Deceiving My Mate

Chapter 11

***Nova**

I stood tall in front of the mirror, my heart racing as I studied my reflection. The girl I once was—one who had spent twenty years hidden in the shadows—was no more. Today, I gazed at the figure of King Noah, a role forged from ambition and desperation. My brother's mysterious disappearance had left a gaping void, and now the throne was mine to command.

Dressed in rich royal garments, I wore deep fabrics embellished with shimmering silver that danced in the light. The mantle draped around my shoulders bore the sigil of the Lycan clan—a powerful wolf that symbolized what I needed to embody as king. Adjusting the intricately woven silver crown atop my head, I marveled at how seamlessly I had slipped into this disguise. Yet, the weight of my new responsibilities pressed down on me like a winter’s chill.

“Your Majesty,” Darius’s voice broke through my thoughts. He was my father’s advisor, someone whose guidance I had come to rely on this entire week since being crowned. By his side stood my loyal Beta, Chase, and my trusted Gamma, Dante. Both knew my secret and had supported me since the disastrous event of my brother's disappearance. Their loyalty was unwavering, and I leaned on their strength.

“Are you ready?” Darius asked, a mix of concern and pride flickering in his eyes.

“Yes, I am,” I replied, summoning a confidence I didn’t fully feel. It had only been a week since I had taken on this overwhelming mantle of deception, and every moment felt like a test of my resolve.

“Your Majesty,” Chase began, his voice low but urgent, “there are whispers among the packs—suspicions that you might not be fit to lead. They say you seem… smaller than the Lycan kings they expect.”

I felt my stomach twist at the thought. I knew my stature wasn’t as imposing as many of the great leaders before me, yet I hoped my resolve and tenacity would eclipse any doubts regarding my physical presence. “Let them whisper,” I said, forcing a resolute front. “They will see my strength through my actions, not my appearance.”

Dante stepped closer, his brow furrowed. “You need to address those doubts, Nova. Especially with the tournament coming up.”

“The tournament…” My mind raced. It was a long-standing tradition that brought our communities together, and I needed to announce it to showcase my leadership. “I’ll use it to prove my worth. I will address the Alphas tonight and encourage their participation. If I can lead in the arena and demonstrate my strength, perhaps the doubts will fade.”

With a nod, Darius gestured for us to follow him through the sprawling corridors of the palace. The grandeur of our surroundings washed over me again; the walls adorned with portraits of past kings and queens, their expressions frozen in time, silently judging whether I was worthy of the legacy I was stepping into. Although it wasn’t my throne to claim. I was only protecting it until my brother was found.

Each passing moment heightened my nerves, echoing the triumphs and tragedies that had molded my lineage.

Stepping into the Great Hall, an assembly of Alphas awaited—a sea of strong faces demanding my immediate attention. Of course Alpha Ceaser amongst them, I haven’t seen him since his confrontation a week ago in this very room. Those hardened expressions bore the weight of their territories and power. This was the moment of truth.

“Your Majesty, allow me inform you that the guards have been doubled as you requested,” Darius said, his tone heavy with importance.

I nodded at his words before I straightened my back, raising my chin to meet the expectant eyes of those present. “Welcome, Alphas,” I said, my voice steady despite the flutter of anxiety in my stomach. “I stand before you today not just as your king but as your ally, committed to protecting our way of life.”

Silence gripped the room, electric with tension as they observed me with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Whispers erupted amongst themselves, laced with doubt. Who was I? Could I truly lead them? These men had fought alongside my father; he had been their warrior, their champion. The prospect of a new king, especially one with such divergence in gender and stature, rattled the foundations of their traditional roles.

“Your Majesty,” a gruff voice called from the back of the hall. It was Alpha Jarek of the Ironclaw Pack, known for his ruthless pragmatism and unyielding demeanor. “You speak of loyalty and alliance, but how do we know you are truly the late Kings’ heir? We have only your word to trust.”

“Jarek, please—” Darius began, but I raised my hand, asserting control over the moment.

“No, let him speak,” I commanded, feeling my pulse quicken. “I understand your doubts, and I welcome them. If I were in your position, I would be anxious too. But blood alone does not dictate leadership; it’s the strength of character and the ability to unite us that matters.”

“Character?” Jarek scoffed. “You think you can fill your father’s shoes? He was a warrior—a beast among men. I’ve seen you and others like you run with the wolves at the edge of Ashwood. You may wear his face, but that does not make you him.”

“I may not possess the brute strength of a Lycan born to battle,” I replied, my voice firm and confident. “But I have the heart to lead, to learn, and to adapt. If you doubt my capabilities, let my actions prove my worth. Give me one day of leadership, and you’ll see if I am fit for this position or not.”

Some murmurs of agreement branched out, but Jarek remained defiantly crossed as he observed me. “Very well. Let’s see what you can do during the tournament. It should clarify many doubts.”

A spark of determination ignited within me. “I accept your challenge. Together, we will bring this tournament to life for our pack to witness. I encourage all of you to participate, and may the best warrior win. This is a chance for us all to showcase our strength and unity.”

As the meeting adjourned, I felt the Alphas’ eyes linger, assessing me with a blend of curiosity and mistrust.

The sun dipped lower, casting an amber hue through the palace windows as I prepared my pack for the night ahead. I donned a more practical outfit suitable for movement—tight leather that allowed flexibility, paired with sturdy boots ready for action. The weight of the crown felt lesser now, replaced by the fiery urgency to prove myself.

In the woods surrounding the palace, the anticipation buzzed in the air. The sounds of night—the buzzing cicadas and the rustling leaves—would be my backdrop as I faced not just the tournament but the watchful eyes of my pack—my true family. I took a moment to center myself, breathing deeply before stepping into the gathering arena—a clearing bordered by towering pines that stood witness to our festivities.

The Alphas congregated at the edge of the woods, shadowed figures exuding strength and resolve. Here, under the moon’s caring gaze, I would unveil my capacity to lead and my prowess as their king.

“Are you prepared, King Noah?” Darius asked, his eyes a blend of pride and concern.

“I will not back down,” I affirmed, steel seeping into my voice. “I will earn their respect tonight.”

The first event of the tournament leads started with what we called the hunt. We shift and chase our prey. A virility of animals caged and ready to release, the tags around their necks separating them from the wolf animals that ran free in the woods.

The animals were let loose, the horn sounded and every Alpha striped bed shifted. However, noting I had to hide my female parts I shifted while still in my clothes, tearing the fabric.

As we fanned out into the woods, paw and claws digging into the earth, the hunt was on. I felt alive not from the chase. It was because I had only my brother and his beta and gamma run with me every time I had shifted. Now, I ran with men I didn’t know and the thrill of it brought me alive. The thrill of the hunt alone electrified my senses, urging me forward. I was a child of the wild; the instincts that had lain dormant surged within me as I melded with the shadows.

Under the moonlight, we hunted. The Alphas moved with precision, the whispers of the forest were familiar, the knowledge of its secrets a comforting presence.

Suddenly, a rustle to my left caught my attention—an elk, majestic yet vulnerable to the pack's collective might. Before the Alphas could react, I sprang into action. My howl reverberated through the trees, primal energy unleashed from deep within me. Empowered, I rallied my allies forward.

The chase was fierce. We closed in, instincts guiding us as we wove through the trees. Together, we moved as one, driven by an urgency that echoed our ancestral bonds. With strategic poise, I positioned my pack, driving the elk toward the waiting thicket, blocking any escape.

In that defining moment, exhilaration surged within me as the thrill of leadership took hold. As the elk’s horns caught the moonlight one last time, the other Alphas lunged, pooling their strength in a magnificent display of unity.

As the beast fell, silence swept through the woods, filled only with our heavy breathing. We gathered around the kill, panting and electric from the chase. I stood tall among them, a sense of triumph wrapping around me. “This is what we can achieve together!” I declared, my voice steady with newfound clarity. “Together, we are stronger!”

Some Alphas erupted into howls of celebration, a sign of their acceptance washing over me like waves. We feasted on our hard-earned prize, and I sensed that the start of our trust had been forged—the chaos of life and death had birthed trust, affirming my place among them. Each pair of eyes reflected acknowledgment; they could see the heart of their new king—a blend of resolve, cunning, and loyalty.

As the moon climbed higher, casting silver shadows across the woodland floor, I recognized that this was merely the beginning. Leading the many wolf packs would require more than strength; it demanded shrewdness, endurance, and genuine connection. From this moment on, I would wear the guise of King Noah with fierce pride. I would protect my family’s throne and my kingdom, even if it meant sacrificing my own truth.

Among the wolves, I had not only uncovered a new start. I had placed myself at the helm of my family’s legacy, and I would fight for them—all of them—no matter the cost.