Deceiving My Mate

Chapter 6

***Dove***

The air in the royal chambers buzzed with tension and anticipation as the morning sun streamed through the grand windows. I stood beside the large mirror, staring at the reflection before me—a reflection that, for all intents and purposes, should have been that of my brother, Axel. Today, I was to present myself as him—a stand-in for the Lycan crown, an heir that would defy the expectations of a society that was not ready for a female ruler.

“Nova, come on! We don’t have much time!” Dante urged, his tone a blend of excitement and urgency. He paced the room, running a hand through his dark hair, clearly anxious as he glanced at the clock. Chase, my other best friend, was rifling through my wardrobe, hastily pulling clothing items we’d selected for me onto the bed.

“I just… I don’t know if I can do this,” I replied, my voice a whisper thick with nerves. The weight of the coronation loomed over me—it wasn’t just any event; it was my brother’s place I had to uphold, and I was terrified of stepping into such enormous shoes.

“You can, and you will,” Chase reassured me, tossing aside a tunic before finding one he deemed suitable. “Look, you already have the look down. Just think of yourself as a smaller, younger version of Axel. You can pull this off.”

I sighed, glancing back at the mirror. My brown hair was pulled back in a neat braid, framing my face, and the clothing they had chosen for me fit snugly. I was indeed a slimmer and smaller version of my brother. I scrutinized my reflection, trying to conjure the confidence I felt lacking. “But I’m still just a small female pretending to be a male!”

Chase snorted, “If you keep saying that, we’ll start believing you’re not even a full Lycan!”

“Relax! Just channel your inner Alpha,” Dante interjected, giving me a playful shove toward the mirror. “You’ve got this, Nova. Just remember: stand tall, speak clearly, and don’t hang your head like you’ve got something to hide.”

“And if all else fails,” Chase added with a smirk, “just give them a good growl. They’ll be so confused they won’t know what hit them!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the lightheartedness in their banter. “Right, because if I growl like a puppy, they’ll take me seriously, right?”

“Exactly!” Dante grinned, his charisma shining. “And if things get out of hand, we’ll be right by your side. Trust me.”

As I tried to capture the essence of my brother’s presence, the enormity of the situation weighed heavily upon me. The Kingdom had countless wolf packs, and the council comprised powerful Alphas who were not particularly open to the idea of a female lycan ruler. If they found out the truth about my identity, the consequences could be dire—not just for me, but for Axel’s legacy as well.

I was desperate to make my brother proud, to keep him safe, and to protect our family. In such a critical moment, there was no room for hesitation.

“Okay, let’s do this,” I declared, squaring my shoulders as I steeled my resolve. “What do I need to do?”

“First, practice walking like you mean business!” Dante instructed, stepping back to give me space in the middle of the room. “Just like this.” He demonstrated a confident stride, shoulders back, head high.

I shook my head, trying to mask my smile at his exaggerated movements. “Like I just own the kingdom?”

“Exactly! Even if it’s just a little while longer than you’ll actually own it,” Chase said with a smirk. They chuckled, and I sank lower into laughter, letting some of the tension escape me.

“Okay, okay,” I said, consciously mimicking their gestures as I walked around the room, trying to emulate Axel. “How does this look?” I asked, attempting to mimic the boldness they both portrayed.

“You look just like him!” Dante proclaimed, thumb raised in approval. “Now, remember, keep that confidence as you speak. Maintain the charisma of an Alpha; you carry the weight of your brother’s legacy.”

Chase nodded. “And don’t forget to make eye contact, especially with those older Alphas. They can be intimidating, but you’re their equal as the temporary king.”

“King,” I echoed, the word rolling off my tongue with an unsettling weight. It felt foreign, yet exhilarating. I was about to step into a role I never believed I would have to occupy.

“Hey, at least you’re not alone in this,” Dante reminded me, his smile reassuring. “You’ve got us.”

In a flash, I felt a surge of gratitude wash over me—these two had been my support system throughout this entire ordeal. I knew I could count on them to be there if anything went awry. Just the thought of my brother made me stronger. Our bond was infinite; he had always believed in me, even when I doubted myself.

“Alright, round two!” I declared, firming my posture as I attempted the stride again, walking with purpose. “How does this look? Am I getting it right?”

“Better! Now keep practicing—you’ll be great,” Chase called out, balancing on his toes in a mock display of alpha confidence, earning a laugh from us both.

“Seriously, Nova, just remember—this is for Axel,” Dante added, his voice quieter, more serious now. “Everything we do today is to honor his place and preserve our family’s future.”

As we prepared, I caught a glimpse of the reflection in the mirror again, and the weight of the moment settled over me. I was on the precipice of something monumental, driven by my love for my brother and my desire to safeguard all we held dear.

“And okay, make sure to practice your growl!” Chase chimed in, breaking the momentary silence with his infectious laughter. “We wouldn’t want those old farts thinking we’re going easy on them!”

Rolling my eyes, I tried to suppress my grin as I gave a playful growl, an awkward sound that earned more laughter from the two boys.

“Alright, let’s go,” I asserted, determination fueling me as I embraced my role. “I can do this!”

With my heart pounding and my friends by my side, we prepared to face the Council and defend what was rightfully ours. Deep in my heart, I knew that through our unity, we could make it through any challenge thrown our way.

As we made our way toward the grand hall, the electric atmosphere enveloped me, and the resolve to defend my brother’s place, until Dante and Chase can find him. I just hoped he wasn’t hurt and was still alive.

I would not let fear guide me; I was ready to step into the role that awaited me, determined to honor the my family’s throne.

Today, I would embrace my destiny. I was the last Lycan of the Lycan bloodline and It was up to me to protect my family’s throne.