Offered to the Triplet Alphas

[Raven] "Luna candidate Xanthea," Isagi's voice reverberated through the hall. "With this contract, you begin a perilous journey no mortal has ever taken. I commend 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. Moments later, Isagi straightened and addressed the council once more, his voice calm but commanding.

"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 congratulations. "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 that composure 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 placed 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 congratulated 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 glared 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 congratulate them. Look at your other rival."

Nyssa shifted her glare at Viella, who got up from her seat and walked towards Xanthea with suppressed reluctance and curiosity.

Asher remained seated, peering at Xanthea with undivided attention.

"Congratulations, Xanthea. I'm Viella, Asher's luna. It's a pleasure to meet you." She extended her hand for a handshake.

Xanthea looked at Viella 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 Viella's.

Ezra smoothly stepped between them, shaking Viella's hand while shielding Xanthea behind him. This just thickened the charged tension that was already brewing between the ladies.

But Ezra wasn't taking any chances with Viella. One strand of her hair had enough poison to kill Xanthea.

"Thanks, Viella. It is indeed because of you I found my right woman," he said, faking a strained smile.

Viella shot a glare at Xanthea, taking her hand back with a jerk before she stormed down the dais.

Viella 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 glanced 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. "Congratulations 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 clammy 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.

Glares 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 succulent 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.

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 glare 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 glanced at Nyssa and then looked at me again.

I let out a dry chuckle, glancing 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 too late 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 some comfort, 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," Asher commanded, his icy gaze piercing mine. It wasn't a request; it was a raw threat.

"Never wanted to be here in the first place," I sneered, holding Nyssa's hand.

As I dragged Nyssa away, the entire day played 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 slammed 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 fully comprehend.

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, bitter laugh.

"What's funny?" Nyssa asked, her voice filled with concern.

"I don't know!" I snapped, my laughter abruptly turning into a snarl as I slammed 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 play 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 contemplated me and then broke into a mirthless chuckle.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

"She had you all worked up, yet talking about her calmed you down instantly. Hurt and comfort 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 claimed 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.