Lahat ng Kabanata ng Deceitful Twin:A sister's shadow : Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

Ethan's POVThe corridor was filled with light and gold.There was a glow over everything. The marble beneath was buffed to mirrored shine. Themassive iron chandeliers hanging above were ablaze with white fire. Golden ribbons weredraped across the stone pillars, and the large banners with the Nightshade crest—threecrescent moons in black thorns—hung like royal seals above the heads of every rank wolf inattendance.The hall was packed to the wall. Elders, warriors, councilors, and lords filled up all availableroom, wearing their best silks, each of them sporting an expression of approval—or ofcalculation. Some nodded when I met their eye. Others just regarded me, wordless, waiting. Icould pick up the hum of whispers behind the ceremonial drums. Each wolf had a view. Eachwolf had waited.On the far end of the corridor, I stood on the raised dais, straight back, clenched jaw. Scarlettflanked me, her posture perfect, chin tilted by a fraction of an inch as she looked down over the

Scarlett's POVPower does something to people. They regard you differently. They bow lower. They tarrylonger. They lie better.And I know it all now. All stares. All asides. All inquisitive glances at my bloated belly—full ofquestions, full of danger.The child I bore had become the linchpin of the pack's survival. The future alpha. The livingdefinition of Ethan's legacy. And the deception I'd built everything around.But deception is a fragile thing. It breathes. It decays. It shatters when the wrong hand appliespressure to it.I couldn't risk breaks.So I started building a contingency plan.I located the midwife beneath the ancient grain tower—out of the palace, out of sight of Ethan. Ipaid her gold and a counterfeit bloodline scroll. I told her what she was to say when the momentcame: that the child had the Crescent Mark—an ancient birthmark appearing only in Ethan'sfamily. She did not argue. She took the gold.They always do.I'd spent weeks preparing the scroll. Fake docu

Ethan’s POVFive years later…The walls of the Alpha’s hall hadn’t changed, but everything else had. The whispers were louder now. The gazes longer. Even the air around the pack felt thinner—like it was holding its breath.“Alpha, the council is waiting.”I looked up from my desk, the weight of five years settling heavier with each second. Greyson stood in the doorway, his jaw clenched like he’d chewed through steel.“I’ll be there in a minute,” I said, standing slowly. My bones ached—not from age, but exhaustion. Ruling a pack like mine, held together by fear, tradition, and secrets, was like balancing a blade on your throat. One slip, and everything bled.As I walked through the halls, I caught glimpses of pack members lowering their voices. They thought I couldn’t hear them. They thought I didn’t notice.I noticed everything.The council chamber was already tense when I stepped in. Twelve pairs of eyes followed me as I took my seat at the head of the long oak table.“Let’s begin,”

ASTRID'S POV The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled light onto the forest floor. The cabin, nestled deep within the woods, stood as a testament to the life we had built—secluded, simple, and safe. The forest hummed with its usual rhythm—crickets, wind, rustling leaves—but I had learned to listen for more than just sounds. After five years, the silence became a language of its own. Every branch crackle, every howl in the distance meant something. Safety. Danger. A memory I didn’t want. I couldn't still get over the fact that Scarlett can likely trace us back here “Ma!” a small voice shouted, breaking the moment.Inside, the scent of herbs and freshly baked bread filled the air. I stood at the wooden counter, kneading dough with practiced hands. The rhythmic motion was soothing, a routine that grounded me. The scent of herbs and roasted rabbit still clung to my fingers.“Yes, baby?” I said and turned, wiping my hands on my apron.River burst through the do

Ethan's POV “Wake up Ethan. Wake up and follow me,” Astrid said, drawing my hands in hers. “Where are we going?” I asked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “You'll see when we get there,” she said, flashing me her twin dimpled smile.I held her cold small hand hesitantly and allowed her to walk me into the fog. Midway, the fog cleared, I saw a boy around Caleb's age, but with most of my features. He had my hair and ears and inquisitive eyes. “Dada,” he said and waved towards me. I smiled and waved back.I didn't notice Scarlet until it was too late. Astrid didn't either. Scarlet carried the boy in one hand and held a silver knife in another, threatening us to step a bit closer.She walked backwards for a while before running into the woods with the boy.“Scarlet! Scarlet, don't!” I screamed, before I see her again, wild eyes, in nothing but a red night gown.“It's all a dream,” she said, pecked me and slept back.****It started with whispers.Soft at first, like the wind brushing l