Chapter 6 CHAPTER 6

AVARA

"Oh God," I quivered, keeping my head down, afraid to be spotted.

But the trio—I mean the Alphas—didn't care about my presence or any of the damsels here.

They just sat on their thrones with coldness stretched across their faces, before giving everyone the sign to rise.

If I wasn't taking a peep, I would have missed the sign.

As everyone lifted their heads, I did the same, but with fear, hoping they don't recognize me.

But like I said earlier, they didn't give a damn.

I saw when their eyes fell on me. But instead of the expression I was fearing for, they just looked away with disgust, reminding me of the chaotic scene from last night.

"That's right. They think I'm Adira," I remembered, looking down at myself.

"You're loved by the people, despised by the Alphas... What the hell did you do to stir such hate on yourself? Whatever it is, I hope it works in my favor today. God, let them send me away," I prayed, hoping Adira's case with the Alphas will be my escape.

But it wasn't, and matters only got worse when I saw five elderly men dressed in fancy apparel, standing in front of we maidens, to bow at the three wolf kings, before turning to face us damsels.

That's when the first said, calling in maids that held what looked like scrolls, to stand before each girl, "Once you put your paw on these scrolls, your journey begins."

"Paws?" I picked that very word, before turning over to my side where the others stood, to see them shifting their hands into wolf paws!

"Crap!" I panicked, feeling the heat taking over my body swiftly!

This is it. They're gonna find out I'm a fake!

"Please, your paw," The maid before me requested, lifting the opened scroll of agreement before me.

But all I could do was stare at it and gulp with fear, thinking of a way out of this mess.

"Do I fake pain and let them take me out? What if I just run off like that?" I plotted hard, biting down on my lower lip.

"Lady Adira," an elderly voice called out to me, pulling me out of my shaky thoughts instantly.

When I looked up, I found the elders staring at me.

"Huh?" That was the only word that came out of my mouth when I saw them.

"What's the matter? The others have signed, but you're yet to. Is there a problem?" The first elder asked with concern.

"I... I..." I stammered, looking over to my side to see that the other ladies were done with theirs, and I was the only one left.

That wasn't all. Everyone in the room had their eyes on me, including the Alphas!

"Oh God! Oh God!!" I quivered, trying hard to stay cool and save myself.

"Adira, my love. What's wrong with you?" The classy lady who dragged me here asked from behind, dropping both hands on my shoulders.

"Don't keep everyone waiting. Please, sign the scroll with your paw and let the task begin. Don't forget your people are out there waiting for you," she said to me, eyeing the scroll before me.

I still couldn't speak but stared down at my human hand, then towards the Alphas who still didn't care about my presence.

Then I thought hard about this task whatever and came up with a decision.

"See this as my way of helping you, Adira," I sighed within, before looking at the elders with boldness.

Without holding back, "I don't think this quest is meant for someone like me."

"WHAT?!" Everyone exclaimed, from the classy lady, to the elders, to the damsels... Everybody except the Alphas screamed at my decision!

"What are you saying, Adira?!" The high-class lady vented, taking me by the shoulder roughly. "Do you know how hard you worked to get here? Now all of a sudden you want to quit?!"

"My dear, what's your reason? Has anyone offended you? Please think about the people," another elder spoke, nursing me with words.

The others questioned me as well, pampering me with love and care. But I wasn't going to let their sweet words hold me down.

"I'm sorry, but I've made my decision. This game isn't for me," I said with full confidence, stunning everyone again.

They couldn't believe their ears.

The Alphas weren't moved by a thing I said. They just sat there watching the drama, waiting for it to end.

Geez, it sucks to be Adira. She'll be grateful when she finds out she pulled herself out of the quest.

"Adira, think about this," the classy lady said shakily, grabbing me again, but from the arm this time around.

"You are not thinking straight. I won't allow you to throw away a hundred years of hard work for whatever nonsense you're doing?!"

"My decision is final," I spoke back strongly, pulling her hand away—damn, that woman's grip is tight!

"This is for the betterment of the people. I, Adira, will step..."

"HOLD IT!" A voice sounded from the entrance like an echo, causing me to pause in my tracks.

I wasn't the only one who stopped when that voice made that command. Everyone around me did, and the expression I saw next on their faces made me worried.

"What's this?" The classy lady uttered in shock, drawing away from me while staring in the direction where the voice came from.

All three Alphas that showed no concern to the matter were now interested in what was happening.

"Only a fake would tarnish the hopes of the people. But the real Adira..."

I turned over and was left stunned to see my exact copy catwalking into the room with her shoulders held high!

"The real Adira will never abandon the people she loves," she spoke with a high tone filled with power, as she stood at the center, looking right back at me.

Her face shifted from pride to sudden amazement.

"Do my eyes deceive me, Goddess?" she said in surprise, approaching me slowly.

I remained in my spot, still gazing back at her, until we were just inches away from each other, looking at ourselves.

Taking a closer look at her, "You look just like me," we both chorused, before realizing what we just said.

"I look just like you?" Adira scoffed, looking at everyone while pointing at me.

"This imposter just said I look just like her!" she laughed out loudly. But no one else was laughing with her. Everyone was in shock!

"No, this can't be. There are two of you?" The classy lady said in confusion, unable to tell the difference between us.

Even the elders and the people couldn't do the same. They were lost for words.

"What's going on here?"

"How are there two Adiras?" the people murmured, finding this matter berserk.

My heart was racing intensely from this problem.

"What do I do?" I feared, trembling secretly from the knees.

"Please, the real Adira should identify herself. Show me a sign that only I can recognize."

"Oh for the love of Goddess, Mother! Can't you tell the difference?!" Adira questioned the classy lady—who turned out to be her mother—in a rude tone.

And that instantly gave her mother the answer.

"You're my child. And you..." She turned to face me with disgust and immediately drew nearer to her daughter's side.

"IMPOSTER!" Adira's mother shouted, pointing fingers at me!

Her swift reaction got everyone drifting away from me with fear, like I'm a plague ready to blow up in their faces!