Offered to the Triplet Alphas

Chapter-87. May I?

[Raven]

Xanthea's eyelids fluttered to Ezra as he stood before her, her breaths shallow, and when he leaned closer to her, she wasn't breathing altogether.

Ezra held her gaze, his eyes dropping to her parted lips behind the veil as he took in her features like a drug. With a swift gulp, he looked away briefly, overwhelmed by the intensity of her electric proximity. With a deliberate lick of his lips, Ezra stepped closer to her, closing his eyes to breathe her in.

His fingers twitched with a dying urge to reach out to her, yet he restrained himself, careful not to breach the boundaries Xanthea had set.

"May I?" He whispered, his voice carrying a gentle resonance as he feverishly stretched out his hand toward her.

Xanthea looked into his eyes and then at his hand in confusion. Ezra blinked once with a faint smile and their eyes moved in a sync as though communication in a language only they understood.

Xanthea took a cautious breath and gracefully placed her hand into his palm.

As Ezra gently tightened his grip around hers, he tenderly caressed her skin. Holding her gaze, he slowly lifted her hand. With a bow, he pressed the back of her hand against his forehead before planting a kiss on it, causing her to stiffen with a subtle shiver.

Her expression was blurred behind the veil, but the way her eyes lit up with surprise... I knew she was expecting anything but this. "Alpha?"

Her soft whisper trembled on her lips, and for some inexplicable reason, I had to shut my eyes to relish the sheer sublimity of her voice. "Please... trust me," Ezra said coaxingly.

Xanthea tensed her brows as she took in the hall, the elders seated on the balcony. Her breaths quickened, her chest rising and falling rapidly. But she blinked away her fears and gave an adamant nod.

"Thank you." Holding her hand tight, Ezra ushered her onto the dais with him.

Xanthea tried to keep her posture as relaxed as possible, but I could sense the tension and the struggle with her emotions as she stood clueless before the council.

Ezra let go of her hand as she faced Isagi, who addressed her.

"Lady Xanthea Plath Xipher, welcome to the council. I hope you know why we summoned you-"

"Pardon me, honorable speaker," Ezra interrupted Isagi. "But she doesn't know why she's here."

A wave of confused murmurs ran across the jury and the elders.

Isagi spoke

and everyone, Ezra looked at

her before the meeting officially begins. I

you need privacy-"

the lights dimmed around the hall, spreading a shroud of darkness on everyone else. He took a

I ask a lot from you today," he licked his lips, lowering his head. "And the only thing I can offer you is my sincere truth. Truth of you

but to keep mine in your care..." Xanthea's grip tightened on his palms, her eyes trying to decipher the depth of his words and the

I'm about to ask you might be frightening, dangerous even, but I promise to never let go of your hands if you say yes and to hold you

I'll read your eyes, but if I fail, just whisper and I'll read your lips. There are people inside me, Xanthea; their

up in Xanthea's eyes as though she could somehow feel the pain behind Ezra's

is this stupid doing being so vulnerable before

What is he thinking-

crushing gravity and I sat

for the full experience. You

broken gasp, involuntarily stepping back,

as he smiled at her and then lowered his

his collars and pulled out the ring pendant he

filled with disbelief. She shook her head as though she couldn't believe her eyes, as if she was

at the ring over Ezra's chest. Her restless eyes darted to his, searching for an explanation as she gulped

ring from the chain, she gazed at him with

found this ring. And while I have known you for such a short time... I-I feel

between his fingers and lifted it toward her. Maintaining eye contact with her, Ezra's

stared at Ezra, her expressions a mix

breathing at that moment, all eyes on the two of them, awaiting Xanthea's

glared at Xanthea

process everything without being overwhelmed. He hid us and the council away in the darkness so we wouldn't

gritting my

don't know what took over me

Wrath?

Irritation?

for the full experience.