Offered to the Triplet Alphas

[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.

A small ache throbbed in my chest amidst the armor the triplets' presence had soldered around me.

Yes, I knew what it meant.

Yes, I knew they didn't need my love.

Yes, I knew the consequences.

But I wanted to do it, anyway.

People say one-sided love is the most painful kind, but stopping myself from loving them was even 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 games, but I wanted to love them with all my heart.

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

Ezra looked at me as I contemplated him. The rage in his eyes flickered to something soft that made my heart skip a beat.

I smiled faintly.

I could love them and keep it all locked in my heart. Their hearts didn't have to know.

I know the circumstances that brought all of us together weren't good. I still had so many questions I wanted to ask them.

But the first time I felt welcomed and cared for was with them. The first time someone cared about my dreams was with them.

'Today, you'll stand not equal, but above them... as my wife.'

And this was the first 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 Ezra if I cowered now.

In fun or feelings, Ezra had deemed me worthy of the High lady's title. I had to honor it with all the strength I could muster.

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

All their eyes narrowed with shock and disbelief.

A 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 and bolstered his strength.

I was an omega with a soul pact with three of the most powerful alphas in all the three realms. I don't know what that made me. But it clearly made me something more than just an omega.

I was no longer bowing before people who didn't deserve it.

The Alpha King glanced at me. He contemplated me with impassive eyes before he lowered his gaze and bowed before me. All the sneers of the members of the Virgo pack turned into a begrudging acceptance.

I heard a few of them grit their teeth before they forced themselves into a bow before me.

All except one.

Nikolai stood tall with a straight spine, his glare piercing daggers into me.

The silent threat in his eyes made me tighten my grip around Ezra's hand.

Initially, I avoided looking in his direction like I had always done, but this time, I pushed forward a stoic face and even when I could feel the tremble originate in my bones; I ignored the unsettling churn in my guts and stared back into Nikolai's eyes.

As soon as our gaze collided, a chill ran down my spine.