I AM THE SHE-ALPHA

CHAPTER 001

Raven's POV:

"Just for one day," she begged, eyes wide with panic. "Be me. Take my place. If he sees me first... like this.... He'll reject me."

"No, never. I can't!"

My voice cracked as I stared at Kaelith, my twin, who stood before me, her composure rather too calm and collected despite the heretics she uttered.

"It's one thing to betray your mate, but this is a whole different thing, Kaelith. Do you understand the weight of what you're asking of me? It's punishable by death!"

Kaelith rolled her eyes, crossing her arms around her chest as her icy blue orb so similar to mine glared back at me. "Beta Gilbert isn't going to find out."

I gasp inaudibly. She spoke so coolly as if Beta Gilbert-the most perceptive wolf in the kingdom other than the Alpha-was some ordinary fool.

"He's your mate, for crying out loud. He'll know your scent and uncover me the moment I step into his bed. Do you want me killed?" I screamed, hoping my voice could get through her thick stubborn skull.

Her glare intensified as she stepped closer to me, her chest meeting mine. "Do you want to get me killed also?"

"Y-you won't-"

"You don't know that." She interrupted me, a flicker of panic crossing her eyes, and for a moment, I saw a reflection of her weakness. Her lips quivered as her perfectly crafted composure began to wear off, breaking down piece by piece. "You fail to understand, Raven. He's going to find out about... about what I've done. When he does, he'll kill me for sure."

I wanted nothing more than to close my ears and ignore her manipulative talks, but I couldn't. She was right. Beta Gilbert, the most powerful beta in the lands, wasn't someone to mess with, and one thing he won't forgive is deception when he discovers Kaelith wasn't the pure, untouched mate he believed her to be.

Yet, why should I pay the price for her countless mistakes? She should bear the weight of her sins.

"Do you want your sister to get rejected by her mate once he sees I'm impure?" She held my hands tight, her teary eyes locked into mine. " Is that what you want?"

"Kaelith...I-"

I didn't know what to do or say; I was being put in a tight spot. We would definitely be caught. I thought about the plan she'd outlined-disguised as being her, giving me the chance to slip into Gilbert's bed without any suspicion. Masking my scent with lavender and rosemary oil and pretending to be the perfect, innocent mate he believed she was.

But it was too risky. It was all too risky.

I looked into her eyes, wide and brimming with unshed tears and pure fear. She had always been the confident twin, the stronger one, but seeing her this terrified sent an ache through my chest.

"He'll never notice the difference, I promise you." She said, her voice softening as she turned back to the door to our room, confirming we were truly alone. "Please, Raven. You have to save me, my beautiful sister."

I sighed. I just needed to be extremely cautious in order not to be caught. That way, there would be no consequences. "Don't make me regret this, Kaelith. You owe me big time."

"YES!" Kaelith screamed in excitement as she jumped, giving a small celebratory dance with the shake of her hips before rushing and hugging me. "You're the best sister in the world. What could I have possibly done without you?"

I shrugged, trying to ease the tension in my chest. "Probably die."

This response earned a small blow to my shoulders as she sat me on the bed. "My plan is perfect. Just follow everything I say." She went on to outline the exact event of how the night was to play out.

I shook my head, my hands sweaty as I cleaned them against my jeans. "Now I know you've lost your mind for sure."

Kaelith flicked her hands dismissively, her smile unwavering. "Just do it, and I am a hundred percent sure it'll work. This is why the moon goddess made us identical twins."

I rolled my eyes. "Never for such deceit."

"Oh, shut it, sis. Even most she-wolves would kill to give up their virginity to Beta." She wiggled her brows. "And Alpha Theodore, would also come for the party. I know how much of a crush you have on him. Maybe, once you help me, I'll get you in touch with him."

"Shut up," I blushed, the very thought of the Alpha making my body boil. "So, when do we start?"

A knock on the door startled us both, and we both turned to see Lady Roselyn entering the room. She stared between us before her eyes locked on mine. "Is everything alright? You look pale."

Kaelith immediately swooped in, flashing a bright smile. "Everything's cool, Roselyn. Poor thing's just feeling a little feverish. That's why she won't be attending the grand breakfast."

Lady Roselyn arched an eyebrow but said nothing, nodding briskly before retreating from the room.

I turned in shock to Kaelith, my mouth agape in disbelief. "Are you f*ucking mad? Don't you know how pissed Father would be when he notices I didn't come for breakfast?"

"Don't be a wimp, sis. If you sit beside Gilbert this morning and then sneak into his bed at night, he'll know something's off. Okay, gotta go," Before I could say anything, she began gathering her things and left.

Just like that.

I sighed, walking over to the window as the cool breeze blew against my curly hair but it did nothing to calm my racing heart.

I just hope I won't regret this.

I groaned in annoyance, lowering my head to the front of our house at the sound of a car's engine.

"Shit."

There he was.

Alpha Theodore.

His pitch-black hair graced his head as it was styled into a simple ponytail, framing his sculpted look and sharp nose. His towering height and charming smile made my legs grow weak. Till now, I still haven't gotten over my childish crush on him.

I watched him shake my father's hand firmly with Beta Gilbert standing beside them. They conversed for a while, their lips moving. What they said, I simply don't know. I was too captivated by Alpha Theodore's handsomeness to care.

And that's when my gaze settled on Kaelith, who shyly walked over to Beta Gilbert and kissed him. Reality hit me square in the face.

'This isn't going to work; we will get caught.' I thought, groaning ever so lightly. Kaelith has had too many boyfriends that I lost count of. How Gilbert hasn't known till now baffled me.

As my gaze lingered on Alpha Theodore, it was as if he could sense my presence because he lifted his head and his gaze snagged mine by the windows.

My heart dropped as I immediately fell hard to the ground, my back against the wall.

He saw me.

He freaking saw me.

I breathe hard, my heart thumping against my chest.

Evening fell quickly; the golden hues of the setting sun gave way to shadows creeping through the mansion. My stomach growled, sharp and demanding, snapping me out of my spiral of thoughts about Alpha Theodore. I had to eat and decided to sneak out of my room to the kitchen to find food. It was easy, jumping over the creaky floorboards, trying to keep silent, and the kitchen wasn't that far.

I rounded the corner and into the kitchen. I must say, I was truly in heaven. The scent of roasted meat and baked goodies enveloped me. I wasted no time and launched over the food.

The moment the savory flavors hit my tongue, I sighed in relief as the tension of the day melted away with every bite.

This is life.

I reached for another piece of roasted meat when the sound of breathing behind me made me freeze.

"And why is the little princess sneaking around her own house all day, hmm?"

Slowly and in shock, I turned, the slab of meat falling to the ground as my eyes met his. Alpha Theodore.

"Uh-umm, I was hungry, and I don't feel like eating with my family, A-alpha.." I looked to my feet as they berated me, afraid of staring into his beautiful eyes for too long.

"Hmmm," I heard him sniffing. "Do you smell that?"

I raised my head slightly and sniffed the air. That's when it hit me. The most amazing scent ever.

Where the hell did this wonderful smell come from?

I didn't care about the Alpha's presence anymore and sniffed around, looking for the source of such an amazing scent.

The maids must have outdone themselves in preparing such delicacy, but one part of me told me it wasn't food. No, it was far greater.

I followed the scent, and my head went upwards, towards...him. My nose stopped before huge pectoral muscles and I sniffled even harder, looking up slowly to his glowing eyes.

The scent of honey, pine, and a hint of wet forest. It was coming from him?

"MATE."