Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen
Ego stroking can never be a goddess’ thing. It is not mine~ Lillyan Elyort.
Lillyan
“Why am I here?” I ask, eyes resting on each of the triplets. They watch me with hawklike eyes, perhaps trying to see into me. I meet their individual gazes with a fierce one of my own. It’d never be heard that the Moon goddess cowers in front of her subjects. But how’d they know? How’d they know that the woman whom they’re trying to boss and lord over, is the same Moon goddess—ex goddess—whom they revere so much, and would never dare to say a single disrespectful word against her? I wonder how they would treat me then.
“We need you to swear an oath,” Xavier says with complete seriousness. The others nod their agreement, and I find myself staring in utter speechlessness. An oath?
“We don’t trust you, Lillyan. If you accept to be our mate, then it’s easier for us to sense your intentions, to know that you fully belong to this pack,” he continues, a condescending tone making its long-awaited appearance into his voice. I almost scoff at the sheer disrespect and contempt directed towards me. They’re acting so much like my brothers—pompous, arrogant and what-have-you. White rage simmers within my veins, threatening to erupt, consume me, and in a stretch—them. The men gathered in the room, aside from the triplets, are all watching me, probably hoping for me to make a wrong decision.
“I never begged for your trust,” I say, surprised at how calm I sound. Big progress. Who the hell always told me that I’m volatile in nature? They should come and witness for themselves how calm-headed I can be. “You guys brought me here from that river.” I say. I don’t bother to add that I’m a bit thankful for their help. I have my own pride too.
They nod.
“I won’t swear an oath.” Who do they think they are? I miss when I had powers. Making a cactus grow on Xavier’s head, or better still, Xander won’t be a bad idea.
“If you don’t, you’ll be locked up.” Xarius drawls, his demeanor reminding me of the god of faeries. I snicker.
“Isn’t it illegal to lock up another werewolf against their will? I retort. Xander is watching. I don’t back down from the staring contest.
“Not if the said werewolf is pretending to be who she’s not.” Xander says, and I’m genuinely startled. Are they suspecting me? Did I give them a hint somehow? That can’t be.
I purse my lips stubbornly. I might be a mere mortal now, but my fighting skills are intact. I’m not confident to take all of them at once, but they won’t bring me down. Xavier chuckles, and the way he looks at me reminds me of that kiss in the library. How dare he—arrogant and pompous—kiss me? How dare he make me react to his touch in that manner? My body shakes as it usually does when I’m angry and want to punch through a wall. I crave two bottles of alcohol. All my self-promise never to touch another bottle of alcohol is momentarily forgotten. The triplets—sinfully gorgeous, and the source of my anger—remain unfazed in sight of my reaction.
I raise my voice so it can be heard by everyone in the room. I notice there is one in particular who keeps staring at me with an inquisitive gaze. I’ve been taught to differentiate friends from foe, danger from safety, and smart from dull. The man is dangerous. I can see it from the way he keeps looking at the triplets while they address me. He has a smug look on his face each time. Like he’s happy that we are having a face-off. I wonder how I noticed these details. The man was kneeling down when I was led into the large room earlier on. But now, he’s sitting down. He’s obviously one of the Betas. The next time our gazes collide, I look at him crossly.
“What? Do you have a staring kink?” I spit.
“Insolence!” He bursts out. I scoff in response. He’s off his chair in a flash, heading straight for me. My hand inches towards my thigh. Strapped onto it is my dagger. I am not afraid of a fight—dangerous man or not. He’s almost upon me, when an icy aura surfaces, and a figure blocks him, hand raised to stop the oncoming blow.
“How dare you?!” Xander barks. I state in bewilderment. I can bet my teeth and tongue that the guy is putting on a show. Aside from his few lustful episodes—which ashamedly reacted to—he’d hit me himself if given the chance.
The man bristles, and looks ready to erupt. I’d find it a funny sight if I’m not holding in my anger. He wants to hit me—daughter of divinity, and sister to gods? I dare him.
“She needs to be put in her place.” The Beta argues. My taunting smile infuriates him the more. The icy aura seems to heighten and I frown.
“Put her in her place?” Xander’s voice drips with practiced control. His hand is around the man’s neck in a snap. “Listen good, Pualin. No one,” he glances around. “No one touches her. Unintentionally or intentionally. Do otherwise and find out how well I can end a man’s life in seconds.” He warns. I almost sneer at the pompousness of his words and exaggerated claims. I am not flattered. In fact, I am losing patience. I want to leave here, and right now too. Pualin reluctantly goes back to his chair. Xander wants to turn around and leave.
“I am not swearing an oath. And anyone who dares to stop me from leaving this room is indirectly challenging me to a fight. Who dares?”
Xander’s shocked expression meets my indifferent face just as the Betas gasp.
“You are challenging us to a fight? You, a wolf-less werewolf?” He sneers.
“Why don’t you accept my challenge and see what this wolf-less werewolf can do?” I challenge. His eyes narrow, so does his brothers’. I’m past giving a flipping fuck.
He’s not taking this seriously, I can see it in his eyes, and the way he examines my body. Worst mistake.
“Challenge acc–”
“Xander, no…” Xarius suddenly interrupts.