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.

Ezra?" Isagi spoke through

and everyone, Ezra looked

time with her before the meeting officially begins. I request the council to

you need privacy-" Isagi

is exactly where I want this to happen." Ezra snapped his fingers, and the lights dimmed around the hall, spreading

the only thing I can offer you is my sincere truth. Truth of you and I and what it

hands of a man whose own fate is so uncertain. So, I ask you not to entrust your fate to me, but to keep mine in your care..." Xanthea's grip tightened on his palms, her

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 tighter if you say no." His voice cracked with a slight quiver. Ezra

you find my question too difficult to answer, silence will be enough. I'll read your eyes, but if I fail, just whisper and I'll read your lips. There are people inside me, Xanthea; their screams loud but unheard. And

though she could somehow feel

doing being so vulnerable before her in front of

What is he thinking-

crushing gravity and I sat petrified in my seat as Ezra got on his one knee before

the full

gasp, involuntarily stepping

and then lowered his head as

he reached his hands towards his collars and pulled out the ring pendant he had been

to her mouth, her composure disoriented, her eyes filled with disbelief. She

the ring over Ezra's chest. Her restless eyes

took off the pendant and freed the ring from the chain, she gazed at him with

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

and lifted it toward her. Maintaining eye contact with her,

she stared at Ezra, her expressions a

breathing at that moment, all

my claws, sinking into them as I glared at Xanthea who shut

space for her to process everything

scoffed, gritting

took over me

Wrath?

Irritation?

full experience.