Offered to the Triplet Alphas

Chapter-96. Deception

[Asher]

Deception was one of the most fundamental strategies of warfare. In fact, deception was warfare where one used camouflage, misled the enemy, and manipulated the situation to bend the victory on their side with the least potential conflict. A part of deception was feigning weakness to make the enemy confident and arrogant enough to walk into the trap of his own comfort.

Something as complicated as a layered deception was so deftly executed by my wife against my brother, who obviously had an upper hand until... he walked into her trap.

Xanthea was a resourceful woman. From a shampoo bottle to tiny seeds, she truly could use anything at her disposal. And right now, she had an entire pouch of things she could use against us in ways unfathomable.

I squinted, peering at the tiny silver blue seeds stuck all across Pheles' smooth midnight black fur that flashed with a tealish glow, each strand catching the light like dark silk.

"Look at all those voltthorn seeds stuck in your fur, Pheles." I tilted my head, inspecting his furry tails. "How did you not notice them?"

Pheles growled low, his fur bristling as he shook himself, trying to get rid off of the stubborn seeds. Then he glanced at Xanthea who hugged herself soothingly as she sat stiffly on my chair.

Her heart thundered so loudly; I could hear it pound across the room.

After separating them, I took Raven aside, creating enough distance between the two.

The kids in question remained hidden behind her chair.

Xanthea had secretly scattered voltthorn seeds all across Pheles' fur while feigning a reckless stabbing attempt with the thin blackthorn branch. The seeds, small and scentless, were perfect for slipping by unnoticed in the heat of adrenaline- fueled fight.

No wonder Raven didn't pick up on her deception - he'd have dismissed her fumbling strikes as a typical omega incompetence.

While in reality, with each dodge and slash, Pheles was basically getting more and more entangled in her actual trap.

'I am not as well-versed in herbology as you, Raven, but you know what voltthorn seeds do when they come in contact with a nutrition medium, right?' I asked through the mindlink.

'They grow exponentially. Small seeds shoot out into creepers that discharge electric currents strong enough to cause neural damage that could lead to irreversible impairments in an immortal. While voltthorn seeds are harmless anesthetics, their creeper form has a strong affinity for immortality genes.'

Raven's contemplative tone was passive with warning and caution as he peered at Xanthea's hand.

'But the vial she cracked in her hand couldn't have enough nutrition medium to sprout more than one or two seeds.'

'True. But she wasn't going for the medium in the vial, she was going for the medium in her veins. What could be a better nutrition medium than blood?'

Pheles looked at me, his eyes widening slightly as he scowled at Xanthea.

'Her blood? That's sick!' Raven grumbled.

'That's the thing I like about mortals. They neither have to be as good as celestials nor as evil as infernals. They swing in the gray area.'

'I can't believe this.' Raven's tone was humbled with incredulity. 'She really wasn't holding back... risking her life for some kids she picked up from the streets?'

plan unfolded the way she

genes, so the voltthorn creepers wouldn't have done much harm to her. They

I shrugged and Pheles looked away

scratch on her palm. Her

her pouch after making her throw the broken vial in the dustbin. Because

she wasn't holding back.' I looked at Pheles again. 'But it would be foolish to think this is all she's capable of. Her knowledge is her biggest weapon, and we have no idea just how far it extends. You'd

before heading towards the

boy needs

head down. Or do you want me to

rid of that boy before Ezra shows up.' He entered the bathroom, shutting the door behind him

already shown up. He had arrived in the Aile castle minutes after Xanthea

railing while the other held his phone. He heard our conversations, but his eyes were fixed on the waves the winds created. With his back towards the world and his eyes lost in oblivion, he was trying not to intervene. By not looking at his phone screen, he was distancing himself from the situation, hoping

that would have usually triggered him,

help but wonder how much he had healed since the last time - or if he had healed at all. I wanted to believe that he

kids peeking from behind the chair. Seeing me, they quickly hid behind it. Although the reluctance of standing against me was clear in Xanthea's eyes, it didn't stop her

walked to the table, poured four glasses of water. Picking up the serving tray, I

hard, stiffening her body as I walked closer to

protection on them. I respect that. I won't interfere," I said,

on the edge of her bed, keeping a comfortable distance from the kids so they didn't perceive me as

just stared at me, hesitating while I busied myself with wiping the dried blood on my body

I am not in a welcoming state. My sincerest apologies for my rude appearance. I was in the middle of something. Didn't really

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stole a glance at the kids, who gulped down water as

broke the silence. "You won't

I said before she could finish. "I just want to say - listen to your heart. If it says what you are doing is right, then stand by it. But if you have even the slightest of doubts, I request you to reconsider and

these kids worth

what is happening here is wrong. I'm not saying

took in a shaky breath and lowered

just because they can't activate their immortality genes at such a tender age when they don't know life from death... it's cruel. They are perfectly healthy in all other ways. Who are we to decide who lives and who dies? Alpha Raven is right. I don't know this place or

and clear to their rightful owner. Ezra raked back his hair, his breathlessness dissolving in the war of winds that whipped around him, tugging

"Xanthea..." I began.

win against the demon

your mind, isn't it?" I asked, and she looked at me. "What is it? Saving these kids has become more personal to

did was impulsive. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into, but I couldn't just unsee the obvious and ignore their cries. I know my actions have put

"Why?" I asked.

pausing for a moment. In those few seconds, the heavy silence between us was interrupted by the

what it might cost me, and

allowing her words

have dared fight battles I know I can't win. But my mother once wrote - there are some battles we cannot not fight. Whether we win or lose. We fight." Her voice quivered. "And Alpha Ezra showed me how important it

reaction on his impassive face, but he gripped his phone tighter at Xanthea's words. He might have helped Xanthea with her past, but he wasn't ready to face

want you or your brothers to find out about them. I just... wanted