Chapter 34: The First Deception

 

[One Month Later]

The preparations for the Presentation Ceremony were in full swing. The Forbidden Wing, once a fortress of solitude, was now buzzing with activity. Or rather, buzzing with terrified staff trying not to upset the Alpha King.

In the nursery, a different kind of war was being waged.

"She hates it," Killian growled, trying for the fifth time to fasten a tiny silver bracelet around Nyx's wrist.

ZAP.

A spark of purple shadow shot out from the baby's hand, stinging Killian’s fingers.

"She's not hating it," I sighed, bouncing Lucian on my hip. Lucian was easy. He was currently chewing on his own fist, glowing faintly with a happy, golden light. "She's insulted. You're trying to bind her power."

Nyx lay in her crib, staring at her father with those intense violet eyes. She didn't cry. She just... judged.

"We have to," Vance said, adjusting his glasses as he mixed a potion on the changing table. "The Council is expecting two Royal Heirs. If they sense even a whiff of Dark Magic from her, they'll demand an inspection. And if they see those shadows..."

He didn't need to finish. Execution.

"The bracelet is made of Moonstone and Ash," Killian explained to his three-week-old daughter, his voice unreasonably gentle. "It will hide your scent. It will make you feel... normal. Just for tonight, little shadow. Please?"

Nyx blinked. She seemed to consider his request.

Then, slowly, she lowered her tiny hand. The shadows that had been curling around the crib bars retreated.

Killian quickly snapped the bracelet on.

The violet glow in Nyx's eyes faded to a deep, dark blue—almost normal. The oppressive heaviness in the room lifted. She looked, for all intents and purposes, like a regular, adorable wolf pup.

"It works," Vance let out a breath. "She reads as a dormant Beta female. Weak. Harmless."

"Weak?" Killian bristled, offended on her behalf. "She could strangle a grown man with her mind."

"That's exactly what we don't want them to know," I reminded him. "Tonight, she is just 'Princess Nyx'. The delicate, precious flower."

I walked over and placed Lucian next to her.

The contrast was blinding. Lucian was radiating charisma, practically waving at an invisible audience. Nyx looked like she was plotting a murder.

"Lucian will be the distraction," Killian decided, picking up his son. "He loves attention. We'll let him dazzle the Elders. Everyone will be so focused on the 'Golden Boy' that they won't look twice at her."

"And if they do?" Vance asked.

Killian’s expression darkened. He picked up Nyx with his other arm, holding her against the tattoo on his chest.

"Then I will remind them why they feared me in the first place."

---

The Grand Hall was packed. Every Alpha from every allied pack was there. The air was thick with tension and curiosity. Rumors about the twins had been flying for weeks.

Double Royals. Twins. The Prophecy.

When the heavy doors opened, silence fell like a guillotine.

Killian and I walked in. I wore a gown of midnight blue, hiding my post-birth recovery. Killian wore his ceremonial black uniform, medals gleaming.

And in our arms, the Heirs.

I held Lucian. Killian held Nyx.

We walked up to the dais where the High Elder waited with the sacred bowl of Moon Water.

"Present the children," the Elder intoned.

I stepped forward first.

"Lucian Blackwood," I announced, my voice steady.

I dipped my finger in the water and touched Lucian’s forehead.

FLASH.

A beam of pure golden light shot up from the baby, illuminating the entire hall. The crowd gasped. Wolves instinctively bowed their heads.

"The Sun!" someone whispered. "The Savior is born!"

Lucian cooed, loving the applause.

Then, it was Killian’s turn.

The room held its breath. This was the second twin. The mystery.

Killian stepped forward, his face a mask of stone. He held Nyx protectively, shielding her face slightly from the crowd.

"Nyx Blackwood," he said. His voice was lower, a warning.

He touched the water to her forehead.

We all waited. I gripped Lucian tight, praying the bracelet would hold.

Nothing happened. No beam of light. No explosion of shadows. Just a tiny, wet baby looking bored.

A murmur of confusion rippled through the crowd.

"No light?" The High Elder frowned, leaning in closer. "Is she... wolfless?"

Killian narrowed his eyes. "She is Royal," he growled. "Her power is... internal. She is the Moon to his Sun. Quiet. Watchful."

"Let me see," the Elder reached out a wrinkled hand to touch her.

Don't, I thought frantically. Don't touch her.

Nyx didn't like strangers. And she definitely didn't like old men poking her.

As the Elder’s finger came within an inch of her face, Nyx’s eyes snapped open. For a split second, the blue contact-lens effect of the bracelet flickered. A flash of violet burned through.

The Elder froze. He snatched his hand back as if he had touched a hot stove.

"She..." The Elder stammered, looking pale. "She is... cold."

"She is delicate," Killian cut in smoothly, stepping back. "And she is tired. The ceremony is over."

He didn't wait for permission. He turned his back on the Council, shielding Nyx from their prying eyes.

"All hail the Heirs!" Vance shouted from the crowd, trying to cover the awkward moment.

"Hail!" the pack echoed, though their eyes lingered on the dark bundle in the King's arms with suspicion.

We walked out of the hall as fast as dignity allowed.

Once we were in the safety of the corridor, Killian let out a breath.

"That was close," he muttered.

I looked at Nyx. She was fast asleep now, clutching Killian’s lapel.

"She didn't attack him," I whispered, proud.

"No," Killian said, a dark smirk touching his lips. "But she definitely scared him. Did you see his face? He looked like he saw a ghost."

"Good," I said, kissing Lucian’s golden head. "Let them be scared. Fear keeps them away."

We had survived the first test. The world thought Nyx was just a 'quiet' princess.

But we knew the truth. The real monster wasn't under the bed. She was sleeping in the King's arms.