Chapter 170 IMPOSTER

Chapter 170 IMPOSTER
MALIA’S POV:
​I stare blankly at my reflection in the tall vanity mirror with my fingers resting lightly on the blue stone necklace hanging daintily around my neck. 
Lucien’s mother had meant for this heirloom to be given to his true mate… as a symbol of devotion and affection, but every single time I look at it, all I feel is a wave of sickening guilt that threatens to choke the life out of me! 
It’s been two days since I found out about Kieran’s deceit…
He lied…
​I still cannot believe it!… Why would he lie to me?! Why would he tell me that Lucien slaughtered my father and brother when they were actually still alive, It was completely out of character for the honest, noble man I thought I knew. Or... did I ever really know him at all? Perhaps I was just so blinded by my affection for him, so desperate for us to be together, that I just made up my version of him? I can’t believe I let him manipulate my grief and turn me into his mindless pawn! Now I can’t help but wonder what else he is hiding from me… What other lies he’s told me.
​He had successfully coaxed me into betraying Lucien… And at what cost?
​I had practically ran back to the servants' quarters that day with my heart in my throat, begging the servant women there desperately to take me to the hunched servant girl named Meredith. But the women just looked at me with puzzled expressions and said that there was no servant by that name.
Apparently, the servant ​Meredith who I had given the vial was a phantom… A ghost who had vanished into thin air taking Lucien’s blood with her.
​Lucien had caught me spiraling after that and had been confused, he’d grabbed my shoulders and asked me to tell him what was wrong, why I was crying and I almost came clean right there… Goddess help me, the truth was right on the tip of my tongue! But then I didn’t want to find out how he’d react to the news of me betraying him when he only just started to trust me… So, I wiped my tears and lied to his face again.
​I am so damn tired of lying… 
​It seems like every single choice I make results in betraying someone I care about. Even my own wolf, Whore has refused to speak to me ever since I locked her away and handed over the blood, she’s been completely silent and brooding in a corner of my mind. So for the last forty-eight hours, I've had to continue to play the part of the doting, affectionate mate to Lucien while stewing in my own guilt internally.
​I let out a long sigh, brushing my thumb absent-mindedly over the cool surface of the blue jewel. Lucien had given this to me believing I was his true mate, his forever… I had lied and told him I loved him… What would he do if he knew what I had done? What would he do when he finds out I already handed him over to the enemy on a silver platter?
​"Malia? Wow, look at you!"
​Laena’s cheerful voice shatters the silence as she waltzes into the bedroom… I was so lost in my thoughts, I barely registered the door opening.
I turn to greet her and she stops in her tracks with a huge smile brightening her face as she takes in my dress. "You look absolutely stunning!”
​"Thank you, Laena…” I say quietly, offering her a faint smile.
​She walks over to sit next to me, straightening out a few items on the table. “I wanted to make sure you were ready… There is so much commotion downstairs! The servants are running around like crazy trying to get everything set up in time."
​I nod slowly, remembering how busy the Manor was lately. "Yeah, I noticed that… What’s that about? Lucien told me something important was happening today, didn’t say what.”
​Laena turns to me and her smile softens into something solemn. “Yeah… It’s not exactly a fun event for him. Today is the Memorial Ceremony. It’s held every year on this day in remembrance of all the Lycans who were slaughtered during the Great Massacre years ago."
​My face falls instantly as a fresh spike of guilt drives itself straight into my stomach. 
Today was a memorial for his fallen people… And here I was, actively hiding a plot that could eliminate the rest of them.
​"This year is special, though," Laena continues softly and her silver eyes shine with a sudden pride. "This ceremony is usually strictly for Lycans. This year’s the first, that any werewolves are being allowed to attend. Lucien gave explicit orders that the breeders were to be invited." She smiles and takes my hands in hers. "He obviously did it because of you, Malia… So you could attend by his side. You're changing him just like I knew you would! There might actually be real hope for peace and unity between Lycans and Werewolves now... and it's all thanks to you!”
​Stop... please stop... I want to scream! Her praise feels like acid pouring onto an open wound… She wouldn’t be saying this if she knew what I did.
​Laena must notice the color draining from my face, because her brows knit together in concern. "Malia? Are you okay? Now that I think about it, you’ve been acting so strange and distant lately.”
​"I'm fine!” I blurt out quickly as I pull my hands back from hers. "Just... tired, I guess."
​Before Laena can push any further, the door swings open suddenly, and my entire body stiffens instantly as a familiar scent hits me.
​Lucien steps into the room.
He looks breathtakingly handsome, dressed in a regal-like, dark suit embroidered with silver thread that highlights his massive frame. The moment his silver eyes fall on me, the usual harsh lines of his face disappear completely and a lump forms in my throat.
​"I'll leave you two…” Laena murmurs with a knowing grin, bowing her head slightly as she slips past him out the door.
​The second the door clicks shut, Lucien closes the distance between us and glides behind me, wrapping his thick, warm arms tightly around my waist and pulling my back flush against his chest. My heartbeat speeds up as he buries his face in the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply before pressing a hot kiss right over my pounding pulse point…
​"You look breathtaking, Little Mate…” he mutters with his deep voice vibrating straight through my spine. His hand slides casually down my hip and his fingers trace the curve of my waist lightly. "This dress is doing wonders for my imagination right now… All I can think about is what’s under it.”
​A sudden, involuntary shiver runs through me as my body freezes up like a block of ice under his touch… I feel like a fraud… Lying to him like this.
​Lucien pauses as he feels the rigidity in my spine and slowly pulls back, turning me around so I'm forced to look up into those piercing silver eyes. The flirtatious warmth in his expression evaporates, replaced by a worried, searching intensity.
​“Okay, there is definitely something you aren't telling me, Little Mate…” he says quietly with his brows pulling together in a frown. "You’ve been jumpy… You pull away from me when I touch you and I’ve caught you staring into space more than once… What is wrong? Talk to me…”
​My heart hammers wildly against my ribs. 
Tell him! a desperate voice inside me cries out… Tell him before it's too late!!
​I part my lips to speak, "Lucien, I…”
​But just then the door opens and Loki, Hylos, and Viktor walk into the room.
​"It's time Lucien, The ceremony will start soon…” Viktor says gruffly. “The elders are already throwing a fit about you inviting the Breeders…”
​“Oh please… let the old men whine! Those ladies will definitely liven things up and we can't keep the lovely crowd waiting!" Loki cuts in waltzing right up to us. He flashes me a bright, mischievous grin and reaches out, playfully ruffling my hair. "Looking good, Little Sis!"
The gesture reminds me so much of Maddox that I pull away in alarm.
​A low, dangerous growl rumbles deep in Lucien's chest and he instantly steps in front of me, glaring at Loki with narrowed eyes. "Stop touching her, Loki, before I break your fingers."
​Loki just laughs, waving his hand dismissively. "Relax, big guy! You gave her the necklace, She's practically family now!” He winks at me teasingly. "Though I have to admit, I kind of preferred how she looked in that ridiculous oversized armor from before. I thought it had… character.”
​Hylos remains near the doorway, staring at me blankly with his unblinking, pale eyes. I guess it's his strange, unnerving way of acknowledging my presence? 
Viktor gives me a brief, approving nod. “You look… Presentable.”
Wow… Coming from Viktor that was high praise!
​I try to smile, but my stomach is still churning… I feel like an imposter.
​Lucien turns back to me and his large hand gently captures mine and he laces his fingers through mine then he leans down, "We are going to finish this talk later," he murmurs low enough for only me to hear.
​I swallow hard and dread pools deep in my belly. "Okay..." I mutter.
​Then still holding hands, we make our way down the wide corridors toward the Manor's grand hall. The doors are thrown wide open, and we step inside.
​The grand hall has been illuminated by hundreds of iron lanterns that cast a warm, golden glow over the massive space… It is also completely filled. On one side, rows of proud, imposing Lycan hybrid warriors stand tall in their formal armor along with the lycan women. On the other side of the hall are the werewolf breeders and servants. 
At the very front of the room, seated on raised chairs, are the Lycan Elders… Their stern faces are twisted into cold, disapproving scowls as they scan the crowd. Lord Kael’s purple eyes meet mine and his scowl deepens.
​I look away immediately turning to scan the faces in the werewolf crowd, my heart leaps when I spot my friends standing near the center. Lila, Sophie, and Sapphire are huddled together, exchanging anxious, worried looks. The moment Lila catches my eye, her face lights up with relief, and she frantically waves me over.
​I haven't talked to them in two full days… I had completely isolated myself in my spiral of guilt, leaving them entirely in the dark about how my crazy plan had played out.
​I make a move to step towards them, but Lucien’s grip on my hand tightens and he pulls me closer to his side with his breath warm against my ear as he murmurs huskily, "Where do you think you're going, Little Mate? What happened to never leaving my side?"
​My throat dry. "I... I just wanted to sit with my friends," I whisper softly.
"You're sitting with me.” he says smoothly and pulls me along. 
My eyes widen as I look at the raised platform at the front of the room. Positioned right in the center are two massive, grand throne-like chairs.
​Panic spikes through my veins!
Sitting up there next to him, in front of the entire valley, feels like accepting a crown I stole… It feels like ultimate hypocrisy! I don’t deserve to stand by his side after what I did!
​"Lucien, please..." I pull back slightly and my hands start shaking. "I'd really, really prefer to sit with Lila and the others. Please…”
​Lucien stops and his silver eyes search my frantic face, and for a fraction of a second, his expression falls, a flicker of disappointment crosses his face. But he lets out a quiet breath and nods. “Fine… If that is what you want, Little Mate. We definitely need to have that ‘talk’ soon.“
​Before I can turn around, Lucien unexpectedly leans down, cupping the back of my neck, and presses his lips firmly against mine!
​It isn't a quick peck either! It is a possessive, intimate kiss right there in front of the full hall!!
​A collective gasp ripples through the room, followed by a chorus of hushed, shocked murmurs from the crowd and out of the corner of my eye, I see the Lycan Elders stiffen with their scowls deepening into utter disgust at the public display of affection for a werewolf.
​Lucien slowly pulls away with a dark satisfaction in his eyes. "Go on then.” he whispers, releasing my hand. Then he turns and strides up to the grand chairs, taking his seat while Loki, Hylos, and Viktor fall into place behind him.
​My cheeks burn with intense heat as I feel hundreds of eyes burning into my back!!
But then Lord Harkins stands to speak and I quickly use the distraction to turn around and begin walking down the aisle towards my friends.
​As I pass the side of the hall, my gaze accidentally lands on a figure standing near the stone pillars and my heart drops into my stomach!!
​What the hell… It's Valir!!