memories that

in front of him

creeping hatred. His eyes darkened,

as I became highly conscious of every inch of my body. It was happening again. Under his

mistake, I would find Nikolai's eyes ripping me

***

I moved out of the Virgo palace. I was shifting my stuff

I came across a boy who was almost my age.

my conversation with that stranger lasted less than a minute, but when I went back to the Virgo palace, I found Nikolai in my room,

to look at him twice to realize he was in a

was he?"

glanced at

that stranger on his phone, he walked to me. I felt my blood curdle in my veins as he towered over me. Nikolai had always been controlling and monitored me closely, but that day I was scared

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

my head, panic

giving him the

your house?" He tilted his head, bringing his face close

grabbed my shoulder

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 it would be of any

let go of my

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