CHAPTER 81: CHAPTER 81

Aria’s POV.

I stood just outside the grand throne chamber, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. The heavy wooden doors was before me, carved with swirling patterns of wolves and moons.

My inner wolf, Kyra, nudged me inside my mind, her voice soft but firm. "Tell him, Aria. Tell Alpha Kael you’re not Celeste and that they forced you into this."

"You’re you, the Omega twin."

My stomach twisted at the thought. I wanted to tell him, I really did, but the words felt stuck in my throat, like a piece of bread I couldn’t swallow.

I took a deep breath, my hands shaking as I smoothed the silky blue dress I wore, Celeste’s supposed dress, not mine. "Later," I whispered to Kyra. "I’ll tell him tonight. I promise."

The doors creaked as I pushed them open, and the warm glow of chandeliers spilled over me. The throne chamber was alive with chatter and laughter, the air thick with the scent of roses and polished wood.

Wolves from the pack mingled in their fancy clothes, their voices a low hum. I slipped inside, my bare feet cold against the smooth marble floor.

I wasn’t used to wearing Celeste’s high heels, so I’d kicked them off earlier. My toes curled as I stepped forward, trying to blend in, trying to act like her.

A loud voice boomed over the crowd. "The second dance is starting!" it called. My heart skipped.

I scanned the room, my eyes darting past the swirling dresses and sharp suits, until they landed on Alpha Kael.

He stood tall near the center of the room, his broad shoulders filling out his black suit, his dark hair catching the light.

His piercing green eyes found mine, and he smiled, a small, warm curve of his lips that made my chest ache. I forced a smile back, my lips trembling as I walked toward him.

"You ready, my Luna?" he asked, his voice deep and smooth, like a warm blanket wrapping around me.

He held out his hand, and I hesitated for a split second before placing my smaller one in his. His grip was strong but gentle, and as he led me to the dance floor, my heart fluttered like a trapped bird.

The music started, a soft melody from violins and a piano, and we began to move. I followed his steps, my body stiff at first. I wasn’t used to dancing like this, not like Celeste, who always moved so gracefully.

I glanced around, my eyes searching the crowd for her, even though I knew she wasn’t here. Celeste had been suspended for two weeks after breaking pack rules, which is why I was still here, as Luna, still pretending to be her and haven’t been exposed yet.

The thought made my throat tighten, and my smile wavered.

Alpha Kael’s hand tightened slightly on my waist, pulling me closer as we swayed. "Is something wrong?" he asked, his voice low, his eyes searching my face.

I could feel the warmth of his breath against my cheek, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

I shook my head quickly, my hair brushing against my shoulders. "No, nothing’s wrong," I lied, forcing my smile to stay in place.

My voice sounded too high, too shaky, but he didn’t push. He just nodded, his eyes soft, and kept leading me through the dance.

I tried to focus on the music, on the way his hand felt against mine, but my mind kept drifting to Celeste, to the secret I was hiding, to the promise I’d made to Kyra.

The dance ended too soon, and the music faded. The crowd clapped, and I stepped back, my hands slipping from Kael’s.

He looked at me, his brow furrowing slightly. "You look tired," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "I need to talk to the elders now, but Beta Brian will take you to your room."

I opened my mouth to protest, but my legs did feel wobbly, and my head was starting to spin from all the pretending. "Okay," I whispered, nodding.

Kael signaled to Brian, his beta, who was standing nearby. Brian was tall, with messy brown hair and kind eyes. He gave me a small smile as he walked over.

"Take care of my Luna," Kael said, his voice carrying that alpha authority that made everyone listen. Brian nodded.

"Of course, Alpha," he said, then turned to me. "Let’s go, Celeste."

Hearing her name made my stomach twist again, but I followed him, my bare feet padding softly against the floor.

We left the throne chamber, the noise of the crowd fading behind us as we walked down the long hallway.

The walls were lined with paintings of past alphas, their eyes seeming to watch me as we passed. I kept my head down, trying to steady my breathing.

But then, as we turned a corner, a scent hit me like a wave. It was sharp, familiar, and thick, like wildflowers mixed with something sweet. My heart lurched. Celeste.

I knew her scent anywhere, even from this far away. My steps slowed, and I glanced around, my eyes narrowing as I tried to find her. She wasn’t supposed to be here. She was suspended. Why was her scent so strong?

"Luna Celeste, you okay?" Brian asked, stopping to look at me. His brow creased with worry.

I bit my lip, my mind racing. I couldn’t let him know I was following her scent. He thought I was Celeste, and if I acted strange, he might get suspicious.

"I... I forgot something," I said quickly, my voice trembling. "Can I go back to the throne chamber? Just for a minute? I’ll go to my room right after, I promise."

Brian frowned, his eyes narrowing. "The Alpha told me to take you to your room. You look like you need rest."

"Please, Brian," I begged, clasping my hands together. My voice cracked, and I let my eyes go wide, hoping he’d feel bad for me. "It’s really important. I’ll be quick, and Alpha Kael won’t even know. Please?"

He hesitated, his jaw tightening. "If the Alpha finds out, he’ll have my head," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

"He won’t find out," I said, stepping closer. "I swear. I just need a minute."

Brian looked at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Fine," he said. "But be quick, and don’t make me regret this."

"Thank you!" I said, relief flooding through me. He gave me one last stern look before turning and walking back toward the throne chamber.

I waited until his footsteps faded, then turned toward the scent.

I moved slowly, my heart pounding so loud I was sure someone would hear it. The hallway was dim, lit only by flickering torches on the walls. The scent grew stronger, pulling me like a thread toward a small alcove tucked behind a row of stone pillars.

Soft voices reached my ears, too quiet to make out words, but they made my skin prickle. I crept closer, my bare feet silent on the cold floor, and hid behind a wide pillar.

My breath was shallow, my hands trembling as I pressed them against the stone.

I peeked around the edge of the pillar, and my eyes widened. There she was, Celeste. Her golden hair glowed in the torchlight, her slim figure pressed against the wall.

But she wasn’t alone. Alpha Nicholas, tall and imposing with his sharp jaw and dark eyes, had her pinned there.

His hands gripped her arms, and he leaned down, kissing her hard, like he was claiming her. Celeste’s hands were on his chest, not pushing him away but pulling him closer.

My breath caught in my throat, loud and sharp, before I could stop it. My eyes burned, my chest tightening like someone had squeezed it.

Celeste was my sister, my twin, but she was kissing another Alpha, Alpha Nicholas, when she was supposed to be Kael’s Luna. My mind spun, and I slapped a hand over my mouth, my fingers shaking against my lips. Was that why Alpha Nicholas could tell I wasn’t her that night?

The kiss stopped. Celeste’s head snapped up, her eyes darting toward the pillar. Nicholas turned too, his gaze sharp and predatory, scanning the arear. "Someone’s there," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

My heart raced, hammering so fast I thought it might burst. I pressed myself harder against the pillar, the cold stone biting into my back. My hand stayed over my mouth, muffling my ragged breaths.

I could hear their footsteps now, slow and deliberate, coming closer. Celeste’s scent was stronger, mixing with Nicholas’s sharp, musky one.

My legs felt like jelly, but I couldn’t move, couldn’t run. If they found me, they’d know I was listening to them. They’d know I’d seen them.

The footsteps stopped, so close I could hear Nicholas’s steady breathing. "Show yourself," he said, his voice cold and commanding.

My pulse thundered in my ears, and I squeezed my eyes shut, praying they wouldn’t see me.