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Fifty six
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2025-03-27 22:46:54
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Mates Deception Fifty seven
Sirella’s Pov I stood at the edge of the training grounds, my hands folded neatly in front of me, my face blank. The morning sun burned against my skin, but I didn’t move. Around me, servants rushed to prepare for the event, setting up shaded areas for the high-ranking wolves to sit and watch.The Luna Selection had officially begun.I kept my posture still, observing as Alpha Donovan stepped forward. His presence was commanding, even without saying a word. The gathered nobles and warriors quieted instantly, their eyes fixed on him.“The future Luna of this pack must be strong,” he announced, his voice deep and unshaken. “Not just in beauty or bloodline, but in mind, strategy, and endurance.”I already knew what he was doing. He wanted to make a spectacle of it, wanted the women fighting for the position to expose themselves—show both their strengths and their flaws.I scanned the line of women standing proudly before him.Lady Vanessa stood in the center, her head held high. Her lon
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-27Mates Deception Fifty eight
Sirella’s Pov I stood before Alpha Donovan, my stance steady, my face blank. The training grounds were empty except for us. The morning sun hung low, casting long shadows across the dirt. I could feel the weight of his gaze, the way he studied me—not just my movements, but my reactions.He had been testing me for days.“Tell me, Sirella,” Donovan said, tossing a wooden training sword between his hands. “What makes a good leader?”I didn’t answer right away. I knew he wasn’t asking for a rehearsed response. He wanted to see how I thought, how I processed things.“Someone who understands people,” I said carefully. “Their strengths, their weaknesses. A leader isn’t the strongest person in the room. They’re the one who knows how to use the strong.”Donovan let out a small hum, stepping closer. “And how would you use me?”I forced my breath to stay steady. “That depends.”“On what?”I tilted my chin up slightly. “On what you want.”A slow smile pulled at his lips. “Good answer.”He moved,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-27Mates Deception Fifty nine
Sirella’s Pov The news spread like wildfire. Gregor was dead. I heard it first from the kitchen, where the servants whispered in frantic voices, their hands trembling as they chopped vegetables. "They found his body at the riverbank," one said, voice hushed. "His throat—gods, they said it was torn open, like an animal attack." "An animal?" Another scoffed. "Who are they fooling? This was a message." I kept my hands steady as I wiped down the wooden counter, my face blank. Inside, my heart beat calmly, evenly. I already knew how he died. Because I was the one who killed him. By midday, the palace was in chaos. Warriors gathered in small groups, speaking in low voices, their hands never straying far from their weapons. The tension was thick in the air, the kind that made people jump at shadows. I watched from the sidelines, taking in their fear, the way their eyes darted around the halls. This was the power of death. Gregor had been nothing—a low-ranked warrior, barely wort
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-27Mates Deception Sixty
Sirella’s POVThe night was a tapestry of shadows and shifting light, a realm where every secret felt exposed yet cloaked in darkness. I stepped lightly through the damp corridors of the palace, my heart still pounding from the echo of Damien’s kiss—a kiss that had been both a promise and a threat, leaving me trembling in its wake. The cool air carried the scent of rain and old stone, mingling with the faint trace of his musk. Every sensation seared into me, forcing me to confront the duality of what I felt: a desire that battled against the cold steel of duty.Earlier, as I lingered near the courtyard, I had witnessed Damien’s lips claim mine with a hunger that was as possessive as it was tender. The kiss was not merely an expression of passion; it was a silent declaration of power—a claim I was supposed to accept without question. Yet as his lips left mine, the lingering warmth did little to soothe the icy ache of betrayal. In that moment, I realized that the passion we shared was n
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-27Mates Deception Sixty one
Sirella’s POV The throne room was suffocating.Dark wooden beams loomed above me, casting deep shadows against the stone walls, the flickering torches doing little to warm the space. The scent of old parchment, burning firewood, and something darker—something metallic—lingered in the air. The weight of a dozen gazes pressed against my skin, watching, waiting.At the far end of the room, Alpha Donovan sat in his high-backed chair, the wolf-etched armrests worn from years of power resting heavy on them. He was a formidable man, broad-shouldered with silver streaking through his dark hair, his face carved from stone. Unlike Damien, whose beauty was almost effortless, Alpha Donovan’s presence demanded attention, his aura thick with dominance.And now, for reasons I couldn’t yet decipher, he had summoned me.A servant. A nobody.I forced my hands to remain at my sides, resisting the urge to clench them into fists."You must be wondering why you're here," he said finally, his voice smooth
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-27Mates Deception Sixty two
Sirella’s Pov The palace had always been a gilded cage, but now, the bars felt tighter. The air heavier. And the eyes on me—his eyes—felt like chains.I could sense Damien before I saw him. His presence curled through the corridors like smoke, thick and suffocating. It was in the way the guards straightened when he passed, the way servants glanced at me before scurrying away, their silence weighted with something unspoken.He was watching me again.The realization sent a chill down my spine, but I didn’t falter. I kept walking, keeping my posture poised, my expression unreadable.I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he affected me. Not anymore.But I should have known Damien wouldn’t let me ignore him for long.I had barely stepped into the empty corridor leading to the servants’ quarters when his voice cut through the quiet like a blade.“Where have you been?”I froze.Slowly, I turned.He stood at the other end of the hallway, half-draped in shadows, golden eyes burning
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-27Mates Deception Sixty three
Sirella’s povThe night was thick with silence, broken only by the crackle of the dying fire. The small cabin smelled of smoke and damp wood, the air heavy with something else—tension.I could feel Keiran’s presence before I even saw him. It was in the way the air shifted, the way my skin prickled, instinct screaming at me to be ready.I didn’t turn. Not yet.Instead, I kept my eyes on the single candle burning low on the wooden table, its weak flame flickering with the softest movement. I focused on my breathing, on the slow, controlled rhythm I had learned through training.I wouldn’t let him get to me.But I should’ve known better."Tell me, are you starting to like it here?"His voice slithered through the silence, smooth and lazy, yet laced with something sharp.I felt him before I saw him, his body heat pressing against my back, his presence too close.Slowly, I turned.Keiran leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyes glinting like steel under moonlight. He looked complet
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-27Mates Deception Sixty four
Sirella’s povThe great hall of the Alpha’s estate was colder than usual, though the fire in the hearth blazed high. The scent of burning cedar filled the room, but it did nothing to mask the weight in the air—the suffocating pressure that came when someone powerful was measuring your worth.Alpha Donovan sat at the head of the long wooden table, fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest of his chair. His golden eyes, sharp and unreadable, were locked onto me.I kept my back straight, my expression smooth. Unshaken.Even as my pulse roared in my ears.“Sit,” he said finally, voice as calm as it was commanding.I obeyed, lowering myself onto the chair across from him, keeping my hands folded in my lap. The room was dim, only the fire casting light between us, shadows dancing across his face.“I’ve been thinking,” Donovan began, his voice measured. “About you.”I forced a small, polite smile. “I didn’t know I was such an interesting subject.”His lips twitched, but there was no h
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-27
Bab terbaru
Mates Deception 111
Sirella’s povThe days blurred together in Donovan's pack. Wake up. Eat. Work. Sleep. Repeat. It felt like I was being used in this place but what could I do except obey whatever order I was given.Every morning, I'd step outside to find maids "accidentally" passing by my door. Guards always seemed to be sharpening weapons nearby. Why they did it in front of my door and not elsewhere bothered me but I knew they didn’t trust me. I could see their eyes following me everywhere I would go. Today was no different. I walked toward the kitchen, the autumn wind biting through my thin shirt. Two warriors leaned against the hallway walls, pretending not to watch me. "Morning, traitor," one muttered as I passed. I kept walking as I ignored them. They were not worth my time.The warm kitchen smelled of bread and herbs. Cooks moved around each other in a practiced dance, but the rhythm broke when I entered. "Need more bandages for the soldiers in the next camp," I said to the head cook. “Wo
Mates Deception 110
Sirella’s povI woke up, my heart pounding as I stared at the ceiling for a while. Sunlight streamed through the thin curtains of my room in Donovan’s packhouse. The sheets were tangled around my legs, damp with sweat.Why was Donovan asking so many questions yesterday? Or was he catching onto my plan with kieran?I sat up and ran my hand through my disheveled hair, the alpha’s sharp eagle eyes had been on me too much during our meeting in his throne room, each answer I gave had seemed to raise his suspicion higher. Before I could think even more, there was a knock on the door.The sound made me jump, and it took a deep breath to steady my racing heart before I got up to go and open the door. One of Donovan's guards stood stiffly to attention outside. "Prince Damien requires your presence in the courtyard," he said without looking me in the eye. Shall I tell him you’ll be arriving shortly?”“Yeah,” I smiled awkwardly as he nodded and walked off.I entered my room and grabbed my too
Mates Deception 109
kieran’s POVI woke up to the sound of men and women shouting in the courtyard as I winced at the sun brimming in from the open curtains.“Fuck,” I muttered as I sat up and wondered what time it was. I had overslept. I needed to be out there and dealing with the way the alpha sees me. If he saw me as someone he could trust, this would make my job a whole lot easier.I got up and went to stand before the mirror as I removed my shirt and stood half naked. I smiled as I missed her touch and her kiss around my chest.Everything reminded me of her.The scars on my chest were familiar - the jagged one across my ribs from the Frost Valley battle, the claw marks on my shoulder from the bear attack last winter. But the eyes... those were different. Harder. Colder. No wonder I had scared her the first time we had met.Will it be easy to kill him?That I did not know.I flexed my hands, watching the muscles ripple in the mirror. Salvatore was an aging alpha, but still strong as a young alpha. I
Mates Deception 108
Sirella’s Pov My assigned room was better than I expected. Thick rug, clean blanket and sheet, a vase and wild flowers. All lies as I knew that this place had been given to me so it would be easy to spy on me.I checked the window and found it locked.The door had no lock so it was easy for anyone to come in and find me here. I sat on the bed, counting shadows under the door. One… two… three in ten minutes.That was a new record.I waited for a while on the bed before deciding to go out and take a meal for myself, but before I could do that there was a knock on the door and a maid coming in with a tray in hand.“Lunch, miss.”She kept avoiding my eyes as she laid it out."Thank you,” I said in a sweet tone. I had not seen her before so I decided to ask about her. “What's your name?" She cringed. "M-Mira, miss." And then she scurries off without waiting for any other questions I might have for her.I raised the lid of the platter. Roast meat, fresh bread, spiced wine… all my favorit
Mates Deception 107
Sirella's POVI tried to fold my shirt but all I could think about was him. How I missed Kieran’s and how the hut still smelled like bim I saw a towel in the corner and picked it up before I could stop myself.“One last sniff,” I thought as I let his scent fill my nose. “Fuck I miss him already.”I hated this weakness. Hated how my heart ached like a fresh wound.We did not have to make the decision. But to attain peace and stop my father we had to do this.With a sigh, I carried my box and headed for the door.The door creaked as I stepped outside. Dawn lit the sky with pinks and golds, too pretty for a day so ugly.Frost crunched beneath my boots as I crossed through our clearing.Where Kieran had pinned me during our first real fight.In the night sky where we had star gazed so many times after long training days. I shut my eyes tight. “Focus.” The pack lay to the southwest. It was going to take me a few hours to get there but I had all the time in the world to take.My fingers
Mates Deception 106
Sirella’s POVThe ceiling was made of wood and had cracks across it and it was what I admired anytime I was in his room. Three long ones by the window, one which looked like a lightning above the bed. I counted them more for the hundredth time while Kieran's finger did circles in my bare shoulder. "You okay?" He asked with a voice of concern. I swallowed hard. As much as I wanted to pour out my heart and complain, I knew I had to stop myself from doing that. “Just thinking.”His chest vibrated with a quiet chuckle against my body. “Dangerous habit.”The fire had faded to coals and the room lay dim. A desolate owl's cry filled the night air, melodious and drawn-out. Kieran held me closer. “I'll miss this home.”My throat closed up as I knew what he meant and it hurt to think of the inevitable. “Don’t say that.”“I miss the poison training,” he said, like I hadn’t spoken. His breath warmed my neck. “Me screaming at you when you get the antidotes wrong.”It hurt to hear him say that a
Mates Deception 105
Damien’s POVThe fire crackled in my father's study as we pored over the alliance scrolls. Names, territories, promises made—all written in ink that felt like blood on parchment. I didn’t like the way things were going. It looked too… too easy. Almost like my father was playing right into their traps but he was too blind to see it.As much as I believe he was powerful enough to defend himself… at least I wanted some sort of proof that this would not backfire on us. I hated the fact that I was feeling this way. If he got a whiff of this, he could lose his mind and call me a child for thinking this way.I looked at him as he pored through the books. He wasn’t one for wasting time especially when it came to his territory. "Goran of Greyfang," Father said, tapping one entry. "Hagar of Shadowpaw. These are the only alphas who have joined us against Salvatore. Little I know but powerful enough to show that I’m no pushover.” I nodded, rolling a dagger between my fingers. "The wolves we me
Mates Deception 104
Authors POVDamien reached the packhouse as he blitzed in and skidded his horse to a stop in the courtyard. Behind his horse, frozen dirt flew into the air as he jumped down and saw a stable boy coming to him.“Fetch the war council,” he said. “Now.”The boy nodded and ran off as Damien made his way to the packhouse, his boots thudding against the wooden steps. Inside, the great hall was deserted minus a few servants cleaning up. The fire in the hearth had burned almost completely out leaving long shadows on the stone floor.Within moments council members began filing into the chamber. Elder James came first, weighed down by years and a walking stick. Next came Commander Vex, battle scars etched deep in his face. A dozen others took their seat at the long oak table before him."Well?" James rasped. "What news from the Greyfangs?"Damien remained standing at the head of the table. "Alpha Goran has agreed to join us. His warriors will march at dawn."A murmur ran through the council. V
Mates Deception 103
Authors POVDamien sighed sitting back in his chair as the stacks of papers drew a shadow over him. He hated paperwork but since he was here now he could at least go ahead and do what he wanted to do.Just as he was about to get up from his desk, a knock came at his door.The sudden rapping at his door made Damien look up from the papers in front of him. He put them down, crossed to the door and pulled it open. His father's guard was standing there, straight backed with his fist over his chest. "Sir Damien," the guard said nodding his head, "Your father requests you meet him in the stables. Immediately."Damien frowned. "This late?" The guard didn't move, staring at a spot past Damien's left shoulder. "He said to wake you if you were sleeping as it is urgent."Damien sighed but nodded. “I’ll be there with him soon.”The guard bowed before leaving.Damien closed the door and looked into his room as he wondered what his father wanted him for. He grabbed his jacket and wore it as he
