Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle-Chapter 28: Unveil Your Face.

His voice was steady, but Sorayah wasn't fooled. She could hear the curiosity, the need to confirm something lurking beneath his words.

"Now," he commanded, his expression turning sharp once more. "Unveil your face. I want to see the face of my personal dancer."

Sorayah's heart stopped.

If she had been anywhere else, she could have used her disguise spell, shifted her features into another woman's entirely. But here, surrounded by werewolves, her magic would be detected instantly.

I am dead.

The words echoed in her mind like a tolling bell as she swallowed hard, the weight of Lupien's and Dimitri's piercing gazes settling heavily upon her.

But just then...

"Your Highness!"

A feminine voice rang out, sharp yet graceful, breaking the tense silence. Every head turned toward the source.

The Luna Empress.

Immediately, everyone present except for Lupien lowered their heads in deep respect.

"You should come inside now, Your Highness," the Empress urged, her voice gentle but firm. She stepped closer, concern etched into her elegant features as she reached for Lupien's hand. "The night is dangerous. Please, Your Highness, let's go inside. You need to rest."

"Yes, Your Highness," one of the high-ranking officials finally spoke, his voice trembling slightly with fear. "We dared not speak earlier because of your anger, but you should truly take some rest."

Lupien remained silent for a moment, his golden eyes lingering on Sorayah. Then, as if nothing had happened, he let out a slow breath and turned back to his Empress, his expression softening.

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"Let's go. I'm tired anyways," he murmured, offering her a rare, warm smile.

But before leaving, he cast one last glance at Sorayah, who remained kneeling, her body rigid with fear.

"Be here tomorrow night," he commanded. His voice was steady, unwavering.

Sorayah clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms.

"Yes, Your Highness," she replied, keeping her voice composed despite the slight tremor in her limbs.

There was no point in arguing or trying to reason with him, he wouldn't listen. Worse, pressing the issue could push him into demanding she unveil herself immediately. No. It was better to let him leave. For now, she was safe.

Lupien turned away, allowing the Empress to lead him inside. The remaining officials and palace servants soon followed, departing in hushed whispers.

The moment they were out of sight, Sorayah sprang to her feet, her heart still hammering against her ribs.

The other dancers had been waiting for her, hesitant to move without her. Now, in silent agreement, they all hurried back to the dressing room.

Once inside, they collapsed onto the chairs, the weight of what had just happened pressing down on them like an unbearable force.

The silence was thick and suffocating until finally, someone spoke.

"What are you going to do now?" one of the dancers asked, still panting heavily, as if she had been holding her breath the entire time. "The Alpha Emperor thinks you're the dance leader."

Another dancer, her voice laced with panic, immediately chimed in.

"This is exactly why I had a bad feeling about this from the start!" She shot to her feet, pacing frantically. "If he finds out we deceived him, we'll be accused of treason! Do you know what that means? Death! One way or another, we are all at death's door!"

The room erupted in uneasy murmurs.

Then, after a long, tense silence, Sorayah finally spoke.

"You don't have to be scared." Her voice was steady, firm, despite the turmoil raging inside her. "I will remain the dance leader and visit the Alpha Emperor tomorrow night. I have no choice anyways."

"What?!" Another dancer gasped, her body tensing in utter disbelief. "You're going to continue deceiving him? Shouldn't we tell him the truth? If we confess, maybe, just maybe he'll spare us."

Sorayah let out a bitter laugh.

"Since when has there ever been mercy for human maids, human dancers... for any of us?" she countered, her voice laced with quiet fury. "Do you truly believe telling him the truth will save us? No. It will only make our deaths come faster."

A hush fell over the room.

Sorayah inhaled deeply before continuing.

"There is no other way." Her gaze swept over them. "As long as none of you speak a word, we will survive. That means all of you need to stay silent and that includes your actual dance leader. Make sure she understands."

The dancers exchanged uncertain glances, fear still evident in their eyes.

"Are you really sure about this?" one of them whispered. "It's not as easy as it seems."

Sorayah exhaled slowly.

"I know," she admitted. "But I have no choice. The emperor hasn't seen my face yet and doesn't even know where to find me but you all, he knows where you all stay which means you all will die if I don't do this."

Her fingers curled into her lap, her mind already bracing for the days to come.

"From now on, I am Akira the dancer."

The room remained silent. Then, one by one, the dancers slowly nodded, even though hesitation still flickered in their gazes.

"Alright then," one of them finally said. "Just... be careful and thank you."

Sorayah nodded in return.

"I have to go now." She rose to her feet, grabbing her servant's attire from the corner of the room. Without waiting for another word, she quickly changed, adjusting the fabric to blend in with the other workers from Dimitri Mansion.

Then, without looking back, she slipped out into the night. She needed to be back at Dimitri side soon.

The palace halls were quiet as she moved swiftly through the corridors, keeping her head down.

Just a little farther.

She had nearly made it when...

"Hey, you."

The voice stopped her in her tracks.

The air seemed to grow thick around her as recognition sent waves of cold dread through her body.

She knew that voice.

Her heart pounded violently as she turned, her breath catching in her throat.