Taking My Twin Brother's Place

ALORA

MONTHS LATER...

"There, all done my lady." Lara, my personal handmaiden says out loud, forcing me to stare at my reflection in the full length mirror in front of me.

I could see the pitiful look in her eyes each time we shared a silent glance as she dressed me up in my twin brother's clothes in preparation for school.

It's been months since the news of the crown princess and her father's death spread through the packs like wildfire. A burial ceremony has been also held in their honour while I took on the role of pretending to be my twin brother.

When my mother had told me that I was going to disguise myself as my twin brother for a while, I thought that she was joking about it but she meant every word.

Ever since I returned back from the hospital, my mother has placed a strict ban on the people allowed to see or take care of me. Only Lara was permitted close to me. I'm not allowed to entertain visitors neither am I allowed to mingle with anyone.

My long wavy hair was cut short and dyed platinum just like my brother's. I had additional piercings on my ears and wore blue contacts to fit his eye color. His body was examined after his death so that i don't miss any crucial details in my transformation. Since then, I've been hiding from the public and will finally make my first official appearance as Caden today.

The door to my bedroom or rather, Caden's bedroom pushed open and my mother walked in. She dismissed Lara and took over from her.

"Do I really have to do this, mother?" I asked, a huge lump forming in my throat. "Why can't we just come forward to the public and tell them what happened? Why do we have to lie in this manner?"

"We don't have a choice, Alora." She reminded me in a cold voice. Ever since we got back from the hospital after the news of my brother and father's death, my mother had become a shadow of herself.

She wasn't smiling or laughing anymore. She has removed herself from anything that reminded her of them. It was like she had forgotten what it was like to be happy. I can't blame her though. I blame myself for snatching her happiness away in just a single night all because of my stubbornness.

"You know, sooner or later they're going to figure out that I am not Caden." I said to her as she adjusted my tie. "We are only identical but our personalities are different. This lie will not go on forever mother. It's not too late to stop this."

She forcefully willed me to face her eyes that had gone red from excessive crying. "Do you know that the accident that happened that night was orchestrated by someone?" She asked, shocking me.

"You couldn't stop the brakes because it was tampered with. That accident was meant for your father and anyone could be behind it so what does that tell you Alora?" She whisper yelled at me but I don't respond. I'm too scared to answer.

"It means that someone is after our family, the pack's throne and you were at the wrong place at the wrong time. If I told the public that Caden did not survive..." She paused, tears glistening in her eyes as she spoke.

"If I tell them that he is dead then they will come after us and use this opportunity to carry out their plans for the throne." She informed me. "I must find the culprit behind your brother and father's death Alora and until I do so, you will carry on this charade like your life depends on it."

"So why do I have to go to Caden's school to do that?" I inquired. "I can just stay here and pretend to be Caden can't I? Do I have to go this far as attending his school to give everyone a chance to be curious and discover my secret?"

"I wish that I could prevent that from happening my dear daughter but I can't." She ran her fingers through my hair.

"If I hide you away from the world any longer than this then people will get suspicious and I don't want anyone asking questions that'll lead to discovering your secret."

I hold both her hands together. "Tell them I came down with something or that I'm too traumatized from the accident. Make up any story so that I don't have to do this mother, please."

She wiped the tears that fell from her eyes. "The entire pack is aware that you are well and fit Alora. They know and I cannot hide you away from them any longer so you have to be strong and be ready to face any challenge that comes your way."

"I cannot do it. I am not Caden and I'm not even good at pretending to be him to save my life so how can I do so now in a place filled with boys?" I cried out bitterly, hoping that she stops her plan but she was adamant.

"I'm sorry my child but this is our only option." She buttons my shirt and helps me put on my school jacket.

"This is your final year in school my child so do your best to blend in with the others. Don't forget to keep your eyes and ears open for any suspicious activity. If the brake incident was truly planned by one of the pack's families then one of Caden's school mate will be aware of it." She tells me with a forced smile.

"Be cautious of whoever tries to befriend you and be careful of their motives." She warned sternly.

"You are to become the Alpha prince now, Alora. You are no longer a princess but a prince and no one must ever find out that you are a girl. Consider that part dead to you. You must never fall in love or trust anyone with your secret and identity, do you understand?"

"Yes mother." I answered, clutching my trousers tightly as the tears burned my vision, threatening to fall.

"It's time to go. Now, get a grip and pull yourself together. Wipe off every look of despair on your face, get your bags and meet me outside." She ordered before leaving the room. As soon as the door closed shut, I let the tears fall freely without stopping them.

This was my last time to cry. This was my last time to act soft. As soon as I walk out of this room, out of these doors, my feminine side will be locked up here forever.

I will no longer have the chance to be vulnerable or weak in the presence of anyone so I let myself feel all the pain and anger that fell with the tears.

When I am finished, I wiped my tears and took one last look of myself in the mirror before careening my suitcase outside the bedroom to join my mother with the guards and drivers waiting to escort me back to school.

I arrived minutes after and the sentinels guarding the door let pass through. The car door to the limousine pushes open and I enter. I sat down at the empty space reserved for me. My mother can't join me because she has other plans for the day so I will have to do this alone. I am a nervous wreck but i tried my best not to show it.

Soon after, the driver started the ignition and after bidding her farewell, we drove off with a trail of entourage driving closely behind us. Somehow, I wish that all this was nothing but a dream but it wasn't. Caden was gone forever.

In less than an hour, we pull up in front of the gate with a sign that read, 'The Royal Alpha Boys Preparatory Academy.' It was the opposite of what I used to attend.

The driver drove in and parked at a corner, waiting for me to take my leave. Taking one last breath, I push the door open and step out of the car to take my suitcase. I look around the unfamiliar premises to see all eyes staring at me. They were probably shocked to see me or rather Caden back at school.

The accident was a pretty popular topic that spread like wildfire over the news when it happened so everyone is well aware of it. There were even rumors that went around cause of it so I'm not surprised that they were all so shocked to see Caden back here. 

I wheeled my suitcase towards the entrance, trying my best to ignore all piercing gaze fixed on me as I walked by and just as I am about to cross over to the other side, a big black bullion bike drove past me in a flash. I lost my footing and fell on my butt.

"Ouch!" I winced internally, hoping that I didn't say that out loud. "What the heck is wrong with—" I am about to say but stopped myself when the bike stopped few metres away from where I sat on the hard surface of the ground. 

The supposed rider of the bike pulled off his helmet and that was when my eyes came in contact with his. I recognized him immediately. Sadly, it's the face of someone I will never forget. It was Prince Kalix Lockwood, my supposed betrothed. The one who wanted me to be his baby breeder under a guise of a fake marriage and relationship. Great! just what on earth have I gotten myself into now?