Protect your identity

_Zephyr’s POV_

The early morning sun slipped past my curtains, spilling across my bedroom floor. Birds chirped outside, flying around the inner courtyard of the Silver Wolf Packhouse. If you listened only to the wind and watched the light shining over the walls, you’d think today was a beautiful day.

But deep within me, it was far from that.

Deep in my chest, a storm raged.

I stood in front of the mirror in my room, staring at my reflection.

The uniform had just arrived this morning, shiny black pants, a buttoned tunic stitched with silver thread along the collar, and a family name sewn over the left breast. The name of the Silver Wolf Pack. My family’s name too.

The future Alpha’s uniform.

My chest and throat tightened.

Tomorrow, I’d be leaving for the Royal Wolf Academy, the same academy where male heirs from powerful packs trained to become leaders. It was a place of wicked politics and even more wicked expectations. I had known it was coming for months, but hearing Father mention it last night at dinner made it feel real.

“Tomorrow morning, first light. No excuses,” he’d said, barely sparing me a glance as he tore into his venison steak.

And just like that, my life was over. Or more like kicking off.

I could barely breathe, barely take in the sight of my new look.

“Zephyr?” A soft knock came from the door.

It was slowly open before I could answer, and Mother walked in. Luna Isolde looked as radiant as ever in her green dress, her long blonde hair that looked exactly like mine in the past, was twisted into a long braid down her back. She shut the door behind her quickly, turning to me with a smile that was a little too wide.

“How are you holding up?” she asked gently and I was tempted to snort.

I didn’t answer at first. My hands were clenched at my sides as I watched her reflection in the mirror instead of turning around.

“I don’t want to go,” I finally whispered, not caring about her reaction. I couldn't keep up with this whole thing anymore. Wasn't sixteen years enough for her?

“I know,” she said softly instead, stepping behind me. She placed her hands on my shoulders and met my gaze in the mirror. “But you must.”

“I don’t want to keep lying.” I shook my head.

She stiffened slightly, but her voice remained calm.

“You’ve done well for sixteen years. You’ll be fine. Just… protect your identity. That’s all I ask.”

I turned, my eyes burning with unshed tears.

“Why can’t I just be me?”

A flicker of something cold crossed her face. Her fingers tightened slightly on my shoulder.

“Because being you will get us both killed,” she said bluntly. “You want to know the truth? You were never supposed to live. When your twin brother died, I made a choice. I saved you by giving you his life. You’ve been living on borrowed time ever since.”

The pain surrounding her words hit me like a punch to the chest and I swallowed hard. “But what if I get caught?” I asked. “What if someone finds out?”

“Then we die,” she said again without hesitation. “Me. You. Everyone who helped hide the truth. Your father is not a forgiving man, Zephyr. To him, women are pawns, tools to warm beds and produce heirs. I was just lucky to have had him fall for me and kept me as his only wife. So do you think he would accept that his precious Alpha is a girl?”

I looked away from her.

Of course father would never accept that.

She stepped forward and gently tilted my chin up, our gaze meeting. “You are strong, Zephyr. Stronger than any male heir. And one day, when the time is right, you will have your chance to choose your own life. But not now. Not when the world will tear you apart the moment you show weakness.”

I tried to nod, but my throat was too tight.

There was a soft knock again. This time it was Lani, my personal maid, the third person after my sister in this entire cursed mansion who knew the truth.

“Your bath is ready, my prince,” she said formally, but her eyes flicked to mine with sympathy.

“Thank you, Lani,” I murmured.

Mother turned to her. “Pack his things. Everything he’ll need for the academy. And only the black clothes, nothing feminine or soft.”

“Yes, My Luna.”

As she left, Mother turned back to me and took my face between her hands.

“This is your last test, Zephyr. Get through the Academy. Rise above the rest. Make your father proud. And no one, I repeat, no one will ever question you or make you do what you despise again.”

I nodded, heart pounding. She pulled me into a tight embrace, and for a second, she was just a mother holding her terrified child.

But the moment was over too fast.

By evening, the mansion buzzed with preparations.

Father summoned me to his study for a final word before my departure. He looked at me from behind his desk, his silver eyes as calm as a lake.

“Don’t embarrass me at the Academy,” he said simply. “You’re the future Alpha of this pack. And who knows, you might be the Alpha King of this community too. Just show them why the Silver Wolf Pack is feared. Alright?”

“Yes, Father.” I bowed.

He gave a satisfied nod. “Dismissed.”

I returned to my room, already feeling numb. The stars and moon were already beginning to rise.

Tomorrow, I’d leave everything behind and step into a world built for boys, for someone I was never even supposed to be.

As Lani helped me fold the last of my things into the travel trunk, I whispered, “Do you think I can do it?”

She looked at me and smiled gently. “You already have.”

Of course, her automated response.

I didn’t sleep that night.

I just lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying Mother’s words over and over.

Protect your identity and survive.