Chapter 3: Chapter 03
The next morning the door creaked open, jolting her out of her trance. Xara's breath stopped in her throat as Zayne arrived, his powerful presence filling the room. His presence was overwhelming, his golden eyes riveted on hers, as if he could read every secret she tried to keep.
He didn't speak right away, instead taking steady, purposeful steps across the room. His silence made her even more worried.
"You're awake," he said, his booming voice breaking the silence.
Xara sat up, bringing the fur closer to her. "I couldn't sleep."
Zayne's eyes tightened slightly. "I assume you wouldn't. Last night, you appeared nervous.
Are you on edge? That's an understatement. Xara had spent every moment dreading the inevitable claim—the moment she would lose her identity and become theirs, body and soul. But it hadn't arrived. The triplets had spent the night in agonizing quiet, watching and observing her but never moving.
Despite the lack of action, she felt no relief. The air was filled with palpable tension, which seemed to vibrate with each breath she took. The strain was bound to break eventually.
"What happens now?" She inquired quietly, her voice barely audible in the spacious room.
Zayne's countenance was unreadable as he sat on the side of the bed, close enough for her to feel the heat flowing from him but far enough away to be secure. His presence was stifling, even when he was not touching her. Something about the way he carried himself, so confident and strong, made her feel small in comparison.
"You're our bride, Xara," Zayne said softly, his eyes never leaving hers. "But that doesn't mean we'll take everyone at once."We aren't animals. His lips curved into a little smirk. "Not entirely, at least."
Her heart thudded against her chest as she tried to process his words. She had not expected this: a postponement, a reprieve from the inevitable. She had braced herself for something even more horrible. Instead, Zayne gave her something she didn't expect: time.
What is the purpose of today?
"You're scared," Zayne whispered softly. "You should be. However, you will eventually learn. "You will adapt."
Xara swallowed, and her lips dried quickly. "What if I don't?"
Zayne's smile transformed into a serious, almost malevolent one. "You don't have a choice."
The words made her shiver. It was the reality she had been avoiding, and it had plagued her since she was handed over to the Savage Blood Pack. There was no way out; she could not return to her previous life. She was now theirs, compelled by circumstances beyond her control.
Even as her chest tightened with fear, something else boiled beneath the surface. a spark of defiance. It was minuscule and almost undetectable, yet it existed—a stubborn part of her that refused to accept her new reality. She couldn't afford to be weak, either here or now.
"I won't break," Xara declared quietly but firmly.
Zayne's eyes darkened as she spoke, a glint of danger flashing through them. He drew in closer, his breath tracing over her skin as he said. "We'll see, Omega. "We'll see how long you can resist."
He stood up hurriedly, and the air became more tense as he left. "Get dressed," he replied, his tone cold again. "Luka and Rowan are waiting for you." We have some subjects to talk about."
Xara's heart was racing as she watched him leave. What exactly does he mean by "discuss"? She was unprepared for whatever they had planned, but the demand in Zayne's voice left no room for doubt. She was now bound to them, whether she wanted to be or not.
She dressed quickly, shivering as she slipped into the meager clothes they had provided. The cloth was soft but dense, a reminder of the load she was carrying. She was no longer just an omega; she was their wife and property. And with that knowledge looming over her, she made every decision and move.
When she left the room, the corridor appeared much larger and colder than before. Shadows clung to the walls, creating a suffocating atmosphere. Xara's heart thudded in her chest as she moved, her legs trembling as she followed the sound of voices from the far end of the corridor.
As she approached the corner, she noticed Luka and Rowan seated at a big table, their eyes drawn to her as she entered the room. Luka's cheeky grin was the first thing she noticed, and it made her stomach twist with anxiety. Rowan, as usual, remained silent, his black eyes staring at her with such intensity that her skin prickled.
"There she is," Luka said, resting in his chair with a tired smile. "Good morning, little omega. "Have you slept well?"
When Xara looked into his eyes, her throat tightened. Luka's lighthearted demeanor bothered her more than Zayne's cold authority or Rowan's quiet rage. He was the one who toyed with her, pushing her to her limits and seeing how far she could go without breaking.
"I didn't sleep," she explained, her voice barely steady.
Luka's smile widened, and his eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'm not surprised. After all, you must have a lot on your mind.
Xara felt a stab of irritation at his remarks, but she immediately swallowed it. She couldn't afford to offend them, especially given her vulnerability.
Rowan, who had been silent until now, spoke up, his commanding voice cutting through the tension like a sword. "Sit down, Xara." "We need to talk."
The command was brief, but it had undeniable weight. Xara waited for a few moments before approaching the table and taking the chair opposite them. She felt small in front of them, as if their stare could see through her to every concern and doubt she had.
"We've been talking," Luka said, his voice becoming more serious, although his eyes remained amused. "About you."
Xara's heartbeat quickened. "What about me?"
Rowan leaned forward, his black eyes locked on hers. "Your job here. "What we anticipate of you."
The words made her shiver. Expectations. She knew, of course, that being their wife entailed more than just a title, but hearing it openly highlighted the seriousness of her situation even more.
"You're not just here to warm our bed, Xara," Rowan growled, his voice as cold and unyielding as the stone walls that surrounded them. "You've joined this pack. You will contribute, just like everyone else."
Luka chimed in, his grin returning. "But don't worry, we'll be sure to take care of you in… other ways."
Xara's hands were clutched in her lap, and her body tightened as Luka's words remained in the air. She was aware of what they expected from her. However, there was something else in their eyes, something unsaid. It wasn't just about possession and dominance. There was a deeper connection, which terrified her more than anything.
"What do you want from me?" she said calmly, her voice quivering with the weight of the question.
Luka rushed forward, his eyes filled with joy and something malicious. "We want you to survive."
Xara blinked, confused. "Survive?"
Rowan's gaze hardened. "This pack is unlike the Moonstone Pack, Xara. There is no tolerance for flaws here. You will face challenges from us, the pack, and the outdoors itself. You must demonstrate your ability to handle the situation."
When Xara realized what they were saying, she seized her breath. This wasn't only about her position as their wife. It was a trial—a test of her fortitude and willpower. They were pressing her, waiting to see if she would crack under the pressure.
"We're not monsters, Xara," Luka said quietly, but the glint in his eyes suggested otherwise. "But we are alphas. And we anticipate our wife to be strong.
The words shocked her, but there was something more behind the terror—something she hadn't anticipated. A gleam of determination.
She'd been told her whole life that she was weak, worthless, and a burden to those around her. But now, seated in front of these three Alphas, she realized she had a choice. She had two choices: surrender to her dread and let it overwhelm her, or fight. She could show them—and herself—that she was more than they anticipated.
"I'll survive," she replied quietly, her voice shaking with the weight of the promise.
Rowan's look was unwavering, and his expression was unreadable. Luka's smile widened, as if he had expecting nothing less.
"We'll see," Rowan responded, his tone low and final. "We'll see if you're as strong as you think."