Deceiving My Mate

Chapter 8

***Nova***

I stood in front of the mirror, the weight of my disguise heavy on my shoulders. The boyish clothes clung to my frame in a way that made me feel alien in my own skin. The dark fabric contrasted sharply with my long, dark hair, which I kept pushed back under a cap. The name "King Zeek" echoed in my mind. A title I had adopted to navigate this new reality, but inside, I was still Nova — a female Lycan in a world that saw power in a male figure.

Chase’s words rang in my ears as I paced my room, anxiety churning in my stomach. “You have an Alpha-only gathering, Nova. They will discuss pack issues and other things.” My heart raced at the thought of facing my mate, Alpha Ceaser of the Steele pack, and possibly shattering the delicate façade I had woven around my true identity.

“I just lied to him and everyone in the kingdom about what I have between my legs,” I said, the frustration bubbling to the surface again.

“Don’t worry,” Dante had said with that infuriatingly sarcastic smile. “What the Alpha doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” But what if it did? What if my lies, built to protect myself, ended up hurting the very person that completes my soul?The weight of responsibility felt crushing.

“They will find out eventually,” I muttered to myself as I raked a hand through my hair. “I can’t keep playing pretend forever. Just until you find Axel.”

Chase stepped in with an amused grin plastered on his face. “Hey, don’t sweat it. I’ll be right there with you, remember? We’ve got this.”

A knot of disbelief twisted in my stomach. “We? You mean you. I’m the one who has to walk in there and face an entire council of Alphas, all while pretending to be something I’m not.”

Chase shrugged, his demeanor light despite the seriousness of the situation. “Just play it cool, Nova. You’ve trained for this. You’ve lived this life... well, sort of.”

The meeting room loomed ahead as we reached the threshold. Dark wood paneling and low-hanging chandeliers cast the space in a solemn glow. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that, beneath the disguise, I was still strong. The Lycan stirred restlessly within me, sensing the proximity of my mate.

As I stepped into the room, the murmurs died down, and all eyes fixed on me. Each Alpha, seated at the grand table, wore an air of authority that made my heart race faster. I had been trained to command respect, to embody a position of power, yet now, I felt acutely vulnerable.

Alpha Ceaser stood tall at the far end of the table, his presence magnetic. He was everything that I had imagined an Alpha to be—strong, confident, and commanding. His dark hair framed his angular face, and his piercing brown eyes seemed to see straight through me. A shiver ran down my spine as our gazes locked.

“King Zeek,” he greeted, his voice deep and smooth, echoing through the hall. “We’ve been awaiting your presence.”

Inside, I felt the Lycan that lay dormant within me flare to life. I nodded, forcing myself to maintain the act despite the surge of emotions washing over me. “Right, I had something to take care of,” I replied, my voice steady, though my heart thudded in my chest like a war drum.

As I took my seat at the table, I was acutely aware of the scrutiny from the other Alphas. They glanced at one another, doubt and curiosity flickering in their expressions. Yet, no one spoke against me; the title of King Zeek held weight, even if they might have had their doubts about my size.

Chase stood beside me, his presence a comforting anchor, ready to provide support when needed. It was my greatest strength, knowing I wasn’t alone in this mad endeavor.

As discussions unfolded about territory disputes and alliances, I felt the pressure mounting. Every word exchanged felt like a tightrope walk, balancing my dual identity precariously. But as the meeting progressed, I regained focus. I relied on the training I had received, drawing on the knowledge that I had learnt from fallowing my brother over the years.

Then it happened. A heated argument broke out between two Alphas over a land boundary, voices raised and tempers flaring. I leaned forward slightly, intrigued. This was what I had come for — to observe, to learn the inner workings of their world.

Suddenly, Ceaser’s calm voice cut through the chaos. “Gentlemen, let us maintain decorum.” His authority silenced the room. “We are here to work together, not tear each other apart.”

As I watched him take control, a wave of admiration swept through me. This was the man I was supposed to call my mate, the leader of one of the most powerful packs in existence. The possessive nature Chase had mentioned danced at the edges of my thoughts, leaving me both exhilarated and terrified.

During a brief lull in the meeting, I caught Ceaser’s gaze again. It felt like a jolt of electricity, igniting something deep within me. This feeling was foreign yet familiar, reminding me that our fates were intertwined.

“The Alyssa territory is crucial for our pack’s expansion, and I believe we need to find a way to negotiate fairly,” I heard myself say, surprising even myself. The Alphas turned their attention toward me, and an unexpected sense of clarity washed over me.

“Would that not strengthen our holdings?” I added, feeling the surge of confidence grow as I spoke. “If we approach it strategically, I am certain we could reach a beneficial agreement that respects both sides.”

The room fell silent. All eyes were on me, some with surprise, others with consideration. Ceaser’s expression was one of intrigue.

“Wise words, King Zeek,” he said slowly, nodding his approval. “If it’s acceptable to you, we can discuss this further after the meeting.”

I felt a rush of relief and pride at his acknowledgment. Maybe I wasn’t just a façade. Maybe I could hold my own and protect my secret while navigating this complicated world.

As we delved deeper into the discussions, I realized that within this meeting, I was carving out a place for myself. I was neither just an Alpha’s mate nor simply a pawn in this game of power. I was a force in my own right, a Lycan kings daughter who's bound to shape her own destiny.

And then it struck me again, the very essence of why I had chosen to disguise myself. My identity as Nova would not be a hindrance. It would be my strength, allowing me to navigate both the masculine expectations and the feminine core residing within me. But my brothers sudden disappearance which I would discuss with other Chase and Dante later in private.

I was determined that no matter how twisted this fate would become, I would stand my ground. Until I found my brother to take his rightful place. With Chase and Dante at my side and the spirit of my Lycan roaring within, I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead — even if it meant confronting the very mate who would define my family’s throne. Although, I think I can.

The meeting wore on, filled with negotiations and alliances. But somewhere, under the weight of the discussions and the eyes of the Alphas, I dared to hold on to the hope that my deception might just pave the way for a new kind of strength and love — one where the truth, no matter how complicated, could flourished alongside belonging.