Deceiving My Mate

Chapter 9

***Caesar***

Confusion engulfed me as I sat in my seat, watching the new Lycan King exude confidence with every word he spoke. How could it be? How was my mate—a man?

The reality settled over me like a thick fog. A part of me wanted to deny it completely, especially when every fiber of my being screamed my attraction toward women. Yet here I was, staring at a handsome young man who seemed to possess an undeniable power and grit that had the entire room captivated. We’ll everyone was shocked by his size for a Lycan king, I must admit even I did. That’s until our eyes locked after my wolf smelt that sweat smell of jasmine and honey.

He was my mate. My destined partner. Zeek Hendrix, the Royal Lycan and the son of the former Lycan king. I had heard about him long before today—the stories of his strength, intelligence, and the fierce loyalty he commanded from those around him. Yet, seeing him in person, standing there with light brown hair falling just below his piercing brown eyes, my heart raced for reasons I never thought possible. Although I really had to control my heartbeat from others hearting and my expressions had to stay blank. I couldn’t risk anyone knowing, I mean I’m mated to the Lycan king. He had exchanged a few glances but nothing that indicated that he knew who I was to him. Surely he was eighteen. If he wasn’t of age he wouldn’t have been crown King.

As he addressed the assembly of Alphas, his declaration about unity and strength was passionate and sincere. I should have been inspired, maybe even awed, but all I could think about was the knot of confusion in my chest. A flurry of thoughts circled in my mind—weighed down by the expectations placed upon me as Alpha of the largest werewolf pack. I had waited four long years for a mate, convincing myself that the Moon Goddess would bless me with someone extraordinary. Yet I never imagined it would be like this.

Jealous, worried glances darted around the room, most likely directed at the man who had silently captivated me. Why was this enchanting creature ignoring me? I had sat through countless meetings, enduring the discussion of rogue problems that plagued our territories, but my focus drifted toward him more often than I could admit. A part of me felt small and insecure, like a boy who couldn't measure up.

Just then, a shift in the air caught my attention, and my wolf stirred restlessly within me. My instincts flared, telling me to mark my territory and claim what was rightfully mine. Mine! The thought made my breath hitch. A primal urge battled within me that I had not anticipated, one that tangled with the denial I felt so strongly in my heart.

I couldn’t keep staring at him, but avoiding him made everything worse. Every Alpha in the room was likely aware of the bond between us, their eyes shifting between the King and me as they whispered among themselves. I clenched my jaw, fighting to suppress the possessive nature that flickered violently like a dying ember within my wolf. No, it’s all in my head. No one’s knows about the bond. No one is talking about me being mated to a man. It’s all in my head. With my wolf senses I would have picked up that these other Alphas were talking of anything of the sort.

“You're an Alpha, Caesar. Act like one,” I told myself silently, trying to regain control over the chaos that clouded my thoughts. I leaned back in my chair, staring into the nothingness beyond the conference table. Instead of listening to the discussion happening around me, I was lost in my own spiraling fears and confusion.

What if others called me weak for being mated to a man? I knew the whispers would spread like wildfire—eventually turning into rumors that could threaten the unity I had fought so hard to foster within my own pack. So many questions flooded my mind as I wrestled with internal conflict. Did I even have a choice in this?

The meeting droned on, words tumbling into my ears but failing to register. I chose to firmly bury the gnawing desire and confusion deep into my subconscious. What was particularly frustrating was realizing that the little man—my mate—had a fierceness that drew me in. Were my thoughts betraying me?

“Maybe I’m just confused about my own desires,” I mused as I finally glanced at him again. My gaze lingered on his lips—full and inviting. No! What was wrong with me? Shaking my head slightly, I looked away, hoping for some calm, but it was a grave mistake.

The moment I diverted my eyes, my wolf howled in protest. It was a visceral reaction, one that reminded me that I belonged to him no matter my disbelief. It terrified me how quickly the need to claim him crystallized in my thoughts. In a split second, that hunger knotted itself with the deep-seated apprehension that had taken root within me.

I couldn’t just reject him. I knew that! There would be dire consequences—a challenge to my Alpha status, perhaps even my life. I mean he was the Lycan King, he could have me killed for rejecting a sacred bond. The Moon Goddess seemed to have crafted a path of complexity solely for me.

Each Alpha was now concluding their remarks, a sign that this grueling meeting was coming to a close. My heart began to race, sensing the gravity of what lay ahead. I felt both dread and anticipation overlap as I contemplated my next move. I would have one opportunity—one moment—to make the first real step toward this unforeseen bond. What was I even going to say?

“Caesar Steele, Alpha of the Steele Pack. You have a chance to forge a relationship with the future of our kind,” I reminded myself, trying to pump courage into my veins. The air thickened as the last few Alphas shuffled out of the room, leaving the Lycan King and me behind. There he sat, the silent enigma that had captivated my heart and mind against my will. His beta leaving the king alone, almost as if he knew. Of cause he would, I was yet to tell my beta.

Finally, the space grew quiet. I took a step closer, my heart racing, uncertainty battling the primal instinct to claim my mate. The Lycan king regarded me with an unwavering gaze, his expression unreadable. I swallowed hard and faltered momentarily. “King Zeek,” I began, the name almost foreign on my tongue.

His eyes locked onto mine, and for a second, I lost myself in the warm brown depths. “You… you are my mate,” I admitted, the realization dawning like a new sun on the horizon.

His brow furrowed slightly, as if weighing my words with care. “Yes,” he said simply. “And you are mine.”

The weight of that sentence hung thick in the air, electrifying everything around us. I could feel my wolf surge forward, a tempest of longing and passion, and I realized that, beneath the layers of confusion and doubt, something profound connected us.

“Then what do we do now?” The question slipped from my mouth, revealing more about my vulnerability than I intended.

“Meaning?,” Nova replied, a flicker of a smile breaking the tension that enveloped us. His voice held wisdom far beyond his age, and I felt hope wash over me.

“We are both men.” I said, an unfamiliar feeling of uncertainty yet certainty.

“I am.” Zeek said with a surprised tone. “How about keep it a secret for a while. I’ll tell you when it’s safe.” I arched a brow at the words, they seemed odd but understandable given the situation.

Secret. Safe. They were words laden with possibilities I hadn't dared to imagine. For the first time since I had learned of our bond, a sense of calm flooded through me. Perhaps the Moon Goddess had designed this marvelous puzzle for more than just confusion and chaos.

As we stood on the precipice of our entwined fates, I realized I had a choice. I could embrace this new path laid before us, allow my heart to open, and let the tendrils of love take root. After all, I was not just an Alpha, but also a mate destined to carve a new story. A story that included him—a man whom fate had forged into my life.

With that flicker of resolve igniting within, I took another step forward, ready to find out just what my heart would lead us into next.

I stood from my seat, bowed to the king, my mate. With his nod of approval, I left the room. I didn’t have a destination in mind but I found myself open and close the guest room to my beta.

“Alpha how was..” Trey didn’t finish.

“He is my mate.” I blurted out, “The Lycan king is my mate!”