Hiding The Alpha's Twins

~Avery~

I knelt at the centre of the grand hall, surrounded by the esteemed members of the Silverpine pack. My gaze remained fixed on the ground, avoiding eye contact with anyone. Deep down, I yearned to meet King's eyes, for I believed he was the only one who would believe me, but they had kept me from him since last night. In this pack, they despised me, and no one would entertain the notion of my innocence, even if I pleaded otherwise.

Beta Kristopher, who had never held much regard for me in this pack, rose and positioned himself before me. I had always been seen as unworthy of the Luna title. I was only but a mere rogue who was captured to come and serve as a slave, but I somehow became the Luna because King, my mate needed a Luna. The pack members had never truly accepted me, and today seemed to mark the end of my reign. I had fallen before I had the chance to rise.

"It appears we are all present now," Kristopher announced, as Sammy, my closest friend, entered the hall.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Sammy would speak the truth. She was my best friend and knew precisely what had transpired last night. But when I managed to shift my gaze towards Sammy, she avoided my eyes, her expression uncertain. A pang of doubt struck my heart, but I clung to my faith in Sammy.

"We have all convened here today to witness the trial of Avery Frost, the sitting Luna of the Silverpine pack," Kristopher declared, his voice resolute. "The protocol is known to us all. Should she be found guilty, her Luna status shall be revoked, and she will face isolation from the pack." His gaze swept across the assembly before settling on me. "Avery, do you swear by the goddess to speak the truth and nothing but the truth?"

Only then did I dare to raise my eyes to meet his, as tradition demanded that we maintain eye contact with our persecutor while taking the oath. I had sat among these very people in this room before. I had passed judgment on others here, imposed sentences, and exiled individuals from this room. Now, the tables had turned, and I found myself in the accused's position. The only difference was that I was not guilty of the crime levied against me, even though I couldn't prove it myself. My mind was still reeling from everything that had happened in a few hours.

"I do," I replied, striving to keep my voice unwavering.

In the corner, I heard my mother's muffled sobs. She knew I would never commit the crime they accused me of. I could never bring harm to Alpha King like that.

"And how do you plead?" Kristopher inquired.

My gaze drifted across the room, seeking solace in familiar faces. I looked at Sammy, her expression unreadable; at my mother, her eyes brimming with tears; and then at King. His jaw was clenched, and his expression was one of fury, as if he would have torn me apart if he stood in Kristopher's place. A tense silence gripped the room, with everyone eagerly awaiting my response.

"Not guilty," I declared firmly.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

~Two days ago~

It had been two months since I officially became the Luna of the Silverpine pack. The position had not only taken a toll on me physically but also mentally. I had no royal lineage; I was not an Alpha's daughter, and I didn't even belong to this pack. Fate had taken an unexpected turn when my mother and I fled our former pack, embracing a rogue life. We were eventually captured by Silverpine warriors and brought back here, only for me to discover that I was fated to be their Alpha's mate.

Alpha King Thornwood had been in a relationship with Regina, the daughter of the Alpha from a neighbouring pack. I wouldn't have agreed to become King's mate if Regina hadn't given her approval. She believed that our union would strengthen King's wolf, and the pack desperately needed a mate and Luna for their Alpha. It seemed as though fate had brought my mother and me here at precisely the right moment.

However, King and I were strangers to each other. We hadn't yet established a connection, whereas he had known Regina his entire life and was accustomed to her presence. He didn't prevent her from visiting the pack house, but he assured me that there was nothing romantic between them. But I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and jealousy each time I saw them together, as I had fallen in love with King the moment I laid eyes on him. It seemed as though King didn't want me but wanted me at the same time, just to keep his wolf strong. He wasn't harsh to me, but he wasn't giving me the attention either.

He would spend the entire day out and come back home exhausted. We barely spoke to each other, except a few necessary words and our frequent meeting place was the dining table. I was undergoing the hectic torture of transforming into a perfect Luna. According to Luna Delores, King's mother, I was uncultured and needed refinement. I underwent training on combat skills befitting a Luna, I also learnt how to be submissive to my Alpha, how to support my Alpha, and how to speak to the pack. It was all hectic for me, coupled with the lack of attention from King. We didn't even share the same sleeping quarters.

However, amidst the chaos of my new life, I found a friend in Sammy, a girl I met at the weaving centre. She appeared to be the only one in the pack who accepted me and showed me kindness. We grew closer with time, eventually becoming best friends. Sammy was spirited, often dubbing herself the black sheep of her family due to her love for parties and clubs. I had completed my college education before fleeing our former pack, and I too enjoyed the nightlife. Unfortunately, my duties as Luna didn't afford me the freedom to indulge in those activities.

That night, I had just finished my evening bath and was prepared to retire for the night when a soft knock echoed at my door. Slightly puzzled, I approached the door, assuming it might be my mother or one of the servants. However, when I opened the door, there stood King. His presence caught me off guard, and he was gazing at me with unwavering intensity. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as I met his steadfast gaze, unable to decipher the emotions in his eyes.

"H-hi," I stammered, instinctively retreating a step as he advanced towards me.

"Mine," he grumbled, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

A shiver coursed down my spine at the huskiness of his voice and the touch of his finger against my skin. I couldn't believe he had just claimed me as his. Since our mating, he had never touched me, nor had he visited my room. Yet here he stood. Thrilled by the sudden turn of events, I let him inside, and before I knew it, his lips were on mine, and he was claiming me in ways I had never imagined.

That night, under the tender caress of King, I experienced a profound intimacy, surrendering my virginity to him, and he left his mark on me. I had never felt happier, and as I nestled into his arms, I drifted into a peaceful sleep for the first time in months. The next morning, I awoke to find King dressing to leave. When he realised, I was awake, he smiled and tenderly brushed away the hair that framed my face. I didn't want him to go; I yearned for him to stay with me throughout the day. The thought of my lessons held no appeal; I wanted only King.

"I'll be heading to a meeting now," he informed me. I responded with a shy nod, my heart sinking slightly at his impending departure. His gaze trailed down my form. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I am," I replied.

"I'll call the maidens to attend to you," he said before straightening up.

Tall dark and handsome did not do him justice. King was so much more. He possessed a commanding presence that drew the attention of both men and women wherever he went- particularly the women. I drank in his appearance, utterly captivated. King was six feet three of sheer perfection with dark, flowing hair cascading to his shoulders, adding to his allure. His eyes were rich coffee brown, which I had seen darken with lust and passion, almost turning jet black last night. He had a straight, blade-like nose that complemented the striking angles of his handsome face, and his full wide lips were enticing. His squared jaw was adorned with stubble, making him a magnetic force of a man.

"Goodbye, Avery," he said as he departed.

"Goodbye, King," I responded, watching him exit with a mixture of admiration and a longing that lingered in the air.

~Avery~

Throughout the day, my thoughts were stuck on King, gnawing at every memory of him and I found myself yearning for his return. With no enthusiasm for my classes or training, I pulled the classic "I'm sick" card, but really, it was a case of lovesickness. I holed up indoors, reminiscing about last night's events until the sky blushed with the colours of sunset. Eventually, I peeled myself off the bed, and dragged myself to the window, watching and waiting for my mate's return like a heroine in a romance novel.

My mind buzzed with questions. Why had King touched me last night? Was he going to come back tonight? Was this his way of accepting me? Tia, my wolf, was practically doing backflips in excitement, making it impossible to sit still. Just then, Sammy's voice cut through my thoughts via the mind-link, snapping me back to reality.

"Ave, you alive over there?"

"Very much so," I chirped, barely able to contain my giddy delight.

"Thank the goodness, you sound fine. The servants told me you were ill."

A grin spread across my face. "Oh, Sammy, I am sick, but it's a sickness of the heart-I'm lovesick."

There was a pause, and I could practically hear the wheels turning in Sammy's head.

'King and I..." I trailed off, unsure of how to spill the tea. "Last night, he... he touched me. He marked me, and-'

Sammy's mental squeal almost made me jump out of my skin. "What happened? Tell me every juicy detail. In fact, I want to see your happy face as you narrate it all to me."

"Sammy, breathe," I chuckled, flopping back onto the bed.

"I need to see you, Ave, but those meathead guards won't let me near your room. They say you need rest and not to be disturbed."

"Oh," I murmured, recalling that I had indeed given those instructions earlier. "I'll just-"

"No need, Ave. We need to celebrate this. After two whole months, King finally touched you. He'll keep coming back for more, mark my words. I hope Regina knows her place now."

I sighed. I didn't like talking ill about Regina. She had sacrificed her feelings to help King grow stronger. To me, that was true love. I tried to imagine how she must have felt in all of this. It couldn't be easy for her either.

"Regina's not a bad person, Sammy," I found myself saying.

I could almost see Sammy rolling her eyes through the mind-link. "Whatever," she dismissed. "As I was saying, we should celebrate. I know you've been missing the nightlife. How about we hit the club tonight?"

'Sammy, I'm still in the middle of my Luna training and need to remain sober until it's complete. I can't drink now, at least not without supervision.′

"Oh, come on, Ave! I need to see that mark. Don't turn me down. Having a couple of drinks and some fun won't hurt anybody. I'll be there to make sure nothing goes wrong. No one would even know you were gone."

I considered her words. I had been craving this life since I got here, and being shoved into this position had made me miss it even more. A rebellious spark, dormant since my arrival here, flickered to life. The thought of a night filled with freedom and fun was tempting. A little fun wouldn't hurt, right? After a bit of coaxing-okay, a lot of coaxing from Sammy, I caved. Little did I know that it marked the beginning of my downfall.

~*~

I poured another drink, tipping my head back as the disco lights played around Sammy and me. It had been two months since I last let loose like this. The thrill of the moment was intoxicating, and I found myself downing vodka shots like they were water. Sammy was equally enthusiastic. My heart was racing, and I kept mind-linking my mom to check if King had returned.

I had told her everything that happened between King and me the previous night and showed her the mark on my neck. When she asked about my plans for the night, I said I was meeting Sammy and might not come home early. She had sounded sceptical but told me to be careful. Despite her caution, I felt like I was having the time of my life-until my head started spinning. That's when I saw Jackson.

Jackson was a guy I had met two weeks ago at the weaving centre. There was no romantic spark or attraction, just a friendly connection. He was just the good Samaritan who had found my lost ring and returned it to me. I had thanked him and left. Our paths crossed again when Sammy and I went for ice cream, and he had saved me from a would-be mugger in the restroom. I had clung to him as he carried me out of the restroom, since I was pretty shaken by the event.

Given these encounters, it felt natural to feel a sense of safety around him. So, when I bumped into him again, I was more open and friendly. I introduced him to Sammy, and we were soon giggling like old friends. Seeing him at the club wasn't surprising. He was with a woman, but I didn't feel anything because he was just a friend. He greeted Sammy and me before leaving with the woman hanging onto his arm.

By then, my head was spinning faster than a wheel. I suggested to Sammy that it was time to leave, but she insisted we had just arrived. She convinced me to dance some more, saying it would shake off the feeling of intoxication. But standing up from my chair was the last thing I remembered that night.

~*~

BAM! BAM! BAM!

I woke up with a start to a loud knock on the door. The room looked unfamiliar, and a pounding headache made it hard to think. "Where in the world am I?" I groaned. The pounding on the door persisted, more insistent this time, pulling my attention towards the clock. It read 5:30 a.m., and I was perplexed as to who would be disturbing anyone at such an ungodly hour?

As I reached to gather the bedsheets around me, my eyes caught sight of a male leg beside me under the sheets. The heavy knocking continued, now accompanied by King's unmistakable voice. All the air left my lungs, as the gravity of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. There I was, naked beneath the sheets, with a man lying next to me-a man who was definitely not King. My eyes nervously travelled from the unidentified man's leg, slowly inching up his torso, until they finally settled on his face. Time seemed to freeze as I recognized him.

Jackson!

~Avery~

As I knelt under the heavy gaze of the assembly, the solemn voice of Kristopher rang out, casting a shadow over my fate.

"Avery Frost is kneeling here today, accused of infidelity with a rogue, and also aiding the rogues by giving them vital information about our pack, which caused their last successful attack that claimed the lives of many pack members which we are still grieving." Kristopher turned to me, his piercing eyes fixed on me, and he continued. "Avery Frost, the trial today will look at the evidence to determine if you are guilty of these crimes."

Perspiration formed like icy beads on my forehead as I scanned the room, every pair of eyes a judge unto themselves.

"Avery, do you swear by the sacred goddess to speak the truth and nothing but the truth?"

"I do," I replied, striving to keep my voice unwavering.

In the corner, I heard my mother's muffled sobs. She knew I would never commit the crime they accused me of. I could never bring harm to Alpha King like that.

"And how do you plead?" Kristopher inquired.

"Not guilty," I declared firmly.

A murmur swept through the gathered crowd. I knew they wouldn't believe me, and did they expect me to plead guilty to infidelity and treason?

"Very well, then," Kristopher intoned gravely. "We'll start by hearing the witness testimonies of those involved and any other supporting evidence. If she is found guilty of infidelity and treason, we all know what the consequences are."

And with that, the trial began.

~*~

Horror gripped me as Sammy, a person I once considered an ally, wove her tale against me. Her words felt like daggers, each one etching a deeper wound. Why is she lying? What have I done to deserve this? I questioned internally, my mind a whirlpool of confusion and betrayal.

"...she flirted with him, even when I warned her of his rogue status and the danger he posed..." Sammy's voice was steady, her accusation unwavering.

"Sammy?" My voice cracked, disbelief and hurt intermingling. The urge to defend myself surged, breaking my composed silence.

"Avery Frost, I must insist that you refrain from interrupting a witness," Kristopher interjected his tone a clear warning.

Tears pricked my eyes, a storm of emotions threatening to overflow. But I held them back, knowing that showing weakness in this room, in front of these people, would only serve to delight the architect of my downfall. It was unfathomable to me- who in the pack harboured such animosity towards me? I had always tried to blend in, to follow the rules even when they chafed against my beliefs. Who would go to such lengths to frame me in this elaborate ruse?

Sammy continued spinning her web of deceit and lies. "Avery confided in me her plans for revenge, intending to betray the pack by letting rogues in, once she had earned our trust."

I felt a tempest of emotions raging within. The effort to restrain myself, to keep Tia, my inner wolf, at bay, was becoming increasingly arduous. Tia was already on the verge of taking control.

'Let me tear this traitor apart,' Tia raged.

'No, Tia. Resorting to violence will only worsen our predicament. We're already in a dire situation. Any action against her would be branded as assault,' I pleaded, trying to pacify my enraged wolf. But Tia remained uncontrollable.

Sammy's gaze flickered to me, a glint of understanding in her eyes, perhaps sensing the internal struggle tearing at my soul. She took a step back and continued her deceit. I was furious and deeply wounded by her testimony. Two witnesses had fabricated their stories, but Sammy's lies hurt the most because she had been my confidante, my 'home girl,' someone I had considered a friend.

"Avery confessed to me that she despised Regina and vowed to kill her so that she would stop visiting the pack house."

That statement proved to be the breaking point. Tia unleashed her fury. In a blur of motion, propelled by Tia's unbridled rage, I found myself lunging towards Sammy. Tia had taken over, and I had lost all semblance of control. Tia's colossal form emerged, and she howled. She pounced on Sammy, pinning her to the ground. Before the onlookers could intervene, Tia had left indelible marks on Sammy's face as a reminder of our wrath.

Suddenly, a searing pain lashed across my back, and I knew it was the silver lash without needing anyone to confirm it. Tia crumpled to the ground as the lash struck us repeatedly. Eventually, Tia retreated, leaving me sprawled on the floor, naked and vulnerable. The room buzzed with commotion as I teetered on the edge of consciousness. My mother's anguished cries echoed in my ears.

"Cover her up!" someone commanded amidst the commotion.

As I lay there, drifting towards unconsciousness, the blurry image of a man being dragged away caught my fading attention. A cloth was thrown over me, providing an unexpected solace. It carried the distinct scent of the King. At that moment, it felt as though he was the one enveloping me in an illusory embrace, lending a fleeting sense of protection in my vulnerable state. Clinging to that comfort, I surrendered to the encroaching darkness and slipped into unconsciousness.