002 - Be our bride for a year.

Maddening rage. That was all I felt, all I could see as I stared at Maria, my best friend. The only friend I've had for the past five years lying lifeless on the floor in the pool of her own blood.

I didn't realise I was screaming until I felt the soreness in my throat - but that didn't stop the scream nevertheless.

I was boiling in anger - and was two seconds away from snapping.

“Shut the fuck up you bitch!” Lucian snapped, gripping me tighter and turning me to face him.

His face was cold and contorted in rage, “shut up and stop yelling. This is just the beginning and I will do worse if you dare defile my orders again.”

Do worse? I stopped my yelling, but my blood was still boiling with a raging volcano of anger.

Do worse?

Does he have any idea what he has just done?

You do not tempt a demon into rage - and he has successfully done that.

For what?

“Why?” I whispered, needing to know before I crossed the final edge, “why did you do this? I never did anything wrong to you.”

But I knew the answer. This was Lucian's true colour- which I've been too blinded by infatuation to see. 

This is the man he is - which isn't surprising considering the fact that werewolves are the most arrogant set of creatures in the realms.

This is the man he is.

Someone who doesn't care, someone who would murder or hurt others just for the fun of it.

“I do not owe you an explanation, Omega.” He sneered and I smiled bitterly.

“Thank you, Lucian, for teaching me a very valuable lesson.” I said and closed my eyes - blurring out every noise around and focusing on the pain and rage I felt cursing through me.

Then with a deep inhale, I turned it off.

My emotion.

My humanity - and just like that, everything I was feeling disappeared, replaced by a blank dark void in my mind.

When I opened my eyes, Lucian's eyes widened. Perhaps because he saw something there, but his few seconds of fear was masked with arrogance and coldness.

“You really have no idea who you are messing with, Lucian.”

He laughed, “oh really?” His hold tightened on my arm as he pulled me closer, “don't you dare act all tough on me.”

“An eye for an eye,” I started stepping back, “a tooth for a tooth. And a pool of blood, for a pool of blood. You have crossed a very dangerous line and mark my words - your blood, all of your blood, will stain the face of the earth just like Maria's own did.”

His eyes widened slightly, but before I could spell Jack, Lucian's arm snapped forward and slapped me across the cheek.

I didn't flinch - I felt nothing.

“Mark my words, Lucian.” I said again and with a final glance at Maria's body, I turned to leave.

“I will get you, Morrigan!” Lucian yelled behind me, “and I'll get what I want from you.”

A smile formed on my lips as I crossed the streets.

I am Xena Storms, of pure demon blood.

I might not have my powers but I'm still the princess of the seven demon realms! 

No one crosses me, and doesn't pay with their head.

Especially not a werewolf.

********

Later that night, I glanced at the letter I have spent the past five minutes writing, before adding the last word. 

Then I glanced through it again, word for word.

 Dearest Mother….

I can only imagine the shock and surprise on your face when you receive this letter.

It's been five long years, and finally I'm giving you a chance to say, ‘I told you so.’ Because indeed you tried to warn me, but I was so blinded by the childish desire to pursue freedom that I couldn't comprehend the truth behind your words.

But I understand now. More than anything because I have faced the worst of things and insults that I shouldn't have felt if I hadn't given up so much power.

I'm sorry for defiling our laws and running from my responsibilities. I am writing to let you know that I am ready to return and I want nothing more than to take up my duties one more time, like you wanted me to.

Please grant me the honour of your forgiveness and this request.

Your lovely daughter,

Xena.

Satisfied, I folded the letter and put it in an envelope, then with a snap of my fingers, watched it disappear into thin air.

I have no idea if my mother would agree to my request but luckily I have a plan B.

Take what I want by force.

I stood up, and ran my palm over the silk black dress I was wearing for the banquet and made my way out of the door.

The moment I stepped out of the room, I almost crashed into a body and I groaned when I looked up and saw Lucy sneering at me.

“Look at you,” she said with disgust in her voice, “all dressed up for the party. Did you suddenly forget that you are only going there to serve?”

I rolled my eyes, “get out of my way, Lucy.”

But she only chuckled, “I heard what happened with Lucian. Awww, I'm sure you are out hoping to seduce another man. But the thing is, no matter how hard you try to polish off, you will still be nothing but a rag. Lucian saw it - others will see it too.”

I groaned impatiently and took a step closer to her, “see, the thing about you Lucy is - you let envy weaken you way too much.”

She opened her mouth to speak but I've already had enough of her nonsense.

So in a swift motion I grabbed her head and twisted it releasing a satisfied gasp when I heard her neck snap - before she dropped lifeless on the floor.

“There,” I murmured dusting my hand, “one less bitch for the universe to deal with.”

I turned around, only to see three men staring at me with wide eyes.

“Wow!” One of them breathed his eyes on Lucy's lifeless body.

I crossed my arm over my chest and stared back at them defiantly, “breathe a word of that to anyone and you'd be next.”

One laughed, raising his hands in mock submission, “calm down, princess. From the way she spoke I have to say she deserves it.”

I straightened my spine as they walked closer to me. 

They were huge. That was the first thing I noticed. So huge that they looked intimidating.

But I didn't feel an iota of fear. 

Maybe because I didn't have my humanity. Or perhaps, because I have never been one to even fear size.

And they were also hot- for a moment I imagined what it would feel like just letting them drag me inside the closest room and roam all hands all over me - plus some.

“Hi, my name is Rhys,” the one with the longest hair Saif said with a smile, “these are my brothers Declan and Asher.” 

Brothers. I thought about looking at the other two. It made sense now because they all had a resemblance between them.

“Nice to meet you. But I'm not in the mood to mingle, so excuse me.”

I tried to leave but Declan blocked my path looking down at me with a glint of admiration in his deep blue eyes.

“You've got fire, and we love it. Also - we heard about you Morrigan. Or perhaps overheard people talking about you.”

My brow raised, “oh?”

“Yes. We got to hear what our stupid nephew did to you earlier today. Accept our condolences for the loss of your friend.”

I stepped back looking at them when it suddenly clicked - Brothers! 

Rhys, Asher and Declan. I have heard those names several times before - from Maria most especially.

They were the triplets.

The Alpha's brothers.

“Thank you,” I said, lifting my chin, “but I do not need your condolences.”

“We respect that.” Asher cut in, “but we believe we can offer you something you need.”

I chuckled, but decided to play along - at least until I'm fresh out of patience.

“And what might that be, my lords?”

Rhys stepped closer, “Revenge. That's what we can offer you. A blood pool for a blood pool.”

Before I could speak, Asher chimed in, “But in return, we want you to be our bride for a year.”