ã€ŠOffered to the Triplet Alphasã€‹


 Chapter 0001

    Chapter 0001

    ¡°I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams." ¡ª W. B. Yeats

    [Xanthea th]

    I limped into the graveyard, clutching my broken arm with the other hand. Blood mixed in the rain trailed down from my shoulder to my elbow, down my wrists, making its way to my fingers that clutched the small bouquet of forget-me-not flowers.

    Every flower of the bouquet was crushed and marred with blood-stains. The blue ribbon that once tied the flowers together was long lost.

    The white gown, soaked by the downpour, hugged my body as if it sought to suffocate me. Inked scarlet, its hem absorbed the ck tint of the ground as it glissaded over the sharp des of overgrown grass.

    Today was my mother''s twenty-third death anniversary and my twenty-third birthday.

    I forced another step on the muddy grounds of the graveyard with my sprained leg. A thick curtain of rain obscured my already blurry vision. Streaks of rain trailed down my cracked sses that hung loosely on my nose.

    Panting and stifling my moans, I dragged myself closer and closer to my mother''s grave.

    Perhaps it was the tears in my eyes, or perhaps it was the rainwater tracing its way down my face. The only sensation that wasn''t a struggle was feeling the coldness of the rain being absorbed against my feverish skin.

    My ribs hurt with every breath.

    ''No matter how much of a struggle it is to breathe, you never stop breathing. Because you know the struggles are only temporary. What''s permanent is life that death has not yet kissed.''

    My mother''s words echoed in my head. I gritted my teeth, taking a deep breath even when it hurt.

    Tears stung into my eyes as I gulped down the trembling lump clogging my throat.

    I found my mother''s gravestone.

    Freya th

    And below her name carved on the white marble gravestone was the epitaph - "Forget me not."

    I didn''t need much effort as I sank to my bruised knees and offered the blood-stained flowers to my mother''s memory.

    I bowed until my nose touched the ground and finally broke into tears. The flood of emotions that had sustained me through the harrowing journey finally snapped.

    I had never met my mother when she was alive, but now she lived through me.

    And through her diaries, she hade alive to me. My heart filled with an unfathomable warmth and the utmost respect when I thought of her. I knew her closer than any daughter would have ever known their mother.

    I knew her like a friend, like a secret keeper, like an equal. Through her words, I knew her heart and now it feels as though my heart had been

    reced by hers, filled with her smiles andughter that I never got to see or hear. Yet I felt them all so closely, it hurt.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    I fell in love with everything this woman was and everything she could have be only if the alpha''s eyes didn''t fall on her.

    My mother was an omega, just like

    me. It was a world of cruel hierarchy, where the alphamands over all the dreams of everyone in the pack Under hismand, an omega wasn''t allowed to dream of anything greater than their rank granted. We dwelled at the bottom of the food chain. Our value was confined and limited to serving the ones who held the higher ranks.

    But my mother dared to dream. She dared to have wings to fly high and higher were her ambitions. So high it seemed impossible for an omega to achieve in this world of power, ranks, and politics.

    Her wings that I broke bying to life. Because after that, my mother''s eyes were too lifeless to dream anymore. So I reced my eyes with hers, transnted her dreams into the sole reason for my existence.

    And now, if I am not her dreams, her words, her ideals, I don''t know who I am.

    They say you can''t miss a person you''ve never met, but I miss every second of my life as I imagine how my life would have been if she were still alive.

    Maybe my bones would have broken less, perhaps I would have lesser scars. Perhaps then I wouldn''t be so lonely. Perhaps I''d know what love felt like.

    But my mother died during the delivery and so the illegitimate daughter of Alpha Valdimir Virgo was born of an extra-marital affair.

    Obviously, everyone in the pce hated me. Maybe things would have been different if I inherited my father''s alpha genes. But I was grateful that I didn''t.

    I''d rather have a strong mind and a warm heart than brute strength and a cold ego.

    More than anyone else, I was an eyesore for Luna Meesa Virgo. She couldn''t tolerate the mere sight of me. She wanted to throw me out of the pce the moment I was born, but Alpha kept me in the pce until I turned eighteen and then he asked me to leave.

    I shifted into a small house that my mother owned, which itself was an exceptional feat for an omega, since most couldn''t afford it. They lived in either the servant quarters or in the shabby slums.

    I didn''t even know how badly those eighteen years of my life had broken me. But after beginning an independent life in my mother''s home, I started healing.

    My mother worked as a florist in the

    royal pce. She loved her job of cultivating flowers and medicinal nts. Her knowledge in herbology surpassed every book I''ve read so far. She wasn''t just cultivating, but creating new varieties, new species.

    She mentioned it all in her journals, diaries and books, the legacy she left behind for me.

    Alpha now had an heir to the throne, twenty-two-year-old Niki Virgo, the crown prince. And a legitimate daughter, neen years old Nathalia Virgo.

    Both of them were born with true alpha genes.

    I received monthly maintenance money from him, but I never used that money.

    Ever since I left the pce, I have worked to support myself and my studies.

    I didn''t want anything to do with the royal family or its people. I had been preparing for the International Medical Entrance Exams for years. After qualifying for that exam, I was nning to leave the pack for good.

    Or that''s what I thought. The entrance exams were tomorrow.

    "They knew, mom. Luna knew how important this exam was for me. That is why they did this to me..." I broke down into sobs. "How do I write the exams with a broken hand?"

 Chapter 0002

    Chapter 0002

    [Xanthea]

    I left my apartment in the afternoon when the sun gently hid behind the mammatus clouds. I grew Forget-me-nots the whole year for my mother''s death anniversary. Picking some of the most vibrant flowers, I tied them in a blue ribbon.

    I put on the best formal decent gown I had and set off for the graveyard. I got down from the bus a stop before my actual stop because the roads ahead were out of bounds for the public.

    There was some inter-pack car driftingpetition organised by Niki.

    I knew I had to hurry before the event began, so I decided to walk to the graveyard since it wasn''t too far.

    The road was the fastest way, but maybe I shouldn''t have taken the road.

    ***C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    I had walked a few metres ahead on the road when I heard the roaring of engines and several cars zoomed past me at a speed that made them look like mere glowing lights flying by.

    One of those cars stopped at some distance and started driving in reverse. It was a brand new grey supra.

    Lowering my gaze, I increased my pace.

    "Want a lift, sis?" Niki put his elbow on the window, patting his car. He drove the car slowly, matching my pace. "You know, an omega shouldn''t be here at this hour. Alphas from all the packs will be here tonight. What if someone kidnaps you? Or does something worse?"

    A shrillughter came from the passenger seat.

    ¡°Come on, brother! They might just run their cars over her ugly face of hers. How could someone look at such an abomination and not want to crush it?" Nathalia sniggered, rolling the chewing gum across her mouth.

    "Now. Now. Lia. Don''t be so harsh, or she''ll start crying again. Like good old days," Niki stopped the car. They exchanged some nces, and Nathalia and Niki stepped out of the car.

    Keeping my eyes low, I tensed up when they approached me. Clenching the forget-me-nots, I hid them in my gown''s fabric.

    "How rude of you? Ever since you left the pce, you didn''t evene to visit us once. How ungrateful can a bitch get?" Nathalia hit my shoulder, and I stumbled back.

    "Woah! Calm down. It''s been a while since we saw her. Go easy on her," Niki''s gaze darkened as it ran over me. I dug my fingers into my flesh as I clenched my trembling fist. "Going on a date, sis?"

    I shuddered as his aura thickened. The threat behind his words held me in a chokehold. Restlessness built in my chest as I instantly shook my head. "Then where are you going with flowers in your hand and dressed so prettily? You might not be living with us anymore, but you are, unfortunately, linked with the royal family. And if you were to stain our reputation by acting like a slut then as you brother, it''d be my responsibility to put you in your ce?" He growled, towering over me, and I cowered.

    I pressed my lips together, and I shook my head.

    "I-I was... going to visit my mother''s grave. It''s her death anniversary t-today," I stammered.

    There was a sudden shift in his darkening aura.

    "Oh! It is indeed your birthday today. Happy birthday, sis!"

    I flinched when Niki reached out to touch my shoulder.

    ¡°Oh,e on. We''re family, sis. And until you were doing something that you shouldn''t be doing, I would never hurt you. Ok! As a birthday gift, let me give you a ride to the graveyard. These roads will turn scary soon. Cars will run wild here. I don''t want you to get hurt badly."

    Niki turned to Nathalia.

    ¡°Lia, you can join Karl in his car, right?"

    Nathalia gave me a nasty smirk and nodded. "Of course."

    "Hop on, sis!" He opened the car door for me. "It''s our omega mother''s death anniversary. Let me correct my mistake and drop you safely to the graveyard. I know a shortcut. Come on! Get in! It''s a dangerous road ahead."

    Nathalia scoffed with a menacing smirk crossing her face. "I''ll keep a watch from behind."

    Another car stopped, and Nathalia got into it.

    Nothing they had ever done to me had ever led to anything good for me. I had been an eyesore, proof of Alpha''s infidelity. So, luna had always done everything she could to keep reminding me how illegitimate, unwanted and burdensome I truly was. She had taken every chance to hurt me in all the ways she could.

    Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.

    And luna''s biggest weapons to inflict all that pain on me had been Niki and Nathalia.

    "Get in, sis. Trust me, I am truly

    concerned about you," Niki yelled as several cars zoomed right across the road. "Father will be upset if you get hurt or some random car hits you. Ever since you left the pce, we rarely meet. Let''s catch up."

    I should have run the other way, but several cars stopped by. Boys and girls took out their head out of the window,ughing and giggling.

    Niki seized my hand in a bruising grip, and I yelped slightly.

    "You don''t n to embarrass me before those insects, do you?" He spoke through his gritted teeth. "Be my good doll like you''ve always been and get in while I am still being nice." He hissed.

    Blinking back the mist in my eyes, I entered his car.

    The foreboding screamed at me to not enter his car, but he had left me no other option.

    "Put on the seat belt," Niki said with a dark smirk cutting through his face.

    I fumbled with the seatbelt, but put it on. In a matter of a few seconds, I was tightly clutching on the seatbelt, trying my best not to crush the flowers. The car was racing at its extreme limit.

    I looked at Niki, who seemed to

    be enjoying himself handling the steering wheel deftly, making his car drift on the road. The car turned in circles with the rest of the cars and there were moments almost every second that I thought the car was going to crash into the others.

    Nikiughed. I shut my eyes tightly.

    "Sis! Open your eyes! I am going through all this trouble for you! Enjoy!"

    "Wooohooo~~~" Nathalia hooted, taking half her torso out of the car''s window that drifted into circles right behind Niki''s car. She shot fireworks into the sky and several other cars followed the suit.

    Soon, enormous gs of several packs fluttered in the car as their cars flew by. The rear wheels of almost all those cars were hidden in the fog created by the drifting tires on the road.

    "P-please slow down..." the words trembled out of my lips.

    "What? I couldn''t hear you, sis! Say that louder!" Niki mused as raced the car towards a steep curve.

    Covering my face with my hands, I shut my eyes tightly.

    He drifted the cars along the curve, and I was pressed against the seat.

    "Let me out!" I screamed, panting. "Please, let me out!"

    Niki gave me a hostile side look as he sped, tearing against the winds.

    "With pleasure, sis..." he smirked, unbuckling my seatbelt. The door opened on my side and before I could realise, he pushed me out of the speeding

    car.

    My right hand and left leg crashed against the road before I rolled and skidded on the ck road. A sharp pain numbed my body before Ipletely cked out for a few seconds from the impact.

    The road and cut through my skin like a de until the world finally stopped spinning.

    Iid on the road for I don''t know how long, but in the daze, I remember crawling towards the Forget-me-nots when Nathalia''s car zoomed inches away from my fingers, crushing the flowers.

    Herughter thinned as her car, and Niki''s car drifted in circles all around me. Now and then, Niki''s car would zoom right past me and I would try to avoiding under the tires by rolling over.

    "Please... stop..." I don''t know if my words left my lips or not. My body was shivering badly. "I am sorry. I am sorry..."

    "You should be sorry!" Nathalia spat. "Sorry for being born! You should have died with your mother, bitch!"

    "No Lia! Had she died, we wouldn''t

    have such a great toy to y with. Let''s y a little more. Let''s see how well my car''s brakes are. Stay where you are, sis! And pray the car doesn''t drift over you, ha-ha. I am going to do a small experiment! Everyone back off!" Niki roared, and all the cars circling around me emptied the road around me.

    Niki reversed his car until he was almost out of my sight. Crawling to the Forget-me-nots, I picked them up and then put on my cracked sses. I

    had to get out of that ce.

    The roar of the car''s engine haunted the road as the headlight shed right into my eyes, blinding me.

    Niki elerated the car right towards me.

    My hand clutching the flowers fell limply to my side. My heart gave a painful throb, and I knew what raced towards me was my death.

    The car came closer and closer and-

    Screech!

 Chapter 0003

    Chapter 0003

    [Xanthea]

    The engine gave out a majestic roar as an unknown car drifted right between me and Niki''s car. An ugly screech of the tires against the asphalt, left behind bold tire marks on the road. Then the car raced right at Niki''s car.

    I gasped as my heart pounded horrifyingly at the sight.

    Two other cars zoomed in, nking Niki''s car from the rear.

    The three cars trapping Niki''s car decelerated until all the four cars came to a stop. The rev of their engines rattled me to my bones.

    The loud thunder cracked in the dark cloudy sky, snapping me out of my paralysis. I scrambled to my shaking legs. Limping, I tried to get away from all of them as far away as I could get.

    Nathalia red at me, but the crowd rushed towards the four cars. Using the other as a facade, I tore through the crowd.

    I hadn''t even covered halfway to the graveyard when it started pouring down.

    By the time I was in the graveyard, my body was struggling to breathe. The numbness made the pain stand out even more.

    The cold of the rain caressed the pain throbbing in every inch of my body. As if through the rain, my mother was telling me to pull myself together and keep moving forward.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    ''It is in times like this the conviction of one''s dreams is tested and it is the turning point in one''s life. What you decide at that moment either makes you or breaks you.''

    My mother''s words came to me and I don''t know how, but I pulled myself to the hospital. For the first time in my life, I used the money Alpha had been sending to get myself treated as best as the hospital could offer.

    The x-rays showed my ulna was broken and there was a hairline fracture in my wrist. It would take at least a week to heal with the best medication avable. Alpha''s healed faster, but omegas had weaker healing abilities.

    There was no miracle I could perform to heal my hand, so while I stayed in the hospital that night, I practised bubbling the circles with my left hand. During the exams we gave our answers by bubbling the one of four option bubbles which we believe to be the correct answer to the question. After the night''s practice, I was able to bubble the circles.

    The next morning, I left the hospital and took a taxi back home with my stered hand. The doctors said I should stay in bed for at least a week for proper healing. But I convinced them to prescribe me some best painkillers to get me through the day.

    I was workingpletely on painkillers. I just had to go through this day and the exam. After that, I could finally rest a little after four years of working tirelessly.

    The exams would start in the afternoon. I reached the centre an hour before. The organisers of the exams asked about my hand and all I told them was I met with an ident.

    It was a three-hour exam with all objective type questions. One out of the four options was right. One hour into the exams and I was struggling with my broken hand and left hand. Two hours and I was halfway through the questions. The effect of the painkiller was fading away. I solved questions through the pain.

    The organiser entered my room and strolled to me. She leaned in and whispered.

    "Pleasee with me outside," she said.

    "Out? But I still have one hour-"

    "Please, juste out. You are not eligible to give this exam anymore."

    I froze at her words. At that moment, it felt like my entire world hade crashing down.

    "W-what? But why? I filled everything-"

    "Please, juste out with me. Don''t disturb the other candidates."

    I bit back my tears.

    "I will. Please, just let meplete this exam. This really means everything to me. Please?"

    "I am sorry, but we have direct orders from luna. His highness, the crown prince, is here to take you. We are extremely sorry, but there''s nothing we can do."

    My heart dropped as soon as I heard Niki was there.

    "P-please..." I begged, gulping down the tightness building in my throat. ¡°Just half an hour. I am begging you. Please..."

    My heart thundered in my chest as if it would break all my ribs.

    She gave me an apologetic look.

    "What''s taking so long?" Niki stormed into the room.

    Paralyzed, I widened my eyes. Tears welled up in my eyes and my mouth dried up. My stomach twisted and dropped with every step he took.

    He stopped near my table and winced at the question paper and answer sheet. He smirked as he leaned on the table and whispered, "were you preparing to run away from the pack again, sis? You found a legal way this time, didn''t you?"

    "Please. Please don''t take this away from me," I gasped, as tears trailed down my frozen eyes. "Please. I''ll do everything you say, just let me... ah!" He grabbed my upper arm and, with brute strength, pulled me to my feet.

    "I am extremely sorry for disturbing you guys. As you can see, my sister is hurt and we are extremely worried about her wellbeing. That is why my mother asked me to get her back to the pce. My na?ve sister doesn''t know what''s good for her and what''s not. I apologise for the disturbance she caused."

    I struggled to free myself from him when he yanked me closer, whispering against my ear, "stop! Or I will break every bone in your body." "Please. I am sorry. I promise I will do better." Even though I knew it was useless, I tried to talk to him as he dragged me through the empty hallways of the college and threw me in his car.

    I pressed my hand against the ss as he mmed the door on my face.

    "Please, Niki! Please, just half an hour. Just give me half an hour. I promise I wille with you wherever you want."

    I wasn''t begging; I was desperate.

    He got in the driver''s seat and I clutched his hand before he could start the car, "please Niki. Please, just once! I have never asked for anything. Just once, give me a little time. Let meplete my exams. Please." I bowed in front of him.

    "Breaking your hand wasn''t enough. Should have broken your legs as well. Ugh! But mother said not to hurt you today!" He hit the steering wheel. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed my cheeks.

    "Don''t you understand, sis? You are not even allowed to breathe if we don''t approve of it. You thought you could give this exam without us noticing?¡± I yelped as he grabbed my hair. Pain throbbed through my head.

    "Don''t you remember your promise? You said you would be my obedient doll. What''s with this defiance? I am already fucking frustrated. Don''t get on my nerves anymore. I came all the way here to pick you. You don''t appreciate it even a bit, do you?"

    He left my hair with a jerk. I clenched my jaws, trying to remain as silent as I could.

    Pinning me against my seat, he put the seatbelt across my chest and hands.

    Niki started the car and drove it out of the college. I watched the college go farther and farther away from me and so did everything I was living for.

    "I am warning you, if you tell anything about this broken hand to father, I will make it worse!"

    "AHH!" I muffled my cry as he clenched my stered hand.

    "Now, sit like a good girl and no more crying. Although I love the way you look when you cry, you need to look the best tonight. A family dinner and there will be very important guests. So mother wants me to make sure you are in your best behaviour."

 Chapter 0004

    Chapter 0004

    [Xanthea]

    The maids gingerly removed the ster from my hand and wrapped it in fresh stic bandages.

    I sat in front of the ornate dressing table with shut eyes. I didn''t want to look at myself, not when Niki''s unsettling gaze scorched disgustingly over every inch of my body.

    I wore a thin, white undergown that concealed nothing. It clung to my body, revealing far more than I wasfortable with.

    A sick churn bubbled up in my stomach with apprehension when he approached the dressing table, ordering the maids to leave.

    I clenched the gown over my knees into my fists. He ced his hand on my shoulder, the searing warmth of his palm sinking into my bare skin.

    I tensed up, bringing my shoulders closer to my neck when he leaned closer to my ears.

    "Now, wouldn''t you look prettier with this piece of cloth off you, my pretty doll?"

    My fists trembled as he slipped the sleeve of the undergown down my shoulder.

    He took a sharp breath with a chuckle, distancing himself from me.

    "Look at you tremble, sis! What did you think I''d do? I am your half-brother. Come on! How disgusting can your thoughts get? I was just joking with you. Take these painkillers and be on your best behaviour, sis. I am not joking when I say these are important guests," he said.

    His hand slid over my fist.

    ¡°Take these painkillers. Trust me, I am only trying to help you. It might be a long night for you,¡± Niki forced open my fist and put the painkillers in my palm. "Here''s your water. I know you won''t be able to hold with your right hand. Let me help you drink."

    I stared at the pills in my palms. Shutting my eyes, I swallowed them, allowing Niki to help me drink the water.

    "Good doll," he said, running his thumb across my lips, wiping off the water. "If you were this obedient all the time, I wouldn''t have to go through all the trouble you force me through. The maids will now dress you up.¡±

    He left and the maids soon entered the room when I finally looked at myself in the mirror...

    The bridal veil ran down from my hair all the way to the floor across the gown. The one who looked back from the reflection was a pretty bride dressed in avish full sleeved, off-shoulder, revealing white wedding gown, just like a doll.

    I guess that''s what I was always supposed to be. A doll for someone to dress up. A doll who had no mind of her own, the one who had no luxury to dream or think for herself. I was always supposed to listen to others and have no opinion of my own. That''s what omegas have always been.

    I lowered my gaze.

    I didn''t even want to look at the one standing in the mirror.

    My stomach convoluted with foreboding and apprehension.

    Why was I dressed like a bride?

    What was going on?

    What exactly was going to happen to me?

    What did Niki mean when he said it would be a long night for me?

    The door opened, and someone entered. From the sound of heels striking the marble, I knew it was my stepmother, Luna Meesa Virgo.

    I held my gaze low as she took me in.

    "She looks perfect. Bring her when I call," she talked to the maids and left.

    I had a powerful urge to ask her why I was wearing a wedding gown, but I knew it was better to let things unfold ording to them than to question or fight them.

    I slumped back on the white and golden couch.

    My heart thumped louder with every ticking of the clock.

    Hourster, something happened that had never happened before. Alpha Valdimir entered my room, and I instantly sprang to my feet. It felt like blood had drained off my body as he stood near me. But at the same time, I was a little hopeful about something.

    I didn''t know what I hoped for from him, but it was all in vain.

    In the twenty-three years of my life, this was the third time I was standing face to face with him. He was never cold to me or hostile like Luna Meesa, Nathalia and Niki. But he was never warm either.

    He was my father, but we wereplete strangers.

    I bowed, keeping my gaze low.

    He contemted me for a while before he spoke.

    "You are... getting married to the..." he gritted his jaws then continued. "... to the triplet Alphas of the Infernal pack tonight," he said in his usual calm voice and a hint of hesitation.

    My breaths had stalled in my chest as the meaning of his words sank in.

    "I thought it was... important that you know and understand... the situation. The Alpha King has chosen our pack this year to make the offering to the demon lords. I had no choice, Thea. Nathalia is too young. The fate of our pack is... now in your hands. As your father, I don''t want this to happen to you-"

    "Please leave," my voice trembled as I turned away from him. Tears brimmed in my eyes.

    "Thea..."

    Pain knotted into my chest. Suffocation tightened into my throat as I forced those words from my lips.

    "An alpha is offering an omega from his pack to the demon lords to protect his pack and his people. There''s nothing more to this situation, your highness. You could have sent your servant to ry the message like you always did. It''s not like you ever considered me as your daughter. And if by any odd chance you feel guilty, then think yourself forgiven, for I never expected anything from you."

    The bitterness mixed with fear and pain made me speak words that I never could have dared say to him otherwise. And I instantly regretting letting my inner thoughtse to life in front of him.

    I don''t think he was there to say a sorry. Maybe he was there to warn me or tell me to behave myself.

    He let out an exasperated sigh. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

    Tears trailed down my eyes. Words clogged my throat and all I could do was shake my head.

    "I am sorry, Thea. All of this happened so suddenly since yesterday, even I don''t understand how things led to this. It''s Alpha King''s order. So, I hope you understand the gravity of this situation."

    Of course, I knew what it meant to be offered to the Triplets. I knew how serious the situation was.

    Now that I knew the reason for wearing the wedding gown, its fabric felt like molten silver on my skin.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    I was being offered to the Triplet alphas.

    There were three Pack Realms in this world ¡ª the Earthly Packs realm, the Celestial pack realm, and then the most dreaded pack ever, the Infernal pack realm.

    The Celestial pack was known as

    the purest pack and was ruled by the Moon Goddess herself. It consisted

    of immortal werewolves,

    descendants of the angel, dragon, or god races. The Earthly packs relied heavily on the blessings of the Celestial pack, which was believed to be a pack hidden in the sky.

    The Earthly packs realm consisted of the twelve werewolf packs inhabiting mortal werewolves. The Virgo pack my pack, was one of the Earthly packs. Each pack was ruled by analpha and the Alpha King ruled over all the twelve alphas. He was also known as the Alpha of the Alphas and he was responsible for maintaining peace with the Celestial pack and the Infernal pack.

    The Infernal pack was infamously known as the pack of the underworld or hell, and it was ruled

    by the triplet alphas or the ne

    §¥?§­

    A

    lords. The Infernal pack was also inhabited by the immortal werewolves, but they were descendants of the evil, the demons,

    AND

    the curses, the banished and the ones who turned rogue. Content

    belongs to

    No one knew why, but it started three years ago. Every year, the Alpha King chose an Earthly pack to make an offering to the Triplet alphas of the Infernal pack.

    From what everyone believed, offering the demon lords a bride of royal blood every year was the only way to maintain peace between the Earthly packs and the Infernal pack.

    No one knows what happens to the brides in the Infernal pack. But by the end of the one year time, all those brides from all the Earthly packs were found dead in the most gruesome way and hung outside the royal pces if the packs they belonged to.

    The triplet alphas took over those fallen packs and ever since, their inhabitants live at their mercy.

    I gulped hard, trying to manage my breathlessness. But everything was turning dark in front of my eyes. I held my head. Nausea tore through my chest, cold fear rattling through my bones as I imagined myself meeting the same gruesome end.

    Until today, three brides have been offered to them and no bride had survived those ruthless alphas. All of them were alpha blood. I was an omega. I

    wouldn''t survive a day-

    "Thea!" Alpha held me before I slumped to the floor.

    A cry escaped my lips when he held my broken hand.

    I instantly withdrew my hand from him.

    He tensed his brows. "Thea, are you hurt?"

    I restlessly looked around the floor and shook my head.

    He seized my hand, making me wince. He made me sit on the couch while he sat beside me. He lifted the sleeve of my broken hand. His furrow deepened when he saw the bandages wrapped around my arms.

    "How did this happen?" He asked.

    Niki''s warning rang in my head and my mouth turned drier than it already was.

    "Alpha!" I heard Luna Meesa''s panic-stricken voice as she stormed into the room.

    Catching her breath, her wide eyes fell on my hand and then at Alpha. Rage shed in her eyes as she red at me.

    "Did you know she was hurt?" Alpha asked and Luna Meesa''s aura instantly shifted.

    "She''s hurt?" she strutted towards me. "I didn''t know. Why didn''t you tell me you were hurt when I asked you before?"

    "What happened, Thea?" Alpha turned to me.

    My breaths sped up; tears streamed down my eyes.

    Luna grabbed my shoulder. I supressed a wince.

    "Yes, sweety. What happened? Tell your father, how did you get hurt?" Her tone was sweet to ears who didn''t know the threat lurking behind that

    sweetness.

    Sniffling, I licked my dry lips and said.

    ¡°I-I... fell... from the stairs."

    "Oh my! That is I didn''t like the idea of her shifting to Freya''s house. She''s all alone there and you know she never shares anything with us. She doesn''t even consider us a family. Or else she would have told me," Luna Meesa said.

    There was a knock at the door and the royal doctor walked in. Luna Meesa red at me and then at Alpha, looking as shocked as I was.

    Alpha got up from the couch as the doctor examined me thoroughly.

    He told father about my broken hand and sprained ankles.

    "Father..." Niki entered the room.

    "Is Alpha King here to take her?" Father asked, facing him.

    Before offering the bride to the Triplet Alphas, the Alpha King collected the brides himself and then took her to his kingdom from where she was sent

    to the Infernal pack.

    "No," his stern voice hinted of fear. "They are here..." he panted anxiously. "The demon lords are here themselves."

    Blood froze in my veins. Doctor and Alpha blocked Niki from my vision. But I wished he said he was joking even when I knew he wasn''t.

    "They sent a messenger. They''ll be here by midnight," Niki said.

    "Call an immediate meeting in the court," Alpha said and Niki hurried out of the room. Turning towards Luna, Alpha said. "Get Nathalia ready for the offering. Thea can''t marry the Triplets in this condition."

 Chapter 0005

    Chapter 0005

    [Xanthea]

    Luna Meesa''s face lost all color.

    "What? Alpha..."

    He raised his hand, silencing her.

    "We don''t have time for arguments. It''s an order and I expect you to follow it."

    With that, he left the room.

    Luna Meesa shot me an outraged gaze. She flounced in front of me and pped me across my face.

    The stinging pain pulsed through my cheek like a thousand needles, overwhelming my senses.

    "Are you happy now?" She snarled at me. ¡°You''ve finally destroyed my family! You and your filthy blooded mother!"

    I peered nkly at the floor. A mix of emotions crashed upon me, strangling my heart with their unforgiving ws.

    Her grip tightened on my broken arm as I stifled my cries into mere whimpers. For the first time in my life, I felt as if I deserved the pain.

    The royal doctor lowered his gaze. It was nothing new for him. After all, he was the one to heal me for eighteen years after every time they broke me. He never asked about my wounds. All he did was treat me, keeping his mouth shut just like today.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    She grabbed my cheeks with her other hand, her nails dug into my cheeks. My eyes stung with tears at the pain. I clenched my jaws to arrest the sob in my throat.

    "Useless and burdensome, as you always were..."

    "Mother!" Nathalia burst into the room, breaking into tears. "I don''t want to marry them! I don''t want to die! Mother, please do something!"

    I had expected Nathalia to unleash her anger on me, but she clung to Luna, sobbing bitterly. We shared the same fear in that moment and maybe that was what bound us.

    Nothing really matters when you can see your death right on your doorstep. Especially not when death wasing to marry you and take you away to the underworld as an offering.

    Another agonizing hour passed, with Nathalia''s sobs and cries echoing the fatal silence of the pce. She was in another room, but I could hear her painful cries all the way to my room.

    I didn''t know what the royal doctor had injected into my hand, but the pain had lessened. I gently cradled my broken hand, wanting to feel relief, but restlessness gnawed at my chest with every passing second.

    The air inside and around the pce was thick with a kind of fear that came with the threat of an impending tsunami. A fear of destruction with no escape. All we could do was let the tsunami pass and hope to still be alive once it had.

    I was left alone in the room, forgotten now that everyone''s attention was on Nathalia.

    The sound of the clock had be much more pronounced and so did the hurried footsteps in the corridors.

    I rose from the bed and paced near the dressing table, fidgeting with my fingers as restlessness grew wilder in my chest.

    I wanted to go back home to my mother, her diaries. Maybe then I would find some courage.

    My head snapped up as my room door creaked open.

    This is what I feared the most. He is going to be mad again! He''ll hurt me again.

    With bated breath, I looked at Niki, who wore a deep frown when he entered the room. But his face turned impassive as he took me in.

    His eyes widened in a daze as his gaze traveled down my body to my wedding gown, lingering on each detail.

    My heart hammered against my ribs.

    "I didn''t tell Alpha about my arm. I promise. He... sort of... found out on his own. I didn''t tell him anything about you or the car thing..." I spoke in a breath, well aware of what wasing regardless of my words. He wasn''t going to trust me.

    He stepped closer and I shut my eyes, my body trembling.

    He is going to hit me...

    But he stopped. I nced at him, confused.

    His gaze flickered briefly to my breasts, with a sneer he gritted his teeth and stormed out of the room without a word.

    I took a quick gulp.

    What just happened?

    The voices in the corridors grew louder and more rushed. So did my heartbeats.

    I looked at the watch. It was ten minutes to midnight.

    I could no longer sit back in that room. I walked out of the room. Walking some distance in the corridor, I heard Nathalia whimpers.

    "Brother please. Do something. Please... they''ll kill me. You know them, they are devils," Nathalia clutched Niki''s hand, pleading.

    She was dressed in a sparkly white wedding gown, adorned in the best of diamonds. Something she always unted, something that no longer held value. I lowered my gaze. At least there was someone she could plead with.

    I would have to bear it silently. A knot formed in my chest, tightening with Nathalia''s cry for help.

    "They are in the pack, you should... prepare yourself, Lia. Stop crying. You need to look... good for them," Niki said, clenching his jaws. An unfamiliar powerlessness lingered in his eyes.

    Nathalia broke into silent sobs. She had been crying for hours now. Her eyes were red, her voice hoarse, but she kept pleading sometimes with Luna, sometimes with Niki. Both of them could only listen.

    "It''s all my mistake." Nathalia slumped against the wall. "It''s karma. That is why this is happening. It''s all my fault. I broke her hand. It was my idea..."

    I widened my eyes, feeling a strangling pain throb in my chest at her words.

    "I am the one to me. It''s all my fault..." she slumped against the doorframe.

    As the clock struck midnight, the main clock chimed loudly. Nathalia''s eyes widened, tears streaming down incessantly.

    "No, no." She ran into her room, mming the door behind her.

    A sudden gravity filled the pce as the air crackled with power and dominance. The demon lords, the triplets, had arrived.

    Niki banged on her door. "Lia! Open the door! Lia! Don''t do this! Shit!" He mumbled, punching the wall helplessly.

    For a moment, he remained calm, probably mindlinking with the Alpha. Then, with a forceful push, he opened the door and dragged Nathalia out. She was no longer screaming. Suppressed sobs were the only sound that escaped her lips.

    I watched it all hiding behind the wall.

    Nathalia''s teary gaze met mine before she was dragged away, and her face kept shing in my eyes as if it might remain imprinted in my mind forever.

    I pressed my hands over my mouth, breaking into tears. Leaning my head against the wall, I slumped to the floor.

    Holding my aching head in my hands, I cried until I could no longer fight the weight of my own conscience.

    With the support of the wall, I got up. Lifting the hem of my wedding gown, I ran as fast as I could with my sprained ankles in the empty corridors of the pce.

    Everyone had gathered in the ballroom for the marriage ceremony. Even the maids were nowhere to be seen.

    I ran through the web of corridors,

    finally stopping when I reached the backdoor of the ballroom. That was the ce from where the bride would enter the hall. I could feel the heavy aura lurk in the air.

    Panting, I hesitated for a moment before finally making up my mind.

    I saw Alpha waiting with sobbing Nathalia, hidden in the darkness. I didn''t dare glimpse whatever ceremony was going on in the ballroom.

    The ballroom had been hastily decorated for the marriage ceremony, yet it looked gothically beautiful.

    Dark clouds rumbled in the sky with thunder and lightning, adding to the frenzied ambiance.

    The crowd surrounding Nathalia parted to make way for me.

    Luna Meesa''s bleary gaze fell on me, but she didn''t react with hostility as usual.

    I stepped closer to them.

    Niki blocked my path to Alpha and Nathalia.

    "What are you doing here?" He spoke through gritted teeth. "Came here to enjoy our suffering?"

    I met his eyes, my voice unwavering. "Only you can find happiness in someone else''s suffering, not me."

    Niki frowned; rage dimmed in his eyes with a glimpse of tears.

    Gulping down the lump in my throat, I passed by him and everyone else until I was face to face with Nathalia and Alpha.

    I looked into Alpha''s eyes.

    "I offer myself to the demon lords. Please let Nathalia go,¡± I said.

    The crowd seemed to gasp in unison. Nathalia stared at me in shock.

    "Now enters the bride with Alpha Valdimir," a voice echoed from within the ballroom.

    Everyone stood frozen until Luna Meesa yanked Nathalia away from Alpha.

    "Thea... daughter..." Alpha looked at me, his eyes unreadably warm.

    Raising my hand over my head, I pulled down the veil over my face. Lifting my right hand as high as I could, I ced my hand over Alpha''s arm. Alpha didn''t say another word.

    I had nothing to lose, and my death would be no one''s loss. I never had a family. No one would cry at my death. I would no longer be the reason for someone''s pain.

    If I was lucky, might meet my

    mother. Maybe then I could apologise properly for disappointing

    her. In the end, I couldn''t fulfil her dreams. The very day I had already lost everything that meant something to me.

    Ov

    ''You can live with regrets, but guilt... it kills you every day you live.'' Mother''s words shed in my head.

    Nathalia stumbled to me, proffering the bouquet of Forget-me-nots in my hand with her trembling hands. She dropped her gaze when I looked at her through the veil as I took the bouquet from her hand.

    I shut my eyes and inhaled deeply as the lights fell on me.

    Alpha held my hand gently as we strutted down the aisle. The ballroom filled with decent ps. My gaze remained fixed on the red carpet beneath my

    feet.

    My steps faltered halfway to the altar.

    A dark stain crawled from the hem of my gown all the way up to the fabric on my chest and sleeves, turning the white wedding gown into a ck gown. Even the veil over my face had turned ck.

    A shudder ran down my spine as the Forget-me-nots in my hands turned into a bouquet of red spider lilies. I almost dropped the bouquet, my chest

    heaving faster.

    Steeling my heart and tightening my grip around the bouquet of spider lilies, I made my way to the altar.

    Alpha let go of my hand at the foot of the altar.

    Three figures stood on the altar.

 Chapter 0006

    Chapter 0006

    [Xanthea]

    Squalls gushed into the ballroom, announcing the arrival of a storm. I stood near the foot of the altar as they swirled around me.

    A quiet gasp escaped my lips when a swift wind fluttered my veil off my face.

    Entangling with the free strands of hair, the winds tucked them behind my ear.

    My breaths shivered when I realized it wasn''t the touch of the air that brushed past my cheeks. Goosebumps ran all over my body as another zephyr caressed my neck.

    I parted my lips, letting out a silent, shaking breath.

    ''Sweet.'' A whisper kissed my ear.

    Pressing my lips together, I gulped hard.

    Seconds felt like an eternity as I lifted my eyelids.

    Maybe those seconds were enchanted, or maybe my existence hade to a halt. But something surreal lingered in the distance between us when my eyes locked with the three demon lords.

    I half-gasped and half-gaped at the three of them. My heart pounded faster and faster as the three of them gazed back at me with their dark and cold eyes, holding the mystery of the night.

    The power they emitted was so overwhelming it made my existence seem insignificant.

    They were dressed in shades of gray and ck three-piece suits that hugged their well-built and tall frames in all the right ces, highlighting their chiseled features that only enhanced their otherworldly sinful charms.

    Their sharp jawlines and palely handsome faces drew me into a nk space and their alluring eyes trapped me in an abyss. I could feel my fear amplifying with every heartbeat. Danger lurked in their eyes and it appeared they had already possessed my heart, my body, and my soul.

    There was no escaping them, but I wasn''t sure how long I would survive them. Or maybe there was no survival in this marriage at all. There was only surrendering. Surrendering my life, my fate and my destiny to them.

    As long as I surrendered to the three of them, I might survive.

    "Requesting the bride on the altar."

    The voice of the man, dressed in a hooded ck robe from head to toe, brought me out of the triplet''s bewitchment.

    Stalling my breaths, I gingerly walked up to the altar. It felt as if, even if I breathed the wrong way, they would break me apart.

    I didn''t dare look at any of them again.

    There was no priest on the altar, but a sorcerer. In fact, there was no one anywhere close to the altar.

    I nced at Alpha, who peered at the triplets, then lowered his gaze when he looked at me.

    My breath hitched as a shudder ran through my body when one triplet held my chin. He lifted my chin, making me look into his eyes. Up close, his light gray eyes were even more predatory. And my heart ran wild, just like a prey.

    An unsettling dread ran down my spine, breathing in the same air as him.

    His gaze dropped to my parted lips. Sucking in a quick breath, I lowered my gaze, pursing my lips. He let go of my chin and stepped back, standing in the middle of the other two.

    I stood in front of them, clutching my hands near my belly even tighter.

    "We are here to witness the soul pact being formed between the Infernal Triplets and the Earthly princess of the Virgo pack, princess Xanthea Virgo," the sorcerer said. "A wedding."

    I knew a wedding with the demon lords would be anything but normal. But a pact? It wasn''t just my body they''d im in this marriage. They''d imprison and imprint my soul with theirs.

    My nails dug into my skin as tears stung my eyes.

    Is this really how my life will end? A soul trapped for eternity in the shadows with no escape, no light, no salvation?

    "Alpha Raven Xipher step forth and create the first soul pact with your bride," the sorcerer said.

    The Alpha standing left to the gray-eyed Alpha stepped closer to me until he stood right in front of me.

    His brown eyes contemted me. He had long hair tied in a ponytail, his hair styled in a wolf cut.

    "Look into my eyes," his deep voice cut through my chest. His words were impassive and colder were his scrutiny.

    The sorcerer walked close to us and lifted a double-ended dagger between us.

    I peered at the dagger that hung in the air, levitating between us. My mouth turned dry at the sight of the sharp des.

    "Princess Xanthea Virgo and Alpha Raven Xipher, I will request you to stab your ring fingers at the ends of the pact dagger," the sorcerer said. The handle in the middle of the pact dagger had a huge gem that looked as if glowing blood was constantly flowing in it.

    I stepped back, curling my fingers into fists.

    Raven held my gaze, and my body stiffened. My body wasn''t under my control. I involuntarily stepped closer to the pact dagger and stabbed my ring finger at one edge of the dagger while Raven stabbed his ring finger at the other end.

    The double-ended dagger sucked in our blood and the gem in the middle hilt glowed even more red.

    A sharp pain ran through my body as, for a few seconds, it felt like I was having a heart attack. I struggled to breathe. Holding back my tears, I clenched my chest.

    I nced at Alpha Valdimir, pleading for help, but all he did was lower his gaze. Everyone in the ballroom stood with their heads low.

    My head snapped back towards Raven. It seemed as if invisible hands were controlling my body. I looked into his eyes as the sorcerer read.

    "Do you, Xanthea Virgo, entrust your body, blood and soul to Raven Xipher, your lord, your owner and your first husband?"

    I bit my lower lips, letting out a moanful sob.

    I wanted to run away and hide somewhere far away. A grave seemed like a safer ce to belong than with the triplets.

    I wish I had an option to die. But I chose this destiny for myself. I had to take the responsibility.

    "I-I... do," I said, through the pain.

    "Do you swear your eternal loyalty, obedience, and submission to him and his will?" the sorcerer asked.

    ¡°I... do.....¡± I said, breathing heavily as a feverish sensation ran up my spine.

    "Do you promise to ept the punishment if you breach the first two vows?"

    I knit my brows as tears trailed down my cheeks.

    "I... do!" My words came out as a moan.

    ¡°And do you, Raven Xipher, tie your soul to hers?"

    "I do," he said, stoically.

    I stumbled back as I got back the control over my body and I instantly withdrew my finger from the dagger''s pointed end.

    "Alpha Ezra Xipher step forth and create the second soul pact with your bride," the sorcerer said.

    This time, the eyes that forcefully

    locked with mine were deep blue. He had short, frivolously styled hair. A mischievous glint shed in his eyes when he saw my tears. My body was under Ezra''s control. I was losing control, even over my tears.

    I stabbed my ring finger again at one end of the dagger while Ezra stabbed his ring finger on the other end.

    "Do you, Xanthea Virgo, entrust your body, blood and soul to Ezra Xipher, your lord, your owner and your second husband?" the sorcerer said.

    I epted the same vows with him as I had with Raven.

    ¡°And do you, Ezra Xipher, tie your soul to hers?"

    "I do," he said in an amused tone as he took me in.

    "Alpha Asher Xipher step forth and create the third soul pact with your bride," the sorcerer said.

    Ezra stood back while the gray-eyed man with ruffled shoulder length hair.

    With him, my body was more under my control and he waited for me to stab my ring finger with the dagger''s end instead of forcing me to do it.

    "Do you, Xanthea Virgo, entrust your body, blood and soul to Asher Xipher, your lord, your owner and your third husband?"

    The pain during the vowing process was no less excruciating, but at least I was ready for that pain now.

    "I do..." my voice was weak.

    ¡°And do you, Asher Xipher, tie your soul to hers?"

    "I do," he said, holding my teary gaze.

    "I pronounce their souls pacted. In the words of the earthly realm, I pronounce them married!" The sorcerer said, and polite ps filled the ballroom.

    The double-edged dagger in the sorcerer''s hands turned and twisted itself until it took the form of a pointed thorny crown with glowing blood adorning

    it as gems. "Alphas, I request you to ce this crown on your bride''s head and seal the pact for eternity," the sorcerer said.

    The triplets held the crown and ced it on my head together. Its thorns and pointed ends pierced through my skin and hair. I could feel blood trail down my forehead, over my face.

    I shut my eyes, feeling my blood leave behind its fleeting warmth on the cold skin of my eyelids.

    The crown got heavier and heavier

    on my head. It felt like I would be buried right under its pressure. Every my body was throbbing with pain like I had never felt before t was worse than having a broken hand.

    My soul was tearing apart, and I could feel it in my veins.

    The ballroom spun before my eyes.

    My vision faltered and so did my struggle to fight the pain and stand strong when I was breaking from inside. My chest heaved faster. Before my failing body hit the ground, Raven grabbed my upper arms. Ezra held my shoulder while Asher''s firm arm wrapped around my waist as my back rested against his chest.

    "You can''t be weak, wife. You now

    have three husbands to please. Tonight''s the night we im you. You can''t let a simple wedding tire you, for our nuptial night holds trials far more demanding." Ezra

    ve

    whispered huskily, tucking my hair behind my ear. My heart pounded with its left over strength as I shook my head slightly.

    "Please..."

    I sumbed to the darkness before my words could find their voice.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

 Chapter 0007

    Chapter 0007

    [Xanthea]

    ''It''s tragic how we spend most of our lives on the streets just to search for a small ce we could call home. Just to return to it and feel at peace while carrying chaos in our minds. But once you find your home - you''ll know and that''s what makes this journey worth taking.''

    ***

    A caressing, hypnotic fragrance slowly enveloped my senses. It was a sophisticated blend of jasmine, patchouli, and hints of exotic spices.

    With every breath, the scent seemed to suffuse deeper and deeper in my body. My pulse quickened, and I could feel the heat crawl up my cheeks. A trembling breath escaped my parted lips as something soft, like a feather, gliding down my neck, sending tantalizing goosebumps all over my body. With the fragrance that dazed my mind and rxed my body mixed three prominent scents that I could never mistake. They were there in the room with me. The demon lords.

    I could feel the silk bedsheet and the bed beneath my palms. But I couldn''t open my eyes because of the blindfold.

    I panicked subtly from the inside, but I was too scared to show it.

    I gulped hard, bringing my shoulder closer to my neck as I felt a chilly breath run down my cleavage.

    My body responded to their vanishing touches; a tingling sensation charged along my skin. I felt a surge of energy coursing through me, a gentle desire to live and a cruel reminder that I might die the next second I upset them.

    I had to stay strong, and this was something I could not resist or deny even if I wanted to. All I could wish for was for it to end as soon as it could. My breaths hitched as the silk nket that had been covering my body until now slid down with every intention of tracing every inch of my skin. I could still feel a thin fabric around my body, so hopefully I wasn''t naked yet.

    One of them tried to hold my wrist but in an impulse I pulled it from their grip.

    The air crackled with their dominance and I knew I had displeased them.

    Maybe if I just lie down and let them do what they want with me, at least I wouldn''t upset them.

    My heart ravaged in my chest as I held my trembling hands close to my breasts.

    I bit my lips. My breaths ceased in my lungs as one of them grabbed my wrist and made me sit on the bed.

    I reached out to touch my blindfold when I felt the air around me flush with their maddening pheromones. My hands limply fell to my side.

    They didn''t want me to take off the blindfold. But why? Not being able to see them only added to my nervousness.

    My whole body was burning. The fever felt as if it were breaking every bone in my body. I instantly grabbed my broken right hand to feel the pain, but there was none. Even my ankle was healed.

    Still, something in my body didn''t feel right. It felt like I was in heat but a heat that was ten times stronger than all the heats I had had in my life.

    I squeezed my thighs together, feeling the difort between my legs grow. I clenched the bedsheet with one hand and the fabric over my chest with the other, panting.

    "Fuck, that made my cock throb, little toy."

    My head followed the direction of the amused, deep voice that held a dark tease behind every word. That was probably Ezra.

    "Why don''t you open your pretty legs and let us know how wet you are for us?" Ezra asked. This time, his voice had a rugged groan, as if he was holding himself back from doing something dangerous.

    "You heard him. Didn''t you?" A stoic voice came from my left. Raven. There was a harshness in his voice. Hatred in his tone, as if I disgusted him.

    I hugged my knees close to my chest. Knitting my brows, I shook my head.

    ¡°Please.....¡± I don''t know why I begged them, even when I knew it was useless.

    "Hey! Hey! Don''t fucking tell me you are a virgin, little toy!" Ezra''s tone lit up with a dangerous excitement.

    "I-I am..." My words shivered out of my dry lips.

    Ezra broke intoughter. "Damn!"

    The next second, I flopped on the bed, my wrist pinned over my head.

    My heart raced in my chest. A hand trailed up my thighs, sliding the hem of my dress to my belly.

    "Ah! Wait! Please..." I spoke through broken breaths. His firm grip on my inner thighs pulled my knees apart. My core throbbed as he grinded his hips against mine.

    "You made us wait enough, my virgin toy. How dare you hide this dirty little pussy from us? You deserve to be punished by my cock."

    I thought I had prepared myself enough for this, but now that it was about to happen, I was trembling. My tears disappeared somewhere within my blindfold.

    My heart pulsated against my ribs as I clenched my fists.

    "Back off, Ezra. Not now." A husky, authoritative growl came from my right. Out of all the voices, hearing Asher''s voice settled down my heartbeats. And I don''t know why.

    With a disappointed grunt, Ezra backed away from me, leaving me disheveled and open to all their gazes.

    I closed my legs and sat up on the bed again, burning with shame. Now I was grateful to the blindfold. At least I could see them looking at me.

    Heat red deep in my abdomen. Ezra''s touch was still fresh everywhere on my body.

    "Take off your clothes, omega," Ravenmanded.

    I clenched my dress over my thighs.

    "If you make me repeat, I will tear them off you and defile that lowly body of yours. This is already a waste of time, anyway," Raven said.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Shivers ran down my spine at his

    raw threat. I knew he hated me, and deep down, I knew it was because was an omega. I slowly rose to my knees and slid the strings of the dress down my shoulders. I pulled the dress down over my breasts and then down my legs.

    Now I waspletely naked to their burning gaze that I could feel on my skin. I gulped hard, trying to hide my breasts, but two hands seized my wrists at the same time and pulled them away from my body

    I bit down a sob at their bruising grips.

    Another pair of hands gripped my ankles, pulling them apart.

    Two of them cupped my breasts, ying and teasing my hardened buds. My back arched as I opened my mouth, moaning as they pinched and circled my nipples between their fingers.

    I could feel my juices trail down my slit. I couldn''t understand what was happening to me or why it felt so sinfully right. Now that it was going to happen, a dark desire took over me.

    "You are such a fucking whore, omega. We barely touched you and you are dripping wet already?" Raven scoffed, painfully squeezing my breast.

    The pain rushed through my body, making me feel a hunger I never knew existed inside me.

    "We are going to take turns with you. You''ll have to tell who is eating your cunt. If your answers are right, we will fuck you like you want and if they are wrong, we will fuck you like we want," Asher said. "I hope you are ready, Xanthea."

 Chapter-8. Strange cravings(18+)

    [Xanthea]

    The three of them withdrew from me.

    They were triplets and almost looked alike, yet just like their fingerprints, all of them had their unique presence and scent. But to test me, they hid their presence, covered up their scent, and stopped talking. With the blindfold on, I didn''t know how I would differentiate between the three of them.

    As embarrassing as it was to sit with my legs wide open in front of them, I obeyed, hoping it would end soon.

    There wasplete silence and stillness in the room for a few minutes. From the change in the temperature to the growing heaviness in the room, I could feel it all in my burning skin. The bed dipped, and I prepared myself for the worse.

    My breath quickened as I felt hands run over my legs. I tried to bring my thighs together, but the hands held them apart firmly.

    I felt a broad palm on my chest and the next second; they pushed me down on the bed.

    Fondling my inner thighs, he pressed his thumbs over my slit, unfurling my folds with the same gentleness as one caressed the petals of roses.

    I covered my mouth with my hands, silencing a yelp as he pressed his tongue over my pussy andzilypped on my juices, making me feel every movement of his deft tongue and warm lips.

    I felt two hands grasp my wrists and pinned them on the bed. One of them sucked my breast while groping the other. His fingers were sometimes gentle and sometimes rough, almost hurting.

    I felt an ache crawl like electricity beneath my skin. I was so wrapped in his presence, I could barely breathe.

    It was unbearable and painful to imagine being in the condition I was in right now. To have my body entrusted to them like it never belonged to me. The three of them yed with it in all filthy manners, bringing out shameless and filthier reactions from my depths.

    The fever building everywhere in my body rushed to one spot, my clitoris. Tantalizing charges flooded my body.

    I felt the tongue withdraw from my slit.

    From the rustle of the bedsheets, I knew they had changed positions.

    "AH!" I shuddered in surprise, feeling the sting from the p on my pussy spread. I bobbed on the bed as the torture on my clit continued. My legs trembled as the blood rushed between my legs more violently.

    I threw back my head as he pressed the heel of his palm against my scorching clitoris. My every attempt to struggle died even before I could try.

    Their breaths turn harsher. Seeing me in pain was probably turning them on even more.

    But the pain I felt was strange. It sparked cravings within me. Strange cravings.

    One of them grabbed my throat, sinking into my neck, biting all over my neckline and corbone. My heart felt like it would explode any second.

    My body was in a constant state of intense tension that kept building as he rolled his tongue around my swollen clitoris, sucking on it. My back arched against his face and my hips adjusted to the rhythm of the tongue that ravished my pussy. I had no idea what was happening to me or where my life would go after this. I was terrified, yet at that moment, all my thoughts seemed to have turned into a puddle.

    I bit my lips to stop my moan. The least I could do was not embarrass myself more by making such disgusting noises.

    I clenched my jaws.

    All three of them were all over me. The entire experience was so overwhelming, I thought I was losing my mind. Something inside me was about to snap, and I was shocked at how desperately I longed for it to happen.

    His tongue flicked over my clitoris before he bit it. He rubbed my folds, spreading my juices all over before slipping a finger inside me, and then he entered another finger.

    "Ah!" I gasped, panting and moaning. Forgetting I had some shame to preserve.

    My inside tightened around his long fingers as he stretched them and began thrusting inside me while his tongue yed cruelly with my folds.

    "Uh!" I cried as he entered a third finger. It hurt. My blindfold was now partially wet from my tears.

    The fingers thrusted faster and faster inside me. I grabbed the bedsheets, taking broken breaths as I neared the climax.

    "No! No please... stop... stop... ah! Uh! Oh god!" I cried.

    He stopped. The emptiness inside me, the absence of his touch, felt like a torture now.

    They changed positions again and this time, the one between my legs held my fingers and made me touch myself. He held my fingers and made it glide over my slit, smearing my juices all over my fingers and nails. Why? Just why was my body reacting so carnally?

    I didn''t want to touch myself.

    He licked my fingers, sucking on them lustfully. He lifted my knee with one hand. His tongue leisurely ran from my knees to my inner thighs while he sucked and bit on my skin.

    He went down on me, fucking me with his tongue.

    I grabbed his hair. My toes curled up. My mouth hung open. A stream of stifled moans united with my shaky breaths. My eyes rolled back in my head. Orgasm exploded throughout my body. He finger fucked me roughly through my orgasm, thrusting roughly and even though it hurt, I didn''t want it to stop.

    My chest heaved incessantly. The high charged through my blood, dazing my mind.

    The three of them withdrew from me again.

    Ezra chuckled, "get up, little toy and take off your blindfold. Look at all the lovely mess you and your little pussy have made."

    Still feeling high from the orgasm, I gathered myself and sat on the bed. I didn''t want to look at myself. After what happened, I especially didn''t want to look at them. An awkward restlessness built in my chest as I loosened the blindfold and pulled it off my eyes.

    It took my eyes some time to adjust to the dim light of the room.

    My heart dropped as my eyes went on the bedsheet, wet with my release.

    The three of them sat on three arm chairs around the bed that gave a perfect and explicit view of me.

    Heat crawled up my cheeks. I slowly crossed my hands over my chest, trying to look less naked and slutty.

    It was better with the blindfold on because, without it, the weight of embarrassment buried me under their burning gazes.

    They were all wearing night robes that exposed their chiseled torso, broad shoulders, and abs. My eyes zipped over the bulges in their pants. My insides flushed with heat again.

    I didn''t know why I was so entangled with my lust when I never had such overwhelming cravings before. Not even during my heats.

    "Look at me," Ashermanded.

    My heart thundered in my chest. Biting my lower lip, I blinked, raising my gaze to him.

    "Who was the first one?" He asked.

    I shut my eyes. I was so consumed by the three of them; I forgot I had to identify them. All their touches were still searing on my skin, but I wasn''t sure.

    "Answer quickly, omega. We don''t have infinity to waste on you," Raven said impassively.

    I let out a shaky breath and gulped hard. To get to my answer, I had to revisit the entire event once again. But with them staring at me so intently, I just couldn''t concentrate.

    The first made me feel highly conscious of myself, but he wasparatively gentler. Pain was all the second made me feel. A brazen pain. And the third made me touch myself as if he wanted me to ept my greed, my lust - my sin. I cautiously looked at Ezra, and he winked, running his tongue over his fingers.

    I sneaked a nce at Raven, whose gaze was enough to degrade me and make me feelpletely insignificant.

    I was mostfortable when I looked into Asher''s gray eyes. He held my gaze, sucking me into his mysterious and alluring semnce.

    "Y-you..." I whispered with a quick gulp. "You were first, Alpha Asher."

    He narrowed his eyes slightly.

    "Go on," he said, analyzing me more carefully.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    I dropped my gaze to the bedsheet.

    "Alpha Raven... was second... and..." I lifted my gaze half-way to Ezra. "And Alpha Ezra was thest."

    "Are you sure?" Asher asked, leaning forward.

    I wasn''t sure. It was based on the way I felt individually with the three of them, ording to the less-than-one-day experience I had with them.

    I nodded.

    "You are a strange one, little toy," Ezra smirked. "You knew we''d fuck you the way we like if your answer''s wrong, right?"

    "Y-yes..." I blinked.

    "And do you know how we like to fuck?" Ezra got up from his chair and walked near the bed. "You don''t take turns while real fucking. We fill up all our bride''s holes at once, tearing her apart."

    I shuddered, feeling his aura bend me into submission. I crawled back on the bed as he crawled closer to me.

    "You seemed to have enjoyed yourself while we went down on you. You grabbed my hair so tightly, I wanted to have your fingers wrapped all around my cock while I had my cock buried deep down your throat. Fuck, just imagining it is so thrilling." His deep growl sent chills down my spine. "So now... be a good girl and open your mouth..."

    Tears shot into my eyes. Just imagining all that happening to me was scary.

    My back rested against the headboard.

    "Open your mouth and tell us how do you want us to fuck you?" Ezra said. It took a while for the meaning of his words to sink in.

    I gulped hard and looked at Asher. He gave a curt nod.

    "Speak before we change our mind to y by rules," Raven''s harsh words cut through me.

    My heart pounded in my chest as I chose my words.

    "I... I... don''t want-"

    "Uh! Uh!" Ezra grabbed my jaws, stopping me in mid-sentence. "Before you say something stupid that enrages my brothers and they forget this game ever happened, let me warn you. We gave you a choice to choose how you''d like to be fucked. Because you are going to have sex with us, whether you want it or not. We didn''t give you the choice to refuse us. Know your ce, little toy."

    Ezra''s eyes darkened, his smile faded away, and I felt my bones turn cold.

    I felt paralyzed under his gaze.

    "Understood?" Ezra asked.

    I nodded.

    "Ezra," Asher called out. Ezra''s dangerous aura instantly soothed down. He smiled again, sitting on the bed.

    "So tell us, bride. We are getting really impatient in our pants, you know," Ezra chuckled.

    Anxiety churned in my stomach as I contemted my reply.

    Just because I never expected love doesn''t mean I didn''t crave it. I knew I''d never be loved. No one loves an illegitimate child who is nothing but a weak omega.

    "Love," I said, lowering my gaze. I clenched my fists. I had no way of making things better, so all I could do was try to stop it from getting worse. Biting back the embarrassment, I said. "I... want... you to make love to me like you''d to... to the woman you love and respect... to someone you''d never... hurt."

 Chapter-9. Demonâ€™s love(18+)

    [Ezra Xipher]

    I stared down at the fragile, trembling omega.

    Make love to her like she is someone we respect and love? Make love to her without hurting her?

    Love?

    She didn''t even have a clue how badly that pathetic word had infuriated the three of us.

    I was so pissed I broke intoughter.

    Apprehension and fear sparked in her green eyes as she tensed up. She could feel the tension crash into the room. Embarrassment crawled up her cheeks. She lowered her head.

    Just like every other woman in this world, she was deluded by love. But to ask it from us, the demon lords? Alphas of the Prime Infernal pack? Either this girl was extremely unrealistic orpletely out of her mind to expect something so ridiculous from us.

    The only reason she was here as our bride was because this time it was Asher''s turn to choose our bride and out of every strong alpha female in the Earthly packs, he chose her. What in the devil did he see in her?

    He saw her during the drifting contest and drifted his car between the car and her to protect her. Raven and I helped him because back then we thought he wanted to stop that earthly weakling, Niki''s car.

    But he was just ensuring her safety. But he didn''t stop at that. He followed her to that graveyard. He had been stalking her everywhere she went ever since. And finally, he brought her to our bed.

    Asher was the most twisted and unreadable in the three of us. Who knows what was going through his mind now? Or why he was wasting our time on this omega?

    But Raven and I weren''t happy to create a soul pact with such a weak soul.

    She couldn''t even handle the soul pact.

    Well, I didn''t expect much from her, anyway. There was nothing about this woman that could be useful to us.

    Yes, she was a pretty chick with long golden locks, like sunlight had made a home in the silky strands of her hair. Skin so fair, even the moon would get an inferiorityplex. Eyes as green and wild as nature. A delicate body with soft curves. But that''s it. Nothing else about her was worth mentioning.

    She looked like someone who''d need a lot of care and attention. A gorgeous little doll that could at max warm my bed once or twice. Because I couldn''t imagine myself being interested in her after I imed her virginity. A useless toy. That was all she''d ever be to me.

    What pissed me off more was we were really going to waste our time on her right when we were almost out of time.

    I wasn''t even sure if she would be a satisfactory fuck.

    I looked at Asher and Raven. Raven has the most uninterested look on his face. He was too intelligent to waste his time on her.

    Asher got up from his chair and took off his robe. His wings tattoos spread across his back, his scap and his biceps flexed with his muscles.

    "Are you serious?" Raven frowned, annoyingly. "All she needs to do is bear our offspring. All this is so unnecessary and a clear waste of time." Preach bro!

    Raven was the most unfiltered man. But I loved to be anything and anyone but my true self. Life was much easier with the mask of a fake smile on. Asher looked at me.

    Ok. So I had to make the final decision now. Great.

    I leered at Xanthea whose breaths stalled in her lungs.

    I smiled, "well... she won the game."

    Raven scoffed. Ignoring his displeasure, I crawled towards her.

    She flinched as I reached out and held her chin, lifting her gaze to mine.

    "You yed fair, so we will make love to you, little toy. We''ll fill you up with so much love you''ll beg to be hated. It''s the demon''s love you craved and I can bet... you have no idea how a demon loves."

    Her chest heaved faster. She timidly looked into my eyes. I heard her heart panic in her chest.

    I smirked, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her against my chest. She yelped as I smacked her ass before making her straddle my hips. Her breasts bounced before they pressed against my chest as I imed her lips into a fervent kiss. She was still resisting with subtle pushes, but that just made the idea of defiling her even more exciting.

    Raven threw away his robe, revealing his full sleeve arm tattoo, and got up on the bed. He grabbed her by her hair, making her wince as he pulled her into a wilder, more animalistic kiss.

    I chuckled. Raven was and wasn''t ying by the rules at the same time.

    But our little omega might be enjoying Raven''s rough handling more than she''d like to admit because she was wet again. Her nipples were ready to be tortured again.

    I thrusted my fingers into her pussy. She widened her eyes, shutting them in a wince almost instantly.

    "Ah!" she panted as Raven bit her lips. They parted from the kiss.

    "Tell us, omega. Do you deserve to be respected?" Raven grabbed her throat, choking her. She grabbed his wrists, gasping for air.

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    I unzipped my pants. My cock sprung out. I braced her hips.

    "Raven," Asher grabbed his hand and freed her from his grip. "Enough!"

    Raven red at Asher.

    Xanthea coughed, catching her breaths.

    "Why don''t you show some love to my cock, little toy?" I said. "Or is the love y only limited to us?"

    She widened her eyes and instantly averted her eyes from my cock.

    Raven grabbed her nape and pushed her face into my thigh.

    "Raven!" Asher growled, his eyes shing red.

    "Hey, hey. Asher, go get the lube and Raven... why don''t you put a leash on our bride?" I said and then stroked her hair. "Get on your fours, toy. Lift your ass for me." The way she followed mymand instantly, I could tell she was dead scared.

    I put my cock against her lips, "open your mouth and start sucking. Every time I feel your teeth, I will smack with this whip." I caught the whip Raven threw towards me.

    She looked at my cock as if it terrified her more than being whipped.

    "Ah!" I smacked her with the whip. "Wait... ah!" she bit on her bleeding lips.

    I gathered her hair and wrapped it around my fist.

    She tried to escape me. My grip on her hair tightened.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Now. Now, toy. Stop disrespecting us. There''s a limit to our tolerance. Respect us well and take us while we respect your body disrespectfully."

    She broke into tears.

    "Aww... you crying already? We haven''t even started yet." I wiped her tears, caressing her cheek. "Ok, tell me, why are you crying?"

    Raven rolled his eyes. He red at her in annoyance.

    "I have never..." Xanthea houghed. "I have never done this before. It''s scary."

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    "What''s scary? Sucking a dick?" I asked, fondling her cheek.

    "I can''t... take it... it won''t fit," she looked at my erection.

    "You''ll be surprised how well it fits inside you if you just rx a little. You are our wife now, right?" I said, parting her lips with my thumb. I slipped my thumb into her mouth. "Close your eyes and suck my thumb, Xanthea. I''ll teach you how to give a head."

    She shut her eyes and began sucking on my thumb. I guided her into taking four of my fingers in her mouth,manding her tongue and lips, making her gag and cry.

    Raven put the leash around her throat. While Asher prepared her ass with the lube. She was aware of everything happening to her, but just like we wanted, she had surrendered herself to us.

    I took out my drenched fingers from her mouth.

    "Good girl, look, you did so well." I squeezed her jaws, smearing her saliva over her face. I rolled my finger over her parted lips. "Now be a good girl and suck hard."

    I made her wrap her palms around the base of my erection while she lowered her mouth on it.

    "Oh, fuck..." my cock throbbed against her tongue. "You are doing great, little toy." she started sucking and stroking me. "You know lying is sin, right? Just look at how well you are taking me, my pretty sinner." Her head bobbed over my length. I thrusted in her mouth, making her gag.

    Both Raven and Asher watched her with predatory eyes. I smirked at them. Her nails dug into my thighs as I thrusted deep into her throat, holding her head down.

    "Swallow it," Imanded as I came into her mouth. She knit her brows, wincing. Her nails scratched my skin as she struggled with breaths and my release in her. Raven yanked at her leash, and I let go of her head. She coughed out my cum, breathing heavily.

    She still had to learn a lot, but for her first time, she did pretty well.

    Raven yanked her down from the bed. She stumbled against him, but he stepped back as she fell to the marble floor. His gaze bore daggers into her.

    "I''ll take our pet for a walk," Raven turned his re at Asher, challengingly.

    I looked at Asher.

    "She is not our pet or a toy." He darted his gaze on me. "She is our bride," Asher red back at Raven.

    I cocked a brow, amused by the danger building in the room.

    Interesting. I ran my fingers through my hair.

    It was our record. The three of us never fought over a bride before. We shared them as we liked, used them as we pleased, yed with them until we got bored. But we never fought among ourselves for a woman before. I looked at the omega on the floor.

    I wonder if our record would break because of this little omega. And if it actually does, then... I''ll have to get rid of her soon.

 Chapter-10. Relax(18+)

    [Xanthea]

    "She is not our pet or a toy. She is our bride."

    I lifted my bleary gaze at Asher. Silent tears trailed down my eyes as I contemted him.

    Something warm fluttered through the cold anxiety in my chest.

    He looked at me, and I quickly lowered my gaze, feeling my cheeks flush up.

    He squatted in front of me. The pounding in my chest grew louder and wilder. My body screamed for him to hold me and hide me somewhere far away from the others.

    He lifted my chin and wiped off my tears. He wrapped his arms around me. He didn''t have to pull me in; I immediately crawled into his embrace, locking myself in his safety.

    Ever since our first encounter at the altar, his presence invoked an unexinable sense of security.

    He effortlessly lifted me in his arms. Holding my gaze, he ced me on the bed.

    "You aren''t her only owner, Asher," Raven''s stoic voice sliced through the charged atmosphere.

    "Yes, Raven. But she yed a game I began, and she won. You agreed to y this game with us. So when you are ying my game, you will follow my rules. She clearly stated what she wants, and that''s her reward. She won it. She deserves it because I promised it to her," Asher said, ring right into Raven''s eyes.

    "What if I am not in the mood to y anymore..." Raven closed in on Asher, his eyes shing with defiance.

    "Well then, we''re having troubles." Asher narrowed his eyes, a hint of a threat in his voice as he stared back at him, unyielding.

    There was some force in the room that held the power to even stop the time with its pressure. The demonic auras around Asher and Raven flooded the air.

    It was exhausting to even breathe.

    "Oh, so this wasn''t about her, but the game and its rules. Typical Asher," Ezra chuckled. "You just saved her life, man. I thought I might have to kill this little virgin." His words,ced with dark humor, only added to the impending danger. My stomach churned. I sat on the edge of the bed, getting as close to Asher as I could.

    My gaze met Ezra''s. His wry smile didn''t meet his darkening gaze. I swiftly looked away, tensing my body.

    The next second, a new energy crackled throughout the room. It differedpletely from the two shing forces, overtaking the thickening air. My body, filled with tension, loosened up.

    "You are allowed to fear us, little toy. You should fear us, little toy. But you are not allowed to nt discord among us. The moment I see it happening, be it your fault or not, I will kill you." Ezra''s impassive face held a threat more ominous than Raven''s. "You are our breeder and your job is to give us triplets within a year. Nothing more and nothing less. You fail at your job, we discard you. Our rtionship is as simple as that."

    I licked my lips, biting back my tears.

    He crawled to me on the edge of the bed and sat right in front of me.

    "So if you want to stay alive, know your ce and stay there. And don''t you dare bring ''love'' on your lips again. Clear?" Ezra whispered in my ear.

    I nodded, peering nkly at the bedsheet.

    "Good girl," he kissed my ear. Wrapping his one hand around my waist from behind, he pulled me onto hisp, making me straddle his legs.

    There was an instant shift in the ambiance of the room. Ezra had done something. Something that had the same effect on Asher and Raven. The two of them frowned at Ezra.

    Dazed by their intoxicating scents again, my nerves sizzled beneath my skin. A rush of warmth surged through me, setting my insides aze. A faint scent of excitement filled the air, heightening my senses. Ezra rubbed his erection against my ass. It was still slippery from the lube Asher had fingered my backside with.

    "Rx, bride. We have prepared you enough to take it, but if you don''t rx, it will hurt." He kissed my neck.

    I felt the hair on my body stand up. My heart thudded as I realized what Ezra was about to do. I shut my eyes, bracing myself.

    Pain tore through me as he entered.

    "Ah! It hurts! Please stop," I whimpered, trying to get up from hisp. He held my hands and pinned them to my sides.

    "Rx, baby. Rx that hole of yours for me. I know you can do it," Ezra coaxed me.

    "Please... stop..." I broke into tears.

    "Rx! Damn it! She is so fucking tight," Ezra groaned, gritting his teeth.

    "Xanthea, look at me." I opened my teary eyes to Asher''s soft voice. He reached out, his fingers gently brushed against my cheek like a soft caress. I felt a jolt of electricity charge through me.

    He stepped closer to me. My heart pounded in my chest as he leaned in, and I could feel the warmth of his breath on my skin. He was going to touch me just like Ezra and Raven did, but this time... it felt different.

    "Rx." Asher whispered. I tried to blink away the blurriness in my eyes. For a second, Ipletely forgot what was happening to my body and all my thoughts rushed to the man before me.

    That was the first time I saw Asher that close to me. My heart thundered louder with every intention of breaking through my ribs.

    Time seemed to freeze as he leaned in and our lips united. His kiss was gentle, warm, and tranquil. I shut my eyes, allowing myself to feel the serenity of that moment.

    Ezra freed my hands. My cheeks flushed a deeper shade of crimson as I felt the warmth of Asher''s hands gently tracing the contours of my body. The scent of vani and musk lingered in the air, intertwining with the quickening beat of my heart.

    I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he deepened the kiss.

    "Lovely..." I heard Ezra speak as he gripped my hips and in one thrust, he entered me.

    I widened my eyes. A cry tore my throat. It felt like air was knocked right off my lungs. Asher gently bit my lips, stroking my back as the pain sunk in. It hurt.

    Ezra thrusted slowly. It hurt every single time. And it felt strange.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    My nails dug into Asher''s back. He sank into my neck, nting soft gentle kisses. The sensations emerging in my upper body werepletely contradictory to everything my lower body was going through.

    It was a strange mix of pain and pleasure. It was maddening, intense, and consuming. I had actually lost all my senses.

    Their pheromones seemed to be controlling even my moan and tears.

    There was nothing likable about that situation, yet it started to feel... good.

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    Ezra''s fingers ran into my hair. He yanked me back against himself.

    "Look at you riding it like a cowgirl," Ezra groaned, fondling my hair.

    I shut my eyes, breathing heavily.

    Ezra held my thighs and opened them up even more.

    Asher ran his fingers over my folds. As shameless as it was, something about his fingers being drenched in my juices sparked something carnal inside me.

    Our gaze met again, my body bobbing at Ezra''s thrusts.

    He unzipped his fly. My eyelids fluttered to his length and my heart skipped a beat.

    Running his erection against my pussy, he leaned in and whispered, "may I?"

    I never knew two words could make me melt so easily.

    He rubbed his head against my clit, but didn''t enter.

    "Yes..." I mumbled, feeling my eyes thaw with lust.

    He carefully entered me. My head rested against Ezra''s chest as I endured the fleeting pain. My insides were all stretched out as the two of them pounded inside me. Simr ecstasy built up in my body like it had before, but this time, it was a lot more intense. And with Asher kissing me now and then, I could no longer think. "Oh god!" I cried.

    "Not god, baby. We are your demons," Ezra growled, pounding faster.

    "Call my name, Xanthea," Asher groaned and a tight flutter erupted in my belly.

    "A-Alpha... Asher..." I moaned out his name.

    "My name, Xanthea," he grabbed my jaws in a gentle grip.

    My heart felt like it would snap apart.

    "Ash... uh! Yes! Oh god!" I moaned, biting my lower lip. Asher mmed into me, his thrusts turning rougher. And so did Ezra.

    "My name now." Ezra grabbed my throat.

    "Ah! E-z..."

    "Fuck!" Ezra exploded inside me. I could feel his warm release.

    He pulled out. Asher picked me up. I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist as he fucked me while standing.

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    "Ash... please... faster!" I begged, and I didn''t even know where those shameless words wereing from.

    Asher took us to the bed. I sunk into the mattress under his weight. I could feel him grow inside me. I could hear how our skins collided, and that was the only reminder of what I was actually doing, but I ignored it. Warmth tingled beneath my skin, in the rush of my blood and my cruelly pounding heart. Pleasure surged. I arched my back, taking him deeper.

    I heard Asher grit his teeth. Intertwining his fingers with mine, he pinned my hands over my head.

    It was like being consumed by mes, consumed, consumed, consumed...

    Oh goddess!

    Consumed so wildly, with every crackle, you burnt and burnt until you evaporated.

    "I can''t... I can''t take this... anymore... ah!"

    I pushed him away, pulled him in. I wanted him gone. I wanted him everywhere in me.

    And then he hit a spot, and he kept hitting it again and again with every thrust. Sparks charged throughout my body like the lightning cracking in the stormy sky again and again until it was too much to hold back, too hard to... resist. Damn it!

    And then it was darkness, such dark darkness, but not cold, never cold. It was a maddening, feral darkness. I clenched the bedsheets, almost tearing them apart. The stars burst into that darkness. I came apart beneath him with the fervor of a downpour.

    My hips jerked.

    Asher picked me off the bed, hugging me tightly in his embrace. With a deep, resonating groan, he came inside me, loading me with his seed.

    Panting, I flopped on the bed,pletely spent.

    Asher raised my hips, taking me through my orgasm with powerful thrusts.

    I had no energy left and my mind was so not under my control, I could barely stay awake.

    But I heard Ezra''s voice. He was talking to Raven.

    "This was Asher''s game. You should respect that and from when did one word start making you lose your cool, huh? When we y your games, we''ll y by your rules. Right now... our bride lusts for your attention," Ezra smirked while he stressed on ''bride.''

    Raven nced at me.

    I somehow stopped myself from passing out.

    Raven picked up his robe. He was about to walk out of the room when Ezra held his shoulder.

    "Hey! What now?" Ezra asked.

    "Kill her. I don''t fucking care. The faster she is out of here, the better it will be. Nothing about that pathetic omega is worth my time or my attention." Raven flounced out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

 Chapter-11. Like a doll

    [Xanthea]

    Ezra stood motionless. His knuckles cracked as he curled his fingers into a tight fist. A chill quavered down my spine as he turned around, his re stripping nerves right off my skin. The surrounding air grew thick with an ominous tension.

    "This has never happened before. I warned you, didn''t I, Xanthea? You nt discord among us again, and I will kill you," he snarled as his growl sunk deeper and deeper into my bones. Feebly clutching Asher, I felt a tremble run through my entire body.

    "I''m sorry... I''m sorry..." I mumbled in half daze and half dread.

    Shadows erupted around Ezra, consuming him in a swirling spiral of pitch-ck mes. A daunting gravity copsed around me, pulling me into the depth of my grave.

    Tearing through the curtain of dark mes, emerged a figure - a manifestation of nightmares. A demon? A wolf? I couldn''t tell. A glimpse and my blood had frozen in my veins.

    My breaths caught in my lungs, my heart screamed at me to run. But my body was paralyzed under his scrutiny. Predatory scrutiny. His eyes glowed a murderous red.

    Fangs, sharp enough to shatter boulders. His wolf form, darker than the void itself, bore intricate crimson patterns that pulsed with a mystical glow.

    The red trident pattern at the center of his forehead glowed like a third eye, resembling an unholy trinity of eyes.

    I stared at Ezra''s transformed self. There was nothing I could feel in myplete existence except primal fear freezing the marrow of my bones.

    My lips quivered, but I had lost the speechpletely.

    My heart was in my throat as the otherworldly wolf lurked closer to me. There was nowhere I could run to where he wouldn''t hunt me down.

    My breaths hitched as I gripped on the air. Asher was gone. I crawled back onto the bed. In a blink, I crashed on the bed. A screech tore through me as his ws sank into my chest, tearing through my skin, ribs, and lungs like zing daggers. My eyes stretched out in horror. His fangs tore into my face-

    "NO!" I sprung up on the bed, panting.

    I sat on the bed, numb, cold sweats breaking throughout my body. My violently beating heart was the only sign that I was still alive. My mouth and my throat were dry. I gulped hard, clenching my chest as I curled my knees to my aching chest.

    A nightmare. It was just a nightmare. I caressed my heart, feeling its erratic beats beneath my palm.

    Last night...

    I shut my eyes and Ezra''s transformation reyed in my mind with every detail, the same as it was in my nightmare.

    I intertwined my shivering fingers, bringing them to my lips. Ezra would have killed me had Asher not stopped him.

    ***

    Asher stood between me and Ezra''s wolf fearlessly.

    "I will have her and I will keep her as my own. You can''t touch her if I don''t allow it."

    ''A week. A week is all she has. If even after a week, Raven refuses to touch her, you will see how easily I can touch her and tear her apart with or without your permission,'' Ezra''s wolf''s hoarse warning resonated in the room.

    ***

    I let out a sigh, running my fingers through my hair.

    A week.

    "I hope your nightmare wasn''t too night-merry."

    I flinched at the voice.

    "Oh. Seems like the mission wake-you-up-dreadfully was a sess," said the girl standing beside my bed.

    I quickly reached out for the nket to cover myself. I had been so upied within my head that I didn''t even notice her presence, nor that I was already wearing a slip up ck silk dress.

    The girl bowed a little.

    "I am yourdy-in-waiting until I am no longer waiting for you to wake up. Or you stop waking up all at once. Because it seems like you love making people wait while you have your beauty sleep, your highness," she said in a one-breath-

    monotonous tone.

    I blinked at her nkly until the meaning of her words sank in.

    "I-I am sorry. I didn''t mean to sleep this long," I said and her clearly fake smile wiped right off her face.

    She contemted me.

    "You don''t need to apologize to me, your highness because I am sorry for you," she smiled again, but it wasn''t genuine either. "It''s time for you to get ready for the day. The demon lords'' family will soon be at the breakfast table and we cannot make them wait for you."

    "F-family?" I asked. "Their family... wants to meet me?"

    I flipped the nket off me and got down from the bed. A sharp pain bolted through my hips and back. My body was sore. I bent, grabbing the edge of the bed.

    "If I were you, I wouldn''t be too excited about it. Not after what happenedst night. And the way you are right now..." she analyzed my body. "Honestly, I don''t me you. All earthly princesses have been the same, but you seem the most timid, out of ce, malnourished, weak and tiny, out of all the brides my lords brought home."Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    My cheeks instantly flushed up. I didn''t know how I would look at myself in the mirror after going through everything I went through ever since I met the triplets.

    I still couldn''t believe how fast my life had made a backflip, somersaulted all its way until it jumped off the cliff.

    "By the way, I am Mavka. You can call me Mav or Avka or whatever you feel like. It''s not like I matter much," she shrugged.

    "Umm. Miss Mavka, will they... be there... as well? The... demon lords?" I asked.

    Sha gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.

    "What''s wrong, d-did I say something wrong?" I asked, perplexed.

    She stared at me again as if I was an alien.

    "First of all. Miss Mavka? Miss? To me?" she eximed, staring at me with her wide eyes.

    "Uh... uh..."

    "Oh my devil! I have never been this respected before. I am sorry. I am really bbergasted. And second, it''s ghastly to even imagine demon lords spending time with their family until someone dies or they are about to kill someone," Mavka said, her pitch ck eyes still traveling all over my body. "They don''t even live in this castle. They have their own separate pces. They visit this castle once a week, only when they have a bride."

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    "Once in a week? Does that mean they''lle back to this castle... after a week?" "Precisely," Mavka said.

    "Oh no. What am I supposed to do now?" I mumbled, tensing my brows.

    "Sit in your room like a dutiful wife and wait for your husbands to return after seven days and pray to your moon goddess that they don''t kill you," Mavka forced another smile on her face.

    She was dressed in a ck and white maid dress, her hair was tied up in a neat bun. From the way she stood to the way she carried herself spoke of nothing but daunting elegance.

    She gracefully gestured her hand towards the dress on the couch.

    "This is the dress you will be wearing today. I have cleaned you up. But if you feel any difort anywhere and want to take another bath, we don''t have time for that. Just bear with the difort, wear this dress and get going," she almost rapped those words out of her mouth.

    "Uh, ok. Wait, w-w-what do you mean by you... cleaned me up?" I asked as she guided me into the red dress.

    "Maintaining your sexual health and hygiene is one of my duties, and cleaning you up exactly means exactly what you are thinking. So I cleaned you up. Let''s just leave it at that. Don''t overthink it. It''s not a big deal. I do it all the time with all the brides." The smile on her face stayed for less than a second.

    She made me sit before the intricately designed ck wood vanity. I looked at myself as Mavka styled my hair and did my make-up.

    I wore a red long tunic-styled corset dress that flowed down the curves of my body. Mavka adorned the corset and my body with golden body chains, ne and armlets.

    Lifting the hem of my dress, I slipped my feet into the golden heels. I got up and looked at myself in the mirror. The dress revealed the marks and bruises they had left behind on my neck, corbone, and arms. "Can I..." I asked.

    "Before you ask for some change in your look, let me tell you that this is how lords want you to look. From what dress you wear to what food you eat and what water you drink and who you meet and don''t meet is all strictly controlled by my lords. Everything needs to be the way they want. So let''s not make it difficult for either of us."

    I didn''t say another word because I knew she was only following their orders.

    I was decorated just like a doll. Niki had called me a doll all my life and maybe now I understood why. Because from the inside out, I felt like a non-living doll whose only purpose was to be yed with until my owners either broke me or discarded me.

 Chapter-12. Family

    [Xanthea]

    We walked through the luxurious corridors of the castle that were in shades of gray, white, ck, and golden gothic aesthetics. ck and golden mostly dominated the decor. Same as my room. The floor I walked on was mostly covered with ck marble, with intricate golden patterns carved in them.

    I kept my gaze fixed on the marble floor, for I could feel all eyes turn on me as I passed through.

    There were tall, arched doorways that lead to various chambers or other corridors.

    After a ten-minute walk and short guide and tour into the castle by Mavka, we reached the grand dining hall. There was a huge rectangr ss table in the middle of the hall surrounded by almost twelve chairs. Five chairs on either side and a chair, each at the head and foot of the table. Above the table hung the most beautiful and royal chandelier I had ever seen.

    But no one was at the table yet.

    "Remember, keep your gaze low as the family enters the hall. Don''t look them in the eye. Speak only when spoken to and don''t do anything else," Mavka whispered in my ear.

    I nodded once.

    The sound of rolling wheels caught my ears. I didn''t have to turn around to see the source of the sound. A boy riding a skateboard skated around me in circles. His ck jacket billowed behind him.

    I could feel him analyze me. He was wearing a white hoodie, ck pants and sports shoes. His fingers obscured his forehead, meeting his sses. From his look, I could easily tell he was a teenager, eighteen maybe.

    He stopped skating right in front of me. With a deft kick, he had the skateboard in his hand.

    "You must be my new sister-inw. I heard you did some pretty impressive job of pissing off my brothers," he chuckled, chewing a bubblegum.

    I lowered my head even further.

    "I am Cedric. Nice to meet you. I always try to piss them off. But nothing works on them. From bang! Shooting at them, poisoning them, stabbing them, bombing their cars. I have tried everything. Literally everything you can think of. But they never fall into my trap. Haha. But it hasn''t even been a day since you arrived and you''ve done the job pretty well. You broke their unity. I like you already. Friends?"

    Cedric stretched out his hand for a handshake as heughed.

    "We can both form an alliance and kill them together. What do you say? Then I''ll be the alpha of this pack and I''ll take you as my luna."

    My eyelids fluttered as I peered at his hand nkly. I was honestly speechless. After hearing everything I did, I wasn''t sure how to respond to him.

    Had someone said those same words in the pce of a pack in the earthly realm, they would have been thrown into dungeons or killed on the spot.

    "Cedric, stop plotting with their bride, will you? She herself is at their mercy, huh! Just because they haven''t killed her yet, doesn''t mean they won''t." A woman''s voice came from behind me.

    "Nesryn, when did youe back home?" Cedric asked thedy dressed in a shirt and jeans topped by a denim jacket.

    "Last night," Nesryn said.

    She stood beside him. She had long hair tied up in a high ponytail. The tip of her ponytail brushed against her thighs as she moved.

    I knew I wasn''t supposed to lift my gaze or look at them, but I just couldn''t take my eyes off her. She wore her beauty with an effortless mix of grace and sensuality.

    She looked at me, and I swiftly lowered my gaze.

    "So, how''s your undercover agent job going? Found yourself a hot gig?" Cedric said in an amused tone.

    "If you don''t want to gag on your own dick, shut that damn mouth of yours," she scoffed and strolled off to the breakfast table.

    "Feisty, isn''t she? I like her as well. I could use her skills and knowledge to rebel against my brothers, but she is my elder sister. Can''t make her my luna, so I don''t wanna form an alliance with her. Not that she would ever take me seriously. No one ever takes me seriously, even when I kill people or hijack their mind and control them to get my work done. Then I make them kill themselves because a good criminal never leaves proof behind or a witness."

    A nauseous feeling churned into my stomach, rising to my chest at his words.

    "Nesryn is twenty-five. How old are you?" He asked.

    Swallowing the lump rising up my throat, I said, "t-twenty three."

    "Oh, you are two years younger. Good. What do you do?" He asked.

    I pursed my lips. I never had a career, but I was preparing for one when my life took this turn. I wanted to tell him I once dreamed of bing a doctor. A dream that was crushed and now I no longer knew if I had the right or the time to dream at all.

    "Like Nesryn works for my brothers. Your husbands. Although she owns her ownpany of various demon services and contracts. You''ll be shocked to know how many people from your realm sign up for demonic services and sell their souls for petty things. Hehe. Isn''t it, Nes?"

    Cedric looked at Nesryn. Nesryn scoffed. Cedric looked back at me and continued.

    "She scoffs modestly. She has an active running business and also has a spywork reaching the celestial packs. Therefore, she is their favorite family member because she is useful. They say I''ll be useful to them only when I sessfully assassinate any of them. Tsk! I am still trying, even going to an assassination academy..."

    I tightened my grip on my fingers that rested over my belly.

    "But that''s enough about me. Tell me something about yourself. What do you do?"

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    "I..."

    "Hey, you are beautiful. So I would prefer it if you looked into my eyes and then talked to me," he said.

    Breaking into a cold sweat, I lifted my gaze and looked into his bright, starry eyes. His eyes were literally in shades of white and ck. It seemed as if some patterns from white sparkly ink had been drawn on his pitch ck eyeballs. He snapped his fingers, lowering his sses back over his eyes.

    "My eyes can be tricky. Haha. I almost captivated you, didn''t I? Well, that''s another reason I wear sses. I don''t like captivating everyone, you know. It could get really tiring. Back to my question: what do you do? What are your skills?" Cedric squinted his eyes.

    "I-I... I don''t... know..."

    "Umm. Can you kill people?" He asked.

    I shut my eyes and shook my head, "no."

    "Umm. Can you seduce people?"

    "No."

    "Hmm," he let out a sigh. "Can you manipte people, control them?"

    I shook my head.

    "Does life not bore you? How do you even live with yourself without these skills?"

    "Hey! Ced! Enough! Come here and eat your breakfast. Just because I am home today doesn''t mean I will drive you to your academy if you arete," Nesryn yelled.

    "You don''t have to drive me. I have a bike now and my skateboard. They are enough to take me to the sky, you know," Cedric skated to the table and sat on the chair right in front of Nesryn as the maids served them their breakfasts. My gaze met Nesryn''s jewel-likevender eyes for a second, then I quickly lowered it.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "They are my lords'' half-siblings. Princess Nesryn is from ourte Alpha Deimos'' second wife, her highness, Letitia. Prince Cedric is from his third wife, her highness Alessia and my demon lords were born from our Highdy, her highness Demetria," Mavka said.

    "How long do you n to stand there and stare at the floor?" I flinched at Nesryn''s voice.

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    I cautiously lifted my gaze at her.

    She was indeed looking at me. "Yes, I am talking to you, bride. The food''s not gonna go in your stomach if you keep staring at the floor. Unless you are nning to eat the marbles."

    Cedricughed, stuffing steak into his mouth

    "Go," Mavka whispered. "Sit with them. But don''t take the middle six chairs. The three chairs on the left are reserved for demon lords and no one ever sits there and the three chairs on the right are for our former alpha''s three wives. No one sits on those chairs either. Sit at the head of the table."

    "Will they... demon lords mothers... they won''t join us?" I asked in a suppressed voice.

    "They mostly don''t leave their rooms. Lady Letitia and Alessia showed up for the previous brides. Our Highdy never showed up for any of the previous bride''s first family breakfast. So, I don''t think she''lle for yours. And they aren''t here by now. So it means they won''t be showing up. But it depends on them and their mood. At least two members showed up. You were asked to sit at the table by one of them, so sit," Mavka guided me to the chair at the head of the table. I sat at the head of the table and on my right was Nesryn and left Cedric.

    Mavka arranged food on my te and then silently stepped back.

    Spreading the napkin over myp, I picked up the knife and fork.

    "Eat up," Nesrynmanded. "With this physique, forget about carrying triplets for my brothers. You won''t even be able to conceive."

    "She won''t be able to conceive, anyway."

    A soothing voice wafted through the air. But the power it held had made all the maids around the table bow.

    "Highdy," Nesryn and Cedric got up from their chairs.

    I dropped my knife on the floor in a hurry to get up from the chair.

    I bent down to pick the knife when Nesryn held my hand and made me stand straight.

    She merely nced at Mavka, and a chill ran down my spine. Mavka rushed over, picked the knife and stood behind with her head held low.

    "The Highdy is here to meet you. Mind your manners," Nesryn hissed.

 Chapter-13. Sickness

    [Xanthea]

    Taken aback, I gaped at the woman sitting in the wheelchair in her pristine aura - the Highdy of the house and the triplet''s mother.

    Lady Demetria was dressed in a flowing, pure white gown. Her eyes were covered with a white blindfold. Every strand of her silky long hair was as white as snow.

    But it was the contrast in her body and face that caught my attention instantly. The time seemed to have affected just her body. Her face remained youthful, bright and beautiful, as thoughpletely untouched by time. Meanwhile, from her neck and her skeleton thin finger, I couldn''t even imagine how old she was.

    Two women walked behind her. They, too, were dressed in pure white gowns. From a nce at them, it was difficult to tell their age, but from the age range of my realm, they looked to be in their forties, both body and face.

    I dissolved somewhere in the background and that''s where I wished to remain as the Xipher family came together.

    "Nesryn, so good to see you, darling. How have you been?" The woman on the left with hair a beautiful mix of white, ck and gray stretched out her hands towards Nesryn for a hug.

    "Mother," Nesryn walked into her embrace as they shared a warm hug.

    "Cedric, did you get another piercing in your ear?" The woman standing on the right side of the Highdy walked to Cedric and pulled his ear to look at the piercing.

    Her hair waspletely ck, and she looked the youngest of all the three wives of the previous alpha.

    "Ah! Ah! Ah! Mom! It hurts."

    "I told you to stop getting holes punctured in your body, didn''t I?" Lady Alessia twisted Cedric''s ear. His new piercing started bleeding again.

    "Mom!" Cedric groaned as he struggled his ear out of her grip.

    "You get another piercing and you''ll go straight back to your torture school," Lady Alessia said.

    "As much as I would love to go back there, I need to finish this assassination course with the bright colors of my brothers'' blood and prove to them I am better than them!" Cedric said, using a handkerchief to stop his ears from bleeding. I looked towards Nesryn''s mother, Lady Letitia, who was updating herself with Nesryn''s life.

    "I know being a spy is your expertise, sweetie. But I am your mother. How can I not spy on you? I am worried about you and your well being. Is it a crime for a mother to make sure by all means possible that her baby girl is alright?"

    "Of course you can, mother. Just don''t kill all my ex-boyfriends. What if someday I wanna return to some of them?" Nesryn shrugged.

    "Oh dear, they dare break my little princess'' heart. I carve their hearts right out of their bodies. And break them into pieces so small you can barely see them," Lady Letitia said with a warm and soft smile.

    "I get you, mother. But no one can break my heart because I don''t put my heart in their hands. No man in this world is worth it," Nesryn said anddy Letitia broke into happy tears as she hugged Nesryn proudly once again.

    "That''s right, honey. That''s so right! That''s what you do in real life. You use boys until you meet your man and never put your heart in someone else''s hand. My daughter has finally turned into a blooming, bewitching, and intelligent woman." She said in a dreamy voice, as though she were reciting a romantic so.

    "Love you, mother," Nesryn hugged Lady Letitia while she hugged her back and kissed Nesryn''s forehead.

    "Mother loves you too, honey."

    A shudder ran through my body and I couldn''t tell if it was because of how warmly they made me feel cold in my guts or because of the Highdy''s locus of attention that weighed on my shoulders.

    "Come to me." Highdy''s words echoed like a whisper in the silence that had engulfed the hall again.

    Nesryn and Cedric stepped aside with their mothers, making a clear path between me and the Highdy.

    I tensed up and slowly stepped closer to her, keeping my gaze low. Seared under the scrutiny of everyone else, I stood right in front of the High Lady.

    She reached out her shaking fingers to my face.

    Lifting the hem of my gown, I kneeled on the floor in front of her wheelchair.

    I shut my eyes as her fingers traced every line on my face. The ringing silence prevailed. Her hand trailed down my face, over my chest.

    My heart pounded beneath the warmth of her palm for minutes before she withdrew her hand from me and ced it on the armrest of the wheelchair.

    She remained silent, her expression changed as if she was lost in deep thoughts.

    "What''s your name?" She asked.

    "M-my name is Xanthea th Xipher, your highness," I said, lowering my head slightly.

    "Xanthea..." she called out my name and goosebumps ran throughout my body. For reasons unknown, my name sounded a lot more powerful from her lips than it had ever before. "Y-yes, your highness?" I looked at her.

    "You know you need to conceive their triplets, right?" she asked in a soft tone.

    I lowered my gaze, biting my inner lip.

    "Yes, your highness," I said with a quick gulp.

    "Your only role in this family is as a breeder, for my sons will never see you as anything more than that."

    Biting back my tears, I nodded. "I understand-"

    "No. You don''t."

    I blinked at her nkly. She was referring to what had happenedst night with Raven and Ezra.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "I''m sorry... I..." I said, swallowing the lump in my throat.

    She reached out and ced her hand on my shoulder.

    "Calm down, Xanthea. You don''t need to apologize. What happenedst night was different, which means maybe my sons saw you differently than their previous brides. And that is why I came here today to meet you..." her soothing voice turned hoarse.

    She coughed, covering her mouth with her trembling hand.

    "To see how you were different. And I don''t understand. Your soul is weak and so is your body. You don''t even have a wolf spirit. Forget about bearing their children. In this state, I am afraid you can''t even conceive."

    I didn''t know how to react to her or feel about myself and this whole situation.

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    It was true I was wolfless, but how did she know? Could it be that she sensed it in my soul when she ced her hand on my chest?

    Her cough slowly turned more violent.

    I got up and stood aside as Lady Letitia and Lady Alessia hurried beside the Highdy.

    "You shouldn''t have left your room, highdy," Nesryn said, covering her mouth with a white handkerchief. Breathing through her nose, Highdy wheezed.

    The handkerchief covering her mouth turnedpletely red.

    A maid ran and brought an intricately carved wooden box. Externally, it looked like an ancient potion box, but it was filled with dried medicinal herbs in transparent ss vials.

    I tensed my brows.

    These nts and herbs.

    I had seen and read about them in my mother''s books. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn''t find these herbs in my realm.

    Lady Letitia gasped, "oh my. You haven''t been taking your medicine again."

    "Raven is not going to be happy about this. You should have taken your medicines like he prescribed you to." Nesryn threw in some herbs and crushed them in mortar and pestle.

    "I don''t think he even cares. Moreover..." Highdy cleared her throat. "These medicines no longer work."

    Another maid brought boiling water.

    I analyzed Highdy''s physical condition again. I could see my mother''s book in my mind. The pages flipped until I reached the page with a rough drawing of a woman with simr physical condition as Highdy.

    "Thintoathanasia, also known as the mortal immortality sickness, where instead of the entire body, either brain or heart of an immortal loses its immortality, causing the body to age differently. It can be caused because of uneven distribution or concentration of immortality factors in the body," I read through the page in my mind, not even realizing that I had spoken it out loud.

    Almost everyone in the hall, including Highdy, gaped at me nkly.

    Nesryn squinted her eyes. "How did you know about Highdy''s sickness?"

 Chapter-14. Temporary treatment

    [Xanthea]

    "When did they start teaching about diseases of the immortals in the mortal world?" Lady Alessia asked.

    "Why would mortals teach about immortals? How would they even know anything about us? They only make it to our packs once they are dead," Lady Letitia said. Then she nced at me and maybe she realized I wasn''t dead yet or maybe that I was still alive. "Or when we bring ''em here alive until they''re dead."

    "Ok, folks. I asked her a question and I am still waiting for an answer," said Nesryn as her intense look bore into me.

    I contemted my answer.

    "Alchemy," I said. "In my realm... in ancient times... there had been many alchemists whoid the foundation for modern chemistry and medical science. I read about it in one such book called ''Alchemy of light''," I said, maintaining eye-contact with her.

    "Hmm? Isn''t alchemy ours?" Cedric asked with a confused pout.

    "It is ours. But from time to time, we have shared our knowledge with the earthly realm through those contracts. What does their realm call it?" Lady Alessia asked thoughtfully.

    "The devil''s contracts, ck magic. They have all kinds of strange terminology for it," Lady Letitia said.

    "Right. Right. Those illiterates like giving such unusual names to our ancient and sacred knowledge. There''s nothing ck and nothing magical in this study. It''s all just natural dark science." Lady Alessia said.

    "Alchemy involves risks. Mortals are never careful no matter how much we warn them and when something goes wrong, theye and me us. Call us evil, haunted and what-not!" Lady Letitia scoffed.

    "Exactly! We''re just being us, like they are being themselves. Although weaker than us, still we don''tin. We''re naturally evil, but those nutters choose to be evil and to their own blood more often than you think. They can always choose to be kinder to their own kind and kin, but they''re just ruthless. Can you believe it? Being so cruel to their own blood?"

    Lady Alessia''s words etched through my chest, scraping uneasiness into my veins. I dropped my weary gaze with a tight gulp.

    "Here, Highdy, drink this..." Nesryn quickly prepared a concoction out of the herbs and boiling water and helped the Highdy to drink it.

    Taking a deep breath, I stopped the struggling emotions to rise to my chest.

    Everyone silently watched the Highdy. I watched them with something warm sprawling in my chest. I don''t know what I was feeling because I had felt nothing like this before.

    Maybe that was what a family looked like.

    How everyone came together to care for the one who needed their attention the most. How their bonds needed nothing to grow stronger. There waspany and belongingness, care and concern, strange uniqueness and profound individuality with rare eptance.

    I knew I could never be a part of this family. But just watching them from a distance felt like a soothing embrace of a mother.

    "You need to finish the potion," Nesryn said.

    Highdy pushed the ss away and shook her head.

    "Not anymore..."

    Herplexion turned to a purple hue. I knit my brows.

    "It''s not bitter. I have added sweeteners to it," Nesryn said, but the Highdy kept pushing away the concoction.

    "That''s enough. I don''t want to drink it anymore..." Highdy winced.

    The difort on her face wasn''t because of the bitterness. It looked something different.

    I nced at her body again. Examining her more intently. Her fingers were shaking as she covered her mouth.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    I shut my eyes and turned over to my mother''s notes on this disease.

    Last stage of Thintoathanasia or TTA. A flow chart appeared in the image of my mind as I read through it and all the ways TTA affected an immortal-

    In case TTA affects the heart, the body below the neck starts to age like a mortal and it shows the sameplications as a mortal in old age might face. So, it often causes difficulty for the guts to digest and absorb the right nutrients from the medicines.

    It is prescribed to enforce concentrated concoctions to help with the treatment so that the body can absorb maximum from the medicines.

    I flipped the page, and there were my mother''s notes in her cursive handwriting-

    Notes: Although the prescribed treatment must be enforced at all costs, starting the treatment as follows could add a more humane touch to it. Making the treatment a lot more bearable for the patient. It is not a conventional method of treatment, but it works.

    It is often ufortable for an aged body to process such heavy doses. Their bodies might even reject the medicines in rare cases. Administering the medicines through veins puts the body under the same stress.

    So, in early stages of treatment, an alternative could be: making the patient chew the raw medicines and asking them to keep it in their mouths, using their saliva to break it down. Small doses at intervals of an hour or two.

    Although it might be a challenge to chew on the bitter medicines and keep their raw juice under their tongue. It can be far more effective than enforcing the prescribed treatment. Because the brain still has immortality factors and the absorption of medicines through their tongue makes it much easier and doesn''t put their body under stress.

    VVI: Once their body recovers enough to absorb the medicinesfortably...

    "Once they have recovered enough, the prescribed way of treatment must be followed..." I mumbled to myself.

    "Do you have some mental illness? What do you keep mumbling to yourself?" Cedric''s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I opened my eyes.

    Highdy gulped down the medicines with a lot of struggle. Before she could gulp down thest bit of the concoction, she threw up.

    Lady Alessia gasped, pping her hands over her mouth, her eyes filled with horror.

    Lady Letitia stroked her back as she houghed violently.

    Nesryn gaped at the mess nkly.

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    "I will call Raven," she threw the medicine right at a maid who caught it deftly. She took out her phone.

    "No need to call him," Highdy spoke through her coughs, blood dripping down from the corner of her lips. "There''s nothing... wrong with the medicines. They are the... best meds of all the Infernal packs. I think I am just... not ready, maybe..."

    My heart hammered in my chest. Was she ming herself for not being able to take the medicines?

    "He wouldn''te anyway... so don''t bother..." Highdy said in a tone that broke my heart.

    Nesryn lowered her phone, defeated.

    Will he really note to see his mother even when she is this ill?

    I gulped hard and clenched my fists. Something within me kicked in, and I stepped forward, having all the reasons not to.

    There was something I could do. Something I had never done before. Something I had only read about. But deep down, I had a strong feeling in my guts that it would work.

    At least, it would bring the Highdy''s condition under control.

    I walked to the potion box, analyzing the contents in those vials with the reference pictures I had in my mind. I fetched a vial of dried morarentha flowers.

    "What do you think you are doing?" Nesryn asked, holding my hand.

    "This will help her," I said. "She''ll just have to chew it raw and keep its juices in her mouth for a few minutes. This will control her symptoms faster."

    "And who exactly are you to prescribe anything to our Highdy?" Lady Alessia red at me. "Just because you knew a little about this disease doesn''t mean you are some doctor-"

    "Six pods of funungus, three leaves of hetrotia, nine seeds of jixum, four petals of morarentha, dried roots of wild venus..." I recited theplete process of creating the prescribed concoction for TTA.

    Everyone peered at me nkly in a silence interrupted only by the Highdy''s deteriorating condition.

    "W-what in the devil''s name!? Nes, what is she saying?" Lady Alessia eximed.

    Nesryn squinted her eyes before letting go of my hand.

    "Can I get a warm, wet towel?" I asked, and a maid instantly got it for me.

    I wiped High Lady''s lips and the stained gown clean, trying my best to not make eye contact with her.

    "Your highness please chew this and keep it in your mouth. It would be much more helpful if you could allow its juice under your tongue." I peered at the floor as I presented her with the morarentha flower. "Even if it doesn''t work, there will be no side effects because it''s a part of the prescribed medicines for you."

    I knew I was an outsider, and it was only logical for them to not trust me at all. But-

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    Highdy''s trembling fingers brushed past my palm as she took the flower from my hand.

    Minutes passed in silence as even Highdy''s asional coughs and wheezes lessened. Her breaths were stillbored and rugged, but the flower seemed to have worked.

    "Can I... drink the... juice now?" Highdy asked in a mouth-filled-with-water kind of tone.

    "Yes, your highness," I said.

    She gulped hard and then quickly poured the juice down her throat with water.

    "If possible, you should chew the prescribed form for a few days before resuming the actual treatment. It will prepare your body for the stress-"

    "Take Highdy to her room and clean this mess," Nesryn ordered. "Make sure she rests well."

    The maids took Highdy to her room. Lady Alessia and Lady Letitia followed her.

    "Saw that?" Cedric chuckled. "The best alchemist in the Infernal packs? You are just a doofus! Huh!" He scoffed. "A mortal knows better than you. What a shame. Did you graduate in pea-sized brainology because that''s what your range of knowledge seems like-"

    "Cedric! What are you doing?" Nesryn folded her hands under her breasts angrily.

    I turned around and unconsciously looked right into the camera of Cedric''s phone.

    "Recording everything," Cedric chuckled, lowering his phone and typing on it with a sly smirk. "Aaaand... sent! This is gonna burn him alive. Haha! What a lovely day!"

    He stepped closer to me until his face was only inches apart from mine.

    "I knew you were my perfect assassination partner. I am gonna convince you to be my luna and help me kill my brothers, but after I get back from the academy."

    He stuffed his phone in his pocket and skated out of the castle.

    "Hey! Don''t tell me you sent that to Raven!" Nesryn raised her voice, but only a loudughter from Cedric came as a reply.

    She ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.

    "He fucking sent it to Raven," she whispered to herself, but I heard it loud and clear.

    Her phone rang.

    "Oh, no! This can''t be good," she grunted before picking up the phone. Nesryn took the call out of the dining hall.

    I looked at Mavka, who looked absolutely horrified.

    "Should I go back to my room now?" I asked Mavka.

    "No. You areing with me," Nesryn said from behind me. I merely looked at her and it was as if she read the question right off my eyes. "We are going to the Pheles pce - Raven''s pce. He wants you there... now!"

 Chapter-15. Confiding

    [Xanthea]

    I watched the Aile castle be clearer and clearer in the side-view mirror of Nesryn''s car the farther we drove away from it. Yet its sprawling grandness couldn''t be captured in one frame.

    The royal castle was the perfection of Baroque architecture, rising majestically to the extreme of excellence against the dark sky. Its pointed turrets and its colossal form were adorned in a regal aesthetic of ck, gray, white, and gold. It took us ten minutes just to drive out of its stretched out precinct covered with the dense trees. Nesryn said that there was ake among those trees that revolved around the pce, so she warned me to never enter the woods alone. The private driveway was built through those trees elevated from thend in such a way it never got in theke''s path.

    I sat in the passenger''s seat. I still couldn''t believe I had been in that castle. Just seeing it from afar would be the dream of many.

    If I didn''t look at the sky, I couldn''t even tell I was in the underworld. Although scary, the dense red and ck clouds beautifully intertwined in the sky like paints in crystal clear water. The red clouds had a subtle glow that made the sky even more enchanting.

    "The sun here always remains below the horizon, but its rays reach thend, although the sky just eats up most of the light," Nesryn said, changing the gear. "Like sunset?" I looked at her.

    "Yeah, like the sunset in your realm. It''s just that our days are all about sunsets and our nights are about the moon rising. We get most of our energy from the moon and night, so... we don''t really need sun as much as your realm does," she said.

    I nodded once, seeing the Aile castle disappearpletely from my sight. A long stretch of forests sprinted behind us before we finally entered the city.

    I gaped outside the window at the packed buildings with towering spires adorned with statues of gargoyles, dragons, devils, and sculptures of naked men, women, and angels with broken wings. They were all reaching out for the sky. The car raced on the cobblestone streets before it transitioned into asphalt roads. We reached the market square with skyscrapers and luxurious shops, with a soothing dark ambiance bing more prominent.

    The city''s atmosphere was bustling with an eerie yet jovial energy, as the immortal werewolves trotted down the winding roads.

    The buildings were decorated with runes and dark symbols that glowed in vivid neon colors. There were shops, taverns, pubs, cafes, banks and what-not. If I ignored the ominous decoration of statues around the buildings, the city resembled the normal cities in the earthly realm.

    There was no traffic system, yet the private and public vehicles never collided.

    "So... are you ready to tell where you learned all that medical stuff? I don''t know much about alchemy, but I can tell you have quite an advanced knowledge on this subject," Nesryn asked, speeding the car through the traffic. There were times I felt as though we were going to crash into several cars, but we didn''t.

    "I wanted to be a doctor." Words left my lips before I could control them.

    Nesryn peered at the farthest end of the road.

    "A doctor?" she reiterated.

    A subtle smile appeared on my face as I dropped my gaze.

    "Yes. So, I read a lot ever since I was a kid."

    "But where did you get such detailed information of Infernal alchemy? We share our knowledge with your kind, yes. But not to this extent. We can''t allow the mortals to have much knowledge about immortals or immortality. That would destroy the bnce between the three realms, Xanthea," she said, looking into my eyes.

    "Honestly, I don''t know. This knowledge was the only legacy my deceased mother left behind. She died while giving birth to me," I mumbled. "So, I wanted to dedicate my life to the dreams she couldn''t live because of me. I just wanted to make her proud before I died. Make my life worth more than it ought to be." I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "Seems like my death will be just as worthless as my life has been so far."

    Nesryn silently listened. The next few minutes passed in silence.

    She let out a quick breath. "Are you confiding in me?" she asked.

    I lifted my gaze to the dashboard of the car. It took me a while to understand why I told her what I did.

    "I suppose... I am..." my voice came out as a whisper.

    "Why?" Nesryn questioned coldly. "Why would you do that? I have no interest in getting close to you or attached in any manner. The only reason I talked to you is because you are the only one in this car other than me and I was genuinely curious about how you know about all that. So, why would you share your personal emotional burden with me?"

    "I am sorry. I didn''t mean to burden you. I just wanted to answer your question truly. And I just... wanted someone..." my voice quavered slightly, but I held back my emotions to pour into my words again. "Maybe I just wanted someone to know that I tried..."

    I looked outside the window, blinking back the blurriness in my eyes.

    For the rest of our drive, we didn''t talk. And I was d she didn''t ask me any more questions, because I wasn''t sure how I would answer them, detaching myself from the emotions linked to the answers.

    We entered the precinct of the Pheles pce, which was named after Raven''s demon wolf''s name - Pheles. It was yet another wonder of architecture standing in the middle of blooming gardens, glowing greenhouses and dark woods. A dense mist hung heavily around the pce and the woods.

    Flora and fauna heavily influenced the vibes of the ce. Creepers on the walls, framing the windows and gazebos. Stems and leaves of runners and shrubs spread across the stairs like a viridian carpet and twirled around the balustrades. It felt as if I had entered a fictional world based on a dark fairy core.

    After another five minutes'' drive through the iron gate, Nesryn parked the car right in front of the pce''s entrance.

    I tried to get out of the car, but it was still locked.

    "I just want you to know that-" Nesryn said without looking at me. "-your life hasn''t ended yet. As long as you can take your next breath and feel it in your lungs, you are alive."

    I looked at her nkly. She let out a sigh, running her long nails through her hair.

    Nesryn looked right into my eyes.

    "Vivamus, moriendum est. A quote from your world which means - let us live, for we must die. When you know you''re gonna die, why don''t you live as you always wanted to? Yeah, maybe you will die sooner because you offend someone or you disobey someone, but you''ll be happy and grateful to yourself that even if for a second, you lived your life on your terms."

    She cleared her throat, her voice slightly hoarse.

    "So, you should be proud of yourself that you at least tried because many don''t even know what to do with their lives. They follow orders and try to impress others by losing themselves. Why? Because they are immortals, and an immortal''s biggest fear is loneliness and abandonment. At least mortals have the freedom to die. Just imagine living a life that has no end..."

    Nesryn quickly looked away, but I had already seen the tears line her eyes.

    She unlocked the doors.

    I hesitantly and slowly reached out to touch her arm.

    "But you are not alone. You have such a beautiful family. A mother, three mothers and all of them care about you..."

    Nesryn nodded, looking at me.

    "And I fear losing them all one day. And my fear keeps increasing as I see the Highdy suffer every day. It is at times like this I wished we could die. At least there would be a permanent remedy for the pain. And maybe my brothers feel the same and that is why they havepletely detached themselves, even from their own family. To the point, it''s hurting now, but it wasn''t supposed to, right? We aren''t supposed to feel-"

    She licked her lips, taking a deep breath.

    I ced my hand on hers.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "I just want the Highdy''s pain to stop and if there was any way to make the treatment less cruel... I just don''t want her to suffer anymore..."

    She let out a shaky breath with a tight gulp.

    "Are you... confiding in me now?" I stammered.

    "Yes, that''s how it works. You shared your emotional burden, I did mine, and if you dare tell a single word to anyone else, I''ll kill you myself," she said, sniffling.

    For the first time, I got a death threat, and I smiled and a subtleughter.

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    "Don''t worry, your emotions are safe with me."

    She stared at me nkly. Then, with a half sniffle and a half scoff, she looked outside the window.

    "Get out now," Nesryn said, taking back her hand from mine.

    We got out of the car. A valet came and took her car to the parking lot while we entered the pce.

    Now that I could see the nts from up close, I felt a subtle excitement kick in my stomach. My legs twitched to run across the garden and witness all the nts with my eyes in real life. The same nts I had only seen in my mother''s books. A pce was right in front of me, but I yearned to run into the wild and breathe in the exhrating fragrance of dewed grass and freshly bloomed flowers.

    I ced my hand on my chest, feeling my heart pound. The first thing that came to mind after experiencing the Pheles pce was - it''s a ce that can heal. The wounds I never knew I had.

    I was so distracted, for a second I forgot I had to face Raven in a few minutes. And when I remembered about Raven, the only thing I could think of was hurt and pain.

    How could his home have a vibe thatpletely contradicted him?

    "I don''t think he''d ever tell you this, but when they brought you to the pack, he was the one to heal your broken bones," Nesryn said.

    "Alpha Asher?" I asked.

    "No, Raven," she said.

    I tensed my brows. "But why would he heal me?"

    She shrugged.

    "Maybe because they want you in your best condition to conceive their kids. Honestly, no one knows why they do what they do except the three of them, so... that''s that." Nesryn entered the pce, and I followed her, staying a few steps behind her as I contemted the unfathomable emotions knotting in my chest.

    Ever since I had entered the Infernal pack, I had been feeling. I don''t exactly know what I feel, but it''s the most I had ever felt in my life.

 Chapter-16. Free butterfly

    [Xanthea]

    Nesryn called someone while I stayed in the foyer. Standing by the intricately designed arched window, I peered outside.

    My brain identified as many nts and herbs as it could, matching the details and sketches I had seen in my mother''s books and diaries. But there were still a lot more nts I couldn''t identify.

    I gasped, awestruck, gazing at the red butterfly. Its wings were as though made of thin slices of glowing red crystals with dark and gold patterns mixing gracefully with one another as it pped its long-tailed wings. It was twice the size of a normal butterfly and a thousand times more beautiful and magical.

    The butterfly fluttered past the window ss. I waved at it excitedly, as though it would wave back at me. Unaware of how sheepishly I was smiling, I couldn''t take my eyes off it.

    Itnded on a flower with translucent whitish blue petals. Pressing my palm and nose against the cold ss, my eyes followed the butterfly.

    "It has always fascinated me how petty things hold the power to bring something as mysterious as a smile onto someone''s face in mere seconds. A butterfly, for instance..."

    Before I turned around to figure out the source of the deep resonating voice, a tall, well-built man stood right beside me. His deep blue eyes contemted the butterfly. His tinum hair was partially coiffed on the back while the fringes falling over his forehead and eyelids were frivolously at the mercy of winds.

    Sliding the sleeves of his white shirt to his elbow, he slid his hands into his ck pants pockets. He tilted his head, analyzing the butterfly intently that flexed his sharp jawline and handsome facial features.

    "Does this butterfly make you happy?" He asked.

    I wasn''t sure who he was or if or how I was supposed to reply to him. So I remained silent and pretended to be gazing at the butterfly.

    "Wouldn''t you capture it? Keep it in a cage and adore it at your leisure. Or maybe better. You can catch it, kill it and then pin it with preservatives. Then its beauty will forever be yours. Dead, but yours. Should I catch it for you?"

    He stretched out his hand over the ss of the window and gestures as if he had the power to catch the butterfly in mid-air without touching it.

    "No..." I said, keeping my voice low. "Please don''t catch it. Please don''t cage it and please don''t kill it."

    He tensed his brows and then looked at me.

    "Why not? Wouldn''t you be sad when it''s gone? You might never see it again."

    "Sad?" I shook my head. "No."

    "Why?"

    "I think it''s beautiful only because it''s free and alive. You take away any of those and its beauty wouldn''t ever be the same again."

    "Why not?"

    "Because then it will have scars and no matter how much you glorify scars, they''ll always be ugly to the one carrying them, an eternal reminder of something they wish to forget..."

    "I''ll make sure it doesn''t get hurt when I cage it."

    "There has been no cage that hasn''t wounded the one inside it, and not all wounds are visible," I said.

    The butterfly fluttered its wings and took off flying higher and higher, far away from us, and I couldn''t have been more relieved.

    He scratched his chin.

    "Maybe you''re right," he said.

    I nced once at him, then swiftly looked outside the window. My gaze froze, and then I cautiously looked at him again.

    A painful scar had appeared from his neck and covered half of his face.

    His eyes locked with mine, and I swiftly dropped my gaze.

    "Alpha Raven and Alpha Ezra say this scar looks cool on me and that I should wear it with pride. Alpha Asher doesn''t react much. It''s actually difficult toprehend him. But they are the only ones who act like it isn''t a big deal. Others can barely look at it. Honestly..." he looked at his faint reflection in the window''s ss. "I can barely look at myself. So..." he ran his fingers across his chin, and the scar disappeared. "So, I hide it away. Makes living with myself easier." I pursed my lips in a thin line.

    "By the way, isn''t our pack a cage for you?" He asked.

    I dropped my gaze.

    Maybe that was why I liked to see the butterfly free and admire it, for it had something I couldn''t even dream of.

    ''We often fancy someone who is the ideal version of how we wish to see ourselves.'' My mother''s words shed before my eyes.

    "Maybe... that is why I like butterflies..." I mumbled.

    "There''s another thing about butterflies. They themselves never see how beautiful they are..." He contemted me closely.

    He smiled softly, shifting his gaze beyond the window. His voice toned down to a deep whisper.

    "You are beautiful beyond theprehension of a painter''s art and condensation of a muser''s words. You should be free, just like that butterfly. I know you''re here against your will. So tell me, your highness, do you wish... to be free?"

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    I feverishly curled my fingers around my hand as I lowered my gaze.

    I had left behind all the impossible dreams like being free in the Earthly realm. I no longer had a dream I yearned to pursue, not even freedom. Maybe there was only one thing I looked forward to and feared at the same time - death. He stepped closer. "I can help you get out-"

    "Beta Draknor!" Nesryn called as she strutted closer to us.

    B-beta?

    She red at Draknor and then shifted her gaze to me.

    "What the hell are you doing?" Nesryn questioned in a warning tone.

    Draknor turned to face Nesryn.

    "Just a friendly chit-chat with the new bride and some admiring," he smiled, facing Nesryn. "Why? Are you jealous?"

    Nesryn squinted her eyes before rolling it.

    "You are my only ex who survived just because you are the beta of the Prime pack, but that can change any time, so if I were you, I wouldn''t y around, beta Draknor." Nesryn red at him.

    He smiled faintly. "You can still call me DK, mia cara."

    "Might as well call you a dick, beta."

    He chuckled. "If I am not wrong, this is the same dick you once wanted all over yourself. Still can''t stop thinking about it, huh?"

    "Fuck off!" Nesryn scoffed, held my hand and dragged me with herself as she flounced upstairs. I had to run to keep up with her pace. "That fucking jerk! Dumbass bastard! Stay away from him, Xanthea. And if he tries to talk to you, punch him in his fucking face!"

    Once we were on the first floor, we took an elevator and before I knew I was in Raven''s office.

    "Raven asked me to tell you to wait here. I''ll head back to my work. Something urgent came up," she said.

    "Umm. All the best with your work," I said.

    She tensed her brows with a confused, awkward smile.

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    "Thanks, I guess?" she looked very unsure as she replied.

    I smiled with a soft nod.

    "Ok! Remember, stay here until hees. Don''t leave his office, ok? And don''t touch nts or anything at all. First, Raven doesn''t like anyone touching his things, especially his nts. They are like his precious babies to him. He can''t let any harme their way. So, even if you pluck a leaf, he''s gonna kill you. And second, this ce is filled with things that can easily kill you. So..." she shrugged, receiving a call and strolled out of the office, leaving me all by myself in the silent office.

    Raven''s office was more like a private suite, with a spacious designer desk and chairs near the floor to ceiling ss walls behind. One could easily monitor every corner of the garden and forest within the pce''s precinct.

    Ceiling high bookshelves filled with books. Indoor nts, charts and artworks took the rest of the space. There was a private bathroom, a breakroom and a privateboratory furnished with ss jars filled with herbs, chemicals and glowing potions.

    I scanned through the bookshelves and the nts, but I didn''t dare touch anything.

    Now that I was all by myself, uneasiness slowly made its way into my mind again.

    What I had done was on half-impulse and half-drive-to-help, but if it had offended Raven, there was nothing I could say or do to avoid any further trouble with him.

    Maybe I didn''t have to wait for a week for the worst to happen and for some reason that didn''t scare me as much as I thought it would.

    Rubbing my mmy palms together, I stood against the ss wall, watching the ck clouds slowly engulf the red ones. Usually my thoughts would run astray and I would imagine the worst scenario or how I could escape it. But at that moment, I strangely wasn''t thinking much.

    I looked at his desk. Apart from the portion that was taken up by his monitor and keyboard, his desk was covered with books, a pile of nk parchments, golden ink pots with fountain pens, normal pens, all kinds of pens, some unfinished sketches of nts and... strange creatures.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    Something rustled behind me as if it was slowly creeping towards me. My fingers pressed against the edge of the desk as I stood, too frozen to move.

    I turned around with a jolt, my heart thudding in my chest. In the hurry, I hadn''t even noticed that my dress had brushed against leaves of the nts nearby.

    I scanned the office, but there was nothing unusual or out of ce.

    Did I imagine it?

    I nced outside the ss wall and saw the same red butterfly from before. I peered at it and it seemed as if it was looking back at me just as intently.

    "AH!"

    Pain bolted through my leg as somethingshed at my ankle, coiled itself with a strangling grip of a snake.

    Parchments fluttered chaotically in the air. Ink pots shattered into fragments. Ink spilled and spoiled the floor and fallen parchment. Pens rolled wildly across the floor as my hands mmed across the desk.

    I impulsively reached out to hold on to something before the office spun before my eyes. My mind wentpletely nk as I tripped and fell face-down onto the floor.

 Chapter-17. Why?

    [Raven]

    I looked at my phone screen as I drove into the private driveway to my pce.

    Through a spare guardian butterfly, I had been monitoring the omega while she interacted with Draknor and Nesryn. I knew Nesryn had a history with Draknor, but she had just met the omega. Why the hell was she being so protective of her? Just like Asher.

    I still don''t get what Asher saw in this breakable object. And why was he so protective of her? It could be because of the game. But if he wanted a y doll, there were far better women out there with richer blood and origin. Why settle for a bastard omega?

    I knew all kinds of dark magic, but I couldn''t break down what she was using to bewitch my family and bring them to her side.

    Every time I thought of her, the only emotion that triggered within me was - rage and disgust.

    If it wasn''t for Asher''s stubbornness, I would have never agreed to have her as our bride. Forget about forming a soul pact, I wouldn''t have even nced at someone like her.

    ''I want you to make love to me like you''d to the woman you love and respect to someone you''d never... hurt.''

    I scoffed, ring at the road ahead as I sped up my car.

    The thought of touching her was arduous enough, making love was out of the question.

    How dare she even speak those words so tantly? How dare she think she deserved our love and respect even though fake? The audacity of that lowborn knew no bounds. She needed to be put in her right ce until Asher gets bored with her. Once he does, I''ll make sure to dispose of her soul myself.

    With just a few senseless words, she had shaken the foundation of my brother''s and my unity. Ezra sensed it as well, and I bet Asher did, too. So why the fuck did he side with her?

    I didn''t like how an insignificant woman like her made me feel. I hated change and even though it was minuscule and barely noticeable; she was changing control and order of things, challenging things around her.

    Just like she challenged my treatment today. It wasn''t just my treatment, but my knowledge she had questioned. And it hadn''t even been two days since she entered the Prime pack. There was no way I would unsee that. Although I was curious to know how she got the knowledge toe to the level to challenge me? I wanted to know what was the basis on which she interfered with my treatment of my mother.

    I curled my fingers around the steering wheel as her dress brushed against the only mutated specimen that survived in my recent experiments - Carvera X23.

    A leaf of that nt is worth is more than your fucking life, you stupid! Stay away from my nts! Ugh!

    I grunted, speeding up my car.

    All she had to do was sit in one ce and do nothing, touch nothing, but no, she needs to act out. What an imbecile!

    I shut my eyes in frustration and when I opened it again, my eyes locked with hers for a few seconds through the phone screen as if she knew I was watching her through the butterfly''s eyes.

    The next second she copsed onto the floor, messing up my desk, my books, my pens.

    I stopped my car in the middle of the driveway.

    "What the fuck! What the fuck is wrong with this omega! Seriously!" I clenched my phone in my hands, almost cracking its screen with the force I was holding it.

    The hem of her dress slid up to her shin while she struggled to crawl away, revealing the carvera vines coiled around her ankles.

    Just great!

    I started my car and raced it at full speed.

    Carvera vines had microscopic fangs like that of snakes which stored lethal poison, strong enough to paralyze an immortal for eternity. Adult carveras were impossible to deal with, even for immortals, because the only way to loosen the vine''s grip was to hurt their roots or uproot them from the groundpletely. And they could grow asrge as a beech tree with their roots spreading as deep as thrice their size.

    But the one in my office was just a baby sapling. Barely a month old. Even a weakling like her could uproot it with bare hands.

    I drew in a quick breath, trying to stay calm for my baby carvera. I had to reach it before she uprooted my X23.

    Baby carveras, once uprooted, had no chances of survival because their roots were the most fragile part of their body.

    Out of all the nts, why did it have to be X23? Damn it!

    Panting, she lifted her chest off the ground, turned around and peered at her ankle that had turned blue. Baby carveras had more poison in stock. No wonder it had started showing its effect already.

    She reached out to snap the vines off her ankles that had started sprawling up her legs like dendritic veins.

    There you go. My months of hard work going down the drain just like that! I swear this omega is going to pay for every damage she does to my X23.

    The blueness crept up her legs with the vines. Her shaking fingers stopped before she touched the vines. At least she wasn''t stupid enough to touch the vines directly, which meant she was going to hurt the main body of X23.

    Did she know carvera''s weakness was its roots? As far as I knew, carveras were only found in the Infernal realm.

    I turned off my phone, an annoying rage pulsating through me. I drove for another five minutes before I mmed the brakes and the car stopped right in front of the entrance of my pce with a screech. Getting down from my car, I dashed into my pce and then to my office.

    I mmed the door open and hurried into my office. My rushed steps faltered until they finally came to a halt against the pen she held in her limp fingers and the parchment she had scribbled on.

    Squatting, I checked on my Carvera X23. Not a single leaf was damaged, nor was the vine. The soil was undisturbed as well.

    Tensing my brows, I looked at her, and then at her ckened ankles. I lifted her dress to her thighs. The vines had spread to her hips.

    nkly peered at her unconscious body, for a few seconds I went into a state ofplete thoughtlessness.

    What the hell is wrong with her?

    Don''t tell me she couldn''t even fight a one-month-old sapling? Or did she not know how to defeat it? Maybe the poison knocked her out. It was only logical and normal for her to struggle with the leaves and vines, but there were no signs of a struggle with the nt at all.

    No. It looked like she didn''t even try to fight. Instead, in the time she could have protected herself, she scribbled on parchment?

    Is she mentally sick or what?

    I got up, crouched and picked up the parchment she had scribbled on.

    My eyes skimmed through the words on the parchment. Narrowing my eyes, I clenched my jaws, crumpling the parchment in my hand.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    I ran my fingers through my hair.

    Seriously, what is wrong with this omega?

    "Good. By choosing death yourself, you just made my work easier. Good, that you know my X23 is worth more than your useless life," I mumbled. Herpromised heartbeats mingled with herbored breaths that broke with every passing second.

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    I looked down on her as life slowly fleeted right off her body.

    Clenching my jaws, I clenched the parchment tighter in my fist as I contemted her nkly for another minute, drawing my brows together. Why? Just why?

    Damn you, omega!

    I pulled out a scalpel from the inner pocket of my overcoat.

    Stepping closer to the carvera, I grabbed its shoot, uprooted it out of the pot and threw it far away from her after severing the vines from the main body of X23.

    I picked her up in my arms and carefullyid her down on the couch.

    Rushing to my desk, I pulled out the drawer. The ss vials of antidotes clinked together as I fetched out the right one.

    Drawing in the clear liquid from the vial into a syringe, I called the hospital.

    "Alpha..." Nyssa, my hospital''s chief executive officer, answered the line.

    "Nyssa, I need an operating room prepped immediately. It''s a carvera poisoning case. Vines have prated skin and flesh up to hips."

    "Oh no, Alpha. Are you alright? Is it X23? Did it hurt you?" she asked impatiently.

    "Nyssa, this is an emergency. Just listen, no questions. It is X23 poisoning, the one poisoned is a mortal. The vines need to be surgically removed or it can permanently damage her leg. I need a team ready..." I dictated her about everything the surgery would need while I injected the antidote to her bloodstream.

    "I''ll get the OT ready asap, Alpha. I will inform Dr. Ryle right away. He is the best lead surgeon of our hospital..." Nyssa asked.

    "No. I''ll lead the operation myself," I said.

    "Uh? O-ok. Understood. Everything will be ready, Alpha," she said, and I hung up my phone, shoving it in my pocket.

    Her chest heaved faster, sweats glistening on her skin.

    "How dare you even think you could die without our permission, omega? Plus, you have a lot of exining to do. I won''t let you die so soon..."

    I carefully scooped her up into my arms and rushed her to the hospital in my car.

 Chapter-18. Whispers of vines

    [Xanthea]

    An icy sensation crawled up my leg.

    The din of my breaths and my heartbeats faltered in my ears as the sound of rustling grass, as if a serpent hastily slithered through them. I stood barefoot on the dewy grass, aware of every stir in the surrounding underbrush. Cold fog condensed on my skin like sweats damping my white gown.

    Breathing slowly but heavily through my mouth, I kept staring at the grass apprehensively.

    Subtle slithering sounds grew louder. Movement in the grass and bushes became evident. It was then I realized something was rumbling under the ground.

    Unease knotted in my stomach and even before I could think about running, sinewy vines erupted from the earth all around me. I froze in my ce as they whipped right before my eyes like the gigantic tentacles of an octopus. I fell on the ground, lying on my back as they coiled themselves all around my body.

    I felt the movements of the vines against my skin. Their cold and damp touch as the vines slowly swallowed me into the ground. I knew I was being pulled underground, but it felt as though I was sinking. The faint light filtering through the grassy surface floated farther and farther away from me.

    But there was no panic, just an uncanny peace.

    There was a glow underground and a thick scent of soil and roots.

    ''Xanthea...'' someone whispered my name in my ears. ''Come to us. Call us...''

    "Who?" I mumbled with a groan.

    "Xanthea?"

    Moaning, I winced.

    "Xanthea," the voice was close to my ears, yet I heard it as a distant murmur.

    I parted my eyelids, staring at a familiar ceiling of my room in the Aile castle.

    Were those the whispers of the vines?

    I struggled with every blink, trying to navigate through what was real. The warm light in the room dispersed the fog before my eyes as though someone had just wiped the dew streaked ss.

    "Xanthea..." someone called out to me again, but I couldn''t make out whose voice it was until I turned my head and met Nesryn''s eyes. Her expressions were a mix of relief and sternness. "You woke up exactly when he predicted you would."

    I felt the same cold sensation on my leg. I turned my head to the other side and saw Mavka gently rubbing a sphere of ice over my leg, her gaze fixed on the task.

    Gradually, the events came back to me and thest thing I remember was - I was in Raven''s office...

    I sat up on the bed with a jerk. A sharp pain jolted through my head as it spun. Nesryn held me before my head hit the headboard.

    "Easy now. Your body is still healing from the poison," Nesryn said with a stoic face. She arranged pillows behind me to help me lean against them.

    "Thank you," I said weakly, with a dry gulp.

    Nesryn sat on the bed beside me. Her gaze was nk as she stared at me.

    "I warned you to stay away from Raven''s nts, didn''t I?"

    I lowered my gaze. She held my chin and made me look at her again.

    "Look at me when I talk to you. Why did you go near his nts?"

    "I... I was just... looking around... when my dress brushed against a nt... I am sorry for all the trouble I put you through."

    "Well, you are going to be in trouble with Raven, for sure. Do you even know what nt attacked you?" she asked.

    I nodded.

    "It looked like a carvera. I had only read about them. I had never encountered one in real life. The real ones look different from the ones in sketches."

    "Yes, because it was a mutated carvera that Raven had been working on for months. Out of hundreds of the mutated varieties, only one of such carvera survived. So I hope you can imagine how important it was for Raven, considering how much time, resources and probably emotions he had invested in it."

    I nodded once, pursing my lips.

    "Even so, it was still a nt! All you had to do was be careful. Did you know how to protect yourself from it?" she asked.

    "I had read that... its r-roots are its weakness," I said. "If we uproot them, they lose their power, and... eventually, they die."

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    Nesryn looked away with a huff as she ran her fingers through her open hair, flipping them back.

    "So you knew how to protect yourself from the nt, which is now dead anyway?" she asked, and I lifted my gaze at her.

    "Y-yes..."

    "So why didn''t you uproot it? That''s exactly what all of us want to know. When you knew how to save yourself from it, why didn''t you?" she had a look of disbelief in her eyes. "I saw the nt''s main body. Uprooting it would be simpler than plucking a rose from the garden if we ignore the tentacles which were already busy devouring your leg. But you didn''t even try. Why?"

    Silence hung in the room, and for a while, even Mavka stopped rubbing the ice on my leg. Gulping hard, I fidgeted with my fingers, still feeling the burn from the poison in my leg.

    "Like you said, the nt was important to Alpha Raven. He loves his nts like his child. He cares about them more than anything else. So... how could I... hurt something so precious to him?" I said.

    Nesryn gaped at me with wide eyes. She got down from the bed and paced near it.

    "I can''t believe this. I just can''t believe this mortal fool..." she mumbled to herself, then she looked at me. "Are you out of your mind, Xanthea? No, literally, have you fucking lost it? No matter what nt it was. It was still a nt. How can a freaking nt be more important than your life? This is! Do you even realize how outrageously stupid this is?"

    I bit on my lower lip, lowering my head. Deep down within me, settled a heavy feeling with an even more bitter answer. It was a truth that even Nesryn knew that the nt was worth far more than my life.

    In thosest moments when I hastily scribbled down the preparatory procedure and details about preparing the body to treat TTA for the Highdy, I really thought I was going to die. And the strongest urge I felt was - even though it might be a futile attempt, I just wanted to help ease her pain a little.

    Mavka ran the ice up my hurt leg carefully. The hem of my gown was already lifted to my hips. I saw the welts of vines tattooed on my skin, bruised and red.

    "Those welts will leave a permanent scar. Be grateful they saved your leg. A second''s dy and they would have to amputate it," Nesryn said. I licked my lips.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Thank you for saving me..."

    "I didn''t save you. Raven did," she said.

    My body stiffened. "H-he did?"

    Nesryn nodded, pressing her lips into a tight, thin line.

    "D-does that mean..."

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    "Yes, miss stupid. Raven uprooted that carvera and then he rushed you to his hospital, where he operated on you for hours, carefully separating the vines from your legs. Had someone else done the operation, you would have definitely lost your leg," Nesryn said.

    With a tight gulp, I felt an inexplicable rhythm of beats take over my heart as it pounded louder in my chest.

    "But he looked pissed about something else. And strangely, he visited the pce thrice this week. To check on the Highdy. He seemed to have changed her treatment n. And her condition was improving until yesterday and then it suddenly deteriorated severely. Everyone is scared. She is in the hospital right now. Raven is with her. You should have stayed in the hospital for a few more days, but you were brought to the pce today to fulfill your bridal duties," Nesryn said.

    I felt a tight clench in my chest.

    "H-how... long has it been?" I asked.

    "It''s been a week." Nesryn said. "They''ll be here tonight. Although I am not so sure about Raven..."

    My eyelids flickered as they fell on the bedsheet.

    "It''s already been... a week?" I looked around restlessly as Ezra''s warning ran down my spine with the chill. I shut my eyes as my chest heaved faster.

    "It''s not like I was worried about you or something. I was in the pce, so I stopped by. Nothing else." Nesryn nced at me from the corner of her eyes, then sat beside me on the bed again. "But... if your leg hurts a lot... you can take this painkiller... this is the least I can do for you even though in this condition, I know the only thing you should do is rest..." Nesryn ced the vial of a transparent liquid on the nightstand beside my bed.

    I forced a faint smile. "Thank you, princess."

    "Sorry to interrupt, your highness, it''s time for your bath," Mavka said.

    "See you," Nesryn said, uncertainty clear in her voice.

    I bowed slightly, and she walked out of the room.

    Mavka got down from the bed, leaving the ice on my leg.

    I wanted to concentrate on myself, but my thoughts ran wild in all the directions, but they heavily traveled back to the Highdy.

    What could have happened in thest week? Could it be that... could Raven have taken what I wrote on the parchment seriously? A part of me knew he would never think of that parchment as anything more than trash, but then there was another part of me that felt the opposite.

    In case he really took me seriously...

    Does that mean things didn''t work out? Did something go wrong? Could it be my fault that the Highdy was in the hospital?

 Chapter- 19. Timeâ€™s up

    [Xanthea]

    Just the thought of it made me break into cold sweat even when I was submerged in a fragrant bath. Mavka and a few other maids prepared me for the night while neither my body nor my heart nor my mind were ready for it. As the time of their arrival drew nearer, my anxiousness grew louder in my chest.

    I winced as the soft fabric of the greence panties grazed against my leg. Even a small touch on the welts triggered a flutter of pain. I wore a green three-piecece lingerie. The dark green bra was adorned with intricate floral patterns that made my breasts stand out even more. While the panties hugged the curves of my crotch. Mavka put the garter belt around my hips and then reached out for the stockings.

    "Can I not wear the stockings, please?" I asked.

    "Your highness, you already know the answer. But..." Mavka ced the stockings on the bed. "I''ll leave it on you. Please do as you deem fit."

    She looked at the antique grandfather clock that stood against a wall.

    "It''s nine already. My lords should be here by 9: 09, your highness," Mavka said, helping me put on the viridian silk night robe. They didn''t style my hair, but allowed it to hang loose and damp. They applied various perfumes to different parts of my body. By 9:05 I was ready.

    "Hope to wake you up tomorrow, your highness. We''ll take our leave now," Mavka said, bowing, and so did the other maids. "Thank you for taking such good care of me," I bowed back.

    Mavka and maids left the room at 9:07.

    Waiting for the two minutes felt like waiting for years. As the time drew closer, my breaths turned shallow as my mind ran wild with chaotic thoughts. The sound of the clock ticking grew louder in the pin drop silence of the room. I fumbled with the vial of painkiller and gulped it down before putting on the stockings at thest moment.

    The clock struck 9: 09 and my head snapped towards the door.

    Another minute passed like a century before the doorknob turned and the door opened, instantly filling the room with aforting pheromone, immediately followed by an overpowering scent, making it hard to breathe.

    I got down from the bed, ignoring the sting in my leg, and stood, lowering my gaze as Ezra sprawled on the royal armchair right in front of my bed.

    "Ten minutes..." his voice zapped through me. I clenched my hands together, trying to stop them from shaking. "That''s the longest I will wait for Raven, Asher."

    Ignoring Ezra, Asher stepped closer to me.

    In a soft pull, he untied the knot holding the silk night robe on my body. His fingers brushed against my skin as he slid the silk down my shoulders. The fabric effortlessly flowed around my feet into a puddle. My eyes restlessly skimmed from the clock to the door and then returned to Asher. He held my shoulders and made me sit on the bed.

    My hair curtained the side of my face. I reached out to brush them back when he held my hand. My eyes locked with his eyes. I lowered my hand to the bed. He gently tucked the free strands behind my ear.

    A warm flutter stroked my heart as Asher slowly got to his one knee before me. Breath froze in my chest as I peered at him, confused.

    Detaching my stockings from the garter belt, he gently pulled them off my legs. I clenched the bedsheet to fight a moan back into my throat.

    He carefully held my injured feet in his palm.

    "Alpha..." He looked up at me and I no longer needed answers to the questions pulsating in my chest. I averted my eyes, unable to hold the intensity of his gaze.

    "Ah!" I drew in a sharp breath through clenched teeth as he ran his hand over the welts.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    He contemted my injuries with an inscrutable face.

    Releasing my leg, Asher walked to the nightstand and picked up an ice cube. He was about to kneel again when I...

    "Alpha... I-I can do it myself. You don''t have to do this... i-it''s not hurting..." I lied, feeling my face tense up with a fever that flowed right from his intense eyes into my skin.

    He had only taken a step towards me, but I could feel his breaths on my cheeks like the soft breeze caressing the ambers to ignite into mes. His gaze descended to my lips and then rose to meet my eyes. Holding my gaze, he slid his one hand beneath my ear, and with the other, he parted my knees.

    He leaned in closer and closer. A tempting heaviness fell over my eyelids. With a quick gulp, Asher pressed his lips against mine. My eyelids fluttered before surrendering to the tantalizing sensation of his lips against mine.

    His finger caging the ice traced anguidly arousing path from my knees to my hips and spine. My breasts pressed against his chest as he pulled my hips against his. And before I knew I found myself clutching the fabric of his shirt. Our slow kissing transitioned into something deeper. Something that wiped every other thought that wasn''t about him right off my mind. A temporary escape from the impending reality that was meant to unfold.

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    As we parted, the lingering heat of the kiss spread through every inch of my skin.

    He dipped into the curve of my neck, offering afort I hadn''t known I craved. The pain that had seemed remediless moments ago now found sce in his touch.

    His lips found my earlobe, and a husky whisper teased me. "Still not hurting, Xanthea?"

    Goosebumps charged through my body, and this time, when he looked at me, I couldn''t even lift my gaze to meet his.

    My breaths hitched as he kneeled once more before me, gently applying the soothing touch of ice along my leg.

    "Alpha... can I... can I ask for something before the end of these ten minutes?" I asked hesitantly.

    If those ten minutes were indeed the only time left with me. I didn''t want to waste them.

    "Who are you addressing, Xanthea?" Asher asked serenely.

    "You."

    "Then call my name," he said.

    "Alpha Asher, can I ask for something?"

    "Hmm."

    "Before the end of these ten minutes... can I see the Highdy once?" I asked. I swallowed the lump building in my throat. "I''m... worried about her." Ezra scoffed.

    "Do you have time to worry about anyone else, little toy? Your sense of humor is killing me," Ezra taunted. "And how long have you spent with our mother to care about her when, in the very next second, you might be losing your life?" He leaned forward in the chair. "Oh, sorry. You are the universal goddess of goodness type. Saving a nt before yourself. Hmm. Makes perfect sense. Ha-ha." He chuckled. "Seriously, I hate mortals like you who don''t appreciate death." Tears stung into my eyes.

    "I fear death, Alpha Ezra..." I looked at him. "No one likes pain and the first promise death makes is pain. Pain of separation, pain of shattered hopes, pain of never seeing someone again. But what scares me more is someone else suffering, hurting because of me or my foolish mistake..."

    Enjoying the book? Don''t forget to visit 00005s.org for the full experience. You won''t find the next chapter anywhere else. Happy reading! Ezra''s face blurred in my bleary eyes, but I could tell just from the stabbing aura filling the room that he didn''t like me talking back to him.

    "So cat gave back your tongue to you, huh?" Ezra got up from the chair.

    Asher got up as well, ice cracked in his hand as he clenched his fist.

    "Rx, I''ll not kill her until 9: 20. We still got four minutes for a nice chit-chat. Little toy seems to be in a mood for it," Ezra ambled to me. "Go on, I am here to listen."

    I lowered my head, biting my lips.

    "Back off, Ezra." Asher ced his hand on Ezra''s chest, pushing him back.

    "Speak! What happened? I know nothing about alchemy or that kind of stuff, ok? But serves you right for acting over-smart! Die with a regret that an innocent person might be in a lot of pain because you wanted to y the hero. This is your punishment for toying around with our mother. And just because it bothers you more than death, I hope you never forget this incident and it leaves a permanent scar on not just your body, but your soul."

    I shook my head. His words settled as a searing pain in my chest. The foreboding took no time to turn into panic.

    "No... please, Alpha..." Tears streamed down my eyes as I fell to my knees before Ezra. "Please... just let me see her once. Please. Just once. Please..."

    "Nice drama, but your time''s up, little toy." Ezra''s voice reverberated like it had when he had taken his wolf form.

    I shut my eyes tightly. The ticking of the clock grew heavier in my ears, pushing every other sound into the background.

    In a blur, I glimpsed at the approaching shoes. Clenching my fists over my thighs, I braced myself.

    "Ungh!" A gasp escaped my lips as I felt arms wrap around my head and back.

    My back arched as my body was pulled against firm muscles. I barely had a moment to blink before I found my lips entangled in a breathlessly violent kiss. My lips stung from the force of the im.

    The broad hands raked up my spine as the deft fingers unhooked my bra.

    It was in the fleeting seconds that took Raven to push me on the bed; I realized what had happened. I sunk into the bed under his weight as he imed my lips again, with a voracity that ran wilder than my thoughts.

 Chapter- 20. Resist me(18+)

    [Xanthea]

    (TW: Readers discretion advised. Kinks.)

    *

    *

    Being held by Raven was like being stuck in a tornado of mes. His searing touch was always so intense I feared I might crumble into ashes. My breaths broke into painful gasps and moans. Short. Fast. Feral.

    I couldn''t speak to him, or dare touch him. I couldn''t even open my eyes and see how I was being consumed. I couldn''tprehend a thing.

    My body was hurting everywhere, more like aching beneath his touch.

    If not a bruise, his touch was sure to leave redness behind all over my skin when he was done. But he hadn''t even started yet, and I felt too overwhelmed.

    His taste lingered on my tongue as he finally set my lips free from his im. My chest rose and fell incessantly as I tried to breathe as much as I could while I still had a chance.

    He opened my legs as wide as he could, and then began grinding his hips against mine. Breathlessness and panic kicked in. Tears flushed into my eyes. Even with the painkillers, the welts hurt every time something brushed against them. There was no way I would evere to terms with the fact that I feared Raven the most and he was the one I craved to see the most tonight. And the moment I felt the pain on my lips, I was extremely relieved.

    Licking and biting my throat and neck, he pulled my bra off of me and tossed them aside. He cupped my breast in a dominant grip and I feared the insane pounding of my heart right beneath his touch might set him off.

    His tongue glided down my corbone. I shut my eyes tighter when I felt my nipples harden obediently with a slight flick of his tongue and fingers.

    I writhed beneath him, opening my eyes wide as the electric heat charged through my body and gathered into a throbbing feverish tension between my legs.

    He sucked my breasts and I surrendered myself to the mercy of Raven''s merciless tongue and teeth. His fingers ran up my folds through the fabric of my panties.

    I bit my lower lip, suppressing a moan as he pinched my clitoris. He teased it until I lost all control over my moans and cries and breaths. Once he was satisfied, he let go of my clit. His fingers, soaked in my wetness, leisurely trailed up my belly to my chest, to my neck.

    His long hair cascaded half of his face as he looked down upon me. My gaze dipped to his chest. Raven was in scrubs. My eyelids fluttered as I contemted him in a trance.

    An unfathomable warmth rose in my chest. The faint scent of medicines lingering on him only added to the restless racing of my heart.

    There wasn''t a drugging aroma in the air like it was on my nuptial night. Yet my body felt like it was on fire. Butterflies erupted in my abdomen every time his hips stroked against mine.

    His gaze roved over me as he took me in. Gulping hard, I lowered my gaze.

    My hands were at my sides, tightly clutching the bedsheet when he grabbed my wrist with one hand while his other hand wrapped around my hips and he lifted me off the bed, making me straddle his hips.

    My hand reflexively flung around his neck as my breasts pressed tightly against his chest. I opened my eyes and dared look into his brown eyes, shining in an arcane glow from the convergence of the dim lights around the room.

    My heart plunged in my chest as he leaned in and I thought he was going to kiss me again when he stopped with a sly smirk. His eyes darkened menacingly.

    "Tonight, she is mine," he said, and I tensed up my body.

    I knew he wasn''t talking to me, but Ezra and Asher who watched us standing on either side of the bed.

    "Now what does that supposed to mean?" Ezra''s frown deepened.

    "It means I am going to y with our little omega tonight. Just her and me. If she ys well enough, I''ll take her to the hospital. To see my mother whom she so dearly wishes to meet-" he said, holding my gaze as though analyzing even the smallest change in features.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "Really?" The breathy word slipped out of my lips before I could stop it.

    Raven''s eyes narrowed, something dangerous flickering behind them.

    "Um-hm. Let''s y a game, omega. Just you and me," Raven said in a whispery growl against my parted lips.

    "W-what game?" I asked.

    His hand ran up my spine and slid into my hair. Grabbing a fistful of my hair, he pulled back my head, exposing my throat to him.

    "Aren''t you an impatient little whore?" He smacked my ass.

    "Ah! Alpha..." I grabbed his shoulder, gritting my teeth.

    "Resist me, omega. For the next five minutes, resist me with all your might. Do whatever it takes, but don''t let my cock enter your dripping pussy. Resist me as hard as you can, hurt me if you will, gravely if you can, kill me if that''s possible. Use anything at your disposal. If you stop me from entering you for the next five minutes, I''ll not fuck you tonight and stop Ezra and Asher from doing the same..." Raven said.

    "Hey!" Ezra interrupted with a grunt. "Games and foreys are ok, Raven. But you know the rules. Our bride needs to have our cum inside her by the end of every week''s sex day until she conceives. Don''t forget, she is our breeder and her only job is to bear our kids. I am not saying you can''t enjoy yourself while you fill her up, but she needs to get pregnant with our triplets. End of conversation."

    I shut my eyes as Ezra''s words settled as a cold pang of unease in my guts. All the insignificant emotions I had been feeling had numbed in an instant. Raven coldly nced at Ezra over his shoulder.

    "She won''t be able to conceive until her body ispletely free from carvera''s poison," Raven grumbled. "And that would take a fortnight. So even if we fill her up to the brim, she won''t conceive. Even if she does, the chances of miscarriage because of her weak physique are high."

    "So that really sums up to one thing. She ispletely useless." Ezra ran his fingers through his hair, frustratingly. "Great, brilliant! We wasted one week on her already and two more weeks would be just as useless. So what are we supposed to do with our little toy?"

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    "y," Raven said, loosening his grip around my hair and hips. "Go on, omega. Run. Hide. Resist. I''ll start chasing you after thirty seconds."

    I cautiously got up from Raven. Crossing my hands over my chest, I hid as much of myself as I could from their unyielding eyes. I crawled to the edge of the bed and got down close to where Asher stood.

    I picked up the night-robe from the floor and briskly put it on, covering myself.

    My eyes remained locked on Raven as his eyes were on his wristwatch.

    Ezra silently sat back in his armchair, crossing his leg over the other as he peered at us with amused eyes.

    Asher contemted Raven, who now took off his wristwatch.

    My legs trembled as I stepped away from the bed as Raven''s dark eyes lifted to me, something pure evil and cruel brewing in them. Nerves sizzled underneath my skin as the air between us grew thicker. The feeling was very simr to how a prey felt standing right in front of its predator, helpless and ready to be hunted.

    He tossed the wristwatch at Asher, who caught it in a deft wave of his hand.

    "Timer: five minutes, Asher. Keep the record for me. And your thirty seconds of preparation are up, omega," he said,

    Pulling the scrub over his head, he stepped down from the bed. He tossed the scrubs aside, revealing his chiseled muscles, perfectly crafted abs and sophisticated full sleeve arm tattoos.

    His jaw muscles flexed as he clenched his teeth.

    I kept stepping away from him, breathing heavily.

    Raven exchanged a look with Asher. Asher pressed a button on the watch and before I could look back at Raven, he was gone.

    Heat prickled on my back, causing a shiver to race up my spine, as his deep voice resonated right behind me.

    "Too slow."

    His hand seized my wrist in a bruising grip while his other hand yanked me against himself, gliding down to my crotch.

    I yelped as he bit on my neck. I fought hard to resist him, but my efforts were all futile. Step by step, he roughly pushed me closer to the table nearby.

    Our struggle scattered everything on the table. A flower vase skidded off the edge and shattered on the floor.

    I wrenched my wrist out of his grip, almost fearing my skin would peel off, but it didn''t. I don''t know if he loosened his grip on purpose or I had found some strange strength because of the adrenaline rush.

    He tried to bend me over the table while I tried to push myself away from it. He twisted back my hand and with a swift thrust; he bent me on the table. His palm on my back pressed me down.

    My nails dug into the table as he crushed me under his weight.

    His free hand lifted my night-robe to my hips and pulled down my panties. I heard him unzip his pants. I froze for a second as I felt his throbbing erection pressed against my ass.

    "No!" I cried.

    "That word sounds the sweetest from your lips, omega. Because even though you know it''s useless to scream it to us, yet you do it all the time," he whispered, pulling my panties down to my thighs before ripping them off.

    I bobbed against the table as he smacked me again. My insides clenched as the tip of his cock pressed against my entrance.

    "Damn it!" I cursed under my breaking breaths.

    I squirmed underneath him, panting and sweating badly. An intense pain jolted up my hurt leg, and I kicked Raven in his shin.

    With a cry, I pushed him back. The force knocked us both into the wall. For less than a second, I felt his grip loosen. Making my way out of his grip, I sprinted towards Asher.

    I collided with him in a hug and soon felt his protective arms warm me in their safety.

    "What is this?" Ezra grumbled, ying the referee for the sick game. "This is foul y!"

    "Raven said she could use anything at her disposal. I guess that includes me as well. We have formed a soul pact with her, which indeed means that if we can use her the way we want, she can do the same if we allow it. And right now, for her, I want to be used," Asher said, pulling me behind himself.

    He stood between Raven and me like a shield.

    Raven smirked as if he had expected this to happen. His gaze fixed on me as I peeped from behind Asher. This time, what I saw in Raven''s eyes was a thrill I couldn''tprehend.

    "Very well," Raven said, rubbing his nape as he skimmed his eyes to Asher.

    Both of them assumed attack positions. I looked at the watch. Two more minutes.

    My heart hammered against my chest. I didn''t want them to fight because of me. I nced at Ezra and his warning rang into my mind.

    ''... you are not allowed to nt discord among us. The moment I see it happening, be it your fault or not, I will kill you.''

    Nibbling on my lower lips, I nced at the door of the bathroom.

    Before they could attack one another, I ran into the bathroom and locked it from inside, panting and praying for the next two minutes to pass as quickly as possible.

 Chapter- 21. Tempt me (18+)

    [Xanthea]

    I gingerly stepped away from the door, taking every step carefully. Being intensely aware of every breath that echoed in the bathroom, I hugged myself, correcting the night robe on my body. Pressing my lips together, I hopped into the walk-in shower and enclosed myself within the ss.

    Bang!

    I flinched back. My hand fell on the touch screen shower control that identally turned on the rain shower head, soaking me wet.

    All it took for Raven to break open the bathroom door was a kick.

    My gaze connected to his piercing eyes through the shower and the ss, making hair stand on my body.

    The air thickened with his presence and pheromones as he walked into the bathroom, raking back his long hair.

    "I told you to resist me, not tempt me," his gaze lecherously roved over my body, ring heat deep in my abdomen.

    I squeezed my legs together. The night-robe stuck to my body like a second skin and my wet hair clung to my skin all over my shoulders and back. Water streamed down my face and over my lips as I breathed heavily.

    "Why run here when you could have just used Asher to keep me away from you for another two minutes?" He asked. "He was more than willing to help you. Were you scared Ezra might actually kill you if we fought? It was a game. I can assure you he wouldn''t have killed you. Well, not when the majority of us three want you to live. Or did you just want to show me how temptingly fuckable you look when you are dripping wet?"

    Tensing my body, I gulped hard, dropping my gaze to the floor near Raven''s feet.

    Ezra and Asher nked Raven behind the door frame.

    "Or are you just a pretentious little angel bitch who doesn''t want brothers fighting over you?" Ezra''s pout turned into a sneer. "She is just stupid," he scoffed, leaning against the doorframe. "Well, we can''t expect much from an omega''s brain." My eyes met Asher''s, whose gaze seemed to be overtaken by lust almost instantly, just like Raven''s. It was just a small exchange of nces and my body was flooded with sparks like live wire ran beneath my skin.

    "What will you do now, omega? You trapped yourself from all sides. Where will you run now? We still have one minute." Raven stepped closer to the shower.

    I stepped back until my back pressed against the cold marble wall.

    Asher frowned as his gaze ran from the sink to the floor and then lifted at me. He smirked slightly as his gaze traveled back to Raven, who was closing in on me.

    Did he figure it out?

    My heart pummeled relentlessly within my chest.

    "If I were you, Raven... I wouldn''t underestimate Xanthea," Asher warned Raven, holding my gaze.

    Raven and Ezra looked at Asher.

    "Aren''t you taking her side way too much, Asher? We get it you chose her or whatever, but this is getting irritating now," Ezra said annoyingly.

    "Trust me, I am on your side, brothers," Asher folded his hand, holding a subtle smile in his eyes.

    "I was thinking of sparing you tonight because you''re hurt, but I am seriously reconsidering now. You can''t do these challenging things to us. It''ll only excite us more and the games will turn even more dangerous if you y them so well. You''ll just see what I''m talking about, Xanthea, as soon as he figures it out." Asher''s eyes dropped to my lips and then to my breasts.

    I raised my hands to my cleavage. My cheeks were feverishly tense under his scrutiny. Unable to bear it any longer, I averted my eyes.

    "What are you talking about?" Ezra looked at me and then at Asher alternatively.

    Raven tensed his brows, looked at me and then looked around, cautiously taking another step. His eyes fell on the shampoo and body wash bottles in the sink.

    He cocked a brow as realization dawned on him. His eyes widened as they fell on me. Raven''s face filled with an exciting madness as if the game had turned even more thrilling for him.

    He ran his tongue over his upper teeth as he examined the floor more carefully. He squatted and wiped the shampoo off the floor, rubbing it between his fingers.

    "Fuck!" He scrubbed his hand over his face,ughing behind his fingers.

    Twenty seconds more.

    The shampoo and body wash I had spilled on the floor around the walk-in would be enough to keep Raven away from me, right?

    His deepughter resonated in the bathroom, sending a chill down my spine.

    He tilted his head as he lowered his hand from his face and got up.

    "It''s the most ordinary looking weapons that give the deepest wounds and the most normal looking nts that hold the most poison," Raven said through his chuckles. "It''s the ordinary we underestimate, and our omega is clearly not ordinary."

    "Wait! Did she just put a shampoo trap on the floor around the shower?" Ezra got it atst. "Damn! It''s such a fucking insignificant, worthless trap..."

    "Which would have worked in her favor, exactly as she wanted had Asher not noticed it in time," Raven said, his voice was grim and so were his expressions.

    "Ten seconds. Raven," Asher said.

    I fidgeted with my hands and night robe.

    Please keep talking. Please keep talking.

    Raven drew in a breath.

    "d you enjoyed the game, omega. I can let you win and let these ten seconds pass. But no matter if you win or lose, you are gonna get fucked tonight. You kind of put me in a mood..." a smirk yed across his lips. "B-but... you said..."

    "Five seconds," Asher said.

    "My games, my rules," Raven shrugged.

    "Three..." Asher said.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Raven vanished into thin air for less than a second because, as Asher said two, Raven appeared within the walk-in shower. His eyes glowing as if he had just used his wolf to teleport.

    He strutted under the shower with me, leaving not even an inch gap between our bodies that collided. A collision that consumed me irrevocably in an explosion of pain that was nowhere close to pleasure.

    My gasp turned into a scream as, within a second, Raven pinned me against the wall, lifted my leg from my knee, and entered me in one forceful thrust. I could feel my insides stretch out as he filled me to my depths.

    My mouth hung open up in a silent cry. My head hit the wall as I threw it back to cope with the pain. The pain hadn''t even settled when he began pounding inside me roughly. "You lost, omega."

    Tears stung into my eyes and flowed down my eyes, mixing with the shower water.

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    "Ah! Ah! Uh! Alpha... please... no! No! Please stop... It hurts. Please, umph-"

    He crashed his lips against mine. Driving his tongue into my mouth, he stifled all my cries of protest. He parted, and I peered at him, panting wildly.

    "Just shut up and take it," he growled huskily against my ear, nibbling my earlobe. "You''ve earned it, after all."

    I bit my lips, bobbing against the wall, trying hard to hold back my sobs.

    His thumb brushed across my lips.

    "Don''t bite your lips. I am more than willing to do it for you. I can bite them until they bleed. I can even lick the blood off them for you."

    He grabbed both my thighs and made me wrap my legs around his hips as he kept mming me. I felt him grow inside me.

    Having sex with Raven waspletely the opposite of having sex with Asher. The friction, the heat, the hurt, and the uncertainty of survival. The extreme ache that I surprisingly didn''t want to end, even when my body turned sore or my legs were shaking.

    My mind was delirious with pain as my body sought to turn it all into pleasure, probably to cope with the aggression. My nail slid off the ss wall as I curled my fingers into a fist.

    I knew the moment I agreed to marry them that my entire life from now would be nothing but survival. And I had to survive all by myself, like I had done ever since I was born.

    I had never found security in someone, not even my own father. The moment I sought it in Asher, it felt as if I was doing something wrong,mitting a crime. A sin that needed to be punished and maybe Raven was the manifestation of that punishment.

    A warning far more lethal than Ezra''s rose from within me back when Asher wrapped his arms protectively around me. That was exactly when I knew I was taking a risk bigger than what I had taken by running into this bathroom. Risk of trusting someone, expecting something from them when I know I shouldn''t.

    I opened my eyes slightly. Through the water and tears in my eyes, I nced at Asher.

    Why do my eyes keep traveling back to him? What is this strong feeling I get when he is close?

    Raven grabbed my jaw and made me look at him.

    "Eyes on me when I have my dick inside you, omega. Don''t you know it''s disrespectful to look at some other man when a man is defiling your pussy? Don''t cheat on me with your eyes while your insides suck my cock like a hungry slut." Asher lowered his gaze, a subtle smirk adoring his lips.

    Gritting my teeth, I shut my eyes as Raven''s thrusts turned more punishing and savage. Heaving, I ced my forehead on his broad shoulder.

    "Ezra, shut the door and take Asher with you. Wait for me in the room," Ravenmanded, sinking into my neck.

    Ezra shut the door, isting me with Raven.

    My breaths hitched as Raven whispered in a velvety tone against my ears, as if he had read my mind right away.

    "Asher is a dream that is bound to shatter once you wake up to reality, darling. Just a friendly warning since you''re taking me like a good girl..." My chest squeezed at his words. "Ungh! W-why did you save me tonight?" I asked.

    "Do you think you are in a position to ask me questions?" Raven''s gaze bore into me. A gaze I would normally cower away from, but right now I had nowhere to hide.

    I was exposed to him, naked and ruined in a sense deeper than the physical body.

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    "No, it''s just that... uh!" My fingers stretched on the streaked and misted ss. "Right now... I am not really thinking..."

    I cautiously ced my hand on Raven''t shoulder. He didn''t react, so I nervously wrapped my arms around Raven''s neck.

    Slowing down, Raven peered into my eyes as if looking right into my soul.

    I lowered my gaze and leaned in closer to him until my lips pressed against his in a gentle touch.

    When I parted from him and mustered the courage to look back into his eyes, I found his drunken eyes still fixated on me, stoically.

    "You are really craving danger tonight, aren''t you, omega?" He growled.

    With a quick gulp, I looked at his lips. "I don''t know..."

    "Well then, I''ll make sure your body remembers me for a very long time..." he groaned smokily.

    My nipples hardened against his chest. A sudden heat shot up my body. Maybe it was the shower, or his body. But something had increased the temperature of my body. Even the pain from my leg blended with every other ache into an inexplicable arousal.

    Goosebumps ran through me as Raven pulled out. He put me to my feet as I panted against him. He turned me around.

    "Hands on wall. I''ll take you rougher every time your knees buckle," he said, forcing my palms against the wall.

    I arched my back as he entered me from behind.

    I shut my eyes, losing myself in the filthy noises of the mming of skin against skin, the asional smacking of my ass and my own brazen moans.

    He pressed into me. His one hand cupped my breasts, teasing my nipples while the other made its way to my slit. He stroked, pressed, pinched my clit.

    "Ah! AH!" Sparing my breasts, he entangled his fist into my hair, pulling my head back while he mercilessly fucked me to my depths, making my core pulse hotter and harder. "Not bad, omega... fuck... you feel so fucking good!" he grumbled satisfyingly.

    My legs were shaking badly and I could barely stand, but I couldn''t let it interfere.

    He let go of my clit and hair and grabbed my hips. Fluttering tension tightened around my abdomen as he increased his motion.

    His breaths broke shorter and faster, and so did mine.

    "Fuck!" He groaned through his clenched teeth, releasing his load inside me.

    I cried, panting and moaning louder, as his warm cum filled my insides. He continued fucking me through my orgasm as I squirmed between him and the wall.

    He pulled out and held my arms, supporting me to stand.

    Along with the cold water from the shower, I felt something warmer and sticky flow down from between my legs.

    He let go of my hands and I flopped on the marble floor, my chest rising and falling as I tried to make terms with the burning insanity still running high in my veins. "Clean up ande out," Raven said, squatting in front of me as he tucked the wet strands of my hair behind my ear. "I am taking you to the hospital."

    I looked at him.

    He smiled. "You wanted to know why I saved you today? Let me show you."

 Chapter- 22. Interactions

    [Xanthea]

    We were all in Raven''s car. He was driving us to the hospital. Ezra sat on the passenger''s seat while I sat on the backseat with Asher.

    I had quickly changed into a full-sleeved, shin length navy blue dress and matching heels after a bath. They were the only clothes in the cupboard when I came out of the bath, so I assumed this was what they wanted me to wear, so I put it on. It was all good, since none of them said anything. Raven changed into new scrubs brought by his butler in my room.

    Ezra didn''t look happy about the trip to hospital on the sex day, but he didn''t put his dislike into words. Asher, once again, was unreadable. He was more like someone observing everything happening around him and giving as minimum of reactions as he could.

    We were still crossing through the long stretch of woods and the ride had been utterly quiet so far. I peered outside the window, but except for passing twinkling lights in the distance, I couldn''t see a thing.

    I didn''t even realize when I dozed off while peering into oblivion.

    "What a chivalrous man! Never saw you doing the same courtesy for our previous brides. Most of the time I was the only one soothing them, trying to stop them from crying," I heard Ezra''s voice in a daze. "I bet you don''t even remember their names."

    "I bet you don''t either," Raven said, and Ezra chuckled.

    "Well, we were talking about Asher, not me."

    Soon I realized why Ezra had made thatment and on whom.

    My head was resting on Asher''s shoulder.

    My heart skipped a beat as the heat from the pounding of my heart shot right up into my face. It was so loud I could hear it in my ears and clearly they could as well.

    "I-I am sorry... alpha... I didn''t realize..." I was about to sit up straight when Asher ced his palm on my cheek, stroking them gently with his thumb as he said.

    "It''s alright. Sleep a little more. We still have fifteen minutes to reach the hospital," he said, and I shut my eyes with a tight gulp, trying to act as normal as I could.

    But every fiber of my body was tense. How could I un-know the fact that my head was resting on Asher''s shoulder, and he was ok with it?

    I was constantly fidgeting with my fingers, and I could swear my breaths kept quickening every second for the rest of the drive.

    I let out my held breath only once I got down from the car in the parking lot of the hospital.

    We took the elevator to the third floor.

    "You don''t ask questions, little toy. While that is a very good habit, aren''t you curious why we didn''t just teleport here like Raven did in the bathroom earlier?" Ezra said, finally breaking the stillness in the elevator.

    I looked at him. That question was the first that came to my mind, but I wasn''t sure if it was ok to ask or not.

    "Well, first, we love cars and bikes, and we love driving and that''s also why the driftingpetition in your pack attracted us. Although it wasn''t as amusing as it should have been because that''s where Asher found you and I haven''t been really happy with the way life has unfolded after that for me personally. To be honest, I don''t like you at all. But since these two want you around, there''s not much I can do," he said.

    The elevator opened and the three of them stepped out of it while it took me a few seconds to walk out as I allowed Ezra''s casually thrown words to sink deeper into me.

    "And second, teleportation takes a lot of our wolf''s strength. And we don''t like wasting our energy. Plus, being immortal means having a long life and when life''s that long, we start enjoying journeys more than the destinations. So, we use it only when there''s an emergency or when we cross realms. So, consider yourself lucky that Raven used it to win a game with you. Although it was a very short distance, so I don''t think it was much of a big deal..." Ezra kept talking while we walked down the corridors towards the Highdy''s room.

    Every staff member, patient or doctor who came in their way instantly stood aside, holding their heads low. Most of the corridor was empty. Maybe people emptied the corridors because they knew the demon lords would be there. If I had evere into this realm, I wouldn''t get in their way either. I would run to the other side as fast as I could at their mere sight. But right now, I walked between Ezra and Raven while Asher walked behind me. My presence before them was almost negligible.

    Raven opened the door, and we entered the room. My eyes instantly went to the High Lady who was sleeping soundly on the bed. There was an intricately designed magic circle spread across the entire ceiling, rotating slowly right above her. "That''s the monitoring circle," Raven said. "You can say it''s simr to all those machines you guys use in your mortal world to know the patient''s blood pressure, heart rate, etc. Although this is a much more efficient way of doing it." "Alpha..." I hadn''t noticed the woman''s presence in the room until she spoke.

    Raven turned around and looked at her.

    "Nyssa, you are still here? I told you to go home. Galey could have done the night shift," Raven said.

    Nyssa''s figure defined the contours of her scrubs. There was something maic about her looks that pulled in the onlookers in one fleeting nce. She had short ck hair styled in a silky wolf cut. The most attractive feature about her was her undeniable confidence. She was a true alpha female werewolf.

    In a critical nce, she took me in and then looked at Raven again with a soft smile.

    "It''s alright. It was the Highdy in question. I didn''t want to take chances. So, I stayed back," she said, handing the medical chart holder to Raven in a casual pass.

    "Thanks."

    "It''s my job, alpha."

    Raven checked the chart, flipping through the pages, and I felt a flutter in my heart as I saw him flip those pages. This is what I had always dreamed of being.

    In Raven and Nyssa, I saw someone that I once yearned to be. A dream that would forever be a dream now. But it would remain just as beautiful as it had always been. And even though I knew I shouldn''t get my hopes high; I couldn''t stop the passion from flowing right back into my heart as I stood so close to doctors.

    I didn''t want to make it so obvious, but I couldn''t stop myself from gawking at them as they stood together, discussing the reports. At that moment, I couldn''t even imagine Raven being what I had known him as so far.

    His gaze was gentler, warmer when he looked at her. His voice was calmer and velvety.

    I looked at him with a subtle admiration maybe because I longed to be what he was - stand where he stood now.

    Nyssa nced at me again, and I quickly averted my gaze.

    Meanwhile, Ezra and Asher were now standing near the Highdy, contemting her.

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    "She looks... different to me. Her skin looks different from before, isn''t it, Asher?" Ezra asked, examining the High Lady''s fingers. Asher looked at Raven. "Raven?"

    "Nyssa, why don''t you get yourself some beverages? Get me a coffee too," Raven told Nyssa.

    "Sure alpha..." she looked at Asher and Ezra. "Should I get you two something too?"

    "I don''t need coffee. A shot of Nyssa should be enough to keep me up all night?" Ezra winked at her. "What do you say?"

    Nyssa narrowed her shadowy siren-like eyes.

    "How about I give you a real shot of a bullet, alpha Ezra?" she gave a fake smile.

    "Come on, don''t flirt with me now," Ezra chuckled.

    I looked at the floor.

    "Alpha Asher?" She looked at him, and I instantly lifted my gaze to see how he interacted with her.

    "Why waste time on him?" Ezra taunted. "If you pay enough attention to me, you might get something in return that could also be worth your time."

    "No, thanks!" Nyssa said and exited the room, suppressing a blush.

    From their interaction, it seemed as if they were close friends. Or maybe something more than friends. At least, that''s what I felt about the way Raven interacted with her.

    "The reason I brought all of you here today is..." Raven took out a page from the medical reports and looked at me.

    "What is that?" Ezra asked, scrunching his face.

    "The letter this omega wrote in the time she could have used to uproot the carvera and it hase to my knowledge that she knew how to protect herself from it, but she chose not to because perhaps she knew her worth. And Imend her for that. Most people fail to understand their worth in others'' lives, but she is at least smart." Raven handed the paper to Asher.

    The shift in his tone was clear.

    "It''s a medical procedure, preparatory procedure," Raven said.

    "It looks like..." Asher looked at me.

    "That''s right. It looks like someone has copied details right out of a book. Only there is no book that has ever rmended this procedure or even mentioned this in the standardized methods of treating an immortal. Since she went through the trouble of risking her life to get this information to me, I looked at it. I applied it and there was a severe repercussion in our mother''s condition," Raven said.

    Guilt washed over me all over again as I peered at the Highdy, holding my hand tighter.

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    "Why would you even consider what she wrote?" Ezra said, sitting on the chair near the Highdy. "You are the best alchemist in all the Infernal packs. Why risk it?"

    "Of course, I couldn''t take the risk, so I examined the method omega wrote, and I could predict the repercussions and prepare for it beforehand. The only blind spot in the procedure she suggested, which makes me believe that her knowledge is only theoretical, not practical. Right?" Raven stepped closer to me.

    I took a step back and nodded.

    "Had I not prepared for the repercussions beforehand, we could have lost our mother, you understand that?" he said, and I lowered my head. "Hasn''t someone told you that half knowledge is far more fatal than no knowledge?" He towered over me.

    "She should be punished for acting over-smart." Ezra said. "Give her a punishment she remembers forever."

    I shut my eyes because this time I deserved the punishment.

    "Let''s not rush it, shall we?" Raven said, strolling towards the Highdy. "The thing is, the repercussions were worth taking the risk, and that is why I did this procedure on mother. And the results are before you. The improvements in her body that you see now would have taken at least six months to ur. But just look at the results in one week. If I turn back to the conventional methods now, like she suggested in her letter, the healing will happen faster."

    Ezra tensed his brows as he looked at me with the same dislike, but a hint of curiosity lingered on his face.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "So, little omega. What I want to know is... where did thise from? What is the source of your knowledge? Because as far as I know, no mortal school teaches these kinds of things, nor about the medicines of the immortals. So, how do you have such advanced knowledge of a healer?" Raven asked, proffering the letter to me.

    With a tight, I took the letter from him.

    "My m-mother..." I said. "I read it all in her books and diaries."

    "Who is your mother? And where is she now?" Raven asked.

    I looked at him.

    "My mother''s name is Freya th. S-she... died, right after my birth," I stammered.

    "That name ring any bells?" Ezra asked Raven, who shook his head, still looking at me with a tense expression.

    "Do you still have her books and stuff?" Raven asked, and I nodded once. "Great. Let''s go back to your realm." "My home?" I asked, perplexed.

    "Why? Are we not invited?" Ezra mocked. "We have already been to that shabby little pce of yours. What''s there to hide?"

    "She didn''t live in that pce," Asher said before it got any more ufortable for me.

    "Why didn''t she live in the pce?" Ezra''s frown deepened.

    My hands turned mmy as I looked around restlessly.

    "Doesn''t matter. I need those books and records of her mother," Raven said. "So, we are going back to her pack right now."

 Chapter-23. Burning memories

    [Xanthea]

    Raven stopped the car outside the narrow street. That was as far as a car could go. The alleys leading to my home weren''t broad enough to amodate a car. We had arrived in the Virgo pack in the Earthly realm.

    My head was still giddy because of the realm jump that Raven''s car made. A few seconds ago, he was racing his car on the roads of the Infernal realm. In the air, I saw a sh of light and it seemed as though we were sucked into a whirlpool. I felt as though my guts had been turned upside down.

    The demon lords were about to get down from the car when...

    "Alpha!" I called out, and the three of them looked at me. Ezra narrowed his eyes while his brows were raised in annoyance.

    "What?" Raven asked coldly.

    I lowered my gaze, nibbling my lower lips.

    "Umm. Can you please wait in the car? I-I can bring everything you need to you if you just give me some time," I said, and they exchanged nces at one another.

    "Very smart! But I don''t want to go through the wasteful trouble of trying to hunt you down if you try to run away," Ezra said, opening the door.

    "I won''t run!" I blurted. "I promise. I know there is nowhere in any realm where I can run and hide from you."

    Ezra scoffed.

    "So why do you wanna go home alone? Oooooh~ Got a lover? Going to give him a final goodbye kiss, huh? How romantic." "No... I lived alone."

    "Of course, you did. Your lover could be your neighbor, dumbo!" Ezra grunted, trying to get out of the car.

    "Please! I promise I''ll just go back to my house, get the books and diaries, ande back. Nothing else. I promise," I insisted.

    "Xanthea, why don''t you want us toe to your home?" Asher asked. "If it''s just about getting the books then, you can do that with us, right? We could even help you carry them."

    I felt my eyes turn misty as I lowered them, fidgeting with my fingers.

    "It''s... it''s just... the ce..."C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "Are you embarrassed to show us you lived?" Raven said and my body tensed up.

    "What? Had your undies scattered on the floor, or did you not clean up after yourst sex in this realm? Oh wait, you were a virgin when we married you, so I suppose it isn''t the second one," Ezra mocked. "You don''t have to be embarrassed about anything. There''s nothing about you we haven''t already seen."

    "No... that''s not-"

    Before I could say a word more, the three of them got down from the car.

    Ezra squinted at the narrow, dimly lit, empty alley.

    Taking a deep breath, I got down from the car. The ill feeling in my stomach grew with every step I took closer to my home, with the three of them silently walking behind me.

    Ezra took out his handkerchief and covered his mouth and nose.

    Although my mother''s house wasn''t in the slums, it was quite close to it. It was nighttime so most people were sleeping in their patched up houses. Even the ground we walked on was uneven.

    With the heels I almost tripped several times, so Asher walked beside me, holding my hand in his.

    I mostly tried to avoid looking into their eyes, but right now, I really wanted to disappear.

    "How can anyone call this ce home?" Ezra''s voice was muffled behind his handkerchief. "Forget about anyone. You''re a fucking princess, aren''t you? Or has the alpha of this pack tricked us? No wonder you were trying to hide this from us! You''re not a princess, are you? You''re just some omega living in slums. Were you a maid in that pce? Did they rece you with the real princess at thest moment? These sly mortals."

    "Ezra, Asher did her background check himself. We can make mistakes, but not Asher," Raven said.

    "I know but look at the abomination! H-how can someone even live here? I can''t even breathe-"

    "Ezra, enough! Go back if this ce bothers you so much," Asher said sharply.

    "Well... at least now we know why she didn''t want us toe," Raven said.

    "I am sorry," I mumbled.

    "You don''t have to apologize," Asher said, holding my hand tighter.

    There was a loud voice in my chest asking me to hold his hand back, but I stopped myself from curling my fingers over his.

    "How long do we have to walk?" Ezra grumbled.

    "J-just a little further," I said hastily. I could feel the chills of embarrassment brush up my bones.

    I stopped outside the corroding metal gate that opened with an ugly creak. I held it open as the three of them walked in and closed it with another ugly creak.

    I felt a knot tighten in my stomach as I led them to my apartment through the wooden stairwell.

    The key. I lifted the drying up flowerpot of forget-me-nots. The spare key was still stuck under the bottom of the pot. But when I tried the key, I found the door was already unlocked. I clearly remembered locking it. Breathing cautiously, I opened the door, entered my house, and turned on the lights.

    The three of them had to lower their heads to pass through the door and enter my small living ce.

    The foul scent of charcoal hung in the air, and ck footsteps were all over the floor.

    I gulped hard as the apprehension building in my chest grew more brutal.

    My heart hammered against my ribs as I rushed into my bedroom, which was also my library, where I kept my mother''s books on the built-in shelves.

    As soon as I stepped into my room, I quickly stepped back out, barely able to catch my breath. My eyes widened as my unsteady vision took in the horrifying scene. The air froze in my lungs as a startled gasp, unable to grasp if I had walked into a nightmare or a reality.

    Thunderstruck, I covered my mouth with my hand, a shaky breath escaping in small, trembling whimpers.

    "Mom... mamma... mamma..." I mumbled as I dashed towards the bookshelves, hoping it to be just a nightmare.

    My breaths quickened, bing shallow and erratic. My fingers ran from one charred book to the other on the shelves.

    "Mamma..."

    My trembling fingers stopped at one of my mother''s diaries. My broken breaths remained stagnant in my lungs as I flipped through its ckened pages just for them to crumble into cinder.

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    The tightening in my chest wed its way up my throat. A suffocating weight pressed down on me as panic set in. I hastily checked all the other books and all of them had the same fate. Breathing through my mouth, my knees hit the floor as I hopefully and dreadfully looked under my burned down bed, in the drawers of the study table. Everything. Everything was gone. Mom was gone.

    Everything was burned to ashes. Mom was burned to ashes.

    "MAMMA!" A scream tore through my throat, transitioning into violent sobs.

    Tears streamed down my eyes incessantly. I struggled to draw in a breath. The air seemed to have disappeared, and my heart raced wildly, each beat echoing in my ears like a harsh drum.

    I clutched at my chest; my nails dug into my skin as I tried hard to breathe, but couldn''t. The more I gasped for air, the more I choked on it. It felt like I was trapped in my own body that hurt and ached in ways I couldn''t fathom. Each breath seemed like a stab of dagger and each heartbeat a torture.

    I cupped my hands over my mouth and nose, trying to cope with my hyperventtion or panic attack or I didn''t even know what it was. But whatever it was, I could bet that dying would have been a thousand times easier.

    The sound of my irregr wheezy breaths filled the silence, and I had no idea when I got to my shaking legs, or who I bumped into as I ran out and down the stairs in a hope to escape my emotions that followed me like shadows, dark and unforgiving.

    I stopped only when I had reached the backyard where I had created a small garden. Most of the nts in it were forget-me-nots that I grew for my mother. Squatting amidst them, I hugged myself.

    "I am safe. This shall pass..." I mumbled to myself, cleaning my upper arms with my icy fingers as I took in deep breaths. "Mom is here. She is here. She is still with me. She has not gone." I ced my hand on my heart and repeated those words until they were forced to turn into a caress.

    My mother hade to life within me through her books and diaries, through the passion she shared with me and a dream she made me see. And now they are gone. For the first time in my life, I felt as though I had truly lost my mother forever.

    But that wasn''t true.

    I shut my eyes, battling with my thoughts, and inhaling the aromatic scent of jasmines. Jasmines were my mother''s second favorite flower. Every time I imagined my mother, I imagined her to smell like jasmine.

    I was still lightheaded, but a lot in control than I was before.

    I had an eidetic memory. I could always revisit her diaries and books. And that gave thefort I looked for in every corner of myself. No one could burn her memories away from my mind.

    But who did it? Who could have-

    Maybe I already knew the answer. Luna Meesa and Niki.

    "Xanthea... is that you?" I heard the familiar voice of the olddy who was my neighbor, Mrs Miller.

    Wiping off my tears, I stood up and walked to the fence between our houses that were a little more than my knee height. She was the only neighbor who talked to me. She even took care of my flowers when I couldn''t. She had been selflessly caring towards me ever since I moved in because perhaps my mother had cured her daughter, so she had always been grateful.

    "I heard the gate open and thought maybe they returned," she said in her shaky voice.

    "Who?" My voice came out hoarse.

    "Oh dear, can''t talk about it in the open. Why don''t youe to this side? Let''s sit in my house over a cup of tea and talk," she said. "Who is she, Xanthea?" Asher''s voice came from behind.

    Enjoying the book? Don''t forget to visit 000005s.org for the full experience. You won''t find the next chapter anywhere else. Happy reading! I swiftly turned around to see him and Ezra standing at some distance.

    I looked at Mrs. Millers and then at them again. Soon after, Raven walked down the stairs, folding some paper and sliding it in his pocket.

    "Oh, my..." Mrs. Millers gaped at the triplets, adjusting her sses on her nose. "Oh, my! Are they... really..." she whispered.

    "Mrs. Millers," I bowed before her. "Thank you, but-"

    "Are you going? She invited you to her home," Asher said.

    I lowered my eyes.

    "Would you young men like to have tea?" Mrs. Millers asked. Ezra scrunched his nose.

    "Why not? We don''t mean to burden you, though," Asher said humbly.

    "Oh, no!" Mrs. Millers chuckled. "Come on in, boys."

    ***

    Ezra, Raven and Asher sat on the shabby chairs. Ezra was reluctant to sit at first, but after a re from Asher and Raven, he sat down, saying it wasn''t big of a deal.

    They sat in the living room, which wasn''t far away from the kitchen when Mrs. Millers boiled the teacups, the most expensive ones she owned.

    "When I heard you were being married to the demon lords, I was so worried about you and when they burned down your apartment, I was even more scared, thinking that you... actually died..." she said.

    I prepared the tea silently and served it in the cups she washed thrice and boiled once.

    She was hunched and walked with the help of a walking stick. She walked out of the kitchen and I followed her, taking the tray of tea outside.

    I still couldn''t lift my gaze to meet them as I put the tray on the table. Serving tea before the three of them, I served Mrs. Miller and then myself..

    "I still can''t believe Alphas as great as yourselves are drinking tea in this omega''s little home," said Mrs. Millers, smiling warmly.

    "Me neither," Ezra said, looking at the teacup as if it was filled with poison.

    "Can you tell us what happened to Xanthea''s apartment, and who did it?" Asher asked, taking a sip of his tea.

    I wasn''t expecting them to drink that tea.

    "Oh... well... right after the news of her being offered-I mean married to demon lords-reached far and wide... a few dayster..." she suppressed her voice as she continued, fearing she might be heard by the walls. "Crown prince Niki came and set her ce on fire. I didn''t see his face, just heard his voice saying how d he was that now Xanthea is dead."

    Ezra chuckled.

    "Wow. They are really looking forward to your death, aren''t they? Nobody would even care if you died. They wouldn''t even want your body. They expect us to burn you like garbage. They dared to smuggle us their trash, didn''t they?" Ezra broke intoughter that didn''t reach his darkening eyes.

    Raven looked at me and I lowered my head, feeling a fresh sting in my numb heart. They already detested me for being an omega, but after today, I didn''t know what they''d think about me. Because I was indeed the trash of the royal family, a discarded and unwanted part.

    Ezra''sughter faded away. He remained silent for a long stretch of time before he abruptly got up from his chair and so did I.

    "Alpha..." I stood before Mrs. Millers, shielding her from Ezra, scared that he might do something unpredictable. Something bad.

    "Shut up! Don''t you dare open your mouth before me ever again!" The bitterness in his words and the anger in his eyes made me cower under his scrutiny. "They have done it now! I am offended. So, fucking offended. No." He shook his head, running his fingers frustratingly through his hair. "No. I won''t let this slide..."

 Chapter-24. Flames(18+)

    [Xanthea]

    "They are going to pay for this. I''ll make them fucking pay for this!" Ezra growled darkly as his eyes glowed with danger. I stepped back from him, still shielding Mrs. Millers behind me.

    "Ezra..." Raven stepped towards him.

    "No, Raven, stay out of this! They have offended me. This is personal, Raven. They''ll pay the price for taking us lightly."

    His words still hung in the air. Invisibility curtained his frame as he stepped around and vanished into thin air.

    I nkly peered at the air where he stood seconds ago with stalled air in my lungs. Every fiber in my body pulsed with trepidation.

    Raven let out a casual sigh as he sat back on the chair calmly. Asher followed as if nothing had happened.

    "He isn''t offended, is he?" Raven mumbled, examining the teacup.

    "Nope. He is clearly triggered..." Asher replied, taking another sip of his tea.

    I knit my brows. Triggered? What could have triggered him?

    "Hmm, well. What do you reckon he''s gonna do?" Raven raised his teacup to his nose and took a sniff. He lifted his eyebrows as if he liked the aroma.

    "He doesn''t really know how to cope with his wrath. So, he is gonna do something extreme. Something that would quench his rage and anything that quenches his rage can''t be mediocre, so..." Asher shrugged. "He did say it was personal, right? So that means we aren''t going to be responsible for what he does, right?" Raven took a small first sip of his tea and nodded as if he liked what he tasted. "Technically, no. But what if someone questions us?" Asher took another sip.

    "Well, we aren''t really answerable to anybody, are we? We are the demon lords. No one has it in them to question us," Raven said with a proud smirk.

    "Not really, but what if we need to answer someone? What are we gonna say?" Asher ced down his empty cup on the saucer.

    "We''ll say he''s adopted, not our real brother," Raven suggested with a stoic face.

    "Nice idea. But that won''t work. His face is simr to ours, and what about his DNA and gics?"

    "We''ll say he had stic surgery and I can easily fake the DNA results."

    "Yeah, well, that''s a great idea. But we can''t disown him. He is our precious hot headed brother. Whatever he does, we''ll stand by his side."

    "Always," Raven said, cing down his half-empty teacup.

    Their conversation had made me even more nervous. A cold sweat turned my palms mmy. The uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach intensified, twisting and churning with each passing second. "W-what is he gonna do?" I asked, hesitantly.

    "Well, let''s just say you triggered a part from his past that he isn''t really fond of. So, he is gonna do something that quenches his wrath," Asher said.

    "You can''t tell her about it?" Raven warned Asher.

    "I wasn''t going to. It''s Ezra''s past. So, she can know about it only if he wishes to share it with her and I don''t think he is ever going to do that. So let''s change the subject," Asher said, lifting his gaze to me. "But one thing''s for sure," Raven fixed me under his scrutiny. "Whatever he does, he is gonna make sure you watch it."

    Raven''s words made things even worse.

    "Don''t worry, he''lle to get you when he is done," Raven said, sliding Ezra''s teacup towards me. "Until then, sit down and have some tea. I usually prefer coffee, but the tea was ok. At least your cooking skills are worth something, omega. Let me give you some free advice since I liked your tea-it''ll be better if you rx beforehand and try to appreciate what he shows you. It''ll calm him down sooner."

    "Our brother has a few screws loose, and he loses thempletely when he is angry, so just bear with him," Asher said. "And the tea was delicious, Xanthea. We don''t get such vorful, but light tea in our pack."

    "Oh, that''s because I prepare the tea leaves myself in the small garden I have," Mrs. Millers chimed in as if the disappearance of one angry demon lord didn''t affect her at all.

    "Really? Can I get the recipe? Turns out I am quite fond of tea," Asher said.

    "Since when?" Raven cocked a brow.

    Asher sneaked a nce at me. "Since today."

    "Sure demon lord. I use green tea as a base and I add some herbs and dried flower petals..." Mrs. Millers wrote down the tea recipe for Asher. It looked as though for him nothing was more important than paying undivided attention to her exnation for getting the right temperature to bring out tea''s natural vor.

    Meanwhile, I sat, fidgeting with my fingers, ncing now and then in the air where Ezra had disappeared.

    A chill raced down my spine just moments before Ezra reappeared in a gust of teleportation.

    Heat prickled on my back, charging my body with a flush of goosebumps as the air in the room thickened with Ezra''s intense, unforgiving presence right behind me, a suffocating blend of tension and foreboding.

    A wave of paralysis swept over me. I couldn''t even move a finger. Taking a short broken gasp from my mouth, I gulped hard as the hair stood on my neck.

    I felt all that within seconds of his arrival and in the next second he had seized my upper arm, pulled me to my feet and turned me around to face him.

    Half of his face was covered in soot. His clothes were stained with cinder. His eyes were psychopathically stretched wide in a frigid, nk gaze. He had apletely disheveled look on his face as he panted slightly. He had a faint smile that just made his appearance even more psychotic, daunting, and repulsive.

    Scared, I reflexively took a step back, but he seized both my arms and dragged me with him, pulling me into the air as he teleported again.

    I shut my eyes, trying to cope with the giddiness because of teleportation when a strong smell of smoke hit my senses and I opened my eyes with a snap just to see myself standing on the end of the highway that was cut through the tallest hill of the Virgo pack.

    Huge mes roared at the sky as thick clouds of smoke turned the sky red. A mirror reflection of almost the entire pack that was burning below my feet.

    It took me a few long seconds toprehend the situation. But when the realization struck, a gut-wrenching cry tore from my throat. Desperate, I covered my ears with trembling hands and squeezed my eyes shut, attempting to shield myself from the agonizing screams of people and the visual horror of people burning alive.

    Ezra grabbed my wrists and hugged me from behind as I struggled to stand on my shaking legs.

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    He chuckled, cing his chin on my shoulder. Sinking into my neck, he pressed his nose against my violently throbbing veins.

    "Enjoy this, Xanthea. I did it for you! Do you like it? How does it feel to see them burn?" He whispered in my ear, nibbling on it.

    Gasping, I refused to open my eyes. It was a nightmare, just a nightmare. It had to be. It was just a very long dream. I would wake up soon sleeping with my mother''s diary by my side.

    "Isn''t it arousing to see them burn? The people who never cared about you. The people who want you dead. Tell me how you feel. Show me the pleasure you feel running in your veins right now. Ah~," he moaned in my ears as he unchained my dress from behind.

    He pressed our lower bodies together.

    "Can you feel my arousal, little angel?" He pressed his erections against my ass, grinding his hips against mine. "Fuck, this feels so good, isn''t it, Xanthea?"

    His arm wrapped around my waist as he forcefully held me against himself. In a swift motion of his hand, he tore off my dress from the front, revealing my breasts.

    "Stop it! Stop all this! Please! I don''t want this! I don''t want this!" I cried.

    "No, you want this! Your body does! just look how hard your nipples are for me," he chuckled, squeezing my breasts as he rolled and pinched my nipples.

    "I don''t want this..."

    "Shhh! Listen! Listen to those screams. Isn''t it the sweetest melody you have ever heard, Xanthea? One of those screams could be of the person who burned your books. Doesn''t that excite you? HUH! Tell me how good this makes you feel. To see them burn! To see the people who burned down your mother, your mother''sst memories! You are enjoying it, aren''t you, little toy! AHAHAHAHA!"

    Hisughter rattled through my bones.

    I shook my head, wailing as the scent of smoke scorched through my lungs.

    The royal Virgo pce was on fire and so were the surrounding areas. Most areas that Ezra burned down were all high end and heavily developed and popted areas.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    He grabbed my chin, squeezing my cheeks. He made me look at the royal pce through my bleary gaze.

    "Look! Look! Look at them burn, Xanthea!" He broke intoughter. "Show me how good this makes you feel. You like it, don''t you? Haha... show me how much you love it, little toy."

    He lifted the hem of my dress as his hand slid under my panties.

    "Oh yeah! Fuck yes! You feel it to your core. So wet."

    He thrusted his fingers inside me while the heel of his palm pressed against my clit.

    "Watch! Just watch! Watch them all turn into ashes!"

    "N-no! No! T-t-they are innocent..." I mumbled through my chokes, struggling to get as far away from his touch as I could.

    "Innocent?" My back collided with his hardline body as he pulled me back against himself. His fingers worked roughly inside me in punishing thrusts.

    "Innocent?" He whispered in my ear, gritting his teeth. "Who among them is innocent, little toy? The family who already wants you dead? The alpha, the father who abandoned his own daughter, a princess, his own fucking blood in slums. In conditions worse than a beggar''s? Or the stepmother who didn''t think twice before discarding you to us? Or the stepbrother who threw you out of the running car, broke your bones and almost ran a car over you had we not interfered? Or the stepsister whoughed and cheered them as they broke you piece by piece? OR THE PACK WHO SAW EVERYTHING AND REMAINED SILENT and treated you like TRASH!"

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    "AAAAAHHHHH!!!" A screech tore through my throat as I fell to my knees.

    I pressed the heels of my palms against my eyes.

    There was a strong gust of wind, and out of nowhere, a car tore through them.

    Ezra picked me up and pushed me against the bo of Raven''s car.

    "Enjoy the show while I fuck you, angel. It would have been so much better if there were fireworks, cliche romance," he said.

    Lifting my legs, he slid me up onto the bo. Sliding down my panties, he tossed it on the rearview mirror of the car.

    He unzipped his fly and his cock sprang out.

    I shook my head, shutting my eyes as he plunged inside me in a powerful thrust.

    "Fuck!" He groaned. "Your ass feels good, but your pussy feels like heaven." My body bobbed against him as he began thrusting faster.

    He grabbed my hair and forced my face towards my burning pack.

    "Eyes on your filthy pack, angel. Watch them burn as I take you."

    Tears streamed down my eyes incessantly and all I wished now was all of this to end. Everything about this situation. But there was nothing I could do about it than to beg him to stop.

    "Please... ah! Please... stop! Please..." I held his shoulders.

    Ezra shut his eyes, burying himself in the depths of my core.

    "If you really want him to stop, just tell him what he wants to hear," Raven whispers in my ears. I didn''t even realize when he got out of the car. "Tell him how pretty your pack looks right now. Tell him how happy this makes you. Thank him. He''ll stop." Suppressing a moan, I reached out and ced my hand on his soot-stained cheek.

    Biting back my tears, I said.

    "Alpha Ezra... t-t-thank you..." Tears stung sharper than the smoke in my eyes. "It''s p-pretty, my b-burning pack. Thank you for doing this for me. I''m happy... so happy..." I broke into whimpers.

    "Fuck!" He gritted his teeth, exploding inside me. He pulled me into a crushing hug. "We''ll make it. We''ll make it!"

    A whole another set of emotions took over me as I felt his shivering hands stroke my hair. I seemed to have borrowed the new clump of pain in my chest from Ezra''s words and the weak tone he spoke them in. I hesitantly wrapped my arms back around him.

    I looked at the royal pce nkly as the mes that reached out for the sky settled down, leaving behind a charred pce and a burned down pack.

    "Let''s go home... together... we''ll make it..." he said breathlessly.

    I nodded, swallowing down the dry tightness that raged in my throat.

 Chapter-25. Weak bloods

    [Xanthea]

    After our return to the Infernal pack, Ezra departed without uttering a word.

    Asher apanied Ezra, while Raven brought me back to the hospital. He said that I still required continuous monitoring and medical attention to deal with the lingering effects of the carvera poison. It had been three days since I returned, yet it felt like I was still stuck in that night. After Raven brought me to the hospital, I hadn''t seen him even once.

    Although I knew he dide to the hospital every day to check on the Highdy.

    Honestly, it was a relief to not see them on the weekdays. Weekends were way too overwhelming already.

    Mostly, when the triplets were around, I didn''t know what to do or how to carry myself. Or what might make them angry? Around them, I always walked on thin ice. A slight slip and I was sure to drown.

    And after everything that happened in the Virgo pack, I couldn''t say if I was emotionally drained or just too numb to deal with them. But my thoughts kept lingering back to-

    Ezra...

    What exactly happened in his past?

    What were Raven and Asher talking about?

    And what exactly triggered him to that extent?

    It clearly had nothing to do with me. Or was it?

    I had been zoning out a lottely and when I brought myself back from the daze; I found myself living that night over and over again, thinking about Ezra even more. Contemting and trying to decipher the meaning behind thest few words he spoke before he turnedpletely silent.

    Even now when I shut my eyes, my mother''s burned down diaries and the burning Virgo pack shed before my eyes.

    A nurse drew my blood in the injection and poured it into three different testing vials.

    Mavka hade to the hospital to take care of me. She took care of my meals and medicines.

    "Rest well," the nurse said before leaving the royal ward where I was put.

    "Why do they draw such a vast amount of blood from you every day?" Mavka red at the shut door. "I bet they are smuggling it to the runaway vampires."

    "Runaway vampires?" I asked, leaning against the headboard.

    "Yeah. Vampire''s blood, ichor, had medicinal properties for immortals, so their blood is used in several medicines. We rear them like cattle, though. But one or two break free now and then and since there is no true sun in this world, they prosper in the wilderness, feeding on rogues and weak bloods. They aren''t a threat to the demon poption, unlike your world, where they are always after your kind for your blood," Mavka said.

    I nodded, pursing my lips in a tight line.

    "What are weak bloods?" I asked.

    "Weak bloods? Well, they are worse than rogues, considered even below omegas of our realm. They are the demon-borns who couldn''t develop or activate their immortality genes even aftering of age and so their family and the society discards them," Mavka said.

    "Immortals are born with the immortality genes, right?"

    "Correct. We are born with those genes, but they do not activate until the demon child is three years old. And if a kid fails to produce them even when they turn five years old, they are discarded and in the localnguage we call them weak bloods. Weak bloods can''t even manifest a demon wolf, so they almost turn into the weakest kind of mortal and they can die..."

    "I remember reading about them. As far as I know, it''s a gic condition known as Mortalitis or the damaged seed syndrome. Because such kids are referred to as the damaged seeds and their life expectancy is very less. This chronic illness was considered incurable before the concept of forced activation was introduced," I mumbled to myself. "Although mother wrote no further information on the forced activations and even the books stated they were just incurable." "You indeed know a lot about our medicine, your highness," Mavka said with a smile. "And you also have this strange habit of thinking to yourself out loud."

    "Oh, I am sorry. It happens when I am going through the information stored in my head. When I read it out loud, I can ess them better," I said.

    "You don''t have to apologize to me, your highness. If princess Nesryn hears you saying that to me, she''ll punish me," Mavka said.

    I looked around, and it was just us in the room.

    "But how will she know?" I asked.

    "How can you be so smart and so dumb at the same time?" Mavka shook her head as if I was a gone case she was dealing with. "She runs a spy business, and she has taken some liking to you." I blinked at Mavka.

    "Is she spying on me?" I asked in a hushed voice.

    "It''s her way of epting you into the royal family. Don''t family members spy on one another, stalk one another to show how much they love and care about each other?" Mavka said casually, as if it was in their culture to spy on their family members, and then I remembered Nesryn''s conversation with her mother. I guess it was indeed normal to stalk family members in the Infernal pack.

    "I am humbled, I guess." I tried to say that with all goodness I could muster.

    "I have heard that the Highdy regained consciousness this afternoon," Mavka said.

    "Really? How is she?" I asked.

    "Still the same, if you ask me, but Alpha Raven says she is improving. He has restarted her usual treatment. Highdy''s nurse was talking to other nurses about it. She said it was like restarting the treatment all over again, but it seemed as though they started with the right foot this time."

    "I am d..." I said, smiling faintly. "I wish I could visit her once."

    "The demon lords don''t want you to leave your room. Although you can leave your room when someone..." Mavka raised her voice a little as if talking to someone who was hiding close to us. "...from the royal family asks you to leave your room and visit the Highdy with them, you can go."

    I smiled at Mavka, and she winked at me with a smirk as she shrugged.

    "I truly appreciate your efforts, Mavka. I am grateful to you for telling me this. Just knowing that the Highdy is better and improving is enough for me," I said.

    "You are too humble, your highness. You have taken your medicines. You should sleep now. I''ll let you rest. If you need me, I am just a thought away," Mavka said, and left.

    Mavka had a demonic ability to sense when I needed her, and even when I didn''t call for her, she woulde.

    After eating the medicines, I was advised to take a nap. It made me heal faster.

    ***

    My eyes opened when the red clouds in the sky were almost as equally dispersed as the ck clouds. That''s how the evenings looked like in this realm. And they were beautiful even more than the evenings in our realm. I had been looking outside the window that was close to my bed.

    Getting down from the bed, I trudged nearer to the window. The soft translucent curtains fluttered against the soft winds that caressed my hair.

    I gazed at the patients, nurses, and even spotted some doctors strolling in the hospital''s garden. It was filled with healing nts. The hospitals in the Infernal realm didn''t smell like disinfectants and antiseptics. They had more herbal odor, like the fragrance of green tea.

    Shutting my eyes, I drew in a deep breath and exhaled. When I opened my eyes, I smiled, waving at the red butterfly that rode the winds and fluttered closer to my window, casually passing by. I have been seeing them most oftentely. It looked like the same red butterfly I saw when I was in Raven''s office. There were a lot of red butterflies in the Infernal pack.

    I reached out my hand in a hope it mightnd on my fingers, but as expected, it fluttered away. I chuckled.

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    "What makes you chuckle in solitude?" My heart lit up at the voice that came from behind me.

    "Princess..."

    Nesryn stared at me with an impassive face.

    "Didn''t I tell you to call me Nesryn?" She walked closer to me.

    "Umm..."

    "Maybe I didn''t, but you can call me Nesryn," she said. "I was here to see Raven. Thought I should check on my two sick family members. I haven''t seen the Highdy yet, wanna join me?"

    I smiled and nodded excitedly. It could be co-incidence or Nesryn was really spying on me. The idea of having someone spy on me would have been scary and unsettling had I been in the Virgo pack, but for uncanny reasons, having a spy on my back felt like an honor. And for some reason, I was happy.

    After wearing the dress robe over my hospital night suit, I followed Nesryn out of my room and into the empty hallways of the royal wing of the hospital.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    Mavka followed us closely, but made sure she stayed behind us and didn''t take the elevator with us. She took the stairs.

    "Can''t believe you survived so far," Nesryn said as we approached the Highdy''s room.

    "Me too," I said, and Nesryn chuckled.

    Nesryn knocked on the door. Highdy''s maid opened the door from inside and stood aside instantly.

    As soon as I looked at the Highdy again, I understood what Raven meant by her improving conditions. There was a vast difference in her body the first time I saw it and her body now.

    "I know, Nyssa. Thanks for taking such good care of me. All thanks to you, I feel much better," the highdy chuckled softly.

    "It''s my job, Highdy. But you can''t skip a single dose from now on. Raven has worked hard on you," Nyssa said. Maybe she hade for the Highdy''s routine check up. "If you miss even a dose, the treatment might copse again." Highdy smiled at her.

    "Ok. Ok. Now stop nagging me. You don''t have toe to give me every dose yourself. My maids are highly efficient in following orders."

    "Yeah and that is why if you order them to not give you the dose, they will hide away the medicine or throw it away," Nyssa said and the Highdy broke into a sereneughter.

    They looked like... a family already.

    "Huh! There she goes again buttering the Highdy. She is already the top luna candidate, all this is unnecessary if you ask me," Nesryn scoffed.

 Chapter-26. Emotional barriers

    [Xanthea]

    "Luna candidate?" I mumbled to myself.

    "Yes, the women in line to be the next Luna of the Prime Infernal pack. There are several potential Luna candidates. Each of my brothers has a woman they would want as their Luna. So, essentially, there are top three potential Luna candidates, and Nyssa is on top of them all, their number one choice."

    I looked at Nyssa. She was bold, intelligent, independent and, above all, she was a strong alpha blood werewolf. I bet her demon wolf was stronger than the average in the Infernal pack. No wonder she was the top Luna candidate. Unlike me. I had none of those qualities. Not only was I just an omega, but I was also wolfless.

    Even so, I felt a subtle dull ache in my chest as my heart sank under an uncanny weight.

    I didn''t need the constant reminder, but it was hard to ignore that a year was the most I had in my life if the triplets didn''t decide otherwise.

    But there were things I could notprehend, no matter how deeply I thought about them.

    Like, if the triplets needed heirs, then why did they marry mortal werewolves and they didn''t even care if the mortal was alpha blood or not? They just wanted royal blood to bear their kids.

    I was deep in my thoughts when Nesryn ced her hand on my shoulder.

    "Hey, I hope what I said didn''t bother you," she said.

    I looked at her, confused.

    "I hope my brothers have drawn clear lines of your rtionship with them, right? You are just a breeder for them. I hope you know that they''ll eventually have their lunas or a luna once the... well... when things go back to normal. And I say it just to save you from unnecessary future heartaches, because honestly, my brothers are not worth it, you know," Nesryn shrugged.

    I had heard those words before, knew their meaning to heart, yet when Nesryn told them to me, my heart almost leaped out of my chest. I almost panicked, as if I had been caught doing something I wasn''t supposed to do. I nodded, clearing the tightness that threatened to build in my throat.

    "Yeah, yes. Uh... I know. They have made me well aware of my boundaries and limits. Of course," I said instantly, licking the dryness of my lips.

    Nesryn''s gaze lingered densely on me, and I cleared my throat with a quick gulp, trying to act as I normally did. But when Nesryn squinted her eyes, frowning slightly, I tried to change the subject.

    "B-but if they needed heirs, then wouldn''t a strong alpha female from the Infernal pack be a better choice than mortals?" I asked.

    Nesryn looked at me as if I had said something taboo.

    "If they haven''t told you, I don''t think I am in a ce to say anything. But that''s not important. What''s important is since you can''t have physical barriers against them, just create emotional barriers around yourself and don''t let my brothers cross it, ok?" Nesryn looked at me with critical eyes.

    "Yes," I nodded.

    "Brilliant! Then you don''t have to worry about anything else and just concentrate on healing. My brothers know what they are doing. We came here to see the Highdy, right? Let''s do that," Nesryn said, and I let out a subtle sigh, d she was dropping the subject.

    "Oh, Nes is here," the Highdy looked at Nesryn as she walked closer to her bed. Even though the Highdy didn''t look at me, I lowered my gaze and stood aside in the background.

    "How are you feeling now?" Nesryn asked, sitting on the chair beside the Highdy''s bed.

    "Much better, honestly. All thanks to Raven and Nyssa. I feel so much better, and it doesn''t hurt as it used to, so I don''t skip my doses," Highdy chuckled, looking towards Nyssa, who just smiled at her and shook her head.

    Her smile was like the touch of gentle, warm sunrays to my heart, apanied by a tranquil surge of happiness to see her in better health. A smile crept across my face as I peered at the floor. The weight of guilt that had settled on my chest, the worry that had been gnawing at my heart, finally lifted.

    "Well, looks like you don''t know, mother," Nesryn got up and strolled behind me. Holding my shoulders, she pushed me closer to the Highdy''s bed. "It was because of her hint and knowledge that Raven could create this new, less painful treatment n for you. So a little gratitude to her won''t hurt."

    The Highdy looked at me.

    "Is that so?" she said.

    "Absolutely!" Nesryn made me sit in the chair and stood beside me, cing her hand on my shoulder. "Don''t you remember how she instantly stopped your coughs when your condition deteriorated? She is quite knowledgeable about stuff like this."

    "Indeed, I remember. Thank you, Xanthea," the Highdy said, reaching out to me.

    Nesryn urged me to stand and go closer to the Highdy.

    I bowed, allowing her to ce her wrinkled hand on my head as she stroked my hair gently. There was a soft,forting flutter in my heart at her tender touch. "Truly, thank you, dear. I mean it. But I heard you were hospitalized as well. What happened? Don''t tell me it was because of my sons."

    "It wasn''t because of them. Or maybe it was, I don''t know. Well, I will let the mother-inw and daughter-inw have a nice long chat while I get my work done with Raven," Nesryn said, smirking as she nced at Nyssa and left the room. I could feel Nyssa''s gaze on my back as I sat on the chair beside the bed and summarized the whole incident with the carvera to the Highdy.

    "Shouldn''t you be resting in your room, dear? I am d you came to see me, but you look weaker. You were already too fragile and now have carvera poisoning? My dear, you still don''t understand your role properly. If you did, you would have taken better care of yourself. I have heard carvera poison is a sworn enemy of pregnancy..." Highdy said.

    "She just came to see how you were doing, Highdy. Raven says she will be fine by next weekend." Nyssa said before I could say anything. "Now don''t stress about it. Stress isn''t good for your health. Now, you take your medicine and rest. You''ll have to take meds in two hours again."

    "Ok. As you say, miss healer." Highdy took the medicines from Nyssa''s hand.

    I corrected her pillows as she lied down. My eyes met Nyssa''s for less than a second and sweats broke out on my forehead. Her aura was just as intimidating and overwhelming as the triplets.

    "Thank you, dear. Both of you," Highdy said, and I bowed once with a smile.

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    Just then, a nurse entered the room with a file. She showed it to Nyssa. Nyssa flipped through it and nodded.

    "It took a week for these results to show. Keep them safely. Reading and analyzing this data will take time," Nyssa said before walking out of the room. "I''ll inform Raven his most awaited results are here." "How is your leg now?" Highdy asked.

    "Much better," I said.

    "Umm. Did the three of them ept you?" She asked, and I knew what she was insinuating to.

    I lowered my gaze and nodded, clenching my fists over my thighs.

    "Good. They are my kids, but even I can''t predict their moods and actions," she said. "It''s been years since we even talked properly. Something more than them asking me, ''how''s your health now?'' and me lying every time saying I was fine when in reality I knew I would be a little better if they spent a little more time with me. But I get to see Raven every day nowadays and so even though I get extremely bored staying in my bed, I want to stay longer in the hospital." The nurse ced the reports on the other side of the Highdy''s bed. Then she began sorting medicines and filling the empty vials.

    "But I know the three of them are always busy, so I try not to disturb them. Immortal or not, in old age, parents crave their children''s attention even more," she let out a sigh. Her eyes glinted with sadness and longing as she peered at the ceiling.

    "They came to see you. You were unconscious back then, but I think they care about you a lot, Highdy," I said. "All of them."

    She looked at me and smiled slightly, brightening her ethereal features even more.

    "Thank you for telling me that."

    "Umm... pardon me... Highdy, but... if you permit, can Ie to visit you more often?" I stammered.

    "I''d love that, dear, but I want you to concentrate on yourself and your healing. And on making your body stronger so that there you don''t face problems while conceiving their kids," she said. "But yeah, if you feel bored like me, then feel free to visit me only if you promise not to nag about my health and my medicines because I wish to live beyond them as well."

    I contemted her.

    "It must have been difficult for you... all these years..." I said.

    "They have been traumatic. But I was only trying to joke about it... a little. I''d love to havepany, except for healers and nurses and my colorful palette of potions. I might as well make an art out of them." Highdy said. I smiled and then gasped.

    "Actually, you could," I said, and the Highdy blinked at me with pursed lips.

    "Make art out of my medicines? Raven will throw me out of this hospital in a second," Highdy joked again.

    "Not out of medicine, but it could be therapeutic. Painting, writing, music, any creative work. It''s not essential in the treatment n, but when you feel better, these rmended activities can help you enhance your mood, boost your immunity and brain functions," I said.

    "Really?"

    "Yes. It doesn''t have a side effect, but you need to do those creative works just for enjoyment. Even when they turn into a disaster, I hope you could appreciate that you created something."

    She gazed at me, her eyes holding a serene shine.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "I would love to try it. Better to have a healthyugh at your disaster than stare at the ceiling and get bored all day long."

    "Next time I visit you, I''ll prepare for it. Let''s start with painting? What do you say?" I asked, my heartbeats turning excited with every word I spoke.

    "I am already waiting for your next visit, sweety," Highdy caressed my cheek.

    I tried not to smile too brightly, yet I could feel my cheeks heat slightly as she told me about her painting hobby when she was young and how she eventually gave it up after her marriage andpletely quit it after she had kids. A few minutester, Mavka finally reached the Highdy''s room but stood behind me.

    "Do you know, when Raven was young, I kept telling him to trim his hair, but he never listened? I thought he was just rebellious, but once when I asked him why he didn''t cut his hair, he told me he wanted to look different from his brothers. He wanted to have a unique identity. The three of them formed their identities differently. So even when their faces are almost alike, you can easily tell who is who," Highdy now talked about the triplets.

    She truly loved them, and they too cared about her. So, I couldn''t understand why they didn''t give their family more time? They visited the Aile castle once a week, and that took for a short while at night. And most of the time, they were in their bride''s room.

    "I might have their photos from their childhood somewhere in the drawers," Highdy turned to her other side, and I instantly got up and walked around the chair.

    "Let me find it for you," I said, and she nodded once.

    I looked into the drawers and found the photos of the triplets, maybe when they were in their teenage years. They lookedpletely identical with their shaved heads. I couldn''t tell who was who. "Weren''t they the cutest kids?" Highdy said as I handed her their photo.

    I nodded with a slight smile as she admired their photos with her eyes brimming with love for the three of them.

    And for a split second I wondered if my mother would have looked at me with just as much love if she was still alive.

 Chapter-27. The challenge

    [Xanthea]

    The triplets were so lucky to have a mother like her. If I was in their ce, I would give her all my attention and time to the point she''d get annoyed with me.

    I shook my head at the funny thought and lowered my eyes.

    My gaze fell on the reports the nurse had ced earlier. It was the immortality genes chart. My eyes skimmed through the reports. There was the gene sequencing data with the dataparison made from the ideal healthy gene and then right below them were Highdy''s genes sequences.

    The data was indeed intricate and quite vast. No wonder it took over a week and might even take several days to read and analyze this data. I think what made the umtion and analysis of this data even difficult was the genes being magical in nature. Computers wouldn''t give urate analysis because, right as I saw it, two gene sequences had already shown minor changes.

    My eyes skimmed through the sequence data again. As I concentrated more, I realized that the change in the genes had a specific pattern. The seven days variations in the genes were inscribed together to mimic the genes as they would in the Highdy''s system. The same report showed the variations in the genes for over seven days.

    In thest one minute, the data had shown minor changes in genes TTAH1 and TIH1.

    "So, it was because of these two genes that the Highdy suffered with TTA. TIH1 (The Immortality Harborer 1) are the healthy genes needed to build immortality, while TTAH1 (Thintoathanasia Harborer 1) are the genes that are causing the disease. There had been significant improvement in production of TIH1 genes over the previous week, as seen in the variability of the patterns. So, ording to the standard prescriptions, the dose of the medicines could be increased by three doses per week."

    It was only when Mavka let out a short cough and cleared her throat did I realize I was murmuring to myself out loud again. The Highdy peered at me nkly while the nurse who was sorting the vials nearby almost knocked over the tray of vials as she gaped at me, blinking absentmindedly.

    "I-I am sorry, Highdy. I... have this really bad habit. It won''t happen again." I walked round the bed and sat on the chair quietly, fiddling with my fingers.

    Highdy kept the photo under her pillow and looked at me. But before she could say a thing, Nyssa entered the room.

    "Raven will be here soon. Keep the reports ready. He doesn''t have much free time, but he took out a few minutes for this. He said our team will discuss the new dose schedule of Highdy tonight." Nyssa notified the nurse. The nurse hurried and put away the vials while scrambling to the reports.

    "Raven''sing?" Highdy asked.

    "Yes, Highdy," Nyssa said with a soft smile.

    Highdy''s face lit up.

    If he wasing, it would be better if I left.

    "I think I should take my leave now, Highdy. Hope you get well soon-"

    There was a crashing sound. I lifted my gaze and saw that the nurse had knocked off the tray of potions. The potion had spilled right on the reports that she quickly tried to rescue from the shattered ss bottles.

    I covered my mouth with my hand.

    Nyssa gasped.

    "What have you done!" she snapped, and the nurse flinched back, cowering under her aura.

    "I am sorry, healer. I didn''t see-"

    Frowning, Nyssa snatched the reports from the nurse and peered at her intently, pinching it between her fingers.

    "The magical ink is ruined! How could you not see, you stupid! I told you how important these reports were, didn''t I?"

    "I-I-I am sorry, healer..."

    "Raven will be here any time. What am I to do about your sorry? Do you think someone like you deserves to waste a single second of your alpha?"

    The nurse fell to her knees, bowing as she apologized.

    "You deserve to be punished-" Nyssa spoke through her clenched teeth as hand had transformed into ws.

    My heart pounded, dreading the fate of the nurse.

    "I am sure the gene sequencing center will have a copy!" Words escaped my lips before I knew it.

    Nyssa narrowed her eyes, her re traveling from the nurse to me. She looked clearly annoyed.

    "And can you bring those reports from there before Raven gets here?" Nyssa asked sharply. "I didn''t know mortals could teleport faster than immortals."

    "I-I can''t..."

    "Of course you can''t! You just like acting over-smart! You were leaving, right? So just leave. You can''t even do your job properly, so don''t interfere with my work. I don''t wish to waste my time on someone like you either," she remarked scornfully.

    An apprehensive knot tightened in my chest. I felt as though her ambiance would crush me to the floor.

    "I-I... remember the reports. All seven variations... with the eventual shift in genes over seven days... if you want... I can write all those variations down..."

    Nyssa ran her fingers through her hair and strutted to me as if I had offended her even more.

    "Now, now, Nyssa. Calm down," Highdy said. "Xanthea read the reports. Maybe she can help-"

    "Highdy, it''s impossible for anyone to memorize this kind of data even if they recite it like a parrot for a month. And you want me to believe she memorized all seven variations of it in one nce?"

    Nyssa lifted the spoiled reports to the Highdy. Highdy nced at the reports and then lowered her gaze.

    "You know what her real problem is - she''spletely clueless about where she belongs in the Infernal pack''s hierarchy. She wasn''t offering help, but trying to be what she will never be. She challenged my authority and my power by stopping me from punishing the nurse," Nyssa said.

    I looked at her and shook my head.

    "You think you have more authority and power than me just because you have created a soul pact with the demon lords?" She stepped closer to me, and I stepped back from her.

    "No... I was just-"

    She grabbed my arm in a bruising grip, yanking me closer to herself. Tears stung into my eyes as I held my eyes low.

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    "Let me make this crystal clear for you: after one year, whether you give them kids or not, they will kill you. Yeah, if by a miracle you do get pregnant with their kids, they might wait until the delivery, but then they will kill you. You can never be their luna. You know why? Because the triplet alphas don''t want a weakling omega like you, they need a strong luna who deserves to stand by their side. And the reason they killed their previous brides is to dissolve the soul pacts and it can be done only when they kill the one they created it with. And a soul pact is worthwhile only when it''s formed between two powerful souls."

    My heart rate quickened at her words. My eyelids fluttered to the Highdy, who held her gaze low.

    Her grip tightened on my arm. Tensing my body, I drew my shoulders closer to my neck, expecting to receive the punishment on the nurse''s behalf.

    "All their previous soul pacts were worthless and so were those brides and so are you. A fucking disposable soul like you can only be used to-" "Nyssa!"

    I didn''t even have to turn to see whose voice had dominated Nyssa''s within a second.

    Nyssa left my arm with a jerk and stumbled a few steps away from her. But before my back hit the wall, Mavka saved me.

    My chest heaving faster as Raven strolled closer to us.

    Nesryn followed him, but stood beside me, frowning at Nyssa.

    "What is all this about?" He asked, his gaze lingering curiously on Nyssa.

    "Nothing. Just putting a mortal omega in her ce," Nyssa said. "Telling her the difference between being a lowly breeder and a luna."Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Raven smiled at her. "Wonderful. Spoken like a true luna," Raven ced his hand on her shoulder as though proud of her.

    Her anger pacified as she gazed into his eyes, without a hint of hesitation in her eyes.

    "Our little omega is a little too full of herself. I am d you are already doing your luna duties. But what exactly did this omega do to get you worked up like this?" Raven asked and Nyssa narrated the entire situation to him. "Hmm. Interesting. So, you mean to say the reports are gone, and this omega ims she can write the seven variations of the report urately to save this nurse from getting punished?"

    "Yes, and will you stop enjoying it?" Nyssa gave Raven a look.

    "How can I not? This will be fun."

    He shrugged, giving her a teasing smirk. His warm eyes that lingered on Nyssa seconds ago turned into a cold attention as they roved over me.

    He took a step closer to me, and I reflexively stepped back.

    "Write the seven variations of the reports, omega. Meanwhile, we''ll get the copy of the reports and then we''ll match them both. And if I find a single mistake in your reports while I match it with originals, this nurse here will lose her immortality and then her life. How about it?" Raven said casually.

    I looked at him with a stalled breath while Nyssa gave me a sly smirk, folding her hands under her breasts.

    "What? You got something to say?" He asked, stepping even closer to me.

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    He held my chin and made me look at him.

    Nyssa''s smile tightened as Raven stepped even closer to me, as her eyes darkened with a shadow of possessiveness. My chest almost grazed against his body as he towered over me.

    "Go to your room and start writing the reports. The life of this nurse is in your hands, quite literally this time, go. My nurse will stay with you to collect your reports by tonight. No cheating," he said, skimming his eyes to Nesryn. "Nurse, you will bring her reports directly to me. If you make any stops in the middle, I''ll know."

    A nurse who hade with Raven bowed once and stepped to my side.

    I bit my lower lip, stiffening my body when he casually flicked a few strands of my hair from my forehead, his finger lightly brushing against my skin.

    "A-alpha... I really didn''t mean to-"

    "I don''t care, omega. You said you could do it. And I wanna see you do it," he said in a deep velvety whisper.

    Goosebumps ran through my body as his fingers trailed down my cheeks, brushing over the strands of hair that lined the side of my face.

    I remained breathless under his searing scrutiny until he turned around and faced the Highdy.

    He began her checkup, and I knew he wouldn''t listen to a word I say.

    Nesryn held my hand and pulled me out of the room.

    "Finally, that bitch''s insecurities are showing. She is Raven''s favorite, and they have dated each other since college. Of course, he was going to take her side. Huh!" Nesryn scoffed. Dated?

    I looked at Nesryn but avoided asking the questions that formed in my mind. Maybe love was forbidden just for me. And most probably the triplets'' chosen lunas were the reason. All of them already had strong women they loved and naturally they wanted to be loyal to them.

    So why did they create a soul pact with mortal women? Creating a soul pact was like marrying someone in the Infernal pack''s culture-

    I forcefully stopped my thoughts.

    The more I thought, the more questions popped up in my mind that I knew no one was going to answer them, so I refrained from thinking about them any further.

    "You don''t worry. I''ll get all my spies to get a copy of those reports faster than Raven does. You just copy them down," Nesryn said.

    "He''ll know," I said, ncing at Raven''s nurse following us closely.

    "So, what are you going to do?" Nesryn asked.

    "I''ll write the reports. I wasn''t lying when I said I remember. But can you please monitor the poor nurse? I am sure I made things worse for her."

    Nesryn took out her phone and texted someone.

    "Done! I''ll make sure that Nyssa doesn''t interfere with the copy of those reports. Just in case. Something else you want me to do?" she asked, and I shook my head. "I think I can handle this on my own."

 Chapter-28. On your mind

    [Raven]

    "Should I schedule the meeting tomorrow?" Nyssa asked.

    "Well, without reports, I don''t see what else we could be discussing in the meeting," I replied, strolling into my cabin in the hospital.

    "We can have a private meeting, you know..." she teased. "Just us, and we don''t even need to talk. We could be doing something better with our lips than just talking." "Yeah, I like your lips more when they are tightly shut-"

    "Around your cock? If so, then I know just the way to make you like my lips even more," mischief yed on her lips as she smirked.

    "Go back to your shift, Nyssa. You aren''t off duty yet."

    She grunted, inviting herself into my hospital cabin, and flopped t face-down on the couch.

    Taking off my healer coat, I flung it on her.

    "How many times do I need to tell you? Go home if you want to rest. My cabin is not your bedroom," I said, sitting on the chair behind my desk.

    "And how many times do I need to tell you I like it here? It''s filled with your scent. It helps me reeelaax," Nyssa stretched her body, turning to face me.

    She grabbed my coat and used it like a nket before burying her face in the cushion.

    I switched on theputer and turned on the camera nted in Xanthea''s room. Camera was better at monitoring her than the guardian butterflies. Her overexcitement and excessive cheerfulness, like a kid on seeing the butterflies, just ticked me off.

    "The research tells that a female werewolf always findsfort in her male partner''s presence and scent, especially during her heats..."

    "Don''t give me that crap," I said in an impassive tone.

    She sat up with a jump, frowning with an angry pout.

    "I had a long day, Raven, and it became worse because of that omega. The least you can do is help me rx a little. I have a forty-eight-hour shift," she protested. "The couch is all yours."

    "I want you to be mine as well. On this couch with me," Nyssa said. I nced at her and let out a sigh.

    "Come here." I said, zooming on Xanthea who coaxed Nesryn to not worry and go back to her work.

    I knew Nesryn would try to help her.

    Nyssa smiled and strode to me. Shended a quick re at the monitor before climbing up on the chair. Sitting on myp, she wrapped her arms around my neck.

    "Why are you in the hospital? Why do youe here daily?" she asked.

    "Didn''t know you were having short-term memory loss. What did the healer say? Have you lost it, losing it or will lose soon?"

    She hit my biceps, and I chuckled softly.

    "I know you are in the hospital only until the Highdy recovers, but why don''t you return to the hospital permanently? We can work together like we used to. I miss those days so badly. Us on the couch, on the desk, running out of time," she said dreamily. "Your research is over already. You destroyed thest carvera with your hands. Now return to me."

    "It''s too soon to say the research''s over," I said, my eyes fixed on theputer monitor.

    Nyssa ced her hand on my cheek and made me look in her eyes.

    "It''s been three years already..."

    "So what? You are telling me to give up?" I cocked a brow.

    "Give up and you?" she chuckled. "Have we met yesterday? I know you won''t give up, but do you really think it''s going to work?"

    "That''s what research is for, to know if something will or won''t work. And if it doesn''t work, then I''ll have to make it work. I neither have a choice nor much time."

    Tucking her hair behind her ear, Nyssa leaned closer to my face.

    "You know what I mean. If you can''t return to the hospital, then let me help you with your research. I know it''s dangerous and all, but I want to stay close to you," she whispered against my lips.

    "Where is thising from? Don''t tell me you feel threatened," I scoffed. "By that omega?"

    Rage flushed across her face as she got up from myp and stood before me with her waist leaning against the edge of my desk.

    "Threatened? By her? Never. But..." she looked at the monitor. "Jealous? Yes, I am. Not just her, but every woman thates close to you. All I want to do is burn them alive. And she? Xanthea. She is getting on my nerves more than your other brides did."

    "Is that so? What an honor for her!" I held back a teasing smirk. "May I know why?"

    "Because she has piqued your interest," Nyssa said, folding her arms. "You didn''t monitor your other brides like you spy on her. Recently, all your free time is all about her and it''s not even been a month since she got here."

    I tilted my head with a dismissiveugh.

    "You are misunderstanding, Nyssa."

    "Am I, Raven? You gave her a chance to save that nurse-"

    "-knowing very well that she couldn''t. Come on, Nyssa. Rewriting those reports with utter precision without magic is next to impossible. Just analyzing it precisely is a headache. What are you even expecting?"

    "It''s not about what I am expecting, it''s about what you are expecting from her. And you..." sheughed, pointing her index finger at me. "You are definitely expecting something from her. And it''s not just offspring." "Oh..." I leaned forward in my chair. "Now your demon wolf can read my mind, huh? Then enlighten me. What am I expecting from her?"

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    "I don''t know. But you gave her a chance. A chance, Raven. You don''t give people chances! You never gave people chances before."

    I ran my fingers through my hair, holding back myughter.

    "What can I say?" I skimmed my eyes from Nyssa to Xanthea.

    "It''s not easy to date your best friend. You understand them way too much and sometimes all you want to do is misunderstand them," she said, narrowing her eyes. "But you can''t because they are your best friend. Like damn!" "Maybe you understand your best friend. Yet you fail to understand your alpha," I said, holding her gaze.

    She peered at me nkly for a while and then said.

    "She''s on your mind, and I don''t like that," she used a threatening tone.

    "Not for the reasons you are thinking, but yeah... she is on my mind-"

    Nyssa turned around in a jerk and was about to stride out when I held her wrist and pulled her back. Her back collided with my chest as I hugged her from behind.

    "But she shouldn''t be on your mind. You know it better than anyone else, Nyssa. I want you as the luna of this pack because you are rational, practical, strong, independent and intelligent. You have a vision and the spine to rule the demons. Like they say, you are the perfect luna, beauty with a brain..."

    "It doesn''t work when you are..." she hesitated, but said it anyway "...in love-"

    "You said that to piss me off, didn''t you?"

    "I want your attention. I demand it. So yeah. What do you have to say about that? What if I am falling in love with you? What will you do?"

    "Then I will get that love out of your system because it shouldn''t be happening. Not to the future luna of our pack. Demons don''t fall in love, darling. It''s either lust or..." I let her go and looked at Xanthea through the monitor "...greed. In the mortal world, love might not be one of the seven deadly sins, but in this hell, it''s the only sin. The only curse that can kill. The only disease that has no cure. So, don''t let it infect you."

    Nyssa took a deep breath and nodded.

    "Of course! I know, ok! I am just not ok with her! She''s the problem! If the nurse doesn''t die tomorrow, I''ll kill this omega!" she grunted.

    "Don''t touch her!" A growl rumbled in my chest as my eyes locked with Nyssa. I smiled. "Or Asher will never let you be the luna. He has found some fondness for this omega. Just a heads up. But you can bully her all you want." "Asher? That stone? What did he see in her?"

    "Ask him if you have the courage."

    "Nah, I''m good. I don''t wanna deal with that man. No thanks. Plus, I have no time to waste on someone as insignificant as her."

    I shrugged. "And now the luna inside you is back into action!"

    "I already have a surgery scheduled in fifteen minutes," she said, looking at her wrist and she wasn''t even wearing a wristwatch. Women. "I gotta go."

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    "All the best with the surgery."

    "You won''te to it? It''ll be interesting to see your future Luna cut the people of your pack."

    I broke into augh.

    "Quite a picture you just painted in my mind."

    She chuckled, opening the door.

    "I can cut their alpha, too. Into tiny pieces. Chop. Chop. Chop. And eat him up. Nom. Nom. Nom," she gestured like she was cutting invisible vegetables with her hand. I shook my head at her childish gesture.

    "An assassination attempt is always weed. Reminds me of Cedric. He hasn''t tried to kill ustely. That''s odd," I mumbled. "He must be nning something big this time."

    "Such heart-touching brotherly rtions, I am gonna throw up if I stay here a second more," she said before closing the door behind her.

    My chuckles faltered as soon as my eyes returned to Xanthea. Frowning, I zoomed in even more.

    She was mumbling to herself, writing in the air with her finger.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "What is she doing now?"

    She hastily scrambled to the parchments in her maid''s hands. For the next one hour, she kept talking to herself before scribbling down on the parchment. Leaning closer to the parchment, squinting her eyes. My frown deepened, and I finally turned the camera off.

    "Well... she can try all she wants..."

    ***

    Early in the morning, I had Xanthea''s handwritten reports on my desk. By afternoon, the official reports came.

    I went through Xanthea''s reports and then the official reports.

    I ced the reports on my desk and turned on the camera. She wasn''t in her room. Through my guardian butterfly, I looked into all corners of her room.

    I tensed my brows slightly, trying toprehend the emptiness of her room and the nkness of her existence. Clenching and unclenching my jaws, I felt an uncanny urgency drug through my veins.

    I mmed my hand on the desk, getting up from my chair as it rolled backwards, hitting the wall.

    "Where is she?"

    I restlessly paced near my desk as the butterflies searched for her. It hadn''t even been a minute and my patience gave up.

    I picked up the reports, pocketed my phone and left my cabin to look for her myself.

 Chapter-29. The painting

    [Xanthea]

    "I didn''t expect you to visit me again," said the Highdy.

    "Why not, Highdy?" I asked, preparing the color palette, brushes and nk canvas on the over-bed table for her.

    She looked into my eyes and then lowered her gaze.

    "Well... because of what happened yesterday with Nyssa," she said.

    Maybe I knew what she insinuated. She felt bad for her silence when Nyssa lost her temper. Often, silence spoke volumes. And what I heard in her silence was helplessness against the truth.

    "She told the truth, didn''t she?" I said, forcing a faint smile onto my face. "And I couldn''t help but notice the bond you share with healer Nyssa as though she was already a part of your family. And I can see it clearly how much she loves and cares about you."

    "She has been a great support ever since I got this disease and she keeps me updated with what''s happening in Raven''s life ever since they were in the college, so we got close."

    I didn''t have to force a smile this time.

    As I dipped her brushes in the water, I couldn''t help but notice the Highdy''s gaze flickering with a hint of mncholy. It was as if the bristles of the brush held memories that refused to be painted.

    Highdy peered at me with curious eyes, then she said.

    "What Nyssa said was true indeed, but aren''t you angry? Resentful? Don''t you hate us?" she asked. "Why are you still helping me? Caring about me? Why spend time with me when you know there is nothing I can do for you? Why get close when... you know it''s gonna end up cold?"

    "Maybe I am doing all this because I know it won''tst long," I chuckled softly.

    I handed her the brush.

    "And... I don''t feel cold near you. You''ve always felt like warm sunlight ever since we met."

    She deftly handled the brush with the skill of a professional.

    "And I am not doing this because I want something from you, Highdy. I am doing this because it makes me happy. And my mother always used to say knowing the harsh truth is always better than being delusional. It helps us ept our reality. And in circumstances when we can''t change our situation, we can always change our mindset. I know I can''t change my situation, but trust me, you have helped me be a little stronger mentally. So I am grateful, not resentful..." I said.

    Highdy took a deep breath. Letting out a lingered sigh, she nodded.

    "You have a very kind heart, Xanthea and sadly, this ce is not for the kind-hearted. You are in the wrong realm. A heart like yours certainly belongs to the celestial realm, but unfortunately, even after your death, you won''t be able to go there."

    "You humble me, Highdy. But if I went to the celestial realm, I wouldn''t have met you or Nesryn."

    "You are d that you met us? Us?" she asked with an astonished look. Pouting, I nodded.

    Drawing her brows, she looked at me with disbelief all over her face.

    "You are a very strange child. You know that? No mortal has ever been grateful after meeting demons," she said.

    "My mother says to always be grateful to the people who make you feel good."

    She broke into a gracefulugh.

    "Your mother seems to be a very insightfuldy."All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    "She indeed was."

    "Was?"

    "She died right after my birth," I said.

    "Oh? Is that... so?" Confusion lurked on her face and I knew she wondered how I knew what my mother said when she died a long time ago.

    I smiled. "She left behind her words for me in her diary and books."

    "Oh dear. And you read them and by-hearted them and you apply them in your life? And here kids who have parents don''t wanna listen to a word they say. Life must have been difficult for you without her..." I lowered my head, biting my lower lip.

    "People say after dying, the souls of the mortals in the earthly realm goes to either the celestial realm or the infernal realm... then could it be that someday I..." I paused, unsure if what I was about to say would make any sense.

    "I think I know what you wish to ask for, but I am sorry, sweetheart. What happens to the soul after a mortal''s death is highly confidential, even for us immortals. They enter the creator''s life-death-salvation cycle. We can''t keep track of souls that haven''t been contracted to us, so we have no way of knowing where your mother''s soul is. And your mother died decades ago, so maybe she has already reached salvation, uniting with the creator and exiting from the life and death cycle." "Oh..." I wilted. "That''s a good thing, right? Salvation? My mother would be happy, right?"

    "I am sure she is the happiest and luckiest mother to have you as her daughter."

    I chuckled slightly. "I am... happy for her." I said with a quick gulp.

    "Your words and your emotions don''t match Xanthea. Often it is better to acknowledge what you feel, however dark your emotions may seem. epting reality, like your mother said."

    Puckering my face, I tried hard to hold back my tears, but couldn''t. They reappeared as quickly as I wiped them off.

    "I thought... maybe I could meet my mother''s soul after I die." My voice cracked. "I know it was a silly hope..."

    "A silly hope is also a hope. And it hurts when the hope breaks. Sweety, I feel terrible that I might have unknowingly broken that very meaningful hope of yours. I truly am sorry," she reached out and caressed away my tears with her fingers.

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    I shook my head.

    "Your soul is contracted to my sons, so even after you die, they''ll keep a track of you and contracted souls rarely reach salvation, so..."

    "Right. The soul pact, they already own my soul," I mumbled to myself, scrubbing my tears off my face.

    We sat in silence and she gave me space to rx and make amends with my feelings. Only once I was a lot calmer did the Highdy speak again. "Umm... maybe I think I know what I wish to paint. Do you have your mother''s photo?" Highdy asked.

    "I had an old portrait of my mother, but it was burned down," I said.

    "Do you remember what she looked like? Can you describe her features to me? I''ll try to paint her," Highdy said.

    "Really?" My mood brightened up in an instant.

    "Yes. Now tell me what she was like..."

    "Beautiful. She was very beautiful," my excited chuckle made the Highdy smile a little.

    "No doubt she was. Just look at you," she said warmly, gazing at me.

    Blushing slightly, I held back my smile.

    "You might not know this, but I used to be a prolific painter. What started off as a hobby became my profession and my wolf''s power," she said. "Wolf''s power? Like the demonic ability of your wolf?" I tilted my head. "Like Mavka can sense when I need her, and she alwayses when I do." Mavka flinched while trying to disappear into the background.

    "Yes. Like hers. My wolf''s ability was to blur lines between reality and my portraits. It was a highly unreliable ability because not everything we imagine cane to reality. There was a point where I had lost my reality to my art and my art was just my illusion. Eventually, my wolf lost the ability to this disease, and I lost the will to wield a brush. But, since you handed me a brush today, I wish to create something for you. It might not be real, but the art will always exist in your reality. Just describe your mother''s features to me urately, ok?"

    I nodded, smiling with my entire face.

    "My mother had blonde hair just like mine, a heart-shaped face, sharp features, long eyshes, greenish blue eyes, thin lips... oh! And a mole right at the corner of her right eye... her skin as fair as a swan... oh! And her nose..." The next few hours with the Highdy were all about my mother. I never really had a chance to talk about my mother before with anyone so passionately, but now that I did talk about her, she felt a bit more alive within me. After a while, the Highdy asked me to move away from her bed and sit by the window. My hair flowed in the gentle breeze. She told me not to look at the portrait she was painting until she gave permission. "Smile..." Highdy said. "Sweety, imagine your mother is sitting right next to you..."

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    She said, and I stiffened my body, my smile turning into a confused mess of wrinkles and twisted lips.

    "Ok. Ok. Loosen up a little, Xanthea. Ok, tell me how you would smile at me if I was your mother," she said, cing her hand on her chest.

    Amidst the waves her words created in my chest, a smile appeared on my face. I couldn''t tell if it was the natural smile the Highdy wanted or not, but it nketed me in a serene warmth.

    The Highdy gaped at me, widening her eyes slightly.

    "Wow..." she whispered, contemting me. "Perfect..."

    I posed before her for a few more hours, the strokes of her messy brushes, the mix in her color palette and the intensity of her gaze getting more fervent and frantic. At one point, she was so immersed in creating the portrait that she dropped the brush and began smudging the paint with her fingers, not caring what mess it created all around her and the bed.

    Nyssa came to see her in the middle and I thought she''d say something again, but she didn''t even nce at me. All she did was check the Highdy''s reports, give her the medicines and advised her to rest since she had been sitting for a very long time. Even I thought she was overexerting herself, but she refused to take a break.

    By evening, shepleted the portrait.

    "Done... it still needs final touches and framing, but you should see it now..." she said, panting.

    I got up.

    "Please lie down now, Highdy," I said.

    "I am fine. Trust me, it''s been so long since I felt so alive," she said, peering at the painting with bleary eyes. "Look at this, Xanthea. Look at your mother."

    My heartbeat quickened as I cautiously lowered my gaze to the painting. I took a few steps back, gasping as I covered my mouth with my hands. My eyes welled up with awe, but I refused to allow the mist forming in my eyes blur my mother''s image.

    Taken aback, for a few minutes, I just gazed at the painting, feeling a pleasant paralysis take over my body.

    In the painting, I sat on the chair by the window, and my mother stood beside me. Her hand was on my shoulder as a proud smile adored her face.

    At that moment, in the daze, the painting hade to life and when the daze broke; I flung my arms around the Highdy and hugged her, thanking her with every breaking sob. Highdy patted my back.

    "There, there. If you keep crying, your tears will ruin the painting." Parting, she made me look at her.

    "I really wish I had a better way to thank you than just words..." I sniffled.

    "That''s not needed, but if you truly wish to thank me with a better word, you can..." she cleared her throat. Only if you wish to and you find it appropriate... you can... call me... mom."

 Chapter-30. Eidetic memory

    [Xanthea]

    I peered at the Highdy.

    "It''s ok if you don''t wish to," she said. "The position of a mother varies in the lives of different people and as far as I have known you, you regard your mother quite highly. So, it''spletely fine if you don''t wish to call me mom. Not everyone deserves to be called a mother."

    Her grip tightened on her paint brush. The shadow of sadness drained in her eyes as she lowered them to the painting.

    "You are a great mother... you love your kids so much..." I said.

    She smiled faintly, then shook her head.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    "Love?" she chuckled. "Parents often do awful things to their kids out of... love..." her eyes welled up. Her voice quavered as she continued. "Every woman can be a mother, but not all deserve to be called one. And I am one of them who doesn''t deserve this title."

    I tensed my brows. I might have failed toprehend the context behind her words, but the pain behind them was as clear as snow in a blizzard.

    Licking and nibbling my lower lip, I took a deep breath. Sitting beside her on the bed, I held her hand in mine.

    "Mom..." My voice came out as a timid whisper. "I don''t know why your words sound like wounds, but I know one thing: there is no wound that a mother can''t heal. In my mother''s words, there is no greater medicine than a mother''s love. No matter how wounded a mother is, she can always find the strength to fight for her kids."

    "I think I am toote..."

    "Moms are neverte, they are always on time. The right time." I said.

    Sheughed before tears streamed down her face. She took in a shuddering breath, averting her eyes.

    "Come here, dear," she hugged me, kissing the side of my head. She caressed my hair and back as I hugged her back.

    We hugged for a while before her sniffles faded away.

    "I am sure wherever your mother is, she is very proud of you," she said, and we looked at the painting of my mother''s proud smile. "Live proudly, Xanthea. I am sure that''s what your mother would have wanted for you." She stroked my hair.

    Dipping her fingers in the yellow paint, she yfully smeared it on my cheeks.

    "Caught you off guard!" she said excitedly, breaking into a contagiousughter that made me crack up as well.

    "I hope you find your yellow, all the yellow in your life and you never run short on this color," she said.

    I ran my fingers over my cheek and then looked at the Highdy, perplexed.

    "Yellow?"

    She nodded.

    "It represents happiness, warmth and positivity."

    I pursed my lips in a thin line.

    "I thought it represented caution and warning?"

    It looked as if I had caught the Highdy off-guard this time. She parted her lips, but words seemed to have stuck in her throat.

    "Now that is... well... ites with the entire package and... life in Infernal packes with its book of cautions and warnings. Take, for example, my sons. They are walking trigger warnings..."

    She said and both of us broke intoughter.

    Myughter came to an abrupt halt. My smile faltered as my eyes met Raven''s squinted eyes.

    For a second, I thought I saw him smile slightly. It must have been my illusion because the Raven who stood before me now seemed to have not encountered a smile for ages.

    He leaned against the doorframe with his arms folded across his chest. My eyes fell on the reports in his hands and I stiffened up.

    He had hidden his presence. I wasn''t sure for how long he had been standing there.

    I got up from the Highdy''s bed and stood a few steps away from it, clenching my hand tighter near my belly.

    He pushed himself away from the doorframe and walked into the room.

    "Having a great time, aren''t we?" His deep voice reverberated in the room.

    "Raven. When did you get here?" Highdy asked.

    His eyes lingered on me as he replied.

    "A few minutes ago. I think I clearly asked you to rest." He looked at the Highdy. "What exactly do you think you are doing?"

    He red at the paint brushes and palette.

    "Maids!" He called. Highdy''s maids and Mavka instantly rushed in front of Raven. "Clean all this up and help the Highdy take a shower."

    They bowed and immediately began cleaning up the stained nket, over-bed table and the paintbrushes.

    They were about to touch the painting when the Highdy picked it up and held it close to her chest.

    Her eyes remained locked with Raven before his gaze shifted to me.

    "And you..." He stepped closer to me. "With whose permission are you here? And with whose permission are you doing all this? You can''t skip a day without being over-smart, can you?"

    I cowered back under his aura when...

    "My permission," the Highdy said. "She is here because I wanted her here and she brought me canvas and paint because I asked her to. I just wanted to take a break from the monotony of the treatment."

    "I didn''t know you were so desperate for apany that you''d settle for someone like her. But I must say..." he stepped towards me and I took a step back.

    I wanted to exin myself, but I knew it would be futile, so I remained silent.

    He grabbed my jaws, squeezing my cheeks in a bruising grip as he yanked me closer to himself.

    "You are indeed a very cunning omega. Just like a fox. But nothing you do, no friend you make in this pack, will help you survive this marriage. Not my mother, not Nesryn. Because no one here will dare go against us for you." His nails sunk into my skin. Wincing, I grabbed his wrist with my hands, trying to free myself from his grip.

    "Nurse, send the nurse this omega saved yesterday to my cabin," he ordered, leaving my cheeks with a jerk before seizing my wrist in an unyielding grip as he dragged me out of the Highdy''s room with himself.

    I scampered to keep up with his pace. Every time my steps faltered even a little, he would roughly wrench me beside himself, forcing me into a fric run to match his strides.

    I could feel my pulse throb faster and louder in his grip, screaming for help, but I didn''t try to free my wrist.

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    I knew it was about the reports. There could be only two scenarios: they didn''t match, or they matched.

    In both the cases, I knew the only thing that awaited me was - his rage.

    I tried to keep my gaze low to avoid looking at the staff who stood aside in the hallways with their heads held low, clearing his path to his cabin.

    Losing my footing, I almost tripped over the carpet when he pushed me into his cabin. But right before I fell to the ground, he pulled me back to my feet from the fall.

    "So... how did you do it?" He let go of my hand and mmed the reports on the ss table near the couch. "How did you copy the reports so urately? Who helped you cheat? Nesryn? It had to be Nesryn. Because there is no other way." Catching my breath from the run, Iposed myself and looked into his eyes before replying.

    "I did not cheat. I said I could write the reports. You asked me to, so I did."

    Something primal flickered in his darkening gaze, blurring the lines between anger and something inexplicably arcane. Drawing in his brows, he towered over me. I stepped back, closer to the wall, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. "What is that I hear in your voice, omega? Huh?" He growled as his eyes glowed. His wolf. Breaking into sweat, I tried to move away from him when he grabbed my upper arm and mmed me against the wall, caging me between his arms. Holding back a moan, I bit my lower lip.

    "Arrogance?" He grunted, clenching his jaws.

    Grabbing my throat, he leaned closer to my face.

    I shut my eyes, yet I could feel our breath collide. My chest heaved faster against his as I fervently breathed in his dire scent.

    "First you cheat and then you dare use that tone with me? Where is this confidenceing from, huh? Looks like you don''t love your life anymore..."

    I clenched my fists and gathered enough courage to open my eyes and look into his as he tightened his grip around my throat. But it wasn''t tight enough to cut off my air supply. I tried my best to not panic.

    "I-I did not cheat, alpha."

    "Oh, really? Then prove it!"

    He left my throat, and I patiently drew in a long breath instead of unsteady gasps.

    He grabbed the original reports.

    "Describe the gene sequence of the TTAH1 genes at 4 pm on the fourth day of the observation," he asked surly.

    The reports shed in my mind and changed to the fourth day and their variation at 4 pm zoomed in my mind. "ATCG ATTG TAAC GGTAACGTAGGGACCCA..."

    His grouchy eyes pierced through me.

    "Slow down..." hemanded so that he could cross-check properly.

    Raven seemed to have a difficult time keeping track of the gene sequence. But he was still not satisfied. He asked me for several other gene sequences and cross checked as I recited those gene sequences.

    He sat on the couch, running his finger through his long hair as he analyzed the data on the report. His frustrated rended on me before they roved all over the reports again and again. "How is this possible..." he mumbled, annoyingly.

    "I have an eidetic memory..." He lifted his re at me as his frown deepened. "Alpha..." I added, feeling the tension knit denser in the cabin.

    He got up, and I tensed up slightly, lowering my gaze to the floor.

    He looked at me sharply before walking to his bookshelf and picking out a thick book. He handed it to me.

    "Read the first hundred pages within five minutes." He said, monitoring me intently. He started the timer on his phone and ced his phone on the ss table. "Now, begin."

    I licked my lips and turned over the pages, running my eyes over the content as fast and precisely as I could.

    He impatiently tapped his feet while I read. The timer on his phone went off.

    He snatched the book from my hand and turned it over to a random page.

    "Read out the entire page sixty-nine," he said, leafing through the pages. Keeping my eyes fixed on his eyes, I began.

    "The continuation from page sixty-eightst line: The hermic phosphorus is found in the water dragon hydra''s blood. It is mainly present in their RNA and keeps changing like a virus, thus making the ingestion of their blood carcinogenic for the immortals. Its use is still being researched upon and tested. But this phenomenon doesn''t ur when hydra grants its blood on its will. In this case, its blood acts like a medicine, slowing down the decline of an immortal..." "Page 34."

    "Key topic: ssification of curses-"

    "Page 79."

    "The introduction to celestial curses-" "Page 11."

    "History and myths of curses-"

    "Can water dragons cure a curse?"

    "No. They only slow it down. A curse from an immortal to another immortal is incurable, and the only way to lead to an immortal''s demise. The most water dragons can do is slow down its effect. That is, only if they give their blood willingly. If taken by force, the blood will fasten the effects of the curse."

    Raven gaped at me nkly.

    "Why are curses so difficult to deal with?" He asked.

    "It''s not the curse that''s difficult to deal with. It''s the decipher of the meaning behind the curse and the words used in them. Because a curse is not just words, but the emotions and the part of the immortal''s soul that they put in those words that make them so difficult to deal with. They are like a virus who mutates in every tenth part of a nanosecond."

    "Have you ever read this book before? No lies, omega."

    "No, alpha. I have never read this book before."

    He shut the book and tossed it on the table.

    He repeated the same with several other books before he sprawled on the couch, lost somewhere. His elbow rested on the armrest, his fingers pressed against his temple while he contemted me. Licking my dry lips, I gulped hard, frozen under his scrutiny.

    Several minutes passed. I lifted my gaze. Our gaze collided before I looked away.

    "This eidetic memory." He finally broke the ambiguous silence. "Have you always had it or... did you gain it recently after the carvera poisoning?" He asked, keeping a firm gaze on me.

 Chapter-31. Lift your dress

    [Xanthea]

    Should I have gained some ability after the poisoning?

    Raven asked this question because he was probably waiting for something to show up - something to happen.

    After a poisoning, the body forms some kind of immunity or resistance towards the poison. In the mortal world, the most immunity was to protect the body from future infections and strengthen the system. Of course, theposition of blood changed, but nothing more.

    But I couldn''t tell if things worked the same way in this world as well.

    Should my body have gone through some changes? Or has my body already done that? Maybe I was just not aware of it yet.

    It was clear from the amount of blood tests Raven was putting me through that he was looking for something to form in my blood, or perhaps my body. I wasn''t sure if I would get a straight answer or any answer at all if I asked him. Raven got up from the couch and sauntered closer to me.

    He reached out to touch my cheek when I took a tiny step away from him, which wasn''t enough to avoid his touch.

    "Yellow paint..." he mumbled absentmindedly as he caressed my cheek. I lifted my hand to my cheek, remembering the Highdy had stained it with paint earlier and he didn''t like the paint and the mess. "I-I will clean it..." I said, rubbing my cheek in a hurry.

    He grabbed my fingers with one hand while, from the other, he lifted my chin.

    "I asked you a question. Outside of the operation theater, I am not a very patient man," he said, although his tone wasn''t as deste and cold as it used to be.

    I looked into his eyes. As usual, there was a hint of unpredictability in his stoic, unreadable expression. "Did you gain this eidetic memory after the poisoning?"

    I shook my head.

    "I have had an eidetic memory ever since I know, alpha," I said, holding his gaze.

    "Hmm. Interesting," he contemted me before his eyes dropped to my lips.

    My body tensed up as I averted my eyes when he leaned closer to my face. His fingers ran from my cheek to my lips.

    "Lift your dress," he said. I knit my brows as my mind swiftly ran feral. The memories of our sexual encounter in the bathroom shed in my head until he spoke again. "Show me the wounds on your leg." Blinking fast, I let out a small sigh. A consuming fever tensed my skin.

    I stopped the lewd memories from clouding my mind, not allowing them to consume me. Taking a deep breath, I mustered the courage to lift the hem of my dress, slowly revealing my knee. "To your hips," hemanded sharply.

    I felt my cheeks flush up as I fidgeted with the fabric of my dress. Fisting the fabric, I lifted my dress to my hips.

    He took a few steps away from me and casually slipped his hands in the pockets of his scrubs, taking in every inch of my body.

    "Beautiful..." he said, gazing at my leg. "Those scars tattooed on your fair skin. Aren''t they the prettiest natural tattoos?"

    The carvera vine''s wound had healed, leaving behind an intricatework of dendritic dark vine scars all around my left leg, from my ankle to my hips.

    He strutted closer and my eyes fell on his sleeve, tattoos on his arms. My scars were nothing as abstractly artistic as his tattoos. They were just horrifying, so I tried to hide those scars away from my own eyes as much as I could. I let go of my dress, letting it flow down my leg.

    "I wasn''t done adoring them." His words came out in a frigid tone.

    I couldn''t tell if he was serious or just mocking me.

    He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

    "Let it be..." he sighed.

    I instinctively stepped back when he squatted on one knee before me. But before I was out of his reach, he grabbed my hips and yanked me closer to him. I held his shoulders to stop myself from colliding with him. "Alpha..." I inhaled sharply, my legs shaking slightly.

    My crotch was inches away from his face. I tried to make some distance, but his grip was firm on my hips.

    He lifted his gaze to mine.

    "Uh!" I widened my eyes with a sharp gasp when he squeezed my ass before sliding his hands down the curves of my legs.

    With one powerful pull, he split my dress, exposing my left leg.

    My heart pulsated harder against my ribs.

    He slithered his palm from my ankle to my shin and slowly trailed it behind my knees before running it up my thighs. He caressed my inner thigh. I tried to close my legs when he halted my attempt, holding my legs apart. I shut my eyes, aware of his every finger and the way they brushed near my pussy.

    My breaths hitched with a moan as my insides flushed with heat when he stroked my slit through my panties. I felt weak in my knees, my heart racing faster. Knock. Knock.

    I instantly stepped away from him, breathing heavily as my head snapped towards the door of his cabin.

    I hastily clutched my split dress, bundling the fabric to cover my leg.

    Still squatting on the floor, he peered at me with a mischievous look lightening up his eyes.

    A sly smirk yed on his lips as he got up and sat back on the couch, organizing the books and reports on the ss table.

    "Come in," he said. The door of his cabin opened as the nurse entered.

    She bowed. "Alpha..." Her fear screamed in her heartbeats and in the faltering of her steps as she stood with her head held low.

    I skimmed my eyes from her to Raven. The time seemed to have stopped as Raven''s impending decision on her punishment hung in the air. "Come here..."

    The nurse looked at him with terrified eyes. The confusion on who he had called was gone as soon as I looked at him and found his gaze on me.

    I walked round the table and stepped closer to him.

    "Sit," he said.

    I nced at the nurse and then at the couch, table, and the carpet.

    Maybe he wanted me to kneel before him. I had no idea what he nned to do, but he loved humiliating me, so maybe he wanted me to kneel. I was about to kneel when...

    "Aren''t you too eager to get on your knees?" He mocked. "Sit here." He nced at the space between his legs on the couch.

    Inded a sharp look at him as he sprawled on the couch.

    His elbow casually found support on the armrest, and the side of his face rested against his fist, a smirk ying upon his lips. "Sit..." His word came out as a threat this time. He was serious. He wanted me to sit between his legs on the couch.

    The nurse and I exchanged an ufortable nce. She lowered her head, keeping her eyes fixed on the floor. I dropped my gaze to my heels.

    ncing at the nurse from the corner of my eyes, I trudged on the other side of the couch.

    Maybe it''s the couch. He wants me to sit on the couch. Please let it be the couch. Just the couch.

    "In case you can''t understand the insinuation, let me make this clear for you. Sit on myp," Raven said it out loud.

    I clenched my fists, trying to stay calm when all I could feel was embarrassment knotting in my stomach.

    My nails dug into my palm. Reluctantly, I trudged closer to him.

    I kept ncing at the nurse, who held her gaze low, but it was still embarrassing and strange.

    "Ah!" Manspreading, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me onto hisp.

    My heart thundered in my ears as I quickly scrambled and sat on the couch between his legs. Even though I knew it was useless to make any space between us in that position, I tried my best to sit on the edge of the couch. Wrapping his arm around my waist, he pulled me against himself, closing all the distance between us.

    My leg revealed through the slit of the dress. I was about to cover my leg when Raven held my hand. Instead of hiding, he exposed my leg even more. Hugging me from behind, he fondled my knees.

    Closing my eyes, I buried my face in my chest as his hands made their way to my inner thighs, spreading my legs.

    "Please..." A trembling whisper escaped my lips.

    I closed my legs, trying to gather whatever cloth I could to cover my leg.

    "Please what? Getting impatient, are we now?" He murmured in my ears, his lips nestled against my hair and ear. Hairs prickled on my skin as a goosebump ran through my body. "How impatient exactly?"

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    He cupped my breast while his hand on my thigh made its way into my panties.

    "Not now. Not here... not in front of... please..." I mumbled. "Please... I beg unh!"

    Biting my lips, I bit back a moan when he entered his finger inside me.

    "Let''s not make the poor nurse wait any longer," he whispered against my nape. "Or she might just die of a heart attack, which isn''t even an immortal''s disease... But your heart sure is throbbing hard and it''s not just your heart that''s throbbing so madly."

    He slid his second finger into my pussy.

    I held his thighs, difort and shame weighing on me worse than before.

    "You have such a shameless pussy, omega."

    I gritted my teeth, knitting my brows. The air thickened in the room and I dared not even look in the nurse''s direction who stood frozen in her ce.

    "If you want me to announce this nurse''s fate, you''ll have toe. Come all over my hand, smother my fingers in your sweet juices. I won''t stop until your panties are dripping wet..."

    My breaths hitched at his words.

    What shocked me was neither his words nor his actions. I knew he derived some kind of pleasure from doing all these kinds of humiliating and shameless things. But what shocked me was my own body.

    I was already wet. My insides sucked his thrusting fingers as my back arched. Squirming in his arms, I tried to lock away my moans and erratic gasps.

    It was hot and embarrassing. Even though the nurse pretended to be non-existent, I couldn''t ignore that she was here while Raven fingered me and yed with my nipples.

    It was strange, horrible even. Yet all I could do was concentrate on the building tension in my belly and the friction between the heel of his palm pressed against my swollen clitoris.

    He inserted his third finger, and I felt my inside stretch around him as his fingers moved in and out, faster and faster, rougher with every next plunge.

    Taking in broken, iplete breaths through my mouth, I wed at the couch''s armrest and his thigh. Grinding his erection against my back, he groaned satisfyingly.

    Letting go of my breast, he wrapped his palm around my throat, pulling me back against himself as his fingers buried deeper inside me, hitting a spot that made my body lose all its control. He kept hitting it again and again. Like satiating an itch.

    Damn it!

    I covered my mouth with my hand, no longer able to hold back my moans.

    My hips jerked, arching away from him as I threw back my head.

    I came apart in his hands, my heart thumping like a wild animal.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Raven chuckled, his rugged breath caressing my hair as he kissed my neck. I looked to the other side, facing his empty desk.

    I could give anything to escape this mortifying situation.

    Tilting my head, he scooped away my hair from my neck as he bit on my skin.

    "Nurse..." He called out, and she flinched, shaking with her whole body, but didn''t dare lift her gaze.

    His grunt was heavy with frustration and unwillingness to speak.

    "Do something worthwhile with your life. My little omega saved your life, fair and square. Now..." he gritted his teeth, thrusting his cock against my back. "Get the hell out of here!"

 Chapter-32. Solo rules(18+)

    [Xanthea]

    Raven didn''t wait for the nurse to leave the cabin. He withdrew his fingers from my pussy and flipped me onto the couch.

    The nurse instantly rushed out of his cabin.

    He pulled me beneath him, making me wrap my legs around his waist. His palm ran up my left leg. I nced at our connected hips.

    His fingers that were inside me moments ago pressed against my lips, parting them.

    "You smell your sweet arousal, omega?" he asked. My eyelids fluttered as I averted my gaze.

    My heart pounded faster at his words. The scent of my arousal mingled thickly with his exhrating scent.

    Slipping his fingers into my mouth, he leaned over me. The slight salty and sweet tanginess of my juices spread on my tongue.

    "Lick it clean for me..." hemanded, his eyes glowing.

    Tensing my brows, I lowered my gaze, licking his finger slightly.

    "Come on, little omega..." his thumb fondled my low lip. "I know Ezra has taught you to suck better. Suck it like it''s yours." He thrusted his fingers deeper, almost making me gag. "It is yours."

    I held his wrist with my hands and shut my eyes so that I didn''t have to see his face while I did what he asked me to do.

    "Eyes on me, omega..."

    My teeth mped down lightly on his fingers, a subtle tension gripping my jaw.

    Reluctantly, I allowed my gaze to meet his handsome features, finding them slightly less intimidating than before. However, the intensity of his piercing stare remained the same, as though he could devour me with his eyes alone. He twisted his finger between my teeth, and I loosened my jaws.

    "Don''t worry, omega. You can''t hurt me, so tighten your jaws all you want," he said in a velvety whisper, charged with a subtle fervor as if he wanted me to hurt him.

    Slowly and hesitantly, I began licking his fingers while he kept grinding his cock against my pussy, our bodies separated by the thinyers of fabrics.

    "Lovely..." he said, caressing my paint-stained cheek, and a heated flutter erupted in my belly.

    My tongue stroked his fingers and then his broad palm and then veiny wrist. I took his four fingers in my mouth, sucking them while my mouth made the most obscene slurping noises.

    I could feel his cock throb against my clitoris even more violently now.

    My eyes watered as he plunged his fingers deep into my throat. Gagging, I gasped for breaths when he withdrew his fingers, smearing my saliva all over my lips and chin.

    "Told you, you can do so much better, omega..."

    I held back my breaths as he leaned closer to my face, propping his torso on his hands, caging my head between them.

    "Tell me... who do you belong to, omega?" he asked in a husky tone, leisurely tracing my jawline.

    All the times he called me omega, it sounded like an insult. As if he always wanted me to remind my ce. But now, something about the way he called me omega had changed. I couldn''t tell what it was, but it felt a little softer. Maybe it was something in his aura that had changed.

    "I... belong to... the demon lords..." I said what I thought he wanted to hear.

    His eyes darkened as he clenched his jaws, the harshness in his aura shot up in an instant.

    With swift hand movements, he slipped the sleeve of my dress and bra down my shoulders. He squeezed my breast before taking it in his mouth. His tongue rolled around my hard nipples as he sucked hard on my breast. Shutting my eyes, I bit my lips to cope with the pain and his impatience.

    I had enraged him again. But what exactly was it this time? Everything I do enrages him.

    "Ah! Please..." My breath hitched as I struggled to catch up my breath. "Please slow down... Alpha..."

    He sunk into my neck, kissing and biting my skin ravenously.

    His touch had always been rough, bruising and unyielding, yet in this moment his touch was more ravaging, more impatient.

    "Ah!"

    Panting, I cried as he bit my corbone. My hands tried to push him away when his free hand grabbed my wrist and pinned it against the armrest. I swallowed quickly.

    The following seconds filled with a feral rush and maddening hurriedness came to a halt abruptly. Raven parted from me as his eyes roved all over my body, drugged with lust. Red as though he was drunk.

    My chest rose and fell faster as I drew in my brows, trying toprehend the situation I was in right now. I never imagined things to lead to this. Or maybe this felt better because I always imagined the worst when it came to Raven. Being with him was always overwhelming and once again I was a thawing mess of so many things. Fear should have dominated my every other emotion, yet all I feel is... an uncanny excitement. In my body and in my heart. We stared at one another. The few strands of his hair dangled between us. I wanted to reach out and untie his long hair. I bit my lower lips, trying to bury away the urge, but...

    "Please calm down..." a whisper shuddered out of my lips.

    I don''t know if it was in a daze or an impulse, but I reached out and tucked the free strands of his hair behind his ear.

    His eyes widened slightly before he drew his brows into a frustrated frown and squinted his eyes, and even though it initially looked like a re, something inexplicably dark brewed in his eyes.

    The next second, his lips crashed against mine. Plunging his tongue inside my mouth, he ravished me in a hungry and deep kiss.

    His hips thrusted against mine.

    I shut my eyes, wrapping my arms around his neck.

    In the back of my head, I kept asking myself what the hell was I even doing. Why the hell would I tuck his hair or touch his hair without his permission? And soon, even those questions drowned away in the taste of his tongue and lips. His hand wrapped around my back as he pressed my chest against his. My back arched away from the couch as my nipples rubbed against his scrub, as my breasts squeezed tight against his firm muscles.

    Enveloped by breathlessness and grappling heat, we parted to catch our breaths. My lips remained parted, my heart thundered in my chest, waiting for the same intensity to consume me again.

    He kissed me again, this time his lips merely brushed against mine.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

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    I looked at his lips and then into his eyes.

    He imed my lips into a wild kiss again. His tongue dominated every inch of my mouth.

    "Uh!" A stream of moans originated and died in the back of my throat as he bit my lower lip before pushing himself away from me.

    Panting, we peered at one another. Annoyance shed in his eyes as he tilted his head as though in some kind of dilemma.

    He leaned in and I shut my eyes, thinking he would kiss me again, but he stopped.

    "Fuck!" Gritting his teeth, he released me. The next second, he punched the backrest of the couch. "Fuck you, Asher!"

    My heart leaped out of my chest as soon as he took Asher''s name.

    "Alpha Asher?" A flutter erupted in my chest at Asher''s name. I looked around frantically, rising on my elbows.

    Raven pushed me back down on the couch.

    "He is not here, omega. Don''t you get overexcited by his name?" Raven chuckled, but there was no ounce of humor in his tone. He grabbed my chin and the bruising roughness in his touch was back again. It seemed more dangerous than before. "I have noticed you get too eager at Asher''s name. Why? You wish he was fucking you right now instead of me?"

    An unfathomable uneasiness knotted in my chest at his words.

    Tucking my hair, he lifted me off the couch.

    "A-alpha..."

    "There has been an unsaid rule among us. Me and my brothers for our brides. Do you know what that is?" He asked.

    I shook my head, trying to loosen his grip on my hair.

    "No solo sex with the bride. We are not allowed to have sex with our bride alone, without the knowledge of the other two. And recently, right after we made the soul pact with you, Asher vocalized it. His words seemed more like a warning than a rule and it pisses me off."

    He left my hair, and I caressed my scalp, not daring to look away from him.

    "Breaking this rule might or might not have its consequences, but it''s a code of conduct we, brothers, as triplets maintain and I can''t believe I almost broke that..."

    He raked back his hair with his hands.

    The meaning behind his words sunk in. So that was the reason behind the dilemma I sensed before in him.

    "Alpha... I didn''t know..."

    "How would you know? We''d never tell you this!"

    I looked at him nkly.

    He looked away, clenching and unclenching his jaws.

    "What would you have done if you knew?" He asked.

    "I..." Was there anything I could do when he wished to have sex with me?

    "If you knew, you would have resisted me with your life. Wouldn''t you? After all, you can''t go against your dear Asher''smand, can you?" His words were charged with subtle bitterness.

    I lowered my gaze. Honestly, I didn''t know what I would have done if I knew. I had no idea what to do now.

    "Alpha, you took his name, so I just thought-"

    "You thought he was here? Why? You want Asher here? Just because he is a little sweet to you? Oh wait! Do you think he is gentle to you because he loves you? Don''t get funny with me, omega!"

    His face contorted with a blend of anger and irritation. The air around him charged with the intensity of his displeasure, which was clear in his tense expression.

    "I dare not think of love. You have made it very clear and I will adhere to the rules of our marriage with all due respect. You took his name. I was... just a little curious..."

    "Curious? Now I am a little curious too. Let''s see what he does if I-"

    His eyes glowed, and I could see his fangs grow. I tried to crawl back from him.

    Raven grabbed my hand and pulled me in. My palms pressed against his muscr chest as he sucked the skin on my neck.

    It hurt. I tried to push him away.

    His fang grazed against my skin, but didn''t sink into it.

    For unknown reasons, for a second I thought he was going to mark me.

    Once he had left a hickey on my neck, he let me go. I raised my hand to my assaulted skin on my neck.

    "Have a great time exining this to Asher tomorrow," he said.

    Tears trailed down my cheek as I peered at him, perplexed and anxious.

    The door of his cabin mmed open.

    "Raven! You let that nurse go!? How could you-"

    Nyssa paused. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene.

    I sprang up on the couch and briskly corrected my clothes on my body as Raven casually sprawled on the couch, peering at the ceiling wearing a frown.

    "I-I should t-take my leave-"

    I could feel Nyssa''s burning gaze on my back. Holding the slit on my dress together, I trudged out of his cabin.

    My heart was still pounding violently in my chest.

    My mind wasn''t able toprehend what had just happened inside.

 Chapter-33. Servitude

    [Xanthea]

    I stepped out of Raven''s cabin. The door closed with a soft click behind me.

    A shiver ran down my spine. The cold air brushed past my skin, carrying with itself the warmth from his touch that still lingered on my body. The heat and high still throbbing through my veins to my core.

    I tried to fasten up the chain of my dress from the back, but it was broken. Crossing my hands over my chest, I held the dress from falling off my body.

    I couldn''t go back to my room looking like this-

    "What the hell, Raven!" I flinched at Nyssa''s growl.

    "What?"

    "You fucking know what I am talking about! And that nurse, you really spared her life?" she snapped.

    "Yeah."

    "Why?"

    "Because the omega won. I couldn''t deny her victory, but I couldn''t let her celebrate it either," he grunted. "So... things happened."

    "Yeah, so you were celebrating her victory by fucking her on the couch!" Nyssa gasped. "Wait! Did she trade that nurse''s life for sex? When did you start trading things like this for sex, Raven? And with a lowlife omega like her? What is going on with you? What is wrong with you?"

    "I didn''t fuck her..." he said calmly.

    "Oh really? Then I must be hallucinating because you clearly wanted to!"

    "Nonsense. I was only scaring her."

    "Scaring her? The bulge in your pants says otherwise. And what is this victory shit again? How the hell did she win?"

    Raven replied with his silence.

    "I can''t believe this. You ept she won? Raven, do you know what that means? It means you ept... your defeat?" Nyssa''s voice was charged with disbelief and rage.

    My heart pounded louder as the silence lingered heavily in his cabin until he...

    "Just look at the reports yourself... I am having a horrible headache already. Don''t make it worse..." he grunted, irritatingly.

    There was silence in his cabin for a while, and then I heard a low whisper.

    "How is this possible-" I heard Nyssa''s voice.

    That''s when my eyes went on the nurse who had just been spared. She was standing at the end of the empty hallway.

    Embarrassment flushed all over me once again. I looked at my reflection in the metallic namete outside Raven''s cabin. He had left bite marks all over my neck. I tried to cover those marks with my dress, but couldn''t.

    I lowered my gaze. Holding my dress tight against my body, and correcting my hair, I trudged towards the nurse and then past her as I turned to take the hallway that led to my room.

    "Uh... e-excuse me... your highness..." the nurse called.

    I turned to face her when she proffered towards me a thin ck cloak. I looked at her, unsure at first, but when she bowed, it was clear what she wanted to do.

    "Thank you," I said nervously, taking the cloak. I really didn''t want to walk through the hallways looking like this. Draping the cloak over myself, I thanked her again, and we stood in an awkward silence. She fidgeted with her hands, sniffling.

    "Umm. Are you... alright?" I asked.

    She nodded but then shook her head, breaking into subtle sobs. She went into a full bow in front of me.

    "T-han-k. Hic! You! Hic! Your. Hic! Highness! Thank you..." her sobs got even worse. "You saved my life... You. Hic! Went through all this trouble for me!"

    Taken aback, I stared at her.

    "Umm. I-it''s ok. Everything''s fine now," I said, cing my hand on her shoulder and she lifted her head from the bow.

    I smiled at her. She looked scared of her wits.

    She quickly wiped off her tears before looking into my eyes.

    "I wish to serve you, your highness. You saved my life, now it''s yours. Please ept me as yours, mydy. Let me be in your servitude," she spoke through her sniffles and hups.

    I contemted her.

    I smiled again and shook my head.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    "I understand, respect, and ept your gratitude. But there''s no need to serve me all your life. Honestly, I don''t even know how long my life is. So trust me, I am d that you are fine." I tried to joke to lighten the mood, but that just made her even more jittery.

    I could see panic clear in her eyes as she broke into ugly tears.

    "Mydy will live long..."

    "O-of course. I was just joking," I said. Even though both of us knew the truth, dreaming never cost a penny. Even after hitting the rock bottom, one could dream of standing on the top one day.

    Dreams were the best way to cope with life and reality.

    "What''s your name?" I asked to change the topic. I could rte to how she felt.

    It was often me looking for someone to help me. I never thought I could be of some help to someone one day or protect someone''s life. So, I was genuinely happy I could help her a little. "Sable Whitestone..." he houghed.

    "Sable. That''s a beautiful name. You don''t need to feel indebted to me." I ran my hand down the edge of the cloak''s front. "This. You''ve already repaid me by bringing me this cloak and through your sweet thoughtfulness." "But it''s not enough. I wish to be useful to you, your highness," she said.

    "You are useful and absolutely amazing. And not just for me, but for every patient in this hospital. You are a nurse and you work hard every day to make others'' lives a little better, a little less painful. Above all, you tend to the Highdy and take care of her so well. You are already doing enough and I respect you for that. Just keep doing your job with a lot more love and kindness. Your life''s already in the noblest service." She bowed again.

    "It''s not as noble as you. But I will do as you say, mydy... I''ll be the best nurse in the hospital. I promise!" she responded like a cadet would respond to theirmander.

    "I am sure you are already a step closer to this dream, Sable."

    "Your highness..." I looked back to see Mavka stepping closer to me. "I sensed you needed me." Mavka said, ring at Sable. "Was she bullying you?"

    "Uh. No. No."

    Mavka closed in on Sable, standing between us.

    "No. She isn''t bullying me. She is a friend," I said.

    "A trick demon can''t be anyone''s friend," Mavka said.

    "A what?" I asked.

    "She is a trick demon. The demons with the ability to trick people. Like I am a thought demon. Although I can''t read thoughts, I can ess the vibes of others'' thoughts, especially my master and that''s how I knew you needed me right now. So, I came." Mavka said.

    Sable''s eyes glowed, and so did Mavka''s eyes.

    I looked at them, wondering what exactly was going on, because the vibe of the air had suddenly turned quite heavy. Although not unbearable.

    They stepped closer to one another, ring intently at each other''s soul through their eyes.

    "Well then, you can sense the vibe of my thoughts. I am sure all you will find is gratitude and no hostility or trickery," Sable said, her tone turning daunting by every word.

    "Of course, and that is why I haven''t attacked you yet. But you stay away from my master. As long as she is alive, I will be the one serving her, so back off, trickster..." a growl rumbled through Mavka''s throat.

    Sable narrowed her eyes.

    "You were just lucky enough to get under her wings because you work at the royal castle. But she has epted me under her service today, and she has already given me amand and I shall keep my master''s orders as I serve as a nurse with kindness and love for the rest of my life - for her."

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    Mavka gritted her teeth, snarling at Sable.

    "Umm. I have no idea what''s going on here, but I really wish to take a shower right now," I said.

    Mavka smirked at Sable, strolling beside me.

    "I will prepare the warmest and coziest bath for you, your highness," Mavka said, maintaining the re-lock with Sable.

    "And I will prepare for the best exfoliation and massage service, mydy," Sable said.

    "I can take her to the spa in the Aile castle for that. It''s the best spa in the Prime pack with the best professionals," Mavka retorted.

    "I can serve my master better-"

    Mavka clenched her fists. It appeared as if she was on the verge of throwing a punch at Sable any moment now. So, I stepped in.

    "That won''t be needed, Sable. I just need a quick bath. That''s it," I said.

    Sable''s face wilted. "But I give the best massage, mydy," she said with a sad pout.

    "You should go back to Highdy, Sable. She''ll need her next doze in fifteen minutes now, right?" I asked.

    "Yes, mydy," Sable said, lowering her gaze.

    "I will be happy if you take care of the Highdy for me when I am not in the hospital, please..." I said and Sable''s mood lifted in an instant.

    She bowed energetically.

    "Please don''t worry, mydy. I will make no more mistakes, I promise! I will take the best care of the Highdy for you," Sable said and almost ran towards the Highdy''s room. Mavka scoffed.

    "These trick demons never get under anyone''s service so easily." She narrowed her eyes skeptically at Sable''s figure, which disappeared at the far end of the hallway.

    "She isn''t under my service."

    "You have no idea how clingy demons can get. Especially when they want to serve someone out of gratitude. For now, yourmands will keep her here in the hospital. Alpha Raven is discharging you from the hospital tomorrow, so I hope we never get to see that trick demon again. Because I, in no condition, will allow anyone else to serve my master."

    "Well... technically, I am not your master. It''s your demon lords. Serving me is just amand they gave you. Isn''t it?" I asked, and the irritation and anger on Mavka''s face were wiped off in a second.

    "Uh... your highness... that''s..."

    "True?"

    "I''ll prepare for your bath," Mavka said simply and strutted towards my room. With a giggle, I followed her, wondering if possessiveness was a natural/normal trait in demons.

 Chapter-34. Dared to dream

    [Xanthea]

    The next day, by the evening, Mavka had packed my stuff, and it was already sent to the Aile castle.

    "I thought I''ll be prepared for the night in the castle," I said as Mavka and other maids helped me wear the ckce garter belt lingerie.

    Mavka merely nced at me before getting on her knees to fix the garter belt with my sheer ck stockings.

    This time, instead of a dress, they made me wear a ck miniskirt with a white crop top and a white denim jacket. Mavka helped me put on the white sneakers while one maid styled my hair in a high ponytail. I knew what I wore was decided by the triplets.

    But I liked this look. I always wished to dress up like this, but...

    I clenched my fist as a shudder ran down my spine.

    I shut my eyes, trying hard not to remember all the times Niki hit me because he didn''t like the way I dressed.

    ''If you want to look like a slut, wear those revealing dresses in a whorehouse, not in my pce. Do it when you are thrown out of our family. But as long as you are in the pce, you will dress as I want you to...'' Niki''s words rang in my head and I quickly shoved them away.

    Growing up in the pce, I always wore the dresses Niki and luna Meesa allowed me to wear. Baggy clothes that covered my body. That changed a little when I moved out, but even then I never had the courage to wear what I wanted. I was always paranoid about being watched. Plus, such clothes weren''t appropriate or safe to wear, given where I lived.

    Even today, when I was in apletely different realm than theirs, when I didn''t even know if they were dead or alive, I was still not sure if I should like the way I look.

    Maybe that was why I never cared what the triplets made me wear. I was used to being treated like a doll.

    Today, my outfit seemed to have been highly influenced by Raven. Especially when the hairstyle and the dress didn''t just reveal, but highlight the hickey on my neck.

    ''Have a great time exining this to Asher tomorrow.''

    I bit my lower lips when Raven''s words repeated in my head.

    An uncanny nervousness drifted in my chest. With Ezra and Raven, I knew I had to prepare myself for the worse, but with Asher...

    I didn''t know what to expect.

    I kept wondering what Asher would say or how he would react. There was something I feared more than his reaction. Something I had tamed my thoughts to not ponder over, yet they kept revisiting it - my expectations.

    I don''t know what, but I expected something from Asher from the moment our eyes met on the altar.

    I had never had expectations from others and even if I did, I always expected something bad, but from Asher... I expected something... something that... wasn''t bad.

    And that''s what scared me the most.

    "You are ready, your highness." Mavka''s voice brought me back to reality.

    Even though I loved my outfit, it lookedpletely out of ce on my body. I skimmed my eyes from my reflection in the mirror to Mavka.

    "I still have some time until the car arrives, right? Can I visit the Highdy once?" I asked.

    "Well, actually... your highness. A car won''te to pick you up-"

    "You areing with me, omega."

    Flinching at the deep voice, I turned towards the door, where my eyes met Raven''s.

    My eyes widened slightly as I took him in.

    Raven was dressed in a casual dark gray shirt that hugged his chiseled muscles and ck jeans. Hepleted the attire with a ck jacket, which he styled with ck boots. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows in a hot contrast of ck and gray.

    Through his long hair that hung loose on his shoulders, I could see the silvery dog tag pendant resting over his chest.

    He strutted into my room. My eyes fell on his wristwatch and rings on his finger that gantly enhanced his veiny hands.

    I had always seen him in his formal alpha suits or scrubs, but this was the first time I had seen him in casuals. And for some reason, it hit differently.

    An uncanny flutter built in my chest, and I quickly averted my eyes.

    "Everyone out," hemanded.

    The maids bowed before they walked out of the room.

    I got up from the chair and stood before him. I fidgeted under his scrutiny as his eyes raked over my body.

    I don''t know what was left of me to hide from him. There wasn''t an inch of my skin that he hadn''t already seen, touched and imed. But I instinctively pulled the hem of my miniskirt, trying to hide my thighs.

    His gaze dropped to my skirt.

    "What is one thing a princess must wear at all times with all her dresses?" He asked, brushing his fingers over mine. My grip over the hem of my skirt loosened.

    Brushing off the creases of my skirt, he looked into my eyes again. When I didn''t reply for a while...

    "What? The answer to such a simple question wasn''t written in your mother''s diary or those books you read? Not all answers can be found in books, after all. Isn''t it, princess? But then again, you were never treated like a princess in your father''s pack. No wonder you don''t know the answer. Bookish knowledge is not enough to deal with life. Especially for a mortal. Come on, omega. Try answering my question even if it''s wrong."

    Contemting, I pursed my lips before answering. "B-bra..."

    He chuckled.

    I lifted my gaze at him, feeling my face burn with embarrassment.

    There was something different about hisughter. Maybe that''s what a heartyughter sounded like.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    I peered at him, dumbfounded. I could have never imagined Ravenughing so warmly andfortably. Maybe with Nyssa, he could, but never around me.

    His deep chuckle resonated in the room before fading away as he cleared his throat.

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    "Well... of course. Yes. Right. A bra. Definitely a bra. But even when you are wearing a bra, you need to wear something to be called a princess or royalty. Every woman can wear a bra. But something that differentiates a royalty frommon people is confidence. Even a rug worn with confidence bes a style statement for society. Confidence, omega. That''s what makes the actual difference, and that''s what makes you stand out in an outstanding outfit." My heart thumped louder at his words.

    "Tsk!" He inhaled sharply. "But how will an omega understand that? The thing that youck the most is - confidence."

    I tightened my grip around my fingers, lowering my gaze at my sneakers.

    He clicked his tongue, letting out a small sigh.

    He grabbed my shoulders and straightened my spine. Correcting my posture, he stopped me from fidgeting with my fingers and lifted my chin.

    "Better. The only person you should fear in your life is me, little omega. And as long as I am not in the mood to murder you, you don''t have to fear anyone else," he said, holding my gaze, and I didn''t know where to look but his consuming brown eyes.

    He let go of my chin and turned me around, making me look at myself in the mirror.

    This time, when I looked at myself, the outfit didn''t look as much out of ce as it did before. I didn''t know that just changing the way I stand could make such a huge difference in my perspective and perception of myself. "Confidence mostlyes from posture and how you carry yourself. You''ll learn with time." His hands slid down my shoulders.

    Turmoil of emotions surged within me as I peered at myself.

    "Umm. A-alpha..."

    "Hmm?"

    Gulping hard, I tried my best to maintain eye-contact with him through the mirror as I spoke.

    "B-before leaving, can I see the Highdy once?" I asked.

    He smiled, wearing a sharp smirk in his eyes.

    "No."

    "I just wanted to see her once-"

    "And what will that do? Do you have some special healing abilities in your sight? As far as I know, ''your'' sight needs some healing..." Turning my face to the side, I looked at him, confused.

    He proffered a spectacle case before me. I gaped at the case and then at him.

    "Take it..." hemanded.

    I took the case from his hand.

    "Open it, omega," he sounded slightly annoyed.

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    ncing at him, I hesitantly opened the case. Gasping silently, I gaped at my spectacles and then at Raven.

    "M-my... but they were..."

    "Broken? Yes. Burned? A little. But not beyond repair. Wear them."

    cing the case on the bed, I put on my sses.

    "The power''s not much, so I assume you can see without them. But you''ll be able to see better with them."

    An unfathomable flutter simmered in my chest. I neither knew what to feel, nor was I able toprehend whatever I felt. It was something subtle and sublime at the same time. Andpletely unexpected.

    I lowered my gaze, fidgeting with my fingers.

    "T-thank you... but where..."

    "Your home. I found it there with something else."

    He pulled out a slightly burned paper from his pocket.

    My heart skipped a beat when I looked at my application for the medical entrance exam. I broke into a cold sweat, panicking internally.

    Mentally, I was taken back to the moment when Niki found out about the exam and dragged me out of the examination hall and everything he did before my exams.

    My heart quickened as if I had been caughtmitting a crime and the proof of crime was in Raven''s hand.

    "This..." I reached out towards the application when he lifted his hand higher, taking the application out of my reach. Stepping away from me, he folded it and deftly put it back into his pants'' pocket. "Alpha. It was just... I... I... it..." "You wanted to be a doctor?"

    I shook my head, breathing heavily through my mouth.

    "It was a..." I bit back my tears, taking deep breaths. "It was... a... mistake. A stupid dream." My words trembled out of my hurting throat.

    He cocked a brow, squinting his eyes.

    "That''s new. An omega who dared to dream," Raven said in an impassive tone and a shudder ran down my spine.

    I lowered my head, tears burning my eyes. "I-I know my ce... I dare not. No longer..." I mumbled, knitting my brows.

    "I dare you... to dream..." he said, and it took a while for me toprehend the meaning behind his words.

    I stared at him, perplexed.

    He stepped closer to me. Lifting my chin and leaning closer to my face, he said in a husky voice.

    "We still have a lot of time before 9:09. Wanna go on a ride with me?"

 Chapter-35. Iâ€™ll fall

    [Xanthea]

    Opening the door of Raven''s car, I stepped out.

    Gasping, I gaped, transfixed at the ss pce.

    The multistorey pce was made of transparent ss. ss pce was especially built to keep all the vehicles owned by the triplet alphas.

    I unconsciously stepped off the road onto the kerb and then stepped closer to the ss wall. My legs seemed to be wandering all by themselves. Beyond the ss wall stood the opulent collection of vintage cars, royal cars and luxury cars parked next to one another in what looked like an endless line.

    For a few seconds, I couldn''t believe my eyes. The sublime feeling pounded through my veins, giving a spike to my blood rushing faster in my body. I had never felt this humbled before. It was literally the heaven of cars.

    A valet dressed in a ck suit rushed beside Raven and stood with a bow.

    Raven handed him the car keys.

    "What wheel would you want us to get you, Alpha?" asked the valet.

    "None. I''ll get it myself," Raven said, looking at me.

    I tried to restrain my expressions, but the pce had cast a spell on me and there was no way to escape its allure.

    The wealth of Virgo pack. No. The wealth of all the packsbined in the Earthly realm didn''t stand a chance against the wealth of the Infernal pack.

    Niki had a collection of over ten cars in the Virgo pce as well. Butparing it with the ss pce, his collection would lookpletely trivial. Like a toy house.

    Nothing could bepared to this.

    Every other wealth in the world would look like a mockery before the triplets'' wealth.

    The lightning of the pce, the ambience, had my heart thumping in my throat. And once again, I was lost somewhere beyond the ss walls, in a trance.

    "Don''t forget to breathe, omega," Raven had slight amusement in his tone.

    I gulped hard at his words, realizing that the awe in my heart was reflecting on my face clearly.

    It was impossible to take in the entire ss pce in one nce.

    Raven stepped closer to the entrance of the pce and I quickly followed him, breaking into small sprints to keep up with him.

    As I entered the ss Pce, I couldn''t help but feel like I had stepped into a futuristic museum. The shiny cars, adorned in a multitude of colors, were disyed on a marble floor that gleamed with an intricate lighting design spread across the floor and ceiling. The vastness of the space made it seem as though I had stepped into an entire city.

    "Now, now. Don''t get too aroused. Your heartbeats are literally screaming in my ears," Raven''s voice broke my trance.

    I lowered my gaze, biting my lower lip.

    They weren''t rich. Billionaires? Trillionaires? If there was a category beyond these in the Earthly realm, it would be an insult to them. They could buy the entire mortal realm and not even care to look at their bank bnce. Wait! Do they even need a bank bnce? They must own the bank itself.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    I let out a sigh, feeling the temperature of my body rise even more.

    To exin their wealth status, a new word needed to be created.

    With the kind of money I earned in the Virgo pack, I couldn''t even buy myself a bicycle without having to worry about the EMI or loan. It was almost impossible to find a job when I left the pce.

    I felt a bitter burn rise in my chest. The embarrassment from the night they visited my house amplified a thousand times as I walked further into the ss pce.

    I stole a nce at Raven, who was busy on his phone. The staff around us stopped in their tracks and bowed before him, and I was sure he didn''t even notice them.

    My eyes met a few staff members before they bowed and, out of habit and utter awkwardness, I bowed back.

    "If you love bowing so much, I can make you bow in a lot better positions," Raven said nonchntly, his eyes fixed on his phone screen.

    I felt a tingly flutter erupt in my belly at his words. Stiffening my body, I straightened my spine, trying hard to not blush.

    "Better. The only ones you need to bow before are your husbands. No one else. Get that in your head." He stopped walking.

    I stopped beside him. He skimmed his eyes from his phone to me.

    "You have created a soul pact with us. That means something. That makes you something," he said, holding my gaze.

    What? What does that make me?

    I yearned to ask this question, but didn''t.

    "I am s-sorry, alpha..."

    He lifted my chin, making me look into his eyes.

    "Being our bride already puts you in an important rank. And let me make this clear: you hold a rank, a status, but not the power or rights. So, if not for yourself, then for that rank, always hold your head high," he said, leaning closer to my lips. "Don''t embarrass yourself again. You can do that for me, can''t you, little omega?"

    "Yes..." my eyelids flickered to his lips and then back to his eyes as I swallowed subtly.

    "Good girl." He ced his hand on my hair. His fingers brushed against my neck as he scooped the strands of hair that had covered the hickey.

    I could feel the weight of his gaze. His breaths feverishly brushed against my skin. Turning around, I looked away, releasing the stalled breaths in my lungs.

    The moment I tucked his hair behind his hair shed in my mind, and I shut my eyes.

    I felt his hands run up my hips.

    "I told you not to get aroused. What are you thinking, little omega?"

    "N-nothing..."

    "Wanna know what I am thinking?" He almost kissed my earlobe as he spoke. "All the ways I could take you on and inside all these cars. In the backseat, in the passenger seat, in the limo, on the bo just like Ezra took you," he pointed towards a car. "Remember?"

    I peered at the car and then looked away, drawing in my brows. I didn''t want to remember anything about that night. I wasn''t even sure if I was ready to see Ezra again.

    "Or do you want me to take care of you in front of everyone here?" He whispered in my ear, and I felt his words strangle my heart and its erratic beats. "Demons are much more receptive to the sweet scent of arousal than mortal werewolves." His hand slid over my crotch. "So control your pussy in the public. She can drip wet and make all the mess she wants in private."

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    I stepped away from him, breathing heavily. Losing his touch, I clenched my skirt into my fists.

    Damn it!

    Why? Just why am I like this suddenly?

    This time, even the dazzle of the ss pce wasn''t enough to distract me.

    That''s when my eyes went on the glowing words shing across the ss wall like a watermark - eZ-Ace

    I covered my mouth with my hands, peering at the manufacturing until automated by robots with a number of staff members assembling the car parts behind the ss wall that separated us. "Ez-ace..." I mumbled. "The name..."

    "Yup," Raven said, standing beside me and I looked up at him. "Ezra owns thispany of futuristic tech and stuff. All the vintage cars you saw earlier were my father''s. ss pce used to be our father''s car collection pce. It wasn''t a ss pce back then. It was more like a giant garage. But this is also where Ezra began his tech madness and it turned into something that you see today. Making it ss pce was also his idea. He loves transparency and tech, so hebined them both."

    "I-Is he... here?" I asked hesitantly.

    Raven tilted his head, a smirk ying across his eyes.

    "You want him here?"

    "I thought maybe... he was here because of thepany..."

    "Just because we own something doesn''t mean we''ll be taking care of it day and night. Apany this big can function all on its own, with or without its founder." Raven looked towards the camera. "But to answer your question... Ezra may or maybe not be here. I don''t know. He may or may not be watching us right now."

    My eyes snapped towards the camera.

    Was he?

    "Anyway, let''s speed up, shall we?" Raven merely tilted his head towards one staff member.

    The staff instantly brought us two hoverboards, as if they had been waiting to bemanded to do so.

    Raven deftly boarded his hoverboard.

    I anxiously looked at the hoverboard.

    "I-I can walk..." I said.

    "No, you can''t. We have a long way to go. Get on..."

    "I have never driven... this before... I''ll fall..."

    Raven stretched out his palm. "Take my hand and trust me a little."

    "I don''t even know how to ride a bike..." I said.

    He replied with his silence, his gaze sharply fixed on me. I understood he wasn''t taking a no for an answer.

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    Reluctantly, I ced my hand in his palm, and he wrapped his fingers tightly around mine.

    "Now slowly stand on it..."

    I lifted my feet to ce on the hoverboard when my courage gave up.

    "Alpha, I''ll fall..."

    "I won''t let you...e on."

    He merely nced at the staff that still stood close to me and they immediately backed off. It seemed as if even they feared I''d fall.

    Taking a deep breath, I held his hand tighter and tried stepping on the hoverboard.

    After a lot of trial and failure, I finally stood on it. My legs were all wobbly, but sping both my hands in his, he supported me, riding on his hoverboard while facing me. "Now slowly shift your body weight forward..." he instructed.

    I did as he said and the hoverboard moved forward. I smiled, feeling a little more confident than I did before.

    "I am doing this..." I said excitedly.

    "Concentrate," he said sternly, and I concentrated on riding it properly.

    Maybe he sensed it when I was more confident. Letting go of my one hand, he rode beside me.

    "Now... I''ll let go of your hand," he said, and I panicked.

    "No... please don''t-"

    But he had already let go of my hand.

    I stretched out my arms, thinking I would lose my bnce now that his support was gone. But I didn''t. He kept instructing me whenever I did something wrong.

    I didn''t know where or what I was heading towards, but I began enjoying the exhration I got from riding the hoverboard independently. So, I sped up.

    "Don''t go so fast. Slow down..." he warned. "There''s a turn ahead! Slow down, omega!"

    I tried, but the turn was right ahead.

    Shit!

    "Xanthea!"

    I tried to stop it, but lost my bnce.

    In that split second, I thought I was about to fall down when his arms effortlessly seized mine and he pulled me off my hoverboard.

    My feet hovered in the air as my hoverboard crashed against the wall.

    His arms wrapped around my waist as I copsed against his firm muscles.

    He made me stand on his shoes as I clenched his shirt into my fists, hugging him tightly. With a deft spin of the hoverboard, he brought us to a halt.

 Chapter-36. Hold tight

    [Xanthea]

    "I... am sorry..."

    My heart hammered wildly in my chest as I impulsively blurted out the stream of apologies.

    Still perched on his shoes, I loosened my grip on his clothes, but he still held me just as tight against himself until he let go abruptly and I stumbled to the floor. Bringing my hand to my chest, I cowered under his re, nervously nibbling my lower lip.

    "I... am really sorry, Alpha. I should have listened to you. I am sorry. I... shouldn''t have acted on my own. I am truly sorry... Alpha. I don''t know what I was thinking-"

    I yelped as he grabbed my jaws. Pinning me against the wall, he crashed his lips against mine, muffling my incoherent words into desperate, breathless moans. His tongue dominated my mouth, stealing words right off my tongue.

    In a daze, I knit my brows, shutting my eyes. My palms were between our chests and my weak pushes just triggered him even more, making the kiss even more violent.

    Gasping and moaning, I grabbed his wrist with both my hands, grappling for breaths in his unyielding kiss. Making my body arch against his own, he closed all the distance and gaps.

    I stopped pushing him away and gently ran my hands up his shoulders, clenching his jacket in my fists. Once I thought it was safe, I wrapped my arms around his neck. My fingers ran up his hair, caressing them in an almost undetectable motion as I tried to match his wild frequency.

    "Ah!" Biting my lower lip, he stopped kissing me.

    "You are not allowed to enjoy this, omega." His words were bitter with annoyed frustration.

    His re bore into me as he finally parted from me, our faces still merely inches away. I licked my lower lip.

    My chest heaved faster, my breaths quickening as the rage in his aura crushed me under his scrutiny.

    Breathing heavily through my mouth, I swallowed hard. My lips stung from his bite, pulsing as erratically as my heartbeats.

    "Next time you fake an apology before me, your punishment will not stop at just a bite bruise on your lips. And in case you are wondering what worse could I possibly do to you, little omega, then let me make this very clear..." he growled, leaning closer to my ear. His predatory eyes fixed on me as he grabbed my ponytail and yanked my head backwards. "I will fuck that pretty mouth of yours so hard you won''t be able to speak for days."

    My breaths caught in my lungs. His taste still lingered in my mouth. I clenched my teeth, his body pressing into mine. His eyes dipped to my lips and then back to my eyes.

    "You have not known my worse yet and just pray you never know my worst. Because your petty little heart won''t be able to handle that." He let go of my ponytail with a jerk.

    I wanted to tell him my apology wasn''t fake, but I knew it was better to remain neutral to the usation than to deny them when there was no solid way to prove myself. Especially with someone like Raven, who was very much capable of doing what he said.

    "I don''t need your sorry. What I want you to do is drive this slowly," he said, scrubbing away probably my smeared lipstick from around my lips with his thumb.

    I nodded, lowering my gaze, as he distanced himself from me.

    He stretched out his hand. cing my hand on his, I stepped on his hoverboard. He walked beside me as I concentrated on maintaining a slow speed and taking calcted turns through the hallways. Maybe that''s what he wanted me to do. To concentrate on learning rather than enjoying foolishly.

    From the way he arranged his office and cabin, to his handwriting and drawings, to the way he dressed and carried himself... I wasn''t sure before, but now I could tell... Raven was a perfectionist. Things that didn''t go his way, ording to his standards of excellence

    erfection, pissed him off.

    Maybe that is why he hates me, because an omega is not a standard match for an Alpha.

    "Good..."

    His praise shocked me and I tried to not look too excited.

    I just took a deep breath and kept driving the hoverboard independently again as he walked behind me.

    "Now speed up a little," hemanded, and I adjusted my body weight, speeding up.

    As I took another turn, another wonder of the ss pce opened up before me in all its glory.

    There was a freaking private jet airport within the perimeters of the ss pce.

    I slowed down the hoverboard, gaping transfixed at thevish futuristically styled jets that stretched before me.

    Alpha Valdimir owned a jet, but it was nothing as magnificent as these.

    Maybe this is what Mavka meant when she said her demon lords defined the matrix of this world and worlds beyond.

    Maybe this was what she hinted when she said that Ezra handled the technology and development sector of the Infernal pack. Raven handled the healthcare, research and medicine while Asher regted the lifestyle, security, politics and misceneous.

    Now I understand why the Earthly realm shakes at the mere mention of their names. Mortals don''t stand a chance against them.

    "Stay grounded, omega. No matter how high you can fly, you must always stay grounded. If you behave, someday I can give you a ride on my jet, but today I am in a mood to ride..." he ushered hand towards the other side and a world of bikes opened up to me "... a bike."

    He strode into a room filled with bikes of all kinds. Although it was dominated by sports bikes. I silently followed him on the hoverboard.

    The staff hurried to him, bringing two helmets and a key.

    Raven took a helmet from the staff.

    "Dismount it," Ravenmanded. I looked at him. "Without my help." He added, reading the small plea of help in my eyes. "Do it like I taught you." Hesitating for a few seconds, I shut my eyes and tried to dismount the hoverboard as smoothly as I could by jumping backwards, but I lost my footing... Instead of falling to the floor, I found Raven''s arm wrapped around my waist as he pulled me back to my feet.

    "Poor dismounting." He remarked, but instead of annoyance, his eyes held a subtle smile.

    I corrected my skirt, regaining my posture as I cleared my throat.

    Taking the key from the staff, Raven walked to a ck sports bike.

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    "Never rode a bike before?" He asked, and my heart skidded in my chest at his casual tone.

    I shook my head, ncing at him.

    He smirked, and I didn''t have a good feeling about it at all.

    He reached out and ced the helmet on my head. Maybe this was why he asked me to take off my spectacles and give it to Mavka.

    He effortlessly swung his leg over the sleek bike, assuming amanding and effortlessly suave astride position.

    I took in his features as he swung back his head. Running his fingers through his long hair, he raked them back before he put on his helmet.

    He smoothly inserted the key into the ignition, and with a subtle twist, the bike came alive. In an instant, the bike console lit up with a green glow reaching up to his tires.

    "Hop on," Raven said, looking over his shoulder.

    With a decisive motion, he lowered the ck shield of his helmet over his face.

    The texture of his lips was still fresh on my lips. I unconsciously ran my tongue over the bruise on my lips.

    Raven nced at me and I instantly lowered the shield of my helmet to hide my face from his. Something about everything about him was doing something to me and I knew, like he said, I wasn''t supposed to enjoy it or like it. I knew it was physical, raw lust. But was I supposed to feel its warmth in my chest - in my heart?

    "Hop on, omega," Raven''s voice was a little muffled when he spoke from behind the helmet.

    I contemted the bike''s nting seat. It was so high. How was I supposed to sit on it?

    "When I said I wouldn''t let you fall... I wasn''t just talking about the hoverboard," he said in an impassive tone.

    I contemted my reflection in the shield of his helmet. I couldn''t see his face or his expressions, but I wanted to.

    "Put a leg on the support, grab my shoulder and straddle the bike. From the way you ride us, I can tell it won''t be a difficult position for you to get into."

    A tantalizing flutter erupted in my chest as heat shot up my already flushed cheeks. I quickly shoved away the sex shbacks and scurried towards the bike.

    Like he instructed, I grabbed his shoulder and awkwardly managed to sit on the back seat, creating whatever distance I could between us.

    I knew he could already hear my heartbeats. I didn''t want him to feel them as well.

    I held the grab rail of the bike for support when he revved the engine and rode the bike out of its parking before bringing it to an abrupt halt outside the bike collection.

    I gasped as my body flung forward, pressing against his back. I was about to slide back when he grabbed my wrists and wrapped them around his waist.

    I could feel his firm muscles beneath my palms through the fabric of his clothes.

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    "Hold tight if you do not wish... to fall off," he said, riding the bike out of the ss pce from some other exit.

    My heart thumped at the speed and the roar of the bike on the smooth ck roads. He elerated the bike, tearing through the air.

    The houses and trees sprinted behind us in thin colorful lines. I hugged him tighter. The pressure of the squalls storming around us and our fluttering clothes and hair rise considerably. He was driving at a dangerous speed and I felt my body grow cold with an uncanny thrill churning in my guts, rising to my chest.

    The air howled past us, screaming at the booming engine. The tires screeched against the road as he abruptly decreased the speed.

    Holding the bike''s control with one hand, his other hand slid from my thigh to my knees before he pulled me closer against himself. He raced the bike on the road, fixing his position before he rose the bike on its hind tire.

    I cried, shutting my eyes tightly and clung on to him for my dear life.

    He chuckled. "It''s exhrating, isn''t it, omega? Is this how you felt when you sped up on the hoverboard earlier?"

    I shook my head against his back.

    It wasn''t the same.

    Riding the bike was scary. The fear was simr to the one I felt when Niki pushed me out of the speeding car.

    I clenched his shirt in my trembling fists.

    The bike hit the road on both tires, still zooming at full speed.

    Handling the bike control with one hand, Raven ced his hand on my fist. Freeing his clothes from my grip, he intertwined his fingers with mine.

    "I have been wondering for a long time now. Why did Asher choose you that day? Maybe it was because back then, you picked yourself up when there was no one to hold your hand. Although Asher never goes by the emotional aspect of a situation... but however weak in the end you were brave for yourself."

    The winds didn''t bruise past my skin; they caressed just like his words.

    He slowed down the bike even more, letting go of my hand.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    My hands weren''t trembling anymore.

    Before I could let the warmth of his words sink in, he stopped the bike.

    "We''re here," he said, taking off his helmet, running his fingers through his tousled hair.

    I followed his gaze to the gothically magnificent university building that stood before us.

    "This is..."

    "The international university of Alchemy, Research and Healing - my second home - Helxton."

 Chapter-37. Abandoned

    [Xanthea]C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Raven drove slowly into the university premises.

    Pulling up the shield of my helmet, I looked at the grand statue of the four horned devil wearing a skeletal mask.

    Several smaller demon statues surrounded him. The wings of all those demons were broken. The smaller demons mbered on one another, desperately reaching out to the book the big devil held high in his hand, facing the sky. They and their emotions were intricately and artistically carved out of ck stone with a slight red glow.

    Although scary, it was beautiful.

    Students were scattered all across the university premises. Some were in groups, some were solitary near the statue and the rim of the fountain, which was at some distance.

    A student dressed in shady dark clothes, his fringes covering half of his face, surrounded by several levitating books around him, walked right towards our bike.

    I flinched when Raven drove right into him. I was sure Raven ran over him, but when I looked behind, I found the student still walking; the books hovering around his head following him everywhere he went.

    Maybe he teleported right on time.

    "Woah~" I gasped as bat-like giant wings sprouted out from another student''s back and he flew out from the middle of the group of girls who were flocking around him.

    "Later, subi, I have a ss to attend." He winked and blew a kiss at them before he flew to one of the sky-high towers.

    In one corner, a group discussion echoed loudly among some students, while in the distance, others were busy with sports. There were various kinds of fields for sports. But the one that stood out the most was the ice hockey field.

    The temperature around was normal for me, so it just made me wonder how they could sustain an ice hockey field in such warm weather without enclosing it in a closed space.

    A loud cheer erupted in the atmosphere. The yers on the field all crashed on the yer who had scored the goal. Probably they won.

    It was impossible for me to keep my eyes in one ce for too long. Everything was too exciting for me to contain my excitement.

    My chest was a mess of happy flutters. If my heart could smile, I knew this was exactly how it would feel.

    "Enjoying what you see?" Raven asked, and it was then I realized he had stopped the bike midway. "You like ice hockey?" He nced at me.

    Raven''s question caught me off guard. No one had ever asked me if I liked something or not.

    "Umm. I didn''t know these sports were yed in the Infernal pack as well," I said, unsure how to answer his question.

    I didn''t actually know if I liked ice hockey or not. Although my mother was quite fond of sports, ice hockey included. She mentioned them briefly in her diaries.

    "You mortals have a humongous guide on how to live a life to its fullest, like stupids. Seriously, you guys run after a lifeless ball or pucker for no reason. We immortals take inspiration from your stupidity now and then. You guys have numbered days, yet you live as though you''ll never die. It''s humorously inspirational," Raven said.

    I looked at the yers again, contemting what he said. Maybe he was right. Mortals truly lived like they were immortals.

    "I personally like basketball more than ice hockey. I am just too cool for ice hockey."

    I smiled at his witty words.

    He started the bike again and drove into the underground parking lot of the university.

    There were a few students in the parking lot as well. And not all of them were there for their vehicles.

    I literally had to force myself to ignore the insightful movements of a parked car. It didn''t take me long to understand why the car moved on its own. Students were making out, and it wasn''t just inside cars, but even in the dark, hidden corners. Parking his bike beside a few others, Raven got into the elevator.

    Blushing at the sudden moans that escaped from the car, I quickly followed Raven into the elevator.

    He acted as though it wasn''t a big deal to see students having sex in a parking lot at the universities. Or maybe it was indeed normal here.

    That made me wonder if he had done the same with Nyssa when they studied here?

    Being here must be nostalgic for him.

    It would have been impossible for me to imagine Raven in love had I not witnessed his interactions with Nyssa in the hospital.

    Sneaking into the parking lot, stealing a kiss, or maybe something more.

    I lowered my gaze as I felt the heat fade away from my face at the thought.

    Before my thoughts could upy my mind further, the glowing elevator panel caught my attention.

    Instead of numbers of the floors, there were departments written on the glowing buttons of the elevator.

    Raven pressed on the ''Research'' button and the elevator began moving up.

    "I have to collect some research papers. You can explore the campus by yourself," he suggested.

    "B-by myself?" I looked at him.

    He cocked a brow as he nced at me, sliding his hands in his pockets.

    "Why? Scared of other immortals? I don''t reckon signing up to be your bodyguard, omega." He said in a mocking tone. "I thought you''d like this ce better without me constantly hovering around you." I shook my head slightly.

    He let out a sigh.

    "You are the property of demon lords, little omega. No one cany a finger on you without our permission, that is... if they value their lives," he said, reaching out. He fondled my hair between his fingers. "Go ahead, make a choice before I change my mind."

    I skimmed my eyes from him to the control panel.

    Hesitating initially, I nced at Raven. Leaning against the mirror behind him, all he did was contemte me with an impassive face.

    Pressing my lips together, I pressed on the ''Healing'' department''s button.

    I stole a nce at Raven before standing beside him. He held a faint smirk, his eyebrows raised slightly.

    He lowered his head, peering at his shoes that still had the subtle imprint of my sneakers.

    "I''lle to get you once I am done. Until then, explore the university all you want. No ce in this university is off limits for you. Go wherever you want but within the university campus. You are not allowed to step outside of the Helxton precinct even by mistake. Clear?"

    I nodded.

    We reached the research department, and he walked out of the elevator. For the seconds the doors of the elevator didn''t shut, I had an urge to follow him.

    I thought this was some kind of test. I honestly had no idea what Raven''s motive was behind doing all this. But he definitely had an ulterior motive.

    One motive could be to tease me and my broken dream of bing a doctor, but I don''t think Raven had time to waste on something so trivial and childish.

    So I held myself back from following him. The elevator door shut and as soon as Raven was cut off from my sight, an uncanny nervousness took over me. I couldn''t say if it was because of his absence or because of the small freedom he gave me to belong to this ce.

    Whatever it was, I was going to make the most out of this. Just entering a university as big as this would have been beyond my imagination in the Virgo pack.

    So what if I couldn''t enroll as a student here? I could pretend.

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    I smiled to myself, feeling jumpy and exhrated at the same time.

    I couldn''t believe I was in a university that surpassed any medical institution in the earthly realm, with knowledge that went beyond mortalprehension.

    The elevator stopped on the ''library'' floor.

    The door opened to a student, lighting his cigarette with the dark blue mes that zed out of his index finger. He lifted his sharp gaze at me.

    I quickly averted my eyes, pressing myself into one corner of the elevator.

    A bag was slung over his one shoulder, his other hand in his pocket as he walked in casually. He moved his finger as though putting off fire from a matchstick. The blue mes wrapped around the tip of his index finger faded away. He didn''t press any button on the elevator panel.

    He wrapped his fingers around the cigarette. Taking the burning cigarette out of his mouth, he just held it between his fingers.

    "Wait! Stop the elevator!" A red cat sprinted towards the elevator.

    I was close to the elevator, so I pressed and held the door button to keep it open.

    The cat on the way shifted into a young red-haired girl, probably twelve years old.

    "Meo-meow! Meow!" The girl''s neck moved abruptly as her cat face turned back to a normal human face. She looked up at me and said. "What I meant to say, meow, was - thank you," she said, smiling at me. Then she turned to Kieth. "You! How dare you leave me all by myself in the library!"

    "You were having a nap. I didn''t want to disturb you." The cigarette boy said.

    "I am your healing partner, meow! You can''t just leave me there, meow!" she hissed, baring her teeth at him. "Do you know how expensive it is to have me as your healing partner, meow?"

    "I never wanted you as my healing partner, anyway. So stop hissing at me, Zosha! So annoying!"

    "You ungrateful, Kieth of a shit! My family sold me to your family because you wanted the best healing partner in the entire Infernal pack!" Zosha hissed again, her eyes glowing dangerously, like a cat. Charges of sparking electric currents ran through her red hair.

    "You''re not the best! You have no control over your powers! You are basically too much for me!" Kieth snapped.

    Zosha''s eyes beaded with teardrops.

    "Not again!" Kieth grunted, rolling his eyes.

    I peered at Zosha, barely keeping my astonishment.

    Zosha was a shapeshifting cat. I couldn''t believe I was standing beside one. I had only heard rumors about them in the earthly realm. They were considered a myth there.

    Their furs are the softest in the world and have incredible healing abilities.

    God, she is the cutest little creature I have seen in the Infernal pack. But...

    "I am your healing partner! You are supposed to teach me, train me! Why do you hate me so much?" Zosha wailed, houghing.

    I nced at Kieth and his indifference to her tears and sobs.

    I lowered my gaze, clenching my fists.

    Kieth stopped the elevator at a random floor and walked out.

    "I free you from my servitude! Don''t follow me! I don''t want you as my healing partner anymore. I''ll find someone better. No matter how strong you are, if you have no control over your powers, you are basically useless to me." He said casually. Zosha broke out in unbearable cries as the doors of the elevator closed.

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    I tried to hold myself back. I knew it was no ce for me to interfere, but she was just a child. How could anyone be so insensitive to say those hurtful words to a child?

    The Infernal pack was really heartless.

    I sat on my one knee toe to Zosha''s height as the elevator moved towards the healing department.

    "Zosha..." I called out to her.

    She wiped off her tears, whimpering like a cat as she turned around to face me.

    I smiled at her.

    "Hi, I am Xanthea. Meow!" I waved my hand at her.

    Through her tears, she waved back.

    "Meow!" she tilted her head innocently, her eyes still brimming with tears. "Meow..." she sniffled "... Zosha. I mean I am Zosha."

    "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Zosha. Umm... do you know this ce well?" I asked.

    "Meow!" she nodded.

    "Can you show me around? Actually, I am new here."

    "Are you a student, meow? Never saw you before, meow."

    "Y-yeah... actually no... I am just a visitor. But I am a little clumsy and I''ll be punished if I step out of the college premises even by mistake. So, can you please help me?" I asked.

    "Punished?" she knit her brows. "Zosha is too strong. Zosha has no control over her powers. So, Zosha is punished every day, meow!" she shook her head, as if trying to shove off the traumatic memories from her mind. "And now Zosha is abandoned. Zosha won''t let you be punished. Zosha will show you around."

    I beamed at her.

    "Thank you, you''re a savior!"

    Zosha wiped off her tears, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

    "No need to thank Zosha. Zosha wants to be helpful." Her eyes fell on my lips. She pointed her tiny finger at my lower lip. "Bruised."

    "Umm, yeah... uh, well... I was looking for someone who could heal me?" I said. "It''s a little painful."

    I said and waited for her to volunteer, but she didn''t.

    "Zosha knows someone who can help. Zosha has nowhere else to go anyway," she said in a childish, crestfallen tone.

    "Me neither! Can you take me to them?" I asked, and she nodded.

    "Sure," she said.

    "Thanks, Zosha." I caressed the tear trails off her cheeks.

    Zosha shut her eyes, enjoying my strokes like a cat.

    Chuckling, I got to my feet.

    She wasn''t confident enough to heal me herself, even when she was flooding with healing powers. Well, I sort of knew she wouldn''t volunteer, but that''s fine. I didn''t want her to heal me... yet.

 Chapter-38. Healing department

    [Xanthea]

    As soon as the door of the elevator opened, a whole nother world of healers opened up to me, bustling with activities and filled with a diverse assembly of students, staff, and uniqueness of the Infernal pack. "Where the hell did you teleport the patient, Karima!?" I almost bumped into a man who rushed into the elevator.

    A student followed him closely, sobbing continuously.

    "I don''t know, professor... he wanted to go to the mountains," she said, weeping loudly. "I was thinking of the rainforest and then I was in the desert." Weep. "A mountain in the rainforest amidst a desert..." Karima houghed, panicking and shaking badly.

    "Calm down Karima!" The professor snapped, which made her jump as the elevator door closed on them. "Gather yourself-"

    My eyes and mouth were wide open as I stared at my reflection in the closed door of the elevator.

    "Such idents aremon here, meow!" Zosha brought me back to reality. "In cases like these, they never find the patient."

    "They don''t? W-what happens to the patient then?" I asked, shocked.

    "Oh! I don''t know," Zosha shrugged, as if it was normal here. "They either get hunted and eaten by the wildlife or die because of their disease trying to find their way out of the foreign ce. Few do find their way back home, but they are too traumatized to report back to the hospital."

    "And what happens to the student who caused this mishap?"

    "They learn the biggest lesson of their life as a healer."

    "And what''s that? Don''t listen to everything your patient says."

    "They... aren''t expelled?" I asked.

    "Nope."

    I nodded, trying to absorb the absurdity.

    This university mesmerized and scared me at the same time by the diversity that filled every corner of the Healing department.

    The schedule for the sses, experiments, and various other events shed on therge digital bulletin board in glowing words and pictures on a ck background.

    Students checked the board before hurrying to their lectures.

    As far as my eyes could see, the walls were covered with announcements, event flyers, and research and internship opportunities. Bulletin boards provided a glimpse into the various extracurricr activities and volunteering works for extra credits.

    As I walked ahead, I came across life-size anatomical models and disys ced at intervals. I gasped at the grand dragon''s full body skeletal model, which was ceiling-high.

    "It''s real, meow," Zosha said. "There is a first year ritual where the first-year students try to steal a bone from this dragon''s skeleton. Dragons, from their blood to bones, have outstanding healing properties. They are known as the healer of all healers. But even after their death, it''s almost impossible to steal their healing abilities without their permission. So no one has ever been able to steal even a small bone from this dragon''s frame." "Woah... that''s... woah..." I mumbled, failing to believe my own eyes.

    My heart was pounding again and as the healing department unfurled itself even more, the pounding just got wilder.

    As I moved ahead, I came across another model showing the anatomy of werewolves in their human forms in one half, while the other half showed the anatomy of wolves as an analogy. There were several other intricately detailed models of demons, ancient lycans, werecats, shapeshifters, and a lot of other creatures.

    There were skeletal models, muscr models, nervous models, and vascr models. My head was spinning, taking so much in at the same time. The ambiance of this ce hadpletely blown me away. Oh, my goddess!

    Walls were adorned with medical illustrations, diagrams, and abstract art rted to healthcare.

    From medical students dressed in ck medical coats to nursing students dressed in scrubs, to pharmacy students wearingb coats andb goggles, they owned the hallways and foyer.

    The foyer of the department was filled with a vivid arrangement of sofas around the dragon''s giant model. It was more like a sitting and discussion room where students studied in groups.

    I walked a little further from the foyer toe across ss doors revealing simtionbs where students practiced clinical skills but not on mannequins, but alive subjects.

    A heavy horrifying feeling soon reced the excitement in my veins. I knit my brows, trying hard to not look into thebs.

    "Don''t worry, they are trained as subjects. They have a high tolerance to physical pain and they are licensed subjects. They earn a living by allowing the healing students to experiment on their bodies. Their bodies have higher healing powers than the rest of us. So, even if a student makes a mistake, they heal within an hour, meow," Zosha said.

    "But still, those are healthy people..." I whispered, too scared to lift my gaze at thosebs again. "Practicing on them? Does it not raise ethical issues..."

    Zosha didn''t reply, but examined me intently. Several students passed by us, too busy in their own world to notice anyone else. Out of them, a student with dark red skin and a pointed tail and horns caught my attention. "Poverty is a much greater issue than ethics," Zosha said in a grim tone.

    Hearing such words from a twelve-year-old was more painful than watching students practicing on live subjects.

    The ssbs transitioned into lecture rooms filled with students. There were lectures in progress in all those rooms.

    Zosha ran to a lecture room''s back door and peeped inside. I peeped inside through the ajar door.

    Following Zosha''s gaze, I spotted Kieth, who was attending the lecture. He might have teleported here.

    Zosha wilted, her eyes welling up. She was about to close the door when...

    "Hisss! Don''t clossseee the door, Zzzosshaaa..."

    I jumped out of the way as a python slithered into the lecture room towards thest seat. A yellow canary was perched on its spine. Its bifurcated tongue flicked in the air. Her head turned around, looking at Zosha. "Thanksss..."

    It said before slithering on to an empty seat and after a few seconds, the python on the seat had shifted into a girl with glowing scaly skin like snakes that had faded away soon.

    The canary twittered, perching itself on the girl''s shoulder.

    Zosha closed the door, ncing at Kieth with sad eyes. She lifted her head and looked at my face, pale with astonishment.

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    "What? Never seen a shape-shifting serpent before?" Zosha looked at me with her doe eyes.

    I shook my head, staring at the serpent girl.

    "That''s Vish. Her healing partner is the canary. I wish I was her healing partner," Zosha pouted. "Vish just looks scary, but is the most well mannered and a kind-hearteddy. Although she''s mostlyte and has a frightening serpent ent. The first time I met her, I thought she would swallow me whole. Although she is alwayste for the lectures, she is the best in this batch. Far better than that Kieth of a shit!"

    I looked at Vish and her canary. Zosha shut the door and the professor''s voice drowned inplete silence.

    "All the lecture rooms are soundproof and a mix of technology and traditional methods of teaching. I attended a few lectures in the beginning and they were so awesome!"

    "You can''t attend them now?" I asked.

    She shook her head.

    "Although it''spulsory to bring healing partners for students enrolled in a fast course, Kieth never took me to any other lecture after those first few... meow..." she said in a deted tone.

    "Why not?" I asked.

    "Zosha overheals, meow," she said.

    "Overhealing?"

    She nodded, tears brimmed in her eyes again, streaming down her freckles cheeks as she sniffled. So, I tried to change the subject for the time being.

    "What is a fast course?" I asked.

    Zosha wiped her nose on the cuff of her ck shirt dress.

    "You really know nothing about this ce?" she sniffled. "Do you?"

    I chuckled nervously. "That is why I need you."

    "Well... the Healing course in Helxton is a six years course if you enroll alone. But if you enroll here with a healing partner like me, the course is shortened. The course period then depends on how fast you can, with the help of your healing partner,plete it. After the graduation, the healer and healing partner can either stay together or practice healing separately. Only rich people can afford the fast course and get their Healer''s license quickly." "Oh... that''s... new..."

    "Yeah, but that Kieth of a shit is an ungrateful brat! Meow! Meow!" Zosha hissed, stamping her feet angrily on the floor as rage shed in her eyes with tears again.

    "By the way, where are we going?" I asked. The busy corridors became more and more isted as we moved ahead, turn after turn.

    "To the one who can heal your bruise, meow," she said. Lifting her hand, she held my finger with her tiny fingers. "We are almost there. Let''s go."

    She broke into a sprint. Stumbling initially, I ran to keep up with her.

    Panting, we stopped outside an ancient double door.

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    "Azum!" Zosha knocked on the door. "Azum! Are you in there?"

    The door opened on its own, and Zosha smiled brightly. Her mood seemed to have lifted in an instant.

    She ran into the light that broke out of the crack of the door as it opened up fully.

    I stepped into a small library and as soon as I did; it felt as though... I was dreaming. My breaths merged effortlessly with my heartbeats into a pounding rhythm as I allowed myself to immerse myself into this... dream. Being here felt simr to how I felt when I visited Raven''s pce. Every inch of air was healing wounds I didn''t know I had. Liberating my chest off the heaviness, I didn''t know I was carrying.

    The library was a perfect mess of bookshelves, framed with leaves and flowers of the creepers that had intricately woven themselves into the space. The ce was like a mystical painting painted with vivid colors of herbs and flowers and nts, and healthy moss covered every inch of the dark marble flooring.

    Shutting my eyes, I drew in a deep breath. The suffused scent of old books, night flowers with a subtle hint of the scent of leaves and chlorophyll and medicinal herbs and nts.

    It felt subtly divine to be there.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Zosha had disappeared in that ce. I couldn''t me her. For a few minutes, this library had extracted all my thoughts right off my mind as well.

    Lightly brushing the tip of my fingers against the books, I sauntered on the path Zosha had taken.

    Beyond the bookshelves was an array of gothic arched windows. Cool twilight filtered through the stained sses of the windows.

    On one of those windowsills, sat a boy with one leg on the sill, curled close to his chest while he swung his other leg leisurely. His shoes gently brushed against the grass as the soft moonlight traced his silhouette. The soft glow on his face highlighted his sharp jawline, his perfect facial features, adding an otherworldly shine to his hazel eyes that were hidden behind his long, dark fringes and his circr sses.

    His eyes were fixed on a book in his hand as his overcoat fluttered close to the grass, following the tease of his swinging leg.

    "Azum! Meeeeoooow~" Zosha jumped on his swinging leg as though it was a swing in some yground.

    A smile bloomed on his handsome face. Keeping his eyes fixed on the book, he swung his legs faster, and the silent library was filled with Zosha''s giggles.

    I smiled at their interaction.

    "It''s your lecture time, isn''t it? What are you doing here?" His voice had a velvety caress, soothing to ears. A blend of warmth and depth.

    "I brought an injured. Heal her like you heal me..." Zosha said, enjoying her swing.

    "Who is it-"

    His eyes casually skimmed over me, but as soon as our gazes locked, he froze in his ce. The book slipped from his grasp. Zosha swiftly caught the book, looking at him and then at me.

    Tension furrowed his brows. His eyes widened slightly as he studied me. He ceased swinging his leg and gracefully descended from the windowsill, his unwavering gaze still fixated upon me. In the golden glow of the room, his face became clearer as he trudged closer to me.

 Chapter-39. Melody of soul

    [Xanthea]

    Azum stopped at some distance from me. His gaze tried to decipher me while his face remained unreadable.

    Then he shut his eyes, his fingers glided in the air as though he were ying an invisible piano. And then his hands moved as though he was conducting an orchestra.

    He started humming a beautiful melody.

    I stared at him, feeling utterly confused.

    "Woah~" Zosha tiptoed beside me. "He''s hearing..." she whispered.

    I squatted beside her.

    "What is he hearing?" I whispered back.

    "The melody of your soul. It''s the demonic ability of his wolf. He can hear people''s souls as songs in his mind. But this ability doesn''t activate for everyone. He says he can hear only the souls that exist at a higher rhythm..." "Right. And... what exactly does that mean?" I asked, even more confused now.

    Zosha looked me dead in the eyes and shrugged.

    "This melody..." He said in a velvety soothing voice. Azum gently ced his hands over his ears. "Moonlight sonata..." he tapped his cheeks gently with his fingers. "Moonlight sonata, intertwined with the delicate harmony of Fur Elise... simr, but unique. The legato, the chorus, the verses..."

    He inhaled deeply. His brows drew in feverishly, in what looked like a sad but inspiring expression. As if his muse was before him in his mind, behind his closed eyes.

    "L''ho gi¨¤ sentito prima. Ma non ¨¨ stessa cosa... no... ma ¨¨ altrettanto bello..."

    "What did he say?" I asked Zosha.

    "Most of the time, I have no idea what he says, but it sounds good," Zosha said. "Well, can''t argue with that."

    I don''t know what he said, but it sounded like a musical verse the way he sang it.

    "He is very unpredictable. Even he doesn''t know whatnguage he''ll start speaking in. It depends on his wolf''s mood most of the time. Fun fact about him, he knows almost all thenguages there are in all the realms." "Woah, he is anguage genius and a healer. Awesome!"

    "I know, right?!" Zosha said excitedly and Azum''s eyes snapped open suddenly.

    "You... you are..." his eyes traveled from my hair to my eyes, tracing my facial features.

    I gulped, getting up on my feet, feeling the pressure of his scrutiny all over me.

    Does he... know me?

    I stared at him without blinking when he said...

    "You are... a mortal?" He whispered as if he was talking about something taboo. "A mortal roaming freely in Helxton?"

    My tense body loosened up. Maybe I sensed it wrong.

    He looked at Zosha.

    "Zosha, I hope you know this isn''t the same as your daily rescues of twittering birds and tailless lizards. She''s..." his eyes scanned me again. "She doesn''t belong here."

    "I... I know. But she is no normal mortal, Azum," she said in a guilt-filled tone.

    Azum walked past me.

    "I know she isn''t a normal mortal..." he said, ncing at me. "But she is still a mortal, and she doesn''t belong in this pack."

    "She belongs here!" Zosha cut in. "At least, I want her to."

    "Her scent is marked, indicating she''s in a soul pact with a powerful demon. Otherwise, it''s not normal for a mortal to have an aura that shouts, ''touch her if you have a death wish.'' And forget about having death as a wish. I wouldn''t even want death in my nightmare. I am too young to see a mortal tragedy befall on me. Sorry, Zosha. I can''t heal her. Take her back to where you found her."

    My scent is marked because of the soul pact?

    No wonder I had been sensing the triplets'' scent on me all the time.

    "But, meow, but. You heal the others I bring to you..."

    "Those are stolenb rats!" Azum looked at her in disbelief.

    "What difference does that make?"

    "Well, right? Stolenb rats and a mortal in a soul pact with a demon who could easily kill me. Yeah. What difference does that make? The two are exactly the same thing! Pardon this fool, miss Zosha the great."

    Zosha handed him the book that had slipped from his hand earlier. He ced it back on the shelf.

    "I know, meow! Everyone in the department was super cautious of her, even Kieth. You should have seen his face. He couldn''t even breathe in her presence until I entered the elevator. I wouldn''t have dared even breathe in her direction if she didn''t begin the conversation with me herself. She is super sweet, I promise..."

    "I''m diabetic," Azum remarked, and I almostughed.

    "Since when!?"

    "Since now!"

    Azum walked to some other bookshelf and began picking out potion bottles that were embraced by the vines and leaves of the nts in the library. He was collecting sap and nectar from those nts. "Meow!"

    "Don''t meow at me. I am sure she is a sweetdy, but the one who has marked her scent doesn''t seem so sweet to me," he said. "But if you still desire something sweet, your favorite candies are on the reception counter." "Azum!" she drawled, jumping on his back and hanging from his neck as he kept fetching out potion bottles from the flowers. "It''s just a minor bruise on her lips," Zosha said with an angry pout.

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    "Not happening. This is myst year at this university and I don''t wish to mess with people beyond my ken. I might be broke, but I am too precious to myself," Azum said. "Narcissist!"

    "How cute of you to say that..."

    "Will you stop panicking? You''re giving me a heart attack!" Zosha countered.

    Azum took a deep breath and nodded.

    "What about all the attacks you gave me by bringing her here?"

    "She needed help!"

    "Look, Zosha, you can bring as manyb rats as you want and I''ll heal them all. But I can''t heal her," Azum said, walking to a bookshelf. "Those high rank demons are mad people, mad! Plus, she lookspletely fine to me. You don''t need help, do you?"

    Azum snapped his head towards me.

    Before I could reply, Zosha jumped and whacked his head with the book in her hand.

    My hands flew to my agape mouth.

    "A true healer will never intimate their patient like this!" Zosha pouted angrily.

    "First, if she needs help, she should be asking for it," Azum said, and suddenly, the jittery aura that was around him calmed down into a serious tone. "And second, I am not a healer yet and she is not my patient."

    "She asked for help from me," Zosha said.

    "Then you heal her-" Azum stopped. "No. I didn''t mean that-"

    Before Azum couldplete what he was saying, Zosha huped.

    For a few seconds, everything was normal, but then a wave of electricity sparked out of Zosha''s hair. The surrounding nts, even the moss beneath her feet, grew in size. It seemed as though I was watching a timepse video of those nts and mosses.

    "You know..." Zosha''s voice reverberated dangerously as she huped again and another feral wave of electricity charged out of her hair. "Zosha cannot heal!"

    Azum sat on his knees to look Zosha straight in her eyes.

    "I am sorry, Zosha. I didn''t mean to say that. I know you just want to help. But you are still too young to understand how this world works. And I know what I said has hurt you. I''m sorry. Come here," he stretched out his arms towards her as though beckoning her in an embrace. "I know you are sad and upset. Trust me, it''s ok to feel the way you do. The way you feel is what makes you Zosha. Your emotions are a beautiful song."

    She was indeed hurt emotionally earlier when Kieth abandoned her as his healing partner, and that was why I wanted to help her. I thought I was helping her by asking her to escape from her feelings, but I wasn''t.

    The only way to cure emotional wounds is by addressing them. And I was sure she wasn''t just abused emotionally.

    My heart pulsated in my chest.

    "Zosha will hurt Azum," Zosha said in a cracking voice through her tears.

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    Azum shook his head, smiling gently.

    "No, you can''t," Azum said. "You will control yourself. I know you will."

    Zosha shut her eyes tightly, but in vain. She seemed to have lost all control over her powers. Every time she huped, a wave of electricity charged out of her hair, causing the nts near her to grow abnormally. "No! Kieth is right! Zosha is useless!" she huped. "Zosha can never heal!" Hup. "Zosha shouldn''t have been born." Hup.

    "AHHH!" Zosha screamed in agony. Her powers were causing harm to her own body.

    I moved closer, but Azum extended his hand, signaling me to stop.

    "No! Don''t get closer to her," he warned.

    Zosha let out another shriek, this time filled with even more panic and pain.

    "No Zosha!" Azum panicked. "Concentrate on yourself, little one-"

    "Zosha is scared!" she cried before taking her cat form and zoomed right out of the window.

    "Damn it!" Azum grabbed his overcoat in a hurry. "If she stays alone right now, she''ll end up hurting herself even more!"

    He was about to run out of the library when...

    "The nts!" I said.

    He looked over his shoulder, "sorry?"

    "The nts grew around her."

    I nced at the nts that had grown everywhere Zosha''s powernded. They had overgrown, far beyond their normal size and now that Zosha was gone, they were all dying away. The same with the moss she stepped on. "Yes, this happens every time she loses control of her powers."

    "Maybe we can use it," I said.

    He tensed his brows. "Use... it to track her down? Turns out I was having the same genius idea." He ran out of the library.

    Fidgeting with my fingers, I ran after him, mumbling to myself.

    "The nts... if we can use the nts to absorb the excess power from her. The nts eventually die away because they probably exceed their growth capacity easily. The abnormal cell growth. Something like a tumor..." I ran after Azum into the backyard of the university, following the overgrown grass and nts.

    Azum ran into the forest beyond the university campus. I was about to run after him when I stopped right at the gate. Raven forbade me to leave the university campus.

    I peered at the forest and then looked back at the university.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Nibbling on my bottom lips, I fidgeted with my fingers. Curling my fingers into fists, I lifted my leg to step out of the university campus.

 Chapter-40. Life has its ways

    [Xanthea]

    I was about to step beyond the university campus, but I took back my step.

    My heart raced, breath quickened, filling my lungs with icy breaths. I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms.

    Gritting my teeth, I shut my eyes, hating myself a little more.

    I am really a coward-

    "Good girl..."

    With a sharp inhale, I opened my eyes. I turned around, standing face to face with Raven.

    I dared maintain eye contact with him as he stepped closer to me.

    "Is a cat who you just met so important that you contemted leaving the campus, even if it was for a second? You thought of defying me for a useless cat-"

    "She is not useless!" I blurted out those words, and I wasn''t sorry about it.

    Raven''s eyes bore into mine, their intensity growing as he closed the distance between us. The fear inside me was screaming at me to avert my eyes and lower my gaze, but there was something else that made me hold his gaze just as profoundly.

    "Someone''s getting brave."

    "Who?" Once again, I had spoken without thinking things through. There was a bubbling rage in my chest.

    I knit my brows when Raven smiled. I wasn''t expecting this reaction from him.

    "That cat sure taught you to sulk better," he chuckled. "So you really wanna help her? But a healer who can''t heal is useless ording to me and the standards of the Infernal pack."

    "And I think she just needs to control her powers, and then she''ll be one of the strongest healers. We... we just need a way to teach her, show her how it''s done," I said.

    His gaze shifted to the forest, eyes scanning the dense foliage.

    "Now you have me in a chokehold of curiosity, little omega. Mind enlightening me about how you will ''teach'' her to control her powers?"

    He had a document rolled in his fist. Crossing his arms across his chest, he studied me as I remained silent. I didn''t have an answer... yet.

    "Overhealing is the mostplicated condition in healers and their healing partners. Rare, butplicated. Most never gain control over their powers. That is why they are considered... useless. Overhealing can be tricky and more dangerous than underhealing. Like you saw, it turns normal cells into tumors, which ultimately leads to the death of those cells once the power source is withdrawn. Such tumors are malignant, which means they spread. If cells die, the organism dies. Simple mathematical biology. And if a healer can''t control their powers, no one can make them."

    "There''s gonna be something we could do. There must be cases where someone controlled overhealing, right?"

    "Sure. So what was your brilliant mind thinking? How were you going to ''help'' her?"

    "The nts... I was thinking..."

    "Show me," he said.

    I looked at him, confused.

    "Go help that cat. I allow you to leave the campus, little omega. Show me what you can do," he said.

    "Can I really-wa-uh!"

    Raven scooped me off my feet. My hands snaked around his neck while he cradled me against his chest with his one arm under my knees. The next few seconds, Raven ran across the forest at a speed that even his bike couldn''t match. The trees transformed into a mosaic of fleeting hues - green, ck, and gray.

    He put me to my feet. The twigs cracked, and the grass crunched beneath my sneakers.

    It didn''t take me long to find where Zosha was. A tree and nts close to it had grown considerablyrger than the rest.

    I followed Zosha''s whimpers. Raven just watched from behind, leaning against the bark of a tree.

    I trudged closer to Zosha, trying to maintain a safe distance.

    I think the reason she came to the forest was because she knew what I was thinking. Using nts to drain out her extra power. But it wasn''t working. Electricity still charged out of her with the same intensity it did before. Her hups had turned into a cat''s cries.

    nts could be a step in helping her when her powers when they go out of control, but not all nts. There has to be a specific nt that could help her. A nt that can grow just as viciously as her powers.

    But why do I feel as though this is more of a psychological problem than a physical one?

    "Zosha... it''s me... the mortal you met earlier..." I said in a calm tone.

    There was another hup, and electricity spread across the ntations, with Zosha being the focal point. Every living cell in the impact area grew twice their original size.

    Taking a deep breath, I licked the dryness off my lips.

    "It''s scary, isn''t it? Life is scary. I know it''s scary to live a life that''s not under our control. When someone else gets to define who we can be and what we can and cannot do. More than scary, it''s painful..."

    I cautiously stepped closer to her.

    "My mother had a different view. She used to say that life has its ways of unfolding. Ways beyond ourprehension. Something that''s scary today can give you immense strength tomorrow..."

    My voice quivered. Biting back my tears, I continued.

    "She says life is always working in our favor. We just need to put ourplete faith in it..."

    I always wished for someone to say those exact same words to me. I didn''t know life had nned for me to say these words to someone who needed them more than me.

    Blinking fast, I took a deep breath and forced a smile.

    "Tell me something. What do you feel when you help those hurt rats and birds and lizards? When you take away their pain? Without you, they would have suffered life, their loved ones would have suffered an irreceable loss, but because of you, they are together, living happily. So, don''t tell me you don''t make a difference, that you''re not important..."

    I swallowed the tightness building in my throat.

    "You make a difference. Your life is more important because you have the courage to help others by taking that first step. People like me, on the other hand, are too cowardly to do the same."

    The tang of salty tears overwhelmed my tongue as I caught my lower lip between my teeth.

    "Me-ow..." she made a weak sound. Maybe she wanted to contradict what I said, but was too scared and weak to do so.

    "You are stronger than others, Zosha, so you''ll have struggles bigger than the rest. But imagine how many more lives you can change and save with the same powers that you fear today. Your powers aren''t bad, they aren''t your enemy. They are just young and wild like you, and that''s natural. That''s how they should be right now..."

    I heard Zosha''s sobs. She had transformed into her human form.

    "You don''t even have to use your powers, no. Because your true strength is your conviction to help others. And you''ll always find a way. Your powers will find a way, and life will pave that way for you."

    I stepped back as another wave of electricity erupted and the nts grew even more.

    "Can you pleasee out, dear? I want to see you."

    "I am not worth... watching, meow! Not in this... state! Go away or... you''ll be hurt, meow!" Zosha mumbled through her cracking voice.

    "If you don''te to me, then I''lle to you... even if that''s thest thing I do. And I want you to know that you''ll be a great healer one day. Because bing a healer is a mentality, and you already possess it in its strongest form." Zosha crawled out of the thickets.

    "Everyone hates me..." she lifted her tired gaze at me.

    "I''ll love you..."

    "They are all scared of me. My family sold me because of this. My master abandoned me because of this..." she wept.

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    Tears stung into my eyes, but I maintained the faint smile on my face.

    At that moment, I saw myself in her.

    "They have made the biggest mistake of their lives..."

    I wiped off my tears on the cuff of my jacket.

    I gave up all my caution and trudged closer to her, making my way through the knee-length grass.

    She crawled back.

    "No. Don''t get close! Stay away! Please! Please! Don''te close to me!"C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    I kneeled before her and stretched out my palm towards her.

    "I know how dark you feel inside. I know you want to hide. You are lost, struggling with yourself. Your thoughts want to kill you every day and others validate that darkness. But that darkness isn''t you..."

    I didn''t know to whom I had addressed those words - to her or myself. But I knew both of us were trapped and we had to escape from ourselves before anyone else.

    Tears streamed down her eyes as she gasped. The suffocation I felt in my chest was realized in her breaking breaths.

    "Take my hand..."

    She shook her head.

    I reached out and ced my hand on hers. She froze as if expecting something bad to happen.

    "I consider myself extremely fortunate to have met you today..." I said, wrapping my arms around her trembling body as I pulled her into my embrace.

    She broke into sobs, hugging me back tighter. Caressing her hair, I stroked her back.

    After a while, she clenched my jacket tighter.

    I could feel the charge build in her hair as I stroked her. She tried to pull herself away from me.

    "It''s gonna happen again... please go away from me! I am dangerous! Let go!" she sniffled.

    "It''s alright... I am not going anywhere."

    "No..." she groaned. I felt her nails dig into my skin. "I can''t..." she made a sound as if she was choking, but she had stopped her hup.

    I tightened my jaws, managing my breaths. I don''t know what I was doing. All I knew was it was the most important thing I would ever do.

    I parted from her and smiled as I held her bleary gaze in a warm scrutiny. Wiping her tears, I ignored the subtle electricity that charged through her hair. She was trying to hold herself back.

    "Please let go... you''ll get hurt..." she begged.

    "You''re worth the pain..."

    "I''m not..."

    "You are..."

    Closing my eyes, I hugged her once more, bracing myself for another discharge of her powers.

    She tore herself away from me, stepping away from me.

    As I reached out to her, a sudden burst of light erupted from her body, blinding me.

    The blinding whiteness slowly faded away from my eyes. I found myself kneeling on the ground, but I was far away from Zosha, beside Raven.

    I nced at Raven, who was squinting his eyes, trying to look through the electrically charged fog that had built around Zosha.

    As the fog faded away, his eyes rxed.

    Following his gaze, I saw Zosha kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily through her mouth. Fumes rose from the frame of her body, her eyes glowing.

    Large roots had burst out of the ground around her in a circle.

    "The kitty cat directed her power outburst into the ground right on time. Hmm. Interesting. So she isn''t a gone case after all," Raven smiled at her before trailing his eyes to me. "If you are thinking you''d have been fine since she directed her energy into the ground, then you are wrong. You would be dead by now, little omega. I love how spectacrly you fail every time."

    He rescued me right on time.

    I gulped hard, clenching my skirt with my shaking hands.

    Zosha nced at me with horror-filled eyes and then ran back into the forest, taking her cat form.

    I tried to get on my legs, but they were weak and trembling from the shock.

    "From where do you bring these brilliant ideas? Your foolishness has officially rendered me speechless," Raven said. He squatted before me, lifting my chin.

    I lowered my gaze, still in a daze. It took me a while toprehend...

    I covered my mouth with my hand. She controlled her powers. It might not have been perfect, but it was something.

    "Why is everyone else in this world more important to you than your life? You preached the cat all about self-worth. But... what about yourself? Are you selfless or just suicidal?"

    Keeping the documents aside, Raven took my hand in his. I winced as he ran his fingers from my wrist to my fingertips.

    It felt like thousands of needles had pierced into my hands and my chest as though I had been burned, but it was because of the abrupt growth in my skin cells because of Zosha''s power. Raven didn''t heal those cells. He killed them before they spread further.

    I groaned with a wince, inhaling through my clenched teeth as he helped the quick formation of new skin beneath my dead skin cells.

    I looked at him. Even though I was hurting, his touch has never been this gentle and warm before.

    Silence lingered between us as he tore off my crop top and snapped my bra off my chest, healing my chest the same way he healed my palms.

    Shutting my eyes, I grabbed the side of his jacket. He squeezed my breast, checking for lumps.

    I held his wrist, breathing heavily.

    "I''m fine..." I mumbled, feeling my nipples harden against his touch.

    "I''ll decide that," he said inly.

    Once he had checked every inch of my skin from my chest to my belly, he spoke again.

    "Can I ask you something, little omega?"

    I gave a small nod, knitting my brows as he caressed my nipple between his fingers.

    "If I give you wings, in what direction will you choose to fly?"

    I opened my eyes and peered at him, confused.

    "Towards me or away from me?" He asked.

    I couldn''t decipher the meaning behind his words back then. But it was at that moment, my life decided to take a turn I never sawing.

 Chapter-41. The ride(18+)

    [Xanthea]

    My eyelids fluttered to his eyes, trying to decipher his gaze.

    "T-thank you..." I said.

    He cocked a brow, tilting his head.

    I lowered my gaze and continued.

    "... for bringing me here."

    "Mostly canary serenades the vocal cord. Seems like a cat did that job this time," he chuckled slightly, teasing me.

    "I saw a canary too..." I said, keeping my gaze fixed on the grass. "... as a healing partner of a shape shifting serpent." God knows why I was telling him that.

    "Now, did you? Hmm. Their voices have healing abilities," he said, and I looked at him.

    "Do you... did you... have a healing partner?" I asked.

    "Why this sudden interest in me?"

    "I-I am not-"

    "You''re not interested in me? I never was an interesting person to start with. Nyssa says I am the most boring man she has met."

    A knot tightened in my stomach at the mention of Nyssa''s name.

    "No, Alpha. That''s not-"

    Before I could say a word more, Raven ced his finger on my lips.

    "Butterflies..." he whispered, leaning closer to my face.

    "B-butterflies?" I lifted my gaze to his eyes that lingered on my lips.

    He lifted the corner of his lips.

    "Those creatures are too graceful for me, aren''t they?"

    "N-no-"

    "Who were you expecting to be my healing partner?" His voice darkened. "A rhinoceros?" He said with utmost seriousness. Pffft!

    I leaned back instantly, covered my mouth with my hand, suppressing myughter as I shook my head.

    "I am sorry. I-I didn''t mean to..."

    He held my hand and my body tensed up slightly.

    "Apologizing for no reason is a very bad habit of yours. It ruins... good moments..." he grunted, lowering my hand from my mouth. "I intended that to be funny, so I could find out if I could make youugh. But you stole thatughter from me. I needpensation." He said in an impassive tone.

    Unconsciously staying in an eye lock with him for a while, I averted my gaze. A fluttering difort erupted in my belly. Almost like a heated jitter that coursed through my body.

    My heart was racing, my chest heaving faster, and I didn''t know what to say.

    Was he... flirting?

    He ced his slightly icy fingers on my heated face. I shuddered as tantalizing goosebumps ran through my body. I shut my eyes, relishing on his cold touch as he caressed my cheeks. I must be out of my mind.

    What am I doing? It seems as though I am losing control over my own body.

    I preferred the Raven, who always had a scowl on his face, who was always angry. At least, I could know for sure that I had to stay on guard around him.

    But right now, I don''t know if I should be on guard. If yes, then... how?

    He was walking right through all the emotional walls I had created and I felt so helpless.

    I really had no idea how to handle him or the certain things he made me feel or these awkward conversations.

    Lately, I couldn''t tell what he was thinking or how he would react, and that scared me more than his rage because I knew he had some ulterior motive. But what?

    My heart pounded violently against my ribs. A lump threatened to build in my throat.

    I had so many ''whys'' to ask him, but when he leaned closed, I shut my eyes with a quick gulp and waited to feel his lips on mine.

    Feeling his breaths brush against my lips, a sudden rush of heat shot between my legs as I reimagined the moments we kissed before and... his bite on my lips.

    I felt him inhale my scent, probably my arousal, and then he withdrew himself from me.

    "Let''s get you checked up for other internal harms your body might have sustained because of your kitty catty," he said, taking off his jacket.

    Flustered, I swiftly opened my eyes. Pressing my sensitive lips in a tight line, I gave a small nod.

    He proffered his jacket to me.

    "Wear it," his tone was stiff, but it didn''t sound like amand like usual.

    I took his jacket.

    Even though I was already wearing a jacket; I gathered my torn crop top, hiding my breasts. My jacket wouldn''t cover my breasts, so I put his jacket on, almost drowning in it. He chained up his jacket on me and corrected the cors. Just like he had brought me here, he picked me up in his arms and before I knew it; I was in the hospital wing of Helxton.

    ***

    And another hour I spent getting myself checked for abnormal cell growths and other skin problems.

    They used magical symbols and circles like we used machines in our earthly realm to diagnose. I was curious and wished to know more about these fascinating ways, but...

    I anxiously looked at the time. It was 9:01 already. I had to be in the Aile castle before 9:09.

    I had no idea how Ezra and Asher might react when they wouldn''t find me there. But I was sure of one thing: I would have to face the bacsh.

    The only way to reach there on time would be teleportation.

    Raven walked into the room with the reports, and I got down from the bed in a hurry.

    "Aren''t you a lucky omega? No more suspicious cell growth in your body. And those dead skin cells will shed in a few days," he said, entering the room with the reports.

    I was hurt only as much as he anticipated, and he had already healed those wounds. Raven was a remarkable healer and there was no doubt in it.

    "But look where your little adventure has led us... we''rete," Raven showed me his watch. "We won''t make it back to Aile castle by 9:09."

    "I-if we teleport..."

    Raven stretched. His muscles flexed as he cracked his shoulder and arm joints.

    "Just because I use teleportation more often because of you doesn''t mean I''ll use it to make things easy for you all the time. I won''t teleport us. You decided to help that cat. Now we''rete for the sex night and that''s your problem, not mine. Any other brilliant ideas?" He said sharply.

    I nibbled at my lower lip.

    "But you allowed me to help her..."

    He widened his eyes. "Now you''ll gaslight me? Wow! I am impressed."

    "No. It''s... it''s just... Alpha Ezra and Alpha Asher. If they don''t find me in the castle-"

    Something in Raven''s eyes flickered and changed.

    "I can guarantee they''ll be pissed," he said with a dry chuckle as he pulled out his phone.

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    I lowered my head, fidgeting with my mmy palms. I nced at the clock and the restlessness grew in my chest.

    "S-should I... inform them?" I asked, trying to hold back my tears.

    "You''re toote even for that," Raven said casually.

    Tears stung into my eyes. I sniffled.

    He snickered. "Are you crying now, seriously?"

    "It''s 9: 05 already. I really don''t know what to do..." I said, puckering my face.

    He ran his fingers through his hair.

    "Fine! Let''s go..." Raven handed me the reports, pulled out his phone and began texting someone on his phone. "Are... are we... going back to the Aile castle?" I asked, blinking away my tears.

    Lifting his eyes off the phone screen, he looked at me with a sly smirk.

    "You''ll see," he chuckled, peering at his phone screen.

    We entered the elevator.

    I nced at Raven, whose eyes were fixed on his phone screen, something mischievous ying across his lips. This can''t be good. Were we really going to Aile castle?

    He put his phone back into his pocket.

    The elevator opened into the parking lot.

    We put on our helmets.

    "Climb up, omega. You''re gonna sit in the front," he said, pulling down the visor of his helmet in his face.

    I widened my eyes.

    "F-front seat? Alpha, I don''t know how to ride a bike..."Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    He stepped closer to me. The ck visor of his helmet bumped against mine.

    "Don''t worry, little omega, you''ll be riding something far better on this bike tonight..."

    His words did something funny to my heart.

    "Wait... we''ll stay on the bike tonight? Wah-!"

    He sat on the bike and then, grabbing my waist, he lifted me off my feet effortlessly. I grabbed his biceps and his shoulder as he ced me astride the bike so that I sat face to face with him.

    He ran his palms from my knees to my thighs under my skirt as he pulled me roughly against himself. My back arched as my breasts pressed against his sturdy frame as I grabbed his shoulders to support myself.

    "Alpha... this isn''t safe..." I said, looking at the ground.

    His fingers fondled my inner thighs.

    "Riding like this... might cause an ident..." I mumbled, suppressing back a moan.

    "I''ll keep you safe," he said.

    I hadn''t even processed the effect of his words on my heart when he parted my legs farther.

    "Now spread your legs and straddle the bike like a good girl and let me feel that aroused pussy while I ride my bike..."

    He leaned in, inserting the key in the ignition and I leaned back, closer to the gas tank, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. His one knee curled up while his shoe rested on the leg peg of the bike. His other leg supported the bike.

    "Closer, omega. Bring that cunt closer. Your pussy shouldn''t lose contact with my dick tonight..." he said, and my heart skipped a beat.

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    He started the bike, and I hugged him tightly. Heat of his body raced into mine as he rode the bike out of the parking lot and I shut my eyes.

    Even though it was night, still people could see us like this in themppost lights that brightened the driveway of Helxton campus. And one thing was confirmed - we weren''t going to the Aile castle.

    Our bodies grinded. All the ups and downs on the road led to soft thrusts of the bulge in his pants against my slit.

    I bit my lips. The friction and the heat between our torsos were inplete contradiction to my icy hands and legs.

    The engine of his bike revved, roaring as it zoomed faster on the empty roads.

    My nerves sizzled under my skin as the bike met a bump.

    "Ah!"

    I clutched onto his shirt, but ended up tearing it. The buttons flew off as I scratched his chest with my nails.

    The winds rushed past us, fluttering his shirt off his chest.

    The howling winds swallowed my apology. Just as I contemted pulling my hands away from his warm chest, his free hand intercepted, sping mine firmly against his heart.

    My breaths turned heavier as I hesitated initially, but then trailed my fingers from his chest to his corbone and then his neck.

    A low growl reverberated in his chest.

    He braced his palm around my waist, grinding himself against my throbbing clitoris, slowing down the bike a little.

    I bit my lips, shutting my eyes.

    Goddess! This is getting dangerous, but....

    "Fuck!" I heard him curse through his gritted teeth.

    Handling the bike with one hand, he slid his other hand under my skirt, lifting it off as he ripped off my panties.

    The bike swayed. I yelped, my nails dug into his skin. He handled the bike with both hands again.

    He elerated the bike. We had been on the road for a while and far and wide... all I could see were dark woods.

    The pressure of the winds against me, the fear of an ident. I don''t know what it was. Thrill, madness or something else. But I was burning in those chilly winds, igniting at his touch, fueled by his warmth.

    I know I should be scared. But... I knew if something indeed went wrong... he wouldn''t let me fall.

    The moments he saved me from falling off the hoverboard and when he rescued me away from Zosha shed before my eyes.

    No, Xanthea. I told myself.

    Fear churned into my stomach and it wasn''t the fear of falling, but the fear of trusting. I didn''t even realize when I began trusting him.

    I shook those scary thoughts off my mind. I don''t trust him. It''s nothing.

    Trust and expectations always break, and when they do, they leave permanent scars. They do a kind of damage that no healer or doctor can heal. No matter how scarred I already was, trust was a wound I couldn''t afford to have. Raven was just enjoying himself. He was doing all of this for his own pleasure. He was just ying with me. Like Ezra says, I was only a toy for them they could discard whenever they wanted.

    I kept reminding myself that a year from now, he would stand in front of me, look me in my eyes before he kills me. And when that happens, I want to have the courage to look back into his eyes and if there''s any pain; I want it to bepletely physical.

    "Don''t..." Raven''s voice brought me out of my mind. "Don''t withdraw from me. Don''t hold back your arousal, my sweet omega. I want you dripping wet for me. Smother my hand, ruin my bike seat. Just let go." His voice had a hint of impatience and desperation, as if he were trying to save something.

    I gritted my teeth as my chest tightened at his words.

    "They are almost here. I didn''t expect them to catch up so soon. Show them how turned on you are for me..." Raven slid his fingers across my slit, gathering my wetness.

    I moaned as I felt a current charge through me, numbing my every thought as he pinched my clitoris.

    Hugging him tighter, I knit my brows, confused.

    Who were almost here? Don''t tell me...

 Chapter-42. Choices

    [Raven]

    Out of nihility, two sports bikes burst onto the road, racing behind us with an adrenaline-pumped intensity that echoed in the air with the roar of their engines. Within moments, they surged forward, effortlessly catching up with my bike. My eyes darted from Asher''s sleek white bike on the left to Ezra''s fiery red bike on my right.

    As soon as Asher''s scent dominated the air, I could feel the increase in Xanthea''s heartbeats through our tightly pressed chests.

    She wasn''t trying to look around. She wasn''t in a condition to look around, either. But I was too close to her body to not notice the effect Asher had on her.

    Not when my three fingers were buried deep inside her pussy.

    Like always, it was happening once again. As soon as Asher came into the picture, I felt myself dimming away. As childish as it may be, this bitter feeling never failed to create a grim tightness in my chest.

    I gritted my teeth, plunging my fingers deeper inside her.

    "Ah! Alpha!" she let out a shuddering yelp. Her grip on my shirt grew stronger, to the point I thought she might rip it off me.

    She writhed against every thrust of my fingers. Fucking her rougher, the heel of my palm stimted her sultry clitoris with an unyielding pressure, making her gasp and moan with broken breaths.

    I''ll consume your mind so fervently that you won''t even think about anyone else, omega.

    "Ah... Alpha... please... wait! Raven..." My cock throbbed at her weak moans. They were like a sensual music to my ears and when she called my name, forgetting to add ''Alpha'' before it, something dangerous charged through me. Not just her mind, I wanted to consume every inch of her body.

    Xanthea was useful to me and I thought that was why I wanted her. I thought that was why I kept her closer, monitored her every step. But now I understand my ''why'' a little better.

    I want you more because Asher wants you just as much. I don''t know his reasons, but I want to steal you from him.

    The fact that you matter to him makes me want to do things to you because I know it''ll piss him off.

    You might just be the insecurity of my life''s biggest insecurity - Asher.

    I had beenpared to him all my life. Told how he was born to be the perfect Alpha. We look the same, but somehow in our parents'' eyes, he always looked better.

    I didn''t want to look like him, so I grew my hair. I wasn''t born perfect, gifted with true Alpha powers like him, so I changed myplete profession. I became the best in my field, yet somehow, I could never be better than him.

    All my life, I had looked for Asher''s weakness and a loophole in his perfection. So I have always desired things he possessed, and he always shared with his holier than thou attitude. From his toys to his position as the Alpha of Prime Infernal pack. He never onceined, hesitated or thought twice before sharing or giving his possessions.

    He was even ready to share his luna candidate and anyone he was willing to share was of no use to me.

    But Xanthea... something about the way he desires her is different. Yes, he shares her with us, but he also seeks to control and define the boundaries of that sharing.

    Asher had always been a workaholic ever since he was a child. Even though he was always avable for us and our family, his priority was always the pack and his work as the Alpha.

    Nyssa believed that overworking had turned him into a stone - a distant, cold man who felt nothing and his indifference reflected in the decisions he made.

    Yes, Ezra and I share the Alpha title with him now. We divided our Alpha duties as well. But it had happened recently, a few years ago.

    If Ezra and I were to fall today, the pack would recover in no time, but if Asher fell, the pack would fall apart almost instantly.

    And the importance he held didn''t make me despise him any less.

    The Asher before Xanthea and the Asher after Xanthea aren''t the same people.

    And that''s what I wanted to find out.

    What was different now? What changed?

    Ezra''s scent suffused around us right after Asher''s.

    ''What is this, Raven?'' Ezra spoke through the mind-link. ''Why did you call us? Didn''t you say she couldn''t get pregnant for a few weeks?''

    ''Why did youe? I merely shared my live location and a selfie with our omega bride. You didn''t have toe if you didn''t want to,'' I replied.

    I expected Asher to show up almost instantly, given how protective he had been of her from the very beginning.

    But I wasn''t so sure if Ezra would show up. I thought he would withdraw himself after the trigger like he always did, sulk for a few more weeks, wait for us to drag him for the sex night. Completely ignoring my counter, Ezra changed the subject.

    ''Who pissed Asher off?'' Ezra asked, sensing the same heaviness I felt radiating from Asher. Asher was included in our mindlink, but he always preferred to stay silent and listen.

    ''I did,'' I said in triumph.

    ''Why?''

    ''I had a solo with our bride,'' I said.

    ''What!?'' Ezra looked at Xanthea and then skimmed his eyes back to Asher who was looking straight ahead on the road, driving parallel to our bikes.

    ''You had solo sex with her. Are you out of your fucking mind?'' Ezra snapped. "Why would you have solo with her?"

    ''Well, I didn''t go so far, but now I feel like I should have.'' I said this to piss Asher off even more.

    Asher''s aura became even more overpowering, falling on us heavier than the winds.

    Even our little omega felt his rage knitting denser into the air. She arched her shivering body against mine.

    ''What are you trying to do, Raven? First, you take her on a date. You bring her to ss pce unannounced. Then you kiss her there and then you fuck her on a moving bike.'' Ezra asked. ''And then you share a selfie and call us here just to tell us you could have had a solo with her?''

    Asher''s aura turned neutral.

    Withdrawing my fingers from her pussy, I unzipped my jacket Xanthea was wearing, and the winds did the rest of the job of removing the rest of the clothes from her tits.

    She shivered as the chilly winds brushed against her skin. I ran my fingers down her throat and a film of her juices spread on her skin.

    ''Of course, I didn''t just call you here to piss Asher off. No. No. I had something to discuss with you two about our bride and, of course, because I wanted to fuck her... solo,'' I said, looking at Asher.

    Asher overtook my bike and blocked the path. Applying the brake, I brought the bike to an abrupt halt.

    "The things I do for you, little omega," I chuckled, taking off our helmets. "Look, they are here for you. Won''t you show them how well you can ride on the bike? Undo my belt..."

    She tensed her body and peered at me with a slight frown.

    "H-here?"All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    "Yes."

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    I looked at Asher who dismounted his bike, but instead of interfering with us, he merely folded his arms across his chest. Leaning back on his bike, he watched us.

    Ezra took off his helmet and looked at me and Asher alternatively.

    Xanthea reached out and undid my belt. She hesitated. Redness flushed her pretty skin as she pulled down my fly.

    She bit her lower lip, gulping nervously.

    "Xanthea..." Asher called her in a calm tone. "Come to me."

    And with just a few words and bare minimum efforts, he had hit exactly where I was hurting.

    I red at Asher and then at Xanthea who had instantly withdrawn her hands.

    She turned her head and looked at Asher, and then looked back at me.

    Ezra cracked up, observing us.

    "What will you do now, little toy? Whosemand will you follow? It''s a loss-loss situation," Ezramented.

    I clenched and unclenched my jaws, ring at Asher.

    "Who will you choose?" I spoke through the surge of an ugly knot building in my chest. "Me or him?" I asked, holding her restless gaze.

    "You cannot not choose," Ezra said. "That''s not an option here. Come on."

    Xanthea shut her eyes and took a deep breath.

    I reached out to hold her back when she tried to get down from my bike, but I withdrew my hand.

    Asher smirked and walked to us. He helped her get down from my bike.

    I peered at them nkly before averting my darkening gaze to the woods.

    Asher wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

    "I didn''t want toplicate this more than it already was, but now I am really curious if you''de to me if I called," Ezra asked in an impassive tone.

    Xanthea distanced herself from Asher''s touch and walked to Ezra.

    I squinted my eyes with a slight frown, and so did Asher.

    Ezra cocked a brow, as though he didn''t expect her to choose him at all.

    She looked at Ezra as though deciding what to say.

    "I wouldn''te if you called," she said, breaking the silence. "In fact, I''d run as far away as I could from you..." she looked at Ezra and then at Asher "... from you..." and then she looked at me. I sensed her gaze softened. "... and from you." Her words came out as a whisper.

    She chuckled, licking her lips as she lowered her head.

    "Because I know... none of you will choose me..." she faced Ezra again. "Tell me, Alpha Ezra... would you choose me over your luna candidates? Would Alpha Asher and Alpha Raven choose me over their women?" Her words seized the winds as her smile held behind it a storm of emotions.

    She nced at us before continuing.

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    "Honestly... if I were you, I wouldn''t choose myself either. I''m not worth choosing. I''m not worth fighting for. I''m just... just an omega. I can''t resist you. I can''t deny you. So, I can''t choose you either."

    She tried to hold back her tears.

    "ying these games with me might not be a big deal for you, but..." Her nose red as she bit her lip, and her chin quivered as tears finally betrayed her. She took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. "But these games mean life and death for me. If I win, I lose. If I lose, I lose."

    I got down from my bike and walked closer to her, but she stepped back.

    "I am not worthy of being a factor in defining someone else''s worth. Your worth is much more than my choices can define..." she said, holding my gaze.

    Ezra towered behind her. Leaning closer to her neck, he whispered.

    "Ok, let''s give you another choice. All three of us or none of us?" he asked.

    She nkly stared at the road.

    "I''m saying this because I know it''ll enrage you. But if I get to choose, I''ll choose none of you," she said. "Now that I have made a choice, would that make any difference in what you want? Will you respect my choice? Would you free me now? Let me go..."

    "Back to your lovely pack?" Ezra smirked with a scoff. "Never. You are our property now."

    "I thought so," she said. Ezra just proved her point.

    He grabbed her upper arms, yanking her against himself.

    "What did you say?"

    She looked back into his eyes and snapped.

    "I said a toy, a doll, a property doesn''t have the right to choose. These things are possessed and owned by their owners. A doll is lifeless, and a property is an inanimate object. Don''t try to attribute characteristics of the living to lifeless objects because if they were toe to life, you wouldn''t be able to handle it."

    "You..." Ezra pushed her against his bike.

    She didn''t struggle; she shut her eyes, allowing her tears to stream down her face as Ezra stripped her off her clothes and made her sit sideways on the bike seat. Parting her legs, he lifted her skirt, raising her knees. Asher and I stopped him at the same time. Standing between her and Ezra, I pushed him away from her while Asher pulled Xanthea into his embrace.

    She broke into sobs, clenching the front of his clothes.

    "It''s ok..." Asher whispered to her, caressing her nape.

    "Calm down, Ezra!" I growled.

    "You are telling me to calm down!? The way she talks-" he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "You know what? Fuck it! This was a bad idea! I shouldn''t have cared toe all the way here."

    "You are not going anywhere, Ezra," I said. "There was something I wanted to discuss with you and Asher about her privately, but I''ll juste out and say this in front of her."

    Now I knew the direction she would fly in if I gave her wings - away from me. Even so, I wanted to take the risk, try the chances - give her the wings she so desired.

    I nced at her and said.

    "I want to enroll Xanthea in Helxton''s fast course programme."

 Chapter-43. Give me a chance

    [Raven]

    "Enroll her?" Ezra winced.

    "Yes," I said firmly.

    Ezra''s lip curled in a sneer as he casually leaned back against Asher''s bike, a smirk ying at the corners of his mouth.

    "Enroll her to be a healer?" He chuckled; his words sharp with sarcasm. "What''s next, finding her a fairy godhusband?" His voice tinged with bitterness and disdain. "She can find a lot of hook ups in Helxton and then you can choose who fucks her better..."

    "Ezra!" A growl tore through me. I red at him; my jaw clenched with frustration. "I don''t have time for your nonsense-"

    "And I don''t have time for ''your'' nonsense!" He snapped, the fake smile faltering into a scowl.

    "Ezra..."

    "No," Ezra dered in an authoritative tone. "I will not allow it."R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    I wasn''t expecting him to, anyway. Pulling up the sleeves of my shirt, I let out a sigh.

    He remained silent for a while, and then he slid his hands into his pockets.

    "Like all other brides that came before her, she''ll stay in the castle like a good bride. Throughout the week, she''ll obediently prepare herself for the sex nights, awaiting to pleasure her husbands. She''ll dutifully adorn herself like a beautiful little toy she is. And when the nightes, she''ll entertain us until she bes pregnant. That''s her role as our breeder and she will ''not'' stray from it."

    "Her education will not affect her role as our breeder."

    "Tell this rubbish to someone else, Raven. Work life bnce is bullshit! A woman''s education and her career affect her life in all aspects. From her body to her mind. She needs to have a sound body and mind to bear children. You''d know it better than me. It''s a man''s job to provide for a woman, and I think the three of us are more than capable of providing her with whatever the fuck she needs. So, why do you suddenly want her to be a healer?"

    "I don''t want her to have a healer''s career. She''ll not work! I just want her to have a healer''s license. She has an eidetic memory. And that''s something that will be extremely useful in my research. If things work out, she can change the entire course of our pursuit."

    Ezra chuckled wryly.

    "Really? You think I give a damn about your fucking research which... let''s be real, we all know, is a failure through and through?"

    I clenched my fists, holding myself back from punching him in his damn mouth.

    "Moreover, what you''re saying is not sanely possible. You want to enroll her in the healer''s programme, which is a six years'' long course. Even if she tried through the fast course, she''ll at least need three years. That is, if she gets a good healing partner. I might not know much about your med and shit, but I know how courses work in Helxton. Its technology branch is mine, after all."

    Ezra looked at Xanthea who stood with her gaze held low. Her heart was ravaging in her chest so loudly I could hear her beats scream.

    "She doesn''t have that kind of time in her hands," Ezra said, his eyes darkening.

    "I know her potential, Ezra. I''ve tested her myself and I can tell you for sure that she has it in herself to get the healer''s license within a year," I said.

    "Potential? I know one when I see it and I see no potential in her. All she is going to do is get herself unhealthy attention from the other demons and cause trouble for us. That''s the only potential her body holds. Once she is out in the wild, there will be no way to keep a check on her interaction with the other men-"

    "No one would darey an eye on her. Or are you questioning the power of our soul pact?" I grunted, closing in on him.

    "She is not going. End of conversation. No matter what you say, she is not entering that fucking healer''s shit. Asher, decide!" Ezra looked at Asher.

    I turned around to face Asher.

    Now everything depended on him.

    A mixture of anticipation and fear wafted through Xanthea''s restless eyes as she looked at Asher and then dropped her gaze.

    She fidgeted with her fingers, nibbling her lips uneasily. Her chest rose and fell, matching the rapid beat of her heart, as she anxiously awaited Asher''s decision.

    Asher looked at her with an expressionless face and then at me.

    I couldn''t tell what was going on behind his stoic demeanor. It was never easy to read Asher and predicting him was even more difficult.

    "Xanthea..." he called out to her in a soft tone.

    She stiffened her body as she hesitantly lifted her eyelids and looked into Asher''s eyes.

    "What do you have to say about this? Do you want to be a healer?" he asked.

    Her eyelids fluttered weakly as she drew in her brows. With a tight gulp, she looked at me with uncertain eyes.

    I maintained eye contact with her until she averted her gaze.

    "Xanthea, do you want to take this course?" Asher reiterated, raising his voice slightly. "This course won''t be easy. Six years of knowledge in one year. As you can imagine, the mental pressure on you will be extreme. And, as I can see, Raven has high expectations of you. And if you fail to meet them, you will face consequences, mentally."

    I frowned.

    So now he was trying to manipte her into rejecting this opportunity herself by making me the viin.

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    Fucker!

    "Not just that, you''ll be exposed to a cruel world of life and death where someone''s death could mean someone''s life and the choice of whom to kill and whom to save will be in your hands. This is not your earthly realm. Because healing within immortals, as I have known, is not for the fainthearted. Even if you don''t practice as a healer after you get the license, you''ll still have to do practicals like the other students on living subjects during the course. You''ll have to take lives in your hands and y with them in that process."

    Xanthea drew in a shuddering breath, horror spreading across her face at Asher''s words.

    "Asher! Stop scaring her!" I snarled, walking closer to them.

    "Am I wrong, Raven?" Asher challenged, meeting my eyes evenly. "You have known this world of healing better. Tell me, if I am wrong."

    I parted my lips to speak, but held back my words. He wasn''t wrong, but...

    "Not just mentally, she''ll suffer emotionally, morally. I need to make sure she knows what ''you'' want her to get into-"

    "She has already seen what she''ll get into. Do you think I took her to Helxton for a pic? I do not waste my time, Asher. I invest my time and I think she''ll be a worthy investment."

    "That''s exactly the pressure I am talking about, Raven," Asher growled in an impassive tone as he squared up. "Even with your support, she''ll have to face this world all by herself. If she isn''t prepared for the course, then I will not allow you to force it on her."

    My face tightened with rage.

    "Stop ying these mind games with her, Asher. You are trying too hard to maintain this facade of a good man."

    "I''m merely stating facts."

    Asher looked deadpan into my eyes.

    I nodded, sidestepped and walked past Asher as I stood facing Xanthea. She looked terrified, bewildered, a mess of emotions.

    "This is yourst chance, Xanthea. Today, either your fears win or your dreams. You''ll have to choose one of them." I raised my voice. "Speak up like you did before. Say what''s on your mind, unfiltered." I grabbed her upper arms and pulled her closer, holding her gaze. "You don''t have to choose us, but today, I want you to choose yourself."

    Tears flushed in her eyes. She looked at me, breathing heavily through her mouth.

    Asher held my hands and pushed me away from her.

    "I agree. I don''t have the noblest motive behind doing this. In fact, what I am doing ispletely selfish. I want to use you for-"

    "Stop it!" Ashermanded, standing between us. "She has heard enough-"

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    "Xanthea..." I knit my brows. "Listen to your heart. Not all dreamse true, and not everyone gets a chance. Tell him what''s in your heart. Give your dreams a chance, little omega."

    Her lips quivered. Whimpering, she turned her back on us, holding her face in her palms.

    "Enough! Stop manipting her," Asher growled.

    "Don''t let Asher manipte you. Choose your dreams, Xanthea."

    "I told you, Raven!" Asher threatened. "I won''t let you force her into what you want-"

    "I-I... I want to..." her voice cracked. Taking a deep breath, she wiped off her tears before she turned around to face us again. "I want to..." she gazed deeply into my eyes. "I want to... do it. I want to be... a healer." "Ridiculous!" Ezra scoffed.

    I stopped struggling against Asher to get closer to her and straightened my posture. I clenched my jaws at the unfathomable swelling feeling that sprawled in my chest. A smile spread across my face before I could hold it back. I let out a sharp exhale, feeling the tension in my body fade slowly as I contemted her.

    "I understand the things I''ll have to go through. I''m sure there I''ll be able to find a way to navigate through those vicissitudes." She walked to Asher and gently tugged at the cuff of his shirt with her fragile fingers. "Please Alpha... Please give me a chance. I promise, I''ll work hard and I''ll neverin. And..." she nced at Ezra through her bleary eyes. "And, I''ll never let my studies affect m-my... duties towards you..."

    Fuck!

    I scrubbed my face.

    I felt a rush in my cock at her words. I looked at her through the gaps between my fingers.

    The way she was weak and strong at the same time was getting on me.

    Has weakness always been so exciting?

    Turns out, I wasn''t the only one aroused by the fragility in her voice and the strength in her words.

    Asher held her chin and made her look at him again. He caressed her tears away. She shut her eyes, bringing her shoulders closer to her neck at his touch.

    "Why don''t you bribe me a little with your duty first?" Asher''s voice lowered, a hint of mischief in his tone as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against himself. "So that I can make my decision ordingly."

    It seemed as though her breaths had seized in her lungs. Her cheeks turned into a bright shade of crimson at his words. She tensed her body before drooping her eyelids.

    "Do your duty, wife... please your husband..." Asher whispered, brushing his thumb across her lower lip. "If you can, then... bend my decision in your favor."

 Chapter-44. Innocent kiss

    [Raven]

    Xanthea weakly drew in her brows at Asher''s words. Her face flushed red.

    "What if someone sees us?" she mumbled, lowering her head.

    "That''s what''s bothering you?" He asked, and she nodded.

    Asher mindlinked with the transport department and ordered them to diverge all the traffic that could head on this road.

    "No one''s gonnae this way now and there are no cameras around either," Asher said with a smirk. "So my wife can do all the dirty things she wants to her husband without the fear of being discovered." Xanthea could barely look into his eyes. She was still hesitating.

    "Asher has just rerouted the traffic of the entire pack for you," I said and she widened her eyes, panicking slightly as she darted her eyes from me to Asher.

    "What happened, wife? Don''t want my decision in your favor? Well, if that''s the case then... I think I''ll have to agree with Ez-"C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Before Asher could finish his sentence, she pressed her lips against his. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she stood on her tiptoes.

    I held back my smile. This girl.

    Asher looked at her in half surprise and half amusement as she tried her best to kiss him. Her eyes were tightly shut. Her lips were timid and trembling against Asher''s lips, just like her body was against his. "Good devil! She is twenty-three, and she doesn''t even know how to kiss." I heard Ezra scoff at her. "Teenagers nowadays kiss better than her. Poor Asher," he mocked.

    I let out a sigh.

    Well, at least she was trying.

    I looked at them and every expression washed away from my face almost instantly.

    Asher smiled against her lips before he turned his face to the side.

    Frustration knit my brows.

    This man can smile!?

    He wasn''t just smiling, was he fucking blushing?

    What the fuck is going on?

    I had never seen Asher smile, at least not genuinely. But right now, I could tell his smile was as real as this moment.

    Ezra and I exchanged the same judgemental look before we looked at Asher again.

    Xanthea tensed up. The restlessness in her body and nervousness on her face somehow turned her body even more sensual. From her corbone inviting bite marks to her legs requesting to be spread apart and her pussy screaming to be fucked hard.

    Yet the moment they shared was softer and more serene than my thoughts.

    Gulping tightly, she was about to withdraw her hands from his chest when Asher gently seized her wrists, wrapping them around his neck as he pulled her in. His hands tenderly nketed her hips as though they were about to share a ball dance.

    Hugging her, he kissed her forehead before he gently caressed her cheeks and leaned down closer to her face.

    She stepped back, and he pressed into her against Ezra''s bike.

    Their eyes locked, and a mix of desires churned between them. Xanthea looked uncertain, but I could see it in her eyes that she was undeniably drawn towards him.

    Her body shuddered as his index finger curled beneath her jaws. His thumb traced the curve of her cheek. Xanthea shut her eyes, savoring his touch as their scents intertwined with the winds that danced around them.

    "Why are you so cute?" He whispered. "What should I do with your innocence if not ruin it like I want to?"

    She widened her eyes, taken aback by his words. Shame washed over her as she buried her face in his chest.

    Innocence? Was our omega bride really so innocent? What was innocent about her? Her sultry eyes or her lustful arousal? A kind of innocence that waspelling me to shove my cock to her depths and turn her into a not so innocent mess.

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    But I held myself back. I wanted to see how she would get the permission out of Asher.

    Asher cupped her face and made her look into his eyes. Her face was beet-red.

    "Ok, now look into my eyes, Xanthea," Asher said, but Xanthea kept averting her eyes out of shame. "Xanthea! Take a deep breath and look at me." Taking a deep breath, Xanthea looked into Asher''s eyes.

    "There''s nothing to be ashamed about. It''s ok. I''ve never been kissed like this before..."

    "I am sorry, Alpha I-"

    "I liked it," Asher said, and the tension in her body faltered away.

    "Y-you did?" she asked hesitantly.

    Asher nodded, still holding a faint smile on his face.

    "This kiss was... pure. It was innocent. It was you and I want to experience ''you'' more. So, take your time, but show me more of you, Xanthea. Be as clumsy and na?ve with me as you can. It''s ok. Hmm?" Xanthea nodded, nibbling on her lower lip.

    "Good," Asher murmured. "Why don''t you try again? But this time, kiss me more like I am yours..."

    Something unfathomably captivating lit up in Xanthea''s eyes as his words hung between them.

    I thought she would smile, but she held back her expressions. But she couldn''t hide what a few words from his mouth had done to her heart.

    Her chest rose and fell faster as Asher closed the distance between them even more.

    "You like it gentle, do it gently," Asher whispered, brushing his lips against her earlobe. "You want it rough? Just let me know."

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    Xanthea bit her lower lip. A hint of lust darkened her eyes as she took in Asher''s face.

    I had never seen that look in her eyes before.

    My eyes remained transfixed on her. Her eyes were burning with desperation as her body sensually arched against his frame and her sweet arousal whispered to the winds all the desires she tried to hide. She rose on her tiptoes again. This time, with a little more confidence, she looked into Asher''s eyes before her gaze dipped to his lips. She looked at him again as though asking for his consent. Asher gave a slight nod, and she brushed her lips over his.

    There was extreme restraint and patience in their interaction. It was slow. More like their lips were having a confidential conversation in apletely anothernguage of kisses.

    The patience with which Asher embraced her and stopped himself from dominating made me impatient. That was something I could never even think of doing, but...

    Something unsettling and dark ignited in my chest, and I didn''t like the way this inscrutable stir burned me.

    That made me rethink what Asher said before. Were his words merely tofort her in his space or... did he mean them?

    He had surrendered himself to her as though he were truly hers.

    Xanthea clenched the front of his shirt and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. I saw their tongues unite at the corner of their lips. Asher rested his hands on the bike seat nking her hips. The way her body calmly unfurled in his space reminded me of a bud blooming into a sensual rose.

    With a gasp, she parted from him, breathing heavily.

    They shared a moment, lost in one another''s eyes.

    "Shall I?" He asked.

    Xanthea gave a weak nod.

 Chapter-45. Wife duties(18+)

    [Raven]

    Without wasting another second, he ran his hand up her waist, iming her lips in a fervor that was proof of how badly he had held himself back, giving her the control.

    Xanthea''s soft gasps turned into moans and heavy pants as he lifted her off her feet and made her sit on the bike sideways. He didn''t have to force anything; her body was melting at his mere touch. She parted her legs. Her slim fingers running desperately from under his ear to his nape, into his hair.

    With his free hand, he undid his belt and unzipped his pants.

    "Ah! Alpha..." Her fingers curled into a fist around his hair as he plunged inside her.

    Xanthea''s eyes were shut, her face wrinkling in a wince as he began thrusting in and out.

    Asher gently stroked the tear off Xanthea''s cheek as he asked, "are you okay, Xanthea?"

    "Yes..." she replied with a suppressed moan.

    I gritted my teeth at the way my cock throbbed at her moans.

    I ran my fingers through my hair.

    It was frustrating how badly I wanted to make her moan just asnguidly when I pounded into her pussy. And it was even more frustrating to know that I wasn''t the one bringing out those melodious whimpers from her throat. "Alpha! Please! Uh!" she writhed on the bike.

    "Yes? What do you want, wife?" Asher slowed down, teasing her.

    She clearly wanted him to take her rougher. But that fucker wanted to make her beg for it.

    "Faster!"All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    "As you wish."

    The sound of their bodies colliding and the raw sound of their skins pping against one another grew louder, matching Xanthea''s escting cries as she struggled to suppress them.

    "You know what a dutiful wife does before shees?" Asher grabbed her jaws and made her look at him, holding her back froming.

    "W-what?" she spoke against his lips.

    "She respectfully screams out her husband''s name. My name, wife." He thrusted his fingers inside her mouth. "I want my name smothered on your lips as I fill your pussy. My name, not my rank, not my royal title. I want you to take my fucking... name."

    Xanthea hugged him as he took her rougher.

    "Ah! Asher..." she whimpered. "Asher! Oh god!"

    He groaned. "Fuck yes, wife! Just like that!"

    Her hips jerked as Asher held her trembling legs and wrapped them around his waist.

    Her mouth hung open in broken gasps as she bit on her upper lip. Her body became unsettled and I could feel the impending release brimming inside her.

    Asher gritted his teeth.

    "You..." he growled. She moaned at her every thrust. "You have my... permission, Xanthea. Do what you want..." Her nails dug into his skin. All her jitteriness seized at the impact of her orgasm. "Be a healer." He fucked her slowly before pulling out from her.

    Xanthea''s eyes followed him as he stepped aside. My eyes lingered on her drenched pussy. The slick mixture of her release and Asher''s cum trailed down her slit, coating her folds and glistening in the road light. Asher walked round the bike and stood behind Xanthea.

    Once the intense pleasure of her orgasm had sanelybined with the exhration of Asher''s approval, Xanthea turned her attention towards me.

    Helping herself down the bike, she turned around and walked to Asher behind the bike, her eyes filled with excitement and a hint of victory as she stood face to face with him. "Really?" she asked.

    Asher gave a curt nod.

    "Of course, wife."

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    Her chest filled up. Tears of happiness lining her eyelids as she skimmed her eyes from Asher to me.

    "Thank you... thank you, Alpha," she licked her lips. "Thank you so much."

    Asher smiled back at her, ruffling her hair as he made her look at him. She chuckled softly.

    She turned around, and I knew she was about toe to me when Asher held her wrist and pulled her in a hug from behind.

    "The night''s not over yet, wife, and now I am afraid I want you... ''need you'' more than you are willing to give..."

    She squeezed her body together in the cage of his arms.

    "W-what does that... mean, Alpha?" Xanthea asked breathlessly.

    "You''ll know and also..."

    He unzipped my jacket she was wearing and, one by one, freed her from all her clothes before he bent her over the bike. Her breasts pressed against the bike seat. Xanthea''s gaze briefly met mine before Asher reimed her attention, deftly removing her hairband and letting her locks fall freely down her back.

    "... I have no fucking... idea." He growled before he prated her in one raw thrust.

    Her body moved forward, her breasts bouncing as he fucked her wildly. Her hands grappled around the bike. She held onto everything she could to cope with Asher''s pace.

    He wrapped his palm around her throat and pulled her back closer to himself.

    Asher red right into my eyes before he bit her on her neck, exactly where I had left my hickey.

    "Asher!" Xanthea yelped in pain.

    I widened my eyes.

    This Asher is not normal.

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    I have to find out now.

    This wasn''t just some kind of forey or one-time thing. It looked far more than that.

    Forget about the previous brides. He had never been this obsessed with his own luna candidate, Vie. And Vie has been with him ever since childhood. There was a level of trust and respect between Asher and Vie, but this madness? Nothing matched with this.

    I couldn''t tell what it was. Possessiveness? Obsession? Infatuation? Lust? Kink? Asher was confusing the hell out of me.

    But that was a good thing.

    Whatever the reason might be, the more he wants her, the more fun it will be to steal her away from him.

    "You are going to regret this. Both of you are going to regret this deeply," Ezra warned.

    "Stay out of this if you are not going to participate," I said, before walking to Xanthea.

    "Who says I am not participating? Asher''s fucking her on my bike. So I might not be participating directly, but my bike sure as hell is having a great time," Ezra grumbled.

    Ignoring him, I held up Xanthea''s thawing, teary face.

    She looked into my eyes, panting and moaning badly.

    I unzipped my pants and pulled out my hard cock.

    "Xanthea... as a wife, you have some duties towards me as well. You''ll be a good omega and give me your head, right?" I asked.

    "I thought you didn''t like others going down on you." Asher''s words were more of a threat than a question.

    I narrowed my gaze, taking his challenge.

    "Well, my little omega doesn''te under the ''others'' anymore," I said, rubbing the tip of my cock against her lips.

    I never had a problem going down on others, but I just didn''t like others doing the same with me. It was never my thing to have my thing in someone''s mouth.

    But things... were definitely changing now.

 Chapter-46. Blurred lines(18+)

    [Xanthea]

    I parted my lips, but shut them tightly again at Asher''s unyielding thrusts.

    I knew Raven wasn''t patient like Asher, but right now he wasn''t forcing his way either.

    Maybe that had to do something with him not liking others going down on him, or maybe not?

    I couldn''t tell. My mind was too frenzied to think orprehend them or their mood.

    "Ah!" I dug my nails into the bike seat as my body jerked forward. I feared the bike might fall over. "Asher... slow... uh! Please slow down..."

    The pain from his bite on my neck was still mingling with the intense pleasure brewing once again in my body.

    Asher slowed down, and I could feel every little sensation of him sliding in and out of my pussy. My folds clenched around his cock when he rammed into my depth. Taking a deep breath, I kissed the tip of Raven''s hard cock. It was hot, throbbing against my lips.

    I sucked on the tip.

    "Fuck this! With you, I can''t be as patient as him." Raven gritted his teeth before he drove his cock into my mouth.

    I shut my eyes as my jaws opened wide.

    Raven''s palm wrapped around my head as he began thrusting slowly.

    "Look at me, omega," hemanded.

    Knitting my brows, I opened my hazy eyes to meet his sharp gaze. Something dangerous flickered in his eyes. A subtle smirk yed across his lips.

    "I think I''m gonna like it more than I expected," he said in a hoarse tone. "Ezra has taught you better, and I know your mind doesn''t forget things. You already know what you need to do."

    A wing knot formed in my chest at his words.

    "Suck," hemanded, igniting something inexplicably daring in my chest.

    I gritted my teeth, coping with Asher''s faster rhythm. Suppressing my moans, I wrapped my hands around Raven''s cock. It grew in my mouth as I pressed my tongue around it and began sucking his tip while stroking him at the base. Raven let out a satisfactory groan, thrusting deep into my mouth.

    Tears stung into my eyes and I grappled to manage my breaths between Asher''s and Raven''s thrusts.

    Raven ran his fingers through my hair, massaging a certain spot. A wave of rxation and tantalizing goosebumps ran through my body as my eyes rolled back into my head.

    They somehow always managed to make my body react in a way that was always opposite to my expectations.

    I would have fallen to my knees had Asher not wrapped his arms firmly around my waist while pounding inside me.

    "Fuck!" I heard Raven growl as he tugged at my hair. My mouth made an obscene slurping sound when he pulled out. Drool trailed down my lips as my mouth remained hung open.

    Allowing me to take in a deep breath, Raven plunged in again. My eyes widened as his tip hit the back of my throat and I immediately gagged, my nails clenched on his arm, leaving behind scratch marks. My legs were shaking, my mind delirious.

    Raven wiped the tears off my cheeks and made me look at him again.

    "You are taking me so well, omega," he grunted through his clenched teeth. "You are such a good slut. Now open wider and give me a deep throat."

    I let out a whimper, feeling my core throb. I couldn''t tell if it was because of Raven''s words or because of Asher hitting a certain spot inside me, but it felt like my body was slowly filling up with a fire, waiting to explode. That''s when Asher''s searing palm ran up my spine and wrapped around my nape.

    "Rx, wife," Asher whispered against my ears and I tried, but...

    "Rx, little toy, and just breathe through it. I know your potential in this situation. Take it slow and you''ll be able to take Raven whole," Ezra said.

    Ezra was still far from us, leaning against Asher''s bike, watching us - watching me.

    "And Raven, don''t try to force your way in or you''ll hurt her. Give her a little control. Pain is not always the fastest route to pleasure. Sometimes a little patience does miracles," Ezramanded Raven.

    "You have no idea how patient I have been with her, Ezra. But I guess a little more won''t hurt," Raven smirked, breathing roughly through his mouth.

    My heart thundered against my ribs.

    Shutting my eyes, I took Raven in bit by bit, making sure I breathed and didn''t panic or trigger my gag reflex like Ezra had taught me when I did it for the first time.

    My face was burning, my jaws aching, but I slowly took him deeper.

    "There you go, little toy," Ezra praised. "Be a good girl for my brothers. After all, you are grateful to them, aren''t you?"

    Raven''s grip on my hair tightened, and he thrusted in faster. I could feel him getting closer to his release.

    Raven''s breaths got rougher. I heard him grit his teeth.

    "Tell me, little omega, where do you want me toe?" he spoke through rough pants. "Should Ie inside your mouth or ruin your pretty face with my cum?" He looked down at me and chuckled, running his free hand through his long hair. "Hmm... I forgot your mouth is already preupied by my dick. Looks like you can''t make any more choices tonight..."

    I let out a throaty moan.

    With a rough thrust, Raven came in my mouth and then pulled out. Coughing and slobbering, I gasped for breaths and shut my eyes as he came all over my face.

    Plunging his thumb on my tongue, he grabbed my jaw with one hand.

    "You are such a good fucking whore," Raven smirked, cupping my breasts together with his other hand. "Squeeze your breasts together for me."

    He pinched my nipples, and it felt like an electric current ran through my body.

    I bit my lower lip, tasting his cum.

    Flushed, I pressed my breasts together. My hard nipples pressed against the bike seat as Raven began fucking my breasts.

    Asher wrapped my hair around his fist, pulling my head back as he fucked me harder.

    Waves of fever and shame rushed through my body. My heart pounded with an erratic rhythm as my breaths seized in my lungs.

    I felt dirty and messy. And in that mess, my orgasm simmered and simmered, getting intense as I walked closer to my breaking point. A point beyond which I didn''t know if I would fall or fly, but it was a point my body was desperate to cross.

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    Sooner. Faster.

    Letting go of my breast, I tried to grab on the bike''s handle, but Raven seized my wrist, intertwining his fingers with mine.

    "Come for me, wife," Asher groaned, filling me up with his seed.

    "Ah! Uh! Asher!" I didn''t even realize when my moans turned into filthy cries. And those filthy cries erupted into a scream so silent my whole body was shaken to its core.

    My hips jerked, my pussy clenched around Asher''s cock as my back arched away from him. Orgasm hit me with a force that had me copsing all over the ce, shattering me bone to bone.

    Asher lifted me off the bike seat and hugged me from behind. I turned my head back to look at him, but my eyes were too blurry with tears. But I wanted him to hold me closer.

    My body yearned for his warmth, longing to have him wrapped around me like aforting nket. In that very moment, it seemed as if his embrace was the only thing that could hold me from falling apart from the intoxicating euphoria. "Ezra, bike exchange!" I heard Raven say. Ezra and Raven threw the keys of their bikes at one another. Both of them deftly caught the keys. "What are you nning to do?" Ezra asked.

    "I promised our bride a long ride tonight. I will take her on that ride, naked," Raven said, sitting astride Ezra''s bike.

    Asher''s hands wrapped around my body more possessively and I could feel it in the pressure his touch put on my skin.

    "Your penthouse is the closest. I am taking her there," Raven addressed Asher. "Got a problem?" He looked at Asher challengingly.

    I pressed my lips together as Asher pulled out from me. I could feel his cum trail down from my slit to my inner thighs.

    Raven stretched out his palm before me.

    I hesitantly turned to look at Asher.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "You don''t have to get his permission for everything, omega. Come to me. He has filled you enough for the night. It''s my turn now," Raven said. Taking his hand, I once again sat on the bike facing him.

    Asher draped his jacket around my shoulders. "Wear this. It will be cold. I''ll be waiting for you." Once I had put on his jacket, he kissed my lips.

    Raven''s palms braced my hips against his as he entered me in one thrust, filling up my insides.

    "You look quite excited about this ride, aren''t you?" Raven said as he leaned in and I leaned back closer to the gas tank, wrapping my legs around his waist.

    He started the bike and I could already feel him in my depths.

    The ride was a bewildering mix of ecstasy, exhration, thrill, and dread.

    The only guarantee of my safety was Raven, and I held myself closer to him.

    If I say I was able to stop my gratitude towards him from mixing with our intimacy, then I would be wrong. I had somehow allowed my emotions to bleed into one another. From the happiness I felt when Raven said I could enroll in Helxton to the confidence he filled me with when he asked me to choose myself.

    He had ulterior motives behind all this. He made it very clear. Despite that, I couldn''t stop my heart from pounding a little louder in his proximity.

    This might not mean much to him, but it was a big deal for me. Raven gave me an opportunity that I never could have imagined having. He had not just revived my dreams... he had rekindled a dead part of my soul.

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    Even if all this might be futile in the end, even if I died a yearter, I knew I wouldn''t regret a second of my life from here on.

    This ride with him had been strangely rxing. I hugged him tighter, feeling the winds rush past us. The winds were fast and rough, yet they carried a gentle fragrance of night with them.

    I knew I had already blurred several lines emotionally, crossed boundaries I shouldn''t have, let down my guards that had helped me stay sane emotionally and mentally so far.

    And I was well aware of the fact that I would regret this happinesster, but...

    I sunk my face into his neck, filling my lungs with his scent.

    But... just for this ride, I wanted to allow myself to feel. Only until the ride ended, I wanted to set myself free. The ride didn''t have to lead somewhere. There was nowhere I wanted to go. I just wanted to enjoy the journey. The ride had a soothing effect on my body, even with Raven being buried inside me all the time.

    Maybe it was the effect of my orgasms, or maybe the long day was finally taking a toll on my body.

    I was hungry and sleepy.

    "Alpha Raven..." I whispered against his neck.

    "Yes, little omega."

    "Thank you," I murmured drowsily.

    He remained silent as the bike smoothly glided up and down another bump on the road. His cock slipped in and out of me, stimting my clitoris in a way that made my body tremble with an eerie mix of pleasure and panic.

    "It was apletely selfish decision from my side. So you don''t have to look too much into it," he said in an impassive tone.

    "I know..." his words fell heavier on my chest. Heavier than his detached tone.

    He meant exactly what he said, so I wasn''t looking too much into it, either.

    "I am still grateful."

    "I don''t need your gratitude. I want results. Don''t do anything that might make me regret my decision. And let me warn you beforehand. I can take this opportunity from you just as easily as I have given it to you. So, be on your best behavior." We remained silent before he spoke again.

    "Bing a healer won''t be easy. You have a lot of disadvantages and weaknesses and the biggest of them all is that you are a mortal with no healing abilities and no wolf. Once you are enrolled into the programme, you''ll be on your own. I won''t help you even when I can."

    "I understand..."

    "Good..." he said, driving into an isted private driveway that led to what looked like the tallest skyscraper among the hundreds of skyscrapers that stood magnificently under the starry night.

    I ced my forehead on his shoulder and shut my eyes.

    Our ride has finally...e to an end. It was indeed a very... long ride.

    That was myst thought before I dozed off.

 Chapter-47. Penthouse

    [Xanthea]

    Turning over to evade the light that filled Asher''s bedroom through the ss walls, I snuggled into the soft pillow, gently curling myself in a fetal position under the warm nkets.

    I let out a low groan, feeling the throbbing soreness and ache coursing through my body. The soreness was particrly concentrated in my waist, legs, and groin. Massaging my neck, I sat up on the bed, half awake.

    The bed faced the cityscape.

    I opened my eyes to the skyscrapers that stood touching the clouds. My eyes remained transfixed on the majestic architecture. Asher''s penthouse was in the tallest skyscraper.

    ''Living at this height must have made it easier for him to keep an eagle eye view on the pack,'' Raven had remarked in a sarcastic tone as we got into the private elevator, which took us directly to the penthouse. Through the bed''s faint reflection in the ss, I could now see the far hills, buildings, horizon, and clouds align in their opulent grandeur.

    Last night the cityscape stretched out before me like abyrinth of shimmering lights, steel and ss intricately woven to remind me how far beyond my reach the demon lords actually were.

    Even now, when I was in Asher''s penthouse, in his bed, wearing his shirt as the only clothing on my body, I felt out of ce.

    It wasn''t just a thought. I knew I didn''t belong here.

    This ce, this pack, the triplets. They were all too sublime for me.

    The ce spoke of power, royalty, and luxury, and I fitted nowhere.

    I lowered my gaze to the tip of my fingers peeking from behind the ck cuffs of Asher''s shirt that drowned my palms. The soft fabric caressed my bare skin.

    Holding back a blush, I lowered my eyes as the memories ofst night flooded back into my mind. My mind became clearer the more those memories bled into my consciousness. Asher had helped me wear this shirt after the bath.

    I was half asleep and half awake when Raven carried me into the penthouse. Asher had teleported and was already here before us.

    Ezra didn''te. Asher told us that Ezra had to attend some urgent meeting.

    The vor of chicken soup and sandwiches still lingered on my tongue.

    ''You can''t go to sleep empty stomach. You need to eat. Come on, open your mouth...'' Asher fed me the dinner right before I passed out into a slumber.

    But everything that happened before it. My core throbbed just at the thought. Squeezing my thighs together, I curled my knees close to my chest, wrapping my arms around them.

    Biting my lips, I peered at the picturesque view before me that faded into the shes ofst night.

    Raven and Asher were in the bath with me and-

    Stiffening my body, I shut my eyes.

    The memory of me panting breathlessly against their lips shed in my mind. The echo of my moanful pants resonated vividly in my ears. Their groans mixing with the sound of shower and their rough breathy growls when they came inside

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    I inhaled sharply through my clenched teeth. The rapid pounding of my heart intensified, making it harder for me to ignore the tantalizing heat rushing between my legs.

    A flutter erupted around my belly. I swallowed hard, licking my lips.

    My body was still just as sensitive as it wasst night. Every inch of my skin, every nerve in my body, was overstimted.

    My cries and pleads still rang in my head like they echoed in the open showerst night, igniting something fervently fiery inside me.

    I remember the tingle of every drop of water that slithered down my fevered skin, followed closely by their scorching hands. Every sound, every sensation, still sizzled in the intoxicating heat that refused to leave my body and mind. ''I can''t... I can''t anymore... uh! Please stop... I can''t take it anymore... no more... ah!''

    ''Go back to sleep, omega. Leave your body in our care. We''ll take good care of it...''

    I pped my hands over my ears as though doing so would stop the heavily lecherous memories from ying in my mind.

    They were sharing me during the sex, but it seemed as though they werepeting for dominance over me. The push and pull. The pain and pleasure-

    I ran my hands through my hair, fisting them in tight grips.

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    It was maddening. Nothing like I had ever felt before.

    One second Asher was fucking me against the wall, water streaming down our bodies and the other, I was wrapped in Raven''s arm as he pinned me against the ss and kissed me - took me - harder. By the time they stopped, I wasn''t in my right mind either.

    Slow. Fast. Stop. Don''t stop. Crying. Begging. Screaming. Cuming.

    I was doing it all, losing all control over myself.

    I wrapped my arms around myself, squeezing my knees closer to my breasts.

    What is wrong with me?

    Why can''t I stop thinking about it?

    Why am I craving it again, just as insanely?

    I must be out of my mind.

    My nipples hardened just at the reminisce of their touch, the pressure of their grip, their lips on mine, their bites on my skin-

    "Fuck, Xanthea!" I gritted my teeth. "Stop! Stop! Stop!"

    A cool gust flowed into the room, carrying with itself a faint scent of jasmine.

    I turned my head towards the fluttering translucent white curtains.

    I pulled off the nket and the cool air of the penthouse gently brushed past my skin beneath Asher''s shirt as I got down from the bed. Feeling the plush carpet beneath my feet, I made my way towards the curtains.

    As I gently drew the curtains aside, a breathtaking view of a river unfolded before my eyes.

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    A soft smile made its way across my lips as I approached the picture window, its panes slightly ajar, allowing the gentle breeze to drift into the room. "Wow~" I smiled at the view.

    I slid the curtains even further, and that''s when I discovered where the breeze carried the scent of jasmine.

    Smile faltered from my face as I peered at the two flower pots ced beside the window.

    Another breeze rushed into the room, fluttering the freshly bloomed jasmine flowers and the vibrant forget-me-nots ced right next to them.

    I knit my brows, trying toprehend how finding those flowers in Asher''s bedroom made me feel when I heard the door click open and I swiftly turned around, drawing back the curtains how they were before. Asher entered the room. His eyes skimmed from the flowerpots to me.

    I peered at him, breathing heavily as the pounding in my chest got worse.

    He calmly walked into the room, closing the door behind him.

    "I think I owe you an apology," he said, strutting closer to me.

    I don''t know why I took a step back, feeling the curtains flutter behind me.

    He stood shirtless before me in ck pants. The scratch marks of my nails were still fresh on his skin. From his tattooed back to his neck, to his chest, to his abs, those lewd red lines marked him.

    He peered at me and my eyes darted everywhere they could to avoid his gaze.

    "I should''ve gotten your permission before taking those nts from your garden," he said, and I lifted my gaze to meet his eyes.

    He took those nts from my garden?

    "I''m sorry," he whispered, holding my gaze.

    A storm of unfathomable emotions surged within me, warming my heart, teasing it - touching it like it had never been touched before. "Why?" My voice came out lower than a whisper. "Why did you take those nts... from... my garden?"

 Chapter-48. Flowers

    [Xanthea]

    Asher remained silent, contemting me as though he were drinking in every minor detail of my face.

    His gaze turned stoic as they skimmed over the flowers.

    "Let''s just say... I''ve found a new hobby," he said.

    I tried to read his eyes, his face, but failed. Except for the soft warmth in his eyes, I couldn''t get a glimpse of his soul or his thoughts whatsoever. "Hobby of collecting flowers from the earthly realm?" I asked.

    Asher looked at me with a faint smile and gave a curt nod.

    "Hobby of collecting flowers from ''your'' realm," his voice was just as caressing as the breeze flowing around us.

    I couldn''t tell if my heart skipped a beat at the way he said those words or at the way he held my gaze and I felt lost and found at the same time. "Oh!" I briskly averted my gaze as soon as I realized he had somehow seized my breaths and stolen words right off my lips.

    With a quick gulp, I cleared my throat.

    "Makes sense," I smiled awkwardly. "Umm. There... there are many other beautiful flowers in my realm."

    I was breathing, but there was a pleasant suffocation in my chest, something that made me breathless, as if I had just run a hundred miles.

    "Is that so?" he peered at me.

    Gathering whatever courage I could amidst my pounding heart and heating cheeks, I looked into his gray eyes. But that was a wrong decision, a very wrong decision. Asher stepped closer to me.

    "I wanna know the names of all the flowers you like. Every single one of them."

    With a gentle touch, he delicately scooped a few strands of my hair, cradling them between his fingers.

    The intensity of his gaze was far beyond my endurance. My chest heaved faster as I turned around and nervously ran my eyes over the flowerpots.

    I could feel his body heat on my back, and I knew he was standing closer.

    "Umm. Well. There are many... umm... roses, tulips, peonies,vender, daisies, carnations, dahlia. There must be thousands of them and each with hundreds of varieties," I said in one long, cold breath. "My house would be too small to collect them all, right?"

    I looked at him.

    "Well... you can collect the flowers that mean something to you. Which you think might add value, beauty and positive energy to your house," I said.

    He looked in deep thought as he nced at the flowerpots.

    "Did you choose these two flowers because they added something to your life?" He asked.

    The awkwardness between us faltered and faded away as I felt a little morefortable in his proximity.

    "Yes..." I said, gazing at the forget-me-nots. "Their presence in my life somehow filled the absence of everyone else."

    What followed was a prolonged silence between us.

    "How long... have you been alone?" He asked.

    "Always." I said with a smile.

    "So these flowers were thepanions of your loneliness?"

    I shook my head and looked at him as he stood beside me.

    "They were thepanions of my solitude."

    I could feel Asher''s gaze linger on me as I took in the beauty of the horizon beyond the hills.

    It''s not like I never felt lonely. I did. But I preferred my peace over wrongpanionship. And I found peace in books. I received unadulterated love from the books and gave it all to my flowers.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    "I shouldn''t have taken them from your garden," Asher said. "I''ll put them back. They aren''t happy to be with me. They have wilted."

    I took a deep breath and kneeled in front of the flowerpots.

    "I don''t think so," I said. "They just need to be ced somewhere where they can get more light." I pointed towards the other picture window on the other side of the room. "They''ll be super happy to be there."

    "Oh. Is that so? Can you help me make them feel at home? I wish to feel theirpanionship as well," he said in his deep voice, maintaining the softness in his tone.

    "Sure..." I picked up the flowerpots in both my hands when the curtains flowed all around me. Entangled with the curtains, I panicked, trying to find my way out of them when I felt Asher''s firm grip on my frantic wrist from over the curtain. "Stay still," he said. As he tried to free me from the curtains, I tripped.

    Tangled together, both of us tumbled on the floor as the curtains fell on us.

    "Asher''s hand wrapped around my head just in time, preventing it from colliding with the floor."

    Asher lifted himself off me and helped me out of the curtains.

    Lying on the floor, I stared at him nkly as he straddled my hips.

    "I saved the flowerpots," I said, cradling the flowerpots against my chest.

    We broke intoughter. Hisughter faded away a few secondster, but I had to turn my head towards the bed to suppress mine. "Beautiful..."

    Before my mind couldprehend what he just said, he got up from me, and then helped me to my feet.

    "Next time, save yourself first," he said, brushing off the soil that had spilled onto the shirt I was wearing.

    His fingers slowed down as they grazed past my nipples. I took a silent gasp, shutting my eyes when he withdrew his hand from me. "The flowers..." he whispered, dropping his gaze to my parted lips, which were just a few inches away from his. "R-right!"

    I ced them at the spot where I thought they''d grow better.

    "Forget-me-nots need light shade so they''ll be better like this." I slid the pot of forget-me-nots in jasmine''s shadow. "How do you water them?" He asked.

    I nced at him and, with a quick gulp, I told him how to take care of those nts and he literally took notes on his phone. "Although... this realm is a lot different from mine... so..."

    "Why don''t you stop by now and then to check on them for me?" he asked.

    "Sure..." I said with uncertaintycing my words as I struggled to maintain eye contact with him.

    I flinched back when he reached out for my hair and tucked them behind my ear. A yful smile flickered across his eyes.

    I touched my hair, confused. My eyes followed him as he got to his feet.

    He stretched out his palm before me. Taking his hand, I got to my feet.

    "They must be your favorite flowers," he said.

    "My?"

    He nodded, tilting his head.

    "Yes, my mother adored them. They were her favorite flowers," I said, smiling at the flowerpots.

    "I... asked about ''your'' favorite flowers, Xanthea."

    "I love them too," I said. "Uh... what''s your favorite flower?" I asked, hesitantly.

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    Asher looked at me with his usual inscrutable face as he replied. "I haven''t figured it out yet."

    "Oh..." I averted my gaze and turned around to face the cityscape. "Your home is... beautiful."

    "You like it here?"

    "Yes. I could have never imagined being in a ce like this. Ever," I chuckled.

    God! Why am I saying all this? What is happening to me?

    I wanted to put a leash on my mouth, but it felt as though it was ok to speak.

    Maybe it was because of the way he called my name. Or maybe it was because of the way he called me his wife. Or maybe it was in his care and caress, in the safety he provided, in the space in which he allowed me to be a little more alive and free.

    No matter the reason, being in his presence always felt special.

    "You can stay here if you want," he said, and I looked at him.

    Right then, the door opened again and Raven walked in. His unbuttoned shirt revealed his chest and abs as he walked in.

    I quickly looked away before the scratch marks on his body resurfaced more ofst night''s memories.

    "Asher, what am I supposed to do with that boiling mess?" Raven grunted. "And what the hell are you doing-" His eyes squinted into a scowl when he looked at me. "Having a nice time, omega?"

    His words shot right through me.

    "Don''t let me find you wasting time again," he said sharply. "If you were awake, you should havee out-"

    "I told you to turn off the mes when the brothes to a boil," Asher said calmly, stopping Raven in his tracks toward me.

    "Do it on your own. I''m not a fucking chef. The only thing I can cook is coffee," Raven said, ring at Asher.

    "Coffee is brewed, Raven, not cooked," Asher sighed, pulling him out of the room with him.

    "Wash up ande out, Xanthea. Breakfast is almost ready if Raven hasn''t already burned it all down," Asher said and they left.

    I gingerly walked into the washroom. Sshing water on my face, I took a deep breath.

    My eyes widened at my reflection in the mirror.

    Now I understood the reason behind Asher''s yful smile and Raven''s anger.

    I reached out towards my ear. Asher had sneakily tucked a forget-me-not flower above my ear.

 Chapter-49. The investigation

    [Ezra]

    ~You asked if you wrote it right. And I said all your jumbled words make more sense to me than the verses of ssic poems and paintings of famous artists.~

    ~I wish I had the same ability toprehend myself as I deciphered you once. Maybe then I''d be able to rest the storm that gues me.~

    ~I am soaked in the rain of your memories that I drown at every drizzle and fail to find a way to breathe in this downpour.~

    ~I knew you had been through storms so I dared not ask the damage, for I thought we''d find a refuge together and I was a fool to believe that would be enough.~

    I leafed through the journal, reading whatever random lines my eyes fell on.

    I lifted my gaze off the words scribbled on dead pages and peered at the jet area of the ss pce.

    I spun around on the chair and faced the desk in my office again. cing the journal on the desk, I picked up a pen, turning over to a nk page.

    The nib of the pen rested against the nk page and the ink dispersed into the page in an intricate pattern.

    "Ugh!"

    I reclined back in the chair, facing the ceiling as words rang in my head.

    ''Let''s go home... together... we''ll make it...''

    Embarrassment crawled up my body.

    "Damn it! I''m driving myself nuts!" I grunted, running fingers through my hair in frustration. "Seriously? What took over me that night? Out of all the people, I had to be like that with her! Ah! I am losing it! I am-"

    ''Yeah. Yeah. Ezra is a fucking moron. Tell me something new. You''ve been telling this to yourself ever since you returned from the mortal world,'' Odeus, my demon wolf, grunted in my head. ''I''m trying to have a moment of peace here. But in your head, there cannot be peace. Damn you, man! Get a life!''

    I sprang to my feet, banging my hands beside the journal. The journal jumped a few inches away from the desk before it fell back on it.

    ''If she is bothering you so much, just do something about her,'' Odeus said. "What?" I snapped.

    ''I don''t know! Fuck her, maybe? Because she has been on your fucking mind all the time and I''m starting to miss your otherworldly physics equations and theories andws and stuff. How about we go back to having stars and gxies colliding in your mind? Because now they seem more sufferable to me than your idiotic nonsense!''

    "She''s not on my mind. I am on my own mind. Why did I have to get so worked up? And then I said those stupid things. It boils my blood!" I almost yelled at myself.

    Odeus turned silent and I could feel him sigh.

    ''Then write. Like you did years ago. If she''s not the one fucking with your mind, then you shouldn''t have a problem writing in that journal. Let your thoughts bleed when they want to. Asher was right when he gave this journal back to you. He knew you''d need it again.''

    "I am not sick!" I growled. "I don''t need this journal stupidity to get control over myself. I''m perfectly fine."

    ''Asher is always right. That''s all I know. Have a good night and stop thinking about her!''

    Odeus snapped before retreating further back into my head.

    Clenching and unclenching my jaws, I red at my reflection on theputer screen and a fresh memory crashed upon me.

    ''I wouldn''te if you called. In fact, I''d run as far away as I could from you... Because I know... none of you will choose me... Tell me, Alpha Ezra... would you choose me over your Luna candidates?''

    I clenched my fists.

    "NO!" I cried, smashing my hand across my desk, scattering the files, papers, stationary, and gadgets on the floor. "I''d never choose you. Who do you think you are to even ask that question to me? And who the hell do you think you are to reject me!? You wille to me when I call. If you don''t, I will fucking drag you-"

    Taking a sharp breath, I stopped my words. Breathing roughly, I red at the journal and I was about to hurl it across the office, but I stopped and securely ced it in the drawer.

    I looked at the pen as its ink bled into my fingers. I flopped back into my chair, taking a deep breath, but the suffocation didn''t leave my chest. It had been the same ever since that night.

    I shouldn''t have gone for the sex night.

    I ced my hand over my eyes as the image of Xanthea being fucked on my bike shed in my mind, closely followed by the image of me fucking her on the car right before her aze pack.

    ''Alpha Ezra... It''s p-pretty, my b-burning pack. Thank you for doing this for me. I''m happy... so happy...''

    Something bitterly scorching churned in my chest. My cock throbbed, pulsating against my pants.

    "That girl is getting on my nerves." I spoke through my gritted teeth.

    It was difficult for me to ept that she had somehow triggered me and no matter what I did, I couldn''t calm myself down.

    The journal was some bizarre stupidity that I buried inside me. The only problem was I couldn''t throw it away. It was still buried inside me like a time capsule ticking slowly, like a time bomb waiting to explode all at once. Knock. Knock.

    I took a deep breath and finally addressed the knocking at the door of my office.

    "Come in," I said. "What was so urgent it couldn''t wait until tomorrow?" I asked Nesryn.

    Nesryn looked at the mess I had created in my office. She walked closer to my desk and her eyes fell on my hands and then at me. Sitting in front of me on the chair, she slid a file towards me.

    She attached the pen drive to the wide screen disy that projected the information in glowing words in the air. Using the in-built keyboard and mouse on my digital desk, she controlled the disy of information on the wide screen. "This is all you wanted to know about Xanthea. Her life in the Virgo pack, her family history and her rtionships with her family."

    I looked at the disyed information.

    "This was urgent? You could have just sent me the soft copy," I said, skimming my eyes through the information.

    "Xanthea''s mother was an outsider?" I asked, looking at Nesryn.

    Nesryn leaned back in the chair, folding her hands across her chest and crossing her leg over the other.

    "Yes. Freya th. An omega, no one special, loved gardening, was a florist in the royal pce and had deep knowledge of herbology. The knowledge Xanthea has is from her mother. Freya th came from a poor th family that lived in the Leo pack. But they were expelled from the Leo pack on ount of stealing. They remained rogues for a while until they immigrated to the Virgo pack for better future opportunities."

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    "Looks like someone found a better future by bing someone''s mistress, no less the Alpha of the Virgo pack," I mumbled, reviewing Freya th''s profile.

    There was no picture of hers, which meant Nesryn couldn''t find one.

    "But are rogues epted in packs this easily in the mortal realm?"

    "Of course not."

    "So why did Valdimir ept Freya and her family in his pack?"

    "Maybe he fell in love?"

    "What rubbish!?"

    "Hey! Mortals do crazy shit when they are in love."

    "Keep on digging into this. Something doesn''t feel right about Xanthea''s mother, and I want to find out what. Also, any updates on why her good-for-nothing brother, what was his name?" "Niko-shiti," Nesryn said.

    "Yeah, that shit. Why did he burn down her ce?"

    "Seems to me it was her father, Valdimir Virgo, who ordered his son to burn down her house."

    I heard the pen crack in my grip.

    "Why?"

    "You have sent him into aa, so I can''t really find out why until hees out of thea. But a sane answer would be... mortals tend to bury or burn the memories or belongings of their dead family members." "Xanthea is not dead-" my voice came out as a low growl "-yet."

    "For them she is. Moreover, that ce belonged to his mistress. So maybe he wanted to close that chapter of his life for good. Maybe those jerks thought Xanthea would never return. At least, not alive," Nesryn said. "I mean, look at what happened with your previous brides. It kind of makes sense."

    Leaning back in my chair, I swiped left on my desk that glowed soft blue beneath my fingers and the footage from the Virgo family popped on the disy.

    I didn''t want others to find out, so I asked Nesryn to secretly investigate Xanthea''s house, and that Virgo vermin of a family of hers.

    "Valdimir deposited a decent amount of money in Xanthea''s ount every month. So, I have mixed opinions about the Virgo Alpha. But Xanthea never used his money. She earned and supported herself and her education." "Now... did she?" I peered at Xanthea''s picture in the file.

    "Yes. But the rest of the Virgo family and the pack were outright abusive to her. From physical harm to mental torture to bullying and harassing her. Especially Niki," Nesryn said.

    I narrowed my eyes and stopped swiping as Niki''s profile popped up.

    In the fire I set in their pack, Virgo pce was harmed the most and so was everyone inside it.

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    The father, who didn''t even think once before offering his daughter to the demon lords, never cared to see in what conditions his omega daughter lived or how she was treated by his own family and pack, had jumped in to save his family, taking most of the severe injuries on himself from the fire. And that''s what led him into thea.

    I would have killed them that night if she didn''t stop me.

    But I don''t regret not killing them. Not at all.

    "Can healers from our realm bring him out of thea? Her father, I mean," I asked. "I want to know his reasons."

    "We can try," Nesryn said.

    I impassively looked at myputer screen that showed footage of the rest of the Virgo family.

    Nathalia quivered in the empty hospital corridor. Her panting breaths echoed as she gasped, looking in the air around her frantically. Dark circles hollowed her eyes, a proof of all her sleepless nights she spent haunted by her nightmares and the evil spirits lurking around her at mymand.

    Nathalia had sustained severe burns on her face and body. She was still recovering when I sent four demons to haunt her. They would slowly suck the life, hope, and happiness right out of her soul.

    The fire was just the beginning of their misery.

    I often wondered how Xanthea would feel seeing her family like this. From the way she responded to her burning pack, I could tell... she would be terrified.

    I looked at another footage of Xanthea''s stepmother lying in the hospital''s bed, fighting for her life. I had terrorized her with disease demons. As soon as she recovered from one disease, the other tormented her body.

    My final goal was to push them all to the edge of madness where they take their own lives. And once they did, it would be easy for me to drag their soul to hell and make them suffer for eternity.

    But it was not fun. I wanted Xanthea to see her worthless family meet their worthless end and enjoy it. I wanted her to relish on their sufferings, to smile when they cried and screeched in horror.

    But every time I tried imagining her enjoying their suffering, her teary eyes filled with pain and terror shed through my mind.

    "But that Niko-shiti is stubborn. Even with several demons haunting him, he is stopping them from affecting his mind with sheer willpower. He will be the toughest nut to crack and the most concerning one as well," Nesryn said. "He has be the Alpha of the Virgo pack."

    "Poor pack. Never had a man for an Alpha."

    "I know, but what urgently needs your and your brother''s attention is - Niki recently met with the Alpha King and other fallen royalties from the packs we''ve captured in the mortal realm. I think they might be up to something," she said. I chuckled.

    "What do you think those mortals can do to us except inviting their own doom?" I mocked, but Nesryn had a serious look on her face. "Why? You don''t agree?"

    "It''s true that mortals alone cannot stand against the demon lords, but I suspect they are trying to contact the Celestial realm. And this time not just for blessings."

    I squinted my eyes, understanding the reason behind Nesryn''s urgent call.

    "The Celestial realm has been looking for a way to invade the Infernal realm for a long time now. They have always wanted to weaken us, to control us and our ways of living. We need to disperse these forces before they dare stand united against us. And this is something Asher and Raven need to know, Ezra. We shouldn''t underestimate mortals. They might have short lives, but they can go to any extent to protect that."

    I nodded.

    "So, since you were directly heading this, ording to my spypany''s policy, I wanted your permission to open this investigation to Asher and Raven," Nesryn said.

    "Ok," I said. "I''ll talk to them about it myself as well."

 Chapter-50. Failing again

    [Ezra]

    ~It had been years since I thought about you until I did. But I am in my mind more oftentely. With your thoughts that echo and scream so loud, I feel their reverberations in my heart.~

    ~She reminds me of you and she reminds me of you in ways I do not wish to be reminded. I hate myself for I am falling again, failing again and feeling again and I don''t like it.~

    I shut the journal, licking the saltiness off my lips.

    Taking a deep breath, I concentrated on the burn in my chest that had turned even more bitter and excruciating. But my mind felt lighter than before. A lot less chaotic.

    Although it took me the entire night to write two worthless, senseless, crappiest paragraphs of literature in my journal. And I wasn''t even counting all the sentences I struck off, scribbled away. The unfinished sentences and the discarded ones that were now in the dustbin closed in the crumpled papers.

    I had sent Asher and Raven everything Nesryn had gathered so far from the Virgo pack and the mortal realm.

    Asher had seen the message, but didn''t reply. Typical Asher, even his texts were cold, but his text space always felt warm, and it was not because of the fluffy ck kitten in his profile picture.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    It''s something I can''t exin. His mere presence and cold thoughtfulness were like irreceable support for me.

    Meanwhile, Raven hadn''t even seen the message yet. I think I knew why he hadn''t checked his phone. His concentration was entirely on Xanthea right now. He seemed to have gotten into another insecurity game with Asher.

    When we were young, Raven consistently wanted whatever possessions or toys Asher had, but once Raven acquired them, he lost interest and wanted something else that had caught Asher''s attention.

    Maybe it was because our father always favored Asher more, because he was born to be the perfect demon Alpha. From his demon wolf, to his crown demonic abilities. Asher was our father''s pride, so he always had hisplete attention. Raven might not realize it, much less ept it, but he always craved our father''s attention until he understood that nothing he did could rece Asher in our father''s eyes.

    So he stopped and defied our father and took apletely different route, making apletely unique identity of his own. He became a healer and then a number one alchemist.

    When I look at Raven, I see his power, his hard-work and his strengths.

    I wouldn''t tell him, but he inspires me to keep striving and marching forward.

    I peered at the leaves in his profile picture.

    I wonder when he''ll see that he doesn''t have to beat Asher at anything. He was already winning in ways Asher never could.

    But I knew there was nothing I could do to stop his insecurities. He wanted to possess Xanthea, and that was badgering me more than it should have.

    And now, because of this sick game, she is going to Helxton.

    Annoyance and anger merged into a throbbing pain in my head.

    Tossing the journal on the couch, I got to my feet and then mounted a hoverboard.

    Riding the hoverboard, I left my office and entered the elevator.

    Contemting Cedric''s number on my phone for the entire way from my office to the car parking, I finally called him, riding the hoverboard out of the elevator.

    "Yo, what''s up Ezbro! To what do I have the honor of receiving your call?" Cedric said from the other side of the phone. "Especially so early in the morn? All good?"

    I was about to disconnect the call when I stopped.

    "Hello?" Cedric sounded confused.

    "Who is it, Cedric?" A girl''s moanful voice came from the other side of the phone.

    I took the phone away from myself with a wince. Seriously?

    "Shh! It''s an important call, keep it low..." Cedric told the girl.

    They were clearly not keeping it low.

    "Brother, you there? Hmm. Strange. Maybe he called by mistake-"

    "Just hang up!" The girl panted impatiently.

    "Alright-" Cedric was about to hang up when.

    "Wait!" I said, clearing my throat.

    "Oh! Hey!" Cedric said, a little more excited. "Wassup?"

    "What are you doing?"

    "Uh... one-night-stand?"

    Why did I even ask?

    "It''s morning, Cedric!"

    "One-morning-stand?"

    I stared at the phone, judgmentally.

    "Anyway, you''re in the assassination branch of Helxton, right?" I asked.

    "Oh! You are a yearte to congratte me on my admission, but I''ll take it. A yearter, but you remembered. And that''s what matters."

    I lifted my brows.

    "Yeah... so. I wanted to ask what you need to go through college nowadays? Like what devices and apps do you need in your studies and all? Especially if you are... taking... a fast course?"

    "Why ya wanna join Helxton? Aren''t you already passed out from the astronomy department? Now ya wanna be an assassin? Leave something for me, bro. Otherwise, how else am I supposed to kill you and your brothers and sit on the Alpha throne?"

    "Cedric," I took his name in a threatening tone.

    "Alright. Alright. I mostly use this flip-flop kindaptop. You know that one which is aptop but can turn into a tablet and has a stylus pen attached to it so you can type and write. Whatever suits you. Yourpany''stest model, bro. It works as smooth as butter. And there''s this Helxton app where I keep a record of my sybus, exams, assignments and stuff. Aaannnddd... a smartphone? I mean, that''s a must for everyone."

    "And what will you need if you are to join the healing department?" I asked.

    "Why don''t you ask, brother Raven?"

    "Cuz I don''t wanna," I said simply.

    "Hmm. Well. That''s kind of a lucky coincidence. I am with someone from the healing department. Just wait a sec," Cedric said, and the voices turned into faint murmurs. Cedric responded after a while. "Ok... soooo you''ll need a healing partner, diagnostic magical instruments, what else? Uh... an alive skeleton and... Helxton rmended healing books-"

    I entered the tech section of mypany.

    "Text me the rest," I said.

    "No, seriously, why do you need all this stuff?" Cedric asked.

    "I don''t know," I cut the call. "Seriously? Why do I need this stuff? Raven would know where to get a living skeleton better than me. I don''t even want her to go to Helxton! What is wrong with me?"

    "Greetings, Alpha. Do you need something?" The head of the department asked.

    ***

    I entered Asher''s penthouse to the delicious aroma of his cooking.

    My mouth watered. Asher''s cooking was next to none.

    "Do you want coffee or not?" I heard Raven''s voice from the kitchen.

    "I-I can make it..." Xanthea stuttered.

    Raven squinted his eyes.

    "What is wrong with you? Dear devil! You''re just like him! He, too, can''t eat or drink stuff others make for him. As you might have noticed, his house had not a single house help. Normal people wouldn''t believe that the Alpha of the Prime Infernal pack does all the household work by himself. Cooking, cleaning,undry," Raven grunted.

    "It''s nothing like that. This is a lifestyle I have chosen. I can live however I want. I don''t see why you always have a problem with it," Asher said calmly.

    I sensed the strain building between the two of them as I walked into the kitchen.

    It was true Asher liked to cook his own food. Like Raven said, Asher had always been reluctant to eat or drink items prepared by others. He didn''t even eat outside food, not even in the fanciest restaurants.

    Although, recently there has been an exception.

    I looked at Xanthea.

    In the mortal realm, Asher drank the tea Xanthea made. Maybe it was because he knew there was nothing in the mortal realm that could harm immortals.

    For a few seconds, my eyes remained transfixed on Xanthea wearing nothing but Asher''s oversized shirt. Standing by the kitchen ind, she nervously clenched the hem of Asher''s shirt, her fingers fidgeting with the fabric. "Problem?" Raven scoffed, and I averted my eyes from her slender body. "You have severe trust issues and I am the one with problems here."

    Asher shot a nce at Raven, who met his gaze with a furrowed brow.

    I sighed. Asher liked doing his work himself and there was nothing more to it, probably.

    Asher remained silent, which clearly pissed Raven off even more.

    "I am talking to you, you fucker! Reply!" Raven growled.

    "Easy there, Raven," I said, walking closer to the ind.

    Xanthea''s head snapped towards me. Her tensed eyes softened and she let out a subtle sigh, as though she was relieved to see me there.

    "Asher never questions what we do and how we live. Don''t ruin the taste of such a delicious breakfast. I hope you made extra, Asher, because I am starving," I said, walking around the ind. "And Raven, damn what a fragrance. It''s been so long since I had the coffee you made. Can you make some for me too?"

    "You still like it strong?" Raven asked.

    "Yup! Just like you make it," I said.

    Asher and Raven were at two ends of the inds and I stood in between them, helping both of them in turns, passing them stuff they needed. Because that''s all I was good for.

    I hated cooking, but I loved eating.

    While I was at it, I couldn''t help but notice the scratch marks on Asher''s shirtless body and Raven''s revealed torso. They sure as hell had a hell of a night with her.

    I deliberately ignored Xanthea who awkwardly trudged closer to Asher.

    "Umm... can I help somehow?" she asked in a timid tone.

    "Yes, you can. Come here," Asher said. Grabbing her waist, he made her sit on the ind. Scooping a spoonful of rich red broth from the thick soupy pasta, Asher spooned the soup into her mouth.

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    "Try it and tell me how it is," Asher said.

    Xanthea''s eyes widened slightly, and I knew she was relishing on the taste of the soup. I still remember the symphony of vors that burst on my tongue when I tasted Asher''s cooking. "Oh, my goddess..." she shut her eyes.

    "Is it good?" Asher asked.

    "It''s delicious," she said with a smile, licking the remnant off her lips.

    My gaze lingered on her lips and the desire to taste the soup on her lips took over me.

    "You want more?" Asher asked.

    "Of course she does! Asher''s cooking is next to none," Raven said. He walked to them and tasted the soup himself. "Umm hmm. Just as always, yummy."

    I smiled. In the end, even for Raven, it was impossible to resist Asher''s cooking.

    "Raven, serve the food and bring it to the dinner table," Asher said. "And Xanthea... if you don''t mind, can you brew me some tea?"

    "Sure," she said, getting down from the ind.

    My smile faded away.

    Raven and I exchanged a nce. I shrugged. If Asher was ok with drinking the tea she made, who were we to judge?

    My gaze lingered on the three steaming mugs of coffee arranged on the serving tray. Raven could have been a barista if he wasn''t a healer.

    While arranging the tes on a tray, Asher said. "The tea leaves are in the upper cab." Then he walked to the dining table with the tray. The dining table was right next to the kitchen.

    "Ezra, get the coffee," Raven said, following Asher with the rest of the food.

    Xanthea approached the cab Asher had pointed towards. Getting on her tiptoe, she touched the edge of the gray cab. She flinched as the cab opened up automatically.

    Leaning back against the ind, I watched her as she struggled to reach out towards the tea leaves box, but it was out of her reach.

    She jumped, and the shirt lifted off her ass.

    I shut my eyes, running my fingers through my hair, holding back a smile.

    I was trying to keep my distance from her, and she tried her best to fade into the background. But the background stood out even more because of her presence. Maybe ignoring her wasn''t a good idea when every inch of her existence screamed for my attention.

    I walked towards her.

    She froze as soon as she realized I was standing behind her.

    Pinning her against the ind, I leaned closer to her neck as I reached out towards the tea on the cab.

    Her back delicately arched away from my body. I could hear her heart race and the abrupt halt in her breaths as I ran my other hand up her thigh to her ass.

    She let out a faint gasp when I squeezed her ass.

    "Sharpen your nails a little more, angel. You''ll need them tonight a lot more than you didst night," I whispered, cing the tea box in front of her.

    She lowered her head, tightly wrapping her fingers around the tea box and all I wanted at that moment was to grab her hair, bend her over the ind and fuck her until she could no longer fuck with my mind. "Ezra, coffee!" Raven called out.

    "Bringing!" I said, withdrawing myself from her.

 Chapter-51. Balance between

    [Xanthea]

    My eyes fell towards the breakfast table where Asher, Raven, and Ezra sat together.

    Ezra almost spilled the coffee while cing it on the table, but Raven saved it with a deft swoop of his one hand, bncing the mugs on the tray.

    "Woah, Raven. Have I ever told you that you should join the sin circus? You''d be a hot deal there just like your coffee," Ezra pped as though Raven had just shown a magic trick.

    "And have I ever told you that you should join the mental asylum for deranged demons? I can book a bed for you there in no time at all," Raven red at Ezra.

    "You think I am mentally sick?" Ezra growled, and there was a sudden shift in the gravity around them. The air seemed to have thickened with their overpowering auras.

    "You can''t do one thing properly. There''s nothing about you I can say is perfect. You are full of ws. So maybe, who knows?" Raven grunted with a scowl.

    Ezra clenched his jaws. ring, he squared up before Raven. Breaking into a cold sweat, I stared at them, apprehension tightening in my body. And just when I thought Ezra was about to punch Raven across his face, Ezra grabbed the coffee mug from the tray in Raven''s hand and sat on the chair.

    The bloodlust vanished from the air like it never existed.

    "Well, at least I am perfect at being wed..." Ezra sipped in the coffee, making loud slurping noises which was clearly annoying Raven even more. "I am wlessly imperfect." He continued in a dreamy tone, like he was reciting the hymn of the universe. "Imperfectum est perfectio. Perfectio est illusionis. Imperfection is perfection and perfection is illusion. So, you are an illusion, Raven." He pointed his finger at Raven.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Ouch. That must have hurt, and it clearly did. I gaped at Raven.

    "Oh, cut the crap!" Raven banged the coffee tray on the table.

    "Hey! Hey! Calm down, brother. Calm down. It''s not my fault. It''s not your fault. It''s all a predestined distraction." Ezra looked at the ceiling and I followed his gaze.

    "Leave my ceiling alone," Asher cut in and I let out a silent chuckle.

    "It''s all her fault!" Ezra pointed his finger towards me and my reaction was so fast that I didn''t even know when I turned my back towards them and concentrated on boiling the tea. "I was distracted because of her." "Leave my wife alone as well. You are just clumsy. End of argument," Asher said. I sneaked a nce at Asher.

    Ezra opened his mouth, probably to argue more when Raven stuffed bread into his mouth.

    Ezra sulkily chewed on the bread, the tension dispersing gradually. Raven''s chuckle broke the remaining tension, and when Asher smiled, shaking his head in amusement, I knew I had nothing to worry about.

    I smiled at the chaotic scene that felt so... peaceful. It was a sight that warmed my heart and twisted it with an inscrutable ache at the same time. But I knew why there was this ache in my chest and I knew exactly where it wasing from. As much as I disliked admitting it, I couldn''t deny that I had been alone for as long as I could remember. I had a father, but I always felt like an orphan and the family''s touch, siblings'' bond was a luxury orphans can''t have no matter how badly they crave it.

    During my stay in the Virgo pce, I often found myself pondering what it would be like to be Nathalia. Would I have a family that loved me unconditionally? Would I have a father who spoiled me, a mother who cherished me, and a brother who cared for me?

    Regardless of how Nathalia and Niki treated me, their sibling bond was something I always envied. Niki always looked out for Nathalia. He protected her, creating a safe space for her. It was heartwarming to see how happy, carefree and fearless she was because she knew her brother was watching out for her.

    I took a deep breath to ease the heaviness building in my chest.

    Why is it that whenever we see others have something we desire, we feel itsck even stronger?

    I have yearned to belong somewhere with someone way too long, and now that longing was crashing on me all at once, threatening to drown me within my own emotions.

    I shut my eyes, clenching my jaws. Swallowing the tightness that built in my throat, I smiled to myself. Forget about putting up a facade for others. I often did that to myself because, whenever thoughts like these encased my mind, deep down, I felt pathetic.

    I hated feeling inadequate when I was blessed with things that many only dreamt of having. Food, water, clothes, home. And I always earned enough money to sustain myself. Pouring the tea in three cups, I ced them on the tray.

    I walked to the table. I didn''t know if Raven and Ezra would drink the tea, but for some unknown reason, I thought it would be intelligent to brew them a cup of tea as well.

    ***

    "About what you sentst night. Why are you doing it?" Raven asked.

    "Why? Do you have a problem with it?" Ezra asked Raven.

    "Why would I have a problem? Enjoy yourself. It''s just that they are not worth the time and attention you are giving them..."

    Ezra red at Raven. But Raven''s tone immediately turned defensive.

    "Hey! If their suffering soothes your heart, make them suffer hell on earth, man. I am with you. I have some funny poisons you could try on them. Would give you a goodugh for sure." Raven said.

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    Ezra chuckled. "Sure! Hey! How about I suck life right out of their soil? Let them starve till death."

    "Ezra." Asher''s tone was charged with a subtle warning. "Do not toy with nature. You can make them suffer by staying in the limits the universe has defined for our kind. Like light and shadows, good and evil must persist together in the world. The universe always tries to keep the contrasts of life in a bnce. Whenever there''s an imbnce, incidents happen which force the bnce. And when the bnce is forced, be it good or evil, both suffer."

    Ezra stared at Asher nkly. I could feel a subtle tension building between them. It wasn''t threatening like the strain between Asher and Raven, but it was just as heavy, even worse because it wasn''tpletelyprehendible.

    "Yeah. Yeah. He''ll stay within his limits. No tampering with nature, Ezra. Just those vermin. So the poison I was talking about..." Raven interrupted, distracting Ezra with his conversation of poisons.

    Asher seemed to have no problem with their poisoning schemes. But I was curious.

    What were they talking about? Who were they plotting against? And what did these people do to turn the demon lords into their nemesis?

    I ced the teacup on the table in front of Asher.

    "Thank you," Asher said with a subtle smile.

    I smiled back at him softly.

    Just as nature kept life in bnce, I had noticed the triplets also kept each other in bnce. When two were in conflict, the third would pacify the situation. I didn''t even want to imagine a situation where all three of them were in conflict. I hesitantly went round the table and ced the teacups before Raven and Ezra. Thankfully, they were too engrossed in their poison talk to pay attention to me.

    I walked back beside Asher and retreated from them.

    Even with all their conflicts and disagreements and sh of thoughts and ideologies, they shared a bond among themselves, a connection that made them touch their humane sides.

    As an outsider, I was d to see this side of the demon lords.

    "... that would be fun. Give me all those poisons," Ezra smirked with a menacing glint flickering in his eyes.

    "I''ll get them delivered to you. Share their videos," Raven said.

    "Will do," Ezra chuckled and looked at Asher. "You want their videos?"

    "Wouldn''t want to miss out on the fun," Asher said and then turned his head to look at me. "Xanthea, is something wrong?"

    I shook my head, confused.

    "Then do you need a special invitation to sit?" Raven looked at me and then at the empty chair.

    They want me to sit with them?

    "Pardon my rudeness..." Asher got up from his chair and pulled out a chair for me beside him.

    Caught off-guard by his gesture, I widened my eyes, my cheeks flushing up as I looked at them nervously.

    "Please have a seat," Asher stretched out his hand towards me.

    "No Alpha, you don''t have to do this... I-I thought... how can I sit with-"

    "Don''t make a big deal out of it, just sit down," Ezra said, and somehow tried to reassure me with his twisted words.

    Feeling like a blithering idiot, I looked at Asher.

    "It''s ok," he smiled, holding my gaze.

    Embarrassment mixed with the flutter in my heart as I ced my hand in Asher''s outstretched palm and slowly lowered myself onto the chair.

    My heart scrambled in my chest as shame and difort weighed down on me so heavily, I couldn''t even lift my gaze.

    Fidgeting with my fingers and the shirt''s fabric beneath the table, I sat with a stiff body.

    "Did they never let you sit with them?" Ezra''s question hung in the air between us. It took me a few seconds to realize who he was talking about and then he confirmed. "In the Virgo pack, didn''t you eat with your family?" His tone softened. It was unlike Ezra, so, I could be wrong, but I sensed a hint of concern in his voice.

 Chapter-52. The embrace

    [Xanthea]

    A very old memory shed in my mind at Ezra''s question.

    I was five-year-old back then and had a caretaker who looked after me. And by looking after, I mean it was her duty to make sure I never crossed paths with luna Meesa and her family. Once, she failed to do her duty, and I began pondering around the Virgo pce. That was when I ended up in the dining hall.

    I was hungry, and the table was brimming with delicacies I had never seen before.

    Enticed by the food and captivated by their scent, I walked closer to the table. The scents that bewitched my senses that day were quite simr to the scents that surrounded me right now.

    Standing on my tiptoes, I gaped at the dishes, my mouth watering. With a hungry gulp, my eyes lit up when they fell on a bear made of pancakes and berries.

    I picked a blueberry from the bear pancake and put it in my mouth. I reached out for another one when I felt a sharp sting on the back of my hand. Someone swatted my hand away from the pancake. Before I could withdraw my hand, I felt a rough grip around my wrist and I was thrown on the floor, face-down.

    Tears stung into my eyes at the pain. I lifted myself and sat on the floor and just when I turned around to see who it was, a te shot right past my ear and crashed on the floor.

    "How dare youe here!" Luna Meesa snarled, and I froze under her prating scrutiny. "Ugh! She''s defiled all the food. Where is her caretaker?"

    I sat on the floor, trembling as she clutched my upper arm. While she dragged me out of the dining hall, through my blurry vision, I saw the bear pancake lying among the shards of shattered te and crushed berries on the floor. By then, my caretaker ran to me.

    "If I see her anywhere near my family or the dining hall again, I will make sure neither of you ever see daylight again!" Luna Meesa pushed me out of the dining hall. I stumbled, but somehow stopped myself from falling. "It will never happen again, luna," my caretaker said.

    "Make sure you give this filth a good lesson about her ce in this pce. She should be grateful we give her food and a ce to live." Her every word dripped with venom as she red at me.

    A re that was imprinted on my mind forever, like a nightmare. I had never seen eyes so full of hatred ever again.

    "Someone who belongs on the streets is living in the pce. The least she can do is know her limits. Now, take her out of my sight!" Luna Meesa spat.

    And that day I learnt the first lesson of my life with every strike of my caretaker''s stick; I should be grateful I was given food.

    And ever since, I have disliked blueberries and pancakes.

    ***

    Sitting at the same table with the royal family and eating? I smiled at the thought.

    I didn''t even belong in their dining hall or anywhere near them.

    I lifted my eyes to meet Ezra''s gaze, but found that all three of them were looking at me, awaiting an answer from me.

    Swallowing the lump in my throat, I lowered my gaze.

    "I preferred eating alone," I mumbled.

    Ezra mmed his hand on the table. Flinching, I shut my eyes. His eyes darkened as he clenched his jaws.

    "You were never invited, never weed, never epted," Ezra snapped. His words stabbed like daggers in my chest, reopening the wounds that never healed.

    I lowered my head, clenching my fists over my thighs, holding myself from falling apart. There was a scream rumbling in my chest and I knew if I spoke a word right now, I would end up crumbling into sobs.

    "Look in my eyes, Xanthea," Ezramanded. I lifted my gaze to meet his bloodshot eyes. "Truth." He growled.

    My nails dug into my skin as I fought to hold back my tears.

    With a natural deep breath, I gulped hard. I tried to keep my voice steady, but the quiver wasn''t far from betraying me. "Alpha... I never had a family. But I was grateful to have food," I said, holding Ezra''s gaze.

    Ezra''s brows knit not in anger, but in something I couldn''tprehend.

    I curled my icy fingers into a fist, feeling my heart assault against my ribs.

    Ezra took in a rough inhale, clenching and unclenching his jaws, looking outside the ss walls at the sea of skyscrapers.

    All of us sat in silence for a while before Asher began serving me breakfast.

    "Alpha, let me serve. You don''t have to. I can-" I said, getting up from the chair slightly, almost panicking at this point.

    "Of course, you can do it on your own. But once in a while, you can allow others to do things for you, right?" Asher said, ting sd for me.

    I peered at him.

    "Why?" I asked, feeling difort grow in my chest and my words were at the tip of my tongue, but I held them back. I had so many questions for all of them.

    Why would you do things for me, Asher?

    Why are you always so patient with me, so gentle?

    The small things that you do, your silent gestures, the little things you say here and there confuse me. I don''t know what to do about things you make me feel or how to stop myself from feeling them. Why are you so... good to me?

    I lowered my bleary gaze and looked at Raven, who stared at his coffee.

    Why do you care, Raven? About my dream, about me?

    Yes, you have given me answers to all my questions yet... my heart wants to believe that there are other answers to these questions.

    Why?

    Why did you fix my sses? Why did you bring me clothes I always desired to wear? What selfish reasons did you have behind them? And finally, I nced at Ezra, who still peered outside.

    Why do you look so hurt, Ezra? As though you can feel my pain. As if you want to do something about it. Why?

    Why? Why? Just why? Why are the three of you doing this to me? Just treat me like you did before, so that I can hate you until the very end. I shut my eyes.

    "Can I please... excuse myself?" I asked.

    "No," Asher said. "Stay here. Stay with us."

    "Please," my voice quivered.

    "Stay here," Raven said in a rough tone.

    "Please!" I spoke through my gritted teeth.

    "Go," Ezra said, and I got up and locked myself in the washroom.

    Turning on the tap in the sink, I sshed water on my face and kept sshing until I was drenched in it.

    I left the tap running as I peered at myself in the mirror, breathing heavily. Tears streamed down my eyes faster than the water droplets.

    Don''t do this to yourself, Xanthea.

    I managed my breaths. Inhaling deeply through my nose and I exhaled through my mouth.

    "None of this is yours, Xanthea. Neither their attention, nor their care," I warned myself. "Don''t get too greedy..."

    I bit my inner lip to stop my chin from quivering.

    Like Raven said, everything I received from the triplets - whether it was an opportunity to pursue my dreams or the faint whispers of my profound feelings - they could just as easily take it all back as they gave it to me. So I can''t-

    I shouldn''t-

    Oh goddess!

    Clenching my mouth with my hands, I locked my cries within, bottled up my emotions, swallowed it all like a bitter concoction.

    But it hurt.

    I gasped.

    It hurt like I was drinking molten ss and it was solidifying and clogging in my chest, shattering within me at the same time. Its shards turned into a storm, stabbing me from within, threatening to tear me apart from the inside. What should I do?

    The pain in my chest traveled to my stomach. Gasping, I clenched my belly, sliding down the sink to the floor.

    Mumma - I mouthed through my chattering teeth, but no sound escaped my throat.

    My eyes, desperate for help, looked at the door.

    I hugged myself as the sound of the running tap and water dripping down the drain and on the marble floor grew louder, drowning away the sound of my own breaths and heartbeats.

    The way my senses closed up and my limbs went numb and the air suffocated my chest. I was drowning. The pain spiked inside me for a few seconds and then vanished all at once. The more I tried to hold on to myself, the more I was slipping away.

    And just when I thought I had lost the grasp on myself, I felt a gentle grip around my upper arms and I was pulled against a firm body.

    "Xanthea..." A faint voice echoed through me. "It''s ok, angel. Everything you feel is valid, and it''s not your fault in any way. It''s ok." Ezra stroked my back, hugging me tightly against himself.

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    I felt a jolt behind my guts as I crashed back into reality.

    Parting from me, Ezra cupped my face in his hands.

    "You are ok, hmm?" He said, caressing my cheeks.

    His warmth sent life back into my veins. I knew he meant every word he said because eyes don''t lie and at that moment I could read soul.

    "You don''t have to be weak by holding back your emotions when you can be strong by just... letting them go," Ezra said, cing his hand right above my heart. "Feel them, let them hurt your skin, but don''t let them touch your heart. Not all emotions are worth storing in your heart. Because even in hell, the heart is sacred. Your heart is sacred."

    I remained in a trance with his blue eyes. He smiled, his eyes holding a glint of tears. I don''t know what came over me. Wrapping my arms around him, I hugged him so tight it hurt.

    I didn''t know if I was falling apart in his arms oring together. But at that moment, it just felt like it was the right thing to do, even when I knew it wasn''t.

    As the horrible sound of running water stopped, I was a little more aware of my uncontroble hups and cracking sobs.

    Ezra kept stroking my back, caressing my hair gently with his other hand as I buried my face in his chest.

    Even if I were to lose this touch one day, I wanted to experience it fully right now. I had never been so vulnerable with anyone else, but somehow, this vulnerability felt like strength. I remained in his embrace for I don''t know how long. Listening to his heartbeats and feeling his soft breaths brush against my hair. So this is what it felt to be embraced, to be held.

    I could easily fall asleep like this and never wake up. What I experienced was a kind of peace that calmed all my chaos. And it came from a person I expected nothing but chaos. Izily parted from him.

    I widened my eyes with a quick gasp as Ezra''s hands grabbed my ass. My chest collided with his as he made me straddle his hips.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "A-alpha?" I looked into his eyes, taking in a shuddering breath as I felt him grind the erection in his pants against my slit.

    "Look... I know this isn''t the time for it. But that ass of yours is distracting... very, very, very distracting," he said, locking his eyes with mine.

    I broke into a chuckle, covering my mouth with my hand, hiding my smile.

    I don''t know what was funnier, the genuine look in his eyes when he confessed how distracting my ass was or the way he said it.

    Ezra held my wrist and lowered it from my face. All expressions vanished from his face as he contemted me with a warm gaze.

    "Let''s go shopping," he said. "But before that, let''s go out, because if we don''t... I don''t think I''ll be able to stop at dry humping when I want you wet all over me," he said.

    I quickly scrambled to my feet and stood at some distance from him. Unlocking the washroom door, he walked out.

    "Clean up ande out quickly. Asher''s cooking tastes the best when you eat them hot. Although a lot of things taste better when they are served hot," he ogled my crotch, he could see me naked through whatever cloth I was wearing.

    I felt a fiery rush between my legs at his words. Clenching my thighs together, I nibbled on my lower lip, lowering my gaze.

    Ezra chuckled in his deep voice. He ran his tongue across his inner cheek with a sly smirk. "Yup, I am totally fucking you tonight." He said before leaving.

    I sshed water on my face. Ezra''s blue eyes constantly shed in my mind.

    I scrubbed the towel on my face, trying to hide my flushed cheeks.

    I shook my head, trying to push away the obscene thoughts that were already pondering all the ways I''d feel his warmth directly on my skin... once more.

 Chapter-53. For us

    [Ezra]

    As I entered the dining room again, the first thing I noticed were the two flower pots ced in the middle of the table.

    I squinted my eyes.

    Aren''t they the same flowers Xanthea had in her garden?

    I looked at Raven. He cocked a brow, gesturing towards Asher who was in the kitchen preparing something.

    "How does he always know what others need the most?" I asked, taking my seat.

    Raven shrugged.

    "Beats me. I have been needing government funding for my research for a long time, but the money still hasn''t miraculously shown in my ount. Seems like the Alpha of our pack loses all his irvoyance when ites to me. Wasting my money on my own research isn''t fun," Raven said, raising his voice for Asher to hear.

    "You want to dig the graves that neither of us thinks is intelligent to temper with. Why would he fund you? Be grateful he isn''t trying to stop you." I said. "Anyway, what''s he doing now?" I asked.

    "Probably making some camomile tea that helps mortals rx," Raven said, texting on his phone.

    "Does it?" I asked, and Raven shrugged. "What kind of alchemist and healer are you if you don''t know this much, Mr. Perfect?"

    Ravennded an annoyed re at me before he looked at his phone screen again.

    "I am the immortal kind, dear brother. But what is going on with you?" He asked in a nonchnt tone.

    "What is going on with me?" I asked, prodding at the pasta in my soup with the spoon.

    "It is actually not unusual to see you soothing our bride. You were the same with all our previous brides, too. But something seemed off right now," Raven said.

    I didn''t reply because he was right. I acted on my impulse again.

    "I am starving. I am going to dig in," I began stuffing my mouth with the soup and pasta, relishing on its deliciousness and ignoring Raven''s words that left a bad taste on my tongue. "There you go, closing up again." Ravenmented.

    "Ummm... this eth swoo gud..." I spoke with my mouth full of pasta.

    "Exactly what I was talking about," Raven sighed. "Ignore me, change the topic, but don''t talk about it. When will you change, Ezra?"

    "He doesn''t have to change," Asher said, walking closer to us. Shifting his gaze on me, he continued. "Just don''t get too attached to her," he said casually, but it sounded like a warning.

    My hands holding the spoon froze midway as I looked at him. He ced the camomile tea near Xanthea''s meal and took back his seat.

    Finishing the food in my mouth, I frowned at Asher.

    "Just because I soothe our bride doesn''t mean I am getting attached to her. There''s just one woman for me and she''ll forever be. No one can take her ce," I said in one monotonous breath.

    The fiery sensation rumbled through my chest. I could feel my heartbeats getting more enraged. I quickly averted my re from Asher.

    Raven stopped typing on his phone and looked at me and then skimmed his eyes at Asher, who was looking just as intently at me.

    We remained silent, but I just couldn''t hold back my words.

    "And what about you?" I raised my voice. "What the fuck are you even doing, huh? This tea? These flowers? What fuckery is this? Weeter. The things you have done and are doing for her are questionable. What do you have to say about that?" "Nothing," Asher said.

    Annoyance zapped through my head..

    "It''s not nothing! This is the only thing I don''t like about you. You keep everything to yourself, you don''t talk. And when you do. You do it for a reason. I''ve known you for years and that is why I know that there are reasons behind your every action and your every word," I said.

    "You praise me too highly," Asher said, sipping tea like we weren''t having a serious conversation.

    "I am serious right now," I grunted.

    "Me too, Ezra. I am serious so that you don''t have to be. And everything I have done so far and am still doing is for us. To end what our father started, to fix what he ruined-" "Alright!" I snapped, clenching my fists.

    Asher let out a sigh.

    "And you still ask why I don''t talk? Because you are not ready to talk and I don''t want to force you. You ask why I keep things to myself? I do it so that you can live however you like, so that Raven can do whatever he wants, so that our family doesn''t have to worry about us," Asher said in a soft tone.

    I lowered my gaze, clenching my jaws. With a quick gulp, I shut my eyes.

    "You resent us, don''t you? Raven and me?" I spoke through the tightness building in my throat.

    Raven lowered his phone and peered at Asher.

    "We left you all alone with... with that... with him?" I said, my nails digging into my palms. My breaths turned shallow as memories I had buried far away from my consciousness threatened to resurface. Asher contemted me with eyes just as cold and nk as they have always been.

    "No, Ezra-"

    "If you don''t, then you should, because we deserve it!" My voice trembled through my gritted teeth. My eyes stung as my gaze turned misty.

    Raven let out a subtle sigh, lowering his gaze.

    Before our conversation could turn any heavier, Xanthea trudged towards us like a small flicker of light that somehow dissipated the darkness that lurked around the three of us.

    I nced at her, settling down my aura, and forced a faint smile onto my face.

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    Raven cleared his throat.

    "Yeah, so... I think I should go," Raven said, turning all attention from Xanthea to himself.

    "Go where?" I asked.

    "Hospital, genius. Where else?" Raven said.

    It was better to not pay attention to her and give her space to settle down, yet I couldn''t unsee how her eyes lit up when she looked at the flowers. The faint smile that adored her face and the blush she tried to hold back.

    The increase in her heartbeats as she stole a nervous nce at Asher and thefort she had on her face when she sat beside him.

    "Is mother ok?" Asher asked and Xanthea''s attention shifted on Raven as well. I nced at Asher and narrowed my gaze.

    "Yeah. She''s fine. But I need to discuss her new treatment n with the board of healers. Nyssa just texted me that the meeting''s today," Raven said.

    "I have a meeting with Kyrell," Asher said.

    Kyrell was our gamma. Or mostly Asher''s gamma. I didn''t need him much, nor did Raven. Military remained under Asher''s control.

    It''s not like we couldn''t control the military. It''s just that we couldn''t handle its intricacies like Asher did. He had been trained for it ever since he was a kid, but Raven and I weren''t.

    Abandoning the Alpha training to be a healer and then an alchemist was Raven''s choice, while I never got a chance and when I did, I refused to take it.

    "I can drop you at the hospital and visit mother, then I''ll go for my meeting," Asher suggested.

    "Sounds ok to me," Raven said.

    Xanthea hesitated before speaking up. "Um, can I... visit the High Lady as well?" she asked, her voice uncertain yet hopeful.

    Raven and Asher exchanged a nce.

    "Visit her once you be a healer. From this moment onwards, I want yourplete attention on your studies, your health, and nothing else. You''ll be joining mid-semester, so there will be a lot you''ll have to catch up on," Raven said sternly. "I''llplete your enrolment process today. Tomorrow will be your first day at Helxton. Prepare for it. There are a lot of things you''ll have to do. The most important being choosing a healing partner."

    "Can I-" Xanthea wanted to say something, but Raven cut her in the middle.

    "No," he said with finality in his tone. "You don''t have time to waste on that cat."

    "A cat?" Asher chimed in.

    "Not now, Asher. We''re talking about a werecat who cannot control her healing powers," Raven stopped Asher before he could obsess over cats again.

    "But she controlled her powers. You saw her," Xanthea said.

    "Yeah, and you almost got yourself killed," Raven said. "Do you think I''ll be around you all the time to save you from that cat''s overhealing? While you are there, you won''t go close to that cat. And I will choose the best healing partner for you who will help youplete the healer''s course within a year."

    "But Zosha can handle her powers," Xanthea said. "If we put in just a little effort, she has it in her to be one of the best healers. She can even help meplete the course faster than any other healer. I know her potential. Alpha, you gave me a chance. I request you to give Zosha a chance too. Please."

    Raven''s expression remained stoic as he studied Xanthea for a moment before rising from his chair.

    "I''ll ask Nesryn to help you get the other supplies you''ll need for the college," Raven said as if he never heard her sweet plea.

    Xanthea''s shoulder wilted with disappointment as she lowered her gaze.

    "No need," I said. "I am taking her shopping, anyway. I''ll get her whatever she needs."

    Raven and Asher gave me a look as though I had said something forbidden.

    "What? She can''t go back to the Aile castle looking like that. She needs clothes, and she needs proper clothes for college, too. She can''t wear gowns at the college, nor will I allow her to wear the kind of attire she was wearing earlier. No shorts, no skirts, no crop tops, nothing that will highlight her figure or her body. That''s something I will notpromise with. She is our bride. I don''t want other men even ncing at her the wrong way," I said.

    "You didn''t want her to attend the college and now you want to take her shopping and get her stuff for college? Are you hearing yourself? Do you think you are making any sense right now?" Raven said. "I still don''t want her to go to college. I am just taking her shopping. And I see nothing wrong with that," I shrugged.

    "Asher, say something," Raven said.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "Nesryn has been a little busy with my work recently. Ezra seems to be free. And if he is with her, we won''t have to worry about her safety from the other demons, so... I''m fine with it," Asher said. "Fine," Raven grunted.

    "Cool. Then we''ll see both of youter at the Aile castle tonight," I said. "Let''s go, Xanthea."

    "Aile castle? Bring her back here." Asher said and then looked at Xanthea, who was about to finish her camomile tea. "You like it here, don''t you, wife?"

    "Even if she does, she cannot stay here. I''ll take her back to Aile castle. That''s where the bride stays and that''s something I''ll not allow any of you to change. Aile castle is her home and she''ll stay with our family. End of conversation," I said, walking closer to Xanthea.

    As soon as she had finished her breakfast, I held her wrist and grabbed my car keys.

    "We''ll be off then," I said. "Raven, send me the list of things she''ll need."

    "I think I shoulde along with you guys-" Raven began.

    "Nope. You''re doing the dishes," Asher said, handing him the empty tes.

    "Seriously, keep a house help..." Raven growled.

    "I can do the dishes-" Xanthea said.

    "No, angel. Didn''t you hear what Raven said? All you have to concentrate on is your studies and your health. Dishes don''te into either of these categories..."

    Raven snarled at me, and I broke intoughter, leaving Asher''s penthouse with her.

 Chapter-54. Healer bazaar

    [Xanthea]

    Healer Bazaar: Where magic meets medicine

    Catering needs of healers since the beginning of the time.

    (In coboration with Helxton and Wrengmore)

    I read the words on the arched wooden hoarding.

    Multi-storey buildings nked the cobblestone pathway.

    There was something about the vibe of this ce that filled me with excitement and fear.

    It looked shady and sophisticated at the same time, as though it was some high-end ck market for millionaire mafia and drug dealers. The ce was too much to take in at the first nce.

    The market was brimming with public and all kinds of people, creatures and demons. And not just thend, but air too. The creatures who could fly did their shopping directly from the second floor and above.

    The gray and dark ambience of the ce was illuminated by the yellow and golden lightbulbs that looked out of ce yet aesthetic. As we passed by, I caught sight of my reflection in the ss facade of a nearby shop.

    Beforeing here, Ezra took me to a private boutique where I changed my clothes.

    I wore a light gray above knee dress with sparkles scattered across the fabric. My hair was styled with a silky gray bow. I wore matching tie up heels and light makeup.

    And Ezra put on an informal attire with a dark green hoodie, beige pants and a cap. He also hid his alpha presence. He probably wanted to hide his identity.

    My heart leaped into my throat as I flinched away from the path of the spiders and scorpions that were about the size of a dog. A man in a hooded robe walked in between them, holding their leashes that were attached to spiders'' pincers and scorpions'' stingers.

    I gaped at them until they went out of sight and disappeared into the crowd.

    My eyes went to several students wearing scrubs andb coats. They hoarded around a wooden stall under the tent that levitated above their heads.

    SALE! SALE! Trending healer fashion at an affordable price!

    I read a banner that floated like a snake above our heads.

    "Watch out for raining snakes!"

    "Yeah! Watch out for raining snakes! Hahaha!"

    A group of winged children, their bat-like wings pping violently, swooped overhead, knocking over a basket on the third floor of a building as they passed.

    I gasped, freezing where I stood as I saw the snakes falling freely right towards me.

    Turning on his heels, Ezra pulled me to his other side. With a deft motion of his hand, he grabbed a vintage umbre that an olddy used as a walking stick and shielded me from the snakes.

    The snakes hissed as they hit the ground, raising their heads. I walked closer to Ezra, clutching the front of his hoodie. He wrapped his arm around my waist and lifted me off the ground, away from the snake''s direct reach.

    Ezra''s one growl and all the snakes slithered away.

    "Not my snakes again! You brat! Come back here! Devil''s love!" The vendor cursed. He said love as though it was somehow analogous to fuck.

    "No manners! These days! Kids out of the cage! Put them back in that damn dungeon! Smack the life out of them!" The olddy grumbled. She had flopped on the floor without her umbre''s support and from her temper, I could tell that she was in no mood to ept an apology.

    Not that I expected Ezra to apologize.

    But I didn''t expect him to create another chaos to drown away this one either.

    "Hellhounds on the loose! Hellhounds on the loose! Save your ass! Get away! Run!" He shouted.

    The market broke into chaos. People began running abruptly, screaming.

    "There are no hellhounds here! Who spread the rumor?" A fat man who looked like police ran through the crowd, trying to calm them down by shouting into his microphone.

    "You! It''s you brats!" He pointed his microphone towards Ezra and me.

    I shook my head, standing absolutely clueless.

    "Uh oh. Time to run!" Ezra mumbled.

    He swiftly lifted the fallendy to her feet and handed her the umbre before he grabbed my hand and we broke into a run as the police chased after us.

    We sprinted through the curving alleyways, bumped into people, knocked off the stuff from vendors to hinder the police''s path and stopped only once we entered a narrow and dark alleyway. "Kiss me," Ezra said, breathing heavily.

    "What?"

    "Pretend. Fast!"

    Standing on my tiptoes, I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned closer to his face.

    Our chests heaved against one another, both of us feeling our heartbeats collide and merge.

    "Where are those brats? I am putting them behind the bars today!" I heard the police say.

    "They must have gone that way!"

    The people following us passed by.

    Once all of them were gone, I bit my lips, breaking intoughter.

    Ezra''s hands wrapped around my waist. He pulled me closer, his eyes lingering on my lips before they traveled back to my eyes.

    But I couldn''t stopughing.

    "What was that? And what are hellhounds and why is everyone scared of them?" I smiled, suppressing myughter. Licking my lips, I continued. "And why did we run? You are the alp-"

    Ezra pulled me into a kiss. He turned around, pinning me against the wall as he deepened the kiss. His lips were hungry against mine, wanting more, demanding more. I shut my eyes, my heart still pounding wildly in my chest. A moan escaped my lips when we parted.

    I was more breathless than before.

    "One question at a time, angel. Hellhounds are hell beasts that are wild and ferocious. Their fangs are unforgiving and can tear your soul like flesh and bones. If they attack an immortal, he spends a few extremely excruciating months in the hospital. Immortals can''t die, but they can get hurt pretty badly. And to answer your second question, we ran because it was fun and it has been years since I had this kind of fun. As for being an Alpha. That''s my rank, angel, not my identity. Right now, I am a husband who earns just enough to support his wife."

    My eyes dropped to his lips.

    "So, being my husband is your identity right now?"

    "Brave of you to say that, but why not? You have some wife duties towards me as well. Remember?" Holding my gaze, he leaned in to kiss me again and I parted my lips when-

    "Potions! From deadly poison cocktails to nectar of life. Love potions to have him under your control to strength potion to keep love alight all night. We have it all, we sell it all! You desire, we serve. Come get your potion today!" The melodic hum of gentle clinking of ss vials followed the voice.

    "Right." He shut his eyes with a hard gulp. "Potions."

    Holding back a smirk, Ezra tore himself from me, and we came out of the alley. He scrolled on his phone, reading the list Raven had texted him.

    "Ok, so I need to get you the standard healer''s potion kit from Potion Nation," he mumbled before entering a luxury potion store.

    I followed him with quick steps.

    Enjoying the book? Don''t forget to visit 00005s.org for the full experience. You won''t find the next chapter anywhere else. Happy reading!

    My gaze lingered on the sparkling ss vials adorned withrge gems as their lids. The colorful potion that filtered light in such a way, it was impossible to not be captivated. The store was furnished like a branded jewelry store. "Helxton standard kit," Ezra told thedy behind the marble counter.

    "Right away, sir," she said. A tray of ttering ss vials strolled itself towards her.

    "Pack them up in those vials." Ezra pointed towards the vials that had caught my eyes earlier.

    "Those are premium vials, sir. They will be more expensive than the potion itself-"

    Ezra took out a ck card from his wallet and slid it on the counter before thedy. Her eyes widened as she skimmed her eyes from the card to Ezra''s face that was partially hidden behind the shadow of his cap.

    "Right away, sir... Macy!" she yelled, looking towards the door that probably led to an inner chamber. "Prepare a premium Helxton kit!" Then she looked at Ezra.

    Suddenly, her bored demeanor had turned fidgety. She looked more nervous than before.

    "I''ll request you to have a seat while we prepare your order, sir. Would you like to have something? Tea? Coffee? Wine?"

    "No thanks. Pack an extra vial of strength potion for my wife to boost her stamina." Ezra looked at me. And it didn''t even take me a second to realize what he was insinuating.

    I awkwardly shifted my gaze away, pretending to be interested in the store''s fine architecture.

    "I can pack it, but these potions must be taken under a healer''s supervision," the owner said. I could feel her eyes on me.

    "Don''t worry, my brother is a healer. And I can guarantee he, too, would love to increase our bride''s stamina," Ezra said.

    Choking on air, I broke into coughs.

    Clearing my throat, I pointed at the vials with tapering pointed ends that looked like horns. The pink and blue light in them seemed to be alive and swirled around the circr ridges of the horns.

    "A-aren''t they beautiful?" I said to change the subject, and the owner chuckled.

    "Your wife has an eye for the mystical. Those are vials made of horns of baby unicorns," she said with a proud smile. Baby unicorns? Real unicorns?

    My heart twisted at the mere thought as the horror behind the production of those vials shed before my eyes. They no longer looked beautiful to me.

    "The abilities of the potion stored in them get enhanced considerably," the owner said. "But they are not for sale. They have been the pride of our store for generations. They are more like a family treasure. Our hunters hunted these unicorns in the Celestial realm, smuggled them here, and we created vials out of them. It is one of a kind in all three realms."

    "A million," Ezra said, and the owner looked at him, agape. My head snapped towards him.

    What did he say? A what?

    "Oh, my dare devil. Sir-"

    "Five millions," Ezra raised.

    "Sir-"

    "I don''t care about the price or if it''s for sale or not. If my wife wants it, she''ll have it. My wife owns everything sheys her eyes on. Even if she nces at it, it''s hers," Ezra said.

    I blinked at him, flustered.

    I knew he was just kidding, but the way he said those words made it sound like anything but a joke. He couldn''t be serious, right?

    My heart raced faster as I experienced a mix of several emotions merging into an ufortable knot in my chest.

    "It''s a limited time offer before I put a price-tag on your entire shop. Choice is yours, but in the end, the decision will be mine," Ezra said in a casual tone.

    "J-j-just give me a minute, sir." The owner walked into the inner chamber.

    "Alpha? You aren''t serious, right? I mean, this is way too expensive. I don''t need it. Even if I have it, I will never use those vials-"

    "That''s fine. Use it, throw it away. They are yours to do as you please. I don''t understand this healer stuff, anyway."

    The owner walked out of the inner chamber.

    "We''ll have it packed, dear sir. Thank you so much for shopping with us," she said excitedly.

    "Smart decision," Ezra smiled at her.

    "We will especially pack your stuff in ourtest fit-it-all carryback for free. Thank you for the purchase. Pleasee again, deardy," the owner bowed in front of me.

    I took the carry bag, which was the size of a small handbag.

    "Its royal visage''stest fit-it-all made of the finest griffin leather. It has unlimited storage capacity, just like your card''s spending limit, dear sir," the owner addressed Ezra. "It can store everything you put in it while keeping the weight to a constant of half a kilogram. Not to forget how ssy and premium it looks when your wife holds it in her hand."

    "That will actuallye in handy today. We have a lot to buy. Thanks, so thoughtful of you," Ezra said, and we walked out of the store.

    "Now we need to get you books and grimoires from Grimbooks," Ezra said, looking at his phone as he walked out of the store. "Raven says they have anatomical models and stuff as well."

    "All of that will fit in this?" I asked, lifting the handbag in front of my face.

    "Yup. That''s why it''s called fit-it-all. Come on," Ezra said.

    I scurried after him when I heard a familiar voice.

    "What is wrong with you, Karima!? How could you give invisibility potion to your patient instead of the strength potion?"

    My head turned towards the voice.

    "Shhh! Can''t you keep it low, Zosha," the woman in the ck robe hissed at the red cat in her arms. "I know, I messed up again. That is why we are here to get the nullifying potion." "And how are you going to find the patient? He''s invisible," Zosha said, and Karima grabbed her head with a loud sob.

    "Why didn''t I think about it? I am so screwed! So fucking screwed!" Karima cried.

    I looked at Zosha. I was ted to see that she waspletely fine now, but then my heart sank as I recalled Raven''s warning.

    I peered at her as they entered Potion Nation.

    Ezra''s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "What are you doing?" he asked.

    "Uh... I... nothing," I said.

    He frowned, squinting at the store. "Did you find something else to your liking in the store?"

    "No. No. I was just... thinking..."

    "Thinking about?"

    "About who my healing partner will be."Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Ezra skimmed his eyes from me to Zosha, and then his gaze softened. The calm tone of his voice reminded me of Asher.

    "Hmm. Is she the one? The cat you wanted as your healing partner?"

 Chapter-55. How long

    [Ezra]

    "Is she the one? The cat you wanted as your healing partner?"

    Xanthea peered at me for a few seconds and then lowered her head.

    "N-no. I-I mean, I am excited about my new books." She said, forcing a smile onto her face.

    I contemted her for a while and then let out a sigh.

    ''... Don''t try to attribute characteristics of the living to lifeless objects because if they were toe to life, you wouldn''t be able to handle it,'' her words reyed in my mind. Fine.

    Lifeless object, huh? Let''s see if I can or cannot handle a lifeless objecting to life.

    Years ago, someone asked me this question, and it changed my entire life. Maybe it was time I passed it on to someone else. "Xanthea..."

    She lifted her eyes to mine with slight hesitation and fear.

    It was infuriating how she revived the parts of me I had buried long ago. How my heart read her pain like I had been doing it for years.

    Sharing this question with her would mean sharing all those aching parts of me, both emotionally and psychologically.

    I ran my fingers through my hair, taking in a deep breath.

    Everything around us went silent. The market blurred away as I was a lot more aware of our heartbeats and breaths. At that moment, it felt like it was just us standing face to face. Holding her gaze, I asked.

    "How long... do you n to continue living like this?"

    She drew in her brows as she widened her eyes slightly.

    She remained silent and so did I.

    Being alone with one''s thoughts is always scary, but that was the only way to fix what''s broken inside.

    One glimpse in her eyes and it was like I could read her soul through and through. Maybe because once I too had a soul just as shattered, just as broken. And the longer I stared into her eyes, the deeper I drowned into the abyss of my past. So I knew how important it was for her to hear this.

    "Isn''t it tiring being the same all the time just because you are afraid of how others will react to those changes? How long do you n to be weak, angel?" I asked, feeling a heavy weight press down on my chest.

    Normal people develop coping mechanisms, and then people like us develop surviving mechanisms. But it does us more harm than good, closing us from possibilities of life. And then we look for a solution in others, in time. She took in a deep breath, tensing her body as she shut her eyes.

    I stepped closer to her and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn''t stop myself from caressing her cheek.

    "Your life has changed now. And with us as your husbands, it will never be the same again. I know life with us might not be better than your previous one, but hey! It can''t get any worse. For better or for worse, we''ll be around and no one''s worse than us."

    Biting her quivering lips, she held back her tears andughter. She turned around, swiftly wiping off her tears.

    I stepped closer to her, wrapping my arm across her heaving chest as I hugged her from behind.

    I gave her time to settle with her feelings.

    "I am sorry..." her voice cracked with the weight of her emotions and I knew she wasn''t apologizing to me but herself. "I am sorry. I-I..."

    With a quick gulp, I let her go.

    "It''s ok," I said.

    Finding forgiveness for the cruelty we inflict upon ourselves is nothing short of torture.

    "Now tell me, angel. Is she the one? The cat you want as your healing partner?" I asked, turning her around to face me.

    She nodded. "Yes," she whispered.

    "And do you think you are ready to be her healing partner?" I asked.

    She clenched her fingers into fists by her side and shook her head.

    "Let''s walk to Grimbooks and try to decipher why you aren''t ready for her," I said, lightening the heaviness that had engulfed the two of us.

    I sauntered, and she strolled beside me, both of us looking around at the other shops, but our attention was on one another.

    "I think you know the answer better than me. Why do you think Raven asked you to stay away from your cat?"

    She thought for a while before answering.

    "I am weak," she said. "Last time when Zosha''s powers went out of control..." she told me the entire incident that happened in the forests near Helxton and how she almost died because of Zosha''s overhealing.

    "Hmm. What do you think of Raven''s decision after recalling what happened?" I asked, examining the magic crystals and the swirling lights in them.

    "I think... he was right. More rational," she said. "But sometimes it''s not about taking the fastest and safest path. Difficult paths are often the ones that lead to unexpected, exquisite destinations."

    "But are you strong enough to tread on those difficult paths all by yourself?"

    She pursed her lips in a thin line and shook her head.

    "So your path''s clear, right?"

    "That Iplete the healer course with another healing partner."

    "No silly," I frowned. "Get stronger. Look, you already have nothing to lose. If not for yourself, then for Zosha, you''ll have to be stronger. But remember, before protecting anyone else, you must be capable enough to protect yourself. Before changing others, you must be willing to change. Otherwise, it''s just empty words with no meaning and no actions."

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    She looked at me, confused.

    "Ick in so many ways. Every way. And I have realized that knowledge is not everything, and I don''t even have that kind of knowledge... yet. So, how do I... get stronger?" she asked.

    "First, by trusting yourself that you can. And second, as a mortal, you have your limitations. A lot of them. But limitations are not weaknesses; they are your guide. They are like the levels that you need to cross to upgrade yourself."

    Her pout deepened and her brows furrowed in confusion. Meanwhile, I silently questioned whether my words were making sense. Or was I in my journal-mode where I wrote crap and sounded even crappier?

    "You''ll have to earn Raven''s trust. Show him you can save yourself even when he is not around. You see, Raven isn''t someone to easily show what''s truly on his mind. His words oftene out stingy and rude, more like a murder threat. But let''s not forget he is a healer at heart. And I can tell, when he asked you to stay away from that cat, forget about his reasons. He was trying to protect you. He knows the damage her powers can do to you. And he also knows you aren''t capable of protecting yourself against those powers."

    I could hear her heart race faster as she fidgeted with her fingers, nibbling on her lips.

    "I can convince Raven to reconsider his decision. But you''ll have to prove to him you can fend for yourself if things go wrong like the other day. You''ll have to show him you can handle Zosha and her powers as a mortal without risking your life. All I can do is create an opportunity - open the door for you. But you''ll have to walk in on your own two feet."

    She looked into my eyes again, and I saw something tender. Soft yet strong.

    "You can take your time, gather your kind of strength, formte a n to cross your limitations. Because... healing partners can change even after college starts," I said, pointing towards the biggest bookstore in the Infernal realm, Grimbooks. "I can buy you stuff that can help you upgrade, but the rest is on you."

    Her eyes lit up and this time, when she smiled, it looked a little more genuine.

    "Alpha... can I ask you a question?"

    "Go on."

    "You didn''t want me to... enroll in Helxton, so why are you... helping me now?"

    My steps halted at her words. I looked at her with a smirk.

    "Just toying around with you. Helping you is totally selfish. Don''t catch feelings for me."

    Xanthea''s shoulders tensed, and a flush crept up her cheeks, staining them cherry red. She quickly averted her gaze.

    "W-w-why would I do that?"

    With hasty steps, she entered Grimbooks.

    I chuckled, following her.

    ***

    I ordered her course books while Xanthea wandered among the life-sized anatomical models from all weird angles, drawing in attention and chuckles from the passersby.

    I knew she''d enjoy herself here, but I was getting super bored.

    I flipped through a book and it was all ck and white words with no pictures except for theplex diagrams.

    ''What in the devil did I just see? Bleach your eyes, Ezra. Why are there so many small words in these books and why are these books forming a tower?'' Odeus grumbled in my head. He was just as bored as I was.

    I yawned and then peered at Xanthea who was all around the store, hopping from one corner to the other like a curious bunny.

    Sometimes she was around the anatomical model, dismantling their muscles and veins and nerves of their stic bodies, and sometimes she was in the herb section, sniffing and touching various flowers and leaves. I smiled to myself.

    Only if she was this passionate in the bedroom, I wouldn''t have to do the extra work.

    Unlike me, at least, she had something that could genuinely make her happy.

    Asher wasn''t wrong when he called her cute. But she was cute in the stupidest of ways.

    ''Cute, huh?'' Odeus mocked sarcastically.

    ''Asher finds her cute. Not me. She is just annoying in cute ways to me. That''s it!'' I thought to him.

    I chuckled to myself, adding a journal to her purchase list.

    I nced away for a moment, and when I looked back, Xanthea was suddenly right beside me.

    "A journal?"

    I almost flinched at her voice from behind. When did she get this close?

    I cleared my throat and gave a curt nod.

    "Yeah. For you."

    "For me? Why?" She blinked.

    "Just take it!" I handed the leather journal to her.

    "But I don''t journal."

    "Then you should!"

    "Why?"

    "Ugh!" I growled, ring at her, and she cowered under my scrutiny.

    I took in a deep breath as an annoyingly creeping feeling stopped me from saying the words in my mind.

    I couldn''t embarrass myself because of my impulses anymore. But when I looked at her wilted expression, something unruly tugged at my heart and I gave in to my impulsive thoughts, anyway. "Journal your journey. Your story is just as worth recording as your mother''s was," I said, making it soundpletely casual. It was nothing special.

    In fact, it was so mundane, I didn''t even look at her when I said those words and kept myself upied with the payment.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

 Chapter-56. Actual shopping

    [Ezra]

    "And atst..." I mumbled, staring at the building that was structured like a giant skull with two hollow eyes acting like the only two windows and a wide open jaw as its entrance. Chiseled into the giant skull''s forehead were words that seemed to leer at passersby-

    Bone Voyage: Alive skeletons at your service since the first death in the wheel of time.

    Store open for purchase, rental and installments. Price negotiable for young aspiring healers.

    The store does not give any guarantee. The skeletons are subject to running away and other risks.

    A creepy din of ttering teeth emerged from the entrance of the store as though the giant skull building was vomiting some kind of ghastly, repulsive aura.

    "Let''s buy you a talking skeleton." I swallowed, peering at Xanthea''s back as she stood into the shady frame. The faint red glowing light from the store lined her silhouette.

    Xanthea slowly turned around and nkly blinked at me with an incredulous look on her face.

    "What happened?" I asked her. "Go. Get your skeleton."

    I waved my hands, urging her to enter the store. Meanwhile, I stood almost half a mile away from the store. And although thend post directly stood like a barrier between me and the store, I was clearly not hiding behind it. "Go! Come on. Get going. Go!"

    "Alpha. You are a demon lord." She drawled, disappointment dripping from her tone.

    "I am! That is why I, the great demon lord, Ezra Xipher, allow you to go on the skeleton hunt all by yourself. If you need me... which you won''t and make sure you don''t... I''lle," I yelled from across the street, smiling with all my teeth on disy.

    Thankfully, the store was located in an abandoned street and there was no one around except for one or two cloaked fingers crossing at some distance.

    Turning into living skeletons was just one of the many tragic fates immortals met. Being an immortal was not as romantic as mortals perceived it to be. It was far worse because eternal life came with eternal sufferings.

    Xanthea gulped hard. Her grip tightening around the pouch filled with gold coins to make the payment because skeletons didn''t have a bank ount, so they traded only in gold. Mostly, when an immortal turned into a living skeleton, they lost their previous identities, powers. Except for life running in their bones, they were left with nothing, not even enough strength to protect themselves.

    So they were captured and sold for medicinal purposes, mostly. They were also used for festive decorations; sometimes they had a rope tied around their cervical bones and hung them on their porch.

    Some were used in ck magic rituals and sacrifices. Some unique and ancient skeletons, like the ones extracted from ancient ruins and mummies, were showcased as antiques in hospitals and museums. But no matter where those skeletons came from, being around them always gave me icks.

    Xanthea looked at the store and then at me with her doe eyes.

    ''Here ites. Don''t look in her eyes. You can''t melt...'' Odeus taunted.

    ''Oh, shut up!'' I growled at him in my head.

    I nced at her from the corner of my eyes, whistling, and then quickly averted my gaze to an abandoned gothic tower nearby.

    I heard her take a deep breath, her heart pounding wildly against her ribs as she gingerly stepped into the store.

    It hadn''t even been five minutes since she entered the store and the store erupted into bouts of mad roof-piercingughter.

    I frowned. I looked to my left and then to my right and then walked closer to the store and eventually into it.

    "HAHAHAHAHA!!!" The skeletons on disy within floor to ceiling ss cabs all pointed towards the scattered bones around Xanthea.

    Xanthea giggled as the bones stacked themselves on one another, regaining its skeleton form.

    "Nice bowling, youngdy. Skully''s knocked out bone to bone. Hahaha!" A skeleton spoke from behind the ss cab.

    "Did you see the way she rolled his skull right into his bones?" Another skeleton asked.

    "How can I see, Bony? I have no eyes!"

    The caged skeletons chortled and goofed around.

    "Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant!" Skully cried out excitedly, holding his skull in his palm. "Not everyone is this pro at bone bowling. How long have you been doing this?" "Uh... this was my first time," Xanthea said with a proud, excited smile.

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    "First time! That''s an achievement, eh? Skully, she deserves a heavy discount!" A skeleton yelled and others supported him by ying their bones like drums.

    "Fifty percent discount for you, youngdy," said Skully, fixing his skull on his neck.

    Cheers and hoots reverberated in the store with bony ps, making an ugly, icky noise.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Oh, I hate that sound so much.

    "Really? Fifty percent!" Xanthea gasped and then beamed brightly. "Thank you!"

    ''Did we miss something?'' Odeus asked,prehending the situation.

    ''Yeah, a lot of fun,'' I said. ''And one of her wins. Even though it''s small, I still count it as a win.''

    I was having an ick from my icks now.

    "Choose the skeleton you want,dy," Skully said, walking behind the counter made of stacked up bones.

    Xanthea looked around fearlessly. A few of the skeletons cracked someme bone jokes that had herughing and giggling like a child. She looked a lot morefortable around those skeletons than she was around us. More reasons to hate those freaky skeletons.

    "Ummmm. That one!" Xanthea shot out her finger at the skeleton that looked as though it was asleep, even in all this mayhem.

    "Why that one?" I asked, walking closer to her.

    She looked at me as though she hadn''t noticed my presence until now, all because of those-

    I red at the skeletons, and they flinched in their ss cabs.

    "Just because it looks... easy to manage?" she shrugged, tilting her head as Skully woke that skeleton and dragged it down from the cab.

    "That''s right. Except for existing, Boredbones never does anything," Skully said. "Not as jolly as the others. Maybe because of a few minor cracks and fractures he has. But he is the obedient one. Boredbones, go with your new master and behave."

    Boredbones, just as leisurely and unfazed, walked beside Xanthea, took the fit-it-all purse from her hand and, with a yawn, dived right into the purse, zipping the purse from inside.

    I nkly gaped at the purse, and so did Xanthea and Skully.

    Skully broke into nervousughter, "told you, way too obedient. Anyway, that''s just twenty gold coins, please."

    ***

    "Boredbones, are you fine in there? Should I unzip the fit-it-all a little so you can breathe?" Xanthea whispered, sitting on the passenger seat of my car.

    But all she got as a reply were his snores.

    "Cute." She carefully ced the fit-it-all in herp and caressed it as though putting it to sleep.

    "Huh!" I scoffed, starting the car. "Cute, my foot! Let''s see how cute he looks when he tries to steal your flesh and skin."

    "M-my flesh and skin?" Xanthea asked, drawing in her brows.

    "Yes," I looked at her. "These skeletons are always looking for fresh and beautiful flesh and skin to reform their bodies."

    She gulped hard, cing the fit-it-all on the backseat.

    I smiled to myself, taking the car out of the parking lot. It was just a childhood lie adults told kids to keep them away from alive skeletons. They weren''t dangerous in any manner, but many considered them ominous for kids. But it was working, and it would definitely make her keep her distance from that Boredbones.

    "Anyway, now that your urgent shopping is done and we still have half a day left, let''s go on the actual shopping now," I said, speeding up my car on the road.

    Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she turned to me.

    "Actual shopping?" she asked.

    "Yes..."

    My car tore through the air as I teleported us into the mortal realm.

    "Shopping in the Virgo pack."

 Chapter-57. Embraced darkness

    [Ezra]

    Xanthea groaned, clutching her head as she struggled to recover from the impact of the realm jump. Her heartbeats turned more erratic. She nced at me before turning her frenzied gaze outside the window as she scanned the roads of the Virgo pack for any sign of danger. Taking a tight gulp, she remained silent, her fists tightly clenched on herps.

    "Alpha..." she said, almost out of breath.

    I didn''t reply and kept driving.

    Xanthea''s hands trembled as she pressed them against the window, her breath turning into subtle gasps. She appeared more rmed and paranoid, as though she firmly believed that her family and pack would attack her the moment they saw her.

    "What''s the most luxurious mall in your pack?" I asked, breaking the silence between us.

    She kept peering outside the car window. I bet the voices in her mind were so loud right now; she couldn''t even hear my voice. "Xanthea!"

    "Huh!?" she gasped, snapping her neck in my direction.

    "What''s the biggest mall around?" I reiterated, lifting a brow.

    "Why are we here?" she asked.

    Straight to the point, huh?

    "Shopping," I said.

    "Are we?" she asked, staring at me..

    I sighed.

    "Don''t you wanna know what happened to your family after the fire?" I asked with a stoic face, staring at the road ahead of me.

    Stalling her breaths, she peered at me, but I could tell in one nce she was zoning out.

    "No..." Her voice came out fainter than a whisper. "I don''t want to know a thing about them. I-I just don''t wanna go back to them. Please alpha, take me back to the Infernal pack, please..."

    "But I want your family to know what happened to you. They are way too happy thinking you are dead-"

    "I don''t care what they think!" she raised her voice, shutting her eyes tightly. "I have been dead to them from the moment I was born. It doesn''t matter what they think of me now. It''s good that they think I am dead. I just don''t wanna go back there. Please alpha..." My jaws clenched at her words.

    I could only imagine the horrors they put her through for hell to be a better ce than home. The same hell that mortals feared by their wits.

    As we entered the city, Xanthea''s restlessness intensified.

    "Did I... do something wrong?" Her voice quivered with heavy pain. "Are you..." She looked at me, clutching the fabric of her dress over her thigh in her fists. Her breath was rapid and shallow. "Are you going to leave me with them?" Her heartbeats turned unbearable for me. I couldn''t even imagine how she was holding up.

    "It''s because you don''t want me to attend college, right?" she asked, suppressing a sob.

    She looked confused, and the sight of her terrified expression pierced through me like a dagger.

    "I won''t go. I''ll do anything you say, just... Please don''t take me back there."

    Tears streamed down her face as she begged, and I felt something snap deep within me.

    "If you are worried I''ll burn down this worthless pack again, then you worry for nought," I said impassively.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "No... you don''t understand... I-I... you..."

    I sped up the car even more. As I reached out to wipe off her tears, she flinched and my fingers stopped inches away from her face.

    Withdrawing my hand, I took a deep breath. I knew it wouldn''t be easy, but it was necessary. Today might just be the most important day in her life.

    "Look into my eyes," I said calmly.

    Shutting her eyes, she bit down on her lips.

    "Look at me, Xanthea!" I growled.

    She froze. Stiffening her body, she opened her eyes and looked at me.

    She had tried to escape this ce all her life. Just like a bird wouldn''t want to return to its cage and a prisoner to his prison, she didn''t want to be here.

    The best or worst part of it all was, I could understand how numb she was right now mentally, how disturbed she was psychologically and how desperate she was physically to just get out of her cage.

    "There was a time..." I began, ignoring the churn in my stomach doing everything it could to stop me from sharing this part of my life with her "... when I was the weakest member of my family."

    All the inaudible noise and jitter in her aura came to a sudden standstill. For a moment, there was disbelief in her eyes and then sheer curiosity.

    "So if you think I don''t understand how you feel right now, then you are wrong. I have been through it all. I have been where you are. There is not an emotion you feel I haven''t already felt. I have been unwanted, unweed, an eyesore - a trash."

    Her eyes widened slightly and there was a shift in the way she looked at me. Although I tried to not look at her again, I couldn''t help stealing nces at her in the rear-view mirror.

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    I clenched the steering wheel in my fist.

    I didn''t want to connect to her on this level. I didn''t want to reveal this part of me, but at that moment, it just felt like the right thing to do. Quickly swallowing the lump building in my throat, I continued.

    "And while you never knew your mother, I knew a mother who wished I was never born, who hated..." I paused, taking a deep breath. "Who hated the mere sight of me because I was... weak. A mother for whom I was never nothing more than a burden."

    I smiled, rolling my tongue across my inner cheek before I bit down on my lower lip.

    "Why can''t you be like your brothers? How did you turn out to be this? Why are you so worthless? Ipetent," I chuckled, repeating my mother''s words exactly how they were etched on my mind. "I have been my mother''s biggest failure." Xanthea looked at me as though she had gone numb by what I just said.

    "And while you had a father who didn''t care whether you existed or not, I had a father who made me regret every moment... of my existence..."

    And just like that, the heavy suffocation hit my chest, piercing through my heart and ribs and no matter how many deep breaths I took, I couldn''t breathe. But this sensation had been so normal, it had lost all its power it once had over me. "But that''s not what matters. What matters is what I learned when I was below the rock bottom. Weak will always suffer, irrespective of their origin. Alpha omega doesn''t matter. Kindness, smartness, purity. None of those matter." Licking my dry lips, I gulped hard.

    "Mo-more than anyone else, I was ashamed of myself. I hated myself. And I thought there was nothing I could do until I realized it was only I who could help myself. Only me. So I swore to myself that I''d get stronger, no matter the price I paid, no matter how that strength corrupted my mind and soul. And I regret nothing I did to get where I am today except..."

    I paused, holding back the disaster wreaking havoc within myself.

    "Except I was toote." My tone lowered and my voice turned slow. "My only regret is I was toote to realize how desperately, madly, I needed this power, this strength. But there''s still time for you, angel. Your kindness won''t save you, but your corruption will. You''ll have to pay the price, but it''ll be worth it."

    Xanthea let out a shuddering breath, covering her mouth with her hand as she looked away, as if it was too unbearable to even look at me.

    "I know you don''t realize it now, but you will need power in theing future, especially to fight against us," I said, and her tear-filled eyes darted at me.

    She peered at me nkly, breathing through her mouth.

    I smiled faintly.

    "Because when the timees, you will stand against us. You have already gotten opportunities the previous brides couldn''t even dream of, and it was because you were somehow so fragile, yet so strong. Mentally, mostly. But you''ll need more than just your brain to survive this marriage. Your life is in your hands. Do what you may with it, but do not give it away so easily."

    From the first time I saw her until now, my thoughts about her had changed a lot. And maybe Asher realized it even before I could. That''s why he asked me not to get too attached to her. But from everything I just shared with her, I could no longer deny that I was.

    I looked at Xanthea.

    Her chest heaved faster, and she looked even more restless, as though the idea of standing against us had shaken her to the core.

    But with her survival instincts, I had a feeling Xanthea would put up a fight that even we, demon lords, wouldn''t have seening.

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    I knew what I was trying to do could lead to a lot of trouble for me and my brothers in the future. But just like Raven, with her, I was willing to take the risk.

    "How did you... do it?" she asked. "How did you get so strong?"

    "By breaking free. That is why you need to begin your journey from within by breaking the psychological shackles this pack and your family has put on you. And unfortunately, only by facing them will you be able to break free." Xanthea clenched her hands together, her nails digging into her skin.

    "I know," I said. "I know the first step... is always the most painful, but trust me, it only gets better - easier. You''ll have to revisit those memories and reconstruct them. And even though I''ll be by your side, you''ll have to do it by yourself." I parked the car in the parking lot of one of the luxury malls in the Virgo pack. The mall which survived the fire. This ce was where the luna of this pack and her family shopped from.

    It was nothing special. Before the malls in my pack, this looked like a yhouse. I could buy Xanthea clothes far better than what they''d have here, but nothing would match the value of these clothes. At least the psychological value. The boost this ce would provide to her could not be matched by any shopping mall in the Infernal pack.

    "I know the weight of anger, resentment you carry with yourself, and today, I want you to let them take over you. I hope you embrace your darkness just as tenderly as you uphold your light baby angel," I said, before getting down from the car. I ignored the panicked people running here and there.

    This is what power does. It announces your arrival even before you arrive, instills fear, engraves your superiority, and earns you respect, an upper hand, in all situations.

    I opened the door for Xanthea and stretched out my hand before her.

    "So tell me, angel. Will you begin your journey here with me?" I asked, holding her gaze.

    Xanthea slowly lifted her weary eyes to mine and then dropped her gaze to my hand.

    Contemting for a few seconds, she wiped away her tears with a forceful swipe. The subtle rage on her face and the flicker of determination in her eyes that I had yearned to see for so long finally unveiled themselves.

    The rage was still wavering, and the fire was still weak, but all it needed for a wildfire was a small spark. And that has already been ignited.

    Taking my hand, she stepped out of the car.

    "We''ll visit them, right?" she asked.

    I nodded.

    "What should I do?"

    I smirked.

    "Let''s y a game. A game of heartlessness. In this game, you promise me you will not feel bad for anyone. You will not shed a single tear in front of your pathetic family. You''ll just sit back and queen. Because today, you''ll stand not equal, but above them... as my wife."

 Chapter-58. Die for

    [Ezra]

    "Out," I said, walking into the changing room where Xanthea was getting dressed.

    The four staff who helped Xanthea get ready for the evening instantly bowed their heads and rushed out of the room as though they feared I might rip out their hearts if they failed to follow my order even by a second.

    I had changed into a navy three-piece suit. I knew I would outshine every man in the room, even in casuals. But I had to look superior not to steal the show, but to add to Xanthea''s shine.

    The sun in the mortal realm had to be in its full glory so that when the moon borrowed its light at night, it could outshine every other star in the dark sky.

    And my moon stood before the floor to ceiling mirror with her gaze held low. She was partially dressed, yet-

    There was a subtle, dreamy glow on her face and a blur that highlighted the enticing glint in her eyes.

    I had allowed her to dress up, however she liked.

    The dress she chose was elegant and spiteful at the same time. The way it hid and revealed her skin was scandalous. The flowy red dress hugged her curves like second skin from her breasts to her waist before it flowed down to her knees. The dress had an borate and intricate work of rubies and diamonds around the hem and neck, making it one of the most expensive gowns in the luna collections of the mortal realm. Twenty millions. Xanthea wore lingerie more expensive than that in my pack. But it was what it was.

    What made her look even more ruthless was the pearl backdrop ne entuating her back and the delicate pearl and gold waist chain that dragged one''s attention to her hips.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    ''You lifted a small restriction from her and this is what you get. Just imagine what she''d be if you truly set her free,'' Odeus said.

    With a tight gulp, I licked my lips and all I could think of was iming her as mine. Stupid thought, but...

    Damn!

    Gritting my teeth, I rubbed my nape, extremely annoyed by the feverish arousal that charged through my body, especially the rush in my cock. Odeus and I gazed at her as one would gaze at the dew on rose petals and the sunrise and the sunset and the auroras and rainbows. Transfixed. Xanthea nervously looked over her shoulder.

    I ran my fingers through my hair as I forcefully tore my gaze from her.

    Fuck! What is wrong with me?

    I scrubbed my hand over my burning face as I let out a sharp breath.

    There were moments when she was like a damsel in distress waiting to be rescued and then there were moments like this when her aura was so intimidating it was impossible to resist the temptation to taste the danger she might be hiding behind those enchanted emerald eyes.

    Moments like these when I realized she didn''tck confidence. What shecked was the space and freedom to be confident - to be herself.

    Bewitching a demon wasn''t an art mortals could master. But it was in moments like these when I had a feeling that she was very well aware of the web of seduction her body spun. That she was consciously luring us into a trap that would eventually lead to our downfall.

    "I am almost ready, alpha... could you please wait for a few minutes?" she asked.

    "Go ahead. There''s no rush," I said, ncing at her reflection in the mirror again.

    Lifting her eyes to my reflection, she scooped her silky hair off her shoulder and neck and allowed them to fall over her chest.

    My eyes dropped to her bare back and the perfect curves of her neck and waist.

    When Raven said he almost had a solo with her, I couldn''t understand why he would wanna have solo sex with her. What was about her that let his control slip?

    Now... I fucking understand. Because right now, I wanted to be buried deep inside her and fuck her for hours, days, at a stretch.

    From her breaths to her scent, her mere existence was weakening my control.

    I walked closer and closer to her until I stood behind her, a few inches away.

    She reached her hand behind her to tie the delicate strings of her backless red dress.

    "Let me do it," I whispered.

    She withdrew her hand and ced them over her cleavage.

    She held my haze in the reflection as I reached out for the strings on her back.

    I leisurely ran my fingers from her waist, up her back, tracing her spine.

    "Alpha..."

    She gasped with a faint moan as goosebumps shot through her skin. Her eyelids fluttered shut as she bit down on her lower lip.

    Pulling the strings of the dress, I yanked her closer to me. She arched her chest away from my body. A heated tension darkened my eyes as I tied the strings of her dress.

    The strings around her shoulders that held the dress on her body were about to slide down when I secured them. Because if they fell, I knew my control would snap.

    "T-thank you..." she said, tucking her frivolous hair strands behind her ear.

    She was about to withdraw herself from me when I grabbed her hand. She spun on her heels as I twisted her wrist on her back and pulled her in. Her breasts pressed against my chest and her body tensed up. "Don''t ruin the n, angel."

    She knit her brows, blinking innocently.

    I lifted her chin, holding myself back from devouring those sinful lips, smearing that red lipstick and ruining her spellbinding makeup.

    "You know exactly what I am talking about, don''t you?" I leaned in, whispering against her lips. "You know what I am thinking. You''ve put those thoughts in my head. I told you to corrupt yourself, not my mind." "I... don''t understand..." her words trembled against my lips as I ran my hand up her curves and cupped her breast.

    "You do. You understand what you are doing to me better than I do," I grunted.

    She shut her eyes, letting out a moan as I teased her hard nipples through the fabric of her dress. The sweet smell of her arousal made the throbbing in my pants even worse.

    And with our lower bodies pressed so tightly together, I knew she could feel it too.

    "I was only... trying to... y your game..."

    "Fuck!" I growled, pressing our foreheads together. With a groan, I let her go.

    Her chest heaved faster as she distanced herself from me and I tried to control my heavy breaths. Concentrate, Ezra!

    Her lewd gasps. Her shamelessly pounding heart. Everything about her was fucking driving me insane.

    ''If this keeps on... before you burn down the world, she will turn you into ashes. Get a hold of yourself, man. She is just a fragile, little, dangerously gorgeous woman,'' Odeus said.

    "In your pack, wedding rings are... some kind ofmitment symbol, right?" I asked, changing the subject. Because a change in subject was much needed.

    "Y-yes. They are probably the highest form ofmitment two souls can make when they tie up together in a marriage," she said awkwardly.

    "Right," I licked my lips. "Brilliant!" I said, just as awkwardly.

    I was too distracted by her lips to decipher what she said.

    "Right," she said, averting her gaze.

    I slipped my hand in my pocket and pulled out the ring box. I cleared my throat, opened the ring box, and proffered it to her.

    She gaped at the ring and then lifted her eyes to mine.

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    "I chose this ring because it had diamonds and it sparkled more than the rest of the rings, so... if you don''t like it, we can still get something else-"

    "I love it," she said in a swift, calm tone.

    "Good," I replied just as swiftly.

    A bright smile spread across her face. Blinking fast, she traced her fingers over the ring.

    "Can I... ask you for a favor?" she asked.

    I gave her a curt nod.

    "Can you... put the ring on my finger for me?" she said, pointing at the fourth finger of her left hand.

    I pulled the ring out of the box. Holding her hand in mine, I slid the ring onto her finger.

    She took back her hand and ced it over her heart.

    "Thanks."

    "Whatever. Are you ready or not?" I asked, slipping my hands in my pants'' pockets.

    My palms still felt heavy with her warmth.

    Turning around, she looked at herself in the mirror again. Flipping her hair on her back, she checked her look onest time.

    "You won''t need a fire to burn down this pack, darling angel. You are hot enough to incinerate an immortal to dust," I teased and stood right behind her. "You look perfect, baby."

    She peered at me nkly for a while before averting her gaze.

    I chuckled softly at the natural blush that made her facial features even more seductive.

    Another thought that was clearly not mine emerged in my mind.

    "Wanna add a new touch to this game?" I asked so that she would look at me and she did.

    "What?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

    "Let''s pretend to be a happily married couple who can''t live without one another, even for a second. Today, you are allowed to do anything you want with me... as your husband. Behave however you want as my wife. Like you would with the man of your fantasy, who had your heart."

    She lowered her head, smiling softly and then turned around to face me.

    "You really want me to be heartless today, don''t you? Telling me I can be your wife, giving me the freedom to love you just for today, and then demanding it to be fake - an act."

    Her words caught me off-guard.

    I smiled with a soft chuckle.

    "Trust me. You wouldn''t wanna fall in love with someone like me in reality, baby angel. It''s wise to die of starvation rather than quenching your hunger with poison."

    "Sometimes instant death is all life craves, alpha," she said calmly, her eyes ying some kind of tricks on me.

    I stepped closer to her, and she stepped back.

    "To crave death is to mock life," I said as I took another step closer to her and she took another step away from me.

    "To live is dying," she whispered, taking a slow step away from me. "And to die for others is worth living."

    Amused, I smirked, and she smiled back at me.

    "Who do you wanna die for?" I asked.

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    "Haven''t found him yet," she teased.

    I scoffed, rolling my tongue across my inner cheek.

    A pang churned in my stomach at her words. I couldn''t decipher the gnawing feeling that crawled beneath my skin. I had never felt such apprehensive excitement before.

    "But maybe you already have someone worth dying for," she said.

    "Why? You jealous?"

    She shook her head. "I''m just happy for both of you. d that she is by your side. Grateful that you are not alone."

    My nails dug into my palms as I let out a curt nod with a smile that felt like a torture.

    Maybe she thought I had a Luna candidate like Raven and Asher. Well, I slept around with a lot of women. So many I lost count, but I didn''t have an official Luna candidate, and I didn''t n to have one. "You fantasize quite a lot. You don''t know me, Xanthea. You know nothing about me," I said, and she stopped stepping away from me.

    "It''s true. I know nothing about you, but maybe I understand you a little better than I did before," she said, stepping closer to me and I halted my steps, allowing her in.

    She looked into my eyes with a warmth I had never seen in her eyes before. At least, not for me.

    Asher was a different case. This soft look often adored her eyes when she looked at him-

    She bnced herself on the tips of her heels and reached out to coif my hair.

    Perplexed by this sudden shift in her attitude, I peered at her nkly.

    She adjusted my tie, and then gently ran her fragile fingers down my chest. Her eyes wandered over me before they came to an abrupt halt around my wrists. Squinting slightly, I watched her fingers gracefully secure my cufflinks. My eyes wandered to the ck diamonds on the cufflinks before I looked at her again.

    "I think... now we are ready to fake our love," she said and stepped past me.

    Dumbfounded, I watched her walk to the door.

    The sound of her heels against the marble triggered something darker in my chest.

    Odeus broke out intoughter that got louder in my head.

    ''What?'' I growled at him through my thoughts.

    ''Even when we set the rules, she knows how to y her games. She knows how to y us in our own games. You are totally under her control, man! She''s hrious. Haha! I like her,'' Odeus said. ''You and your fucking rubbish!''

    Odeus''ughter grew worse.

    ''Damn, I wish she had a wolf. I could get to know her on a deeper level-hey!''

    I cut him off and pushed him in the depth of my subconsciousness.

    I reached out to loosen my tie, but stopped. The sensation of her fingers sliding down my chest still lingered on me. So, I let it be.

    "Husband," she called.

    "Yes, wife?" I yed along.

    "Shall we... begin the game?"

    "The game''s already begun, wife."

 Chapter-59. Greatest weapon

    [Ezra]

    After a rtively tense drive, I finally parked my car near the entrance of the Virgo pce. Xanthea hadn''t said a word ever since we began our ride.

    I knew she was sitting with her thoughts, revisiting her memories and reliving the pain.

    I could read her eyes and how they lit up and dulled with the changing array of her thoughts.

    Her breath had an irregr rhythm, but I could still decipher them as words on pages. And the screams she never cried manifested as the assault of her heartbeats against her ribs.

    I had a conversation with her silence that spoke to me more than her words ever would.

    Shutting her eyes, Xanthea clenched the fabric of her dress over her thighs.

    I ced my hand on hers, feeling the subtle tremble in her fingers.

    Her eyes, bleary with uncertainty and fear, met mine. She shook her head, her brows knitting together in a silent plea.

    Intertwining my fingers with hers, I smiled slightly.

    "You can do it. I know you can and you will. Because you know how to y your games with... shampoo poured all over the floor."

    With the apprehensive look still sprawled across her eyes, she broke into a soft chuckle.

    I smiled back at her.

    "I mean, it was a brilliant idea. Stupid, but brilliant," I said.

    She shook her head as her chuckles turned into half whimpers and half giggles.

    "Hey! I am serious! I would have slipped right on the shampoo and fallen like a clown, given how impulsive I am. Might have fractured my tailbone and then Raven would have to heal my ass and I don''t even wanna imagine Raven healing my ass."

    "Oh, goddess..." Xanthea puckered her face, cing her hand over her mouth.

    The second hand embarrassment had her cracking up badly,ughing while she gave me the weirdest, oddedic look, as though I was really a clown.

    I contemted her with a subtle smile.

    Once Xanthea had controlled herughter, I licked my lips and said.

    "Your smile is your weapon, angel. It''s your greatest weapon. So keep it safe, hidden, but handy. Yourughter, your happiness, is what''s going to kill them alive."

    I kissed the back of her hand.

    Biting her lips, Xanthea gave me a determined nod. She looked outside the car and I followed her gaze.

    Niki, alongside other high-ranking members of the Virgo pack, stood at the entrance, awaiting my arrival. And I was not at all surprised to see the Alpha King, Atticus Dencruz, standing beside Niki. That old man liked to pretend to be the one in control of the mortal realm.

    He liked to think that he kept a check on us and maintained some kind of bnce between the three realms. Last time I checked, Asher just used him to navigate andmunicate to the mortal realm.

    But when we seized the fallen packs, he couldn''t do a thing to help them. He just stood aside and watched, praying to his moon goddess that we didn''t capture his kingdom.

    Today, too, he had the same terror on his face. I could feel it from the way they stood to the way their petrified eyes hovered around my car. They awaited to see a coffin with Xanthea''s lifeless bodyid in it.

    The frenzied auras around them were the same when we returned the dead bodies of the previous brides and took over their packs.

    We returned the bride''s dead bodies as peacefully as we could, but the rumors that spread across the mortal realm romanticized how brutal and gruesome it was.

    "Look at them, Xanthea," I whispered. "They''re waiting to see you dead, to receive your dead body. But it''s time to show them just how alive you truly are."

    She peered outside through the one sided window ss. We could see what was going outside, but outsiders couldn''t look into the car. She took a deep breath and was about to open the door when I held back her hand. "Let me do the honors, wife."

    As soon as I emerged from the car, every single soul went into a bow.

    The demons lurking around Niki in their shadowy, twisted forms writhed with a sinisterughter,pelling him to bow lower. Niki stumbled under their weight and the force they put on him. My demons were clearly trying to bring him to his knees, but like Nesryn said, he was resisting them.

    Those demons were invisible to mortal eyes. Only the spiritually awakened mortals could see those demons with naked eyes. And it was the duty of us demons to stop the spiritual awakening in the mortals by influencing them with pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. Making them seek external power by blinding them to the inner power they were all born with.

    But even when normal mortals couldn''t see demons, they had been fighting them for ages with whatever little spiritual and mental strength they possessed, relying on their faith in the celestials.

    The demons that haunted Niki were among the strongest and most evil. If it had been a normal mortal, they would have sumbed to madness by now.

    The dark circles, the restlessness and jumpiness in his eyes, the stiffness in his shoulders, and the weary look on his face were all proof that my demons were influencing him deeply. From his thoughts to his emotions, he was being possessed. So how?

    He was clearly not spiritually awakened. So, there could be only two possibilities. Niki either had insane spiritual control, or he had already received some celestial blessing.

    "Long time no see, Atticus," I greeted the Alpha King with a fake smile as I took off my goggles.

    "My lord..." Atticus lifted his head and everyone else followed. "Wee back to the earthly realm, your highness. We are honored to have you."

    "Now, now. Don''t lie. I know what you have been doing behind my back," I said in a grim tone, maintaining my eye contact with him.

    Fear drained into his eyes faster than the colors that drained out of his face.

    "I dare not even think of speaking behind your back, my lord. Our realm lives at your mercy," Atticus said with a nervous smile. "When I received the message that you would visit our realm shortly, I made sure to personally oversee preparations for your wee."

    I broke intoughter.

    "Why so serious, good friend? I was just joking. I find it rather difficult to make the humor of my realm work in yours. I know you are on our side. All your intel so far has helped us take over the packs, spot out the real traitors, neutralize the resistance, and maintain our authority and control over the fallen packs," I said, skimming my eyes to Niki. "After all, the burden of the entire earthly realm is on your shoulders. You wouldn''t jeopardize its safety for one or two packs." Both Atticus and Niki''s expressions were drenched with rm and confusion, but they swiftly concealed them behind their poker faces.

    Atticus forced a smile onto his face.

    "You are right, my lord. I need to think of the safety of my realm. After all, that''s my duty," he said in a humble tone.

    I smirked.

    Before leaving the Infernal realm, I texted Asher that I was bringing Xanthea here. He was ok with it. But he told me to stay alert and not leave Xanthea alone even for a second. As if I would. He also told me to seed a sweet little suspicion among the packs and Alpha King, if possible.

    Well, I think I did my job.

    Atticus cleared his throat. "My lord, pardon my insolence as I dare to ask if the Virgo pack has failed to provide you with apetent bride?" He inquired cautiously. "Are you perhaps... looking for a new bride?"

    My assumption about their assumption was right. I red at Niki, who immediately lowered his head. None of them expected a fate other than death for a feeble, abused omega with royal blood. ying along with their assumptions, I continued in a dark tone.

    "I have brought some gifts for my inws. Look for yourself." I looked at the valets and cocked my brow at the dickey of my car.

    With a stalled breath, Niki took a tight gulp as he looked at the gifts the valets unloaded from my car.

    "What''s wrong? Won''t the new alpha check the gifts? The gifts royals receive goes through a screening process, right?" I asked, my gaze boring into Niki. "Or is it different in your realm?" "Absolutely not, my lord. Alpha Niki," Atticus looked at him.

    Niki gave a curt nod and even with all the brave facade, I noticed his hands trembled as he took a gift box from the valet. He held it as though he was holding a ticking time bomb.

    "It''s important to make sure the gift doesn''t have some hazardous substance for the safety of the royals. Who knows what might be in those boxes? It''s not umon in our realm to receive mutted body parts of our family members-" Before I could finish my sentence, Niki threw the box away. Clenching his fists, he stepped back, panting and shaking violently. Drawing in rough breaths, he stared at the box with pure terror in his widened eyes.

    "How imprudent," I mumbled, ring at Niki. "Looks like every house in the Virgo pack will receive a gift with the mutted body parts of their family members. Let''s start with your insolent young alpha, who doesn''t know his ce." Niki lifted his dread-filled eyes to me, but Atticus blocked him from my view.

    "I will request you to pardon Alpha Niki. He is still a kid. He was just a little scared, my lord. I beg for your mercy, your highness," Atticus said with a bow and Niki followed him.

    "I didn''t mean to be disrespectful, your highness," Niki said in a cracking voice.

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    "Then take that gift and open it." A dark growl escaped my throat that seemed to have pinned everyone under the thickening gravity. Tensing up, Niki did as I said and I enjoyed how his hands shivered as he unwrapped the gift box and opened it.

    Disbelief, confusion mixed with bewildering relief, sprawled across his face as he peered at the topaz diamond ne set.

    "Were you expecting to see Xanthea''s body chopped into pieces?" I asked as a bitter churn wed its way from my guts to my chest.

    I suppressed myughter as I savored how disoriented and even more amusing he looked than before.

    Creeping silence fell over the gathering. No one even dared move or breathe in the wrong way. Honestly, I was barely holding back my bloodlust just because I knew this wasn''t my battle. Even if I killed them all, it wouldn''t make a difference. They meant nothing to me.

    But to Xanthea, they were her biggest battle.

    "That''s a gift hand-picked by my wife for your younger sister," I said.

    Niki nced at me before his frenzied gaze shot towards my car. He squinted his eyes, looking for Xanthea.

    I walked to my car and opened the door for her. Stretching out my hand before her, I ced my other hand between her head and the edge of the car.

    Xanthea''s pounding heart was a lot calmer now, a tranquil impassiveness illuminating her beautiful and confident face. With a subtle inhale, she ced her hands in my palm and stepped down from the car.

    We exchanged a soft smile before we faced the lot of trash.

    Silence had never been starker and faces nakeder.

    The crowd stood thunderstruck, but it was fun to watch Niko-shiti.

    Shock wrinkled across Niki''s face as he gaped at Xanthea. It seemed as though he couldn''t believe his eyes that the once weak omega was still alive and thriving.

    I squinted my eyes as Odeus sensed the change in Niki''s gaze. Breaking through all the conflicting emotions across his face, lust darkened his eyes as they leered over Xanthea''s body.

    Odeus was a lust demon. I recognized lust when I saw it.

    Suppressing my urge to rip his eyes out, I wrapped my arm around Xanthea''s waist and pulled her in.

    Niki winced, clenching his jaws when Xanthea wrapped her hands around my biceps before she trailed them down to my wrist.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    "I know my wife is beautiful, but you guys were so bbergasted-" my smile faded away and my words came out as a threatening growl "-that you forgot to bow before the Highdy of the Infernal pack!" Xanthea''s eyes widened, a mix of astonishment and disbelief flickering across her features. Her chest heaved faster as she turned to look at me.

    I couldn''t me her. I was taken aback by my unexpected deration as well.

 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 Highdy.

    But when I looked into his eyes, seeking his usual yful 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 deration 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 Highdy 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 myposure and turned to face the Virgo pack.

    I could feel the weight that threatened to crush me to my knees as all their zing 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 res.

    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 unt, even if itsted 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 contemted 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 weed 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 Highdy''s title. I had to honor it with all the strength I could muster.

    I lowered my gaze before Ezra. Clenching my jaws, I red 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 nced at me. He contemted 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 eptance.

    I heard a few of them grit their teeth before they forced themselves into a bow before me.

    All except one.

    Niki stood tall with a straight spine, his re 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 Niki''s eyes.

    As soon as our gaze collided, a chill ran down my spine.

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    I went numb almost in an instant as I crashed into the shards of memories that still stabbed deep into my chest.

    I never dared lift my gaze in front of him and now that I did, it was stifling.

    The shock in his wide eyes turned into the creeping hatred. His eyes darkened, and I felt as though a wave of unease had just crashed against me.

    I broke into a cold sweat as I became highly conscious of every inch of my body. It was happening again. Under his grim scrutiny, I felt disgusted by my own body.

    Every time I wore a dress Niki didn''t like or even talked to a man by mistake, I would find Niki''s eyes ripping me naked as though he wanted to tear me apart. One of the most recent memories shed in my mind.

    ***

    This incident happened right before I moved out of the Virgo pce. I was shifting my stuff into my mother''s house.

    While I was on my way back to the Virgo pce to get the rest of my stuff, I came across a boy who was almost my age. He asked me for directions and I helped him.

    There was nothing more to it and my conversation with that strangersted less than a minute, but when I went back to the Virgo pce, I found Niki in my room, waiting for me.

    He was sitting on my bed and I didn''t have to look at him twice to realize he was in a bad mood.

    "Who was he?" He inquired.

    Confused, I nced at him.

    ying the video of me talking to that stranger on his phone, he walked to me. I felt my blood curdle in my veins as he towered over me. Niki had always been controlling and monitored me closely, but that day I was scared to my core. "Th-this..."

    "You haven''t even moved out and you are already acting like a whore, sis? Who is he? Your new client? You can''t get any other job, so you are selling your body?"

    I shook my head, panic rising within me.

    "I-I-I was just... giving him the directions."

    "Directions to your house?" He tilted his head, bringing his face close to mine. "Niki-"

    I yelped as he grabbed my shoulder in a bruising grip.

    "Don''t think just because you are moving out, you can live however you want. Do you think you have got a 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 exin myself to him. Not that it would be of any help.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    He let go of my shoulders.

    "You are not allowed to talk to other men. You aren''t even allowed to look at them. Be mindful of what you wear so that no man looks at you. Do you understand?" He red at me and I nodded.

    My mouth dried up within seconds when he let go of my shoulders. I thought he would leave, but he locked the door from inside.

    "Your punishment for today''s offense is still due, sis." He took off his belt and wrapped it around his fist.

    "No... I am sorry. I am sorry, Niki. It won''t happen again. Please. Please don''t do this," I begged, stepping away from him. "I am sorry."

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    "This is so that you remember to behave. A lesson that will keep you in your limits even when you are away from the royal family," he clutched my tear-stained chin. "Now, face the wall and stand against it." "Please, I promise it will never happen again!"

    He smiled scornfully, running his tongue across his lips.

    "You know what happens when you resist, don''t you, my good doll?" His grip tightened on my chin.

    "It... only gets worse," I spoke through my hups.

    "Good doll."

    Bracing myself, I did what he said.

    The firstsh tore through my skin and flesh. The pain from it hadn''t even subsided when the nextshnded on my back and then the next and the next and next... until I slumped to the floor.

    ***

    The memory was still just as vivid as it was when it happened. I remembered every single detail, every bit of pain.

    Maybe that was the reason it was unbearable, suffocating for me to maintain eye contact with him, when such nauseating memories shed in my mind.

    But no matter how much I panicked from within, I didn''t let even a drop of it reflect on my face. Even though I was holding myself back from giving in to the drowning sensation, it didn''t mean they didn''t affect me. My grip loosened on Ezra''s hand. Before I could let go of his hand out of a subconscious fear, his touch vanished from beside me.

    My gaze was blurry and unstable as I frantically looked for him.

    For a second I thought he left. When my eyes finally found Ezra, he was standing right behind Niki with his dark shadowy aura crushing down on Niki.

    Ezra''s swift kick sent Niki hurtling forward. Skidding and stumbling, Niki crashed to his knees right in front of me.

    The air thickened with raw bloodlust, radiating out of Ezra. His eyes glowed blood red as he sauntered closer to Niki.

    The madness he had in his eyes when he burnt the pack down was back again.

    I stood frozen in my ce, incapable of even blinking.

    "AHHHHHH!"

    Niki''s screech sliced through the tense air.

    With an unforgiving force, Ezra''s foot crashed into Niki''s shin with a sickening crack. Ezra''s shoes dug into Niki''s flesh; each stomp followed by bone chilling cracks.

    I stood petrified, peering into nothingness as the ugly sound of cracking bones mingled with Niki''s disturbing screams.

    Ezra seized Niki''s hair, wrenching back his head before he forcefully mmed it into the ground a few inches away from my heels. The ground cracked from the impact. "You disrespected me, I let it slide." Ezra''s voice reverberated murderously.

    I stood impassively as Niki''s blood pooled around my red heels.

    "But nobody, ''nobody'' disrespects my wife!" Ezra snarled.

 Chapter-61. Liberation

    [Xanthea]

    Ezra''s overflowing bloodlust engulfed every inch of air within and around the Virgo pce.

    The time seemed to havee to a standstill within the perimeters. Even the clouds in the sky seemed to have been stained by the sheer darkness of the moment.

    Thunder rumbled amongst the looming dark clouds and the winds picked up the pace. I wouldn''t be surprised if it rained blood today.

    Tearing away Niki''s head from the ground, Ezra kicked him out of my way.

    Going in and out of focus, Niki''s eyes met mine. Blood trailed down his face, clotting and smearing all over his body and clothes as his agonizing groans rang like rms in my head.

    A certain weight on my chest seemed to have been lifted.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    However, at that moment, Niki didn''t have even a percent of my attention. Ezra had it all.

    Alpha King''s eyes were fixed on Ezra as though he were looking at a bomb that was about to st at any moment. He lifted his hand and signaled everyone to maintain a safe distance from Ezra. He seemed to be well acquainted with Ezra''s temper. So well acquainted that forget about saving Niki, he didn''t even try to intervene.

    Everyone standing nearby stepped away from Ezra and Niki and a few who tried toe to Niki''s rescue seemed to have done it just for show because not a single one of them had the guts to take even a step closer to the demon lord. Ripples of unease shuddered through the crowd, their nervous fearful nces betraying their act of supremacy.

    I scoffed, skimming my eyes across the gathering, unable to process the origin of my smile.

    So this is what true power does. It dominates if it wills, intimidates if it wills, and protects if it wills. It can run as wild as it wants and there is nothing anyone could do.

    Ezra''s eyes glowed even more dangerously, and I just knew if he shifted into his wolf form, it would be the end of the Virgo pack.

    I stood where I did before in the puddle of Niki''s blood.

    The first time I encountered Ezra''s wrath, I was terrified. I couldn''t move, couldn''t think properly as I saw the Virgo pack burning. But even then, something felt off.

    I looked at Ezra and this time I could see what it was.

    Pain.

    Extreme, unbearable, unresolved pain.

    Everything Ezra was doing for me was something he once wished someone had done for him.

    His rage. His triggers. His traumas. I could now see it all as clear as ripples in Niki''s blood.

    A sharp, burning sting spread across my eyes as I stepped out of the pool of blood. Leaving behind bloody footprints, I walked closer to Ezra.

    He was hurting more than he was hurting others.

    That night, he had set himself alight to burn down the pack. It''s just that he was way too good at concealing his scars and his wounds.

    Maybe this pack deserved what they got, maybe everyone he ever hurt deserved what they got, but-

    "You don''t deserve this, Ezra..." I whispered.

    He might not acknowledge it, but he was desperately looking for a permanent relief from all his pain. And somehow through me, he was trying to find a way to heal, to let out those pent-up feelings, to regte his emotions. Perhaps he never had the opportunity to seek revenge on those who hurt him, so he was helping me with my vengeance.

    If he could heal through me, then I would do anything to take this journey with him - to burn with him.

    I didn''t know if I could stop him or not, but I wanted him to know that I was here, standing right next to him.

    Fisting Niki''s cor, Ezra had lifted him off the ground. He was about to punch Niki across his broken face when I held his hand.

    Jerking off my hand, "Stay away!" he growled.

    Stumbling a few steps away from him, my eyes met his zing, bloodshot eyes. If I didn''t know the suffering behind those eyes, I would have cowered under his scrutiny.

    But not today.

    I clenched my fists.

    Behind his every smile was an endless void. Behind everyugh, there was hopelessness. His entire personality was curated to hide his true self.

    That''s why I wanted to know what had happened to him. What exactly could have caused such damage?

    I want to know your story, Ezra. So please don''t push me away. I promise I won''t get too close to you, but I don''t think I can stay far away from you either. Not when I can see it crystal clear how badly you are hurting. I wanted to know him the way he knew my pain, owned it, felt it, and validated it. And for that, I had to get stronger.

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    Gaining back myposure, I held his hand again. Tighter.

    "It''s enough, Ezra," I said, maintaining a stoic eye contact with him.

    Ezra squinted his eyes in annoyance and intimidation. But I had to say what I had to say, and he had to hear it even when he didn''t want to.

    "I say this with utmost sincerity, meeting you and knowing you have been one of the most beautiful things that has ever happened to me." I said.

    Ezra''s eyes widened slightly. Finding a serenefort in the darkness behind his eyes, I stepped closer to him.

    "Thank you... Ezra." Those words came directly from my heart as I wrapped my arms around him and embraced his heart against mine. "Thank you for everything, darling love." I said, burying my face in his chest. Niki''s cor slipped from Ezra''s fist, and he slumped on the floor.

    I felt Ezra hesitate before he wrapped his arms around me, closing in all the gaps between our bodies.

    I didn''t let go of him until he had calmed down.

    Parting from the hug, I looked into his eyes. The crimson that eclipsed his ocean blue eyes slowly faded away.

    I tilted my head, leaning closer to his lips. Covering the rest of the distance, he gently pressed his lips against mine.

    "Can''t smudge your lipstick until nightfall, baby," he whispered against my lips.

    I smiled before we parted. The gathering stood with their heads and gazes held low.

    "This can''t end so soon. Where''s the fun in that?" Ezra smirked, caressing my cheek, while his other hand yed with the strings of my dress on my back.

    Still holding me close to himself, Ezra faced the gathering.

    "Ok! Let''s do this again. Because of my wife, the Virgo pack is getting one more chance. Onest chance," Ezra looked at Niki. "Get up and receive your guests properly. Come on! Everyone back to their positions." Alpha King let out a shaky sigh of relief. His pale face was still drained of all colors.

    "Alpha Niki needs to be taken to the hospital. He is in no condition to-" someone murmured, hiding behind the crowd.

    Ezra broke intoughter.

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    "What? A hospital? For broken bones and a fractured skull? Are you kidding me? He''spletely fine. He''s not going anywhere. He''ll stay in the pce, be a good Alpha and host, and do his job like he''s expected to."

    "At least, he needs first aid-" someone said again, but before they couldplete the sentence, Alpha King strode to Niki, held him by his cor and pulled him to his feet.

    Then he dragged him near the pce''s entrance. Niki limped, gritting his teeth to suppress his groans.

    I looked at Alpha King, who grabbed Niki from his nape and forced him into a bow, blood constantly dripping from his head.

    "Please, l-let me wee... ah! Let me wee you once again, my lord," Niki grunted through his clenched teeth. "I hope... you e-enjoy your... stay here."

    "Hmm. Good. I thought only my wife was expected to show all the courage, resilience and strength in this pack. My wife went through a marriage with the demon lords with a fucking broken arm. This is the least I expect from her brother." Ezra said.

    I stared at Niki. His entire body was trembling, his breath uneven and shallow. Broken ribs.

    As I took a deep breath, a sublime sense of liberation swept through my chest, as if I had just been released from a lifelong imprisonment. I was a mess of memories that stabbed and the rage that ravaged me.

    It would be a lie if I said I never thought of revenge. But I never once thought of inflicting pain or sufferings on others.

    So right now, I honestly didn''t know what to feel except this burning numbness.

    Niki swiftly lowered his gaze when his eyes met mine and bowed before me as I entered the pce.

    Ushering me inside, Ezra remained a few steps behind me. Niki followed us with Alpha King supporting him to walk.

    I was never allowed to walk so freely in the pce, and now that I could, the ce felt just as foreign, cold, and unweing as it always had.

    The pce, the pack and its people. All remained the same.

    There was a nagging apprehension, a foreboding force that tried to hold back my steps, and then there was a burning kick from within me that pushed me forward against that force.

    When Ezra told me it was important that I visit this ce, I couldn''t see the significance. But now, with every independent step, I could actually feel something breaking psychologically. Was it the shackles Ezra talked about, or the fear or the mental conditioning or something deeper?

    I couldn''t tell, but something was changing deep inside me. As though I was dying and being reborn at the same time.

    It felt as if the darkest chapter of my life wasing to an end.

    As if... I had finally escaped.

 Chapter-62. Hysteria

    [Xanthea]

    "She''s alive?"

    "Good goddess..."

    "Look at what she''s wearing."

    "Isn''t that thetest gown from the most recent luna collection?"

    "One of the most expensive gowns in the world."

    The living area greeted me with a hushed buzz of disbelief and surprise from the maids. Their murmurs ceased abruptly as Ezra emerged from behind me.

    What pressed upon me the most was luna Meesa''s calcting gaze, piercing through my soul. I would have normally prevented looking right into the gaze that burnt with nothing but pure hatred for me.

    My insides screamed at me to lower my gaze, but I forced myself to lock eyes with her.

    Her gaze skimmed to Ezra as he stood beside me.

    There was an instant shift in her eyes. Peering at me, she got up from the sofa as though she were in a trance, as though she hadn''t noticed Ezra or anyone else in the room. She walked to me, her eyes teary with concern and delight.

    "Thea... my daughter..." she cupped my face with gentle hands and pulled me into a hug. "Oh, Thea... I am so d to see you safe."

    If I didn''t know her better, I would have fallen for the quiver in her voice and her breathless whimpers. She held me close as though I were the most precious thing in her life.

    I was used to her act of love and care because she did it often when father was around or she knew he was watching us.

    But today, as I stood in her embrace, I felt something like boiling acid pour in my chest. Only she had the ability to make a gentle embrace feel so cold, suffocating and... bitter. "How touching..." Ezra said in a calm tone.

    Sniffling, Meesa parted from me. Wiping her tears, she instantly stepped away from me, joining the train of maids, and they went into a bow before us in unison.

    "Please pardon me, my lord. I-I... I just... was so overwhelmed to see Thea fine that I-"

    "Oh, you don''t need to apologize for anything. I understand," Ezra said, cing his hand on his chest. "You were worried about your daughter and her wellbeing, her safety. Isn''t it? You heard the rumors about her death and you were overtaken by grief and remorse and when you saw her, you couldn''t help but embrace her close to your heart. I understand." He smiled.

    I nced at him and even though he seemed to be deeply touched by daughter-mother interaction, his eyes were cold and deste.

    Meesa bowed again in affirmation.

    Ezra ced his hand around my shoulders and pulled me close.

    "My wife has been worried about all of you as well. She wanted to see how her family was doing after the unfortunate fire broke out in your pack. She stopped eating and sleeping. And I couldn''t see her in that condition, so I brought her here today. I must say I am deeply moved by the rtionship you have with your step-daughter. Not every woman has it in her to ept a bastard child and love them as their own." Ezra said in a dreamy tone.

    She nced at me before she bowed before Ezra with a smile again.

    "Please have a seat, your highness," she ushered us towards the seating area.

    As I sat on the plush sofa beside Ezra, I couldn''t help but notice the fatigue in her every single movement. She seemed to have lost a lot of weight that made her body look thin and fragile. Her skin looked dull; her eyes sunken. Even though her posture was upright as always, I could clearly notice the struggle she put behind to maintain it.

    "Where are the rest of the family members?" Ezra asked, cing his feet on the ss coffee table.

    Meesa nced at Ezra''s feet and then towards the entrance of the living area.

    "Niki should-"

    "Oh, don''t worry about him. He tripped a little while receiving us, so Atticus took him to get a little first air. He''ll be here soon," Ezra said dismissively. "Your son is a little clumsy, I must say. Who else was in your family? Your husband and... if I remember it well, you had another daughter as well, right?"

    Lowering her gaze, she swallowed tightly. She nced at the maid. The maid bowed and left. In mere seconds, Nathalia walked into the living area.

    I felt a knot tighten in my stomach as I peered at Nathalia, widening my eyes.

    A thick, suffocating white mask was wrapped around Nathalia''s disfigured face. Every inch of her body was wrapped tightly in fabric to conceal the burn marks on her body and her melted skin.

    I quickly averted my eyes from her. It was unbearable to even look at her.

    Now I realized why Ezra asked me to y the game of heartlessness. He wanted to stop me from ming myself for what they were going through. He wanted me to enjoy their misery, but- My heart twisted, and I had to clench my jaws to maintain a poker face.

    Nathalia''s insecurities, jealousy, resentment, and anger screamed through her eyes as they raked all over me.

    "Greetings, your highness," Nathalia said, bowing before us.

    "The fire must have been terrible," Ezra said sympathetically. "Did you find its cause?"

    Nathalia and Meesa exchanged a nce and shook their heads.

    "No, your highness. We haven''t. Not yet," Meesa said.

    "Hmm," Ezra nodded. "One more family member isn''t here. Where is the ex-alpha of your pack?" Ezra asked, scanning the hall.

    "He is... in the h-hospital, your highness," Nathalia said, her gaze lingering on Ezra. She looked at Ezra, captivated by his handsome, sharp looks and radiant charm.

    "Call him here," Ezra said, sprawling on the sofa. "My wife hase all the way from the Infernal pack to visit him. He should have had a little decency to show up. It''s normal etiquette."

    "Father''s in aa, your highness," Nathalia said, clenching her fists.

    It took me a few seconds to process what Nathalia said, and when I did; I felt a nauseating churn tug at my stomach. Like I had been brutally kicked in my guts.

    Alpha Valdimir is in...a?C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "Is he now? How tragic? Pity, anyway. I don''t see a reason why he can''t show up for dinner. He can stille here in a wheelchair with all those beeping life support machines attached to him. Showing up is what matters, right, Atticus?" Ezra asked, shifting his gaze to Alpha King as he walked into the living room.

    Alpha King remained silent for a few seconds he took to get close to us before he replied.

    "Yes, my lord."

    I lowered my gaze as an awkward breathless tightened in my chest.

    "But my father''s in aa. He can''t-"

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    Alpha King let out a deliberate cough, cutting Nathalia''s words in the middle. Nathalia understood whatever silent signal she was given and remained silent, partially hiding behind Meesa.

    "If that''s what you wish, he will be here, my lord," Niki limped closer to us with the support of a butler, blood-stained bandage wrapped around his leg and forehead.

    Luna Meesa instantly panicked as her attention went on to Niki, and so did Nathalia. But they remained where they were.

    Unclenching my fist, I ced my hand on Ezra''s thigh. He looked at me with unanimous attention.

    He leaned closer to my face, bringing his ear closer to my lips.

    "I don''t wish... to see my father," I said, trying my best to sound resentful. "There''s no need for him to be here. I just wanna go back home."

    Contemting me, Ezra smiled.

    "Oh, my darling wife. Why are you so good?" He said, leaning back against the sofa as he ran his fingers through his hair.

    Wrapping his arm possessively around my waist, he pulled me against his chest.

    Tucking the free strands of my hair behind my ear, he caressed my cheek.

    "Maybe it was your kindness and your pure heart that allured me. I can''t help it. I''ve fallen in love with you and you give me all the reasons to keep falling in love with you over and over again. You can''t see people suffer. First, you saved your brother''s life and now you are advocating for your father. Tsk!" Ezra sighed, holding his temple.

    He grunted, letting me go.

    "This world doesn''t deserve a soul like you. I don''t deserve you. You deserve so much better. So better is what I have be just for you, my love," Ezra said.

    Holding back my blush and the second hand embarrassment from his overacting, I let out a faint chuckle.

    "What can I say? If that''s what my wife wants, then that''s what will happen."

    He looked at Niki and continued.

    "Let your father rest in the hospital. I won''t consider it disrespectful. Tsk! But it would have been more fun if your father joined us for the dinner, baby," Ezra looked at me.

    I shook my head slightly.

    "No? Pity," Ezra winced.

    "You''ll be staying for dinner, my lord?" Meesa asked.

    "Why? Are we not invited?" Ezra shot his gaze towards her.

    Meesa let out a nervous chuckle. "N-no, my lord. Of course. This is the first time my daughter and my son-inw are visiting us after the marriage. Of course, we were preparing for the feast, but we have heard that demon lords don''t like mortal cuisine."

    "Oh, don''t trust those rumors. They say a lot of false stuff. They have created a very scary and repulsive public image of my brothers and me. You are standing before me. Do you feel threatened in any manner? I am such a calm and collected man. I wouldn''t go throwing punches or injuring or killing people for no reason." Ezra said and Alpha King let out a faintugh while others couldn''t even muster that. Were we staying here longer?

    ***

    As we entered the dining room, the unsettling restlessness and urgency to leave the pce as soon as I could grew even more.

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    I understood what Ezra was trying to do, but I didn''t know if I was ready to face those parts of my past yet. Especially with such a dark aura thickening in the air.

    "Where did my wife sit?" Ezra asked, strolling around the dining hall.

    "H-here," Meesa pointed towards the chair next to Alpha Valdimir''s chair. "She sat beside her father. She is her father''s favorite, after all. Come, Thea. Take your usual seat, sweety," she said with a sour smile as she pulled the chair for me. "I have cooked your favorite food."

    I looked at the pancakes and blueberries on the dining table alongside other food items.

    "My favorite food?" I asked.

    "Yes Thea, your-"

    I peered at Meesa nkly until I burst into hystericalughter.

    Everyone stood frozen as I choked on everyughter as it strangled my throat.

    Iughed so hard I teared up.

    "Oh god, haha..." I somehow controlled myughter, wiping off my tears.

    "Mom, why don''t you tell Ezra how we went shopping together? The three of us. Isn''t it Nathalia? How we went to salons and how we had the best family time ever? How my brother took us on rides and movies? How we cooked together and how well you know my likes and dislikes? So you prepared my favorite food, huh? Pancakes and blueberries. I love them so much. I can''t wait!"

    My body had turned cold, but I walked around the table almost running on half adrenaline and half impulse.

    "Swo... fuvking... favorwite! Pancwakes! Bwuebwerriws..."

    Clutching up pancakes and blueberries in both my hands, I frantically gobbled them into my mouth, barely chewing as tears streamed down my eyes.

    Frowning, Meesa stepped away from me, and so did everyone else.

    Panic rose from my guts as I choked on the food. With shaking hands, I picked up the goblet filled with wine. Spilling the wine all over me, I pushed the unchewed food down my throat.

    I kept stuffing my mouth with food, not even giving myself time to breathe-

    "Enough!" Ezra growled, grabbing my hands as I gagged on the food. I struggled to free myself from him when he caged my hand close to my chest, hugging me from behind. "Lwet gwo! Leave me!" I protested.

    "Stop it! Xanthea! Spit out the food!" He grabbed my jaws and forcefully opened my mouth. Shoving his fingers into my mouth, he pulled out the food.

    Tearing up, I gasped for air. I abruptly spit out the half-chewed mess of pancake and blueberry on the table, sttering it across the surface. Coughing, I wheezed as Ezra let go of me. Losing all the strength in my legs, I slumped on the chair Meesa had pulled out for me.

    "I was a kid..." I mumbled through my sniffles and cough.

    Meesa looked away, blood draining into her emotionless eyes.

    "I was just a kid. How could you do that to a kid?" I looked at Meesa.

 Chapter-63. My battle

    [Xanthea]

    "You threw away all the food just because I ate a freaking blueberry. As though I was contaminated, untouchable. You punished me just because I entered this dining hall. Favorite food? I have hated pancakes and blueberries ever since! I don''t even know why! They feel like shards of ss in my mouth," I spoke through the gasps.

    I bit down on my quivering lips to hold back my tears, but there was no use. I failed. I failed the game. I couldn''t be heartless because I had a heart that had been crushed way too many times. And now all it wanted to do was bleed. "W-what are you saying, sweety-"

    "Filth! Just call me what you have been calling me ever since I was born, luna!" I yelled at Meesa.

    She widened her eyes, sneaking nces at Ezra and Alpha King. Panic-stricken, she tried to reason.

    "Thea... I can never-"

    "Oh, shut up!" I cried annoyingly.

    I swept my hand across the table. One by one, the ss tes, bowls and goblets shattered on the marble, scattering the food all over the floor. Several maids flinched away, gasping and covering their mouths with their hands in shock. "You are going to throw all this away, anyway! So stop pretending. Stop pretending that you love me, that you care for me, that you know me in front of others. It''s suffocating!" I grunted.

    I picked up adle. Getting up from the chair, I handed it to Meesa.

    "You are burning with rage, aren''t you, mom?" I said, in a spiteful tone. "Take this and hit me like you always do. Hit me until I pass out! Then call a fucking doctor and keep me locked in my room until I heal so that no one sees my wounds. Come on, mom! Hit me all you want! And don''t worry, demon lords will not interfere. They will not say a word. This has been how you have ''loved'' me all my life. Show it to my husband, show it to the Alpha King! Go on! HIT ME!" "Stop it!" Meesa shut her eyes, clenching her jaws.

    "Why should I?" My voice cracked. "Did you stop when I said I was hurting? Did you stop when I begged you to? No, you didn''t. You, Niki, Nathalia, kept breaking me again and again and again as though I were an inanimate object! Twenty- three years! Twenty-three years..." my voice faltered. "But even that wasn''t enough for you people. You burnt down my everything. All that was left of my mother''s is gone now."All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    I held my head. It felt as if it was about to burst with all the veins throbbing violently in my body.

    A prolonged silence hung in the dining room, charged with unease and eerie stillness.

    "How dare you?" Nathalia grunted. "How dare you y the victim''s card on us? You have no fucking idea what I have been through because of you. You are not the only one who has suffered. In fact, everyone, my whole family, has suffered because of you!"

    "Nathalia! Shut up!" Niki warned, stealing a nervous nce at Ezra.

    "No! No, I won''t! She has always stolen everything from me!" Nathalia approached me.

    I stood facing her, looking into her eyes.

    "I hate you; I have hated you, and I''ll keep hating you. And I am not afraid to say it in front of the world because you deserve to be hated. Even though I am the official princess of this pack, I have always been in the shadow of your beauty. Alwayspared to how exquisite and morous you look, even in rugs, and no matter what jewel I put on or how expensive clothes I wear, I''ll never be enough! I can never be you!"

    She said in one breath, ring right into my eyes as she took off her mask. Blinking, I widened my eyes and looked away.

    Her disfigured and charred face shook me to my core, tremors shuddering through my soul. A sudden ache rose in my chest, hurting like a gunshot wound.

    "Look at me!" Nathalia said, tears trailing down her eyes and scarred face. "You came here today to mock me, right? This dress, these jewels, this makeup, this hair."

    She touched my hair and then my dress and then the essories I had on.

    "Everything you have, from your clothes to your beauty, they all belong to me! I should have been the one to marry the demon lords! Me! Not you! You don''t deserve all this attention. I do! But now... I can''t even show my face to anyone! You''ve destroyed my life. You stole my life from me!" she snarled at me, grabbing my upper arms in a bruising grip.

    Clenching my jaws, I wrenched myself out of her grip.

    A swift wind gushed past me, followed by Nathalia''s shrill scream that pierced through the roof.

    "MOM!"

    Meesa widened her eyes. "No, Lia! Let go of her! Mercy, my lord. Mercy! Please!" she said, falling to her knees. "She doesn''t know what she is saying. Please forgive her! She is just a kid."

    "My wife... was just a kid too," Ezra growled calmly. "Did you show her mercy!?"

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    Meesa''s voice quivered as tears streamed down her face incessantly.

    "I was wrong! I was... wrong!" she gasped between sobs, choking on her desperate words. "Please let... my daughter go! Spare her! It was all my fault! Please! I beg you!"

    I turned my head towards Ezra, who had lifted Nathalia in the mid-air, grabbing her by her throat. Nathalia''s desperate struggles were futile as her eyes bulged in terror, her gasps for air drowned by Ezra''s crushing grip around her windpipe. With a haunting calmness, Ezra had his free hand casually tucked in his pocket.

    "I am not the one you should be begging for mercy," Ezra said.

    Meesa didn''t even think twice before crawling towards me.

    "Please Thea, I am sorry. I am sorry, please. It was all my fault. Not theirs. I made them hurt you. I poisoned their minds with hatred for you. I am the one to me. Kill me!" With a trembling body, she bowed before me, her head touching my feet. "Please spare my daughter! She is innocent! Please, please. I am begging you, please."

    Knitting my brows, I stepped back from Meesa.

    "Just a word, wife, and I''ll burn this chapter of your life forever," Ezra said, Nathalia''s limbs going limp.

    As much as I hated to admit it, if Ezra burnt down these chapters of my life, there wouldn''t be much left. Despite being smeared with nothing but pain, I needed these chapters of my life so that I knew exactly how I didn''t want my life to turn out from here on.

    Taking in a deep breath, I exhaled through the pain stabbing in my chest with every beat.

    I roughly scrubbed away my tears.

    Squatting before Meesa, I lifted her teary, terrorized, and trembling face from the bow.

    "I always had two options. I could be like you people or I could preserve my sanity, my peace, myself. And I always chose the other option. And today, even though I am so tempted to choose what you would have chosen had I been in Nathalia''s ce, I will still choose to be myself. This is not some mercy I show you, or some forgiveness, because you deserve neither. None of you. But I can''t be like you. That''s not what my mother has taught me." I rose to my feet and looked at Ezra.

    "Let her go, love," I said in a determined voice. "They are my battle. This is my battle and I wish to fight it alone. With all gratitude, you have made me capable enough of doing that."

    Ezra opened his grip, and Nathalia''s body dropped to the floor.

    Slipping and falling, Meesa scrambled to Nathalia, shaking her body until Nathalia''s lifeless body reacted with breaking gasps. Niki limped to them, hyperventting, as he looked at me and Nathalia alternatively. Ezra peered at me with an arcane expression on his face. I couldn''t tell if he was angry, disappointed, or proud.

    "I need some time with them, alone," I said, holding Ezra''s gaze.

    "Everyone except the Virgo family, leave." Ezra''smand resonated deeply in the room.

    All the maids and butlers left the dining hall at once, followed by Alpha King.

    Ezra strutted to me. He took the napkin from the table and cleaned off the scattered food and wine from my face, neck, and chest.

    "I''ll be by your side even when you can''t see me, angel," he said and in the tightness torturing my chest... red up a warm flutter. "I''ll be right here. Just a call away."

    He took a deep breath and smiled at me.

    "From the very start, you were bound to fight this battle all by yourself. I was merely a spectator. You already won the moment you decided to fight it alone. I am proud of you." Tears welled in my eyes as I smiled at him.

    Cleaning thest bits of food from my dress, he ced the napkin on the edge of the dining table.

    Ezra leaned in and kissed my lips. Our tongues entangled as I kissed him back. Parting from the kiss, he nodded reassuringly.

    "I''ll be right outside the door, waiting to take you home," he said before leaving.

    My heart pounded against my ribs as I watched him exit the dining hall. The sound of the door shutting behind him echoed throughout the room.

 Chapter-64. My revenge

    [Xanthea]

    "Doctor! Call the doctor!" Meesa howled. "My baby! My Lia! Lia! Sweety! Respond to mamma! Baby!"

    Taking a knife from the table, I walked closer to Nathalia.

    "What do you want?" Meesa looked at the knife in my hand, hugging Nathalia protectively.

    Nathalia was partially unconscious, her breaths faint and faltering.

    "My revenge," I said, my voice low and detached as I knelt beside Nathalia and reached out to check her throat.

    "What are you doing? Keep your filthy hands away from my daughter!" Meesa shoved away my hand. "Don''t touch her, you wench-"

    With stalled breaths, Meesa withdrew her hand as I pointed the knife at her.

    "Mom! That''s not what you call your daughter. I guess we need to set new ground rules to be a family again, Meesa," I said, coldly peering into her soul through her eyes. "And number one, keep your hands to yourself or I will break them." I smiled. "Don''t worry, I will heal themter. This has been our lovenguage, right? Hurting and healing each other? Pretending nothing''s wrong."

    Petrified, Meesa looked at the knife and then at me. I wasn''t joking or ying around and maybe she felt it, too.

    Checking Nathalia''s breaths and pulse, I made Nathalia lie t on her back and tilted her head upwards so she could breathe better. Using the knife, I cut off her clothes across her torso. "Nathalia! Can you hear me?" I patted her cheek.

    She tried to breathe through her mouth, but couldn''t.

    Putting the knife aside, I ced my hand on her chest, starting the CPR. Locking my mouth with hers, I gave her breaths after every thirty chestpressions.

    After a while, Nathalia''s eyes widened as she gasped and broke into wheezes. She frantically held her neck, taking in deep breaths.

    "Lia!" Niki and Meesa called out to her together.

    I checked her pulses and breaths again. They were returning to normal. It took her a while to regainplete consciousness and when she did-

    "Mom! Mom!" Shivering and frenzied, she sat up on her own and crawled away from me to her mother.

    "It looks like she doesn''t have any neck injuries, but it''ll be better to take her to the hospital and have her checked thoroughly," I said.

    I got up, breathing heavily as I trudged towards the dining table.

    Sitting on the chair, I put aside the knife and clenched my hands together, trying to ignore Meesa''s and Nathalia''s united sobs and Niki''s panicked voice as he checked on his sister.

    I let out a heavy sigh. Leaning forward on the table, I held my head in my mmy, icy hands.

    I am so... exhausted. I just wanna go back home. But where exactly is it?

    As I wondered about my home, I came across Meesa''s voice, dripping with poison.

    "Apple doesn''t fall far from the tree. You are just like your mother - an ungrateful, characterless bitch!"

    Shutting my eyes, I shook my head.

    People don''t change easily, do they?

    I was a little tipsy because of the wine.

    "Mom, let it be," Niki said, keeping his re fixed at me.

    "No, Niki. She wanted to talk to us. So let her!"

    Leaving Nathalia in Niki''s care, Meesa faced me.

    "You wanted to know why I treated you the way I did? Because you are the living proof of my husband''s betrayal and your mother''s conceit and decisiveness. Kid?" she chuckled. "Don''t make meugh! You were the kid who reminded me every day of how my husband cheated on me with an omega. How he made me feel insufficient andcking just because I couldn''t give him children."

    My back faced them. I crushed the blueberries between my fingers and tossed them aside. I really hate this fruit so much. God, this is so irritating. I turned the fruit basket upside down.

    Meesa paused for a while, probably peering at the fruits rolling across the dining table, then she continued.

    "Your mother started this tradition of hurting and healing. On one hand, she had an affair with my husband and on the other she helped me bear children with her unusual medicines. Pain and happiness, it was all started by your mother. Your mother stripped me of my rights, my pride. And thenpensated it by helping me be a mother," Meesa said and had my attention almost in an instant.

    "My mother helped you-" Getting up from the chair, I turned my head to look at her.

    Meesa nodded.

    "That''s how she entered our life. To help me with my barrenness. She gained my trust only to break it into millions of pieces. So, I couldn''t bear to let ''you'' take away the rights of my children." Niki and Nathalia looked at Meesa just as shocked as I was. We didn''t know anything about it.

    "Belonging? Huh! You don''t even deserve to stand in front of us, you filth! You deserved what you got. And if you want to me someone, me your mother!" Her voice shook with rage and pain. "me her for giving you birth. me her for dying after that, leaving your burden on me! And what did my husband say? Raise my Thea as your own! The child of a fucking mistress was raised by the luna of the pack. You are a fucking insult, Xanthea th." She took a deep breath and stood right in front of me.

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    I nodded, licking my dry lips. I looked into her eyes.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "What my mother did was not my fault. I understand your anger and I understand where your paines from, but I didn''t deserve to be an outlet for your emotions. I understand your hatred, but..." I shut my eyes, trying my best to control the disaster inside me.

    "Being born was not my choice, so it''s not my mistake and to be punished for something I didn''t do all my life. It was unjust, unfair to me. I just wanted a little love, a little eptance. I just wanted to be seen and epted and celebrated like Niki and Nathalia were. I just wanted to feel like a normal kid. Loved, cared for, heard. J-just a little of your and my father''s affection was all I craved. Was it too much to ask?"

    "YES! Yes, it was!" Meesa howled. Holding her chest, she crumpled to the ground in raw anguish.

    I kept peering into her eyes nkly, feeling a numbing tremble crawl up my legs.

    "I always treated you the best, not because I was scared, but because that was the right thing to do. So I regret nothing. What you did to me was wrong. Your emotional baggage is not mine to carry. It''s yours and I havee to return it to you and I have done what I came here for."

    "You ungrateful wench!" Meesa yelled.

    "Mom! Enough!" Niki intervened.

    I chuckled, swallowing the tightness building in my throat.

    "If you think you have hurt me, you are wrong. You just broke my body and not my spirit and now I am going to fulfill my mother''s dream. I am going to be a healer and I am going to continue my studies and I am going to make my mother proud. And this time you cannot stop me," I said in one go.

    "You and your mother chant!" Meesa smirked. "You don''t even know what she was like and you worship that wench of a witch like some goddess! You call me delusional, Thea? Seriously? What is your mother''s name, Thea?" she asked, wiping off her tears.

    Knitting my brows, I grimaced at her.

    "Freya th," I said.

    "Really? Is that her real name? Are you sure?" she asked.

    I looked at her, confused.

    "That''s the name of the person whose identity your mother stole. Freya th is not your mother. And identity theft is the worst of the worst crimes. Where does your mother stand on your moralpass now? No one knows where she came from. No one knows her name. No one knows what she was or did before she came here. Not even Valdimir. But my dear, I can tell you one thing for sure: your mother was a horrible woman."

    "Stop lying! My mother!" I raised my voice, clenching my fist. "My mother was a wonderful, beautiful woman. She was capable and confident and maybe that is why father chose her over you! He loved her more than you-" "SHUT UP!" Meesa cried.

    "Mom!" Niki looked at her and then his terror-filled eyes darted to the door.

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    I red into Meesa''s bleary eyes.

    "Ezra won''te. Don''t worry. I told you, didn''t I? Demon lords won''t interfere. This time, Ezra won''t kill you. But I can''t promise the same for the next time, that is, if there is a next time. I really hope you make it to heaven, because if youe to hell, I''ll be there, waiting."

    I strutted towards the door and was about to open it when I felt Niki''s mindlink. My fingers paused a few inches away from the doorknob.

    ''Devil. God. I will sell my soul to anyone I have to, to bring you back to your original hell, sis. To bring you back to me, and when I do, I will turn every second of your life into pure, raw suffering,'' Niki''s voice echoed in my mind through the mindlink.

    I turned around to face him. I put on a sarcastic smile as I addressed him.

    "You still don''t get it, do you? You still can''t see, can you? You have lost all the power you once had over me. After the things I have been through in this pack and in the Infernal realm, you can''t make me suffer," I said calmly. Nathalia and Meesa looked at me, and then at Niki, confused.

    I scoffed.

    "And if you really had to threaten me. Then you should have had the guts to threaten me out loud, not through some sneaky mindlink. I can''t believe I ever feared a coward like you," I mocked.

    ''There is a difference between cowardice and mindfulness. I will soon chop off the wings these demon lords gave you, sister. Your demon husbands are going down very soon, and I''ll make sure it happens faster. So just wait and watch, sister. If you belong to hell, then I''ll be your celestial punishment and drag you out of it.'' He used the mindlink again.

    Coward!

    Waste of time!

    I turned my back towards him to open the door, but I stopped.

    I walked across the room to Niki and pped him across his face.

    Widening his eyes, Niki held his cheek. With a gulp, he looked at me, bbergasted.

    "Say that again. Out loud. I am a wolfless omega. I can''t hear mindlinks properly," I said, holding his gaze. "I dare you... say that again!" I growled.

    He narrowed his eyes; the paleness cracking across his face with tension. I smiled with a scoff.

    "This is how a threat works, Niki. There''s a difference between a threat and a bluff. And you, my dear pathetic brother, are incapable of doing either of them. You don''t evene close to the dirt they walk on. Ezra. Asher. Raven. They are my husbands. They are my demon lords! And they are never going down!"

    Turning on my heels, I strutted to the door, opened it, and walked out.

 Chapter-65. The control(18+)

    [Asher Xipher]

    "You don''t evene close to the dirt they walk on. Ezra. Asher. Raven. They are my husbands. They are my demon lords! And they are never going down!"

    A small smirk yed across Raven''s lips as he peered at Xanthea on his phone screen.

    I arrived at the Aile castle a few minutes ago, but Raven had been here for a while monitoring Xanthea and Ezra using his butterflies that were invisible to mortal eyes in the mortal realm. I looked at all the gifts ced on the table. It looks like Ezra had bought her a new phone and aptop.

    "You look proud of her," I said.

    Cocking a brow, Raven lifted his eyes off the screen and scowled at me.

    "Why will I be proud? This is the bare minimum she should have done for herself long ago," he said. "Moreover, after today, it might be a pain in the ass to control her."

    "Is that so? Maybe I misinterpreted your smile," I said, lying down on the couch.

    "I will be proud of her when she gets her healer''s license and then she can help me ess the forbidden knowledge you have been trying to hide from me with all your power," he said.

    I shut my eyes, replying with my silence.

    I heard him scoff, and then he concentrated on Xanthea again.

    ''You wanted them to ept her just enough so that they don''t kill her. They have gotten attached enough. They have linked their personal twisted goals with her. Raven wants her for the research and Ezra needs her to heal himself. It''s time you pull their reins before their attachment turns into an obsession.'' Icifer, my demon wolf''s warning, echoed in my head.

    I replied to him with my silence as well.

    Icifer was getting impatient because of Xanthea, but everything was under control. I wasn''t going to pull any reins until she got pregnant.

    Taking a deep breath, I sat up on the couch, stretching.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "Can I have a look as well?" I asked Raven.

    "Suit yourself," he said.

    "Thanks," I said and sat on the chair beside him.

    Raven''s butterfly flew out of the dining room. Ezra was pacing right outside the door.

    "He... looks anxious," I said.

    "Of course he is. He has been disturbed ever since Xanthea snapped and began devouring the food as though she might as well cannibalize herself," Raven said. "Hmm."

    Given Ezra''s childhood struggles with eating disorders, such a reaction wasn''t surprising.

    "By the way. Her stepmother revealed something interesting about her mother," Raven said.

    "About her mother?" I looked at Raven.

    "Looks like our little omega has a far more interesting origin than we thought. Freya th isn''t her mother''s real name. She stole someone else''s identity," Raven chuckled, contemting me. "Oh," I said.

    "Oh? That''s the most you cane up with after such a revtion?"

    Was I supposed to act surprised when I wasn''t?

    "You don''t seem much bothered by it, either," I said.

    "Well, I don''t really care who her mother is. I wanted her mother''s books and stuff, and Xanthea has it all stored in her brain. She''ll be much more useful to me than her dead mother''s identity," Raven said matter-of-factly. "Makes sense."

    I looked at Xanthea as she walked out of the room and shut the door roughly behind her.

    She stood before Ezra, taking deep breaths.

    From the rhythm of her breaths to her heaving chest, I could easily tell she was scared. Her fingers twitched because they were cold and numb. The way she trudged closer to Ezra, she was trembling from within, barely standing. Her facade of strength wasn''t convincing.

    Overall, no improvement

    But maybe Ezra had a different opinion.

    He waited for her to walk to him, and then he pulled her into his embrace.

    His brows knit as he smiled, kissing the side of her head.

    "You did well, angel," he said, stroking her back. "You did so well."

    Icifer retracted himself in the depths of my mind where he couldn''t see Xanthea wrap herself around Ezra.

    "Alpha..." Xanthea whispered.

    "Ezra''s fine, baby," Ezra said.

    "What is this? Some kind of cheesy high school romance?" Raven let out a grunt.

    "I think.. I might be a... little drunk," Xanthea said, burying her face in Ezra''s chest.

    "It''s ok, rest a little," Ezra said, picking her in his arms.

    "She barely had a few sips of wine and she''s already drunk. Typical omega trait," Raven remarked.

    Atticus looked at Xanthea and then at Ezra before he bowed.

    "Have a safe trip back home, my lord and... mydy," he said.

    "You sure know how to read the room, Atticus," Ezra said.

    "I have a feeling you might not need another bride, my lord," Atticus said.

    Narrowing my eyes, I stared at Atticus.

    "There''s still time, Atticus. Choose your sides wisely," Ezra said. "No soul suffers in vain. For some, it''s forging for the future and for some, it''s karma for their past. And you must never pity thetter because their suffering is punishment for their own sins."

    "If I may, I would like to apologize to her highness Xanthea on behalf of my realm. We failed her as a society and as much as I would like to cover this up, unfortunately, it''s the truth of today''s society. The weak suffer and often by hands that were meant to protect them. But I hope and pray that she finds a better home in your realm, my lord," Atticus said.

    Ezra let out a dry chuckle.

    "My realm is far more unforgiving than yours. And I don''t think a soul like hers would be able to find a home there, either. But you can pray. At least your prayers will be answered by someone. We don''t have that luxury," he said before walking through the corridors of the Virgo pce to the entrance.

    He was about to put Xanthea in the car when she said.

    "Are we going back?"

    "Yes," Ezra said.

    "Can we not go back, please?" she said in a slightly slurred tone, holding his gaze.

    "What the hell is she ying at now?" Raven frowned. "Bring her back, Ezra!"

    "When we go back..." she whispered weakly. "Are we going to go back to how we were before?"

    Ezra peered at her, hesitation clear in his eyes as he looked away.

    "The game''s over, right?" she asked in a crestfallen tone. "So we should stop pretending to be in love, right?"

    "Not that crap again!" Raven ran his fingers through his hair.

    "Can you stay?" she said in a quivering voice. "Can you please stay for a little longer? I don''t think I am ready to let go of you... yet."

    Ezra''s eyes softened as he gazed at her.

    "I am here, angel. As long as you want me," he whispered to her reassuringly. "Even when we go back, I don''t think we''ll be able to go back to how we were after everything that''s happened."

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    "Really?" she looked at him with hopeful eyes.

    "I promise," he kissed her forehead, making her sit in the passenger seat. "Now get some rest, darling love." He teased her.

    Xanthea blushed. Grabbing his tie, she pulled him into a kiss.

    Raven disconnected from his butterfly and began texting Ezra. It was because of Ezra''s advancement in themunication channels we could text and call through the realms.

    "I am telling you, he is going to have a solo sex with her, he isn''t responding," Raven got up, pacing across the room as he tried to call Ezra.

    "He won''t have a solo with her," I said.

    "Huh! How can you be so sure?" Raven asked sternly.

    "I know Ezra well," I said.

    "You know him? You should say you control him well."

    "You like toplicate simple things. Just turn on your butterfly surveince and see what he does," I said in a rxed tone.

    Raven threw his phone at me. With the swift motion of my hand, I caught it inches away from my face.

    In less than a minute, he teleported out of the Infernal realm.

    I turned on the surveince on Raven''s phone and watched.

    Ezra won''t have solo sex with her because he won''t let anyone have sex with her right now. Not even himself. He knows she is emotionally and mentally drained. So no matter how much he wants it, he won''t allow her to be physically drained. At least until he calms her down and silences the voices in her head. He will give her time to recover. And for that, he will take her somewhere she could find peace.

    And there was only one such ce left.

    I was right.

    Even with Xanthea''s insinuations, Ezra tore himself from her and drove out of the Virgo pce.

    Xanthea dozed off almost instantly.

    Ezra looked at the empty backseat of his car.

    "I sensed your butterflies earlier," Ezra said. "Aren''t you too eager for the sex night, Raven?"

    Raven''s figure carved out of nothingness on the backseat.

    "I just stopped by to check on you guys," Raven said, folding his hands across his chest. "By the way, where are you taking her?"

    "Somewhere she''ll find peace," Ezra said.

    "It''s past 9:09. She should be in the Aile castle performing her duties. She can rest after that until dawn. In case you are forgetting, she starts her college tomorrow," Raven said.

    Ezra red at him through the mirror of the car.

    "I know," Ezra said, looking at Xanthea who stirred in her seat.

    "What''s wrong with her?" Raven asked.

    "She''s just drunk," Ezra said.

    Raven knit his brows, analyzing Xanthea closely.

    Ezra pulled over outside a graveyard. When Ezra said he was taking her to the Virgo pack, I knew exactly where their excursion might end - her mother''s grave.

    Ezra draped his coat around her shoulders and back. In the state of drowsiness, Xanthea visited her mother''s grave. Her weariness seemed to have disappeared for a few seconds as she looked at the forget-me-nots and jasmines I had nted around her mother''s grave.

    "Asher..." she whimpered, bringing her hands over her cleavage before she broke into tears, allowing her emotions to bleed out.

    They stayed there for a while, giving Xanthea space and alone time with her mother as she prayed, getting to her knees before the grave.

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    Xanthea got up. She stumbled, losing her bnce when Raven caught her.

    "Alpha... Raven?" she blinked, narrowing her eyes then she sneaked a nce around, probably looking for me.

    "So, you finally noticed me, huh?" Raven said, grabbing her attention again.

    "Alpha, I am sorry... there was a lot on my mind," she sniffled, licking her dry lips. Her eyelids drooped with guilt.

    Raven lifted her chin.

    "No need to get so depressed about it, little omega. I can see you enjoyed your trip. Now it''s time toe back home, enough fooling around for the day. Both of you," he said, skimming his re to Ezra.

    Raven made her sit with him in the backseat while Ezra drove them back into the Infernal Realm. After a half-an-hour drive, they arrived at the parking lot of the Aile Castle.

    I put aside Raven''s phone, hearing their footsteps approach the room.

    All my senses ignited. Wild sparks flooded into my bloodstreams as Xanthea''s unfathomably intoxicating scent drifted into the room even before her arrival.

    My body''s reaction to her presence kept getting more and more visceral, but this was far more maddening than any I had before.

    Icifer lunged forth, pulling me to my feet as soon as Ezra entered the room with Xanthea sleeping peacefully in her arms. Clenching my fists, I pushed him back.

    I observed Ezra and Raven. Her scent didn''t affect them like it affected Icifer.

    Do their wolves not sense it?

    Can''t they tell... she is going into the heat?

    ''Of course they can''t! She is not theirs! She''s mine!'' Icifer growled. ''She is my mate!''

    Ezra gentlyid Xanthea on the bed and reluctantly pulled himself away from her.

    Xanthea''s turned to her side, and the dress slipped slightly off her breasts.

    "She looks a little ufortable in that dress," Raven sat beside her on the bed. "She''ll be able to sleep much better without it."

    ''Get them away from her,'' Icifermanded, his agitation intensifying with every second.

    Raven untied the strings on her back and the dress loosened around her voluptuous body.

    "Raven, just let her sleep," Ezra said, taking off her heels.

    His words were clearly at a war with what truly darkened his eyes as they raked over Xanthea''s body as Raven slowly undressed her.

    I wonder what it means when a lust demon holds back his lust for a woman.

    "Of course, I won''t wake her up, Ezra. You know I am a gentleman. I''ll just fuck her in her sleep, so that she sleeps better," Raven said. "Don''t you know orgasms help women with their beauty sleep? Our little omega deserves it, craves it, needs it, too. Don''t you, Xanthea?"

    ''Fuck you! I''ll do it myself,'' Icifer tried to take over me again, but I didn''t allow him to. ''Damn it! Let me take over! Asher! I won''t share her with them in her heat. It''s distressing to even see them touch her right now!''

    I calmly sat back in my chair, allowing Icifer to only take over my eyes.

    "Alpha..." Xanthea invitingly moaned out in slumber.

    And it seemed as though her one moan had weakened all of Ezra''s resolve to keep himself away from her.

    Loosening his tie, Ezra got up on the bed.

    Raven smirked. "Go on, Ezra. Let''s see how many thrusts it takes to sober her uppletely."

    Xanthea sensually curled up her knees, clenching her thighs together as Raven yed with her breasts and nipples. Ezra parted her knees-

    Icifer looked away, rage burning in his soul. His w dug into the wood of the chair. I forced him to look at them again.

    ''Let''s make two things clear, Icifer. One, I am the one in control. And two, no one can know Xanthea is our mate. So watch them fuck her in her heat. That will be your punishment and the reminder. You can be possessive all you want, but only when I allow it.''

 Chapter-66. Her heat(18+)

    [Ezra]

    I never thought I would ever say this, much less ept it to myself, but Xanthea was anything but weak.

    I was foolish to think she was a weak soul, that she needed me for her vengeance. All Xanthea needed was the space to be herself and a security that it was ok to be herself. She needed an introduction to who she truly was, and I was d I could provide it to her.

    I wanted to see her torture and kill that pathetic family of hers, use me to massacre them and hang their bodies for disy before the world. But that was something ''I'' wanted, not her. But the path she chose had put me in a state of deep, thoughtful perplexity.

    She knew exactly what she wanted, as though she had been dying to do everything she did today for years, but she never had a chance.

    I certainly didn''t agree with her ways, but they were her ways to win ''her'' battle. So, I respected them because, unlike me, she deserved to heal.

    I was proud that she carved her own path. A path that was true to herself - her soul.

    Something I couldn''t have done.

    Like she said, what she did wasn''t some mercy or forgiveness. It was something existing between ck and white, between good and evil. It was apletely selfish act of selflessness. She chose her healing over hurting who hurt her.

    And when she helped her sister regain consciousness, I went kind of... numb.

    I could have never even thought of doing something like that. It was way beyond the capacity and nature of my soul to muster that kind of revenge.

    Even with all my powers and physical strength, I was absolutely humbled before her. She was much stronger and gentler to herself than I ever was, much powerful than I will ever be for myself. Like she said, she hadn''t forgiven those jerks, but she had found the courage to forgive herself. And that did something to me.

    She changed something in me - in ways I could not decipher.

    I know I took her to her family to free her from the shackles of her past, but it felt as though a few shackles of my past had shattered as well just by seeing her set herself free.

    It had been years since I experienced such a lightness in my body, as if someone had lifted some weights off my chest.

    As though I was in fresh air for the first time.

    Hypnotized, I gazed at Xanthea. She was sleeping soundly, enveloped in the dreamy aura. My heart did something roughly wild.

    Taking off my tie, I unbuttoned my shirt.

    Thank you, Xanthea.

    Thank you for making me feel a little alive after so long.

    Thank you for showing me how peaceful killing with kindness can actually be.

    Thank you for being so contagiously strong.

    I hope I can return to you the same peace you have given to my soul.

    Sliding Xanthea''s panties off her slim legs, I kissed her ankle.

    Sex was the only coherent way I knew to express my incoherent emotions.

    I hope your dreams understand what you mean to my nightmares tonight, angel.

    She squirmed beautifully, knitting her brows in a feverish tension.

    "Shh. Shh. Don''t wake up, little omega," Raven whispered against her ear. "Be a good girl and keep sleeping for us."

    Raven sunk into her neck, kissing every inch of her skin from her neck to her corbone to her chest. His eyes lingered on her lips before he took off her earrings and tossed them aside on the nightstand. Before Raven could kiss her lips, I grabbed Xanthea''s wrist and yanked her off the bed against myself.

    Cocking a brow, Raven looked at me, then leaned against the headboard with a sigh.

    "Careful, don''t wake her up. You wanted her to sleep, right?" Raven smirked.

    I cradled Xanthea against my chest, running my thumb across her lower lip.

    I promised to smear your lipstick tonight. I hope when you are sober enough; you realize I am a man of my words.

    Shutting my eyes, I kissed her lips slowly, savoring the texture and taste of her lips.

    I don''t know why I felt a sense of relief when she didn''t kiss me back, didn''t smile back.

    It was better this way when she was asleep, when I knew she wouldn''t remember the night. But I would remember the night just as much as I would remember the day. Today was going to stay with me for a long time.

    You are growing on me, Xanthea and I do not know how to stop it. But I no longer want to deny it. epting you would be the best thing I can do for myself right now.

    Even when your mind doesn''t remember, I hope your body does.

    I really wish I could be alone with you right now. But let''s pretend it''s just us here. Let''s pretend Raven and Asher aren''t here.

    It shouldn''t be difficult to pretend, right?

    You are drowning in your drunken dreams and I''ll be drowning in you.

    I know I am being selfish and even when you don''t remember how we fucked tonight; I hope you will know when you wake up tomorrow that we... made love.

    Plunging my tongue inside her mouth, I deepened the kiss. Fisting her hair, I kissed her harder with the carnal hunger of a man who has never been kissed before. Breathing in her breaths and her scent, I was tempted to never part from her body, for parting felt like a punishment.

    Yet I bore that punishment now, and then, to ensure she was breathing fine.

    Kissing her felt like reading a journal. Through her lips, I could read her secrets, her feelings without the fear of being read by her at the same time. Hugging her limp body, I made her lie on the bed.

    Leaning over her, I kissed her eyelids, caressing her cheek.

    nting lingering kisses on her skin, I ventured through her curves, breasts, down to the soft skin of her inner thighs.

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    Inhaling the intoxicating fragrance of her pussy, I unfurled her folds with my fingers.

    My cock throbbed at the exquisite sight of her flushed insides.

    "You look so fucking hot, baby." I mumbled, before running my tongue across her slit.

    I fondled her inner thighs.

    She was wet almost instantly. Licking her wetness, I slowly devoured her pussy with all the patience I could muster at that moment. Xanthea let out a small moan, knitting her brows as I rolled my tongue around her swollen clitoris and sucked it hard.

    I bit her clit gently between my teeth, flicking it as I pressed it hard with my tongue before I plunged it inside her.

    I fucked her with my tongue until she came all over my face. Smiling, I ran my hand across my face, smothered in her juices.

    Looking at her rosy tinted skin and her dripping pussy, I took off my belt. Unzipping my pants, I freed my cock from the torture.

    Her arousal had spun a web around me. If it was a trap, I was walking right into it. Shameless and unregretful.

    I rubbed my cock against her slit, teasing her clit with my head.

    "I wonder how much of this will you remember, angel," I said, entering her slowly.

    When her pussy took in my cock smoothly, I plunged inside her in one thrust.

    She moaned and her hazy eyes fluttered open halfway before they shut again. Her body bobbed beneath me. Her lips parted and her brows knit. Her subtle gasp and annoyed sleepy groans had heat rushing through my body like fire. I began pounding inside her, harder with every thrust.

    "I wonder if you feel me as madly as I feel you right now, darling," I whispered against her ear.

    She was deliciously tight, wet and warm. She was absolutely perfect. Her insides clenched around me, as though asking me to stay inside her for a long time.

    The day repeated itself in my head as I increased my pace. I re-imagined every second of the day when I wanted to fuck her, and that was almost every second of the day.

    Her hips jerked as she let out a stream of subtle moans.

    Oh, so you feel it baby, just not consciously.

    Groaning, I intertwined my fingers with hers, ramming inside her harder. I loved the creases adorn her face as her body bobbed harder from the impact of my thrusts.

    There were times when she opened her eyes in confusion, and then shut them with a whimper that made me grow harder inside her.

    "Fuck!" I squeezed her breasts, feeling myself reach the snapping point.

    Her insides tightened around my cock, and I mmed my hand over my face.

    "Damn it!" I groaned, exploding inside her.

    Running my hand swiftly through my hair, I fucked her faster, burying myself deeper inside her.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    "Fuck yes! Baby! You take me so well!" I growled.

    Looking delirious, she opened her eyes for more than a few seconds and squinted at me. Her hips buckled against mine as she arched her back away from the bed, her fingers intertwining around mine tighter. "Go back to sleep, angel," I groaned through my clenched teeth as I kept ramming into her.

    Panting, she clenched the pillow with her free hand, writhing beneath me. Her breathy moans drugged my senses as I ran my hand over her belly to her breasts, squeezing them.

    Her heart pounded wilder in her chest, her breathing breaking with my thrusts.

    "Where, what-ah! Uh!" Her eyes rolled back in her head as she orgasmed with a feverish moan and a satisfactory cry.

    Leaning down, I kissed her lips, wiping off her tears.

    "You are safe in your husband''s arms, baby. So rx, go back to sleep, ok?" I whispered against her ear, allowing my pheromones to help her rx.

    She winced as I pulled out and thrusted inside her again. No matter how many times I fucked her tonight, I knew I wouldn''t have enough.

    But my pheromones seemed to have made her even more restless. Her panting got worse. Her body was scorching with fever.

    "What''s wrong, angel-"

    Right then, I was hit by a wave of terrifyingly sweet and intoxicating scent. I felt my cock twitch with an itching ache.

    Gulping hard, I leaned closer, vehemently filling my lungs with her scent. A dark haze blinded me for a second and I was not the only one being affected by it.

    Raven got up from the bed and checked her pulse and temperature. His eyes darkened with lust.

    "Damn it!" He grunted, scrubbing his hand over his face. "Why? Just why did she have to go in heat right before her college began?"

    Right. That''s what it is. Heat. Even though she was wolfless, she had the anatomy of a werewolf. If I remember it right, mortal female werewolves entered their heat cycles once every month and stayed in it for three to seven days. During heats, the female werewolves were the most fertile and vulnerable at the same time. Not just because of their insane sex drive, but also because of their sweet arousal that surrounded them all the time throughout the heat cycle. Their scent attracted male werewolves towards them like moths to mes.

    "Fuck!" I groaned. "It will be a disaster if she goes to college in this condition. Postpone it."

    "She is an omega. Her heat is going to stay for three days, minimum. Three days... I just need to do something for these three days. Should I prohibit every male student from entering the college? Tsk! No, what about the male doctors and staff, then?" Raven talked to himself, ignoring me.

    "Raven!"

    "I can''t dy her admission!" He yelled.

    "I guess there''s just one way then..." I said, a fresh excitement rushed through my veins, infusing with the heat of her core.

    "No Ezra, she is not taking suppressants," Raven said matter-of-factly.

    "No, Raven. That''s not what I am talking about. The chances of her getting pregnant are high in the uing week. So... let''s open this week for sex. And isn''t it proven by research that during these days, if a woman''s desires are satisfied enough by her male partner, his scent dominates hers naturally and keeps the other males away from her?"

    "What do you mean?" Asher asked.

    "I mean, we give her what she wants, whenever she wants, in the uing week. Have sex with her often so that she doesn''t have to face any problem at the college," I said, looking at Asher with a bit of hesitation. "It will be... much more convenient if we just drop the solo sex rule. Right?"

 Chapter-67. Restricted access(18+)

    [Asher]

    The ring on Xanthea''s finger was fascinating.

    Very... fascinating.

    "Ezra... ah! Ah! Oh god..."

    Xanthea''s breathing turned harsher as she clenched the bedsheet, stifling her moans into a silent cry.

    Ezra''s hips collided with her in a rough thrust, yanking a cry right out of her throat. Panting, she reached out to caress his face with the same ring-adorned hand. With a smirk, Ezra entangled his fingers with hers, kissing the ring as he smiled at her.

    Her brows knit as she looked back at him. Both of them were so absorbed in one another, I bet they didn''t even notice Raven''s growing frustration as he frowned at them.

    Ezra drank in every inch of her body with an insatiable hunger in his eyes. The more his eyes stayed on her, the more beastly they turned.

    Now that Xanthea had gone into a full-bloomed heat and her desires had intoxicated her scent, no wonder Ezra fucked her with every intention of filling her with his pups. Primal response to a woman''s heat. It was a naturally perfect response, yet everything about this moment seemed utterly imperfect.

    As her mate, Icifer perceived her heat more vigorously than the others. That was why he was overly sensitive when she was entering the heat phase. He sensed her desires even before her body did.

    Tonight, I figured out that even my wolf had a limit of endurance. He had withdrawn himself in the back of my mind, so much so I could barely feel his presence.

    All his roaring restlessness, rage and possessiveness had subsided to a silent numbness. So now when I looked at Xanthea''s body entangled with a man who wasn''t me, nothing clouded my vision and my perspective.

    And now that I could see them with my eyes, I noticed the subtle, unexpected exchange between Ezra and Xanthea. A kind of exchange I hadn''t quite anticipated.

    Staying inside her, Ezra grabbed her ass, picked her up, hugged her, and made her wrap her legs around his waist. He sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard while Xanthea straddled him.

    From the hazy delirium in her eyes, it was clear she wasn''tpletely sober, but she was awake.

    "Ride me, baby," Ezra whispered in her ear. "Show me how well you move those hips of yours."

    Xanthea blinked, probably trying toprehend the position she was in through her haze. There was a point where it felt as though she gave up trying to understand the situation and decided to just go with the flow. And she seemed to be enjoying the flow more than I allowed her to.

    Holding his shoulders, Xanthea looked at Ezra, her body moving with iplete gasps at Ezra''s soft thrusts. She licked her lower lip before biting them as she began moving. Ezra cupped her breast in one hand, taking it in his mouth while his other hand wrapped around her hips, supporting her to slide up and down on his cock.

    Ezra ran his tongue across her breastbone, rolling her hard nipple between his fingers.

    "Umm... ung! Uh!" Biting her lips, Xanthea moved faster.

    A growl resonated in Ezra''s chest as he leaned back, shutting his eyes.

    "You''re so fucking perfect, angel..." he groaned through his clenched teeth, running his hand down her ass and squeezing them with a hiss.

    Xanthea sunk into Ezra''s neck, kissing his neck. Her fragile, ringed hand ran up his abs to his chest.

    She slowly wrapped her arms around Ezra''s neck and kissed him.

    Her muffled gasps mixed with Ezra''s rough breaths escaped their entangled lips. Parting from the kiss, she looked down at Ezra''s abs and shut her eyes, gulping hard.

    Ezra''s thrusts crashed against her gentle pace, driving him deeper inside her.

    "Yes! Ezra! Faster!" she panted.

    Ezra''s fingers dug into her skin as he braced her hips before he began ramming her pussy, making her cries pained with pleasure.

    Her hips shuddered with a merciless jerk, her breasts bouncing as her mouth hung open.

    Holding Ezra''s gaze, she moved her hips in circles that made her curves even more sensuous.

    My cock burned as if her pussy was wrapped around me.

    Her chest heaved desperately, her hair sensually scattered around her, sliding off her back, falling onto her chest as she impatiently flipped them, scooping them off her neck.

    "Ezra..." she sobbed, throwing back head as her pussy dropped back on Ezra, taking him whole to her depth.

    Her makeup smeared sultrily, especially around her eyes and lips, as a slick film of sweat spread across her skin.

    Ezra knit his brows in a carnal frustration. He held her hips firmly against his as he fucked her harder through her orgasm. Slumping on him, Xanthea arched herself against him. "Fucking hell..." Xanthea''s heart pounded violently, drowning out Ezra''s words.

    Before I could properly take in Xanthea''s thawing expressions, Raven stood before me, obscuring them away from my vision.

    I looked into Raven''s eyes.

    "So? Are we dropping the solo sex rule?" Raven asked, folding his arms across his chest.

    I blinked once and then shifted my gaze to Ezra, who was now embracing Xanthea like he never nned to let her go.

    "No. We can open the uing week for sex, but... solo sex rule will not be dropped," I said with finality in my words. "Wha-why?" Ezra asked, panting.

    "Because no one is allowed to have sex with the bride without the knowledge and ''presence'' of the other two," I said, peering at Xanthea. "Those were the clear rules from the very beginning."

    Raven let out a dry chuckle, running his tongue across his inner cheek. It wasn''t difficult to tell something brooded behind his eyes as he contemted me with a fake smirk.

    "Let''s vote," Raven said with a triumphant look on his face, hostility dripping from his words. "I am in favor of removing the solo sex rule. We can, individually, have sex with our bride whenever we want and we wouldn''t need the permission or ''presence'' of the other two. Especially... you, Asher."

    "Me too. I vote in favor of this. I am with Raven," Ezra said with a tight gulp, stroking Xanthea''s back.

    Raven chuckled, his voice tinged with mockery, "looks like you can''t control everything after all." He smiled as though he had just won some kind of contest. "You want it or not, we are dropping the solo sex rule."

    I got up from the chair. Walking towards Raven, I stood face to face with him.

    Raven stared at me, nonchntly.

    Out of the three of us, Raven always had the most freedom, the easier life. Even so, he was always dissatisfied by what he had, pissed when he couldn''t have something and content once he had it. And then tossing it aside once he had conquered what he wanted.

    He was always in apetition with me. And that''s what I was using. I was fuelling his ego for the time being.

    This time he was trying to win Xanthea from me, and I let him believe he could. Hope and confidence were two of the most important things for a win. And I provided him both.

    Raven liked to believe that he was the only one who wasn''t under my control and I let him believe it.

    After letting him relish on his victory, I lowered my gaze, sliding my hands in my pants pockets.

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    "Are you sure?" I asked, matching Raven''s gaze. "Are you sure you want to drop the solo sex rules?"

    The exultant look in Raven''s eyes was washed over by bewilderment within seconds.

    With that, I sidestepped and walked past him, deliberately bumping my shoulder against his.

    I could feel his eyes follow me, but my eyes were once again captivated by the ring on Xanthea''s finger.

    Surprisingly, the one who went slightly out of my control was... Ezra and I think I could do a little something about it.

    With every step, I got closer to the bed and the more blindingly visible the ring on Xanthea''s finger became. The diamonds on the ring gleamed under the dim light.

    Ezra drew in his brows, dwelling deeper into his thoughts. He was easily readable as ever. After what I just said, he was re-evaluating, re-contemting his decision on the solo sex rule. Seizing Xanthea''s upper arm, I tore her away from Ezra and pulled her in.

    "Ah!" she yelped in a daze as she crashed against me. The daze cleared away from her eyes as soon as the tantalizing electricity charged beneath our skins.

    Her breasts tenderly pressed against my chest as she tensed her body in my grip. Her brows knit as she peered at me, widening her eyes. Her breaths turned irregr, her heartbeats erratic.

    She was feeling it, too. The bond. Maybe not as intensely as I was, but she could feel it from the moment our eyes met at the altar.

    Twisting her wrist, I pinned her ringed hand on her back as I yanked her closer.

    I could see the goosebumps zap across her skin as she shut her eyes, wincing and panting.

    Ezra and Raven exchanged a nce.

    They thought they could have free ess to Xanthea if they dropped the rule, not even realizing that with or without the rules, they always had restricted ess to her. Restricted ess regted by me. I wrapped my free hand around her nape, embracing her gently.

    "Is this really what you want?" I addressed Ezra and Raven, kissing her shoulder. "To not be aware of where she is and with whom?" I asked, running my hand down her spine. Her back arched away from my hand. "Asher..." she whimpered, burying her face in my chest as she clenched my shirt in her free hand.

    "If so, then..." my voice came out hoarse. "I don''t have a problem."

    Raven''s brows furrowed, a dark scowl twisting his sharp features.

    "Anyone can be having sex with her anytime, anywhere. No restrictions, no rules. No time limit. They can keep her away from the rest for however long they want, of course, outside her college schedule," I said, kissing Xanthea''s neck. "And there''s no way to know about her whereabout, and no obligation for the one with her to tell others about what he did to her."

    Ezra looked as though he was already regretting suggesting to drop the solo sex rules. And if he wasn''t, I would give him plenty of reasons to regret.

    "All of us know of spying-proof ces that others can''t ess." I put on a smile.

    Ezra''s eyes dropped at my fingers that ran through Xanthea''s, slowly slipping off the ring from her finger with a nned motion to draw Ezra''s attention to the ring.

    "Anyone can be doing anything with her anytime..." I reiterated, emphasizing on every word.

    Just as I was about to remove the ring from her finger-Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    "Don''t take off the ring," Ezra finally spoke.

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    With a nervous gulp, he restlessly looked at me as though he had been caught red-handed in a crime.

    "Why?" I asked.

    "Because I say so," Ezra said, trying to act arrogant.

    Ignoring him, I was about to take off the ring when he grabbed my hand.

    "Don''t take it off," Ezramanded, ring right into my eyes.

    Raven red at him.

    "What the fuck is wrong with you? Your funny little game is over, Ezra. And I suppose this ring was a part of it. The game''s over, it''s better you throw it away." Raven said. "Let it be," Ezra snarled at him.

    "Let''s vote," I said, staring at Ezra without blinking. "Raven?"

    "Take it off, throw it away," Raven said in a monotonous, uninterested tone.

    Ezra clenched his fists.

    "Fine!" Ezra yelled through his gritted teeth. "I''ll take it off myself! Let go of her wrist!" He growled.

    I withdrew my grip from her wrist.

    Ezra reached out and held her hand in his, caressing her fingers.

    Licking his lips, he contemted the ring before he reluctantly removed the ring from Xanthea''s finger. His knuckles turned white with tension as he clenched the ring tightly in his fist, his jaw clenched. "Happy?" Ezra tried to put on an impassive visage, but burning anger had darkened his face.

    Ezra took off the ring from Xanthea''s finger and clenched it in his fist.

    "Throw it away, Ezra," Raven''s casual tone cut through Ezra''s patience and I could see him struggle to hold himself back from punching Raven across his face.

    "I won''t," Ezra''s voice was barely above a whisper, lowering his gaze as he stole a few nces at Xanthea.

    "Why?" Raven grunted.

    "You don''t know its price, so shut your damn mouth," Ezra said, gritting his teeth.

    "What did you-"

    "I''ll bring Xanthea back on time tomorrow morning," I said, cutting Raven''s words mid-sentence.

    Raven''s brows knit with suspicion.

    "Bring her? From where?" Raven asked. "Where are you taking her?"

    "Solo sex rules have been dropped. I have no obligations to answer you..." I said, wearing a smirk before teleporting away with Xanthea from the Aile castle.

 Chapter-68. The first heat

    [Xanthea]

    I still remember the day when I got my first heat.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    I was sixteen back then, and I knew the biology behind the heats of a female werewolf from my mother''s diaries and experiences she noted in them. All anatomically female werewolves went into heat once a month. Everyone mostly experienced heats differently.

    I had all the theoretical knowledge, yet when it happened to me, I wasn''t ready for it. I was lost and overwhelmed and terrified at the same time.

    I was sleeping on my bed when I got into the heat. The window was open, allowing the wintry air and moonlight to waft into my room. Initially, I was feverish all over my body and then it seemed as though all the heat of my body had tensed into and around my groin.

    Cramps followed my arousal closely, and I thought I was out of my mind for having such obscene sexual thoughts. I kept thinking of a faceless man touching me all over, and those thoughts made me do something embarrassing. Something I had never done before.

    I touched myself.

    I knew there was nothing wrong with touching oneself when aroused in heats. It helped with the cramps, as I had read in my mother''s diaries, but that couldn''t do anything about the shame I felt.

    It felt wrong, like I was a sinner for wanting it so badly.

    So I stopped and thought it would be better to get suppressants. So I pulled up my panties, put on my clothes properly, and walked out of my room in the middle of the night. But I should have just stayed in my room.

    My cramps got worse. I was lightheaded and dizzy. I could clearly hear my heart pound in my chest and it just got worse. I had an irresistible urge to touch myself in the middle of the isted corridor of the Virgo pce, but I somehow stopped myself.

    The experience was scary enough. I thought I would die even though I knew it was normal and happened to everyone.

    Clenching my belly with my hands, I leaned against the wall and slid to the floor, trying to cope with everything my body was going through. All the emotional, physical and psychological changes, the hormones.

    But one thing that blurred in the haze of my mind was my scent, because I couldn''t really sense the change in my own scent.

    But it had attracted a few guards nearby. I shut my nose tightly with my hands, blocking off their unpleasant, repulsive odors. Their lust-filled eyes bore into me, stripping me naked.

    A passive numbness crawled down my spine and I could feel it in my guts that something bad was about to happen.

    "Looks like the omega princess needs some help," one guard said, and the rest of them chuckled.

    "Everyone else is asleep, princess. Tell us what''s wrong with you. We''ll help," another said.

    "We can help you throughout the night... you shouldn''t be roaming around without bodyguards in that condition," another said.

    "Haha. Yeah, princess. It''s our duty to guard your body."

    "I have heard the royal family doesn''t really care about what happens to her. But we do, don''t we, guys?" Another said, letting out a creepyughter.

    "Alpha is out of the pack. And the rest of her family wouldn''t care even if they found her dead tomorrow."

    "What if she is a bastard? She is a royal blood... and I haven''t tasted a royal before..."

    It was dark and I couldn''t see properly, but I could tell there were over five men.

    After that, they didn''t talk, they just stared at me like I was an object.

    My body tensed up, and I had an urge to scream, but I couldn''t. It felt as though my voice was stuck in my throat and I was paralyzed.

    I was already disgusted with myself and felt dirty, and they made me feel filthier.

    There was no strength in my legs, but I wanted to run. I knew I had to when they trudged closer to me.

    It felt like I had won a war against myself when I picked myself up and ran away from them, losing the sense of direction of where I was running to, but they kept following me closely.

    Looking over my shoulder, I kept running until I knocked a flower vase and it shattered on the floor.

    It was then I realized I had entered the inner pce close to Meesa''s sleeping chambers.

    Fearing what Meesa might do if she found me there, I fled further into the pce. But those guards were still there, lurking in the dark.

    At this point, I just wanted to reach the safety of my room.

    I turned back to see if I had lost them, but I could still see their eyes hover in the darkness as they got closer to me until they stopped.

    "What the hell is happening here?"

    I turned around to face Niki.

    "Prince, we were just telling the princess to note into this part of the pce. Luna Meesa doesn''t like it when she enters the inner pce. We saw hering this way, so we followed to stop her and escort her back to the room," a guard said tantly. "Let''s go, princess. Before Luna wakes up."

    I shook my head, letting out breaking gasps as tears trailed down my eyes.

    I looked at Niki with quivering lips, but my words got caught up in the whimper that tore through my throat.

    Glowering at the guards in the corridor, he shifted his re at me.

    His eyes narrowed as he leaned closer to my neck. Shutting his eyes, he inhaled deeply. I stiffened my body.

    "Looks like you failed to do your job properly," Niki walked past me and stood before those guards. "She is already in the inner pce. Useless piece of shits!" He growled. "You can''t do one job properly! Father''s out on a business trip, which means I am in charge here. Your resignations should reach the gamma by tomorrow morning or else your bodies will reach your houses in a coffin by afternoon."

    "But... prince-AHHH!" Niki wed his jaw in his hands. I could hear a fine cracking sound as Niki''s grip tightened around the guard''s jaw.

    "Who the hell do you think you are to talk back to me, you scum?" Niki growled.

    The guard screamed as Niki punched him in his guts and knocked him to the ground.

    "I don''t wish to wake the pce up thiste at night, so go while I am still letting you," he spat at the guard.

    I turned my back towards them, breathing heavily. None of the guards dared to argue. I heard their hurried footsteps as they left, dragging the injured one with them.

    I shut my eyes tightly, biting my lower lip when they left. But there was no relief in my chest, just the increasing restlessness of what would happen now?

    I felt Niki''s brutal grip on my upper arm as he turned me around with a jerk.

    "What the fuck is wrong with your scent?" He asked, yanking me closer to him.

    I stepped away from him, feeling the repulsion from his scent. Although it wasn''t as strong as those guards.

    "I just... l-l-lost my way because they were following me. I''ll go back to my room-"

    "Why are you out of your room at this hour? Where the fuck were you going? And are you wearing some perfume?" He snarled against my face. "You found yourself a fucking boyfriend, huh? Sneaking out to meet him?" I shook my head desperately.

    "No. I-I just wanted to get some medicines-"

    He cocked a brow, scrubbing his hand over his face as though intoxicated by something. I knew it was my scent because his grip tightened around my arms as he mmed me against the wall.

    He looked annoyed, frustrated and restless because of me.

    Shaking with my whole body, I could hear his ragged breaths against my ear.

    "I''ll quietly go to my room. Please let me go," I said, shutting my eyes tightly as I tried to wrench my arms out of his grip.

    "Fuck. What the fuck is this?" he spoke through his gritted teeth. "Why the hell is your fucking scent getting-"

    "Niki!" Meesa growled, her eyes wide with rage and horror.

    "Mom..." Niki instantly let go of me and distanced himself from me.

    She rushed towards us, taking in the scene. "What the hell is going on here? How dare youe here?" she snarled at me.

    "Some guards tried to molest her," Niki said.

    "What!?" Meesa looked at me, narrowing her eyes. It took her a little time to sense the change in my scent, but when she did, she understood I was in heat.

    "Don''t worry, I''ll take care of them," Niki said nonchntly.

    Meesa let out a sigh and shut her eyes. "Go to your room, Niko," she red at Niki.

    Niki licked his lips and looked at me with a conflicted expression on his face. "Niki!" Meesa raised her voice, and only then did he leave.

    "You!" she hissed at me.

    I slumped to the floor, breaking into sobs before she could punish me for defying her.

    "It hurts..." I stuttered through my tears. "My stomach hurts. I was scared. I didn''t know what to do. I just wanted to get some suppressants."

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    I thought she''d be mad. I thought she''d hit me, but all she did was let out a frustrated grunt.

    "What a headache this girl is!"

    She would have usually called maids to get rid of me, but that day she took me back to my room and stayed there for an hour.

    "It''s all your fault, so stop with your drama. My Niko is a boy. What does he know? You were in heat. You should have been more careful. Don''t go near him or any man in your heat. Suppress those evil, sinful desires of yours," she said before leaving my room.

    And what followed was a week of istion in the darkness of my room with a female doctor making sure I was on suppressants all the time.

    Once my heat was over, I heard the maids talk about how the five guards who, out of the blue, gave their resignations met with an ident on their way back home and had spot deaths. The cause of their deaths to date was reckless driving because of over-drinking and drugs.

    I didn''t want to think much of it, but I had learnt my lesson. All the heats were the same after that. Locked in my room for a week, on suppressants.

    Even when I left the pce, I preferred staying at home, locked in my room in my heats. That was the safest option I had. To lock myself up. To suppress my desires and suppress my physical needs.

    And the pattern continued until the demon lords broke it.

    When Ezra allowed me to ride him, he somehow gave back my control to me. The control that I never had over myself. I felt empowered in a way that was formidable.

    I didn''t understand the psychology behind it, but riding Ezra liberated something in me. Having sex with him the way I wanted didn''t make me feel dirty or disgusted, rather it nurtured and repaired the broken parts of my soul.

    Maybe it was because I was drunk and couldn''t reallyprehend how I felt, or maybe it was because the demon lords made me feel so seen that I desired to show them more of myself.

    My desires felt heard, not suppressed. My body felt epted, not groped. And I felt validated as a living being, not an object.

    Being surrounded by their pheromones eased my mind, soothed my senses, and helped my body rx.

    It was maddening how I craved to be dissolved under their touch. Burn and melt with pleasure under their bodies. To sin for them, with them.

    Sex with Ezra was like being caressed by the summer winds on a winter morning. It was insane and beautiful. Like blood and roses. It was surprisingly gentle and spiritual, like meditating in avender field at twilight.

    My body felt a stark contrast when Asher pulled me away from Ezra into his arms. Something more carnal and dangerous washed all over me. It felt like standing at the epicenter of a thunderstorm and trying to find peace in the howling winds and cracking lightning that threatened to destroy me, rip me apart.

    I knew the lightning could strike any time, but I was standing there against his body, yearning to be struck. It was scary to be in his embrace, yet so tempting I didn''t know if I should fear this thunderstorm or fall in love with it?

    My core throbbed with the tantalizing fever running through my veins. It was as though a wave of sparks crashed against my body, flooding my mind with a kind of lust that could be easily ssified as a sin.

    An intense ache throbbed between my legs. My body yearned for him. A mixture of arousal and drowsiness enveloped me, as if I was willingly sumbing to his desires, inviting him to take control of mepletely. Not even caring what they were talking about, I pressed my body closer to Asher''s, rubbing my groin against his, feeling how the erection in his pants grew harder.

    The friction and electricity between us turned violent and almost overwhelming when he possessively wrapped his arms around me. His touch burned in my chest like a fire I couldn''t put off, no matter how hard I tried. All I could do was cling to Asher and allow the maddening sensations that rushed between our bodies to cloud my mind even more.

    And then it happened in less than a second... one moment he was there and the next he was gone.

    My head spun until it didn''t, and I found myself stranded in the same darkness that I had been in all my heats all these years.

 Chapter-69. Dark Room

    [Asher]

    Why did I bring you here, Xanthea?

    Out of all the beautiful ces I could have taken you, why did I bring you into this darkness?

    Is it because no one in all the three realms knows of this ce-not my family, not even Raven and Ezra?

    Or is it because I wanted you to know this ce? But why?

    You make me question Xanthea. You make me question myself, but you leave me with no answers because my mind can no longerprehend my actions and the reasons behind them. And to ask you directly is not even an option. One question will lead to another and another. And I have only limited answers. I do not know how much of myself I should reveal to you. How much of me would you be interested to know about? Or if you would be interested at all? I don''t know how you''ll see me beyond the facade I put before you, for there is a darkness in my soul cker than the one that fills this room. Like a rotten apple, corroded at its core, I keep polishing my outer cover, keeping it shiny and desirable. But beyond it, there''s nothing to be desired.

    I never had a problem sharing anything with my brothers. But you, Xanthea. You.

    I want to keep you all for myself.

    I need something from you, expect something from you. What? I can''t tell, but it''s something only you can give me.

    And that is why I can''t be with you the way I have been with everyone else all my life, from my family to my peers.

    I want to show you the real me, but I am not sure if you''d like what you see.

    If I shed my masks before you, would you stay by my side? Would you look for me in my hollowness, the way you are looking for me in this dark room? Or would you want to escape?

    ***

    Before teleporting, Icifer wanted to take Xanthea somewhere private. Somewhere it would be just the two of us and nobody else. I still can''t believe this was the first ce that came to my mind, almost as if it had been nted there by

    someone.

    My wolf, my mind, and my body have been acting unexpectedly and uncontrobly when ites to her. Even so, I found myself humbly surprised tonight.

    Even though she was my mate, there was no reason for me to bring her to a ce this deeply personal to me. So personal, I never wanted to share it with anyone.

    Maybe I was here because Icifer didn''t want to share Xanthea with anyone, either.

    Xanthea stretched out her hands. Her eyes opened wide as she tried to grope her way through the nothingness of this room. She was breathing heavily, as though the bitter air of this room strangled her.

    She strained her eyes, trying to see through the dense darkness that hung heavy around her. A darkness so dense it seemed to have materialized, tightening around her like a shroud.

    Although I highly doubted she''d be able to figure out where we were, she wouldn''t be able to see a thing in here, anyway.

    This room had a touch of cold and stale death, especially designed to impair all the senses of whoever was in here. Especially sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch.

    I don''t know how she would perceive this ce, but a few hours of istion in this ce was enough for an immortal with a powerful wolf''s spirit to lose their mind.

    From their hearing to their wolf''s senses, would be highly impaired. Things like disturbing hallucinations, hearing voices, reliving one''s darkest traumas weremon symptoms. This ce brought to reality one''s deepest emotions, fears and memories through the illusion of one''s bewildered mind.

    And I could see Xanthea already struggling with them as she crumbled to the floor, her eyes wide with horror.

    I wonder what she was hallucinating about?

    "Please don''t. Please don''t lock me here again. It''s too dark. I promise I''ll be on my suppressants all the time. I am sorry! I-I shouldn''t have wanted it. I shouldn''t have craved it, enjoyed it! Luna! Luna Meesa! Please don''t leave me here! I don''t want to be alone! It''s scary..." she cried, impatiently hitting the air as though she were banging on a door.

    She stopped banging as though someone had opened the invisible door.

    "No... No! NO! I am not dirty! I am not a slut! Open the door! Get me out! Get me out of here!" she broke into sobs, shutting her ears as though she was hearing too many voices, catcalling her at the same time. ''Asher! She''s gonna lose her mind! Take her out of here!'' Icifer growled.

    I contemted her stoically.

    Icifer was my wolf, but recently he had been more hers than mine.

    Xanthea looked around frantically, her breaths turning into desperate gasps. She shook her head. Disturbed, she clenched her hair into her fists, shaking her head.

    ''Fucking stop it! You are hurting her!'' She went through a little pain and Icifer turned feral.

    I kept peering at her, replying to all of Icifer''s restlessness with my silence as I observed Xanthea closely.

    "This is not real..." she mumbled to herself, tears streaming down her face. "It can''t be real. Not again. I can''t be back at the Virgo pce. I can''t return to that life. No. No. No. This makes no sense." She scrubbed off the tears from her cheeks, fighting through the illusions of her mind.

    "They can''t control me! I won''t let them! Ezra..."

    She clenched her chest, shutting her eyes as she chanted Ezra''s name, as though it were a source of strength for her.

    That didn''t make much difference to me, but it seemed to have pissed Icifer off.

    Clenching her belly, she curled up her knees closer to her chest. The jitter in her body went to an absolute standstill.

    ''Let me go close to her. I''ll take her out of here,'' Icifer said, restlessly.

    I narrowed my eyes. She was mumbling something to herself again.

    ''Just watch,'' I thought to him calmly.

    "I am hallucinating. This has to be an illusion of my mind. There''s nothing to fear. I was with Asher..."

    Inch by inch, she crawled on the floor until her fingers brushed against the wall. She banged on the wall as though she hoped there was someone beyond those walls to hear her plea. But there was no one far and wide.

    "Mother always said it''s not the darkness, but the unknown we fear. If I can''t see, I''ll imagine something familiar, something known, something peaceful. I won''t be trapped again. Not even in my own mind! Never again!" She sounded like she was challenging the darkness.

    Her eyes red through the dark, pulling away the web of fear that messed up her mind. Her heart raced, her breaths ragged with determination as she scrambled to her feet.

    She got up with the support of the wall. Crouching low, feeling the wall and floor with her hands and legs alternatively, she began trudging. Her hands were shaking, but not from fear, but the adrenaline rush. I could sense it in the way her scent grew stronger.

    That was unexpected.

    I cocked a brow when her fingers glided against the wall, gently tracing the ridges and grooves, the texture and patterns of the wall. She was looking for a door.

    ''Doesn''t look like your mate is losing her mind anytime soon, Icifer,'' I said. ''She is adapting. Trying to find a way even though it''s futile because there is no door in this room or a window or venttion. It is just a big box, holding the world''s most malignant darkness.''

    I peered at her nkly.

    "Asher? Are you here? This is a game, right? You want me to find you?" Her voice was shaky and uncertain.

    I widened my eyes slightly.

    Instead of sumbing to the darkness'' illusions, she created a counter reality. She imagined a scenario where this was all a game I nned.

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    I shut my eyes, letting out a subtle breath.

    Well done. The known she created in this unknown darkness made sense, given the circumstance she was in. Most viable option. Considering it was her first time in this room, she was doing pretty well. My eyes rxed, and I felt Icifer smirk.

    ''Still think she hasn''t improved?'' Icifer asked, his voice charged with pride for his mate.

    ''Yes. She still hasn''t improved because she has always been mentally strong from the moment I first saw her, when she picked herself up after the car ident. But I can''t deny, I am impressed,'' I thought to Icifer. So fucking impressed, I felt a burning excitement pulse through my cock.

    I walked closer to her and stood right behind her.

    "I should have found you sooner..." I whispered.

    Xanthea looked around frantically, trying to figure out from which direction my voice wasing from, but she couldn''t.

    "A-Asher?" she ran her hands through the air.

    "I''ll speak twice more. Find me before then, and you win," I said.

    Leaving the wall, she froze,prehending what I said. And when she did, she let out a sigh of relief with a subtle whimper. Sniffling, she nodded.

    "I knew you were here. I knew t-this had to be a g-game-"

    "It indeed is. Don''t be scared, wife." I said.

    "I am not scared," she smiled, wiping off her tears, stepping away from where I stood. "I am with you."

    I lowered my eyes, licking my lips.

    "This is thest time I will talk to you in this room. You''ll have to figure out where I am," I said, taking a deep breath.

    "What if I can''t find you?" she blurted out, hoping I''d speak again.

    Very smart, but these tricks won''t work on me and maybe she understood that as well.

    She stopped trying to reach me. Standing in her ce, she shut her eyes. Although calmer than before, she had lost her sense of direction towards me.

    "It feels like you are everywhere in this darkness," she said. "Senses don''t seem to work normally here. From your voice, it seems as though you are standing at some distance but..."

    She turned around in her ce. Her eyes hovering in the air around me. She couldn''t see it, but she was standing face to face with me.

    "... but you were right behind me all this time, weren''t you?"

    "How did you... sense that?" I asked, stepping closer to her.

    "I don''t know. It came from deep within me. I just knew you were close because with you, everything feels... different. Even fear," she said.

    "You never fail to amaze me, wife..."

    I stepped closer to her.

    "And trust me with you, everything feels different for me as well..." I said, intertwining my fingers with her fragile fingers that hovered in the darkness, trying to find me, feel me.

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    She stumbled against my body as I pulled her in, wrapping my arms around her waist.

    Her heated shaking palms pressed against my chest. The fever of her body transferred into mine. The breaths escaping her lips turned even more tempting, trapping all my senses into a lust darker than this blinding darkness. And all I could think of was stealing those breaths right off her lips.

    "Asher..." she whispered, and my heart kicked up a few beats.

    "Yes, wife?"

    Holding back tears, her eyes tried to look for my gaze in vain.

    Her chest heaved faster, her breaths desperate and stalled.

    She looked scared and relieved at the same time. Scared of the darkness, relieved that I was there with her, sharing the emptiness like couples shared a passionate kiss.

    The darkness wasn''t so bad when we faced it together and even though all of this was unnned; I realized how badly I needed her in my darkness. But maybe she''ll never know.

    I gently ced my hand on her hips, caressing her soft skin.

    I shut my eyes, leaning closer to her neck, inhaling her delicious scent. Her warm fingers trailed up my chest to my throat. Feeling my lips, she rose her tiptoes, arching her body against mine.

    I could feel her hard nipples brush against my skin through the fabric of my shirt.

    I knew her taste, yet I was already starving. It was like an unhealthy addiction because every time we touched; I felt something. I couldn''t really decipher what I felt, but that just gave me even more reasons to ravage her.

    She kept peering at the veil of darkness between us.

    She was breathing heavily through her mouth and I just knew she craved me just as much. But as I leaned in to im her lips, she withdrew herself from me. But every time I tried to initiate a kiss, she would either look away or dodge my lips. Her body rubbed against my erection seductively as she struggled to avoid my kisses and I wondered how she was even sensing my lips. She clearly couldn''t see me. Maybe she kept track of my breaths.

    ''You shouldn''t forget... you are not dealing with an average mind...'' Icifer chuckled, enjoying whatever was going on between her and me.

    She gasped sharply as I fisted her hair and tugged her face close to mine.

    "Don''t test my patience, Xanthea," I warned her.

    "I y a little game and you lose your patience. Why? You can have fun only in your games? Not mine? It''s fun for me to see you work for it. Like it must have been fun for you... seeing me lose my fucking mind!" she hissed against my lips through her gritted teeth. "I hope you enjoyed the show, Alpha."

    Fuck! I clenched my jaws.

    ''Damn!'' Icifer''s soul burnt with a whole exhrating life and I could feel its impact in the blood rushing through my veins, especially in the torturous impatient throb in my pants.

    The shift in her tone was so profound, I could read it in the change in her bodynguage.

    "Let go!" shoving me away from herself, she took a tight gulp, running her fingers through her hair in frustration and relief.

    ''What the fuck have you done, Asher?'' Icifer growled, but his voice was filled with amusement. ''It was wise to bring her here. If you didn''t, we probably would have never seen this side of our mate. I bet Raven and Ezra have never seen Xanthea so feisty before."

    One thing this room excelled at was disrupting the senses to such an extent that whoever was inside lost all their filters. Or it could also be her mood swings because of the heat. Whatever be the cause, it was sweetly exciting.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.

    My lips curled up into a natural smirk as I studied herplex reaction more deeply.

    "Are you... mad at me, wife?"

 Chapter-70. Questions(18+)

    [Asher]

    "Mad at you?" she chuckled; her voice dripped with bitter sarcasm. "I am sorry, alpha, but I don''t remember ever having the luxury of being mad at you. And for what? For bringing me into this delightful, traumatizing dark room where illusion blurs into reality with sheer madness?"

    Xanthea licked her lips, letting out a mirthlessugh that seized at once as her eyes locked with mine for a few seconds before they wandered around me. A nce into her eyes was enough to twist something inside me.

    "No. In fact, this is the most romantic date ever! Every married man should bring their wives here. She''s going to lose her mind after ten years of marriage, anyway! So, why not do it in ten minutes? And maybe that''s why you brought me here - because I have less than a year to live, anyway! Right?"

    She snapped at me in one breath, her breath quickening from the intensity of her outburst. I had witnessed her wrath before, so her audacity didn''t shock me. Yet, I found myself more captivated than ever.

    I observed her heaving chest and the way she ced her palms on her waist, trying to calm herself down.

    I tried to focus on reading her emotions, but my eyes kept losing focus and so did my thoughts that traced her skin and realized that her skin should be in touch with mine all the time.

    "This is insane," she mumbled, panting as she tried to control her words. Biting her lips, she ran her fingers through her hair.

    The room had a peculiar vibe unsuitable for free thinking. So the way she controlled herself was highlymendable.

    She shut her eyes and I could discern her thoughts in the disappointed and frustrated creases on her face. She was trying to understand why or how I knew a ce like this. Why I brought her here?

    I hoped she wouldn''t vocalize those questions because if she did, I wouldn''t have any answers for her.

    Unnoticed, I stepped closer to her.

    With a curt nod, she let out a deep breath.

    "Asher," she said in a frustrated but calm tone. "The game''s over now. I found you. I won. So, can we please leave now?"

    "No," I said simply.

    She clenched her jaws, holding back her anger.

    "I want to go back," her voice turned moremanding. "Now."

    "To Ezra?" I asked.

    Confused, she frowned, squinting her eyes.

    "What?"

    "Do you want to go back to Ezra?" I asked.

    She shrugged and then nodded with a quick gulp.

    "Yes. I want to go back to him. Away from this ce."

    "Away from me?" I cocked a brow, closing the distance between us even more.

    She parted her lips to speak, but all that escaped her lips was a shuddering breath carrying the sweet scent of her heat.

    "N-no," her frown deepened. "I just don''t want to stay here anymore. This ce is suffocating and unbearable."

    "What if I want to stay here with you?" I reached out and gently glided my hand down her arm. She stiffened her body, allowing the wash of tantalizing charges to run between us. I brushed my fingers with hers, holding her hand in mine. "Will you stay with me a little longer? If I hold your hand in this darkness, will you hold back mine a little tighter?"

    She took back her hand from me, breathing heavily.

    I curled my fingers into a loose fist, dropping it to my side.

    ''Asher, let''s just leave. There''s no point. She doesn''t have to go through all this-'' Xanthea cut Icifer''s voice off.

    "I didn''t want to ask these questions, but..." she blinked fast and asked. "What happened here? Why are we here? And the most important question - what does this ce mean to you?"

    Nothing even close to what you mean to me - I thought, but for some uncanny reason, I couldn''t provide a voice to my words.

    She waited for my reply, but all I did was gaze at her tears that beautifully lined across her eyelids. Her eyes tried to search for mine in the darkness, but in vain.

    Her patience seemed to have been disrupted and interfered by the illusions of the room. She held her head, fighting the battle of filtering illusions from reality.

    "If you aren''t going to answer my questions, then just get me out of here!" she snapped again.

    "No," I said. "We''re not going anywhere until you answer the question I am about to ask you."

    "What question?" she grunted.

    "First, stop looking at me like that."

    "Like what?" she asked, her annoyance increasing.

    "Like you are in love with someone else," I said.

    All the tension on her face faltered into an impassive expression. Her heart raced a little faster. Xanthea''s breaths came in shallow gasps, her fingers trembling as she struggled to maintain herposure. She tried to act as though my words hadn''t just shaken her.

    "Love?" she winced.

    "Yes. Love..." I reiterated in a soft whisper. "How does it feel to be in love, Xanthea?"

    Taking a tight gulp, she stepped away from me.

    "Stop ying with me, Asher. I am not a toy..." her voice quivered.

    "I am not ying with you. I am honestly curious," I said, stepping closer to her.

    She remained silent for a while and then gave a determined nod to herself. I was about to hold her hand again when she turned around and trudged towards the wall.

    She began feeling the texture of the wall for the door again.

    "Xanthea Asher Xipher,e back to me right now!" I growled.

    "Asher Xanthea th, if you want me close, you''ll take me out of here! I am not going to entertain your mind games anymore, and I am done begging! I don''t need you. If you won''t take me out of here, I''ll find a way myself." She banged on the wall whenever she found depression, calling out, screaming for help when the room overwhelmed her mind.

    ''This needs to stop! Right now! Asher!'' Icifer growled. ''You seek answers from her, so why don''t you directly ask her what you have been holding back? If you can''t do it, then for her sake, I will!''

    ''Are you sure you can handle this?'' I asked him.

    ''Of course.'' Icifer replied.

    Icifer smoothly took over me and covered the distance between Xanthea and him in a few strides.

    "Someone-" she was about to m her hands against the wall when he seized her hands and pinned them over her head.

    "Let go of me!" she squirmed against my body.

    Icifer pressed into her, trapping her between the wall and my body.

    "Don''t touch m-"

    "You are in love with Ezra, aren''t you?" He asked.

    Xanthea froze against the wall, almost paralyzed. All her struggles against me ceased at once. I could feel her heartbeat thunder in her chest, as though I had just caught hermitting a sin. Her reaction tore through the lust that darkened my eyes and Icifer became even more restless.

    "Just answer the question and I promise I''ll take you out of here," he said.

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    But she remained silent and motionless. The uneasiness webbed denser in Icifer''s soul, blurring his reasoning and rationality with apprehension.

    Letting go of her hand, he distanced himself from her just enough for her to turn around.

    Her hands limply dropped to her sides, and she kept facing the wall, taking deep breaths through her mouth.

    He grabbed her upper arm and turned her around just to meet the petrified look on her face. His grip tightened around her arm and she tensed up her body with no resistance.

    Icifer grabbed both her arms with a jerk.

    "Ah!" Xanthea yelped with a broken gasp, whimpering as he leaned closer to her face.

    "It''s a simple answer, wife. Yes or no?" he snarled against her lips.

    "L-let go..." she let out shaky breaths.

    "Yes! Or no!" he growled.

    "Stop it, Asher. Please... you are hurting me..."

    "Yes or no?" Icifer asked with increasing impatience.

    "Stop it! You are scaring me!" she yelled, pushing me away from her, but couldn''t free herself from Icifer''s grip.

    "DO YOU LOVE HIM OR NOT!" Icifer screamed at her face.

    "NO! NO! NO! I don''t! You bring me here! You, of all people, make me relive some of the worst traumas of my life and then you ask me this! What does love feel like? If anything, it doesn''t feel like what you are making me feel right now!" she broke into tears.

    Losing her strength in her legs, she slumped on her knees as I let go of her arms.

    ''Damn it!'' Icifer ran his fingers through his hair and I instantly took back my control from him. Their breathless exchange still hung in the darkness.

    I allowed both of them to collect themselves and calm down and when they did...

    "So you don''t love Ezra." My voice came out as a silent whisper.

    She shook her head, hugging herself.

    "I''ll never dare..." she gasped, her voice cracking.

    I took a deep breath to help Icifer calm down a little more and squatted in front of her.

    I wiped off her tears. Holding her chin, I lifted her face.

    "But you dared today... with your eyes, your lips, with every inch of your body, you loved him tonight. You epted him," I said.

    "Sex is not love," she said. "I am in my heat. I lost control. I am sorry."

    I was about to withdraw my hand from her when she sped it in her trembling, icy hands.

    "T-this is a punishment, right?" she houghed. "I knew I did something wrong. I shouldn''t have..." she bit her quivering lip and continued. "I-I shouldn''t have enjoyed... the sex. I am sorry. I promise it will never happen again. Please don''t leave me here. It''s scary. Please."

    Her words ignited every nerve beneath my skin.

    "I''ll do whatever you-ungh!"

    Wrapping my palm gently around her throat, I pulled her into a desperate, rough kiss, swallowing all her whimpers and moans.

    Sparks instantly clouded our minds, and I watched her knit her brows as she tightly shut her eyes. My cock throbbed with an ache that craved to bury itself deep inside her and make her believe with every thrust how much she deserved to enjoy the sex.

    Even when my whole body rebelled I tried to pull away from her and let her know exactly how she deserved to be fucked mindless, but her fingers wed on the front of my shirt.

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    She kissed me back, deepening the kiss with every stroke of our tongues, iming my lips as though she feared she''d never get to taste my lips again.

    I held the back of her thighs and made her straddle my hips. She pressed herplete body against mine, grinding her pussy against the bulge in my pants.

    The madness of the room drained between us. Our bodies intertwined in a passion as hazily insane as the illusions, our lips fought a war of dominance as scary as the reality, and our souls seemed to have merged into one.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.

    Her fingers impatiently fumbled with the buttons of my shirt. Holding her hand, I parted from her. Unbuttoning the top buttons with two fingers, I pulled the shirt over my head and tossed it aside.

    "Asher..." she said through her breathless gasps and shaky moans.

    Wrapping my palm around her nape, I pulled her into my embrace.

    "I am here, love. And I am going to make sure you enjoy every second of our fuck. I''ll make sure every fiber of your body is satisfied tonight," I whispered against her ear, licking and biting her earlobe.

    With her breasts tightly pressed against my chest, she buried her face in my neck. Once she had drugged herself on my scent, she began nting searing, wet kisses from my neck to my throat to my corbone. Her tongue ran up my chest, leaving behind a cooling trail as she slowly crawled between my legs.

    Caressing the erection in my pants with her palm, she kissed it through the fabric.

    I let her unzip my pants. She pulled down my pants and then my boxers, taking them off. Her cold hands wrapped around my burning cock as she began stroking it.

    A hoarse groan originated in my chest.

    "This is your toy, love. y with it however you want. Hold it, fuck it, own it. Do whatever you want with it and my cock will make you realize how badly I want you to enjoy it. I didn''t bring you here because I wanted you to punish you for fucking Ezra. The truth is, I don''t know why I brought you here."

    I reached out and caressed her cheek, stroking her hair.

    "Not a single soul across the three realms is aware of this ce - not my family, not even Raven and Ezra. But you are here, sharing my secret with me." I trailed my hand down to her breast, and then to her hard nipple.

    I pinched her nipple and her grip on my cock tightened, and I was sure she could feel my blood throb through my veins.

    "You are the first person to know this ce, toe this close to me. But you weren''t supposed to be here. This secret wasn''t supposed to be shared. But..."

    I squeezed her breast, enjoying the way she clenched her thighs together. Her arousal turned stronger. She held my wrist and trailed it down to her pussy.

    "But?" she asked.

    She took in a sharp breath through her clenched teeth as my fingers trailed across her folds. She was dripping wet, smothering my hand in her juices, and I craved a taste. Pulling away my fingers. I cradled the back of her head, and I flipped her onto the floor beneath me. Parting her legs, I knelt between them and leaned over her.

    I licked my fingers, relishing her taste. Her breaths kissed my lips as I whispered gruffly.

    "But I lost control. And I am losing my control bit by bit and it''s all because of you."

    "Is this ce... so important to you?" she asked.

    "Significant, yes."

    She dropped her eyelids.

    "You won''t tell me why, will you?"

    "I have already told you things I wasn''t supposed to say."

    She pressed her lips into a thin line and nodded.

    "I understand," she whispered. Even though her chest rose and fell faster, she looked a lot calmer than before.

    "I am sorry for tonight. You didn''t deserve this. Let''s go back," I said, getting up from her when she held my hands tighter and stopped me.

    "No, let''s stay here... I-I want to... s-stay in this darkness with you... a little longer..." she said hesitantly.

 Chapter-71. Not today(18+)

    [Xanthea] "Ah!"All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.

    Our bodies collided with feverish intensity, creating an intoxicating mix of pain and pleasure as he mmed inside me.

    Moans shivered out of my mouth as he fucked me harder from behind. His thrusts were more unyielding than when he had started.

    My body moved just an inch away from him when his fingers dug into my hips and he yanked me roughly against himself, closing all gaps between us as he plunged harder and deeper inside me. "Uh!" I widened my eyes, choking on the sharp gasp that was knocked out of my lungs from the impact of his relentless thrusts.

    My hands trembled. My knees wobbled, losing their strength bit by bit.

    "Asher..." Moans trembled out of my lips and I couldn''t tell if it was the pleasure that had consumed me or the pain, but it was dangerous. Primal. Mad. Raw lust. It was anything but normal.

    "Fuck! This is not enough! More! I need more of you!" I heard him grit his teeth, his heavy breaths turning more desperate and impatient.

    Those were the first words he said after I told him I wanted to stay in this darkness with him.

    I don''t know what, but I had triggered something inexplicably dangerous within him because right after that he entered me with a swift, powerful thrust, iming mepletely and ever since he had been inside me.

    We had sex everywhere and in every way possible - against the wall, on the floor, standing, sitting, lying down. Our bodies were entangled in a mix of all feelings there could be from fear to fetish, from submission to dominance. Together, we traversed from exhaustion to exhration, and the sex transformed from feeling messy and dirty to mesmerizing and divine.

    We went from being in control to losing it all in the very next second. It was sinful and spiritual, or maybe something in the middle. It was everything it could be and everything it shouldn''t be.

    Every second was pure madness and a frenzy of ecstasy.

    I lost count of how many times we did it, how many times I orgasmed, and how many times he came inside me.

    Our bodies were slick with sweat and cum. Even so, we were so high on one another, we couldn''t stop consuming, craving each other even more.

    I was addicted; not just to the pleasure, but to the pain as well. I wanted him so madly that even the pain he gave felt less painful because ''he'' gave it to you.

    I knew I was losing my mind. Or maybe I had lost it already. I didn''t care anymore.

    His hand ran up my spine, sliding up my nape as he fisted my hair, pulling my head back.

    "Asher... wait!" I begged, and he tried to stop, but he couldn''t.

    He had no control over himself anymore. The way Asher was right now, he seemed scarier than Raven and for some reason, that aroused me even more.

    It was exciting to see this side of him, since I had never seen Asher so feral before.

    I reached back, hoping my touch would miraculously calm him, but he grabbed my wrists with one hand and pinned them on my back.

    I had a feeling he didn''t n to stop anytime soon.

    In the sparks charging between us and in the fatality of his touch, I could feel his lust darken his aura, getting denser and more intense with every thrust.

    "Asher! Yes!" I whimpered, my hips buckling against his as I took him deeper. "Please! Ah! Harder! Don''t stop," I pleaded, my body arching into his, desperate for more contact.

    My pulse thundered in my ears, tantalizing heat coiling tight in my belly. Every stroke of his tormenting touch over my trembling body heightened my senses.

    Ferocious sparks igniting beneath my skin, waiting to explode and take me down with it.

    My gasps merged with his groans and my cries with his growl.

    Asher let go of my hands. I remained on my knees while my upper body slumped on the floor. Asher had my hips firmly lifted and adhered to his.

    My forehead pressed against the floor. Fingers clenched into fists. Toes curled as he spread my legs wider, ramming himself deeper inside me. Every time our skin pped together, a wave of electric current flooded through my body. "Asher! I aming. God! Damn it! Ah!" I broke into moanful sobs.

    His palm wrapped around my throat, and he pulled me against his body. My back arched away from his chest, my head leaning against his corbone. He sunk into my neck, kissing and licking my feverish skin.

    I tensed my shoulders, drawing them closer to my neck. There was no running away from the maddening sensations he evoked in my core. There was just... yielding.

    "That''s like my good wife," he whispered gruffly in his deep voice. "Come for me, Xanthea... mark your man with your juices,e on..."

    I whined, biting my lower lip as his hands ran down my chest and he cupped my breasts, squeezing them.

    My eyes fluttered shut, his soul blending and uniting with my soul.

    Every time his palms pressed over my hard nipples, a current zapped through my body, collecting in my core and making my pussy throb as my insides clenched around his cock shamelessly.

    I threw back my head, my mouth agape with a stalled breath as he slowly caressed my nipples, teasing them between his fingers.

    Goosebumps rambled over my skin when his palm moved down my chest to my belly and then to my throbbing clitoris. He pressed it, rubbed it, teased and flicked it, pulling an obscene, throaty, and shuddering cry from my mouth. His free palm wrapped around my throat, tightening with a possessive grip that sent a thrill coursing through my veins.

    I squirmed, my body turning feverishly impatient, convulsing with the force of my orgasm.

    I grabbed his arms as his free hand kept assaulting my clitoris, his cock pounding inside me faster.

    Asher was everywhere on my skin, his touch turning more possessive, impatient, and scorching.

    His teeth grazed against the skin on my neck.

    My hips jerked against his, and I wed at his hands.

    He bit my neck harder, and the pain from his bite added to the heat and intensity of everything going inside me.

    It was an odd feeling that rose from deep within me whenever Asher''s lips and fangs lingered near my neck - a feeling that he was going to mark me.

    But his teeth never sank deep into my skin; never deep enough to leave a permanent mark - an irrefutable im.

    "No! Not today. Not now. You need to wait," he grumbled to himself, as if fighting a battle within.

    Was he talking to his wolf?

    My breaths quickened as his grip tightened around my throat.

    "But one day I''ll im you. Every inch of your body, my beautiful Xanthea," he dered, thrusting at every word, his voice hoarse andmanding. "And then you''ll be mine. Only mine. So don''t give yourself to someone else like you give yourself to me."

    My mind was too delirious toprehend the meaning behind his words, but I could feel their gravity deep in my bones. I was breathless andpletely spent.

    My eyes lost focus, tears trailing down my cheeks as my breathy moans turned into cries and then into silent screams as he exploded inside me and I limply fell apart in his arms.

    He let go of my throat, and I gasped, filling my lungs with his overwhelming scent.

    I saw illusions in the darkness flicker into the stars, making it seem as though we were having sex in the starry sky.

    "Do you understand?" he asked, and I felt something mystifying tighten in my chest.

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    "I do. I-I am married to the demon lords... I belong to them... I belong to you..." I stuttered, my body trembling.

    With a grunt, he pulled out and flipped me onto my back, making me lie on the floor. My heart hammered against my ribs and I felt his breaths closer to my face again.

    "Ah!" I yelped as he grabbed my jaws.

    I knit my brows, my chest heaving faster. The warmth from the orgasm still sizzled beneath my skin like embers in the ashes.

    "I know what you''re doing. You''re trying to y it safe, and I have to admit, your choice of words is quite impressive considering you''re in no condition to think rationally. But trust me, your cleverness isn''t helping right now. If anything, it''s making everything worse for both of us. You see, it''s not easy for me to control my wolf, especially when he''s around you."

    He spoke against my lips. I grabbed his wrist with both my hands as he squeezed my cheeks with a bruising force.

    "A-sh-er..."

    Crashing his lips against my puckered lips, he muffled all my words and moans.

    Our tongues entangled in a fight for dominance, and he was clearly winning.

    Fresh sparks skittered across my skin and I somehow pushed him away and while parting, he bit my lips gently at first and then harder.

    I licked my lips, the taste of iron spreading across my tongue.

    "Asher, let''s talk, please. I need to understand this. I need to understand you, us," I said in one breath, feeling lightheaded.

    "I don''t think words will do us any good right now..." he grunted, his breaths turning harsher.

    He grabbed the back of my knees and pushed them towards my chest, parting my legs.

    "Asher, wait! Wait! Please! Let''s talk. I-I seriously don''t understand." I gulped, panting.

    "If I can''t make you feel it, there''s no point saying it," he said in a stoic tone, yet I felt those words tug at the strings of my heart, leaving behind an ache.

    He rubbed his searing erection against my slit, and I shut my eyes, bracing myself.

    "Asher, h-how long are we... doing this?" My breaths hitched as his cock prated me in a rough thrust.

    "As long as it takes to fill every inch of your body with my scent."

 Chapter-72. Not the same

    [Xanthea]

    The haze of the heat clouding my mind cleared away. My body felt a lot fresher and rejuvenated. And it was now I understood why people said sex was the best cure for heats.

    Despite my body feeling more alive than ever, a sharp soreness tightened in my muscles. I could barely keep up with Asher''s ferocity. Pleasure diffused into a trail of burning pain and numbness, especially in my legs and hips. There was no point in asking him to stop or slow down; I could feel him grow harder inside me with each breathless moan that died between our intertwined lips.

    Was it normal for a man to have such a primal, almost beastly reaction to heat?

    I knew men went out of control near a woman in heat, but did all of them experience such raw, untamed, and overwhelmingly carnal hunger?

    Or was Asher different, his need more uncontroble, more insatiable? This wasn''t the first time we had sex, so I knew Asher could control himself better. It just felt as if he didn''t want to anymore.

    Maybe it had nothing to do with my heat at all. Maybe it was this dark, suffocating room, drawing out Asher''s deepest, darkest desires, and my body was just too weak to contain his profound lust.

    Or perhaps it was the blend of both - the heat and the darkness -bining to create an experience so intense, so consuming, that my mind struggled to endure the reality.

    Asher kept fucking me with the same ruthless vigor. My mind could no longer decipher if it hurt bad or good. But it hurt. Slowly, I felt myself detach from my body, unable to endure the sensations any longer. And my mind wandered, desperately seeking an escape, trying to understand the origin of it all.

    What had triggered him? I contemted, and after what felt like forever, I kept returning to the same conclusion.

    All of this began with a question: what does love feel like?

    That''s where it all started, and I wondered if that''s where it would all end. Perhaps if I answered his question, he would stop. I had to take my chances.

    "Asher... let me do it... let me... please you," I slid my palm around his nape as he covered my neck with love bites, clearly obsessed with the idea of leaving his mark there someday. Or perhaps, conflicted.

    He wrapped his arms around my back and pulled me against his chest, making me straddle his hips. My nails dug into his shoulders as he thrusted deeper, hitting a spot in the depths of my core that sent an electric thrill zapping through my body.

    My insides tightened around him, and he let out a throaty grunt.

    His breaths werebored, uneven, and strained against mine as I began riding him at my pace.

    I ran my fingers through his sweaty hair and down his ripped body. Licking my dry lips, I buried my face in his neck and bit him.

    He hissed, letting out a satisfactory groan.

    "Asher... can we-"

    Before I could ask if we could take a break so I could answer his question, he hugged me, burying his face between my breasts. "Can we stay like this forever?" His words took me off guard.

    "Uh-"

    "Do we really need to go back?" he mumbled softly. "Can the time just stop right now? And can we just freeze in it together?" I blinked, my heart racing faster.

    "Being with you like this makes me wonder if this is what home feels like," he spoke against my breastbone and my smile faltered.

    "Does this ce feel like home to you?" I asked, feeling my heart tighten with guilt.

    "You... feel like home to me," he said, and my heart skipped a beat, my chest filling with warm flutters.

    I bit my lower lips, my body tensing up.

    All of this might be overwhelming for me, but from the serenity in his tone and the vulnerability in his body and words, I could tell he found this peaceful.

    Maybe we could stay here a little longer.

    With that thought, I held back my words and allowed myself to please him. His thrusts turned softer, their intensity mellowing. They became much more endurable now that I knew how I made him feel. "Being the alpha of the Infernal pack must be very difficult, right?" I asked.

    "Unlike you, there''s nothing worth telling in my story. It''s more or less like this room. There''s nothing to see here," he said.

    "Nothing to see, yet so much to feel," I said.

    "True, and most of it is because you are here."

    I blushed. "Are you trying to flirt with me?" I asked, nketing my arms around his neck.

    "Is it working?" he asked yfully.

    I broke into a softughter.

    "This room is fucking with my mind, otherwise it wouldn''t have worked," I smirked, my heart pounding gentler.

    I felt him ce his palm under my ear. "Xanthea..."

    "Yes, husband?" I smiled.

    "Thank you," he said in a serious tone. "But you can stop pretending now."

    Tears stung into my eyes. Blinking fast, I shook my head, lowering my eyelids. "P-pretending? I don''t..."Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    "I know you are hurting," he said simply.

    "N-no. I am not..."

    "Shhh," he ced his finger on my lips. "I know there''s something you want to tell me. What is it?" "Nothing, Asher. Trust me."

    "I can tell a lie from the truth even before you say it. So please, Xanthea. Just say it," he whispered.

    I took a deep breath and stopped moving my hips against his.

    "Do you remember what I said on our nuptial night after winning your first game?" I asked.

    There was a moment of silence before he spoke.

    "I want you to make love to me like you would to the woman you love and respect to someone you''d never hurt. That''s what you said that night." Asher repeated what I said that night, word for word, his voice raw with reminiscence. I widened my eyes, peering into the veil of darkness that hid him from my vision. It took me a while toe to terms with the fact that he remembered every word I said.

    Holding back the emotions surging within me, I continued, "that''s my answer to your question. That''s what I fantasize love to feel like."

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    His hand withdrew from my body.

    "I''ll be honest with you. I don''t know what true love feels like. But I have fantasized about it based on the books I read and people I observed in real life. And I figured out that you can respect someone and not be in love with them, but you can''t love someone and not respect them. Love is respect, sacrifice, and selflessness. Love is when you start putting someone and their needs before you..."

    I took a deep breath as he pulled out of me and I felt his cum slither down between my thighs.

    Asher remained silent, but I knew I had his attention.

    "And you were... the manifestation of the kind of love I had always fantasized about. Love is gentle like you have been with me from the moment we met. Every small thing you do, all your small gestures that go unnoticed by others, I notice. The way you care, the way you are. That''s what love might feel like... for love is not in the grand gestures of ''I-love-yous'', it''s in the small but genuine gestures of ''I-am-sorrys'' and ''I-care."

    "But right now, it doesn''t feel the same, does it?" he said. "I don''t feel the same. I am not the same. Right now, you wish I went back to being the Asher I was before, right?"

    I lowered my gaze, feeling the churn in my stomach weaken my body. It felt as if he could read my mind.

    "You stayed here because you realized this ce meant something to me. But that didn''t make it any less unbearable for you. Did it?"

    Fidgeting with my fingers, I remained silent. I didn''t know what to say when that was precisely how I felt.

    Asher got up and when my body finally left all contact with him, I felt an unfathomable restlessness course through me.

    "Asher-" I felt my empty surroundings with my hand. Within a second, he held my shaking hands and knelt in front of me again.

    I felt a fabric embrace my upper body as he draped his shirt over my shoulders. We remained silent as he helped me wear his shirt and slowly fastened each button down my body.

    "I am sorry, Xanthea," he said in a humbled tone. "I was exceedingly selfish tonight. I just..."

    He held my hands tighter this time.

    "I just want you to know that... tonight meant a lot to me. But I promise you it will never happen again. I promise... you''ll never see me this naked again. But thank you for defining love for me. And thank you for staying here, by my side, longer than you could. It will be enough for me. It''s more than enough for me."

    Asher was still holding my hands tightly, but it seemed as though I was slowly losing my grip and he was slipping farther and farther away from me.

    I knit my brows, feeling the weight of his words settle gravely in my chest.

    No matter how hard I tried, I couldn''t ignore the nagging voice in the back of my head urging me to hug him, as if embracing him might prevent something from falling apart. But I couldn''t because he hugged me first.

    And when he did, it felt as if something was shattering and I couldn''t stop that destruction, just feel it.

    I couldn''t figure out what exactly. It was a stifling feeling in my chest that got worse when Asher kissed my forehead. But the problem was, everything was fine between us - back to how it was.

    His touch was gentle again, his presenceforting like it used to be before tonight.

    The restlessness in my chest got worse when he picked me in his arms. It almost felt like every emotion I was feeling... wasn''t mine, but someone else''s.

    I took a deep breath and before I could gather myself and ask what his words meant, a sharp light blinded my eyes.

    The transition from the dark room to reality did something strange to my brain, and a forgotten drunken dream reyed in my mind.

    The dream was mostly pitch ck, mirroring the darkness of the dark room. All I could see in it were the glowing light gray eyes gazing at me warmly, while the rest was just the sensation of a man''s touch all over my body. I felt paralyzed as the realization hit me, stark and undeniable.

    The room. The touch.

    My lungs were cold and so was almost every inch of my body.

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    All this time. In all my dreams. It had always been him.

    I had been dreaming about him even before we met.

    The night I just spent with him. I had lived this night before. Not once. Not twice. But in my every heat.

    No wonder ever since our eyes met, I had felt this strange sense of familiarity with him like I had known him for ages. That''s why I had been trying hard not to respond to his touch the way my body wanted, not look into his eyes as though nothing else in the world was worth seeing.

    I couldn''t help but notice all the small things he did - whether it was cing flowers by my mother''s grave, getting on his knees to rub ice on my wounds, or the subtle nces he stole when I was with his brothers.

    Those almost invisible efforts he made bothered me more than I wanted them to because I wanted to hold myself back. A part of me said it was dangerous to go near him, yet another part of me craved that danger.

    I didn''t acknowledge it, but he was always on my mind. I noticed everything about him all the time, and when he wasn''t close, I pondered what he might be doing or thinking about. I knew I couldn''t be on his mind as much as he was on mine, but for some unknown reason, I hoped I was.

    From the very beginning, I tried so hard not to fall in love with Asher. Even now, I couldn''t help but melt to his touch like a candle melting under the mes as he cradled me against his chest.

    His lips gently brushed against mine and this time, it almost felt like destiny. As though I was destined to belong in his darkness. As though I was meant to recall those forgotten dreams. Asher was the faceless man of my fantasies.

    My subconscious had known him, had yearned for him, long before my consciousness met him and epted him.

    I had been in the darkness for so long that even the dim lights of my room in the Aile castle felt like a torture to my eyes.

    Squinting my eyes, I struggled to get a glimpse of his face, his eyes when I heard...

    "Where did you take her?" Raven growled through his gritted teeth.

    Asher remained silent as he gently ced me on the bed.

    "Where the hell have the two of you been? I had my demon drones search for the two of you in the entire pack, even the mortal realm, but not a trace." I heard Ezra''s frustrated voice. "Will you say something?" Raven demanded.

    My eyes were still adjusting to the light and my mind was still processing my forgotten dreams, trying to find what they meant when-

    "She''ll be safer with you guys. Take care of her," Asher said.

    I reached out my hand towards him as he put on a silk night-robe and took his phone from the table.

    But from my thoughts to my lips to my frozen body - nothing was in sync.

    "What the hell, Asher! Why is she shivering so badly! What did you do to her?" Ezra red at Asher and then walked closer to my bed. "Did you hurt her?" Raven strode towards me, checking my body.

    Asher halted his steps, holding the door open.

    Please turn around, Asher.

    Please look at me.

    My heart pounded wildly in my chest, yearning for him to merely nce at me, but he didn''t.

    "I did," he said, his back facing us.

    And as he walked out the door, I felt something inside me snap painfully, tears incessantly streaming down my face.

 Chapter-73. Mateless infernals

    [Raven]

    "Asher!" Ezra called out just as Asher shut the door behind him.

    Xanthea sat on the bed, frozen like a statue, as she peered at the closed door with petrified eyes. The way tears trailed down her flushed cheeks, it seemed as if she was having apletely involuntary reaction to a shock. Asher''s scent dominantly marked her scent, burying the seductive fragrance of her heat beneath his. The scent was strong enough to intimidate and repel an ordinary demon werewolf far away from her.

    I slid Asher''s shirt down her shoulders, revealing her body covered in bite marks, hickeys and bruises left behind by finger grips on her hips, thighs, wrists and ankles.

    My frown deepened.

    Rough sex was one thing, but after seeing this - Asher wasn''t just fucking her; he was trying to possess every inch of her body, leaving behind his im as pain or pleasure; he didn''t care. Asher had never been so obsessed with anything or anyone. Why her?

    I contemted her, narrowing my eyes. My eyes trailed over the bite marks, which were mostly concentrated near her neck and shoulder. Was he trying to... mark her?

    I checked her thoroughly and breathed out only when I confirmed he didn''t mark her, but it seemed as though he had a full intention of doing so.

    That''s odd.

    Marking was a sacred ritual of the celestials and the mortals, not the infernals. Demons were never tempted to create a permanent bond through marking because the demon werewolves can''t have mates.

    Our ancestors were the fallen celestials, the celestial werewolves who were expelled from the Celestial realm and turned into demon werewolves who created a whole nother realm for themselves, which came to be known as the Infernal realm. Before our ancestors fell, the moon goddess took away their powers, authority and their ess into the celestial realm. By doing so, she expelled them from the celestial system as well, which cursed the Infernals to remain mateless for eternity. Our wolves cannot sense their mates even if they have a mate by some rare chances, much less create a mate bond or im their mates through marking.

    There was a case that happened centuries ago, and it still remains a tragic mystery in the history of alchemy. Two teenage infernals marked one another for fun. After a few hours, both of them were brought to Helxton''s hospital wing. The marks on their necks were infected as though they had been poisoned. The healers and alchemists tried everything they could, but there was no antidote to that poison.

    Eventually, the poison spread throughout their bodies, turning them into living corpses. The healers tried to find the reason behind it, but couldn''t. In the end, with the consent of their families, both of their bodies were burnt down into ashes. Later, when alchemists examined their souls, they found their spiritualposition to be almost simr. They concluded that the two could have been mates, but there was no way for us to confirm it. "Xanthea..." Ezra called out, bringing me out of my contemtion.

    He tensed his brows, his eyes lingering on the bruise of the fingerprint on her neck.

    I nced at Ezra, who contemted the bite marks on her neck, and I could tell he found it suspicious as well.

    But there was no way Asher would even think of marking her. Why the hell would he do that?

    I shoved those silly thoughts out of my brain. It was just sex, and I was clearly overthinking.

    Maybe it was some kind of neck fetish..

    I licked my lips, leering at her delicate neck. It does look tempting, especially when she tenses her body.

    I ran my fingers over her bruises and bites, healing them slowly.

    "Is it what I think-" Ezra began in a heavy tone.

    "Nope," I said. Maybe he too thought that Asher marked her.

    "Then why does she look so... hurt and lost?" Ezra asked.

    "She isn''t crying because of physical pain. If anything, I think she enjoyed herself, had a great time with Asher given how she doesn''t have the heat fever anymore."

    "Then why? What did he do to her?" Ezra asked me.

    "Ezra, it''s not rocket science. Don''t use the brain you don''t have. It''s very clear what he did - he fucked her," I shrugged.

    Ezra gave me a side look and sat beside her on the bed.

    "Xanthea, baby..."

    He tried to make her look at him, but her eyes were still locked on the door as though she were still expecting for the door to open and for Asher to walk in.

    Checking the bite marks on her inner thighs, I mindlinked the nurse in the castle to bring me a potion kit and warm wet towels.

    A few minutester, the nurses entered the room with their heads bowed, kept the things I needed on the table, and left.

    While I prepared the recovery and stamina potion for her, Ezra took the wet towel and wiped her face, neck, and chest. Xanthea still hadn''t snapped out of whatever trance she was in.

    "What happened, angel? Please say something. Where did he take you?" Ezra kept trying to talk to her.

    Honestly, I, too, was curious to know where Asher took her. Even in spy-proof areas, it was difficult to avoid Ezra''s drone surveince. "Xanthea! Raven!" Ezra called out to me with a hint of panic in his voice.

    Xanthea had passed out, and Ezra was now cradling her against his chest.

    "Oh, good. I don''t need to prepare a sleeping potion. Let her sleep. She is just exhausted," I said.

    Ezra frowned.

    "How can you be so unbothered, huh?" Ezra snapped at me.

    "What I don''t understand is why are you so bothered about her? Her family issues! Her mental problems! Why do you care?"

    Ezra red at me.

    "Postpone her admission. She can''t go to the college in this condition," Ezra said, andid her gently on the bed, wiping her legs with the wet towel. I took a deep breath.

    "We''ll see-"

    "She''s not going. I am not asking you, I am telling you. If you still don''t agree, I have other ways and I promise you won''t like them," Ezra said stoically. "Ok. Ok. Let''s calm down. Shall we? She''sfortable. She''s ok. She''s not hurt," I said.

    "How can you be so sure?"

    "Oh,e on, man! If you are so unsure, why don''t you check her yourself? But I don''t remember you ever having a healer''s license," I almost snapped at him. Ezra stared at me nkly, curling his fingers into fists.

    "Hey, rx. Ok?"

    Grunting, I shut my eyes, running my fingers through my hair.

    Both of us were already frustrated because Asher made us rethink our decision of dropping the solo sex rules. And the way Ezra was, I could tell he was already regretting it.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    "He said he hurt her," Ezra said, peering at Xanthea. "She could have some internal injury-"

    "No. Even though it might not look like it, Asher was definitely in a lot of control while he took her. She doesn''t have any internal injury. She is in her heat, her body is more than capable of handling this kind of sex," I said in a tone as if I was exining simple math to a child.

    "But she is hurting."

    "It''s not because of physical wounds! She cries all the time. She is a sensitive omega and maybe the heat made her more sensitive. Maybe it''s just her mood swings. Who knows? Mortal or immortal. Women are impossible toprehend." "Then why did Asher leave like that?"

    "Like what?"

    "Like he was hurting too!" Ezra got up from the bed.

    I stared at him for a few seconds and then broke intoughter.

    "E-excuse me? Seriously, that wasn''t a joke? Asher and hurting? That man feels nothing!"

    Ezra shut his eyes, taking a deep breath as he clenched his jaws, clearly biting back words he wanted to yell at me.

    The ambiance in the room thickened, bing oppressively darker and gloomier.

    "You should be grateful, Raven, that I am not as insensitive as you, because if I was, I would have already punched your fucking face."

    This was just typical Ezra getting offended on behalf of Asher. Nothing new.

    His gaze softened as he skimmed his eyes from me to Xanthea. He tucked the nket over her, stroking her cheeks.

    "Take care of her," he said, getting up from the bed.

    "Where are you going now?" I asked as he opened the door.

    "To Asher," he said and left.

    I let out a sigh nonchntly and took the potion to Xanthea.

    "Woah! I never thought my mood could be ruined twice in one night, and both times because of Asher." I clicked my tongue. "Well, looks like it''s just us now, little omega."

    I kept the potion aside on the nightstand. It would help her body recover faster, but she couldn''t drink the potion while sleeping.

    I had healed the bite wounds and bruises on her body, but their marks would fade slowly over time, just like the soreness and fatigue in her muscles.

    I had no ns to dy her admission to Helxton any longer. She had to be on her feet by the morning and I would do anything to make that happen.

    Ensuring she wasfortable on her side; I applied the herbal oil on her body and massaged her waist, hips, and legs. The oil and massage would help her with her soreness and body pain.

    I ran my hands up her belly, massaging her breasts.

    She purred, arching herself against my touch.

    "It''s not that type of massage, little omega. But enjoy all you want," I smirked, chuckling.

    My eyes kept traveling back to her neck and the bite marks.

    Something had indeed happened between them and I wanted to know what it was to cause her such emotional distress.

    Or maybe the sex just blew her mind. She wanted more, but Asher perhaps remembered he had some important meeting to attend.

    I hated every thought my mind wasing up with, but for some reason, I couldn''t stop thinking of all possible scenarios. It was more like impulsive thinking.

    I was thinking of asking her maid to give her the potion when she was up. Meanwhile, I had to pick up the healing partner I had chosen for her.

    I was about to get down from the bed when her fingers weakly tugged at the cuff of my shirt.

    "Don''t go..." she mumbled in her sleep.

    I ced a pillow in her arms, hoping she''d cuddle it because I didn''t have time for all that crap.

    "Please, Asher... don''t go..."

    My brows drew into a deep frown, my jaws clenching tightly.

    I ran my tongue across my inner cheek before yanking my cuff free from her grasp.

    "The man you are looking for isn''t me, fortunately. So rest well until the morning, if you can!" I said those words with a smile, but bitterness was all I felt in my chest.

    I strode towards the door.

    "Please... don''t leave me alone..." she whimpered and my steps halted.

    Narrowing my eyes, I red at her.

    I shut my eyes, scrubbing my face with my palm as annoyance ticked into my veins.

    "What in the hell is this nonsense!" I grunted and walked out of the room, mming the door behind me.

    I saw Xanthea''s maid standing at some distance in the hallway.

    "You!" I called out to her.

    "My lord," she hurried and stood before me in a bow.

    I red at the maid for a few minutes in silence, my ears still concentrating on every little sound the omega made.

    "I need you..." Xanthea moaned weakly.

    For faster recovery, she needed proper sleep.

    Ugh! That fucking Asher!

    Why should I clean up his mess?

    I growled in irritation, and the maid flinched, taking a few steps back from me.

    "M-m-my lord?" the maid trembled, bowing lower.

    No. Maybe it''s all for the best. The more possessive Asher bes, the more satisfying it will be to take her away from him.

    "Prepare a warm bath with all that rxing flower scent and stuff used in heat and a loose andfortable dress for the bride," I ordered and walked back into her room, taking off my shirt.

    While the maids prepared the bath, Iid down on my side beside her. Sliding my arms under her neck and around her waist, I pulled her against my body, trying hard to ignore how she reeked of Asher''s scent that repelled every nerve in my body.

    "Asher..." she smiled. Snuggling, she buried her face in my chest, using my biceps as her pillow.

    I swear if she called me Asher one more time, I would either snap her neck or mine.

    "I am Raven, little omega. Raven. And I am all you have right now, so when you wake up, don''t be too disappointed."

    I reluctantly caressed her back as she nestled against my body.

    She gradually drifted into a deep sleep.

    She looked so cozy wrapped in Asher''s scent that I doubted she''d sense my scent at all.

    Whatever.

    Bracing the back of her head in my palm, I pulled her closer, shutting my eyes. Her warmth suffused into mine, her heart pounding gently against my chest.

    The clock ticked, taking away my restless and wild thoughts, silencing my mind, which was now filled with her soothing heartbeats and soft breaths.

    I didn''t even realize when the silence in my mind was painted ck and I dozed off.

 Chapter-74. Awakening

    [Ezra]

    "I knew I''d find you here," I breathed. My footsteps echoed as I stepped closer to the bar counter in Asher''s penthouse.

    The chandelier above cast a soft, golden glow that mingled with the darkness, creating an ambiance where one could drown and forget oneself in the haze of gin and smoke.

    And as always, Asher sat alone at the borders of light and darkness, not to forget but to be forgotten.

    Asher ced down the empty goblet on the cold marble countertop. As he reached out to pour more ck wine, I picked up the wine bottle.

    "Will it be ok if I pour the wine for you?" I asked.

    Asher''s eyes flickered towards me, blinked once in a brief acknowledgment before they drifted back to the sea of skyscrapers beyond the ss walls. The twinkling lights of the city reflected in his eyes, while his own remained nk. Sitting beside him, I poured him the wine.

    "Mind if I join you?" I asked.

    He slid his goblet towards me.

    I peered at the faint glint of light from the chandelier dancing on the surface of the wine.

    I smiled, curling my fingers around the stem of the goblet, lifted it in my hand, and ced it in front of him.

    "I don''t need your wine, Asher. I can join you by pouring another for myself," I said, serving myself wine in another goblet.

    Asher hadn''t changed at all, yet I wish I could say the Asher sitting beside me was the same as before.

    Over the years, I had watched Asher fade with each sip of wine and puffs of cigarette, as though witnessing a star''s death. I couldn''t stop it, couldn''t interfere with it. All I could do was watch as the child grew up and assumed that there were no more stars left in his eyes to dim - to die.

    I was wrong.

    There was still something left inside him, something that had rekindled the day his eyes found an angel. Something was saved that day, something that was probably dying today.

    I had noticed all the changes in him ever since he saw Xanthea and I chose to ignore them. But something about him had changed so drastically tonight that there was no way I could let him be on his own. Something about him felt so off that I forgot how angry I was when I got here. All the questions I wanted to ask him had been summarized into a few words - ''are you ok?''

    Asher took a small sip, and I followed him. Both of us peered outside the ss wall, taking in how big our pack actually was.

    Xanthea''s sweet scent lingered on Asher. The scent was so sweet; it interfered with the bitterness of the wine in the best way possible.

    I quietly observed the faint bite marks and scratch left behind by Xanthea on his body that the silk robe failed to hide. Wounds as trivial as those should have healed within seconds, but it seemed as though he didn''t want them to heal. As though he wanted to relish on their soft pain as long as he could.

    "What happened?" I asked, breaking the silence as soon as the red clouds glowed on the horizon, breaking the night sky into dawn.

    Asher took another sip of the wine.

    "Xanthea. Who is she to you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "She''s not just a breeder to you, is she?"

    Asher silently took another sip.

    I finished the wine in my goblet in one go and ced the goblet on the counter.

    "I know you like doing things alone, but you don''t have to anymore. You''re not alone in this curse. Raven and I are with you," I said. "Whether we like it or not, we''re in this together. If we ovee this curse, we do it together; if we sumb, we do it together. This burden isn''t yours to bear alone, Asher. This curse is ours to carry."

    He still didn''t reply.

    I shut my eyes and let out a sigh.

    ***

    Maybe I was asking him the wrong questions, but then again, will there ever be a right answer?

    It had been so long that I couldn''t even remember when Asher silently withdrew himself, when we brothers separated and drifted apart. But I know it happened when we were kids, when he might have needed us the most.

    But instead of understanding him, all we did was ignore and abandon him. I might be one of the reasons he doesn''t open up, so I know I don''t have any right to ask him to do it now.

    The memories of my own childhood are a mere blur of events in my mind.

    But I remember Asher''s and Raven''s childhoods vividly.

    Back then, I stood on the same level as them. Neither weaker nor stronger than them.

    By "level," I mean the standard our father had set for the three of us. It was the level he expected the sons of the demon lord, Eireal Xipher, to achieve.

    Our academic education, training sessions, and even the punishments we received were almost the same.

    Looking back at how we were raised, I realize we were more like raw materials being molded into a refined product whose only purpose was to meet our father''s expectations.

    Our interaction with our mother was limited to once a month. However, I remember her being impassively warm. Neither too attached and loving nor too cold and distant. She was the perfect bnce, fulfilling the role of a mother without spoiling us.

    Raven was always the loudest one in the room, doing his best to stand out. He loved being noticed, praised and carried in our mother''s arms.

    Asher was theplete opposite. He remained silent most of the time, observing from the sidelines, as if trying to dissolve into the background. While Raven demanded all of mother''s attention, Asher seemed satisfied with the slightest stroke of her hand.

    Bare minimum had always been more than enough for Asher and even that bare minimum came rarely from our mother.

    Meanwhile, I don''t remember how I was back then. Maybe because I merely observed my brothers and tried to figure out where I belonged. I have a feeling that I might have loved being close to my mother since I still faintly remember the peace and security I felt when she hugged me.

    As years passed by, the academics and training grew more challenging, and the punishments became harsher. It was because the three of us were meant to activate our immortality genes.

    Asher always did just enough to meet and satisfy father''s expectations and I barely touched the safety line. Raven did much more than expected and it seemed as though had be father''s favorite.

    Among the three of us, our father had the highest expectations for Raven. However, those expectations were shattered on the day that possibly sowed the seeds of bitterness in Raven''s heart towards Asher.

    It was the day when Asher''s immortality genes were awakened.

    To celebrate it, father threw an immortal-awakening party.

    I can still remember the glow in my father''s dark eyes as he raised Asher up in his arms like a trophy and proudly showed him off in his court and the world, dering him as ''my son, my blood, my pride, my heir''. Raven kept ring at Asher who sat beside father throughout the party. In a blink, everything Raven had built with our father came crashing down. Father no longer paid any attention to him.

    That was the first time I saw Raven cry, throwing a tantrum in front of everyone at the party. But before he could get father''s attention, mother swept him in her arms and took him away.

    I stayed and witnessed Asher be the center of attraction. Asher handled the attention just as deftly as he had handled the neglect. He neither looked happy nor disturbed. He behaved like a perfect prince was expected to behave. Since that day, Raven, the smiling,ughing kid, eventually turned into a scowling, bitter kid filled with a constant jitter, envy and hatred.

    Hatred might be a harsh word to use, but there could be no other word to describe what Raven felt whenever father chose Asher over him, when hepared him with Asher.

    Raven began reading medical books and eating all kinds of nts, potions like a na?ve kid and often ended up in the hospital.

    He didn''t have immortality genes back then, so he could have died because of his recklessness. And our father expected a kid to be mindful enough to not do such things. So, father began scolding and punishing him more because Raven was acting like a ''desperate kid''.

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    Raven channeled all the pain from our father''s punishments into his resentment and hatred for Asher. He was convinced that all his suffering was because of Asher.

    At the time, I wasn''t mature enough to understand what I realized yearster: Raven might have felt entitled to everything Asher had, believing that Asher''s possessions and privileges should have been his own. Meanwhile, I?

    I found myself spending more time with my mother, who constantly changed Raven''s and my diets.

    Raven obviously wasn''t happy about the sudden change in father''s attitude.

    But maybe I was happy to spend more time with my mother, far away from my father. Deep down, I might have wanted to stay with mother forever and never see father again. But that was not what mother wanted. ''Why won''t their immortality genes activate? What is wrong with them? Asher had the same diet as them, his genes activated on time. Why wouldn''t they?''

    I often heard her repeat the same thing when she talked to the healers and alchemists. But at least, I wasn''t a burden to her... yet.

    Both Raven and I began feeling the weight of an invisible mountain on us. The mountain of inactive immortality genes running in our veins.

    Our mother was more terrified than us.

    Why wouldn''t she?

    The punishment of our failures wasn''t limited to us.

    I often saw bruises on her body after father''s visits that she would meticulously hide until her wounds healed. Back then, my mind was too clouded by my own fears to realize what she was going through. And it was around that time my father took in his first concubine, Letitia, Nesryn''s mother. He wanted a son from her, which only added to the pressure our mother felt.

    And that pressure eventually tranted into more punishments for Raven and me, and this time those punishments came from our mother.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.

    Raven would often run away from the castle when mother was angry. I don''t know why, but I stayed.

    I always stayed because after hitting me, mother would cry and hug me and then she would tend to my wounds, apologizing constantly.

    After his awakening, there was a long time period when Asher didn''te home. No one knew where he was in that time frame except father and no one dared ask him. Not even our mother. ''Why was he born perfect and not us?'' Raven''s questions slowly started making sense to me.

 Chapter-75. I am fine

    [Ezra]

    I still remember the first time Asher visited the Aile castle after his long absence. He came to us with his brand new toys.

    ''I didn''t unbox them. I thought we could y with them together,'' Asher said.

    I don''t remember if Asher said that with a smile or not, because I was busy observing his eyes that looked dull, tired and pained, as if he had not slept for months. Something Raven failed to notice beyond himself.

    ''Huh! Show off!'' Raven scoffed. ''Trying to act all cool, showing off your petty toys after bing father''s favorite? But let me tell you one thing, Asher: you didn''t work for any of this. You don''t deserve them. You got it all for free. In fact! You stole all this from us. And we don''t talk to thieves!''

    Raven smacked the toys from Asher''s hands, grabbed my hand, and pulled me away with him.

    I had a choice back then: I could have stayed behind and collected those broken toys with Asher, or I could have ignored him.

    To this day, I regret the choice I made that day. It was probably then that Asher realized he was all alone, because after that, he never came to us again.

    We began ignoring Asher even when he came home for his rare visits, making him feel like something was wrong with him when everything was wrong with us.

    We thought Asher was having an easy life, not even realizing that his life was the hardest.

    Asher was born perfect - I still loathe myself for believing those words back then.

    The pressure on Asher was far more than any of us.

    I understood it when Asher visited the Aile castle again and was spending time with mother.

    ''No! You can''t be yourself! No one will ept you as you are. You are myst hope, Asher. Don''t disappoint your father. You can''t be anything less than perfect. You''ll have to change. Why don''t you understand?''

    I heard mother''s trembling voice and when I peeped inside; I saw her grabbing Asher''s upper arms, her ws digging into his skin. Blood stained his shirt as he stood impassively before her.

    I still can''t decide if what I saw that day was a horror or something insignificant because I remember Asher looking into our mother''s tearful eyes with nk eyes, as if hope could never touch them again.

    When mother realized she had hurt Asher, she fell to her knees and hugged him tightly. The same thing she did with me.

    ''You''ll have to change. You''ll have to keep on changing, adapting differently for different people. You''ll have to understand their minds, their thoughts, their emotions. Please, son. You''ll have to save us. You''ll have to do better. Ok? You''ll have to be perfect, just the way your father wants. Be the perfect alpha. Maybe then he''ll hurt us less. Please hide our failure with your sess. Please, son.''

    On every visit to the castle, Asher was burdened more and more with my mother''s words, our father''s increasing expectations, and our insensitivity.

    Ever since, he had been shouldering everything himself and every time I recall his childhood, I can''t help but wonder how lonely he must have been.

    If we were kids, he was too. But since he had to mature before his age because he had no other option, we thought he was adult enough to handle everything on his own.

    But things changed a little when Raven had his immortal awakening.

    Father threw a party for Raven too, but it was an intimate, family-only gathering.

    Raven wanted to have everything back and prove to father that he was much better than Asher.

    So, he gave his all to cover the gap between them, but Asher was far ahead of him. There was no catching up with him. Raven kept trying, regardless. He couldn''t beat Asher at the big tasks and trainings father nned for them, so he began taking small things from Asher. Things that might have meant something to Asher.

    Raven kept trying to fit himself in the mold father had crafted for Asher, but he kept getting hurt and eventually he gave up. He understood he could no longer please our father by reaching the standards Asher had already crossed, so he rebelled and chose apletely different path for himself in his teenage years.

    He stopped craving father''s attention, but his bitterness for Asher remained. Although I don''t think Asher ever considered Raven as apetition.

    Years went by and our father sumbed to a mysterious curse of unknown origin. His condition deteriorated, and he became incapable of running the pack.

    So, Asher finally took over as the Alpha of our Prime Infernal pack.

    Asher was often unavable. Eventually, he stoppeding home. He took care of our family from afar, yet whenever we needed him, he stood by us like an indestructible support.

    We and our family were always his priority, even when he was dealing with the pack matters.

    Asher always treated me with kindness, even when I had failed him miserably.

    I never got a chance to correct my mistakes or apologize for everything I did to him or things I didn''t do for him. And when I wanted to do something for him, it was already toote and Asher was far out of my reach. Only when the things got a bit more stable did I have the courage to ask Asher if we could share his Alpha duties. Asher being Asher agreed to what we wanted.

    I knew it wasn''t enough to redeem myself, but something was better than nothing. Even if I could share a fraction of his burdens, I would.

    That was why I always tried my best to defend him, because I knew he would never do that for himself. I did it out of respect for him and perhaps out of guilt. Also, because we had always taken from him and I feared that one day he might be too empty.

    After father was cursified and totally sumbed to the curse, the curse remained dormant for a while and then we began showing symptoms. It was then we found out that the curse father suffered from was a generational curse. A curse passed down from one generation to the other.

    I don''t fear enduring what my father went through.

    In fact, I felt nothing for my father when I saw him suffer day and night in agonizing pain.

    If I could break this curse into pieces, I would keep the suffering part all for myself. I don''t want to see Asher or Raven undergo such immense, raw pain.

    Raven was trying his best to find a better way out of this curse, but dealing with a malignant wordless curse was difficult even for dragons - world''s best healers.

    The time when the curse would fully activate and manifest in its horrifying form was getting closer. And when that happens, there might not be an escape for the three of us.

    But what scared me the most was that one day, when Asher would be hurting deeply, he woulde to us with ways to soothe our pain and tell us that everything was fine. He would say he was fine. And I was terrified that I would believe his lies.

    ***

    Just like right now.

    Had I not learnt to read his silence, I would have almost believed him when he said-

    "I am fine, Ezra."

    "Fine, you say?" I smiled and nodded softly, letting the silence linger.

    ''Fine'' was just a small, four-letter word with a meaning moreplex to decipher than the most sophisticated poetry ever written. It could mean so much and nothing at the same time. It could hold and hide traumas while also reflecting a terrifying numbness.

    ''Fine'' was a one-word so, a deceptive lie people often told themselves before anyone else when they ran out of words to measure their pain.

    "Fine," I said, got up from the chair and ced my hand on his shoulder. "If you are fine, then I don''t think you should have a problem going back to Xanthea because she is not fine. She is hurting and not because you hurt her, but because you left her. Let''s go!"

    Asher shut his eyes, taking a deep breath.

    "What''s the problem? You said you were fine, so get the hell up and go to her. Talk to her and hear what she has to say-"

    "I..." Asher raised his voice and then turned silent again.

    I walked in front of him and looked him in his eyes.

    "The right people will stay, Asher. They will stay with all your ws and imperfections." I said. He looked at me, his brows drawing together slightly. "With those people, you can be your worst and still be a better person. I don''t know if I''m one of those people for you, but perhaps Xanthea is."

    Asher gazed back at me as though I had said something I wasn''t supposed to say.

    "I''m not blind, Asher. I''ve never seen you smile as effortlessly as you do around her. I''ve never seen you as free as you are with her. I don''t know how, but she gives you a space to grow naturally. I''ve noticed you being a little more yourself around her and I have seen her aura embrace you just as effortlessly."

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    Asher lowered his head, contemting his palm as though he was imagining holding Xanthea''s hand in his.

    "So tell me if this is what you truly want? This distance, this istion? This bare minimum?"

    I panted, feeling a tightness build in my chest.

    "You don''t have to keep living the same life over and over again. You don''t have to be perfect to be epted, to belong. You can be yourself, damn it. And if no one else does, then I''ll fucking stay by your side! So please don''t fucking close yourself again. She makes you happy, and I am not letting you take that away from yourself!"

    The words I always wanted to tell him flowed out of my mouth and I felt a crushing suffocation rumble inside me.

    I gritted my teeth, but couldn''t hold back my tears.

    Asher got up from his chair.

    Maybe it was my bleary vision, but his eyes were no longer nk.

    "Ezra..."

    "You always know what others want the most, so howe you can''t see what you want the most right now? I know what you want and it''s not this istion. Please don''t do this to yourself again. Please. You must live for yourself because you have merely existed for others all your life. While we still have a chance, let''s make the most of it."

    Asher shut his eyes, took a deep breath, and nodded.

    "Fine. Let''s go back to her-"

    "You are not going anywhere, Asher..."

    Asher and I looked towards the direction of the voice.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    My fingers instantly curled into fists as I red at Vie, Asher''s luna candidate.

    Strutting out of the darkness, she walked closer to Asher and tossed her phone on the counter that disyed the trending news on the phone screen, posted by an anonymous ID- Bride or Luna?

    "I''ll not let you go anywhere to anyone... not until you resolve the mess your brother has created," she said, ring back at me.

 Chapter-76. Lunaâ€™s throne

    [Ezra]

    Asher picked up her phone and read the news:

    Bride or luna?

    In the recent visit to the mortal realm, Alpha Ezra Xipher dered the triplet''s bride as the luna of the Prime Infernal pack in front of the demon and mortal witnesses.

    Sources im the triplets have finally found the one they were looking for and won''t be taking any more mortal brides. But the questions remain.

    Has the luna of our pack already been chosen? And is she really their mortal bride?

    Is a mortal even qualified to lead the pack of immortals? Is she a mortal at all, or is there more to the story of our mystery luna? Does she have a secret identity our alphas do not wish to reveal?

    Who is this mystery luna and will the triplet alphas reveal her to the public? Will there be a formal introduction for her into elite society or do they wish to keep her private?

    Public is excitedly interested to know what will be the dynamic and nature of their rtionship?

    Will the triplets take individual concubines like their father? If not, then what will happen to the other Luna candidates waiting in line?

    Will there be three or perhaps four lunas of the pack or is our mystery luna the one and the final choice?

    Stay tuned to the No Name Net (NNN) and my next post to know more.

    Asher narrowed his eyes and ced Vie''s phone back on the counter.

    Vie ran her fingers through her waist-long ck hair, and let out a frustrated sigh that was followed by the enraged hiss of the pitch ck snake wrapped around her neck like a scarf.

    Like always, she was dressed in a revealing, deep neck, ck dress with a slit from her thighs. Exposing the rune tattoos on her arms and thighs. She was one of the most powerful demoness werewolves, with her wolf being a gorgon type. Every strand of her hair could turn into the most venomous snakes.

    Her beauty was the standard for our pack as she held the Most Alluring Demoness''s title for a nth time in the Prime pack, but not even an inch of her body was alluring to me.

    She was just an entitled, arrogant, power-hungrydy who believed she alone deserved to be the Luna of this pack, simply because my father chose her. Or rather, he molded her into one.

    She thought she was a perfect luna and her biggest weakness was she failed to see and acknowledge her shorings.

    Asher and Vie have been betrothed since they were kids. As kids, their interactions were limited to the formal meetings arranged and strictly controlled by my father.

    In their teenage years, she used to be around Asher most of the time, desperately trying to get his attention. They were mostly formal with one another and it seemed as if they were on good terms, even though Asher didn''t pay her the kind of attention she wanted.

    But the actual tension between them surfaced when Asher agreed to share the alpha position with Raven and me. After a lot of quarrels and disagreements, she approved of Raven bing an alpha, but not me.

    After a heated fight with Asher, she openly went against him and tried everything in her power to stop me from bing an alpha. Reason: her prejudice.

    Her father and grandfather were one of the most influential elders of the elders'' council. But even with her strong political standing, it was not her call to make.

    Their betrothal was a political alliance, and after their fight, they didn''t even care to maintain a formal rtionship. Asher became preupied with managing the curse and pack. Meanwhile, she began having affairs with other men, probably to regain Asher''s attention, but Asher waspletely indifferent and uninterested in her actions.

    Once Raven and I took the oath as alphas, her political standing took a hit.

    Since the position of the alpha was divided into three, the pack, the elders and the alpha council demanded us to rify our roles, division of power and one thing we had to agree upon was if the position of luna would also be divided into three or if it would remain one.

    That is, if we''d choose one luna or each one of us would have separate lunas.

    I was ok with whatever Asher agreed upon, but Raven wasn''t.

    Raven suggested we have severaldies as luna candidatespete for the position of the luna. I knew he suggested it because he wanted to put Nyssa in directpetition with Vie to defeat Asher indirectly.

    It took months for a proper, unbiased luna choosing system to be designed with the help of elders and the alphamittee of the pack.

    ording to the system, the Luna candidates would be monitored in all aspects by the special elders jury and they wouldpile reports on each candidate. The criterions of judgment would remain confidential until we, the alphas, unanimously agreed to conclude the selection process. Only then would the fate of Luna''s throne be determined.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    And that''s how, from being the future Luna of the pack, Vie became just one of the potential candidates, a status she didn''t ept.

    She was confident that she''d be the luna one day, and I wondered where her confidence came from.

    Yes, she was a powerful woman with wits and best immortality genes. In fact, she was the ideal type, inspiration for many demoness werewolves out there. But she was extremely prejudiced, apathetic, and too full of herself.

    At times, it felt like I was being prejudiced towards her just because my father chose her, but she never failed to prove that I was right to not support her.

    Once again, she was doing the same.

    The strain between Asher and Vie tightened every time they met, and one could feel it just by standing between them.

    "It''s sourceless news. The most I can do is take it down," Asher said inly.

    "Do you think that will settle the wave this news had created on the devil?" Vie retorted. "My reputation is on the line. Taking it down will only create more buzz. And I don''t want that."

    Asher looked at her, and Vie looked at me. Then she casually sauntered closer to the bar counter and sat on the chair. She poured some wine into Asher''s goblet and began drinking from it leisurely.

    "Your brother has created this mess and he will correct it," she said.

    Here we go again. I wasn''t even surprised at this point.

    Asher and I exchanged a nce.

    "I want your brother to prepare a public apology and post it on his social media," she said.

    I knit my brows.

    "Or better. He coulde live and apologize in front of the entire pack and clear this misunderstanding for once and for all," she said with a sly smirk.

    I rolled my eyes, letting out a sardonic chuckle.

    "Asher, tell your candidate to stay within her limits," I growled.

    "Tell your pathetic brother not to use that tone with me," she told Asher, "and also that if he doesn''tply while I''m asking nicely, I''ll summon a meeting where he''ll face even more humiliation. I''m only trying to save his face for being the imbecile that he is."

    "What makes you think you are in any position to tell me what I should and shouldn''t do?" I shrugged.

    "And you think you can do whatever you want with the position of alpha that you got as a charity from Asher just because you fucking begged for it?"

    "You fucking-" I stepped closer to her.

    She threw the wine inches away from my shoes, and I stopped.

    She looked dead into my eyes, her gaze glowing like that of a snake as she said.

    "Just because Asher gave you the alpha''s title out of pity doesn''t mean you are worthy," she said impassively. "Beggars are never choosers. And you, out of all people, have no right to choose who sits on the luna''s throne. So apologize!" Rolling my tongue across my inner cheek, I broke intoughter. I took a deep breath and calmed myself before replying.

    "What have you done to deserve the luna''s throne? Your father did all the boot licking, and that''s how my father chose you," I said.

    "How dare you speak to me like that, you worthless, weak blood-"

    "Get out of my house," Asher said in a calm tone, but I could feel the chills from it crawl down my spine.

    Vie shut her blood-red eyes. Her face was flushed with rage as she looked away. Clenching her jaws, she tried hard to swallow her words. Then she broke into a mockingugh.

    "Nothing new. You are still the same, Asher." Angry tears lined her eyelids. "Just as cold and heartless as you used to be."

    "And you are still just as obnoxious," I said.

    "I wasn''t talking to you-" she passed me a disgusted look.

    "Ezra will not apologize," Asher said. "I will take down the news article, end of story. No need to make a fuss over nothing."

    "Nothing!?" Vie snapped, banging on the counter as she got on her heels.

    She walked closer to Asher, maintaining eye contact with him.

    "I was born and trained to be your luna. The luna''s throne is my whole life and you call it nothing?" she chuckled. "I don''t understand! You are the real alpha of this pack. The decision to choose a luna should be entirely yours. So why?" "Because they are my brothers. We are equals," he said.

    "Your brothers know nothing about the pack and politics. They just wake up one day and remember, oh they have a brother who they have neglected and taken for granted all his life. A brother who has been burdened by the pack''s responsibilities for years and they decide to share the burden by handling what? Healing and technology departments of the pack? What rubbish, Asher?"

    "Without Raven, the medical department of our pack wouldn''t be the best in all three realms and without Ezra, you wouldn''t be using the that you use today, you wouldn''t be driving the car that you used to get here," Asher said in a monotonous tone. "Without them, this pack wouldn''t be what it is today."

    "Huh! How can you be so blind, Asher?" she gritted her teeth. "Your brothers are trying to take away everything you have built. They are a threat to your position. They are weakening your standing as an alpha. They don''t want to deal with theplicated stuff, but they have no problem reaping the perks thate with being the alpha of the pack. They are using you. They have been using you for years, but oh hell! For you, nothinges before your family! Ugh!" "Ezra," Asher called in a grim tone. "Can you give us some privacy?"

    "Why? Why send him away? Why don''t you fucking confront your brothers? This is so not fair, Asher!" Vie yelled, her lips trembling.

    Asher looked into her eyes, and her snake cowered, crawling back into her hair.

    "Whose position was really threatened by this news? Mine or yours?" He asked.

    "Mine," she confessed. "What''s wrong with protecting what''s rightfully mine? And I will not let some worthless mortal breeder or your brothers take it away from me. That''s why I need your brother to apologize publicly. If he can run his mouth without considering the consequences, he can certainly draft a mindless apology, which would be enough for me-"

    "Ezra is not apologizing," Asher said simply.

    Vie shut her eyes. The tip of her hairs flickered into snake heads as she tried to suppress her wrath.

    "Fine!" she snarled, ring at Asher. Her chest heaved faster. "Then watch me make him! And don''t me me for what happens next!" Vie shot a look at me before she stormed out of the penthouse.

    Asher ran his fingers through his hair.

    "She''s going to involve the elder demon council in this," I said.

    "Don''t worry about that. I will handle them and her," Asher said.

    He was about to head towards his room when I asked.

    "You won''t question me? Or scold me? I misused my position. I indeed created a mess on an impulse-"

    "-again," Asherpleted my sentence.

    "Yeah. Again."

    "It''s alright, Ezra."

    "No. It''s not. I mean... she''s right. I-I have always been the weakest one. And you have protected me all the time. I took you for granted. Even now, I am always careless and then you have to deal with all theplicated stuff. I am just a nuisance. I am nothing like an alpha should be," I said, lowering my head and voice. "I am... nothing like you."

    Asher walked to me and ced his hand on my shoulder.

    "It''s true that you are nothing like me. But it''s also true that no matter what Asher does, he can never be what Ezra is. So don''t let her words get to you."

    I looked at him and gave a curt nod.

    "Good. Before the working day begins, I have to stop Vie from turning this into a bigger problem," he said.

    "About Xanthea..."

    Asher lowered his gaze at the mention of her name, his body petrified as though his mind had immediately switched from his alpha mode to someone who was rtively new, even for him.

    "I''ll... see her soon, hopefully," he said.

    "No. You should go back to her," I said. "I will handle this on my own."

    "Ezra..."

    "I know. You can handle the situation more efficiently than me, but let me do it this time. Not because Vie''s words have affected me, but because I want to prove her wrong so that no one questions your decisions and standing as an alpha again. Please Asher," I said..

    Asher let out a calm breath.

    "Asher, I can protect myself now. I am not what I used to be anymore. And not just to her, I want to prove it to myself. So please..."

    "Ok. If that''s what you want."

    ***

    Even though Asher allowed me to handle this alone, I knew he would be watching me from the shadows. Because instead of returning to the Aile castle, he went to his office.

    I kept contemting the entire situation on the drive to my office in the ss pce.

    And while I figured out how I could clear the mess, I turned on the surveince around Xanthea and found her sleeping soundly, her body entangled with Raven''s.

    Confirming that she was ok, I turned off the surveince and concentrated on the matter at hand.

    It was by the afternoon that I received a summon crow from the elder council with a handwritten scroll of invitation. Not just me, Asher, Raven, along with their luna candidates and the special jury were invited as well. With a tight gulp, I took a deep, icy breath.

    "Ok. Don''t mess this up, Ezra."

 Chapter-77. Ezraâ€™s strength

    [Raven]

    "Ciao, Alpha Raven. It''s been a while," Draknor, our beta, greeted me with a smile, making his icy gaze feel colder.

    I just stared back, not bothering to return the fake pleasantries.

    "It''s so rare to see you around here. I thought you abhorred this ce," Draknor said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Tsk!

    This man just... pisses me off.

    "Trust me, Draknor, you don''t have to force small talk with me. I''m sure, just like me, you must have better things to do," I replied, crossing my legs and leaning back, daring him to challenge me.

    A vein popped out across Draknor''s forehead. His sardonic smile twitched.

    "Che tu possa avere peggior fortuna e morire, mio signore! (May you have the worst luck and die, my lord!)" he said with a bow and strode to his seat, chatting with Kyrell, our gamma.

    I let out a frustrated sigh, looking at the high arched ceiling that seemed to have merged with infinite darkness. Large gothic chandeliers levitating in mid-air cast a cold, blood reddish glow over the central empty and circr dais.

    Dais was the raised tform in the middle of the circr hall, surrounded by rows of seats that were arranged in a semicircle in tiers around the dais. The tiers started from the ground and reached up to the balconies on the first floor. The hall was ostentatiously spacious with seats carved out of ck wood. The seats were lustrous enough to reflect the lights from the chandeliers hovering above them.

    I sat in the row closest to the dais with Nyssa.

    "What did he say? His tone was so off. This man creeps me out," Nyssa whispered from her seat beside me.

    "Who cares? He probably cursed the hell outta me and had a great time doing it in anguage I don''t understand." I shrugged, folding my arms across my chest.

    Draknor was extremely protective of Asher, so obviously, he hated me. He despised taking orders from me and made his displeasure very clear. But Asher ordered the Alphamittee and the council to treat and respect the triplet alphas equally, and Draknor could never defy his dear Alpha Asher. So he treated me as professionally as he could. At least, he tried.

    But he didn''t bother me at all. Not as much as this meeting did.

    After dropping Xanthea at Helxton, I received the summon crow, and it was only then I realized the disaster one anonymous news had created in the digital world.

    I thought as usual Asher would handle it, but when I got here, I came to know that Ezra was going to handle his case on his own. Ever since I have had this nagging feeling in the back of my mind, this digital disaster was going to snowball its way into a digital avnche.

    It''s not like I didn''t trust Ezra''s abilities. But it was very easy to trigger him and he often made impulsive decisions.

    I red at Vie, who was talking with the elders. Unfortunately, that woman knew most of Ezra''s weakness and triggers and she was going to use it against him.

    I skimmed my eyes across the Council Hall of Sinx. Sinx was the parliament of the Underworld. Or should I just call it Asher''s yground?All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.

    Asher spent most of his time dictating, deciding and discussing the future of every evil and individual in our Prime pack with his Alphamittee and the Elder council.

    Sinx was divided into four main buildings: the Parliament Pce, the Committee Hall, the Council Hall and the Court. There were other minor buildings and branches in Sinx as well.

    The Parliament Pce and the Court were the big deals and were associated with all the major decision making for the entire Prime Infernal pack.

    The Council Hall was for the elders.

    And the Committee Hall was for the Alpha Committee that constituted of the alpha, the beta, gamma and so on. Mainly associated with the pack and Infernal realm security and military decisions.

    The elders sat in rows behind us, their faces hidden behind the dark hoods of their robes.

    The High Elder''s seat was in thergest balcony of the first floor. The High Elder represented all the elders'' voices and was also the speaker of the council.

    The special jury created for the Luna selection sat on the upper balcony, their presence hidden in the shadows.

    It was because of their fear, Nyssa pulled me here even before the meeting began. She wanted to look punctual and have a good impression on them. As funny as it may sound, it was because of these futile efforts she was the top luna candidate.

    And since none of us knew what criterions the jury was judging the Luna candidates on, she had to be careful about maintaining her overall reputation.

    As long as she was beating Vie, I didn''t care what she did.

    Nyssa sniffed ufortably.

    Frowning, I looked at her.

    "Stopining. You''re the one who insisted wee early," I said.

    Nyssa looked away sulkily.

    "I can''t stand that omega''s scent on you. It''s so repulsive I could throw up," she sneered.

    I cocked a brow.

    "Well. It''s not my fault. Today was the busiest day ever," I said.

    "And what exactly were you busy doing to have her scent all over you?" Nyssa red into my eyes.

    "Nothing important," I said, leaning my head on my hand.

    ***

    Last night, I dozed off and woke up in the morning to Xanthea grinding herself against me in her sleep.

    Normally, she would shiver just at the thought of having sex with us, but now her sex drive was so insane she yed with fire as though it would never burn her.

    Since she worked so hard to get me that hard in my sleep, I fucked her harder. I knew I should have held back, but she gave me all the reasons not to. I ran my fingers through my hair.

    Her moans and warmth still lingered on my mind like a hangover.

    The hall containing the hundred most powerful people of the Prime pack rose unanimously and bowed, and I didn''t even have to look to know who entered the hall.

    I cleared my throat,ing out of the memories of the morning sex.

    Nyssa got to her feet while I remained seated.

    I could feel a few res ring into me, and I knew one of them belonged to Draknor.

    Asher silently walked to his seat right across from mine and sat beside Vie. Vie''s hair twisted into ck snakes and slithered across one another, braiding themselves. Asher didn''t even look at her and it had been the same for quite some time and that was why I was losing interest in defeating Vie in the Luna selection.

    And that was also why I had allowed Xanthea''s scent to linger on me for a while. I could have overpowered her scent with mine in no time, but where was the fun in that?

    I knew Asher wouldn''t react, but he knew I had solo sex with Xanthea. Although I wasn''t sure to what extent it would bother him, I knew it would.

    I had still not forgiven him for making a fool of us by taking the omega away right when we crippled the solo sex rule.

    This morning when Xanthea was sober again...

    ***

    "Where did he take you?" I asked her.

    "To the most beautiful ce in this world," she replied in a dazed tone.

    "Looks like you liked it there. Did you enjoy yourself?"

    She shook her head.

    "I hated every second I was there. I wanted to get out of there at all costs, as soon as I could, but the ce was beautiful, nevertheless," she said.

    My annoyance turned into confusion. I wasn''t sure what was the deal between the two, but something was definitely going on.

    When I suggested she join Helxton after her heat, Xanthea...

    "I am going. I am going to Helxton. Today. And I promise I''ll do my best."

    That''s what she said, and her fearless demeanor, maintaining unnerving eye contact with me, didn''t help.

    "I won''t let anything or anyone..." her determined voice turned softer, and I didn''t have to second guess who she was thinking about "... get in my way or my studies."

    I knew she meant every word she said. When she could force herself to give exams with a broken hand, I knew she could do anything for her dreams.

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    Good for her and me. I didn''t have to dy her admission.

    ***

    Asher got to his feet, and the hall followed him.

    What a pain.

    With a heavy sigh, I got to my feet as Ezra entered the hall. Except for Vie, everyone in the hall was on their feet.

    ''Bro, you good?'' I asked through the mindlink.

    I had left him a few texts, which he hadn''t even seen.

    ''Yup, never been better,'' he said, ncing towards me.

    Ezra took his seat between me and Asher with a seat empty beside him.

    Ezra slept around a lot with several women. A few of those women were rumored to be his possible luna candidate, but Ezra neither acknowledged those rumors nor denied them. Therefore, there had been a lot of confusion around his luna candidate.

    But since he had never officially announced anything, the seat beside him remained empty.

    The group of men who hade with Ezra scattered across the hall, doing something with the projectors and tech system in the council hall.

    I looked at Ezra, who sat with an impassive face almost resembling Asher''s demeanor.

    ''You don''t want me to say some words of encouragement to you, do you?'' I mindlinked with Ezra again.

    ''Haha. It''s fun to see you worry, but I got this,'' Ezra''s voice echoed in my head.

    ''Huh? Worry? Why will I be worried? You moron. If you don''t mess this up, I will treat you to your favorite sushi.''

    ''I hate sushi.''

    ''Exactly. Don''t mess it up!''

    Ezra shut his eyes and let out a sigh.

    Vie stared at Ezra with a stinging look in her eyes while Asher''s gaze was fixed on the speaker''s chair on the balcony.

    I looked at the figure approaching the speaker''s seat in the billowing dark robes. Ironically, the High Elder was the youngest of all elders - Isagi Akuma with the highest IQ in the hall.

    He was probably around our age and I liked that man because his IQ was even greater than Asher''s.

    The hall rose once again, this time unanimously, with no exceptions, as Isagi took the speaker''s seat.

    Isagi began with addressing the gathering and putting forth the matter of discussion before us.

    "Alpha Ezra, please step on the dais. The council is eager to hear your answers and also what you have to say about the news," Isagi finished.

    Ezra got up from his seat and walked onto the dais and stood behind the podium designed like the devil''s skull with wings.

    "Greetings to all and thank you foring here today," Ezra''s voice trembled as he spoke through the mic.

    It wasn''t that Ezracked skill in public speaking. In fact, he was the most eloquent of the three of us. However, the initial phase of speaking in political settings like this had been a challenge for him.

    Maybe it was something psychological - perhaps he felt inferior to those around him.

    "Umm. So... well..." Ezra stuttered, licking his lips.

    "He''s just going to embarrass himself again," I had some elder whisper from behind and soon a faint buzz of such remarks took over the hall.

    Vie smirked. She nned it.

    Ezra looked around, nervousness bing clearer in his eyes.

    Clenching my jaws, I narrowed my eyes.

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    Pheles, my wolf, took over me. Before I could shut them up, a daunting aura radiated heavily from Asher and fell like a crushing gravity across the hall. What followed was a pin drop silence. It was as though he had held everyone in the hall in a chokehold without even lifting a finger.

    But my full concentration was on Ezra, who lowered his head, breathing heavily as he stared at the podium.

    Even though he was a full grown man now, he would always be our stupid baby brother. There was no need for Ezra to grow up or behave like a grown up man, and this was something that both Asher and I agreed upon.

    He didn''t have to change if he didn''t want to. But if he chose to toddle, his brothers would be walking right behind him, crushing everyone who got in his way, breaking every hand that tried to hold him back. ''Imagine everyone before you as sushi.'' I mindlinked with Ezra.

    Ezra looked at me.

    I smirked.

    ''These are just some tuna and salmon bbering. After this meeting, I''ll gift you some of these heads and these elders won''t even realize how they lost it.''

    Ezra''s tense eyes rxed. He took a deep breath and smiled at me.

    I wasn''t good at cracking jokes, but I expected him tough a little. I guess a smile would do for now.

    ''That won''t be necessary, I know I am the best,'' Ezra''s voice seemed calmer in my head.

    He gestured towards the empty walls of the hall and screens popped up across the halls, converging into a one enormous glowing screen that filled the space. ''Raven...'' Ezra called.

    I nced at him.

    ''Thank you,'' Ezra thought to me, smiling a little brighter as he opened hisptop on the podium.

    ''Want me to kick your face?'' I frowned.

    Rolling my eyes, I looked at the screen again.

    I knew that once he overcame the initial phase, he wouldmunicate effectively for the rest of the meeting.

    Ezra shared the screen of hisptop on the wall screen. Clearing his throat, he began.

    "Before I answer the questions of the council. I would like to question the authenticity of the viral news article. We do not know who wrote and published it. We don''t know what was their motive behind it. Since it was published by an anonymous ount, we know that whoever did this wanted to remain hidden. The question is - why would they want to hide their identity?"

    The glowing wall screen turned dark, with codes generating at a speed far beyond mine or anyone else''sprehension.

    "So the first thing I am going to do is trace the news back to its origin and find out who was behind it. In case the honorable speaker and the elders need some help to understand what I am about to do; we have some of the best hackers in the council today..." Ezra said.

    Ezra typed codes faster than they appeared on the screen and I could tell with utter confidence that there was not a single person who could do what Ezra was doing or even fathom what he was doing. Not even our highest IQ speaker, who was almost at the edge of his seat watching Ezra closely.

    Even the hackers were sweating, trying to keep up with his speed.

    I looked at Asher, who peered at Ezra with a faint smile. Someone looks proud.

    I smiled, shutting my eyes, leaning back a little more assured now.

    I understood what Ezra was trying to do.

    This was him. This was the disy of his power - the reason he deserved to stand just as tall as anyone else in the hall.

    This was something only he could do, as though it were breathing. This was where he shined brighter than Asher or anyone else.

    Even though he stumbled initially, he was able to assertplete dominance and take the reign of this meeting into his hands.

    And this time, he did it all by himself.

    "What the hell is he even doing? What did he type now? What are those pop-ups now?" Vie fretted with confusion and annoyance beside Asher.

    She had called this meeting to humiliate Ezra in front of everyone, but he had already turned the tables-and he hadn''t even shown everything he had up his sleeves yet.

    I had a feeling this meeting was going to get a lot more interesting.

 Chapter-78. Simple things

    [Raven]

    Ezra stopped typing on the keyboard, ending the five heavy minutes that felt like five hours because of all the tension it created in the hall. The wall screen was a mess ofplex code and algorithms running independently now. The hall was crammed with an uneasy silence. Every eye was glued to the projected screen.

    Although, except Isagi and Vie, everyone seemed to have given up on understanding what Ezra was doing.

    Ezra stepped to the center of the dais, his fingers gliding in the air to control the wall screen. With a series of precise gestures, he split the screen into multiple sections, each disying different pieces of information. Ezra''s face was impassive and fully concentrated, in contrast to the anxious expressions around him.

    "Tracing back the digital footprints of the news article had led me to..."

    Ezra gestured in the air and the screen zoomed in on a map, highlighting a location with a glowing red circle.

    I narrowed my eyes.

    Ezra faced Isagi and continued, "the news article was written and published from a public cyber hub which means... the source of the news is unreliable and this news is fake-"R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    "Huh!" Vie spoke through the mic before her. "Seriously? Is this the best you can do, Alpha Ezra? All that digital drama for what? This? To prove this news is fake? Honestly, you should have just let Alpha Asher handle this for you, like he always does. At least he wouldn''t havee up with something so childish."

    "True," an elder supported Vie. "Yes, maybe the source of the news is unreliable, but there are proofs and witnesses who have seen you recklessly put a measly mortal at the pedestal of the Luna of the Infernal pack."

    "You should be mindful that your remarks can now tarnish the dignity of Luna''s position. I can''t even imagine how ugly this sounds. It feels like a crime, disgusting to even think of a measly mortal, let alone a weak omega, being called as the Luna of our most esteemed and prestigious pack in all realms. Such a notion is not just offensive; it''s an affront to our very legacy."

    "Exactly," another elder said. "You are one of the Alphas of the Prime pack now. You have to understand the weight your words hold. You can''t just say something or do something as outrageous as this and get away with it."

    "Alpha Ezra should apologize and pledge to never repeat such a mistake again..."

    The elders'' voices rose from all sides, each usation more absurd than thest. My nails dug into my palms as I watched Ezra stand on the dais with his head held low.

    They had cornered him in a tight spot again. Shadow eclipsed his face, and it was difficult to tell what was going through his mind. It was at times like these Ezra often took impulsive decisions without thinking much. If he did it again, things might get even moreplicated.

    Tensing my brows, I looked at Asher. He must be sensing it as well, but why wasn''t he interfering?

    Tsk! Don''t let them pull you down.

    I looked at Ezra again. Should I interfere? Get him out of there?

    "Let''s not be so harsh on him. After all, this is the first time-" Vie spoke through the chatter of the elders, but Ezra interrupted her.

    "The news is fake," he dered matter-of-factly in a rather rxed tone. His voice, though calm, was firm with confidence. "I hacked into the camera of theputer where this article originated and found that this post was scheduled, which means the time it was created and the time it was published are not the same."

    "All this information is irrelevant. They prove nothing about the news being fake," Vie retorted.

    "Ok then..." Ezra lifted his head, staring back at the council, revealing the slight smile on his face. "Let me re-frame my words. The news is forged."

    A wave of confusion crashed across the hall, throwing it into disarray.

    "Please maintain the decorum of the meeting." Isagi''s aura dominated the hall, bringing the chaos to an abrupt halt. "Alpha Ezra... please continue and please rify why you think the news is forged."

    "The news was forged to attack me and taint my reputation as an alpha. And this isn''t the first time someone has tried to prove how unfit I am to be the Alpha of this pack. News like this goes viral every day, but we don''t call the council meeting to discuss every one of them, do we? This news wasn''t a big deal, it was made into one by the one who called this meeting today," Ezra said.

    I was slightly lost at this point.

    I looked at Asher and from his expressionless face; it was difficult to tell if he understood what Ezra was trying to do or not. But he most probably did.

    "Now, let me exin why I believe this news was fabricated to target me. First, the person who wrote it went to great lengths to conceal their identity by using a public cyber hub and then scheduling the post. They didn''t even have to write it on their own. They could have made someone do it for them and several demons have the power to manipte and control minds..."

    Ezra was clearly pointing towards Vie because she, too, could use her wolf''s powers to manipte the minds of weaker demon werewolves.

    "This news deals with an event that urred within thest two days in the mortal realm. The public doesn''t have such easy ess to the mortal realm. Even the paparazzi wouldn''t dare stalk me there. Therefore, the source of this news must be someone from the upper ranks of our pack - someone with significant power and the ability to ess the mortal realm easily."

    "Honorable Speaker, does it even matter who wrote that news?" Vie interrupted Ezra again. "Alpha Ezra is trying to mislead us from the topic at hand. The news he ims to be forged is, in fact, very true, and I have the proof to back it up. With your permission, I would like to show the council the evidence. I assure you; the video is raw and real. Alpha Ezra can easily verify if it''s been manipted or not."

    Ezra nced sharply at her over his shoulder. His lips curled up slightly as though he were waiting for this moment.

    With Isagi''s permission, Vie yed the footage captured by Ezra''s very own official demon drone security when he introduced Xanthea to the Virgo pack.

    "See?" Vie said once the video ended.

    "And you call me childish," Ezra sighed. "You proved it yourself right in front of the entire council that the news is forged."

    Vie frowned.

    Asher exchanged a nce with Isagi and both of them seemed to have understood Ezra''s point. Isagi rxed back in his chair while Asher shut his eyes. The meeting was over for the two of them. "How!?" Vie snapped, getting to her feet.

    Ezra yed the clip again, but slowed down the speed of the video where he introduced Xanthea as the Highdy of the Infernal pack.

    I widened my eyes as the realization hit. It was such a small thing.

    "I introduced Xanthea as the High Lady of the Infernal pack, not the luna, and I think many of you are mixing up the two positions. These two positions are not the same," Ezra said.

    Why couldn''t I see the obvious before?

    "Let me enlighten you about the difference between them," Ezra continued. "Luna''s position is a political position and is held by thewfully soul-pacted wife of the Alpha of the pack who has been recognized and publically crowned as the luna of the pack with majority eptance in the Parliament. Meanwhile, the Highdy''s position in the royal family is held by the woman who has created awful soul-pact with the alpha."

    Something exhrating charged through my body as Vie''s eyes widened in shock, fury, and embarrassment.

    I let out a silent chuckle.

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    "Xanthea, the demon lords'' wife, has beenwfully soul-pacted with me and my brothers. Obviously, she holds the position of the High Lady of the Infernal pack right now. So, I see nothing wrong with introducing her as the High Lady. Meanwhile, I never referred to Xanthea as the luna of this pack. Lady Vie gave the proof of my innocence herself."

    Vie clenched her fists, her snake hair turning more agitated and violent. She sank back into her seat.

    The positions of High Lady and Luna had be synonymous over the past centuries because the High Lady always assumed the role of luna of the pack. And maybe that was why this confusion was created. However, Ezra was right; despite their apparent simrity, the two positions were distinct.

    It was such a simple thing that it had slipped from my mind. Perhaps it''s always the simple things we tend to forget easily, and most often, it''s those simple things that matter the most.

    "Now..." Ezra paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the council. He turned slowly, his gaze sweeping across the hall, daring anyone to challenge him. "Does anyone have anything else to say? Any more false usations? Or are you done demeaning and offending me?"

    The elders who were going all out at him moments ago shuddered as his aura crushed them. They exchanged nervous nces.

    I would have loved to relish on those cowards cowering beneath Ezra''s authority, but I was actually amazed how well he handled this. I lowered my gaze, letting out a heavy breath.

    Ezra''s smile faded into a serious face as he faced Isagi again.

    "Looks like you''re done. But I am not. I won''t let this slide so easily. The way I was attacked today based on some useless news article on the devil is a big deal because I am the Alpha of this pack and I want everyone to remember that there will be consequences for such perpetration."

    Ezra''s voice echoed in the hall.

    "Indeed, Alpha Ezra," Isagi nodded.

    "Something as trivial as this could have been sorted ifdy Vie was just mindful and courteous enough to reach out to me first and ask for an exnation," Ezra said. "But what she did instead was call the council just to waste our time." Vie bit her lower lip, ring at Ezra.

    "The news article could at most be just a civilian joke that went viral. But it doesn''t seem so anymore. I smell conspiracy brewing underneath it to attack the Alpha. And any form of attack, digital or not, on the Alpha of the pack is recognized as - treason. Basing my argument upon it, I, Alpha Ezra Xipher, use Vie Sylten and all the elders who supported her today of treason."

    "This is preposterous!"

    There was a cry, and the hall erupted in shock and uproar. Vie''s face contorted with anger and disbelief.

    Ezra remained calm; his gaze unwavering.

    "And..." Ezra raised his voice, drowning every other. "And there''s only one punishment for treason - expulsion from the Prime pack and a sentence of lifetime in the Novem Infernal pack," he told Isagi.

    An icy chill ran across the hall and there was pin drop silence as though a blizzard had just passed by. Some elders began trembling just at the mention of the life sentence in the Novem Infernal pack, the ninth Infernal pack - a pack that even demons feared.

    The fear on Vie''s face had humbled her and I could hear her crashing heartbeats even amidst the constant murmur in the hall. She widened her eyes and looked at Asher for some help, but Asher just yed with the pen between his fingers. She shuddered, lowering her head. After gathering whatever strength she could, she got to her feet.

    "This is ridiculous! Y-you have no way to prove that news was-"

    "Try me," Ezra said, looking directly into her eyes and this time Vie, along with the entire council, felt the gravity of a demon lord.

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    Vie took a hard gulp as she peered at Ezra, breathing heavily.

    "Is there no chance you might consider mercy, Alpha Ezra?" Isagi asked.

    Ezra didn''t answer and allowed the desperation to strangle the silence that haunted the hall.

    "Alpha Ezra," an elder spoke, rising from his seat and bowing deeply. "This was a severe misjudgement on our part, and we fully deserve to be punished for it. However, I hope you can find it within yourself to give us another chance and forgive us."

    "Yes, my lord. Please have mercy."

    All the elders who spoke against Ezra got to their feet and went into the bow.

    Ezra stood impassively, with no intentions of showing any mercy.

    The elders in the bow red at Vie. Clenching her jaws, she looked at Ezra, her eyes filled with disgust and apprehension.

    She had always believed herself superior to Ezra. Just bowing before him would shatter her soul, let alone offering an apology.

    But the pressure from the elders made her bow reluctantly before Ezra. Gritting her teeth, she tried to deal with the shards of her shattered pride, ego and superiorityplex.

    "I am... I... I... apologize," she forced those words through her clenched jaws.

    Ezra peered at Vie and the tension around them intensified even more.

    Vie lifted her gaze from the bow and looked at Ezra. Holding her gaze, he smiled.

    "Make sure there isn''t a next time, because there won''t be a second forgiveness," he said in a tone that was both cheerful and haunting. "One wrong move, one mistake, and you''ll all find yourselves in the Court, facing judgment before ''me''. And then, I won''t be so forgiving."

    Humiliation burnt red on Vie''s face. Her chin trembled as she sank in her seat, her snakes hair going feral as they hissed at one another.

    "Thank you for sparing us, my lord-" an elder began but was interrupted by Ezra.

    "I might have forgiven you for offending me, but not for insulting my wife..." his smile stretched across his entire face. "What did you call her? A weak omega? A measly mortal? You felt disgusted to even think of her as the luna of this pack, huh?" Ezra''s chuckles reverberated through the walls, madness slowly draining into his eyes.

    And then he went silent.

    Asher widened his eyes and got to his feet. "Ezra..." he called.

    "This pack has always belittled the weak," Ezra''s voice turned hoarse. "Nothing''s changed. This pack''s still the same! STILL AS AWFUL AND ROTTEN AS IT USED TO BE!"

    I swiftly looked at Asher, who peered at Ezra with wide, nk eyes.

    "Weak can''t be part of your system? Weak can''t be part of your family? You discard them, tossed aside to suffer. You trample on the weak like you were born entitled to do so!" He grunted.

    "Ezra!" I got to my feet.

    "We''re disgusting, aren''t we? Shame!" Ezra growled, panting. "You are wrong. You are all wrong. I''ll prove it to you! I... Alpha Ezra Xipher... take Xanthea, a weak mortal - a mere omega - as my official Luna candidate!"

 Chapter-79. Past returns

    [Raven]

    "Forbidden! Forbidden!"

    "Uneptable!"

    "Absolutely not!"

    "We will never approve of this! Never!"

    "A mortal as a luna candidate!? Preposterous!"

    "This is against ourw! Thispletely mocks the rules of our pack. Not just our pack, but all the immortals!"

    "There are limits that even an alpha isn''t allowed to cross!"

    "This is taboo!"

    "The council will never approve of this!"

    Ezra''s announcement caused an uproar that kept getting worse. All the elders stood, banging their benches and yelling their disapproval.

    The chaos became so deafening and uncontroble that their microphones had to be turned off.

    I nced at Asher as he teleported beside Isagi on the balcony.

    Vie red at Ezra with every strand of her hair turned into active, hissing snakes.

    Isagi''s warnings drowned under the council''s mor.

    And amidst all this stood Ezra, fearless and strangely - calm.

    "Don''t tell me he isn''t done yet," Nyssa mumbled.

    ''Raven, take Ezra out of here,'' Asher mindlinked with me.

    I was about to teleport near Ezra when he mindlinked with Asher and me.

    ''I told you I will handle this myself. You two, stay out of it. This is a conscious decision that I have made with full awareness of the consequences.'' Tensing up, I frowned at him.

    A conscious decision?

    "Everyone. Shut your damn mouths and listen-"

    Ezra mumbled, keeping his head low.

    "Why!?" someone yelled.

    "Why, you ask?" He chuckled, tilting his head slowly. With a red sh, his dark crimson eyes locked on the elder who had questioned him. "Why don''t you tell me why?"

    The elder''s eyes petrified as though he had turned into a stone. The next second, his body hurled into the air, crashing into several floating chandeliers.

    Soon, the noise in the hall was overwhelmed with the chiming and shattering of the ss as the twinkling shards drizzled down on the council. One sway of Ezra''s hand created a wave in the air that turned the shards into ss dust that floated around like a sparkling fog.

    "AHHHHH!"

    The scream drew everyone''s attention towards the elder again. The elder, who floated limply on the chandelier with its pointed center, pierced through his guts.

    His blood flowed down the chandelier, dripping on the dais as the chandelier floated closer to Ezra.

    I heard the silence tremble as it settled over the hall like a suffocating nket. All themotion seized at once.

    Everyone sneaked nces at the impaled elder pierced in the chandelier, and his blood raining down on Ezra.

    "He asked why he should listen to me. Tsk! Pity. He can''t answer his own question anymore. You tell me, Vie, why should this council shut their mouths and listen to me?" Ezra asked. Vie''s hair snakes dropped into normal hair as she forced a tight gulp.

    "B-because... you are... our Alpha..." she said, her voice hitching as she clenched her fists and kept her eyes low.

    "That''s right. I suppose. But that''s not the correct answer." Ezra skimmed his eyes across the hall. "The reason you should shut your mouths and listen to me is because... you are all... weak." Ezra''s demon''s aura engulfed the hall, pressing down on the elders who now stood ring at Ezra with wide eyes.

    Ezra''s demonic aura surged, creating a suffocating pressure that seemed to crush the very air. The elders, their eyes wide with terror, stared at Ezra like a herd of prey looking at their predator.

    "The consequences you''ll face by defying me will be far graver than the ones I would face even if I were to massacre you all here and adorn these chandeliers with your impaled bodies for eternity," Ezra said, sliding his hands in his pockets. The elder pivoted on the chandelier, rotated, his agonizing screams for mercy echoing like a warning in the hall. Blood dripped down his eyelids and forehead like streams of tears.

    "And that is also the reason the council will happily ept my decision with the majority. Anyone who wishes to oppose me or challenge my authority can do so if they dare to stand against me. So then... what was the council saying? I remember some people had a problem with my mortal wife bing my luna candidate..."

    One by one, the elders dropped back into their seats with reluctance and helplessness, mixing with their expressions like acid and venom.

    It was normal for Ezra to have power outbursts when he was triggered or extremely angry, but he never showed off his powers. In fact, he was reluctant to use his powers and didn''t acknowledge his wolf for a long time. And what he did just now was not just the disy of his strength, but the assertion of his dominance over the others.

    Even though I was thrilled to see Ezra finally putting these nosy elders in their ce, something about him didn''t feel right. It was an inexplicable feeling that tightened in my chest, and that tightness had been persistenttely.

    It was normal to see Ezra lose control. Seeing him have such control over himself and people around him was something that bothered me.

    I knew I should support the positive changes in him, but I couldn''t help but wonder what - or who was causing these changes.

    "Now then, I hope the council doesn''t have a problem approving Xanthea to be my luna candidate," Ezra asked with a smile that was enough to make the elders shudder.

    The elders signed their approval one by one. Even the special luna selection jury epted and recognized Xanthea as an official luna candidate.

    "Oh, and onest thing. Don''t trouble my brothers, Alpha Asher and Alpha Raven, by going to them and saying what I did here today was uwful. As far as I know, I have broken now. I am just following aw that''s above all others - your universalw of evil, which states that the strong have all the right to make the weak suffer hell. And this, my dear council friends, is my hell and I... am your... lord."

    Ezra smiled before strutting out of the hall.

    ***

    It was only when Isagi dismissed the council that the elders were able to breathe again.

    I leaned against the edge of the desk, folding my hands across my chest as I tried toprehend whatever the hell happened today. But no matter how hard I tried to gather my thoughts, they were all over the ce.

    I nced at Ezra, who sat on the couch. We were in Asher''s private chamber in the parliament.

    Honestly, the uproar in the council wasn''t pointless. The rtionship between an immortal and a mortal was not just forbidden, it was unnatural and taboo for immortal werewolves, both demons and celestials.

    A mortal luna candidate would be anything but eptable not just for the council but for the entire pack.

    "Today..." Ezra mumbled, lost somewhere. "Don''t you think today I came a little closer to bing the kind of demon our father wanted us to be?"

    Frustration welled up inside me. I had so much I wanted to say, yet I didn''t want to say something that might make things worse for him.

    I took a deep breath, trying to hold back the storm raging inside me.

    "Only three people could have challenged my decision in the council: Asher, Isagi, and you. I know you aren''t happy with what I did, so why didn''t you-" Ezra said, looking at me.

    "I am not answering that ridiculous question." My words came out harsher than I intended them to.

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    No matter what wars we triplets fought among ourselves, we would never oppose each other in front of outsiders. That was an unspoken understanding that just existed between the three of us.

    I stared at him and as the silence hung heavier with every passing second, I could no longer hold back my words.

    "Why did you do it? Were you out of your fucking mind? What were you thinking, huh?" I scowled.

    Taking a deep breath, I ran my tongue across my inner cheek.

    "You said you were ready to face the consequences of your decision. But do you even know how dire the consequences can be? Do you realize the kinds of danger you have exposed that omega to? The other luna candidates will not leave a chance to attack her and just for your kind information, Xanthea can fucking die!"

    That was the most rational reason I could think of at that moment.

    "I will protect her," he said.

    "Protect her?" I gritted my teeth.

    Ezra gave a soft smile, which only deepened my frown.

    "The only reason we took mortal brides was to deal with our curse. Do you know why the rtionship between a mortal and immortal is forbidden in the first ce?" I was trying hard not to snap at him.

    "I know. If an immortal falls in love with a mortal, their life after the mortal''s death bes nothing less than a curse. They lose their will to live, and they start craving death. And an immortal should never crave death because if they do, the pain of their existence bes unbearable. I know, Raven."

    "Yet you''re doing it again! Did you forget how bad it hurt-"

    "And it hasn''t stopped hurting ever since," Ezra said with a faint smile.

    I grabbed his cor, lifting him to his feet and mmed him into the wall.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Ezra chuckled, not even trying to free himself.

    "Why are you so angry, Raven? We both know I should have died a long time ago - ah!" Ezra groaned with a smirk, coughing as I tightened my grip.

    "Stop it. Right here! Right now!" I growled, ring into his eyes.

    "There''s nothing to stop anymore-"

    I hurled him across the room with a surge of anger. Ezra could have easily prevented the collision, but he didn''t. Crashing into the wall, he fell on the floor face-down.

    As I trudged towards him, he slowly pushed himself up.

    My eyes instantly shot to the ring hanging from his neck as a pendant. A bitter, boiling sensation surged in my heart as I realized it was the same ring he had removed from Xanthea''s finger.

    I clenched my jaws, curling my fingers into fists that trembled with rage.

    "I had been feeling ittely, and I didn''t want to believe it. But I think it''s true... that fucking omega reminds you of Ellery..." I mumbled.

    Ezra''s eyes widened in shock, but they quickly transformed into a zing re as he took a fighting stance.

    "No woman can ever take Ellery''s ce in my heart," Ezra reached out and fisted his hand protectively around the ring.

    I smiled sardonically.

    "Oh, trust me, I''ll dly kick both Ellery and Xanthea out of your system. If that''s what it takes to protect you and keep you sane, I won''t hesitate. And I certainly don''t mind if it means cracking open your skull and erasing everyst bit of their memories. I know I should have done this a long time ago, but I guess it''s still not toote. But before that, I''ll destroy that damn ring-"

    The bones in my fingers contorted into ws.

    "Don''t you dare!" Ezra growled, baring his fangs at me, still clutching the pathetic ring as if his life depended on it.

    "I won''t let you repeat the same mistake all over again!"

    "Ellery wasn''t a mistake!"

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    "But Xanthea is!"

    With a snarl, I lunged at him, my w aiming for the ring. He dodged swiftly, but not fast enough; the tip of my nails grazed against his skin, leaving behind red w marks on his neck.

    Fury shed across his eyes as he smeared the blood on his cuff. His muscles tensed, and the next second heunched a powerful kick towards me.

    Bracing myself, I mirrored his move. We leapt into the air, our legs arcing towards each other. The air crackled, awaiting the impact of our raw strengths.

    Just as our kicks were about to connect, Asher teleported between us. His arms shot out, intercepting both of our kicks with a thunderous impact. The force of the collision reverberated through the chamber.

    Shockwaves zapped across the floor as Ezra and Inded on opposite sides of the room, panting heavily, our eyes locked onto Asher.

    Ezra stumbled, leaning against the wall for support as he slumped on the floor.

    I strode towards him when Asher blocked my way.

    "Enough-" he said.

    "Xanthea..." Ezra began with a tight gulp. "Xanthea has the same survival instincts as Ellery. I can see it in her eyes. I couldn''t save Ellery, but I will protect Xanthea! I don''t know what this is! Redemption? Guilt? Something else? I don''t know! I just need to do it! I want to make her stronger!"

    Ezra cried, and the room fell into an uneasy silence.

    "Why!" I growled.

    "Because with Xanthea, somehow, the pain lessens. I don''t like this feeling either, but with her, living with myself bes a little easier-" "Stop this stupidity-" I grunted.

    "Why!? Why do people who deserve to live have limited time, but people like me get to live an endless life?"

    I parted my lips to speak, but the words vanished from my mind as soon as Ezra lifted his face, tears streaming down his cheeks.

    He clenched his chest as though something within was behind the excruciating pain in his voice.

    "Why am I alive and not her? Why do I have to live when all I can think of is death? Why do I need to smile when I really don''t want to?"

    Asher squatted near him, cing his hand on his shoulder. Meanwhile, I just felt everything slowly copsing inside me. I wanted to yell at Ezra, but couldn''t ovee the stifling tightness in my throat.

    Holding my gaze, Ezra clenched the ring again.

    "I have tried so hard to find meaning in my worthless life. I struggle every day and try my best to be as happy as I can. I keep living for Ellery like I promised. But... I can''t do it anymore..."

    Ezra''s voice cracked with the weight of his emotions, each word trembling.

    "I am tired. I am so tired all the time. Why don''t you understand, Raven? There''s no escape for me. I don''t want to fight this generational curse. I want it toe to me, only me, so I can disappear, protecting both of you, just as you have protected me all my life."

    Clenching and unclenching my jaws, I gulped hard, trying to push away the lump building in my throat like a tumor.

    Asher contemted Ezra with an expression that wasn''t nk, but still it was tooplex for me to read. He ced his hand on Ezra''s head.

    "You have done so well, Ezra. Today and every day..." Asher said softly and pulled him into a hug.

    Ezra froze, and for a few seconds, I was taken aback as well.

    Ezra gritted his teeth so hard I could hear them crack before he broke into harrowing sobs.

    I felt a deep emptiness ring inside me. Perhaps it was because I couldn''t understand Ezra in that moment - how he felt, why he felt that way, or what emotionspelled him to speak such ugly words.

    I couldn''t understand why the shadows of the past were overshadowing the present and why Xanthea was at the center of it all.

 Chapter-80. The first day

    [Xanthea]

    "Ezra has set up and customized theptop and phone for you. You know how to use a phone, right?" Raven asked while driving me to Helxton as I scrolled around the phone. I nodded quickly and fumbled with the phone, identally turning on the music that boomed through the speaker. Startled, I quickly turned it off, ncing nervously at Raven. He shot me a side-eye and let out a subtle, exasperated sigh.

    "You''ll have to learn and adapt to things quickly. Others in your batch are already months ahead of you. You need to catch up to them by taking extra sses after your normal sses. You can ess and manage your schedule through the Helxton''s fast course tracker. My number is already saved on your phone. Call me when necessary," he said.

    Pressing my lips together, I nced at the three contacts saved on my phone: Asher, Ezra, and Raven.

    "Don''t think you are going to get any special treatment here just because you are soul pacted with the demon lords. Most won''t even know you are pacted with us. So, you''ll have to work harder than anyone else and I will not settle for anything less than perfect. So don''t waste your time on that cat or on making useless friends. Focus on your studies, finishing the fast course and getting the healer''s license as soon as possible," Raven said, parking the car near the gate outside the college campus.

    I knew my time was limited, but even within its boundaries, I had the chance to live a life way beyond my wildest imagination. A life that I couldn''t have ever dreamt about.

    Sliding the phone in the pocket of my jeans, I hugged the backpack that had the fit-it-all carry bag, theptop, and the journal Ezra had bought for me. I could feel my heart pound faster against the bag as we got closer to the university. "I understand! I won''t give you a chance toin," I said in a bit too excited tone, which made Raven furrow his brows.

    "We''ll see about that... your first lecture starts in fifteen minutes... your course tracker app will take you to the lecture hall. Now, get going."

    I nodded once and was about to step down from the car when Raven held my wrist. I looked at him, wincing as he tightened his grip.

    "Here, you are the mortal forbidden fruit that will draw a lot of attention..." he whispered in my ear, his breath tingling against my skin. "And there will be many wanting to have a taste. So stay alert. Don''t eat, drink or smell anything others give you. Don''t go to isted areas all by yourself. Boy or girl, doesn''t matter. Don''t trust anyone because consent is not a popr concept among demons. It''s in their nature to just take what they want."

    His words made me tighten my grip on my backpack. Gathering my courage, I lifted my gaze to meet his unforgiving eyes.

    "I know..." I said, holding his gaze. "Perhaps better than anyone else."

    I don''t know if it was anger or irritation, but something dark shed across his eyes.

    I stifled a yelp when he grabbed my arm and yanked me closer, his face inches away from mine.

    "I don''t want affairs and scandals. In short, stay away from men. I don''t want to hear even fake rumors about you being involved with any other guy... do you understand?"

    "Unwilling though it may be, I have sworn my loyalty to you and your brothers, and it''s not going to change until the day I die or the day you kill me. And I am not foolish enough to spare a second on men and think it''s going to be worth it," I said.

    His eyes darkened, danger flickering within them. With a swift, possessive motion, he pulled me closer until my lips almost touched his.

    "Aren''t wete because of all the seconds we spent fucking this morning because you were too horny to stop? I guess it must have been an utter waste of your time, little omega. But you seemed to have enjoyed every second of it. So I don''t know if I should trust your words or not," he whispered in my ear.

    I nced towards the backseat at ourpanion, Lana, who eyed Helxton with suspicion. Lana was the healing partner Raven had chosen for me.

    Making some distance between Raven and me, I averted my gaze.

    "Don''t look at other men," his voice was low but held a serious depth. "Don''t look at them with these challenging eyes. Don''t look at them at all. And don''t let them look at you the way we do."

    His words did something strange to my heart, and it began pounding harder. I knew his words were a warning, but for some insane reason, they didn''t feel like a threat.

    I could feel the heat in my body rise with unholy thoughts burning slowly into my eyes and then flooding my mind all at once. Controlling the hitch in my breath, I lowered my gaze.

    "Good girl," he said before letting go of my arm.

    Drawing in my brows, I slung the backpack over my shoulder and stepped out of the car.

    "You can''t stay for the night sses," Raven said.

    "I know," I said, taking a deep breath, my back facing him.

    Getting back myposure, I cleared my throat and opened the door of the backseat. Lana gracefully got out of the car.

    Lana Leferve, eleven years old, was the princess of a small faerie tribe. She had dual tone greenish ck hair that flowed down to her small but exquisite glimmering translucent wings that looked like a beautiful mess of green, yellow, and ck gxies.

    She wore a golden diadem around her forehead with a glowing green crystal at its center.

    She had been quiet ever since Raven introduced us. All I knew about her was she was a prodigy as a healing faerie.

    Raven drove out of sight as Lana walked into the campus. I followed her shortly.

    "He was lying," Lana said in a bored tone.

    "Sorry?" I looked at her, confused.

    "Alpha lied when he said you weren''t going to get a special treatment here," she stopped walking and looked up into my eyes.

    There was a sudden shift in her demeanor, her standing posture and expressions mirroring that of Raven''s.

    "While she is here, make sure she doesn''t even get a scratch or I will personally scrap your entire career," Lana said, mimicking Raven''s tone.

    Tilting my head, I blinked at her, bbergasted and perplexed.

    "That''s what Alpha Raven threatened the head of this university with. Here, you are under special surveince, you will not encounter any external problems at the uni or during sses. Getting through the exams and collecting passing points is the only thing you should be concerned about. Everything else will be taken care of for you," she said before walking ahead.

    I peered at her wings nkly, trying to get a hold of what she said.

    All the courses in Helxton were designed on a point system. As soon as someone reached the passing points, they were eligible to graduate. The eligible student then had to apply for thest test, the exam that they had to pass to ultimately get their degree and license.

    The system was designed in such a way that unless the students covered everything the course had to offer in its entirety, from theoretical to practical, they would never reach the passing points.

    And that was why a healing partner was a must in the Healer''s fast course. The student alongside their partner could gather the passing points faster.

    Students got points for attending lectures,pleting assignments, covering up their practicals. They could also get grace points from the professors, which, ording to Raven, wasn''t easy. Students received the most points when they cleared an exam, so he told me to concentrate on my exams.

    Exams happen every day. To participate in an exam, students had to register themselves for it at least two days prior and to be eligible for the exams they had to collect MPPS (Minimum Participation Points) by attending lectures andpleting assignments.

    The system was designed like a game, and maybe that was the most exciting part of it.

    I looked at my phone screen that showed a big ''O'' in the points section of the course tracker app. The app even suggested the lectures and assignments I couldplete to take the exams quickly.

    I needed 100 points to take my first exam. The points varied lecture to lecture and the same for assignments and other activities. But overall, I had to at least attend 10 lectures to be eligible for the exam.

    And since I enrolledte in the course, I had toplete all the backlog lectures along with the regr ones. Backlog lectures start after the regr sses and run from evening throughout the night until dawn. These lectures are for the student who missed the regr lectures or who failed the exams and need to retake it.

    This might seem too much, but with a strategic approach, I can reach the passing points within a year. I just need to get my basics clear so that I can quickly catch up to my regr lectures.

    Excitement coursed through me, making my heart swell with happiness.

    "Control your heart. Its badum badum might kaboom!" Lana''s remark brought me out of my phone right before I bumped into a pair of huge bat wings.

    "I''m sorry-" I said, but the boy with the bat wings was peering at the window of the building in the hospital wing.

    Not just him, but there were several students looking in the same direction.

    Pushing my sses up my nose, I followed their gaze.

    "Please mom! Don''t leave me here! Mom!" a boy, probably five years old, cried, hugging the shin of a woman.

    The woman wrenched away a kid from her leg and hurled him on the ground.

    I gasped, widened my eyes.

    "Mom!" The kid''s cries turned even more agonizing as the hospital staff grabbed the kid and dragged him away from his mother.

    "Don''t call me mom! You can''t be my son. You can''t have my blood. I don''t ept this; I will never ept it! My son can never be a weak blood!" The mother yelled at the kid.

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    The boy''s sobs sent a cold shudder down my body.

    "I did everything! Spent money like water, but you couldn''t even activate your immortality genes and you are six already. You are just hopeless," the kid''s mother looked at the hospital staff. "Discard him. I don''t want him any longer. Make sure no one hears a word about him after today. Silence this disgrace before it reaches the society."

    A cold numbness spread through my body, and for a few seconds, I froze.

    "No! Mom! I am sorry-"

    The boy with bat wings let out a sigh. "Pity, he turned out to be a gone case as well."

    "Shut up, ude. How could you say something - umm? What was I saying? Why am I here again?" said the boy standing beside ude, looking confused. He was surrounded by levitating books like rings of a Saturn.

    "Don''t be so ignorantly heartless, Vincent. That poor kid. Even his mother gave up on him today. Are they really going to mercy kill him?" The girl standing beside Vincent blew her nose in a handkerchief, weeping slowly.

    I had seen her before. Twice. Her name was Karima. She was the girl whose patients were always suffering because of her mistakes.

    I had seen her with Zosha in the Healer Bazaar. I looked around for Zosha when my eyes went on Vish, the serpent girl I met with Zosha on my previous visit.

    "We''ll bete for the lecture. Letsss go. There''sss nothing we can do... about it. Itsss their family matter..." Vish said.

    "That''s right. Let''s go," ude stretched his arms and then his wings.

    I took a few steps away from him to give him enough space.

    "Hey Vish, want a ride to the lecture hall. You can wrap your body around mine," ude winked at Vish, unbuttoning his shirt that revealed his ripped body. "In this form or in your serpent form. I don''t have a problem with any. Be it your breasts or your scales, both are equally tempting."

    "How about I ssstrangle you inssstead..." she hissed before she turned into her python form and slithered into the university building.

    ude grunted, buttoning his shirt again.

    "Women do all kinds of ck magic to get my attention. And here she rejectsss me every day." He took a determined breath. "But I am me and I will make her mine one day for sure!"

    "You can fly me to the lecture hall instead," Vincent said, peeping over his books.

    ude scrunched his face in disgust. "Fuck off!" And with that, he shot towards the third floor.

    Vincent peered at the window that ude flew into with nk eyes. "Who was he again?" He mumbled.

    Woof! Woof!

    A t-coated retriever ran to Vincent and bit the hem of his knee-length overcoat.

    Woof! Woof!

    "Oh. That''s right. I had a lecture today. Let''s go, Cosmo."

    Cosmo wagged his tail happily as Vincent patted him, and they entered the building.

    With a bit of hesitation, I approached Karima.

    "E-excuse me..." I said. "What''s going on with that kid and his mother? What are they going to do to him and-"

    Karima stiffened and kept peering at the boy in the hospital building as though she hadn''t heard a word I said.

    I stepped closer to her, and she timidly stepped away from me.

    "Don''t waste your time on them. Most here won''t even dare look in your direction," Lana said, standing beside me. "As for that kid. His mother just abandoned him because he failed to activate his immortality genes. In short, he is a weak blood and he''ll be thrown far away from our society or, in the best-case scenario, killed. Sights like these aremon here."

    I couldn''t believe I was hearing those words from an eleven-year-old.

    "W-what? Killed? When? Why? He is apletely healthy child."

    "There''s no greater shame to immortals than being parents of weak bloods. There''s nothing you can do to help him. If you want to be a healer in the Infernal realm, you better get used to it. Let''s go. You are alreadyte for your first ss..." Lana wrapped her small palm around my fingers, pulling me towards the university.

    I kept peering at the hospital as I trudged after Lana.

    "Close your heart," Lana said. "You can''t save everyone here."

    My mind raced in all directions. I was torn apart. I couldn''t decide what to do or if I should do anything at all.

    What if I mess up?

    What if I make it worse for the kid? But then again, what would be worse than dying?

    Raven. What would he do in this-

    As the staff dragged the boy inside, I saw a fleeting red image enter after them.

    I gasped.

    "Was that..." I mumbled,ing to an abrupt halt. Lana almost fell, but I pulled her to her feet in time.

    "... a cat," Lana said, looking up at me to meet my gaze. "A red cat."

    "Zosha-"

    "Hmm. She must be the were-cat Alpha warned me about," Lana said, her demeanor changing back to that of Raven''s as she continued.

    "There''s a red cat you need to be careful of. I have warned Xanthea to not get involved with that cat, but I am sure she will find a loophole in my rules and try to get near her and help her. Look after them. They are a dangerousbination," Lana said, mimicking Raven''s tone.

    Then she looked at me again.

    "That''s what he said about the two of you."

    "Oh, devil!" Karima hurriedly called someone from her phone. "Hello bro. I think our baby cat is bringing another injured squirrel. This time it''s a big one. Please take care of them until I get there with the band-aid."

    She was definitelymunicating in code words.

    She nced towards an ancient-looking room and ran into the building.

    "That looks like Azum''s library," I mumbled before I ran into the foyer and while I hurried towards the elevator, my eyes went to the blue me boy who had abandoned Zosha as his healing partner, Kieth.

    He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze fixed on the hospital wing where Zosha had disappeared.

    Sliding his phone into his pocket, he turned around and our eyes met from across the bustling foyer.

    Was he recording?

    Oh, no.

    I had a bad feeling about this.

    I entered the elevator and headed towards Azum''s library.

    "The lecture hall isn''t this way," Lana said.

    "I know. I am sorry, Lana. I promise I''ll make it up to you for missing the first lecture. But Kieth might try putting Zosha in some kind of trouble for helping that kid," I said impatiently.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    "I was warned to expect the unexpected from you. But if you try to help that cat, wouldn''t you get into trouble as well? It''s your first day, the first lecture. Alpha Raven will not be happy about this at all." "I know. And I also know... that no matter the consequences, I will not regret making this decision."

 Chapter-81. The first lecture

    [Xanthea]

    It took me about five minutes to reach Azum''s library.

    As I jogged closer to the library, I heard the crackling noises of the lightninging from within.

    Oh no!

    "Zosha-"

    I was about to open the double door of the library, but I stopped, panting slowly.

    The pressure of the power that came from beyond the door was enough to root me where I stood.

    Zosha was having a power outburst. If I entered now, I''d be killed in seconds.

    I can''t be reckless this time.

    Something must have triggered her again.

    I clenched my fists and took a deep breath.

    "Zosha..." I called out in a calm tone. She might not respond, but I knew she could hear me. "I know you are trying to control your powers. I know you are trying to fight. Keep fighting!"

    The air crackled with static electricity and the door rattled violently, as if a hurricane raged just beyond it.

    "Don''t give up! I''m right here!" I cried, cing my hand on the door.

    The door stopped shaking, and I felt a push from the other side, as if Zosha had ced her hand against it. "Please..." came Zosha''s faint voice.

    "Zosha..."

    "Please... just go away!" she screamed.

    "No, Zosha, I-"

    I gasped as the bolts of lightning dendritically cracked the door and burst out through it, crackling and sparking.

    I stepped back, and suddenly everything slowed down.

    I could clearly see the lightning threads zap through the air as they shot toward me.

    Bracing myself, I clenched my jaw.

    There wasn''t enough time to dodge.

    Damn it!

    Raven-

    Something struck my body, hurling me backward. Lana had leaped between me and the lightning, her wings expanding to twice their size, absorbing every spark.

    "No! Lana! Uh-ugh!" I stretched out my hand toward her before my back mmed into the wall, knocking air right off my lungs as I crumpled to the floor.

    Everything happened so fast that by the time I got a hold of myself and looked at Lana again, she was lying on the floor, her bodypletely disfigured, her wings perforated and partially detached from her body. The door of the library was wide open, filled with the fading flickers of light bursting out from gaps between the overgrown vines that had coiled itself around Zosha''s body like bandages around a mummy. "Lana! Zosha!"

    I scrambled closer to Lana. By then, even thest ounce of Zosha''s power had dispersed. Gathering Lana''s body into my arms, I pulled her onto myp and struggled to my feet. "Lana! Hold on, I''ll take you to the hospita-"

    Suddenly, Lana''s body convulsed and slipped from my arms, hitting the floor. I gaped at her in dread.

    "Alpha warned me about the cat''s power, but..."

    Lana''s body glowed green, waves rippling beneath her skin. Her face returned to normal, and green scintis swirled around her like fireflies, restoring most of her body. However, red patches lingered on her arms and neck, and her wings remained perforated and partially broken.

    "But she''s way more malignant and fun!" Lana smirked, jerking her wrists firmly together before her face.

    Thorns sharper than des erupted from the vines coiled around Zosha, followed by her muffled screams.

    Lana broke into a mockingughter.

    "You are older than me, but you can''t heal even a fly. Shame on you," Lana humphed at Zosha. "Double shame for all the wasted potential you hold by not controlling the healing powers that could have been on par with a dragon''s. Triple shame on you for being so stupid. When Alpha said I might have found apetition, I got excited. But a power as destructive as yours is not suitable for healing."

    More thorns sprung out of the vines, followed by even more muffled shrieks.

    My eyes widened as I realized Lana could control and manipte the nts and their growth. In some intricatelyplex way, her powersplemented Zosha''s, almost as if...

    I ced my hand over my thundering heart.

    It was as if Raven foresaw this event and he chose Lana as my healing partner because he knew something like this might happen. He considered all possibilities and thought everything through.

    In a way, he helped me help Zosha through Lana. Or was it a coincidence, and I was just overthinking things?

    Conflicting emotions surged in my chest, but the dilemmas in my mind cleared away as soon as Lana continued.

    "Like the alpha said, you aren''tpletely useless. After all, you protected that kid," Lana said, ncing toward the extreme corner of the library. Behind the fluttering curtains was a giant bud of leaves that bloomed, revealing Azum protectively hugging the unconscious child.

    "Azum..." I rushed into the library towards them. Squatting near them, I said. "Kieth. He might have informed the authorities-"

    "He did that before Zosha made a move," Azum said, breathing heavily as he looked into my eyes. "They were there, waiting for her. It was a trap. Kieth wants her gone not just from Helxton, but from this pack as well. He nned all this. He knew Zosha would try to help this kid like she helped the ones before him. Zosha panicked, and she attacked the authority."

    "What?"

    "Yes. Four of them are severely injured. The back up will be here any time. I can''t let them catch her. They''ll crush her. They''ll end her. They''ll imprison her in the Novem pack. Once she''s in that ursed ce, there will be no escape for her. She''s young and already so broken. I can''t let her go through any more traumas."

    I took in a dry gulp, licking my lips as I turned back and looked at the overgrown vines slowly dying away.

    The vines fell apart, revealing Zosha lying unconscious amidst the withered tendrils. Her body was covered in wounds from the thorny stabs. Blood trickled from her injuries, but the electricity coursing through her hair now flowed within her, focusing its energy on healing her.

    I unzipped my bag and pulled out a fit-it-all, searching for a potion that could help them.

    "If Zosha had a power outburst, then the kid must be-"

    "No. The kid''s fine. Zosha was able to protect the kid and me from her powers, thanks to you."

    "Me?" I tensed my brows, confused.

    "Yes. She has been practicing ever since shest met you in the forest. Her outbursts are still out of her control, but like you saw, she''s able to control who she protects when that happens. Although it''s limited to one or two people for now. But that''s still something..." Azum said.

    He got up, still cradling the kid against his chest, and trudged to Zosha.

    Squatting near Zosha, he gently ced the kid on the cushiony grass.

    Pulling a worn-out mouth organ from his overcoat, he wrapped his palms around it and started ying a soothing melody. The tune was so rxing it pacified even the heavy restlessness in the air.

    Within seconds of hearing that rxing music, my body felt lighter, as if floating in the air. Mesmerized, I trudged closer to him.

    The melody didn''t just feel like it was healing; it was actually healing. And not just me, but everyone present there.

    The kid seemed to be in a deeper, more peaceful sleep than before. The red patches on Lana''s skin had faded, and the ache in my back from hitting the wall was gone.

    Azum stopped ying the organ and got to his feet.

    "Hey! Who do you think you are to cure a faerie princess without her permission?" Lana red at Azum.

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    He squatted near Lana. His expressions grew bluer as he examined her wings.

    "I''m sorry, princess. I wish I had time to get your permission, but they''ll be here any time," Azum nervously nced towards the door and then gave Lana an apologetic smile. "But your wings. They''ll need special care to heal-" "I am very much capable of healing them myself. I don''t need your healing melodies..." Lana said obnoxiously.

    "Of course," Azum smiled wearily and then took out a vial of potion from his coat. "But just in case, keep this and apply it on your wings twice a day for a week. I am sorry you had to go through this, but thank you." Lana''s cheek turned pink. She pouted angrily and looked away with a scoff.

    "Azum, I think you should take Zosha and leave-" I said.

    He looked at me, got to his feet, and shook his head.

    "No, you should do that," he said.

    "M-me?"

    "You gave her a hope she had stopped looking for. I know I am asking for too much..." he clenched his jaws. "But... can you please protect her?"

    "I-I..." I clenched the fit-it-all in my fist and lowered my gaze.

    How can I protect someone when I myself am at the mercy of the demon lords?

    "The fact you are here today of all times means something. Tabun, unmei kamoshirenai (Perhaps, it might be fate)..." Azum looked at Zosha.

    "Huh?" I tilted my head.

    He looked at me again.

    "Anata. Anata no tamashii no uta (You. Your soul song). The harmony your soul song creates with hers creates a mysterious melody that even I can''t define or replicate."

    "My soul song?"

    Both our heads snapped toward the distant sound of footsteps echoing through the corridor.

    "They are here," Azum mumbled, his voice dominated by the determination to protect.

    My breaths turned shallow, my fingers growing cold with fear.

    I knelt between Zosha and the unconscious child, clutching the fit-it-all before cing it beside me.

    There was nothing to decide or choose. I had to help them. But how?

    Don''t panic. Think, Xanthea. Think.

    My mind raced, grasping for any solution when my eyes fell on the fit-it-all.

    "Right! The fit-it-all. I can hide them here for now. Azum-"

    Azum stood near the door, his overcoat fluttering as he partially shut the doors, obscuring us from the approaching authority figures.

    I stretched out the mouth of the fit-it-all. Just then, with a pop and whizz, Boredbones shot out of the pouch, grabbed Zosha and the kid by their hands, and dove back into the pouch with them.

    I stared at the pouch, wide-eyed, struggling to process what had just happened. Lana gave me a sharp shake, yanking me back to the urgency of reality. I fumbled with the fit-it-all, held Lana''s hand, and we scuttled behind a bookshelf. "Officers, what a pleasure. What brings you here today?" I heard Azum say.

    "We''re looking for a were-cat. We know she''s here, and that you''ve been helping her. We need to search this ce and take you into custody for questioning. You have all the right to resist, attack, or try to run away," an officer said. "Nah. That''s too much work. I''ll cooperate," Azum said.

    "Thanks for saving us the trouble."

    "Of course, officer. Nothing illegal here. I helped that cat with injured squirrels. I didn''t know healing was a crime." Azum chuckled faintly.

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    "Healing isn''t, but attacking on-duty officers and abducting a VIP patient is. If you know anything about that were-cat, it''s better you tell us. This is yourst year in college. You wouldn''t want to risk your license for a nuisance, would you?" The officer ced a hand on Azum''s shoulder, towering over him.

    I hugged the pouch closer to my chest, trying to not breathe at all.

    "Certainly not, officer. The cat was here," Azum said calmly, gesturing to the destruction around them. "She had a power outburst, then vanished. I don''t know where she is now, but I''ll inform you if she returns."

    I couldn''t understand how Azum was so calm, when I was literally trembling just thinking about all the consequences we might face if we were caught.

    The other five officers dressed in ck and gray uniforms entered the library, and I pressed my back hard against the bookshelf, hiding behind it. Lana created a cover of vines and leaves to conceal us.

    They could have easily spotted me because of my scent, but Raven had used some kind of scent mask to hide my heat scent and Lana''s scent effortlessly mingled with nature''s scent. Even so, I could hear the officers get closer to us as their shoes crushed the grass.

    "This vine growth here looks odd. Is this the cat''s doing as well?" An officer said, prodding our vine cover with his baton, and a chill ran down my spine.

    They are going to catch us!

    I am fucked! Raven''s gonna kill me!

    I even put Lana in a tight spot.

    Oh god!

    I need toe up with a believable excuse, a reason, an alibi-

    I froze at the sudden sensation of something coiling and tightening around my ankle, and it didn''t feel like Lana''s vines. I pressed my hand over my mouth.

    One second I was staring at the darkness within Lana''s cover and the next second my eyes were adjusting to the light that brightened the corridors near the lecture hall.

    I gathered enough courage to look down and found the tail of a python slithering away from my and Lana''s ankles onto the marble floor.

    "Ssssorry for teleporting you so abruptly, without warning. You see, I can ssslither into tight spots easily, so Azum mindlinked with me and told me Zosha and the kid are with you." I heard a whisper against my neck.

    I spun around to face Vish as she returned to her human form and only then did I breathe again in relief.

    "The authority has ssstrictly regted the college campus. You can''t leave now. You''ll have to hide sssomewhere-"

    "This is our lecture hall!" Lana said excitedly and peeped inside. "The professor''ste. The lecture hasn''t begun yet. We made it!"

    I nodded, licking my dry lips as the tension eased on my shoulders. But we weren''t safe yet.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Vish looked at Lana and then at me with a mix of confusion and concern.

    "Thank you s-saving us..." my voice trembled slightly. "I am a new student here. This is my first lecture. M-my name is Xanthea th. Thanks again."

    "No problem," Vish smiled warmly. "We appreciate your help, too. Azzzum briefly told me what happened," she said, looking at the fit-it-all in my hand. There was an awkward silence of a few seconds between us, the gravity of the recent events still heavy in the air.

    "Uh... do you have a lecture here too?" I asked Vish, trying to break the tension.

    "Yeah!" she said, her voice shaky.

    "Wanna go together?" I shrugged slightly, offering a small smile.

    "Yeah!" she said.

    As we made our way into the lecture hall and the world that I had always dreamt of being a part of opened before me, all I felt was a strong sense of responsibility. And it wasn''t just towards the two kids who were unconscious in my pouch, but also towards Lana, myself and, most importantly... towards my mother.

    The authorities were still out there, and Zosha''s safety was still at risk. But for now, blending in with the other students was my best bet.

 Chapter-82. Not the cure

    [Xanthea]

    Luckily, my first lecture was an introductory session on botanical alchemy, which put me at ease since I already had some knowledge of the subject.

    The professor taught us about the primary nts used in potion-making and ended the lecture by telling us to prepare for a field trip, because in our next lecture we were going to locate these nts in the wilderness.

    Vish advised me to prepare well for the next ss because the professor might give us an in-ss assignment to identify, collect and prepare a report on those nts within a certain time-limit. The more nts we identify and collect, the more points we''d get because an assignment always meant points, lots of points.

    A part of me was already excited about the next ss, while another part was unsure if I''d make it to the next ss, given that I was illegally hiding two kids in my pouch.

    Nevertheless, Vish helped me take notes on myptop and exined the point system more clearly. She also shared some easy and efficient strategies forpleting assignments on time and earning more points.

    After the first lecture, I attended two more with Vish, and things went more smoothly than I had anticipated.

    "Are they okay in there?" I whispered into the fit-it-all, which I had kept wide open to ensure there was enough air supply for Zosha and the kid.

    "This is the fifth time you are asking this question in thest fifteen minutes," Vish whispered. "If you keep doing that, others might get suspicious."

    I nced at her as we walked toward the cafeteria together, with ude and Vincent trailing behind us.

    All of us were in the same course and taking the same sses. Karima and Kieth were in the same course as well, but since they had earned more points by clearing exams faster, they were far ahead than the rest. That was also why their lectures differed from ours.

    "So you are telling me Karima saw the authorities and aborted her n to rescue the squirrel savior?" ude asked Vincent.

    "Apparently. An intelligent decision. We are middle working ss demons. We can''t afford such troubles," Vincent said in a monotonous tone.

    "True. We can barely afford our tuition fees. I''m in this only because of Vish or else-"

    Vish turned back and red at ude even before he could finish his statement.

    "I never asssked for your help," she hissed and all of us stopped in our tracks.

    "No, sweetheart! You''re getting me wrong. I''mpletely enjoying this legal hide and seek. It''s fun until we get caught. I mean... well... someone helped your squirrel savior, right? Let them help. We can cheer for them, right? I know I make sense because this situation clearly doesn''t." ude let out an empty chuckle.

    We were in an almost isted corridor and we had a twenty minutes'' break before our next lecture.

    "Someone wants to y the hero. Let them. Why should we get involved? We don''t even know her. I don''t know about you guys, but my wolf can''t just ignore the three shadows lurking in her aura," Vincent said darkly, ncing at me and then his eyes hovered in the air around me.

    I turned behind with a jerk. All I saw was my solo shadow. But I knew what Vincent saw - the demon lords'' im on my soul, something that kept other demons away from me.

    "Ever since she entered the lecture hall, my wolf has been screaming at me to stay as far away from her as possible," Vincent said.

    Vincent had finally addressed the elephant in the room that the others were trying to ignore.

    "I don''t have a wolf, but my fae instincts tell me something simr. A nce at her overpowering aura is enough to freeze my bones. She might look like a harmlessdy, but the demons she''s linked with are far beyond our league. Thisdy''s a trouble, my dear Vish. Just let her be," ude said.

    Vish clenched her fists and spoke through her gritted teeth.

    "Did I consult you for advice, ude? No, right? Then please feel free to go your way. You used the squirrel savior to save your ass when you bunked sses and had her take notes for you." Vish looked at Vincent.

    "And you!? You used her when you needed an extra hand toplete your assignments faster. But now when she needs your help the most, all you can think about is saving your fucking ass. Go for it! You men are all the same, anyway!" "No baby. I am not like the other men. I love you and that is why I am here-"Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    "The only reason she is helping her is because it somehow heals some part of her," Vincent interrupted ude. He didn''t directly look at me, but I knew he was talking about me and Zosha. "I have read a research article about such people on EvilExpress. Abuse survivors."

    Vish frowned.

    "Not again..." ude drawled. "No one wants to know about those disturbing research-"

    "These survivors can develop any of the twoplexes. Either the viinplex or the heroplex-" Vincent said.

    "Fine, go ahead. It''s not like I''ll ever be not ignored in this group-" ude rolled his eyes, crossing his arms across his chest as Vincent continued.

    "The ones with the viinplex are more realistic and care about their survival. So, when they see someone in trouble, they ignore. But the ones with the heroplex have this misconception that they can save the whole world. So they try to be this superhero who saves everybody''s day. I think she suffers from the heroplex and so does that squirrel savior."

    "You can be as selfish as you want, Vincent, but-"

    "Being selfish is in a demon''s nature, Vish," Vincent said. "You belong to the serpent tribe who live close to mortals, so your nature doesn''t align with mine. But that doesn''t make you any better or worse than me. The decision to save the squirrel was of the savior, and the decision to kill that squirrel was of his mother''s. And ording to ourw, the decision of the mother is morewful and better for the squirrel. Killing him would be the kindest thing to do. He won''t survive this world, anyway. That''s my conclusion."

    He walked past me.

    "He''s got a point, Vish-" ude said, stretching his wings, but when Vish red at him, he instantly switched sides. "He''s totally wrong! What kind of bullshit is that?"

    I heard Vincent take a few steps away from us when I said.

    "I respect your choice, Vincent." I turned to face him.

    The books levitating around him stopped hovering as he shot me a nce over his shoulder.

    "I know I am neck-deep in trouble and if I get caught, I''ll lose everything..." I don''t know why I said that with a smile and I don''t know why Asher''s face shed in my mind. "Everything..." I said in a soft whisper.

    A flood of memories surged through my mind-Ezra''s, followed by Raven''s, Nesryn''s, and their family''s.

    "But... if I don''t get caught..." I paused, feeling the goosebumps charge through my body as I continued with a deep breath. "Then three lives, including mine, will get another chance. Saving lives. Isn''t that the reason we''re all here?" I stepped forward, standing beside him.

    "I don''t know about heroes, Vincent, but healers save lives every day," I said and walked ahead towards the cafeteria.

    "How are you so calm?" Lana asked me. "Many would have been triggered or even offended by what he said."

    "That''s his opinion, Lana. He knows nothing about me and I know nothing about him. There''s nothing to be offended about," I said. "Plus, I know I am alone in this. I wasn''t expecting someone''s help, anyway." "You''re so cool! Just like a lone wolf from the legends," Lana said, her eyes twinkling as she gazed at me.

    I smiled, shaking my head.

    I used to be a lone wolf, but I no longer feel as lonely as I used to.

    Lana might not have realized it, but she hadn''t once questioned my decision. So, I was certainly not alone in this.

    ***

    I sat in the extreme corner of the cafeteria to avoid unwanted attention.

    Lana disappeared somewhere while I ordered my lunch. I was about to go look for her once I had fed Zosha and the kid.

    I put the fit-it-all on myp and was about to whisper to Boredbones when I almost jumped at Lana''s voice.

    "Get me up! My wings hurt! Can''t fly!" Lana whined, trying to climb onto the chair.

    I held her arms and helped her sit on the chair.

    "I stole extra food for your squirrel squad," she said, handing me two loaves of bread.

    "Thank you, Lana. You are so thoughtful." I patted her head.

    She frowned, blushing hard, but then looked away with a scoff.

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    I chuckled.

    "But you shouldn''t steal food next time, ok? I already took an extra portion in my order," I said, and she pouted, tilting her head. "Here. I got some flower sd and nectar juice for you."

    "How do you know nectar juice is my favorite? You''re a witch!" Lana eximed.

    "Well... I searched what food fairies like and flower sds popped up. Meanwhile, nectar juice was a lucky guess. But I am d you love it..."

    "Mind if I join you?" Vish asked.

    "O-of course," I said.

    I didn''t expect it, so I was taken aback for a while when ude and Vincent sat around the table, obscuring me from the rest of the cafeteria.

    I looked at Vish for some exnation, but she just shrugged.

    "I thought you didn''t like her. Didn''t agree with her heroic ways. Why sit with her when you could get your ass kicked for being involved with her? Go away, viins. We don''t need you, cowards!" Lana said in a blunt, obnoxious tone that reminded me of Raven''s.

    "What is wrong with this child? Why is she so mean?" ude scowled at her.

    "Because you''re a dumbass, you loser," Lana scoffed.

    "Lana!" I looked at her and shook my head.

    "But-"

    "You''re an exceptionally brilliant child, princess. Ahead of your age. But there are things you''ll understand when you reach a certain level of maturity. How would it make you feel if someone talked to you the way you talked to ude right now?"

    Lana frowned, tensing up her shoulders as she stared at ude.

    She took her time, her shoulders dropping as she answered in a softer tone. "Bad... I guess."

    "Right. I understand you were only trying to stand up for me, but that was hurtful, so what should you do now?" I asked.

    "Have my vines grow to the size of an adult and then make it kick his ass!" Lana said and both Vincent and Vish cracked up. "What did you say? You little brat!" ude red at Lana.

    Suppressing myughter, I just looked at Lana calmly.

    "No. I was just kidding. I''m sorry," she said, happily slurping nectar juice through the straw.

    "It''s fine. That kid''s got humor. Like her already. By the way, you can feed the other two. My wings are blocking the cameras," ude said.

    "Oh right, thanks. Boredbones..." I whispered, and a stretched out skeletal hand popped out of the mouth of my pouch.

    I ced the sandwiches and water on his palm and he dived right back in.

    "How are they?" I asked.

    "The boy''s up. Looks terrified... and the girl''s still unconscious," Boredbones whispered back.

    I nced at Lana.

    "I was expecting you to me me sooner for what I did to your precious squirrel savior," Lana said, prodding the flower sd with the spork.

    I lowered my gaze.

    I didn''t agree with Lana''s way of handling the situation, but like Zosha, her actions might have been driven by survival instincts. She had been hurt pretty badly herself. Her wings hadn''t healed, and above all, Lana was still just a kid. So, I knew I had to choose my words carefully.

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    But since I couldn''t find the right words, I decided it was better not to address it from my side.

    "Hey, you guys. I was looking for you everywhere," Karima said, inviting herself to the table and sitting beside Vincent. "They arrested Azum. They''ll use everything from taunts to torture to get information out of him. What if he takes our names? We''ll be doomed for good."

    "Guess whose fault that is?" Vish muttered, giving her a side-look before silently continuing with her lunch.

    "Hey, look, I was scared, alright. I just couldn''t risk it all. I''m sorry. I saw the authorities, and I froze-" Karima tried exining herself.

    "I don''t get it. No one cared about the squirrels before... so why now? What makes this squirrel so different? Why''s he such a big deal?" Vincent asked, his voice muffled by the book levitating in front of his face. "Because this squirrel is a VIP, duh," ude replied, adjusting his appearance in a hand mirror.

    "Which means the poor kid was born into a high-ss family," Karima added. "Families in the higher ranks of the pack are more worried about protecting their reputation than anything else."

    "Having a weak blood as their child would not just hurt their social standing and reputation, it would raise ssserious questions on their bloodline, which is ridiculous. This is jussst sssomething natural?" Vish let out a sharp breath. "More like natural selection, I guess," ude said. "There''s no way to tell if someone''s immortality genes will activate or not."

    "Right! This society is haunted by age-old traditions, and even with all the medical advancement, there''s no advancement in their mentalities." Vish clenched the fork in her hand, stabbing her food.

    "I''m sorry. But... I still don''t understand why this is such a big deal. Even if the kids can''t activate their immortality genes, they can live a normal life with their families, right?" I asked hesitantly.

    "A mortal wouldn''t understand what it means when immortality genes don''t activate in an immortal. Normal life?" ude scoffed. "That concept is not just foreign to us. It''s absurd. It''s forbidden for an immortal to even think about death." "Why?" I asked.

    "With a weak blood, death won''t just cross our minds - we''ll witness it, and eventually, we might yearn for it," Vish murmured, her words hanging heavy in the air. "And craving death... that''s the darkest curse an immortal can inflict upon themselves. An endless curse."

    I swallowed hard, my throat tight as the tension thickened. My heart seemed to slow, weighed down by the oppressive silence and the unease that hung heavy around the table.

    "But..." I mumbled, my eyes scanning the pages of my mother''s books in my mind. "There''s a cure for this disease, right? Forced activation-"

    I had barely finished speaking when everyone turned to me, their eyes wide with a terror that pierced straight into my soul. The air grew dense with their heavy auras, and the difort creeping on their faces twisted into something far more horrifying.

    Vincent slowly lowered the book from in front of his face, his eyes narrowing as he studied me intently.

    "Where did you hear that? How do you know about it? Do you even realize what you''re saying?" His voice was low, almost a whisper, as if the words themselves were dangerous.

    "That''s enough! I knew this girl was trouble!" ude got up, spreading his wings.

    Vish held his hand and made him sit on the chair again.

    "Don''t stand up like that, stupid!" Vish hissed at him. "I am sure she doesn''t know what she is saying. Xanthea, do you know what forced activation is or was?"

    "Umm. I t-thought it was a procedure to... cure mortalitis," I said, skimming my eyes across the table. "Did I say something wrong?"

    My heart pounded faster, a cold sweat breaking out across my skin.

    "We don''t talk about it!" Karima hissed.

    "Most don''t know about it and the ones who do never talk about it," Vish whispered, her voice barely audible. "Forced... activation. It wasn''t a cure. It was the darkest event in the Infernal realm''s medical history. We can''t say for sure what it was - there''s no solid evidence it ever happened. But in the healing field, it''s a forbidden topic. A taboo. So, never bring it up again, okay?"

    "Taboo?" I frowned, my chest tightening with a growing unease.

    If so... then... why was something like this in my mother''s book?

    No, how did my mother know about it in the first ce?

    "If it... wasn''t the cure, then what exactly was it?" I asked.

 Chapter-83. The First

    [Xanthea] "Genocide..."N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    I nkly stared at Vincent as the word ''genocide'' hung heavily in the air before it finally sliced through my bones like shards of ss.

    One moment, I was numb and the next, thoughts stormed through my mind, crashing into the growing pit in my chest as he kept speaking.

    "It was an experiment conducted on the entire poption of the weak-bloods across all the nine packs of the Infernal realm..."

    Vincent''s deep voice grew darker with each word, his gaze distant, as if he were reliving a haunting memory.

    "They didn''t just kill them. They erased them. Every trace - gone. Nothing remained, not even their souls." His hand clenched into a fist on the table, knuckles white with tension. Karima swallowed hard, shifting uneasily in her seat.

    "I-I-it''s just an exaggerated story," she stammered. "Nothing like that ever really happened."

    Vincent''s gaze sharpened. "Then how do you exin the disappearance of an entire poption?"

    Karima shrank back, cowering under his intense scrutiny.

    "True or not, it has nothing to do with us. So it doesn''t matter," Karima frowned.

    Vish leaned in, her voice low. "Medical practices in the Infernal realm aren''t ethically regted. Experiments on living subjects are normal here. But this... this experiment was so unimaginably horrifying that it shook the very foundation of evil itself. So, if it''s true, it matters."

    "Out of tens of thousands of weak-bloods, only one survived." Vincent''s words were slow, his tone strained. "Just one."

    His words resonated across the table. All of us exchanged restless nces with one another. I could feel my heart pound faster in my chest as I finally broke the deafening silence.

    "Who? Who survived and what... what did they do to that person?" I asked, my voice quivering as I unconsciously made direct eye contact with Vincent.

    "We don''t know. We don''t have to!" Karima''s eyes darted around the room, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her shirt. "Stop it," she hissed, her voice barely more than a breath. "You don''t know who''s listening... we shouldn''t even be talking about this."

    Vincent''s gaze flicked between Karima and me, his expression unreadable but cautious.

    "No one knows the exact details, but rumors say he was the first and only weak blood to have activated his immortality genes, so they call him the First," he said, holding my gaze, his every word burying like a corpse in my chest. "Rumors also say that the First was just a kid. And he didn''t just survive; hepleted the experiment and then, once it was over, he massacred everyone involved, sssingle-handedly. And he''s still out there, more monster than man. Honestly, anyone would have lost it after enduring such darkness," Vish said.

    All the questions storming in my mind condensed into a single, desperate word: "Who?"

    Vincent lowered his gaze and shook his head.

    "We don''t know. The identity of both the legendary healer who nned Forced Activation and the survivor who overcame it remain unknown till date. The records were destroyed, and anyone who dares speak about it vanishes. Forced activation wasn''t a cure; it was a torture beyond a demon''s endurance. Many lives were lost for nothing, way too many lives..." Vincent said absent-mindedly.

    I took a tight gulp, feeling the knot in my stomach tighten.

    "Stop talking as though it actually happened. These are just rumors. Just rumors ok?" Karima said, breathing heavily.

    "There''s no doubt that it happened. They just silenced everyone, erased all evidence, but they couldn''t cover up the mass disappearance of weak bloods; the vacuum in our history; the imbnce in our realm and its aftershocks that were felt in the other realms," Vincent said darkly.

    His aura pulsed with a subtle yet intense rage, making it clear that he harbored a more personal grievance and probably knew more about Forced Activation than he was letting on.

    "Please... I don''t want to hear any more." Karima''s voice cracked, panic rising in her throat as she hugged herself tightly. "Did you forget what Professor Ashstone said? If they even suspect we know about it, they''ll silence us forever. Just like they silenced him. No one''s seen him since that day."

    A small part of me knew prying any further could be dangerous, but everything inside me yearned to seek more answers and keep seeking answers until I found out why such a thing was mentioned in my mother''s diary. Not just that - why did she, a mortal like me, have such deep knowledge of the immortals?

    "Who is Professor Ashstone?" I asked, with half-hesitation and half-fear. "And... what happened to him?"

    "Nothing!" ude drawled dismissively. "Professor Ashstone just went on an extended vacation after retiring a bit early. It''s nothing as dramatic as Karima makes it sound. He was an old man; he needed his rest, that''s all!" I looked at Vish, and she instantly understood my confusion.

    "Look," Vish said, "Vincent read about this experiment somewhere. Reading disturbing resssearch is his hobby. He wanted to know more about it, so we went to Professor Ashstone for answers."

    "We thought it would be fun seeing the professorugh these rumors off like we did. I thought I''d finally see my best buddy, Vincent, make a fool of himself, but professor Ashstone''s panicked reaction was something else entirely. That was a hell of a day for us-" ude let out a breath, which was a partial chuckle and a partial sigh.

    "And I hope you haven''t forgotten about it," Karima said sternly, in a warning tone. "He didn''t just warn us to shut our mouths. He cut our points, mixed some strange potion in our drinks. If Vish hadn''t sensed the poison, who knows what might have happened to us?"

    "Professor probably wanted us to forget all about this," Vish said. "It was a mildly manipted poison. We just pretended to drink it and made sure to ssstay out of his radar and then he retired. End of story, Karima."

    "I don''t want to be silenced or disappear into thin air just because I know something I shouldn''t. I have worked hard to get here," Karima sobbed, her voice breaking. She wiped her eyes furiously, as though trying to erase her memories. "I can''t just throw it all away, so if you try to pry any deeper, then I am out."

    She stood abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor as she turned to leave.

    "They will note after us for talking about it... unless we make ourselves noticeable. But if you keep acting like this, Karima, then they areing for you first," Vish said in an enraged tone, leaning back in her chair. Karima turned towards us and silently sat back in her chair.

    Letting out a deep breath, Vish continued, "panicking is only going to draw more attention, Karima."

    "Seriously, your emotion control is worse than a child''s," said Lana, sitting proudly. "You should be ashamed of yourself. I am much better than you."

    Karima''s shoulders trembled as she pressed both hands against her mouth, stifling sobs that shook her entire frame. Her wide eyes darted around the room, as if she was expecting some invisible forces to steal her life away. "Hey, rx," ude chuckled. His voice was light, but there was a tightness around his eyes, like he didn''t want to let the fear show. "It''s just crazy demons doing crazy stuff. Nothing to fear; demons do crazy stuff all the time." He tried to lighten the mood, but almost everyone just took a deep breath amidst the pressing gravity.

    "After that day, we promised we would never talk about it again, so you must promise us to never bring it up again or try to pry any further. Nothing good coulde out of something as dark as that event," Karima said, looking at me. "Keep your curiosity under control."

    "I am curious though... where did you hear about it?" Vincent asked, studying me closely.

    "Just... heard of it somewhere..." I said, taking a nervous gulp.

    "It''s not something you just hear somewhere-" Vincent narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

    I looked into his eyes and questioned him back, "where did you read about it? Can I see the article? I am sure it''s not something you can ess easily... somewhere... or conveniently know which professor to ask about it..." Vincent''s eyes darkened at my words. Guess we both had secrets we were eager to uncover but reluctant to reveal.

    "Hey, give it a rest already, you two. Our next lecture is about to begin. It''s anatomy. I need to go search for my skeleton. Devil knows where he runs away all the time," ude said, getting up from his chair. "See you guys in the lecture hall," he said and flew out of the cafeteria.

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    "I have my gics lessons. I''ll get going as well. See you guyster," Karima said and left.

    "I''ll have to collect my skeleton from my locker as well," Vish said, getting up.

    "And mine is-"

    Cosmos'' barks abruptly cut Vincent off. All of us turned to see the alive skeleton being helplessly dragged across the cafeteria floor with its leg mped between Cosmos'' drooling jaws.

    "Well, never mind," Vincent sighed, getting up from his chair. He rushed over, attempting to pry Skelly free from his healing partner''s grip. "How many times do I have to tell you? You can''t eat Skelly, Cosmos. Let her go..."

    "That looks so funny!" Lana giggled as she watched Vincent engage in a frantic tug-of-war, trying to rescue Skelly from Cosmos'' jaws before he chewed her femur away.

    "Xanthea, if you don''t mind, I can give you a preview of the anatomy sses so far. That way, you won''t bepletely clueless, and I''ll get to revise what I''ve learned," Vish offered.

    "Sure! Thanks! That would be really helpful," I said, smiling as I followed Vish with Lana.

    ***

    Vincent had to bribe Cosmos with a bone meal, but in the end, which was right before the anatomy lecture began, he saved Skelly from being chewed up alive.

    Unlike the other skeletons, Skelly and Boredbones were the only well-behaved and calm skeletons in the lecture.

    The other alive skeletons yed pranks on the professor and ran across the lecture room,ughing creepily with their eerie, chattering teeth. They scared people by having their skulls roll under the benches and then screamed loudly.

    Six students, along with the professor, fled from the lecture hall until the owners of those skeletons controlled them, by threatening them with potions that caused osteoporosis.

    "That potion is nothing but just a heavy concentration of alcohol and tobo," Vish said. "I keep it to keep my skeleton in control or he would join the others in no time."

    "No wonder the bones are so scared of it," I said.

    "And now you know why we are so behind in our anatomy lectures," Vish said.

    "Good for me. I didn''t miss much. Thanks to the skeletons," I said, and both of us broke into chuckles.

    After anatomy, I attended three more lectures with Vish, Vincent and ude and their healing partners.

    Everything appeared to go smoothly as I blended in with the other students. However, once the regr lectures ended, the nagging concern for the two kids in my fit-it-all resurfaced and haunted my mind again.

    I had considered every reasonable idea I could think of to protect them, but none seemed practical. But I was sure of one thing: I could at no cost take them with me to the castle

    I walked through the hallways, cradling the fit-it-all against my chest.

    I shivered just at the thought of what the triplets might do to me, to the kids, if they found out, especially Raven.

    He warned me to stay away from Zosha and here I was carrying her in my pouch.

    anywhere near the demon lords.

    After the anatomy lecture when Boredbones went back in there, he told me that Zosha had recovered. She was conscious, but still fast asleep since healing herself used up most of her energy. And the boy cried silently to sleep again.

    I knew this couldn''t go on. I had to get them out of the pouch and keep them safe somewhere... but where?

    "It''s evening, and they''re still searching for the squirrel all around the forest. On top of that, security around the campus has tightened, making it difficult even for me to slip them out of here. Vincent and ude have gone to check if the coast is clear. Let''s wait until they return," Vish said, walking beside me.

    "We can''t teleport them out of here, right?" I asked.

    "Yeah, you heard the announcement earlier, right? Students aren''t allowed to teleport out of the campus today," Vish said. "Teleportation blockers are all around the campus."

    "Even if we get them out of here, somehow... where will we keep them?" I mumbled.

    "We can''t keep them with us in our dorms, they can''t ssstay on the campus, we can''t even leave them with the other weak bloods. Weak blood colonies beyond the pack borders will be the first ce authority will go looking for them." Vish said, thoughtfully. "Our best shot is releasing them in the wild and hope they don''t get caught. Our squirrel savior knows how to stay hidden and survive all by herself." "But-"

    Chirp! Chirp!

    Vish''s canary hovered above us, flying in circles until it perched on Vish''s stretched out hand. It tweeted and sang and when it finally turned silent, Vish looked at me.

    "Oh no. Getting them out without being noticed will be impossible now. Anary scanned the area. There''s soul scanning incantations all around the grounds and the officials are inspecting everyone who is entering or leaving the campus." Vish said. "What!?" I furrowed my brows, feeling my palms grow mmy.

    "The moment we ssstep out of the uni building, we''lle under that incantation, which means..."

    "They will find out that there are two extra souls in my pouch, right?" I looked at Vish and she nodded.

    What now? My heart thundered in my chest as I peered at the stretched out mouth of fit-it-all.

    I need to think of something, fast.

    Huh!?

    I felt a gush of wind and when I lifted my gaze; I saw Vish and Lana standing far away from me at the extreme end of the hallway.

    I blinked, confused.

    What-

    What just happened?

    Weren''t they walking beside me right now?

    How did they go so far, so quick-

    "Found you..." a whisper ran down my neck like a shiver.

    I widened my eyes, my body freezing in ce as I clutched the pouch tighter against my chest.

    There was someone behind me. He had separated me from the others in a blink, and I didn''t even notice him until he spoke.

    My breath hitched as I tried to step away, but a cold, metallic sting against my throat stopped me.

    "I know what you are hiding. Don''t move... the de against your neck is smeared with poison that can kill you instantly. Stand still... you are under arrest."

 Chapter-84. Councilâ€™s call

    [Xanthea]

    I froze as a tremble rushed to the tips of my cold fingers. My breaths grew shallow and quick as the de pressed harder against my skin.

    My mind raced, but my thoughts weren''t coherent enough toe up with something that could get me out of this situation. All I could think of were the kids and how stupid I was to think that I could protect them. Vish and Lana were still too far away to notice what had happened.

    I clenched my jaw, battling my panic.

    Focus, Xanthea. Focus.

    I had been in dangerous situations before, but this was different. This time, my life wasn''t the only one at stake.

    Mother always said that even in the most hopeless situation, one can find hope deep within themselves.

    I need to stay strong for the children and use everything at my disposal and if I can''t find hope deep within me then, I''ll just fake it.

    Wearing a fake confidence, I took a deep breath and loosened my body as a gesture of surrender.

    "Under arrest? And may I know what crime have Imitted, officer?" I asked calmly.

    He didn''t reply, just pressed the de harder against my neck.

    "I''ll cooperate, officer, but could you please lower your weapon, so we can talk," I stretched out my hand, holding the fit-it-all as casually as I could. "I have nothing to hide. I am just a normal student here. But if you still wish to check me, go ahead."

    A heavy churn twisted in my stomach as I continued.

    "However, you must have already sensed it in my aura. I belong to the demon lords. Touch me only if you are prepared to face them. I am not someone you can casually threaten with a dagger at the throat and walk away unscathed. So, if I were you... I would choose my next words and actions carefully because... there will be consequences."

    The man behind me let out a silent chuckle.

    "Trust me, I can''t wait to face those consequences..."

    I widened my eyes slightly.

    That voice.

    "The consequences of getting close to you - of touching you. I''ve been watching you, studying you. You''re... fascinating. Do you know why? Because you have undone my brothers, and you will be their ultimate undoing," Cedric leaned closer to my neck as he whispered slowly.

    I took a quick gulp, and Cedric lowered his weapon.

    As soon as the metallic touch prodding against my throat vanished, I distanced myself from him and turned around to face him.

    Cedric smirked, lifting his hand, showing off the harmless metal ruler he had used to trick me into thinking it was a de against my neck.

    "You should''ve seen your face! Priceless. I almost wish I''d had a real de... imagine how fun it would have been when I would''ve slit your throat. Covered you in the bright red color of your blood and gifted your corpse to my brothers." A shudder ran down my body at his words, but his grin widened with his cheeks flushing at the idea of killing me.

    "How wonderful and romantic that would have been!? And tragic. Of course, tragic. But what is love if not tragedy, right?" He smiled, his starry eyes holding my gaze.

    The muse of his words didn''t reach the darkness that loomed in his eyes.

    I stepped away from him.

    "But I can''t kill you because I want you as my Luna when I im the Alpha''s throne. You''re such a clever girl. Had it been a real officer instead of me, what you said would have made him back off immediately," he said. "Beauty with a brain is such a sensualbination."

    I frowned, peering at him.

    Cedric studied in the assassination department at Helxton. I expected to run into him on campus someday, but today was the worst possible day for it to happen.

    He stretched out his hand before me.

    I nced at his hand and then into his eyes.

    "Let''s go," he said.

    "W-where?" I asked.

    "On a date where we y hide and seek with my brothers..." he said.

    "Umm... uh... actually... I-I can''t. I have backlog sses in the evening. That''s where I was heading to right now. I''m sorry, prince. I... I need to go-"

    I turned, but before I could even take a step, Cedric teleported before me, blocking my path.

    "I think you don''t understand, sis-inw, ''I''m going to take you with me.'' My brothers have been busy with their council meetings all day long. They aren''t monitoring you. Right now is the perfect time to... kidnap you." Meeting? Kidnap?

    A sickening sense of relief flooded through me. If the demon lords weren''t watching me today, maybe there''s still hope.

    But before I could think any further, a sharp, high-pitched cry pierced the air as a crow appeared out of nowhere and began hovering above my head.

    Cedric frowned, grunting in frustration.

    He reached out to hold my arm, his fingers inches away from my skin. His voice was eerily calm and disturbingly hasty at the same time.

    "May I?" he asked in a velvety tone.

    I gaped at his hand in disbelief as I gathered myself and took a small step away from it.

    "What?" The word trembled out of my lips.

    "May I kidnap you?" he asked warmly, as though he was proposing to someone for marriage.

    I shook my head. "No!"

    Cedric sighed, withdrawing his hand. "Appreciate your honesty..."

    Then, without a warning, he seized my wrist.

    "I think we both knew that wouldn''t stop me, didn''t we? Well, we gave it a try. Mom always says to be extra polite with women. So, I don''t easily kill them. I torture them politely and then make them kill themselves. Haha," he broke into a bone- chillingughter and then instantly turned impassive. "But I don''t wanna kill you. So stay silent ande with me."

    I yelped, almost colliding with him as he yanked me in, but right then I felt someone hold my other wrist from behind.

    "Let go of her right now or I''ll pull your tongue out. Then you can stay silent forever. How''s that idea, Ced?"

    My head snapped to my right, and I met Nesryn''s eyes.

    "Nes! Where the hell did you pop out from?" Cedric growled, irked.

    "I don''t know? Air," Nesryn said.

    "This wasn''t in the script," Cedric grumbled.

    "Whose script? What script?" Nesryn asked annoyingly.

    "My script!"

    "You script!?" Nesryn looked shocked.

    "I n! Duuuh! Her video that I sent to brother Raven created a storm in his life and here she is - a bride - in Helxton; never happened before."

    Cedric''s grip tightened around my wrist, pulling me sharply toward him. My body stumbled forward, but Nesryn pulled me back. I felt the tension in both directions. The skin on my wrists was burning from their tight holds.

    I stifled a moan when Cedric yanked harder, but Nesryn''s grip was just as firm.

    "And the news blog I posted online brought a full-fledged hurricane to Ez-bro''s life. Now, I need to kidnap her and see how far brother Asher can go to protect her. He has always been the toughest nut to crack," Cedric boasted proudly. "And if you don''t want me to crack your nuts, back off. She''sing with me. And this is more important than yourme kidnapping," Nesryn said, ring at Cedric.

    "Don''tme my kidnapping!"

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    I wish I had an idea of what was going on, but maybe this was my chance. I could use this chaos to get out of the campus without being caught.

    Students couldn''t teleport out of here, but Nesryn teleported inside just fine. Maybe she can teleport out as well and they wouldn''t dare track the magic trace left by the demon princess.

    Yeah, and she is someone I can trust.

    That''s right! Nesryn, you are my hope!

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    I looked at Cedric, who looked determined to kidnap me. There was no way he was backing off.

    "Umm... p-prince... princess is here, and she has seen you try to kidnap me... so this isn''t k-kidnapping anymore..." I said, forcing a fake smile.

    Cedric''s grip loosened on my wrist. He narrowed his eyes, confused.

    "What?" He frowned.

    My hands trembled, and I forced myself to take a slow breath.

    Focus. Think. Bluff.

    Do something, Xanthea.

    "Well..." My tone was shaky, but I kept going. "You see, in a sessful kidnapping attempt, the kidnappers shouldn''t get caught, but my husbands will know you kidnapped me because Nesryn will tell them, and then there will be no air of mystery and fear around you. And that wouldn''t be cool... that would be a very lousy kidnapping."

    I didn''t know if this rubbish was making any sense. Hopefully, it did to him.

    "She''s got a point," Nesryn backed me up.

    Cedric red at me and then at Nesryn.

    Ok, that didn''t work. What was I even think-

    Cedric''s eyes widened in shock, as though the wind of realization had just hit him. Letting go of my wrist, he gasped, covering his mouth with his hands, stepping back as though the arrows of my words had finally pierced his chest. That freaking worked!!!?

    I held my breath as Cedric''s eyes flicked between me and Nesryn, narrowing with calction. His lips twitched; his face burdened with irritation.

    "You know," he muttered to himself. "If it wasn''t for that extra politeness and formality, I wouldn''t be caught this easily..." He nced at his hand and then curled it into a tight fist. "Damn it... I botched the basics of abduction. I wasn''t supposed to be caught in the act." He grunted, gritting his teeth. "What use was my perfect stealth?"

    Oh, boy!

    Cedric puckered his face, and it seemed he was just about to break into sobs, but he held himself together.

    My racing heart finally rxed as I let out a subtle sigh of relief. This worked. Thank goodness!

    "There. There," Lana said sympathetically as she stood beside me.

    I looked at Lana and by the time I looked at Cedric again; he had teleported away.

    "Be prepared! Next time I won''t mess up..." His words lingered in the air until they drowned in Nesryn''sughter.

    "Oh, I love you, Xanthea. You''re smart-ass crazy. You know that?" Nesryn said, herughter faltering as we faced each other.

    I shrugged.

    "I guess I am," I smiled back at her.

    Nesryn tilted her head towards Vish, who stood at some distance from us.

    "Your friend?" Nesryn asked.

    "Umm... ssmate. She helped me with lectures," I said.

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    Vish and the others didn''t have to get involved, especially when the royal family was around.

    "By the way! There are teleportation blockers everywhere around the campus. So how did you and Prince Cedric..." I asked, trying to take Nesryn''s attention off Vish.

    "Oh! I''m a spy, and Cedric is training to be an assassin. Tricking our way through the teleportation blockers is the first thing we learn. Child''s y for us. Our pure alpha blood certainly helps. Though lower demons can''t do it so easily," Nesryn said. "Oh," I nodded, pursing my lips together.

    "Why do you ask?" Nesryn asked.

    "Just curious," I said, lowering my voice and adding a bit of a sad tone. "Everyone has so many powers and abilities here. You guys can teleport and that''s so cool. I wish I could be like you. I''m sorry." I blinked fast, licking my lips as I lowered my gaze. "I just feel a bit out of ce sometimes..."

    Lana shifted closer to me, hugging the side of my leg as Nesryn held my hand in both of hers.

    I knew emotional vulnerability didn''t work that well on other demons, but with Nesryn, I knew it would and it did-

    When I lifted my gaze, I was standing outside the campus with Nesryn and Lana near two cars - one was Nesryn''s car and the other had Mavka on the driving seat.

    Seeing me, Mavka came out of the car and bowed before me.

    "Look, I know that feeling," Nesryn said, lowering her gaze.

    Her voice softened; her eyes distant as she spoke again after the brief pause.

    "I had my insecurities too. I''m not as strong as my brothers. I felt out of ce all my life as long as I was in the castle. My father never wanted a girl. He made sure I knew it, too." Her chuckle was hollow and haunted.

    Guilt washed over me. I didn''t know I''d trigger Nesryn''s childhood trauma-

    She looked at me with a piercing gaze filled with determination.

    "But my mother taught me to say fuck it all and urged me to find my ce in this world. And eventually, I did! One day, you''ll find your ce as well!"

    I blinked as her words settled in the silence between us and then nodded, reciprocating her determination. "Hmm!"

    Caw! Caw!

    All of us looked at the crow that was flying in circles over my head.

    "And that day might just be today," Nesryn said, smirking menacingly, peering at the crow. "You won''t just find your ce! You''ll show some bitches their ce!" With a swift motion of her hand, she grabbed my backpack and fit-it-all and tossed it to Mavka.

    I had my heart in my throat until Mavka caught the fit-it-all safely.

    "T-that. My pouch-"

    "Want me to toss you as well?" Nesryn asked Lana.

    "Meh," Lana shrugged. "Wopiieee!" she giggled as Nesryn grabbed her arms and tossed her to Mavka in less than a second.

    "Lana!" I eximed, reaching out to her.

    Mavka caught Lana safely in her arms while bncing the other stuff.

    "Don''t worry. Your maid will take them back to the castle. Let''s go!" Nesryn held my hand and dragged me to her car.

    "W-w-where? Where are we going?"

    "The council crow is here to summon you. So, obviously, we''re going to the council," Nesryn said, making me sit in her car and strapping the seatbelt across my chest. "C-c-council? B-but why? What did I do?" I panicked.

    Nesryn sat in the driver''s seat and before I could even process the whole situation, we were on our way to the council.

 Chapter-85. Hormones

    [Raven]

    This was the first time Ezra had been this vulnerable with us, and now everything felt painfully awkward.

    Honestly, I preferred it when Ezra would just lose his mind and burn down the world. The nauseating, smoky stench of boiling blood and burning flesh was far more tolerable than the suffocating silence in Asher''s chamber. Before, disemboweling a conscious immortal was enough to lift his spirits. Now, I didn''t have a clue what might work.

    Food?

    Rum?

    Flowers?

    Cannibalism?

    Women?

    Torture?

    Poetry?

    I am an alchemist, not a poet.

    What am I even supposed to say?

    Gold is yellow, Silver is blue, Oh, my dear brother, You''ve lost all your screws.

    Instead of cheering him up, my poetry would torture him. And I didn''t want him to crave death even more. So, poetry was clearly a bad idea. I let out a sigh and even that echoed. Maybe I''ll just ask the obvious. I cleared my throat.

    "You knew who posted that news blog online, didn''t you?" I asked Ezra.

    "Cedric." Ezra replied in a voice weaker than a whisper, almost lifeless.

    "When you knew who it was, why didn''t you reveal his identity before the council?" I asked, my frown deepening when he didn''t react and just stared into nothingness silently.

    I contemted him closely, curling my fingers into a loose fist, feeling a restless frustration grow inside me. Something heavy in my chest wanted Ezra to react like the Ezra I knew instantly. Because this version of Ezra...

    My fist tightened, nails biting into my palm.

    It felt as though Ezra had already been consumed by some curse worse than death, leaving behind someone I barely recognized. The thought hit harder than I expected, tightening the ache in my chest.

    I clenched my jaws, resisting the urge to smack some sense into him. To yell at him and tell him to get his shit together.

    But his silence... his unnerving calm... thispleteck of action - it tested my patience to its breaking point.

    But no. I couldn''t lose my brother. Not because of two women.

    "Ezra, I asked you a question," I demanded, my re cutting through the silence.

    He finally spoke, his voice hoarse and exhausted. "Cedric is our little brother."

    The words hung in the air, but they didn''t sit right with me. I mean, yeah, biologically Cedric was our half brother, but did we ever consider him as ''our'' little brother?

    "Not just that..." Ezra looked up at me, his gaze heavy. "If we fail to fight this curse, Cedric will seed us. Isn''t that why Asher is grooming him as the back-up Alpha?"

    I ran my tongue across my inner cheek, my gaze drifting to Asher''s empty chair behind the desk.

    As much as I hated this idea, it was for the best. The generational curse affected only the legitimate offspring of the curse bearer.

    That was why the curse didn''t affect Nesryn and Cedric - they were the illegitimate children.

    My father may have given his second and third concubines the status of wives, but he never formed a soul pact with them. That was why, when he finally sumbed to the curse, our mother was the only one who suffered due to the breaking of the soul pact.

    I never understood my father. Even now, I can''t make sense of his actions. Did he know about the curse? Was that the reason he took concubines, hoping his illegitimate children would survive?

    Was it some twisted form of protection?

    What was the origin of such aplex curse?

    What words were used to forge its malignancy?

    Who created this curse and why?

    I keep looking for answers to thousands of such questions, but never found a link that could connect all dots. And whenever I thought I was close to figuring things out, either the link disappeared or I found Asher blocking my path. Just another reason to abhor him with all my guts.

    Asher thinks he knows best, strutting around as if he has it all figured out. But in reality, he''s just a self-centered bastard, too arrogant to admit he might be wrong.

    Like now. He should have been with Ezra. They somehow bond better, but no - Mr. I-am-always-busy-because-I-am-the-true-alpha had yet another oh-so-important meeting to attend.

    What could possibly be more important than Ezra right now?

    He left his oh-so-dear Xanthea all alone as well, and then I had to be with her.

    He seriously doesn''t care. Just pretends!

    Damn him!

    Screw him!

    I picked up my phone.

    If I kept thinking about Asher, I''d burn half the blood in my body with rage.

    So instead, almost out of habit, I activated my butterfly surveince, which was supposed to keep a close watch on Xanthea.

    But with all the council shit, I couldn''t monitor her first day at all. Then again, the first days are mostly uneventful. Nothing significant could have happened-

    I gave Ezra a quick side nce.

    Maybe... this would cheer him up.

    I cast the butterfly surveince from my phone onto the television screen.

    Ezra, who had been sitting limply on the couch with his soul lost in oblivion, stirred the moment Xanthea''s voice filled the room. It was like watching a spark reignite in him - a flicker of life returning to his eyes as he straightened up, suddenly attentive.

    "Th-the Luna candidates?" Xanthea''s voice wavered as she looked at Nesryn, insecurity dominant in her expressions.

    She lowered her gaze when Nesryn affirmed with a nod. Her brows tensed as she blinked fast, biting down on her lower lips.

    Fighting her reluctance, she fidgeted with her phone and asked.

    "S-so... Alpha Asher''s and Alpha Ezra''s candidates... they''ll be there too?"

    "Uh... yeah. And that is why I''ll train you for the meeting while you dress up," Nesryn said.

    The council was dismissed, but the special jury requested Ezra to officially introduce Xanthea to them. Once shepleted the paperworks required to be a candidate, the jury would begin monitoring and judging her like the other Luna candidates.

    But when Ezra asked Nesryn to bring Xanthea to the council, he instructed her not to disclose that Xanthea was his chosen Luna candidate.

    "Don''t tell me you are nning to ask the omega to be your Luna candidate directly before the jury," I said inly. "What''s wrong with that?" Ezra said.

    "What''s wrong with that!?" I raised my voice. "She''ll panic on the spot. You''ll make a fool of yourself if she says no."

    Ezra smiled faintly, his eyes lingering on Xanthea''s image on the screen. For a moment, the silence stretched until his low voice finally broke the quiet.

    "I''ve made a fool of myself over many things, Raven. This will be the wisest folly I evermit. Getting her consent might just be a formality for the jury, but for me, it''s important. And this is the best way to get her most unadulterated answer. So, if she says no... I''ll respect her decision."

    Rolling my eyes, I scoffed.

    Xanthea remained silent for the rest of the drive. Her face remained expressionless and her eyes nk as she looked at her phone screen.

    Who is she texting?

    I looked at Ezra and was about to ask him to hack her phone, but it looks like he already did.

    "Who is Lana?" Ezra asked, busy on his phone. "And what''s with the squirrels?"All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.

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    "Squirrels?"

    I took his phone and looked at the Lana''s first text to Xanthea:

    ''We are heading to the Aile castle. Don''t worry. I got this. I''ll keep your squirrels safe.''

    ''Thanks Lana. I''ll be there asap.'' Xanthea''s reply was brief, and then it was just Lana updating Xanthea with her location.

    I squinted, trying to make sense of their chat.

    Ezra looked up, puzzled. "Do healers use squirrels for practicals now?"

    "They use rats with the beginners, not squirrels," I said, handing him his phone.

    "And Lana?" Ezra looked at me.

    "She''s her healing partner," I said, and Ezra silently peered at Xanthea''s chat again.

    "About Xanthea''s healing partner," Ezra said after some time.

    "What about her?"

    "I want you to give the were-cat a chance. I know she''s dangerous, but Xanthea wants her as her healing partner."

    I let out a sigh. "How much did that omega pay you to threaten me to do this?"

    "I''m not threatening you. It''s a request. Give weak people a chance. They can-"

    "Ok! Ok! I get it! No need to get all sentimental again. Asher''s not here and I am not hugging you, even if it''s the end of the world. So give it a rest. As for a chance, I have already given all of them a chance."

    As I turned my attention to Xanthea, Ezra''s gaze lingered on me for an exnation.

    "Lana is not just a healing partner, she is a perfect shield. I knew Xanthea would try to help that cat even if I threatened to kill her if she did. So I taught Lana the way to protect Xanthea from Zosha. I have forbidden her to help the cat, but aside from the exams, Lana will have plenty of free time to train or help some stray cat get control over her powers. And Lana is extremely efficient in takingmands."

    Ezra looked at Xanthea as she peered out of the car window.

    "So, the rest is on Xanthea to figure out how she can use the resources you gave her to help that cat," Ezra said.

    "Yeah. That cat is powerful, but until she learns to control her powers, I''ll not allow her to be Xanthea''s healing partner. Fair enough?" I cocked a brow at Ezra.

    He nodded. "I suppose."

    "Wee to De Reina, Xanthea. This is where the world''s top designerse together to create history through their dresses, curated exclusively for the Luna candidates." Nesryn and Xanthea were now in the mall.

    "This is not just fashion, Xanthea. It''s a statement of the candidate''s elite status, a clear mark of their superiority over all other women in the pack."

    Xanthea nced at the boutique. I expected to see the same spark of excitement in her eyes that I had seen when she visited the ss Pce, but her gaze was rather dull and heavy, as though she were struggling with some depressive thoughts.

    "Won''t the candidates be offended if I wear a dress from here? They might find it disrespectful..." she mumbled.

    Ezra let out a sigh, shaking his head.

    "Just wear some damn dress and get your ass here. Isn''t that what you are thinking right now?" I said.

    "Not really. She''s calctive. She doesn''t want to outshine the other candidates to avoiding under their radar."

    I chuckled. "Bold of her to think an omega can outshine two alpha demonesses! She''s just overthinking stuff, like always."

    Ezranded a quick re at me.

    "Hey! I am just stating facts!" I raised my hands.

    Ezra looked at the television again, where Nesryn dragged Xanthea into the boutique with her.

    "She''s on her way... I should get ready..." Ezra said, getting up.

    "Yeah, go dress and put on makeup. Patch up your dark circles and swollen eyes. Is that the mascara smearing down your cheeks?" I mocked him.

    "What is your problem? Just say it, ok?"

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    I leaned back on the couch, spreading my arms on the backrest.

    "Fine. Stop this madness right now. The other Luna candidates will chew her raw in no time. But you still have time, Ezra. As long as she hasn''t signed the official papers, she''s not your Luna candidate. I want you to take back your decision. You weren''t thinking straight. A mortal, an omega... seriously?" I grunted.

    Ezra broke intoughter.

    "Seriously Raven... stop being a hypocrite. Who sends a mortal, an omega to the top healing college? What stupidity was that? What madness was that?" Ezra scowled.

    I leaned forward, anger pulsating through my veins.

    "I need her for my research-"

    "Keep saying that to yourself." His words fell heavily in the pit of my stomach, creating an unfathomable churn inside me.

    "Think whatever you want! She wanted the knowledge, and I needed her knowledge. Fair bargain. Also, don''tpare my decision with yours. I didn''t put her life at risk." "Really? You say that as if you don''t know how dangerous Helxton''s exams are."

    "Yeah, and Luna candidates can easily make them deadly for her, so take back your decision. Don''t be a fool-"

    The door opened, and Asher entered the chamber.

    "The meeting will begin in fifteen minutes. Make sure Xanthea is here by then-"

    Asher''s eyes drifted to the television, where they remained fixed on Xanthea, captivated by her presence as though she were the only thing that existed in that moment. Nesryn and the staff buzzed around the room, chaotically debating over the best dress.

    Meanwhile, Xanthea stood on the fitting tform. Her eyes darted across the room from attendants to staff to the designers debating over what would work best for her. Three of them tried different fabrics on her and the other colors on her.

    group

    tried

    Unease was evident on her face as her stiff fingers hesitantly unfastened her clothes. A silent female attendant assisted her undress. The mayhem was expected from the designers, given they were working on such a short notice. Fighting her difort, she stood rather confidently with just a bra and panties on her body.

    Even so...

    More than anything else... she looked disturbed.

    Asher stood in front of the television. "Turn it off."

    "Or you can just sidestep and we can argue while we watch our wife strip-"

    "SHUT UP!"

    Xanthea''s sudden shout froze everyone, halting every action and statement in an instant. And the impact was loud enough to freeze the three of us in our ces for a few seconds.

    I didn''t know our fragile bunny could roar like a wolf.

    Asher''s face went nk with shock as he slowly turned toward Xanthea.

    "Look, Nesryn... I appreciate your enthusiasm, but there''s nothing to be excited about." Xanthea''s voice quivered as she strutted to Nesryn. "I know I don''t have a choice of not going, but if I had... I would not go to the council at all. This is just one of their stupid games where they don''t give a fuck about how I feel... because I don''t understand why they need their breeder there when they already have... their women."

    Her chin trembled as tears streamed down her face, but she quickly wiped them off. Her chest heaved faster as she took a deep breath to collect her thoughts and said.

    "I just want to get this over with!" Her voice shook with barely restrained anger, and for the first time, she didn''t even try to hide it. "So, I''ll choose the dress tonight. Ok?"

    She spoke as if the dress was her only chance to regain whatever little control she had over her life. Though it was a small, almost insignificant decision, it had shifted the entire dynamic. "O-o-ok," Nesryn nodded, just as stunned by Xanthea''s sudden outburst as we were.

    Xanthea stormed out of the fitting room, covering herself with a shawl, and I turned off the surveince and let out a fake cough.

    "Well! Someone''s heat hormones are raging hot today," I said to lighten the mood, but that just intensified the tension in the chamber.

    Asher cleared his throat, licking his lips, he turned towards us, "uhm... we... we should be in the council hall."

    "Yeah. That''s a fantastic idea." I followed him to the door.

    "I''ll... I''ll be there in-in-a minute," Ezra said, sitting on the edge of the couch, pouring himself a ss of water.

    Poor guy.

    "Sure. Take your time, brother. And good luck to you because... you''re gonna need that... so bad tonight." I mumbled myst words as I shut the door behind me.

 Chapter-86. The veil

    [Raven]

    "Where have you been all this time? I thought you left," I addressed Nyssa, walking towards the entrance of the council hall with Asher.

    Asher entered the hall while I stayed back with Nyssa.

    She red at me. "What kind of boyfriend are you? Your girlfriend was missing for over an hour and you didn''t even care to stalk her? What if I was kidnapped or something bad happened to me? We are in a political war zone, after all." I narrowed my eyes, raising an eyebrow.

    "First, if you were ever kidnapped, Nyssa, I''d be worried about the kidnapper and second... what''s up with that temper? Got your heat?"

    Scowling, she hit my arm and I could feel the grievance in her touch. Myughter died on my lips as her eyes red, burning with something darker.

    "I want you to look at me, Raven!" she said, and I nodded slowly, scanning her.

    "Oooo-k... and?"

    Taking a sharp breath, she hit my arm again-harder this time. "Seriously Raven? You see no difference in me?"

    I squinted my eyes, peering at Nyssa with utmost concentration.

    "You grew a tail!"

    "NO!" she growled.

    "Boob job!" I said with utmost confidence.

    "Gross, no!" she snarled.

    "New... hairstyle!" I said, and she punched my arm with every intention of cracking my bones.

    "I changed my fucking clothes, Raven!" Nyssa hissed. "You really never notice. You don''t even care."

    "Tsk!" I clicked my tongue. "Nyssa, I-I noticed. I was just teasing you. These new clothes look great on you. But why did you change your clothes?" "There are three Luna candidates now, Raven. This isn''t about just looking great. It''s about staying on top. One mistake, and I lose everything," she said.

    I saw Vie earlier. She was probably in the same clothes as she was wearing before. Does that mean... Nyssa changed her clothes for that omega? I broke intoughter.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    "Stopughing!" Nyssa snapped, her eyes tensing up. "Do you really think this is a joke?"

    "Come on, Nyssa. Lowering yourself topete with an omega?" I scoffed, shaking my head. "What happened to your standards? You don''t need to feel so insecure because of... an omega. Your pure alpha blood is enough to overshadow her mere presence."

    Nyssa stared at me nkly.

    "Yet somehow I disappear every time she''s around you," Nyssa''s low voice trembled as she held back her frustration. "And even when she''s not around, you''re always watching her; stalking her. She haunts-your phone-yourputer-your butterflies... your eyes."

    I shut my eyes, letting out a mocking sigh. "Nyssa, please."

    "I hate the way you look at her!" Nyssa stepped closer to me, holding my gaze. "Like you''re obsessed."

    Her words pressed down on me, making my stomach twist with emotions so foreign, I didn''t even bother to acknowledge them.

    "You were never like this. Not with the other brides, not even with me," she whispered, with tears lining her eyes. "I''m scared, Raven. I won''t let her steal you from me."

    I stared at Nyssa as she tried to hold back her tears, but failed.

    I reached out and wiped her tears. Her words sounded ridiculous and delusional. However, I couldn''t bring myself tough or even fake one.

    "Xanthea is just a toy. Once I steal her from Asher, once she breaks, I''ll end this game. She''s just a temporary thrill, but you are permanent for me. So..." I lifted her chin and leaned closer to her lips. "Don''t get jealous, babe."

    She held my wrist, her grip possessive as her body arched against mine. "Then prove it..." she whispered, her lips inches away from mine. "Prove that you''re mine, not hers." Her breath, warm and heavy, lingered too close. "After the meeting ends, be with me. Spend the night with me."

    For a brief second, the idea of pulling away crossed my mind. But I couldn''t fathom why, so I masked it off with a smirk instead. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I closed all the gaps between our bodies.

    "As you wish..."

    ***

    I slouched back in my seat, one leg crossed over the other as my eyeszily scanned the hall.

    The jury were slowly taking their seats in the shadows of the balcony with Isagi.

    Asher was having a chat with beta Draknor. The alphamittee had stayed back as well. This was going to be a significant moment in our pack''s history, after all.

    Rage and humiliation burnt Vie as she took her seat. She clearly didn''t want to be here, but she, too, understood the gravity of the situation.

    The soft hum of inaudible murmurs hung in the hall, asionally pierced by the groans of the elder impaled on the chandelier above.

    I tapped my fingers against the armrest, watching his agonized body writhe in pain. His cries for mercy had reduced to pitiful whimpers. This was the dark part of being an immortal.

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    Being an immortal wasn''t always all about roses and daisies. One wrong decision, one misstep and an immortal''s life could turn into an eternal suffering.

    Just like this elder, who was now reduced to a grim ornament of punishment. Until Ezra decided to spare him, he would stay in this state forever like a decorative item for this hall - setting an example to never challenge an Alpha''s authority. The door creaked open, drawing my attention away from the elder.

    Ezra entered the hall, all eyes turning in his direction.

    I thought he woulde with Xanthea. Stupid, he should have talked to her before the meeting.

    Not my problem if he makes a fool of himself. I warned him already.

    As he neared the dais, his gaze flicked upward to the elder stuck on the chandelier. Without a word, he waved his hand.

    With a loud shriek, the infested chandelier flew out of our sight into the infinite darkness of the ceiling.

    Don''t tell me he did that to impress the omega.

    The thought crossed my mind - Xanthea, with her wide innocent eyes, would be horrified to see a man strung up like a decorative piece. She might even throw up.

    The image of her pale, disturbed face brought an amused grin to my lips. It would''ve been entertaining to watch.

    "How thoughtful," I muttered as Ezra took his seat beside me.

    "I want everything to be perfect when she''s here," Ezra replied, exhaling like he carried the weight of the entire council on his shoulders.

    I sighed, shaking my head.

    "The meeting will begin in a minute," Isagi announced. "I request everyone to settle down."

    A sudden gravity enveloped the hall. The elders and jury sat in stiff silence. Asher walked to his seat beside Vie, but instead of sitting, he stood frozen, transfixed.

    Ezra''s gasp caught in his throat as he slowly, almost absent-mindedly, got up from his seat. His gaze remained locked in the same direction as Asher''s, as though the world around him had ceased to exist-

    I widened my eyes as the doors opened, and the entire hall dimmed, fading away in an instant.

    No words were spoken, yet it felt as though the figure stepping through the entrance had cast a spell, trapping me in a poisonous web, leaving me too paralyzed to look away.

    At first, I didn''t recognize her. The woman who strutted into the hall wasn''t the meek omega I knew.

    She was...

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    My pulse quickened.

    Why is her presence so heavy?

    Why is it suddenly so painful to breathe?

    What is this?

    Xanthea''s every step was deliberate, her walk corrupted by a dark, erotic elegance that dared the stalker. Her three piece ck suit sculpted her figure with every crease and shadow intensifying her allure. The sleek, tailored cuts showcased her long legs as she strutted, her head held high, with a confidence that warned of the perils lurking beneath those clothes.

    However, the actual treason wasmitted by her defiant, fearless eyes when she lifted her gaze.

    I ran my fingers through my hair, brushing back the strands that obscured my view of her lips, parting sensuously behind the ck, translucent veil that concealed her face from the nose down.

    Something exciting sparked within my veins and it wasn''t just my blood running wild.

    The veil flowed with the rhythm of her breaths, drifting inches toward and away from her lips in a tantalizing tease. An insignificant piece of fabric had created walls so high around her she seemed unreachable. That veil transformed her from someone ordinary into something... more. Mysterious. Untouchable.

    My jaws clenched at the surge of breaths in the sheer breathless moment.

    Every inch of her body screamed that she hade prepared for the worst; that breaking her would be formidable.

    I leaned back in my seat, pressing my knuckles against my lips that curled into a subtle smirk.

    In reality, I was far away from her, but in my thoughts, I was just inches away from wrenching that veil off her face and iming those sultry lips like a trophy-shattering the unbreakable aura she had created around herself.

    To ravish the body that appeared so holy... so far out of reach. To strip her naked and have her vulnerable body against mine as I defile her with my sin.

    However, the instant our eyes met, for a fleeting second, I was consumed by a fierce desire to trap her gaze in the cage of my eyes and never set it free.

    Although she carefully controlled her expressions, when her gazended on Nyssa and Vie, the corner of her mouth tightened.

    Her eyes stayed on Nyssa more than they dared to seduce mine and slowly her gaze skimmed to Ezra and then to Asher until theynded sharply on Vie as a re. A gaze that made a gorgon demon squirm in her seat.

    Asher contemted Xanthea through her possessive scrutiny that tightened around him like invisible shackles. There wasint, questions and a flicker of pain in her eyes when she averted her eyes and finally lowered them as she stopped near the dais.

    Her presence settled over the hall like a heavy, intoxicating fog.

    Spellbound, Ezra walked towards her through the aisles, his eyes knowing no other destiny, no other destination.

    My brows tensed up as he approached her. I shifted in my seat, curling my fingers into a fist as I reminded myself to breathe again.

    I swallowed, feeling an unexpected rush of something I couldn''tprehend when Ezra stepped closer to her. Whatever it was, it twisted in my gut, leaving me more unsettled than I wanted to admit.

 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 thoughmunication in anguage only they understood.

    Xanthea took a cautious breath and gracefully ced 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 nting 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 rxed 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 th Xipher, wee 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.

    "Alpha Ezra?" Isagi spoke through the mic.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    Ignoring everything and everyone, Ezra looked at Isagi.

    "That is why I need some time with her before the meeting officially begins. I request the council to allow me these few minutes-"

    "Of course, alpha. If you need privacy-" Isagi began.

    "No. It''s fine. This is exactly where I want this to happen." Ezra snapped his fingers, and the lights dimmed around the hall, spreading a shroud of darkness on everyone else. He took a deep breath and faced Xanthea.

    "I know 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 and I and what it means." He held her hands and looked into her eyes again.

    "I know it''s terrifying to ce your fate in the 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 eyes trying to decipher the depth of his words and the emotions he tried to hide behind them.

    "What 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 tighter if you say no." His voice cracked with a slight quiver. Ezra impatiently stepped closer to her.

    "If 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 you silence the noise so gently, I feel defeated..."

    Tears welled up in Xanthea''s eyes as though she could somehow feel the pain behind Ezra''s words.

    What is this stupid doing being so vulnerable before her in front of the entire council?

    What is he thinking-

    The air around the hall ceased into a crushing gravity and I sat petrified in my seat as Ezra got on his one knee before her.

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    "Alpha?" Xanthea took in a sharp, broken gasp, involuntarily stepping back, shock clear through her veil.

    Ezra''s gaze softened as he smiled at her and then lowered his head as though in deep thoughts.

    Hesitating initially, he reached his hands towards his cors and pulled out the ring pendant he had been wearing.

    Xanthea''s hands flew to her mouth, herposure disoriented, her eyes filled with disbelief. She shook her head as though she couldn''t believe her eyes, as if she was dreaming.

    Her breaths hitched as she peered at the ring over Ezra''s chest. Her restless eyes darted to his, searching for an exnation as she gulped hard.

    When Ezra took off the pendant and freed the ring from the chain, she gazed at him with an anxious confusion.

    "I was not afraid of losing anything... until... I found this ring. And while I have known you for such a short time... I-I feel as though I am already... running out of it."

    Her breaths raced faster than her heartbeats as he held the ring between his fingers and lifted it toward her. Maintaining eye contact with her, Ezra''s eyes softened with warmth and nervous uncertainty. "So today... it''s to your heart that I speak. Xanthea... will you be my Luna?"

    Xanthea''s trembling fingers curled into tight fists as she stared at Ezra, her expressions a mix of astonishment and incredulity.

    Everyone in the hall stopped breathing at that moment, all eyes on the two of them, awaiting Xanthea''s reply.

    The wood of my seat''s armrest cracked from the pressure of my ws, sinking into them as I red at Xanthea who shut her eyes and took a deep breath, processing the situation more calmly than I had expected.

    I knew she would have panicked, but she didn''t. All because Ezra created a safe space for her to process everything without being overwhelmed. He hid us and the council away in the darkness so we wouldn''t influence her judgment. Very smart!

    I scoffed, gritting my teeth.

    I don''t know what took over me at that moment.

    Wrath?

    Irritation?

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    Annoyance?

    Whatever it was, it felt like my body was set on fire from within, making me desperate for her to... reject him.

    But when Xanthea opened her eyes and gazed at Ezra again - when she calmly unfurled her fragile fingers and offered them to him with a serene smile and an affirmative nod - something dark and primal ignited within me. Ezra''s smile slowly brightened, his eyes rxing as he gently took her hand in his. With a tender motion, he slid the ring onto her finger. Time seemed to stretch between them as they contemted one another, sharing a smile that flushed her cheeks red.

    Ezra rose to his feet, his movements unhurried, as if savoring every detail of her smile. He reached for Xanthea, pulling her into his embrace. As his arms enveloped her, he let out a deep, trembling sigh of relief. The tension melted between them into something surreal.

    "Thank you," he said, and she hugged him back tighter.

    Both of them looked as though they were on the brink of falling apart, but they held each other together.

    The blinding lights lit up the council again. Still holding hands, they turned to face Isagi and the jury.

    One by one, Isagi exined all the duties of a Luna candidate to Xanthea, the perks that came with it, the cons, the dangers and everything else.

    But all I could think about was - Xanthea.

    The only one I could see was - Xanthea.

    Don''t know why, but the only one I wanted at that moment was - Xanthea.

    And the only one I couldn''t have was - Xanthea.

    My body trembled with the effort of holding back everything I felt as Xanthea finally signed the magical Luna candidate contract with Ezra, using a golden quill that drew blood as ink from its bearer. All I ever wanted was to steal her from Asher.

    What Ezra did with her shouldn''t have affected me the way it did.

    But for some fucked up reason, I want her to look at me, not him, and it was then a feeling buried deep inside me for ages resurfaced.

    The infuriating feeling of losing, and this time not from Asher, but Ezra.

 Chapter-88. No escape

    [Raven] "Luna candidate Xanthea," Isagi''s voice reverberated through the hall. "With this contract, you begin a perilous journey no mortal has ever taken. Imend your courage and wish you all the very best for the challenges that lie ahead." The special jury exchanged hushed whispers, their voices barely audible. One got up and muttered something to Isagi, who gave a brief nod. Momentster, Isagi straightened and addressed the council once more, his voice calm butmanding.

    "Now that the three official Luna candidates have been chosen, the jury wants to speed up the selection process. The candidates will be tested and watched closely based on hidden criteria. However, to ensure fairness, the Royal family will also test them based on open criteria..."

    A wave of murmurs swept through the hall, which grew louder as Isagi continued.

    "The reports from the former Lunas of the pack can cause a major shift in the ranks, so the candidates are expected to take these open tests seriously. They will receive a summons before each test begins. And with that, I conclude today''s meeting..."

    The hall rose to their feet. Most of the elders quietly left, while a few stayed back discussing the open tests and who might get an upper hand. While some of them approached Xanthea and Ezra, offering their congrattions. "Open tests? Raven, what are these now?" Nyssa said something, but I wasn''t paying attention to her.

    It bothered me how effortlessly Xanthea handled the conversations with the elders, maintaining a formal and confident poise. I couldn''t stop thinking about all the ways I could shatter thatposure right now.

    I wondered how she''d react if I fucked her right here, in front of everyone.

    How embarrassed would she be? How red and disturbed? How fiercely would she resist me, fight me, and what would she say when she begged me to stop?

    Just the thought of my face being etched into her eyes like a trauma made my cock throb with a thrill I had never felt before.

    I didn''t realize how tightly I was clenching my jaws until a sharp pain shot through me as I tightened them even more the moment Ezra ced his hand around her waist.

    He looked at her with a mix of surprise and pride, not expecting Xanthea to handle such formal social interactions so efficiently.

    Draknor and the other ranks congratted Ezra, having a lovely conversation with him.

    "We should go, Raven," Nyssa muttered, barely containing her irritation.

    "Not yet," I said, my eyes still on Xanthea.

    "Then stay here and strip her naked with your eyes all night long!" Nyssa snapped, getting up, her hands clenched as she red at me. "I''m leaving!"

    I grabbed her wrist.

    "We''re leaving together," I said, meeting her gaze. "However, it''d be disrespectful to not congratte them. Look at your other rival."

    Nyssa shifted her re at Vie, who got up from her seat and walked towards Xanthea with suppressed reluctance and curiosity.

    Asher remained seated, peering at Xanthea with undivided attention.

    "Congrattions, Xanthea. I''m Vie, Asher''s luna. It''s a pleasure to meet you." She extended her hand for a handshake.

    Xanthea looked at Vie with an impassive expression, but I could clearly see the storm of emotions she was trying to conceal behind her forced smile as she extended her hand to shake Vie''s.

    Ezra smoothly stepped between them, shaking Vie''s hand while shielding Xanthea behind him. This just thickened the charged tension that was already brewing between thedies.

    But Ezra wasn''t taking any chances with Vie. One strand of her hair had enough poison to kill Xanthea.

    "Thanks, Vie. It is indeed because of you I found my right woman," he said, faking a strained smile.

    Vie shot a re at Xanthea, taking her hand back with a jerk before she stormed down the dais.

    Vie walked out of the hall, wiping the hand Ezra had touched with a handkerchief while Xanthea studied her with a tense expression. Her frown deepened as she nced at Asher.

    The way she looked at him - was she questioning why he didn''t follow his Luna candidate, or was she relieved that his attention was all hers?

    While her eyes were locked with Asher''s, I had walked right behind her, and she had barely noticed me. Priorities.

    I reached out and pulled the hair tie from her high ponytail. My fingers glided down her silky hair with the tie, setting her hair free from all restraints.

    It was strange how those few seconds stretched, allowing me to notice how her hair swirled as she turned around to face me. How they cascaded down in slow mesmerizing waves, spilling over her neck and falling gracefully across her chest. Her veil fluttered like a whisper, darkening the depth of her arcane allure.

    The shock in her curious wide eyes flickered into a dazed fear when she realized it was me.

    Sliding my hands into my pockets, I towered over her. Cowering under my scrutiny, she struggled to maintain her defenses. Her confidence wavered. Her heart pounded louder, her breaths erratic. "Congrattions to you," Nyssa stepped forth.

    "Th-thank you," Xanthea replied, clenching her fists to regain the control she had lost over herself because of me.

    I knew she feared me, but today, it felt different - like she was scared because she had done something she wasn''t supposed to.

    And I wanted to find out what my little omega was hiding behind her veil of confidence.

    I extended my hand to Xanthea for a handshake. "Congrats."

    Taking a quick gulp, she stared at my hand. Hesitating, she unfurled her fist, taking my hand. Her fingers were tense, her palm mmy and her breaths uneven.

    Yet, the moment our hands touched, the heat simmering beneath my skin shot throughout my body like a painful fever. Her touch was gentle, yet it felt as though I was bruised all over, aching inside out. Clutching her fingers tighter, I pulled her in; her veiled face inches away from mine as I leaned closer to her.

    A soft, breathless moan escaped her, her shoulders curling in, exposing the delicate curve of her neck. Her parted lips quivered beneath the veil, the warmth of her breath slipping through the thin fabric, lingering heavily against my lips. The effects of the scent mask had withered, setting her sweet heat pheromones free to challenge my senses and test my patience. And when I inhaled her in, her intoxicating fragrance captivated my desires and intensified them until my every thought was about her and it was all burning with a carnal need.

    She bit her lip as she fought to stifle a moan, but the way her fingers writhed within my grasp revealed her desperation to break free from my clutches.

    I pulled her closer, tightening my grip especially around the finger with that damn ring.

    "Ah!" she gritted her teeth, frowning as she lifted her gaze at me.

    res were supposed to threaten, not plead. But when she looked at me, her eyes begged, hinted with a promise of danger.

    But the resistance had only made the handshake even more tantalizing. "Let go! Please..."

    She hissed, her breaths breaking sensuously exactly like they do when I am buried deep inside her. I felt my cock grow harder as her lips became increasingly irresistible behind the veil. My mouth went dry, consumed by an insatiable thirst that only those sulent lips could satisfy.

    Taking my other hand out of my pocket, I reached out to take off her veil when she turned her face away, her chest rising and falling with shallow, uneven breaths as she tried to avoid my touch. Goosebumps ran down my body, my eyes darkening as if I was under some toxic influence.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Leaning closer I whispered against her lips. "Tell me, Xanthea, why did you wear this veil? What are you trying to hide behind it?"

    I smirked, watching as horror spread like wildfire across her eyes. Horror of being caught red-handed in a crime.

    "People with no real importance often resort to desperate measures to appear important. And even though you''re nothing special, you wanted to look important in front of the council today, didn''t you?" Her breath hitched, turning rougher as I squeezed her fingers tighter, feeling her ring dig into my skin.

    Beneath her stoic mask, her pulse quickened, betraying the panic she tried so hard to conceal. For a moment, our eyes met, and I saw it - fear, defiance, and something dark enough to drown an immortal. "Why? Your fragile little heart couldn''t bear the sight of your husbands with alpha women who actually deserve to stand beside them?"

    My gaze dropped to her lips, then rose back to meet her bloodshot eyes, flushed with tears. Her possessive re remained locked on me, her jaw clenched tight as she refused to show the pain I was inflicting.

    I was right. She was... jealous.

    Something unhealthily addictive sparked within me, a thrilling rush of excitement. Everything felt right as long as her eyes stayed locked on me. It didn''t matter if they were brimming with passionate hatred or burning with bitterness - as long as her gaze remained on me; it was all worth it.

    The more defiant she got, the more it turned me on.

    "Raven..." Ezra grabbed my wrist. "What the hell are you doing?"

    "Let her go," Asher''s cold warning came from behind me.

    I smiled, freeing her hand.

    "I was simply warning her to be cautious, since our little omega has no idea what she''s gotten herself into," I said, holding her gaze as she absentmindedly caressed her fingers. "Tsk! Her life was already in our hands, and now it''s also at the mercy of our candidates."

    Xanthea nced at Nyssa and then looked at me again.

    I let out a dry chuckle, ncing at Ezra. "And all I can say to you is... your future no longer looks as bright as your smile, brother. Good luck protecting her. I hope you''re not toote this time."

    Ezra''s face turned pale, his grip on Xanthea tightening like she was slipping through his fingers. He pulled her behind him, his posture defensive. Breathing heavily, he stared at me with incredulous eyes paralyzed with rage and fear.

    I knew I was triggering Ezra''s deepest wounds, and I also knew I''d never forgive myself for it, but I couldn''t hold back my words. It was as though I was possessed by the darkest emotions a demon could have.

    I was hurting everyone around me because I knew of no other way to cope with whatever turmoil was going on inside me. I had done the same with Asher for ages and his pain had often brought me somefort, but it wasn''t working anymore. After what I had just said to Ezra, I felt even more restless.

    I took a desperate step towards him, but Asher blocked my path, stepping in front of them.

    "Leave," Ashermanded, his icy gaze piercing mine. It wasn''t a request; it was a raw threat.

    "Never wanted to be here in the first ce," I sneered, holding Nyssa''s hand.

    As I dragged Nyssa away, the entire day yed out in my mind - from fucking Xanthea at dawn to losing my fucking mind over her by dusk.

    But no matter how far I walked or how fast, I wasn''t far enough, wasn''t fast enough to get away from the chaos in my head. Nowhere even close to the peace and silence I craved at that moment.

    ***

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    I mmed the door shut, getting into the driver''s seat of my car in the parking lot.

    My pulse pounded wildly as my chest tightened with an anger I couldn''t even fullyprehend.

    Nyssa sat beside me, too quiet and cautious, as though she was waiting for some disaster to break free.

    I reached out to start the car, but before I could turn the key, Nyssa''s hand gently wrapped around mine, stopping me.

    "Raven, breathe," she whispered, her fingers caressing mine, trying to calm the fire inside me.

    But I wasn''t in the mood for her soft touches, not now. I ripped my hand away with a harsh jerk, my head heavy with frustration.

    I wanted to say something, but I couldn''t think straight. All I could do was let out a low, bitterugh.

    "What''s funny?" Nyssa asked, her voice filled with concern.

    "I don''t know!" I snapped, myughter abruptly turning into a snarl as I mmed my fist against the steering wheel. Nyssa flinched at the impact, her wide eyes fixed on me. "All I know is... I hate that omega!" I growled. Nyssa smiled, letting out a sigh.

    "Then kill her," she said with a shrug.

    For a second, the storm raging inside me turned into a deafening silence, creating a tight knot in my stomach.

    "Or... I can kill her for you. Don''t worry about your brothers. They won''t suspect a thing. There are thousands of ways a mortal can die... naturally. Plus, now she is a Luna candidate, which means I can y dirty... legally." "Don''t touch her," the words escaped my lips even before I had a chance to think things through. "I''ll deal with her my way."

    Nyssa contemted me and then broke into a mirthless chuckle.

    "She had you all worked up, yet talking about her calmed you down instantly. Hurt andfort from the same person-"

    I grabbed her by the throat and pulled her into a rough, frantic kiss, silencing her words before they could trap me in a space with no escape.

    Her fingers slid down my chest, clenching my shirt as I deepened the kiss.

    "Raven..." she whimpered, her voice shaky as she tried to catch her breath, but I imed her lips again.

    She shut her eyes tightly, but mine were open and somehow found their way to Xanthea as she stepped into the parking lot, walking beside Ezra.

    Ezra slid into the driver''s seat of his car, but Xanthea didn''t. Holding the door open, she looked towards my car.

    My grip on Nyssa tightened, but it was Xanthea''s stare that burned through me.

    Her eyes locked with mine through the windshield, and I felt it in my bones. There was something so wrong about this situation that felt right in some sickly twisted way.

    Xanthea might have hidden her emotions earlier, but right now she was as vulnerable as an open book. And even though her face remained unreadable, I could see her jealousy through her very skin and bones.

    I could read all the dark thoughts she tried to hide in her tensed body by not breaking eye-contact with me until she finally entered the car.

    The satisfaction curled in my chest like smoke, and I pressed Nyssa closer, kissing her harder, parting only when Ezra drove out of the parking lot.

    I raked back my hair, taking in ragged breaths. I wasn''t just far from done with my little omega - I was only getting started.

 Chapter-89. Allowed control

    [Raven]

    TW: Readers'' discretion advised.

    *

    *

    ''No potion was potent enough to heal his heart, so he drank poison and kept drinking it everyday ever since. Not to kill the pain, but to suffer an illusion and call it a cure that just made him sicker.

    And he found sce in that sickness, hisntern heart flickering with mes of pride, but a drizzle of blood was enough to douse it off.''

    ***

    I started the car; the engine growling. My fingers rested loosely on the steering wheel as I shifted gears. Just as I was about to drive out of the parking lot, I saw Asher standing in my way near the exit. My fingers tightened around the steering wheel.

    Instead of slowing down, I shifted into high gear. My foot mmed on the elerator, and the car surged forward with a deafening roar.

    Nyssa panicked. "Raven! What are you doing? Stop the car!" She grabbed my arm as her eyes darted frantically between Asher and me.

    I could hear Nyssa''s voice distantly, but her words dissolved into the roar of the engine and the fury pounding in my head.

    The car charged straight at Asher. The distance between us closing in a heartbeat. The rush of adrenaline blurred everything but the sight of him standing challengingly in my path.

    Something like this wouldn''t do much damage to him, but it would shatter the cloak of invincibility he always wore, especially when his bones break and his body crack apart.

    My heart thundered in my chest and the rush had left me lightheaded.

    Asher didn''t flinch. He didn''t even blink.

    In fact, the defiance in his impassive gaze stood like a dare. He could easily evade the crash, even at thest moment. I''d like to see him try!

    My rage had be my thoughts to the point I wasn''t really thinking.

    "You''re gonna hit him! Stop the car! We''ll get into trouble! RAVEN! NO-"

    My muscles twitched, fighting the urge to hit the brakes.

    I pressed the elerator harder; the engine screaming against the howling air resistance, until I mmed the brakes, hard-

    SCREECH!

    The force hurled me forward against the seatbelt; the air knocked from my lungs. The car came to a brutal halt, tires burning in a harsh drag. The ugly screech overpowered by the sickening thud of Asher''s body crashing onto the hood, blood sttering across the windshield.

    A ringing silence swallowed the parking lot, broken only by the haunting echo of his body hitting and rolling across the ground.

    Nyssa shot out of the passenger seat, barely breathing as she rushed toward him.

    The sharp scent of blood mingled with the gasoline fumes filled my lungs like toxins. It took a few seconds for the nauseating rush in my body to settle down.

    I mmed my hands over the steering wheel.

    That fucker!

    In thest moment, right before the car was about to stop inches away from him, Asher had closed that distance by taking a deliberate step right towards my car. Unfastening the seatbelt, I stepped out of the car, just to see Asher lying facedown on the floor. His limbs were twisted at weird angles as blood pooled around him.

    Clenching my jaws, I rolled my eyes, mming the door hard enough to rattle the entire car.

    I could still hear the faint echo of the crash ringing in my ears as I leaned against the car, peering at him.

    His body remained motionless for a few seconds.

    "Raven! Don''t just stand there! Come here! Help him!" Nyssa yelled.

    "No need," I said coldly.

    Even for an immortal werewolf, Asher''s endurance of pain and regeneration abilities were no joke. It was sickening how beyond perfect he was at every fucking thing.

    Fixing the broken bones of his hands in ce, he pushed himself onto his back. He took in a few gasps, choking as he spurted and coughed out blood from his mouth after every ragged inhale.

    "Alpha..." Nyssa looked terrified - like she wanted to help, but was too scared to approach his dark aura that pushed her away.

    With a cough, he forced himself to sit up. Blood streamed down from his messy fringes, down his face.

    Nyssa looked downright horrified, watching him regenerate such severe wounds in mere seconds. This was probably the first time she had witnessed his regeneration powers so closely.

    Taking a deep breath, Asher twisted his broken leg. His bones snapped back into ce with an unnatural crack, the periphery of his vision enclosing around me.

    What pissed me was how there was no hint of pain on his face even when he was snapping his bones through his torn flesh and ruptured blood vessels. This wasn''t normal - not even for a demon. It was just disturbing.

    A broken bone was one of the most painful experiences for us demon werewolves, and unlike our flesh and skin, our bones didn''t regenerate in seconds. It took hours for proper healing.

    But here he was, standing as though he was never hit by a speeding car.

    He took off his ck Alpha coat, revealing the bloodstained and sweat-soaked white shirt clinging to his body like a translucent second skin. With the speed he was regenerating, it wasn''t surprising to see him drenched in sweat. Regeneration used up a lot of energy, so excess sweating was normal in this condition. At least something was normal about him.

    Panting, he wiped off the blood from his chin and looked at me.

    Hanging his coat over one arm, he calmly strode towards me, his face nk, his movements controlled.

    "What happened, Raven? You don''t look happy." Hisposed voice sent a disturbing ripple through me. "Do my wounds no longer satisfy your ego?" He asked, and I squinted my eyes, ring at him.

    He stood in front of me, face-to-face, as our eyes locked in a silent sh.

    "They should, Raven. Because I will not let you burn Ezra or Xanthea to fuel your ego. All these years, since childhood, I have allowed you to hurt me because that made you happy, gave you a sense of aplishment and control. But I won''t allow you to do the same with them."

    I frowned at him with wide eyes.

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    What rubbish!

    What does that even mean?

    He allowed me to hurt him?

    I knew those were mere words, but when they crashed against me, I felt my ribs shatter. It felt as though a haze that had densely cobwebbed my chest for years slowly tore apart, splitting me from within.

    He - allowed - me?

    Something bitter twisted in my chest.

    Not possible!

    There was no way anyone could have that kind of control over another person. This was just another one of his mind games.

    I tried to ease the tension in my body, but failed.

    "Why do you look so confused? Don''t tell me you haven''t noticed. I never dodge your attacks. Be it on a physical or mental level. Hurt me all you want, Raven, because I am only a reflection of everything you hate about yourself. So, it doesn''t matter what you do to me. But don''t you darey a finger on Ezra or Xanthea again..."

    His eyes darkened as Asher stepped closer to me, the faint sound of his boots echoing with every stride.

    Keeping eye contact with me, he had merely ced his hand on my shoulder, but it felt as though I was being crushed beneath a mountain. His aura towered over me, pressing upon me with a haunting gravity.

    "Because if you do..." his hand slid down my arm, holding my fingers tenderly.

    I stifled a groan, trying to not yield to him as his crushing grip tightened around my fingers.

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    "... I''ll break you before you can even think about breaking them. What do you think will break first? Your body? Or your mind?"

    He was about to break my fingers, and I braced myself, but he stopped.

    "How can I break the one who''s already broken?" He said, and my body shivered with rage.

    My fingers twitched, aching to rip his throat out. But all I could do was stand there, my jaw clenched so tight it hurt.

    He leaned closer to my ear, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

    "This was your first time. Make sure there isn''t a second. Because if there is... I will make sure there isn''t a third."

    I took a tight gulp as my throat closed up, and I struggled to utter a word.

    "We''re not kids anymore, Raven. Learn to control yourself. And if you can''t control yourself, then suppress your rage. If you can''t suppress your rage, then channelize it somewhere better. You have done it before, you can do it again. Because if you don''t, then I''ll have to teach you and I promise you won''t like my methods."

    He took a step away from me and turned around to leave, but my eyes remained fixed on him.

    My chin quivered as I smirked, forcing out a chuckle.

    His steps halted, but he didn''t turn around to face me.

    "Do you think I don''t know how fucked up I am?" I said, staring at his back. "I am a mess, Asher! I am a fucking loser! People hate me! I know! And it''s all your fault! You think I had it easy? Then let tell you, fucker - abandonment is not freedom!"

    I growled, breathing heavily. My voice reverberated through the parking lot. I stepped closer to him.

    "If only you were never born, if only you didn''t exist - father wouldn''t have abandoned me for you! You took away everything that was precious to me! You ruined me! And that''s why I want everything that''s precious to you! One day you''ll be abandoned too, Asher, by the person you want the most!"

    I raked back my hair, licking my dry lips as I swallowed hard. But my stomach kept getting heavier, as though it was slowly being filled with bricks and stones.

    "And I can''t wait to see when that happens. It will be the happiest day of my life and I swear... I''ll enjoy every second of your agony. And I know the day is not far... because the person you need the most, the person who can hurt you the most, has already entered our lives."

    Asher nced at me over his shoulder.

    "I know I am not a great man like you. I know I am not good for Xanthea, but at least I''m not fake. I am who I am, unfiltered. But you - who the hell are you!? I have spent twenty-nine years with you, but you still remain a stranger to me. I don''t understand you, and honestly, I don''t want to. Because I know I''ll hate what I find. And so will Xanthea. She might never be mine, but believe me, she''ll never be yours either."

    A twisting ache churned in my stomach, rising to my chest.

    "When she realizes who you truly are, she''ll fucking hate you. Sooner orter, Xanthea will get pregnant. What will you do then? You can protect her from me, from Nyssa, from Vie and this whole fucking world, but how will you protect her from yourself?"

    Iughed, knowing that I had hit his hurting nerve, although there was nothing soothing about it.

    His fists tightened at my words, but he remained silent and then looked over his shoulder at Nyssa.

    "Take care of him," he said in an impassive tone, as if he didn''t hear a word I said.

    "Talk to me, damn it!"

    I yelled, but he gradually walked into the invisibility of thin air, uniting with it.

    "Look at me! Answer me, Asher!" I roared. "Don''t run away, you coward! Turn around and face me - face yourself!"

    I held my head, struggling to draw in breaths, but a strange numbness took over my body and I fell to my knees.

    "Raven!" Nyssa rushed to me, kneeling beside me. "Are you ok? What-"

    Nyssa''s voice faltered and faded beneath the noise I had buried deep within. Carcasses of words came to life, their skeletal, rotting ws dragging me into the grave of darkness with them.

    My head throbbed with unbearable pressure, as if it might split open under the weight of everything I didn''t want to hear, everything I''d left unsaid, and everything I was reluctant to face.

    ''I don''t have time for your shenanigans, Raven. Quit being so desperate. You look like a beggar, begging for my attention.''

    ''You''re not a child anymore. Grow up and stop being so difficult.''

    ''What a disappointment-''

    "Stop it! Stop it!" I hit my ears and my head as though that would block the memories of my father from overwhelming me. "I don''t want to hear!"

    But the words wouldn''t stop. They swirled around me like a swarm of shadows, tightening their grip, whispering in the dark corners of my mind. No matter how hard I tried to shut them out, they just became louder and louder. ''You don''t have to try so hard to defeat Asher because I don''t need you anymore. I''ve got Asher to carry on my legacy.''

    ''You are not worth my time, so stop wasting it. I have better things to do. So stop acting like a brat. I gave up on you a long time ago.''

    "AHHHHHHHHH!!!" All the pent-up rage and frustration inside me erupted into a deafening scream. "I GAVE UP ON MYSELF TOO! ARE YOU HEARING ME!?" The words burned as they sliced through my throat like shards of broken ss. "I GA-VE UP-" My voice cracked, faltering as my throat clenched tight.

    The weight of the memories and all the neglected emotions choked me into silence before I damaged my vocal cords.

    "I tried! I tried so hard! But I was never enough! I was never you, Asher! If not you, then who do I me? What was MY FAULT? Come back and answer me!"

    I clenched my stomach, hugging myself. But I knew there was no remedy for this pain.

    "I lost myself trying to be you! What more could I lose? What more could I do?"

    I shut my eyes tightly and all I could see were my father''s cold eyes filled with disdain before he turned his back on me and walked away.

    ''... I gave up on you a long time ago.'' His words were etched into my soul. I''ve been walking in circles ever since.

    "Your eyes are just as cold as father''s and the way you look at me reminds me how worthless and inferior I am. So tell me, how the hell am I supposed to stop hating you when you''re just like him? You are him." I mumbled, lowering my head, my gaze fixed on the blood-stained footprints Asher had left behind.

    It didn''t matter how far or close I stood to my father; I knew I wouldn''t be noticed, so I stopped trying all together. Just like he wanted, I never crossed paths with him again after the day he gave up on me. And obviously... he never noticed my absence.

    And I knew if I were to disappear today, no one would notice my absence. But it didn''t matter anymore. I no longer needed anyone.

    I knew I would never be enough, no matter what I do. So why even bother? What''s the point of even trying?

    ''Yet... you keep trying so hard to be noticed...'' I froze when my wolf, Pheles'' voice rang in my head. ''... by her.''

    "Shut up!" I said, punching a crack into the ground.

    "Raven!" Nyssa''s trembling arms tightened around me in a tight hug. "Stop it, please..." she sniffled, her voice quivering. "This is scary. I have never seen you like this before. I-I don''t know what to do..." ''You''re wrong and I''ll prove it to you,'' I thought back to Pheles, wrapping my one arm around Nyssa''s waist as I pulled her in.

    With a swift motion, I lifted her, pinning her against the car.

    "Raven?" Nyssa whimpered, uncertainty flickering in her eyes as I ran my hand up her thighs, lifting her dress.

    Her back arched away from my hand as I untied her dress from the back, yanking her into a kiss. Her heart pounded wilder against my chest as I squeezed her ass, pressing our lower bodies together. As I pressed against Nyssa, the ghost of Xanthea''s scent wafted through my mind and I couldn''t help but subconsciously search for the same sweetness and intoxication in Nyssa''s.

    I fought my senses to focus on Nyssapletely. Sliding her dress down her breasts, I sunk into her neck...

    ''Alpha...''

    I tensed up as a gust of wind carried a hypnotizing echo of the omega''s voice and my heart felt strange, as though it were being caressed and cursed at the same time.

    She wasn''t around. Yet, why do I hear her voice? Why does her scent linger like oxygen in my veins?

    How the hell did I get so deeply trapped, and when the fuck did she be my cage?

    To hell with that omega!

    Resisting the resistance, I clenched my jaw, opened the backseat door and pushed Nyssa inside.

    She gasped, falling onto the leather seats, her chest heaving faster. Propping herself on her elbows, she crawled back, making room for me.

    cing my knee between her legs, I followed her in and shut the door behind me.

 Chapter-90. Falling in fears(18+)

    [Xanthea]

    "I''m sorry," Ezra said, caressing my fingers as he applied an ointment that lowered the redness in my fingers around the ring almost instantly. "You are hurt because of me." ''... Good luck protecting her. I hope you''re not toote this time.''

    Ever since Raven said those words, Ezra had been lost somewhere. He appeared calm andposed on the outside, but I could sense the restlessness gnawing at him from within. He was talking to me, but he was thinking about someone else. Perhaps it was someone he couldn''t protect.

    I could see it in his eyes.

    The pain.

    The emptiness.

    It reminded me of-

    ''We''ll make it...''

    ''I was toote. My only regret is I was toote to realize how desperately, madly, I needed this power, this strength.''

    Ezra''s words echoed in my head. I had always been curious about his past, but now that curiosity was more than ever. Yet a part of me resisted, terrified of the truth.

    What if I failed to bear the weight of what I might uncover?

    What if I hurt him more?

    What if I lose all the warmth and the fragile connection that had built between us?

    What if things go back to how they were in the beginning, or... get even worse?

    We were in Ezra''s condo in the ss pce, sitting on the couch in the living area. The walls, ceiling, and even the furniture wereposed of ss, seamlessly blended with soft, glowing lights that created a futuristic ambience. And I feared that, much like this house of ss, my one wrong question would shatter everything.

    When I saw Raven kiss Nyssa in the parking lot while his eyes were on me, I realized something. A man can be with a woman and not be with her at the same time.

    I didn''t know Ezra''s story, his past or his pain, so I had no right toe to conclusions, but I couldn''t stop thinking.

    I looked at Ezra, who was still tending to my hand.

    Who do you see when you look at me, Ezra?

    Do you see me? Or are your eyes searching for someone else in me? Perhaps someone you lost?

    My throat closed up as I blinked back the tears that threatened to show.

    My own thoughts twisted my heart in ways it hurt like never before.

    Overwhelmed, I drew in a deep breath, taking my hand back from him.

    "Thank you. I''m better now," I smiled faintly.

    Ezra nced at me, and then quickly lowered his gaze.

    "I shouldn''t have brought you into this mess. It had nothing to do with you..." he said.

    "Maybe I was indeed the wrong choice. I''m sorry..." I whispered, lowering my gaze. "For not being as strong as the other Luna candidates."N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    "Are you kidding me? You were magnificently lethal today. The other candidates were walking on pins and needles. Your very presence had them on edge." Ezra said, lifting my chin to meet his gaze. He tucked my hair behind my ear and nted a gentle kiss on my forehead.

    "Angel... it''s not your strength that I question. It''s mine. I''m the problem here. There''s nothing I wouldn''t do to protect you. What I fear is... if it will be enough in theing future."

    "To fear the future is to fall today. Futurees with uncertainties, serendipities and unexpected turns of events..."

    Before I knew I was involuntarily reciting lines from my mother''s diary as it shed in my mind. Ezra contemted me and I let out a nervous chuckle.

    "M-my mother''s words. I might have repeated them to myself a million times, and a million more ever since I came here, in the Infernal realm."

    Ezra lowered his head almost as though he were apologizing for everything he did in the past.

    "However cruel this realm might be, it has treated me well. Better than I could have expected when I married you. I can''t say I''m having the best life, but it''s not as bad as I thought it would be." We contemted each other for a moment, silently agreeing to one another before I lowered my head, intertwining my fingers.

    "Back there. In the council. There was a moment..." he said, taking a deep breath "... I thought you''d say no."

    "I won''t say I didn''t consider it," I said, stroking the ring on my finger.

    "Then... why did you say yes?" his voice faltered by the end.

    I shrugged.

    "There can be many reasons. Let''s just say I wanted some power. You offered it. I took it. Who wouldn''t?"

    Ezra looked at me, taken aback, and then smiled.

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    I frowned at him. "Why? You don''t believe me?"

    He shook his head and then looked into my eyes again.

    "I expect a lot of danger from you, Xanthea, but this is not a political arena. You don''t have to give me diplomatic answers," he said.

    "An Alpha gets down on his knees before an Omega in the presence of a council filled with elders, ranks in power, and influential people. If that''s not a political setting, I don''t know what is."

    I looked at Ezra. He had a soft smile on his face as he peered into nothingness.

    I sighed, looking away. "I knew," I murmured. "I knew it was something important for you. That''s why I said yes."

    He took a quick gulp and nodded.

    "When I entered the council, I was expecting to be yed with, humiliated or even punished, but instead... you honored me... you empowered me." My voice cracked. "I am not afraid, Alpha. I''m grateful. And after everything you''ve done for me, I couldn''t let you down."

    Ezra let out a soft, almost dejected chuckle.

    "So... that was your way of repaying me?"

    "How can I ever repay you?" I said in an almost impassive tone.

    With those few words, the weight of all the unspoken thoughts, unanswered questions, and unprocessed emotions grew even heavier.

    After a brief pause, he said, "you are brilliant at setting boundaries, Xanthea. Just like tonight. With this frail, translucent piece of fabric on your face, you created a boundary that even demon lords wouldn''t dare cross." Ezra''s fingers brushed the edge of my veil as he moved closer.

    I gazed through the ss walls, watching the dark clouds shift and change shapes in the night sky.

    "I hope you remember it wasn''t me who set these boundaries, alpha..." I said.

    "Can''t you drop these boundaries? Just for tonight." He leaned in, his deep voice resonating seductively in my ears.

    His hand lifted toward the veil. I hesitated, my heart pounding with a mix of dread and desire. But before he could go any further, I rose from the couch, my breaths cold and shallow.

    And once again, we were in absolute silence. It was awkward and tense. We drove here in silence as well, which was broken only by his apologies.

    I think we were both trying to stay in the present with one another, but with everything that happened today, our minds couldn''t help but wander around.

    My thoughts about Asher blurred into Raven, and before I knew it, they all spiraled back to Ezra.

    And all I felt was a tangled mess of so many emotions, none of which I could decipher properly. There was a constant visceral jitter inside me, mixing with anxiety and uncertainty I had never felt before.

    Before I could walk too far from him, Ezra grabbed my wrist, closing the distance between us until my back was pressed against his chest.

    I gasped softly, my eyelids fluttering as I felt his heart pounding so fiercely that, for a moment, I felt my own heart stop.

    Licking my dry lips, I tried to step away from him. Distance seemed to be the only safe remedy for the fever building in my body, the haze of my heat pulling us irresistibly closer.

    My breath hitched as his fingers grazed my skin, gently sweeping my hair off my neck.

    "I didn''t know you could be this heartless," he muttered, his nose trailing up the crook of my neck as he took a deep, lingering inhale, savoring my scent.

    My fists clenched as a wave of electrifying shudder surged through me, heat radiating from his touch igniting fireworks across my skin.

    "That was your game, wasn''t it? To be heartless," I said, swallowing the lump in my throat, trying hard to ignore the building rush between my legs.

    His hand trailed down my waist and as he pressed our lower bodies together, I could feel his length hard against my ass.

    "Those games stopped a long time ago, angel..."

    While his one hand glided slowly from my arm to my fingers, his other deftly unbuttoned my waistcoat, tugging my shirt free from my pants.

    "They stopped the moment I put this ring on your finger for the first time," he murmured, his scorching hand slipping under my shirt.

    I shut my eyes, surrendering to the sparking sensation as goosebumps rushed across my body, my nipples hardening against my bra.

    Unzipping my pants, he slowly slithered his hand into my panty. Gliding his fingers across my wet pussy, he cupped my breast, his fingers teasing my nipple. Melting into his touch, I leaned back against him, biting down on my lip.

    He gently tapped my swollen clit, making it throb for more. A tingling weakness shot through my legs as his fingers moved in slow circles, each touch pulling moanful gasps out of my throat.

    My mouth hung open in a silent cry when he plunged his fingers inside me. My hips rocked against his and I could feel him getting harder.

    With his free hand, he took off my suit and waistcoat.

    "Alpha..."

    "Don''t worry, Angel. I will respect your boundaries while I invade them... respectfully," he growled, his words sending shivers down my spine.

    My chest rose and fell faster as I turned around, breaking free from his hold.

    His dark, desire-drunken eyes held mine, offering the same risk a me presents to a moth. Yet the moth never flees - it dives straight into the fire, allowing the mes to consume it until nothing remains but ashes.

    I knew none of this was a game. His emotional vulnerability and sincerity were the proof. So, I couldn''t understand why I was holding myself back from epting him emotionally.

    The answer seemed simple - I didn''t want to fall in love. Yet, that wasn''t the only reason. But I didn''t care anymore.

    The pain of holding myself back consumed me in such an intoxicating mix I pressed my lips against his, the veil between us turning into a sacred barrier.

    Pushing him onto the couch, I straddled his hips, breathing heavily.

 Chapter-91. Drowning in him(18+)

    [Xanthea]

    The surprise on Ezra''s face turned into a mischievous smirk. He leaned back sprawling on the couch as he surrendered to my control. My heart hammered against my ribs as I leaned and kissed his Adam''s apple.

    With trembling fingers, I unbuttoned his shirt, sliding it off his ripped chest. I pulled back and took in his body, which was a work of art, and I couldn''t stare at him without my heart skipping a few beats. As I ran my hand over his abs, I wondered why I had never noticed the tiny mole beside his navel before. And unlike Raven and Asher, Ezra didn''t have tattoos on his body.

    Lifting my gaze to his face, I drank in his handsome features. His blue eyes stayed on me while my fingers traced his sharp jawline, felt the texture of his lips, the terrains of his throat and the muscles of his arms. "You are beautiful..." I whispered, locking eyes with him.

    He peered at me with a slight frown on his face. He shut his eyes, scrubbing his hand over his face.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    "And here I thought I could hold back," he grunted, his voice filled with restraint.

    The room spun before my eyes as he swiftly captured my wrists and flipped me beneath him onto the couch. With a firm grip, he pinned my hands above my head. "This is the power you have, angel. Your few words and here I am on the edge, losing my fucking control. Now tell me, who is the weak one here? You? Or me?"

    "Maybe it''s my heat... or maybe not... but right now... I can''t take my eyes off you..." I said, feeling feverish.

    His grip tightened over my wrists.

    "Fuck it!"

    Clenching his jaws, he pressed the strained bulge in his pants against my pussy, sinking into my neck.

    "You don''t fuck with a demon''s heart, angel, unless you want your soul to be fucked harder..."

    His lips lingered at the edge of my ear, brushing against my skin with a featherlight touch. A shiver coursed through me as he nted slow tantalizing kisses, savoring every inch of my skin.

    He trailed down the curve of my neck. His warm breath teased against my roaring pulse as he gently sank his teeth into my corbone.

    I took a shrill breath through my teeth.

    His lips traveled lower, circling around my breasts, each touch igniting sparks beneath my skin. The sensitivity intensified, converging into a hunger that made my bones ache with a need so dark it stole my breath away. I leaned closer to him. Leaving the veil on my face, he had taken off every other fabric on my body.

    He ran his tongue from my navel to my breastbone, making me arch my back away from the couch.

    His fingers danced across my chest, ying with my sensitive spots.

    "Ezra..." I whimpered needily.

    He smirked, looking down at me, and I quickly averted my eyes, feeling the heat crawl up my cheeks.

    Taking my one breast in his mouth, he squeezed the other, his fingers and tongue flicking my nipples at the same time.

    I wanted to squeeze my thighs together, but his hips kept them apart, pressing firmly against me as he grinded against my pussy in slow thrusts.

    Each grind flooded me with a torturous heat, the friction and rhythm intensifying the ache between my legs.

    "Ah!" I tensed up as he bit down on my breast.

    Licking the bite mark, he gazed at me with dreamy eyes like a poet gazes at his muse.

    His fingers grazed the fabric of the veil, gently tracing the shape of my lips through the delicate material. His touch was out of reach, yet close enough to stir something carnal within me.

    I took a tight gulp, biting my lips.

    "I know, angel. Trust me, I''m dying to taste your lips right now, but I''ll wait... impatiently," he unzipped his fly.

    As he stroked his cock across my folds, my heart thundered in my chest, whimpering every time his length rubbed against my clitoris.

    With a slow, careful thrust, he entered me, then pulled out, and he kept doing the same again and again, making me yearn for more. His tease stopped only when he lifted my hips and I could feel him go deeper inside me. He ced a cushion under my lower back.

    "Comfortable?" he asked.

    I nodded.

    Rolling his tongue against his inner cheek, he said, "good."

    He pulled out and this time, when our hips met with a hard thrust, I widened my eyes, feeling him stimte a certain spot inside me.

    "Ah! Uh!" I tried to suppress my moans when he began thrusting, but my belly felt funny, as though it was electrocuted by a visceral, tantalizing heat that converged and tightened around my pelvic area.

    He made me wrap my legs around his waist as he began pounding faster and harder, hitting that spot again and again.

    My eyes lost focus, tears blurring my vision as the intense euphoric pressure consumed me in a blinding delirium.

    Ezra groaned, uniting with me in the waves of pleasure.

    "Fuck..." he growled in a drawl. "Your pussy feels... so fucking... sinful, angel."

    He pounded harder and harder, our skins colliding in a brutal pleasure with such urgency that I grabbed on the couch, his hand, anything I could hold to brace myself.

    My broken moans merged with his throaty groans as he pulled me into a hug. I writhed in his embrace, taking him while making all those obscene noises.

    "Alpha! Ezra! Yeah! Ah... ungh!" My nails wed into his back as the orgasms split through my body, making me break into sobs and cries of pleasure.

    His fingers ran into my sweaty hair as he cradled me against his chest.

    "Ezra!" I gasped, calling out his name in a fervent desperation. "Ezra!"

    "I got you, angel," he kissed my ear, letting out a hoarse grunt as he rammed wilder inside me. "Don''t hold back," he panted. "Come for me, baby."

    I threw back my head, grabbing his shoulders as I came apart in his arms, my body flooding with assaulting heat.

    Ezra hugged me tighter, biting on my corbone as he exploded inside me, filling me with his cum.

    Our grips loosened on one another as we embraced each other, our bodies slick with sweat, nketed by our united heartbeats and ragged breaths.

    He let out an exasperated chuckle, kissing my hair.

    "I really thought I''d be able to get that veil off your face before you orgasm. Well, I guess... I deserve this. After all, I brought this upon myself," he said in a defeated tone.

    I snuggled into his neck, expecting him to push me away for some unknown reason, but he held me tighter instead, stroking my back with care.

    "I still stand by what I said in the council, Angel. It doesn''t matter whether you ept me or reject me; I will never let go. I will not give up on us."

    I blinked back my tears, burying my face in his chest.

    Ezra cleared his throat, picking me up as he took me to his bedroom. He pulled out from me only when he made me sit on the edge of his bed.

    "Wooh... what a day!" Ezra chuckled softly. He took a deep breath and let out his typical carefree smile.

    I watched him and wondered how strong one had to be to fake a smile so effortlessly. How many times had he buried his pain behind those practiced smiles to be so natural at it?

    "

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    "I bet you''re hungry because I''m starving." He asked. "I would have cooked you something, but with the cooking skills I have... I can even kill an immortal..." he joked around, making me smile. "What would you like for dinner? I''ll ask the chef-

    I held his hand before he could distance himself from me.

    "Take it off..."

    "What?"

    "My veil... take it off..."

    My voice trembled as I lowered my gaze, my heart assaulting against my ribs, unsure if I was making the right decision.

    Ezra sat on the bed beside me. Taking a quick gulp, he peered at me as though he could see right through me.

    "Are you sure?" he asked, and I looked at him, steeling myself.

    "Yes. But I want you to remember that... today... ''you'' crossed this boundary... not me."

    Pressing his lips into a blunt line, he let out a sigh and smiled. Kissing my eyelids, he said, "of course, Angel. It''s on me. Both the confession and the consequences."

    Ezra gently tugged at the veil, sliding it down my face with a tenderness that sent shivers through me.

    "I just hope... you don''t regret it," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath, trembling with fear and vulnerability.

    For a moment, his fingers froze, the air between us charged with tension.

    "I don''t regret losing my mind over you," he said, his voice confident and radiant with determination. "I''ll never regret losing myself to you."

    His words wrapped around me like a warm embrace. I shut my eyes, tears trailing down my cheeks, as he finally took the veil off my face.

    I opened my eyes to the glint of tears lining his eyes as he gave me a tender smile.

    My heart swelled with an overwhelming tide of emotions when he caressed the tears off my cheeks. Resting his forehead against mine, he took a moment to gather himself and his breaths.

    His hand slid around my nape, his lips drifting like a breeze across mine. My lips parted with a quiver and when our lips finally united, everything else within and around us came to a standstill.

    My lips trembled against his as the slow kiss deepened into a more passionate and ravenous one. His taste, his breaths, his heat - it all flooded around me like a rising tide in the thunderstorm, sending ripples of arousal across my skin.

    I felt the bed sink beneath us as weid down, our lips entangled, our bodies entwined. I wasn''t just falling; I was drowning. I was losing myself in the depths of him, sinking into a breathlessness I could embrace every day of my life.

 Chapter-92. The Obsidian Throne

    [Asher]

    I stripped off my blood-soaked coat and shirt, letting them drop to the floor. My footsteps echoed against the dead crystal walls, which shimmered back to life as I stepped into the throne room.

    At the other end of the room, right across the entrance, loomed the heart of the Prime Infernal Pack - the Obsidian Throne. A seat coveted by many who thought themselves worthy. Now they all lie beneath it, buried in the towering dais of rattling skulls and bones of their own kind.

    As I approached, centuries-old shadows hovering above the throne stirred and began whispering in a lost tongue.

    The crimson marble aisle leading to the throne pulsed with life, absorbing the blood that dripped down my body. Red veins in the stone glowed like moltenva surging through cracks, illuminating the path as I walked.

    Dark gray statues of demon wolves nked the crimson aisle, their stone eyes ever-watchful. Beyond them, faceless hooded guardians lurked in the shadows, clutching ancient weapons in their praying hands. I stopped midway, peering at the throne.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    "When you told me to veil Xanthea, I didn''t understand what you wanted to do..." Nesryn''s voice resonated in the room as she stepped in. "But now I do. People fear the unknown, the hidden. You wanted the council to fear her." She stood beside me, contemting.

    "Everyone is curious about her. They aren''t asking why a mortal omega was chosen as a Luna candidate; they''re asking, who is this woman? She can''t just be an omega. There has to be more to her. They are in awe and misery. But it wasn''t just the veil, it was ''her.'' Seeing her walk was like entering a trance."

    Nesryn''s voice was charged with excitement and intrigue. Her heart was pounding lightly.

    "You didn''t ask me to befriend her just to keep her from feeling lonely in this foreignnd, did you? Who is Xanthea, Asher?"

    Nesryn waited for my answer, and when I didn''t reply, she continued.

    "Meeting her... wasn''t a coincidence, was it? Is she... the one you''ve been searching for... so long?"

    I looked at Nesryn. Her words lingered, filling the silence between us. She was getting closer to the truth, and that could be dangerous. But I didn''t bother dismissing her.

    Her eyes widened slightly, her mouth agape as though she had finally realized something. Averting her eyes to the throne, she licked her lips.

    "So she is the one," Nesryn mumbled. "No wonder."

    "She has grown quite fond of you," I said.

    "I don''t think so," Nesryn smiled faintly. "Sometimes she reminds me of you - a softer version, of course. You see people as pawns in your game of chess, while she views them as emotional resources for survival. The two of you aren''t so different, after all."

    "Is that so?" I said, drawing in a deep breath.

    "The way she used me to get those kids out of Helxton and deal with Cedric at the same time," Nesryn chuckled. "I only figured out her maniption once we reached the council."

    "The children," I said calmly. "How are they doing?"

    "Trying everything they can to remain hidden from us," Nesryn said, smiling as she shook her head. "By the way, why did you allow those kids in the castle? Is it because you wanted to help Xanthea help them?" "There''s nothing Xanthea can do to help those kids," I said.

    "So... why?"

    "Because that''s what she wanted to do. Like I have said before, we''ll try not to interfere with her karma as much as we can."

    "Well," Nesryn sighed. "Can''t expect a straight answer from you."

    "How is the Highdy doing?" I asked.

    "Much better than before. She was getting bored in the hospital. After some tests, Raven allowed her treatment to continue from the castle. She returned to the castle this morning."

    I nodded. "Ok. Any leads on Xanthea''s mother?"

    "Umm. I''m trying my best-"

    "So no lead so far."

    "I just need... more time. That woman is nowhere. Like she never existed before bing Freya th-"

    "Nesryn, close all files on Xanthea''s mother. Even the investigations that Ezra and Raven requested. Stop it all at once."

    "What? Why? Asher, I''m trying. Please... just give me more time," she looked at me, panicking as though I gave her a death sentence.

    "Closing her case will not affect your business in any manner, or my investments. I want you to concentrate on finding the mouse who created a blind-spot in my omniscient sight of the Prime pack." Nesryn frowned.

    "Blind-spots in o-omniscient sight? Infernals can''t block your sight and Celestials can''t enter the underworld without losing their celestial wolf spirits. So how is this mouse creating blind-spots in your sight? This is the first time," Nesryn said thoughtfully.

    "And it should be thest," I said.

    Just like mind-link allowed me tomunicate with every single soul in my pack. The omniscient sight helped me monitor every individual in the pack unnoticed.

    Blind-spots appeared when someone concealed their presence from my sight. Not many knew of my omniscient sight, and those who did could do nothing to evade it. So, it was important for me to catch that mouse before it caused trouble for me and my family.

    "Is the blind-spot still there?" Nesryn asked.

    "It''s gone," I said. "It merely stayed for a few minutes as though someone was testing it out."

    "So that is why you came to the throne room today? To have a clear sight so you could find the face that was missing in your omniscient sight when there was a blind-spot?" Nesryn questioned.

    "That''s the problem, Nesryn. No face is missing, nor do I see any extra face," I said.

    "What?" Nesryn tensed up.

    "Whoever created the blind-spot had thought things through," I said. "And that is why I want you to look into it."

    Nesryn nodded. "Where was the blind-spot created?"

    "Near a punishment ground close to... Helxton," I said, and Nesryn''s face slowly turned impassive, finally understanding the gravity of the situation.

    Putting two and two together, she blinked fast, nibbling on her lip.

    "Could it be linked to... Xanthea?" Nesryn asked.

    "I see no direct link yet, but there''s a possibility," I said.

    "Who the hell is strong enough to hide from your sight?" Nesryn asked.

    "Not strong, mia cara. Just tricky," Draknor said, entering the throne room. "Celestials have always been tricky bastards, trying to invade our realm." Nesryn turned around and looked at Draknor. "You think a celestial created the blind-spot?"

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    "Who else can it be? A celestial disguised as an infernal. There was no suspicious entry into our pack recently, so I am pretty sure your mouse has been hiding among us for a long time," Draknor stood beside me.

    For a few minutes, the silence in the room thickened to the point I could hear the slightest rustle in the shadows near the throne.

    "Something has made the celestials more restless in recent years. We caught six celestials trying to enter our pack in the past three days. Any idea what it could be?" Draknor asked.

    "The news isn''t confirmed, so I didn''t present it before themittee," Nesryn said, skimming her eyes from Draknor to me. "But... my sources say the celestials are searching for a weapon."

    "A weapon?" Draknor whispered.

    "Yes. They fear we possess a weapon that can cause mass destruction of immortals." Nesryn said.

    I strode closer to the throne.

    "What rubbish! We don''t have that kind of weapon. Those paranoid angels are sick in the heads," Draknor grunted with a scoff.

    "Whatever it is, the Celestials are here, and not for friendly reasons. We need to find them before it''s toote." Nesryn''s serious tone had a hint of fear.

    "I don''t think celestials will attack us upfront. I have a feeling that they are going to use mortals to do their dirty work," Draknor said. "Mortals?" Nesryn asked.

    "Yup. I just got the reports, Alpha. Today, celestials have officially joined hands with mortals," Draknor said and I nced at him over my shoulder. "Details," I said.

    "Ever since Alpha Ezra visited the Virgo pack, the celestials have been dropping by more often, spending hours with Alpha King and Niki. Celestials have created a divine barrier around the Virgo pce, guarded at all times by two four- winged guardian wolves. All demons within the barriers perished, and the ones beyond can no longer pass through," Draknor read the reports from his phone.

    "What in the devil''s reign are they up to?" Nesryn eximed, hurriedly checking her phone. "No wonder I had no updates from my spies who were posted in the Virgo pce."

    "It''s clear, Alpha. They are plotting something big this time. We need to act now. They can''t be helping the mortals for free. If the celestials were so phnthropic, they would have saved the earthly packs we destroyed. Why only protect the Virgo pack-"

    "No," I said. "The real question is: what is Niki offering them to secure this alliance? Find out on the foundation of their partnership and bring it to me."

    "But we can''t even enter the Virgo pce anymore," Draknor said.

    The shadows shot out from the throne. Taking the form of the rampaging wave as they dominated the room. The gravity of my aura pushed Draknor to his knees.

    "You are not the beta of this pack to make excuses. You''re here to provide solutions, and if you can''t use your head, then I have no use for it." I growled, ring at him.

    The shadows wrapped themselves around Draknor''s mouth and body, restraining every resistance from him as they tightened around his neck to rip his head right off his body.

    His muffled groans grew more disturbing. That''s when Nesryn dashed in between Draknor and me, her chest heaving faster.

    "We''ll use the mortals!" Her voice trembled, her breaths heavy, but cautious. "We''ll find out. Whatever it is! Please... calm down. Please... let him go."

    I shut my eyes and let out a sigh. The shadows withdrew at once behind the throne.

    Nesryn nced at Draknor, letting out a broken sigh. Draknor gasped, suppressing his groan as he held his neck together. Sprays of blood streamed down the gaps of his trembling hands. His split arteries and veins regenerated with his flesh and skin.

    I ran my fingers through my blood-smeared hair.

    "Apologies, Draknor," I said, turning my back towards them.

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    "N-no, Alpha... I know. It-it''s... the th-throne... not you..." he spoke through his clenched jaws. His voice was hoarse and cracking. "D-don''t let it... get to... you."

    "Things would be much easier if my omniscient sight worked beyond the Prime Infernal Pack," I said, trudging forward, my body resisting the savage aura of the throne.

    The only times I ever lost control were when I was in the throne room. That was why I came here only when there was no other option. And today was one such critical day. I had to monitor Raven, Xanthea and Ezra closely.

    The time bomb Xanthea had left behind in her pouch was already ticking. It was only a matter of time before it went off. And I had to prepare for the impact when it did.

    My limbs grew heavy with each step. The throne had already started draining my strength.

    Omniscient sight was a throne-based power that came to the Alpha, who sat on the throne. The closer I was to the throne, the clearer my sight worked and faltered as I went farther away from it.

    Neither Ezra nor Raven ever desired to get close to the throne and even if they did, I wouldn''t have allowed them.

    Because, along with its powers, the Obsidian Throne also brought madness to its bearer - a madness that gued my father, my grandfather, and all the Alphas who came before them.

    The throne feeds on the soul of its bearer and creates in them a desperate hunger for more power. All Alphas who ever sat on it became obsessed. So obsessed that even today, some of their souls haunt the throne, so attached to it, they can''t let go, so they remain trapped in the shadows of the very power they once so ardently desired.

    The obsidian madnesspelled them to create heirs who were always stronger than them. The same made my father obsessed with creating the perfect fodder for the throne - its next heir - me.

    The madnesstched to the Alphas like a silent parasite, devouring their minds, rotting their flesh. It possessed them to the point where the parasite became an organ of their body, transforming them into madness itself.

    No Alpha ever dared speak of the madness. No one uttered a word about it, for they firmly believed that''s what power felt like when, in reality, they were sumbing to a sickness. But the people around them sensed it. Their friends, their families. Everyone knew about the madness except the Alpha, who sat on the throne.

    The skulls and bones crushed beneath my feet as I walked up the dais, feeling the energy drain out of my body faster. The shadows crept closer, their ws ready to tear my soul apart.

    Clenching my jaws, I took in a deep breath and sat on the throne.

    My torso jolted forward as the shadows swirled and tightened around my head, forming a shadow crown that ambushed my mind like a flood of poison. They wed at the edges of my consciousness, a ravenous tide thirsty to tear me apart. I grabbed the armrests, their sharp edges biting through my flesh like des. The throne began sucking my blood like a vampire starving for centuries.

    Pain shot down my spine, spreading throughout my body like a bone-crushing fever.

    The first few seconds of sitting on the throne were like drowning in the darkness - suffocating under the weight of a thousand tormented souls who screamed and howled in my head. Their voices often turned into my own. But right before the madness could sink its fangs into my senses, I snapped back into control.

    Panting slowly, I shut my eyes tight to fight with the pounding ache in my head.

    Unlike the predecessors, I limited my contact with this room, starving the throne, so itpensated by assaulting out as much power from me as it could when it had a chance.

    I struggled to monitor the pack while fighting the shadows that battled to break into me and reach Icifer. Once they got a hold of him, it would be the end for me because Icifer was a Crown demon. It was in his nature to desire limitless power and control.

    Despite all the control I shackled myself with, I couldn''t stop the tremors that shook my bones or the shivering breaths my lungs desperately held onto.

    The throne was already feeding on me, but I would never let it touch my brothers.

    My head violently snapped to the side. Inch by inch, I forced my consciousness into focus, ignoring the pain that splintered through my skull. Slowly, all converged into one. The sight grew clearer, sharper.

    It was like standing at the center of a storm; my body drenched in blood and sweat and my breaths shallow as the winds ripped me in every direction. I was everywhere and nowhere at the same time. My sight spread across the Prime Pack, watching each soul. Their voices brushed against my nk mind in fleeting fragments.

    I was everything and everyone, yet nothing and no one, all at once.

 Chapter-93. Metamorphosis

    [Asher]

    For the time being, Xanthea was safe with Ezra in the ss pce.

    As for Raven...

    "Why are we here?" Raven demanded an answer from Nyssa, closing the space between them, but Nyssa just hugged herself tighter, avoiding his gaze.

    Nyssa had teleported Raven into the empty, dimly lit student lounge in Helxton.

    When she didn''t reply, Raven stepped closer to her, but she stepped away from him.

    "Nyssa? What''s wrong with you now?" Raven grunted. "I asked you a question. Why did you bring us here?"

    Biting down on her lower lip, Nyssa looked at the majestic dragon skeletons that dominated the dark space.

    "Because you always came here. I always found you under this dragon skeleton, staying alone day and night, studying like a madman. So today, I thought you might find yourself here again, under this very dragon," she said, her firm voice wavering slightly.

    "What?" Raven frowned.

    "You were the brightest student in our batch, Raven. Every professor at Helxton was impressed by your exceptional healing abilities, which you honed through sheer effort," Nyssa said, her voice hard with emotion. Raven squinted his eyes, trying toprehend Nyssa''s words.

    "I envied you back then, but now I have nothing but respect for you. You are the best healer and alchemist in the Underworld only because you have earned it through your fucking blood, sweat, and tears." "What the hell are you even saying? This is so abrupt. I thought you wanted to spend the night-" Raven started, confusion dominating his voice.

    "How can you be so self-centered, Raven?" Nyssa''s voice quivered as she stared into his perplexed eyes. "Forget about me. You''re so trapped within yourself that you can''t even see how broken you are right now! You are in no condition to have sex, Raven!"

    Taken aback, Raven studied Nyssa as she looked away, taking a deep breath and quickly wiping away her tears.

    The silence in the lounge stretched as Raven shut his eyes, trying to get a hold of himself.

    I knew the only person who could help Raven recover his true self was Nyssa, perhaps because no one understood him as deeply as she did - not even himself.

    Nyssa has been a constant support for Raven and even today when she was so badly hurt by his actions, she was standing by his side. But he was about to lose even that support. It was time for him to stand all alone.

    "When I first saw you," Nyssa began, her eyes lost in the reminisce of their memories. "I really wanted to ask why you looked so angry. But when I got to know you, I wanted to ask something else - but I didn''t, because I was afraid I might break something that was barely staying together. But today, Raven, I really want to know... why did you look so... sad all the time?"

    Slipping his hands in his pocket, Raven gazed at the dragon.

    It wasn''t that he didn''t want to reply to her; he simply didn''t know what to say.

    Nyssa understood his silence, but she couldn''t stop herself from snapping at him.

    "After everything that''s happened, what exactly are you trying to protect? Your ego? Your false reasons? Your hatred? Your envy?"

    Raven clenched his jaws, lowering his gaze. She grabbed his arm and forced him to look at her.

    "That omega is not the only one fucking with your emotions right now. Every hurtful word you said to Ezra is crushing you with a guilt that you know you can''t escape."

    Raven took a deep breath, allowing the weight of her words to settle on him.

    "You''ll never ept it, but what you did to Asher is weighing heavily on you." Tears filled Nyssa''s eyes, as if she could sense all the pain in Raven''s heart.

    "Enough-" Raven said, his words shaking with his raging emotions.

    "Asher was never yourpetition!" Nyssa''s raised voice drowned away Raven''s.

    Running his fingers through his hair, Raven ran his tongue across his inner cheek.

    "Everything you do has a reason behind it and no, it''s not the reason you arrogantly ster on the real ones. The real reason you made me stand against Vie for the Luna rank is that you knew she wasn''t the right woman for Asher. You understood that for whatever political or social reasons, he couldn''t just break off his engagement with her."

    "This is ridiculous..." Raven scoffed, frustration draining into his eyes as he red at Nyssa.

    "Deny it all you want, but you care about Asher, perhaps more than you care about Ezra or yourself... because you see him. He has always been your coping mechanism. What can be a better relief to pain, insecurities, and inferiorityplex than rage and hatred? And since you lost your only coping mechanism today, you turned to me to help you run away from yourself... but I can''t do that."

    "For devil''s sake, Nyssa-"

    "I can''t let you touch me! Not when I know you''ll be thinking of some other woman finding her warmth on my skin, wishing her body was wrapped around yours, not mine. That thought isn''t just disturbing, it''s disrespectful to me... to our rtionship. You don''t touch a woman to distract yourself from some other woman or to prove something to someone. You touch a woman because when she is around, you just... can''t... keep your hands to yourself."

    The agitation in Raven''s mind reflected on the scowl on his face, which turned into shock for a split second before impassiveness took over as he nced at the tears that streamed down Nyssa''s eyes.

    I might not know the depths of Raven''s heart, but I was certain he cared about Nyssa. Whether it was as a friend or something more, that wasn''t for me to decide.

    "I know it''s scary to leave your true feelings vulnerable in someone else''s hands. But you can''t keep denying them. You may not get tired of running away from them, but the people around you will. And eventually, they''ll give up on you because everything isn''t always about you."

    "Nyssa..." Raven reached out to wipe Nyssa''s tears, but she stepped farther away from him.

    "You don''t even see your achievements as achievements. You''ll never reach your true power until you ept them and stopparing yourself to Asher. You can never be Asher Xipher, not because you are any less or more than him, but because you are meant to be Raven Xipher. Until you realize your own value, nothing is going to change."

    She held his gaze in plea and in defeat. Today, Raven wasn''t able to look away from the reflection of himself in her eyes.

    "I care about you, Raven, to the point I can fight this entire world for you, but I can''t fight you. I don''t want to be your distraction or your regret." Her chin quivered as she bit down on her lower lip. "But I can''t give you up either. But for the time being, for you... I set you free."

    Those were probably the most painful words I had heard in a while - and also the bravest.

    Taking a shaky breath, Nyssa gasped as she fought forposure. But each tear she wiped away was soon reced by a heavier one.

    "Stop. Just stop..." Drawing his brows together, Raven pulled her into a hug, nullifying all her resistance in his arms as she broke into breathless sobs.

    Raven couldn''t bring himself to say sorry, but the way his embrace tightened around her - he was nothing but apologies.

    But he was toote...

    Nyssa got a hold of herself and just when she yearned to hold him tighter, she forced herself to let him go.

    "I have an important surgery. Take care of yourself."

    "Nyssa..." Raven reached out to her, but she had already disappeared from the student lounge.

    Taking a deep breath, Raven scrubbed his palm over his face.

    He stood in the heavy darkness, breathing heavily as he tried to collect himself. With weary steps, he trudged closer to the ss pedestal the dragon''s skeleton stood on.

    Raven settled onto the floor, legs stretched out in front of him, his back and head resting against the pedestal as he looked up at the dragon.

    This wasn''t the first time he had looked up at the dragon and wished for numbness. He had been here in the same spot years ago with the pain that created who he was today. But the pain he felt today would shape him into who he was truly meant to be.

    He had spent most of his university days under the dragon skeleton.

    "It''s been a while...." Raven whispered weakly to the dragon before shutting his hollow eyes and draping his arm across them.

    Raven was the butterfly who needed to see his own wings to trigger the metamorphosis of his soul. And ording to father, transformation into one''s stronger version was always a painful, lonely and dark process. But I was d that Raven was neither alone nor inplete darkness.

    Moonlight reflected off the dragon''s bones, enveloping Raven in a tranquil ambiance. It felt as if his tormented heart had finally found the peace it was suffocating for, seeking sce in the dragon''s shadow.

    ***

    Dawn broke on the horizon, and the white serenity around Raven was painted red.

    "Who''s here? Don''t you know the night sses have been canceled?" An officer said, cautiously walking into the lounge. "Students aren''t allowed to stay back in the university until the were-cat and the kid are found," another officer said. Raven opened his eyes, his brows tensed as he looked at the two officers. Just then, one of them flicked on the lights.

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    It took the sleepy officers a few seconds to realize who they were addressing and once they did, both of them went down to their knees, their foreheads hitting the floor in a bow. "M-m-my lord! Pardon us, Alpha. W-we thought-"

    "What did you say about the were-cat? And what kid?" He asked.

    The officers exchanged a nervous nce before they updated Raven with the details about the kids.

    It didn''t take long for Raven to piece together what was happening; after all, he had once helped weak bloods escape himself.

    He stood up, the dragon skeleton towering behind him as glowing red butterflies swirled around his silhouette, confirming his suspicions of Xanthea being behind all this.

    Nyssa was right when she said Raven always had deeper reasons behind everything he did, and those reasons were often emotional, which is why he never acknowledged them.

    And the reason he was so protective of Xanthea''s dreams was because he never deemed himself worthy of having one of his own.

    He saw glimpses of everything he could have been in Xanthea, and in that moment, the truth came crashing down on him.

    Back then, he had helped a few kids escape to the weak-blood colonies beyond the borders of the Prime pack and he paid a heavy price for it. He couldn''t let Xanthea make the same mistake and for his guilt towards Ezra to deepen. He couldn''t allow history to repeat itself.

    But again, it was already toote; he had already taken a step toward the very future he was trying to avoid.

    "That stupid omega!" He raked back his hair in frustration. "Ezra. He can''t find out about the boy. I need to get rid of those kids before he finds out."

    Raven teleported to the Aile castle in a hurry, and it didn''t take long for the news to reach Xanthea.

    ***

    Xanthea''s phone rang, rattling the foundation of the ss pce, waking her up to a message from Lana that threatened to shatter everything she had built with Ezra so far.

    (Squirrels in danger. Alpha Raven''s in your room. Come home! Fast!)

    She peered at the message with wide eyes, then frantically looked around the room for Ezra.

    Swallowing hard, barely breathing, she texted Lana, her fingers shaking.

    (Lana, can you please tell Mavka to pick me up from the ss pce immediately?)

    Getting down from the bed, she dressed up in a hurry, restlessly checking her phone after every second.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    "Angel?"

    Xanthea froze in her ce, her back facing Ezra as he strolled into the living room, holding a steaming mug of coffee in his hand.

    "You going somewhere?" Ezra asked.

    Holding her phone close to her chest, Xanthea nervously bit down on her lip before she turned around to face him, acting as normal as she could.

    "Yeah. To the castle," she said calmly. "I have my sses. Helxton. I have an important assignment due today. Lana just reminded me. It carries a lot of points. So... if I leave now. I mightplete it on time." "Okay." Ezra nodded, oblivious to the storm that had started to pick up the pace. "Get ready; I''ll take you to the castle-"

    "NO!" she yelled.

    Ezra raised his brows, puzzled.

    Xanthea chuckled, "actually... I asked Mavka, m-my maid, to pick me up. She''ll be here any moment."

    "It''ll be safer if I take you. Get ready," he said, entering the bedroom.

    Keeping the mug on the nightstand, Ezra put on his shirt, but before he could button up, Xanthea walked to him, held his hand, and made him sit on the bed.

    "I know you are worried about my safety. But... you can''t always be everywhere with me. I should learn to fend for myself. Or else how am I going to get stronger?" she asked.

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    Ezra looked unsure.

    "Alpha..." she caressed his hands softly. "Trust me, I''ll be fine."

    Ezra''s face remained stoic, but he nodded reluctantly.

    "Thank you!" Xanthea smiled and kissed his cheek.

    She tried not to panic or look suspicious as he picked up her suit coat and put on her heels.

    Ezra calmly sat on the chair in the living room, reading Xanthea''s chat with Lana on his phone. He knew she was lying to him, but he wanted to know why, so he sat back and watched. "Your ride''s here," Ezra said, and Xanthea almost flinched at his dark tone.

    "I... well... Uhm. See you in the evening, Alpha," she said.

    He nodded, giving her a small smile.

    Wiping sweat off her nose, she was about to leave when Ezra got up from the chair.

    "Is there something you''d like to share with me?" Ezra asked.

    Xanthea''s grip on her phone tightened.

    "No. Why?"

    He shrugged. "Just asking."

    "I don''t want to stand between you and your dreams." He stepped closer to her. "I don''t want to control anything about you. But I''d just like to be involved - included in your life." Almost out of habit, her body stiffened when he reached out and touched her cheek.

    "Do you trust me, Xanthea?"

    She stood petrified, taken aback by the question. Those few seconds of silence and her subtle micro-expression were enough for me to realize she meant the opposite of what she answered.

    "Yes." she said with a smile which wasn''t fake but wasn''t real either.

    "Then I hope you know there''s nothing I won''t do to help you however I can."

    "I know. But it''s really nothing important, Alpha. Just the assignments. Trust me, I will not hesitate to ask for help when I need it. So, you too feel free to reach out to me. I know I''m stupid to think you''d ever need my help, but if you ever do, I''ll be there."

    "Ok," Ezra smiled softly, kissing her forehead.

    ***

    As Xanthea drove away from the ss pce, Ezra stood on the balcony, watching her leave from above.

    I opened my eyes, my grip tight on the throne.

    Now the course of events depends on your decision, Ezra. I really hope you don''t go to the castle. Please, don''t go after Xanthea, brother. Not today.

    "Why did she lie?" Ezra whispered, staring at his phone screen.

    He grabbed his car keys as he rushed out of his condo. Getting in his car, he sped towards the Aile castle.

    I got up from the throne.

    "Draknor. Prepare the castle. Tighten the security around and within. And Nesryn..." I stepped down the dais. "Summon all the top teams of crisis healers in the castle."

    Nesryn and Draknor exchanged a nervous nce before rushing out of the throne room.

    I let out a sigh.

    I really wish you stayed in the ss pce today, Ezra.

    I knew this would happen one day, but I didn''t know I would be so under-prepared for it.

 Chapter-94. Helpless emotions

    [Raven]

    ''Ezra... please stop! Please get a hold of yourself, brother! Help! Someone!''

    I had never felt as helpless as I did that night.

    Ezra''s consciousness was possessed by a berserk power that burst out of him, blindly obliterating everything and everyone that came in his path.

    As the sole survivor of the Forced Activation - a harrowing experiment that shook the very foundation of immortality - sixteen-year-old Ezra stepped out of the walls, burdened by the giant halo of shadows that loomed behind him. The mes of his power charred the very ground he walked on, the impact creating such a severe imbnce that cmities befell in heaven and embers rained down on hell, like shooting stars exploding from the cosmos of destruction, striking the ground bloody red.

    Immortal or not, nothing stood alive before him that night. No one was spared, not even himself.

    His bones ripped apart, his flesh fractured, and his soul splintered under the strain of the outburst. Crimson mana charged with the shadows of the dead weak bloods zapped around him like wild thunder. Thousands and thousands of souls, ame with vengeance, had converged within him to end the world.

    Their screeches, their pain, the tormented howls of those souls prated through Ezra''s body, protecting and destroying him at the same time.

    Back then, I knew if I didn''t do something, I''d lose my brother. So, I didn''t think too much and sprinted towards him.

    But I didn''t know what to do, so I just hugged him tighter and tighter, holding his limbs from ripping apart, hoping I wouldn''t lose my brother because of my mistake.

    ''Thanks for your contribution to this experiment, Raven. The weak bloods you helped escape within these walls were some fine quality guinea pigs. Look at what you did for your brother. Look how strong he is now. Go, prove that you can create history just like my healers. Prove your worth. Go, bring Ezra home.''

    Only if I hadn''t helped those weak bloods, Ezra wouldn''t have to go through this.

    It was all my fault.

    ''Ezra... brother...''

    I didn''t care how his mes burnt my skin. At that moment, like a mortal, I hoped for a miracle. Something that could erase thest few months.

    ''Help him! Please help him! I''m begging you-''

    The heavy winds howled past us. That''s when I heard my father''s disappointed sigh.

    ''I gave you a chance to prove yourself as a healer and here you stand crying and begging for help like an idiot. Asher would''ve already figured out a way to control Ezra. Separate them and take Ezra to theb.''

    A few hands tore me from Ezra. My vision was unstable from all the burns my body had sustained. In a blur, I saw the healers who went close to Ezra were instantly burnt alive, into skeletons. Soon their disturbing screams were drowned beneath the shrill vibration of dark mana that engulfed Ezra.

    ''What was all your rebellion for, Raven? Be a healer, do whatever you want, but in the end, you can''t change anything. You can''t save anyone. You''ll always be just as useless as your demon wolf.''

    ***

    All that chaos and still my father was able to silently silence the event as though it had never happened, even though it had impacted all realms drastically.

    All the healers, alchemists, and staff involved in the experiment disappeared overnight, leaving no trace behind. All the data from the experiment were lost, or should I say, hidden?

    After father, Asher began gatekeeping all that information from me and the world and ssified them as forbidden knowledge.

    As vividly as I remember the horrors of the experiments, there were a few gaps I couldn''t fill.

    Where was Asher when all of that happened?

    Why didn''t hee?

    Why did father suddenly shut down the experiment he was so proud of? Public outrage or the celestial intrusion could have been a reason, but were they the only reasons?

    These questions assimted over the years. But that night when I sat under the dragon skeleton, only one thought echoed through my paralyzed mind: I never wanted to feel that helpless ever again. And only one question: what would I do if Ezra went berserk again?

    It took Ezra months to stabilize his physical body, but years for him to regain his mental stability. And even after all this time, he hadn''t fully recovered. The smallest triggers - anything that reminded him of his past - could send him spiraling back to that ursed night.

    So, we were always extra cautious, never mentioning anything that could directly stir up Ezra''s memories or traumas. Even so, we couldn''t keep a check on his emotional triggers. Asher had helped Ezra regte his emotions throughout these years, but the way he went out of control in the Virgo pack... was proof that some wounds never heal.

    Once Asher became Alpha, he ensured Ezra would never encounter or even hear of a weak blood again. It became thew that all children suffering from mortalitis would be silently put to rest.

    It was unlikely that Ezra was unaware of thisw, yet it was understandable why he never intervened. Perhaps he agreed it was the best for those kids as well. Given everything a weak blood endured every day, death was indeed the best thing that could happen to them.

    But there was only so much Asher could control. Even as alphas, we couldn''t monitor all oddities. There were families and people working in the shadows who didn''t kill such children, but helped them escape beyond the pack walls, where they lived in secret colonies hidden in the wilderness.

    ''... your future no longer looks as bright as your smile, brother. Good luck protecting her. I hope you''re not toote this time.''

    I shut my eyes, running my fingers through my hair in frustration.

    Even after knowing everything he went through... how could I say such horrible things to him?

    Because of my stupid insecurities, I had reopened one of Ezra''s deepest wounds with my words.

    When did I be so desperate? How did I let my emotions get so unruly?

    I still remember every emotion that I felt that night and everything I forced myself to never feel again. All theplex emotions that I twisted, manipted, erased and all the basic ones that I left untouched.

    That was the most I could do with Pheles'' powers as an Emotion demon. I could sense basic emotions in others, but since I blocked most of my own, I couldn''t feel them.

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    Emotion demons were low tier demons in hell because their powers were limited to the emotions of others. And on someone like Asher who never shows any emotions, they arepletely useless.

    I had no interest or right to interfere with others'' emotional privacy, so Pheles'' demonic powers were mostly useless to me.

    Or so I thought, because it was Pheles'' powers as an emotion demon that held me together through the turmoils of all the what ifs that followed.

    What if I hadn''t helped those kids escape to the weak blood colonies? Would it have saved Ezra?

    What if I wasn''t paralyzed with fear?

    What if I stopped my father sooner? Would Ezra have suffered any less?

    What if Asher was there instead of me? He would have saved Ezra sooner.

    What if I was in Ezra''s ce? Would my father have done the same with me? If he did, would I have survived?

    It doesn''t matter what I felt... I will never let Ezra feel any of that pain again. And that is why I had to get rid of that boy before Ezra found out.

    ***

    I peered at the dark space in Xanthea''s cupboard. I grabbed the fit-it-all pouch and examined its scent.

    For a split second, Xanthea''s tranquil scent lingering on the pouch and her clothes overpowered my senses as I shut my eyes, my mind almost shutting down.

    Snapping out of the distraction, I kept the pouch on the vanity and squinted my eyes at the dark corner of the cupboard. Using Pheles'' eyes, I peered at the murky green fear projecting out of the boy and Zosha. The kids had drunk an invisibility potion, thinking that it would hide them from me. Clever, but not clever enough.

    "Alpha. I am telling the truth. They jumped out of the speeding car and got crushed by an iing truck," Lana said, standing in my way. "They never came into the castle."

    "Lana, I thought you were on my side," I said, and Lana flinched, cowering under my re.

    "I-I am on your side, alpha," Lana nodded, her pointed ears flickering.

    "Then stop lying to me and step aside."

    Her wings drooped in fear, but she stood before me, foolishly thinking her tiny body was enough to shield Zosha and the boy.

    "I am not lying!" Lana said, shutting her eyes, her nose ring.

    I frowned.

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    "I don''t have time for this..." I walked past her and squatted, reaching out towards the kids.

    Just then, Lana jumped on my back, her hands covering my eyes.

    "What the-"R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    "They are not here! No one''s here!" Lana yelled.

    I got up, stumbling back as I tried to get her off me.

    "Get off me!" I growled. I could feel her whole body shivering, but she just tightened her grip around my eyes. "Why you little-"

    I grabbed her arm and hurled away from me.

    "Lana! Ugh!"

    A groan broke Xanthea''s horrified gasp as she dashed to catch Lana. But her body jolted back from the impact, her back mmed against the wall the moment her arms instinctively wrapped around Lana to shield her. "What the hell is wrong with you?" Xanthea snapped, her voiceced with fury as she red at me.

    Lana''s eyes fluttered open, her gaze finding Xanthea''s as she winced, steadying herself away from the wall. She took in the pain etched on Xanthea''s face with a mix of guilt and gratitude.

    "I... I''m sorry," Lana stammered, her voice trembling from the shock.

    Xanthea shook her head, her eyes softening when they fell on Lana.

    "No Lana, I wasn''t yelling at you, sweety," she said, getting on her knees as she put Lana to her feet.

    The murky green projections in the cupboard rushed towards Xanthea and hid behind her.

    Sensing something, Xanthea nced at the air around her feet as she got up. It didn''t take her long to understand that Zosha and the boy were hiding behind her.

    Soft pink of care and affection blended into the murky green as she protectively pulled Lana behind her. And when she finally looked at me again, the zing red of rage in her aura dimmed all other colors except the protective dark blue. At that moment, an inexplicable thought surfaced in my heart: What if our mother had protected us like this?

    I knew her efforts would have been futile against our father. But had she ever even tried, like Xanthea was trying to save the children she barely knew... would that have made any difference?

    Perhaps not, because my little omega could struggle all she wanted, but in the end, it would all be in vain.

 Chapter-95. Heartless emotions

    [Raven]

    "So, this is what you were trying to hide behind your ugly veil?" I strutted closer to her.

    "I thought you had better things to do than to peep behind veils that aren''t yours. After all, you have better people to be with, for example, your Luna candidate. What brings you to an omega''s abode?" she said bitterly, standing near the door, suppressing her breathlessness.

    "That doesn''t answer my question." I cocked a brow.

    She stared at me and then averted her eyes, taking a deep breath.

    "Sorry to disappoint you, but I have no obligation to answer you. You no longer have that power over me," she said.

    I smirked, standing just inches away from her. Tilting my head, I trailed the back of my fingers down the side of her face. Her body stiffened, but she held my gaze, refusing to break the re lock.

    I slid the cor of her shirt aside, revealing the pink bite marks and hickeys Ezra had left behind on her fair skin.

    Grabbing her throat, I yanked her against myself.

    "You might be a luna candidate now, little omega, but you are still my wife and it won''t take long for me to remind you of all the power I have over you," I spoke against her lips.

    My grip around her throat loosened, and I slid my fingers down her corbone over her breasts.

    ''You touch a woman because when she is around, you just can''t keep your hands to yourself.'' Nyssa''s words resonated between the distance of our breaths.

    Xanthea grabbed my wrist with both her hands.

    "True. You can still im my body whenever you want, but that''s it! That''s all the power you have left. But I am more than just my body and there are parts of me you can''t touch without my permission," she shot back, ncing at the fit-it-all. "Just like you are no longer allowed to touch my things as you like."

    I smirked with a scoff, withdrawing my hand from her as I stepped back.

    "Don''t get cocky just because you are a luna candidate now."

    She smiled bitterly, stepping closer to me.

    "It''s basic manners not to touch ady''s bag. But then again, I shouldn''t expect manners from a man who doesn''t know how to treat a child. How could you-" she snarled "-how dare you throw Lana like that? Her wings are injured; she can''t fly. You could have hurt her-"

    "And how is that any of my problems?" I said, clenching my jaws as I towered over her. "Lana can heal herself."

    "She is a child! Just because she can, doesn''t mean she should. Especially on the watch of an adult. You have no right to treat her like that. Apologize to her."

    "You are on another level of shamelessness. Who the hell do you think you are to question my authority?" I growled.

    "You said it yourself, alpha Raven. I am your wife. And I can question your authority, not because I am Ezra''s Luna candidate, but because I have a soul pact with you and that means something. It makes me something. If my soul belongs to you, then a part of your soul is mine, too."

    The possessivenessced in her obnoxious tone didn''t irritate me; strangely, it ignited an uncanny hypnotic pull between us. Yet something in her eyes exuded a dangerous allure, identical to a siren''s gaze. Leaning closer to her face, I smile.

    "Nice try. But you can''t change the subject or hide the elephant in the room. Let me tell you how this is going to end. The boy is going back to the hospital to his family, and that cat is heading to prison. There''s nothing you can do about it. We can think about your and Lana''s punishmentter..."

    Her brows drew into a weak frown as she took a tight gulp.

    With a side-step, I walked past her towards the kids.

    "I''ll leave..." she said. "I will quietly leave with the children. You will never see them again. Once I take them somewhere safe, I will return, I promise. And then I will bear their fate, their punishment-"

    I heard her breaths hitch as I broke intoughter.

    "Safe? Where in this burning hell will you find somewhere safe for weak blood?" I growled, ring at her over my shoulder. "What do you even know about this ce? It''s history, it''s horrors! You have only spent a few weeks here under the constant protection of the demon lords, and you think you know this ce? It''s rules?"

    She took in a shuddering breath.

    "Please... let the kids go..." she said, her back facing me.

    "Of course, they can leave for the hospital and the prison. That was my n, after all," I said.

    Her heart hammered against her ribs as I strode towards the kids. Her knuckles cracked as she clenched her fists tighter, her breaths racing.

    "RUN!"

    Her shriek split through the air as she hurtled towards me, colliding with surprising force. With a swift wave of my hand, I flung the door shut before the kids could run away.

    With my other hand, I grabbed her arm and threw her onto the bed.

    I tightened my fingers, preparing to get over with this kid''s shit as quickly as possible. Because Xanthea was about to do something and my senses screamed at me to not take her lightly.

    Before I could make a move, sheunched herself at me in a blur of motion. With fierce momentum, she drove me backward, mming my back into the wall.

    "Step back!" she yelled; her voiceced with authority. "As the Luna candidate, with the binding power of my contract with Alpha Ezra, I take these three kids under my protection. I im them as my own. You shall not harm them lest you wish toe in direct conflict with Alpha Ezra himself!"N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    "Huh! Your alpha Ezra will never know of this and even if he did, his decision wouldn''t be any different from mine," I mocked.

    "Shut up! He is not like you!"

    I frowned as she dragged me across the wall with all her might. She pushed me back. For a brief second, I stumbled, and in those few seconds, she grabbed the fit-it-all pouch and bolted toward the door.

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    In a sh, I teleported behind her, grabbed her nape, and pinned her against the wall. Her body trembled. Stream of strained grunts escaped her lips as she fought against my hold.

    "Stop acting like a fucking bitch," I said, pressing my body into hers to stifle her resistance. "You think you can fight me? You think you can win?"

    "Ah!" she let out a frustrated groan as I twisted her hand and pinned it on her back before she could elbow me in my guts.

    "No! Leave her!" Lana yelled, shooting thorny vines whipping towards me. My butterflies rose in a fluttering shield, splintering the vines in mid-air.

    "Why would you go to such lengths to protect some strangers? So much so that you are ready to risk your life for them?" I asked once she stopped struggling.

    "Because as a kid, I wished there was an adult who''d do it for me," she said through her clenched teeth.

    "So, this is a trauma response?"

    "I don''t know about trauma, but this is my response!" she yelled, pushing herself away from the wall.

    Wrenching herself free from my grip, she shoved her hands into her pouch and yelled, "Hetrotia pollen!"

    Before I could react, she threw a handful of powder towards my face. I shut my eyes quickly, trying not to inhale as the cloud of pollen settled around me. Hetrotia pollen was potent enough to cause temporary blindness when it came in direct contact with eyes.

    Fucking hell! This is....

    As I and my butterflies scrambled to brush the pollen off my face, the door rattled with her frantic attempts to pry it open. Her breaths came in quick, shallow gasps as she fought for escape.

    "Damn it! Damn it!" she cursed, her voiceced with desperation as she threw her full strength into pushing and pulling the door.

    The pollen burned as it settled over my skin. I could still feel the faint, lingering sting, but that was nothingpared to the thrill sparking under my skin.

    "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" I hissed, a feverish excitement overtaking my senses. "Now you''ve really turned me on for a hunt." My eyes grew heavy, drugged with madness.

    I opened my eyes, and Xanthea froze, pinned under my heavy bloodlust as Pheles'' presence flooded the room.

    She banged on the door in frustration and defeated rage.

    She darted a panicked look around, scanning for any exit, but there was none. Her breaths shivered as her fingers clenched into fists as they trailed down the door before she turned around to face me.

    Her eyes widened when she looked into my eyes, charged with Pheles'' presence.

    But before the murky green shade of fear could overwhelm her, the subtle whimpers of the kids ignited the raging red in her aura again. Zosha and the boy''s figure became more visible as the effects of the invisibility potion wore off. "Do you know how our first bride lost her life?" I asked, my voice a low, menacing rasp as I scrubbed away thest traces of pollen from my eyes and took another step toward her.

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    Her breaths grew shallow, her chest heaving faster. Her shaking hands stretched out to shield the kids behind her. Horror filled her gaze, growing with each inch I closed between us.

    "Foolish girl thought she could run away from us," I taunted, flexing my fingers as they morphed into deadly, razor-sharp ws. "So, I hunted her down and ripped her throat out..." My words hung heavy in the air, filling her with unsettling restlessness.

    I watched as her jaw clenched, a slight tremor in her lips betraying the tears she held back. Her breaths turned more uneven.

    "You''ve gotten sofortable with us; you''ve forgotten something very important..." I stepped even closer, my voice dropping to a haunting whisper. "We''re demons. If you want to run away and see hell so badly, I can be... your personalized hell, omega."

    It was time to end her fairytale and wake her up to reality.

    She clenched her fists, breathing heavily, and then forced a smile, shutting her eyes.

    "I really thought I saw something good in you when you introduced me to Lana and showed me a way to help Zosha. I was wrong." Her voice hardened. "Thanks for the reminder, Alpha. I''m just another disposable bride for you. But I swear... before I die, I''ll make sure you remember me for as long as you live..."

    Licking her dry lips, she swiftly ducked low, slipping behind a row of three chairs. The kids followed her closely.

    "I was na?ve to think a demon could have a heart." Her voice, edged with contempt, drifted from her hiding spot. "And a fool to believe there could be some good in evil. But at this point, I don''t know if there''s any limit to how much I hate you, Raven Xipher!"

    I smirked, my heart pounding with a whole new emotion that I could neither name nor measure. It was too immense even for an emotion demon to handle and decipher.

    "The feeling''s mutual," I smirked, letting Pheles take over as I shifted fully into my wolf form.

    His vision sharpened, tracking her every movement as she crept behind the furniture like a mouse, her heartbeat drumming wildly.

    Pheles'' seven tails unfurled like lethal whips, filling the space.

    Bracing herself with a deep breath, she lunged towards me, brandishing a thorny ckthorn branch - the thorns could knock out an immortal for a few hours. For that, she had to stab me effectively. But her aim, wild with fear, barely grazed Pheles as he deftly dodged each sh.

    Pheles'' seven tails snaked around her, weaving an inescapable cage that tightened around her wrists, ankles, and torso the moment she showed an opening. Her breath hitched as shended hard on the floor, each of her limbs was pinned helplessly.

    Sensing her exhaustion, Pheles watched her writhe before pressing his paw over her throat. His ws brushed gently over her skin.

    Her heartbeat raced beneath his touch, but her re cutting through Pheles'' eyesnded straight on me. She smirked. "Told you..." she snarled. "You''ll remember me even after my death."

    She tightened her fists, and I heard the cracking of a ss.

    Alert, Pheles narrowed his eyes, but before she could unfurl her fingers, Asher teleported right beside us and stopped her.

    "Now, now, wife. This isn''t you," he mumbled darkly. "Don''t be so heartless. Show a little mercy to my brother."

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