Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle
Chapter 93: I’m a Twin.

Chapter 93: I’m a Twin.

She hadn’t been expecting this.

But perhaps... perhaps she could play it smart.

Lupien had never known her true identity. Every time she’d snuck out of the palace, she’d done so cloaked in the appearance of a commoner. He believed she was just another face among the masses, an ordinary citizen, not someone bound by royal blood.

That part, at least, was manageable.

She could deny everything. Deny she was Sorayah. In truth, Lupien had never known her by that name. She had always used a different one in his presence. If she stayed calm, she might still maintain control.

A soft voice from beyond the heavy oak doors startled her, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Good morning, Lady Sorayah."

She blinked, momentarily stunned.

Lady? Since when had she been bestowed a title?

Before she could respond, the doors creaked open. In stepped Lady Melissa, the same woman who had assigned her duties upon her arrival. She moved gracefully despite her injury, her severed hand now bound and wrapped in fine silk. Behind her came another middle-aged woman, flanked by several attendants bearing ornate boxes.

Sorayah’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Each box was brimming with glittering gold jewelry, delicately crafted hairpins, and lavish accessories. Silken dresses in hues fit for queens were folded atop rich fabrics, their embroidery catching the morning light. The air grew fragrant as servants entered carrying trays of small porcelain bowls, each one releasing a delicate, calming scent.

Lady Melissa, balancing garments between her shoulder and neck, bowed slightly. Her voice was composed.

"The Beta Lord has instructed us to prepare you, my lady," the other woman announced, dipping her head respectfully. "You will be accompanying him to the Royal Alpha Palace this morning."

What?

Before she had time to question it, two maids stepped forward and seized her gently but firmly by the hands, urging her toward the doorway.

Linda, her assigned maid, had awakened by then and hurried after them in confusion as they made their way to Dimitri’s chambers.

The room was empty, yet the moment Sorayah entered, she was overwhelmed by the sweet, familiar scent of rose petals. It clung to the air like a secret. The maids wasted no time. They pulled her toward the adjoining bathroom, where an enormous bathtub awaited, artfully decorated with flower petals and glistening water.

"I’ll bathe myself, thank you," Sorayah said firmly, attempting to pull back.

But her protest fell on deaf ears.

Without hesitation, the maids began to undress her. Her garments were ripped open and peeled away with such speed and precision that she was left standing bare before them. Gasping, she crossed her arms over her chest, cheeks flushed with indignation.

"I said, I will bathe myself!" she snapped, voice rising sharply.

The middle-aged maid, unfazed, bowed low but remained firm.

"My lady, we cannot allow that," she said respectfully. "It is our duty to ensure you are properly bathed and dressed. The Beta Lord has made it clear that there must be no room for error. If we displease him, the consequences will fall not only on you, but on us all."

Sorayah’s eyes narrowed, her voice now cold and edged with fire.

"Oh? And what makes you think you’ll keep your heads once I am officially the Beta Lord’s concubine?" she asked icily. "You’ve already begun to disobey my orders. Are you so confident that your actions today will be forgiven once I rise in rank?"

Her words cut like sharpened glass.

The maids froze. One of them dropped the cloth she had been holding. A silence settled over the room, heavy and suffocating. The arrogance that had been in the air moments ago dissipated in an instant.

Then, one by one, they dropped to their knees.

"We’ll leave you to bathe yourself then, my lady," the middle-aged woman said respectfully, bowing deeply. "Should you require any assistance, please send your personal servant to call for me."

With those parting words, she rose and exited the bathhouse, followed closely by the other servants. Now, Sorayah was left alone with Linda.

"Are you all right, my lady?" Linda asked gently, her head bowed in deference.

Sorayah gave her a reassuring smile. "Stay in the room, Linda. I’ll come to you once I’ve finished bathing."

Linda offered a respectful bow before quietly leaving the bathhouse.

Only then did Sorayah approach the bathtub, slowly lowering herself into the warm, petal-strewn water. The floral fragrance enveloped her, and she finally released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. The tension that had wound tightly in her chest since morning began to ease, if only slightly.

Once her bath was complete, Sorayah returned to Dimitri’s room where the servants, having been summoned once more, awaited her. They dressed her in an elegant white ensemble adorned with delicate beadwork. Her hair was styled simply but tastefully, adorned with golden accessories. A fine necklace and matching earrings completed the look.

"You look like a Luna," one of the younger maids whispered in awe, her eyes wide with admiration.

"Luna?" Sorayah repeated sharply, her voice low but firm. "Be careful with your words. If someone hears you say that, you might bring trouble not only to yourself but to your entire family. The title of Luna belongs solely to the Empress."

The maid dropped to her knees instantly, trembling. "Forgive me, my lady. I spoke carelessly. It won’t happen again."

Sorayah gave a curt nod. "See that it doesn’t."

Just then, the middle-aged woman entered the room again and spoke in her usual composed tone. "The Beta Lord is waiting for you, my lady."

Sorayah nodded and followed her out.

Outside the manor, Dimitri stood with an air of command and elegance, dressed in a black ensemble with a long coat that fluttered behind him in the breeze. He looked every inch a nobleman...composed, dangerous, and alluring.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Sorayah said politely, bowing with poise the moment his eyes fell on her.

Silence.

The moment stretched awkwardly. Sorayah lifted her gaze, expecting a response. But Dimitri said nothing...he merely stared at her, unmoving, as if frozen in time. His gaze remained fixed on her face, unblinking, unreadable.

"Your Highness?" she called again, her voice cautious.

Still, no reply.

The servants around her kept their heads bowed, uncertain and growing visibly anxious. Dimitri, the usually composed Beta Lord, had yet to acknowledge them formally.

"Your Highness?" she tried once more, this time placing a gentle hand on his arm.

The touch seemed to break the trance.

"Yes?" he said at last, blinking as if waking from a dream. He cleared his throat and straightened slightly. "Let’s go, since you’re here."

Sorayah nodded without another word, falling in step beside him as they made their way toward the Imperial Palace where Lupien sat, already in discussion with his council.

Upon arrival, Dimitri entered first, leaving Sorayah waiting outside. Moments later, an imperial eunuch appeared, bowing and motioning for her to enter.

As Sorayah stepped into the grand hall, the opulence of the place hit her like a wave. Gilded walls, polished floors, and towering golden pillars surrounded her. But it wasn’t the wealth that unsettled her...it was the man sitting at the head of the hall.

Lupien.

Her heart raced, but her expression remained calm. She advanced until she reached the center of the chamber and knelt, her head bowed so low it touched the polished floor.

"Greetings, Alpha Emperor," she said, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

"Rise," Lupien commanded, his voice reverberating across the hall.

The sound sent a chill down her spine. Her fists clenched slightly, hidden beneath the flowing sleeves of her dress. Stay calm, she told herself. Don’t give him a reason to suspect. He must not know who you really are.

She rose slowly, lowering her hands from her forehead. As her gaze met his, she saw it.

Recognition.

Shock flickered across his face like lightning in a storm. Lupien sat back, adjusting his position on the throne as if physically shaken.

"Pearl..." he whispered, the name barely escaping his lips.

It was the name she had once used when venturing out of the palace incognito.

To his credit, Lupien quickly masked his expression, his composure returning but not without effort. "What is your name?" he asked, though his eyes never left her face.

"It’s Sorayah, Your Highness," she replied, offering a small bow.

"Sorayah," he repeated slowly, testing the name on his tongue. "Do you... have a sister, then?"

"I’m a twin, Your Highness," she answered smoothly, though she swallowed hard as the lie left her mouth.

"Your sister... her name is Pearl, correct?" Lupien asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

"Yes, that’s right. Pearl was her name. But she’s dead, Your Highness. She died during the war."

As she spoke, her eyes glistened. A well-practiced tear shimmered in the corner of her eye, ready to fall. Her voice trembled just enough to be believable.

"I see," Lupien murmured, leaning back, his expression unreadable. But his eyes had not left hers for a second.

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