I AM THE SHE-ALPHA

CHAPTER 001

Raven's POV:

"Just for one day," she begged, eyes wide with panic. "Be me. Take my place. If he sees me first... like this.... He'll reject me."

"No, never. I can't!"

My voice cracked as I stared at Kaelith, my twin, who stood before me, her composure rather too calm and collected despite the heretics she uttered.

"It's one thing to betray your mate, but this is a whole different thing, Kaelith. Do you understand the weight of what you're asking of me? It's punishable by death!"

Kaelith rolled her eyes, crossing her arms around her chest as her icy blue orb so similar to mine glared back at me. "Beta Gilbert isn't going to find out."

I gasp inaudibly. She spoke so coolly as if Beta Gilbert-the most perceptive wolf in the kingdom other than the Alpha-was some ordinary fool.

"He's your mate, for crying out loud. He'll know your scent and uncover me the moment I step into his bed. Do you want me killed?" I screamed, hoping my voice could get through her thick stubborn skull.

Her glare intensified as she stepped closer to me, her chest meeting mine. "Do you want to get me killed also?"

"Y-you won't-"

"You don't know that." She interrupted me, a flicker of panic crossing her eyes, and for a moment, I saw a reflection of her weakness. Her lips quivered as her perfectly crafted composure began to wear off, breaking down piece by piece. "You fail to understand, Raven. He's going to find out about... about what I've done. When he does, he'll kill me for sure."

I wanted nothing more than to close my ears and ignore her manipulative talks, but I couldn't. She was right. Beta Gilbert, the most powerful beta in the lands, wasn't someone to mess with, and one thing he won't forgive is deception when he discovers Kaelith wasn't the pure, untouched mate he believed her to be.

Yet, why should I pay the price for her countless mistakes? She should bear the weight of her sins.

"Do you want your sister to get rejected by her mate once he sees I'm impure?" She held my hands tight, her teary eyes locked into mine. " Is that what you want?"

"Kaelith...I-"

I didn't know what to do or say; I was being put in a tight spot. We would definitely be caught. I thought about the plan she'd outlined-disguised as being her, giving me the chance to slip into Gilbert's bed without any suspicion. Masking my scent with lavender and rosemary oil and pretending to be the perfect, innocent mate he believed she was.

But it was too risky. It was all too risky.

I looked into her eyes, wide and brimming with unshed tears and pure fear. She had always been the confident twin, the stronger one, but seeing her this terrified sent an ache through my chest.

"He'll never notice the difference, I promise you." She said, her voice softening as