DISGUISED MATE OF THE ALPHA TWINS

NATALIA’S POV “Are you sure about this, Natalia?” My wolf, Lila, asked and I let out a sigh as I stared into the mirror and on the other side of the mirror was Lila. “This is a really huge step, Natalia, so I ask again, are you really sure about this?” She added. Her eyes carried the intensity of her worry but I only nodded affirmatively, I’ve thought about this more times than once. I think about it anytime I’m alone and about to go to bed, I’m prepared for whatever comes out of this decision I’ve made and I’ve prepared my mind for anything. “I’ve thought it through, Lila,” I answered, my lips were pressed shut and I was determined to go to the academy because that’s the only way I can reach my goal. To replace my brother. “I’m going to take Nate’s place in the academy,” I added, “I’m not going to let my pack be annexed because we have no Alpha.” I said, emphasizing my goal with as much determination as I could muster. “I’m going there so that I can be strong enough to protect this pack and I know you’re worried but you don’t have to be, it’s only going to be a matter of time before I get stronger.” I assured her. Lila was silent for a while and she shifted uncomfortably, I could feel her worry and I could tell that if she had something else to say to stop me from going to the academy, she was going to say it. But my mind was made up already. “Fine,” she said reluctantly and after a feeling of gloom had overtaken me, I suddenly felt a warm glow deep inside me and looked at the mirror to see Lila looking happy. She let out a loud hopeful sigh and before I could guess what that was for, she was already talking. “I just hope you find your mate at the academy because well, you know the academy is known to have strong, handsome men.” Lila said. Her voice was hopeful and the mere thought of encountering so many muscular men excited her so much that she wouldn’t stop radiating so much happiness. Lila’s happiness soon started rubbing off on me and it was a little exasperating. It was annoying that despite having such a difficult goal, I was still subjected to the excitement of meeting my mate. She probably thinks blending in with the other boys at the academy was going to be a piece of cake but I knew better, I know that it isn’t going to be that simple. The reflection of Lila soon left the mirror and I was staring right at my own face. My stomach was still clenched tight at the thought of going to the academy. I knew no one there and I could already tell that blending in like Nate did was going to be difficult, I would have to act like the man I’m not. As the daughter of the Alpha of the Emberclaw Pack, located in the northwest desert of Irshire. Due to its remote location, the pack is small, with only a few dozen members, but I couldn’t help but feel happy and deeply loved by my parents. I have a twin brother that looks very similar to me, we both have a slender and yet athletic physique and while I have dark long hair, Nate’s hair was way darker and shorter than mine. Like me, my brother also had large blue eyes that everyone always noticed at first sight, our eyes were always the first feature to be complimented. We might share very similar traits but I’ve always been physically stronger than my brother, while Nate loved reading, I enjoyed fighting. I can say myself that I’m a skilled warrior in the pack but due to my gender, I couldn’t inherit the Alpha position, it was like a position that seems so close and yet so impossible to reach. If I hadn’t been born a woman. If only I was a man, it wouldn’t be an impossible goal. To become an Alpha, one must attend and graduate from the Golden Alpha Academy, the only place where Alphas can obtain their certification. However, the academy strictly prohibits females from enrolling but the last thing I wanted to do was give up without giving it my all. I refuse to give up and be limited just because I’m a woman. For my brother, for the pack, I’m never going to give up on my goal. If neither me or my brother could graduate from the academy then our pack will be dissolved and all of my hard work, my training would all be for nothing. Opening up the bandage, I stared into the mirror as I bound my chest. Pain rippled through me and I winced, my lips forming a thin line as I endured the pain that came with me suppressing my boobs and almost making it look like it wasn’t there. It hurts but it’s nothing compared to the pain I feel when I train. “I won’t give up. I can’t give up.” Tears stung my eyes as I pulled tighter on the bandage, I have endured lots of pain but still, binding my chest seemed to prove a difficult task. I bit my lip to stiffen the groan and my jaw clenched as I pinned the bandage in place. Looking into the mirror, I smiled to myself when I saw what I’d done to my boobs. Finding a mate might be important to Lila but it’s the last thing on my list and I can’t be distracted by such a notion. Soon, I put on Nate’s clothes and looked into the mirror, confirming that I looked exactly like my brother except for my slightly lighter hair and a slight difference in height. Nate was taller than me and he had arms that were a little bigger than mine but everything else was exactly on point and it was like staring at my brother’s reflection. Making my way out of the room, a wild smile formed on my face when lots of the maids and guards addressed me like I was my brother. “Nate?!” My mother yelled, springing to her feet at once as she rushed towards me as soon as I got into their room and I felt satisfaction wash through me. This is definitely going to work out. “No, Natalia?” My father corrected with a roll of his eyes and I nodded as I took off the pin I’d used to hold my hair in place, the smile on my face not fading as I took a step away from the both of them. “What are you doing? Are you really going to take your brother’s place at the academy?” My mother asked, her worry evident in her voice. Her forehead crumpled and her brows drew together in a frown. Both my parents have been worried about me getting found out at the academy despite my constant assurance. “You don’t have to worry about me, Mother, Father,” I said with a reassuring smile, “when I walked in, you mistook me for Nate, I’m sure a lot of people are going to do the same.” “I’ll take Nate’s place at the academy and save this pack and I assure you that my secrets will never be revealed.” I added. My mother looked at my father who was already frowning, his face accentuated the annoyance he felt within himself and I just knew that just like every other day, he’s not going to agree to this. “I’m not allowing this!” He said firmly, his vexation was evident and a suggestion of annoyance hovered in his eyes as he glared at me. “If the academy finds out, you and your brother will be executed, I cannot take that risk, it’s bad enough that I might lose my pack but risking the life of my daughter is not—” “So what are we going to do then?!” I interrupted before my father could finish talking, “are we just going to sit on our hands and watch our pack get dissolved!” I added in a fit of rage. Anger twisted inside my stomach and my fist clenched as I gritted my fist. Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath and looked at my parents. “I’m going to do this, so please, don’t try to stop me,” I said in a more calmer tone, “you know what we risk by not taking this step, by not doing anything, father.” “Can you really bear to see our pack members become slaves?” I inquired, knowing really well what the answer to that question is. “Can you really bear to see the pack you’ve done so much to bring together be annexed by nearby packs, including rogues?” “Are you just going to standby and let our pack be one of those packs that bastards trample upon?” I paused for a while, my chest heaving and anger like a volcano about to erupt swirling inside of me. “I don’t know about you but I’m not going to stand back and let all of these things happen—” “STOP!” My father roared, his voice resonating through the room, causing me to jump in fear as I stared into my father’s fiery gaze. The sound of the door opening put a halt to the argument I was having with my father and I looked behind me to see my brother’s doctor and my stomach tightened. I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me why he was here. Something has happened to my brother again. “Alpha, Luna,” the doctor bowed respectfully, “Nate has suddenly collapsed and to avoid other complications, we must leave for treatment immediately.” He explained. My mouth opened, I wanted to say something but I reconsidered at once and watched as my parents reluctantly agreed. Leaving their room together, we made our way to Nate’s room. He had regained consciousness already but his face was so pale that he almost looked as if he was transparent. His lips were purplish and chapped already, he tried to sit up and I immediately rushed to his side to help him up, offering him a glass of water when he coughed. “Father, I’ve made a potion that can mask Natalia's scent,” he said as he coughed again, “that way, you don’t have to be worried about other wolves finding out about her true identity.” He added. “Natalia can take my place, no one is going to know.” He finished and the room fell silent for a while before my father let out a heavy sigh. “Fine, Natalia can take your place at the academy.” My father agreed and I was elated. __________ Preparing to enter the Golden Alpha Academy as Nate, I cut off my long hair and left it in the same length as Nate’s. “This is it.” I muttered to myself as I looked at my new reflection in the mirror. I felt a surge of excitement run through me and I couldn’t help but smile. I’m finally ready to embrace this new change.