Selena sighed in my mind, her tone grim. “Looks like the universe doesn’t want you to escape just yet.”

I clenched my fists, frustration boiling over. “Am I really not allowed to change the storyline anymore?”

The announcement felt like a roadblock, but I was not about to give up. If the story wanted to keep me trapped, I would just have to find another way to rewrite it.

In the end, I followed the storyline and attended the banquet. The difference was that I was far from invested in the event, unlike how Eleonor was portrayed in the final chapter of the book.

Instead, I lingered by the wine table, sipping occasionally as the event began to unfold. My plan was simple, to go completely off-script once Branden announced his marriage to Quincy.

But then, something unexpected happened.

“So, you really weren’t lying when you said you had a twin, Mark. She really does look like you,” someone said nearby.

I turned, startled, to find two men standing close to me. One had a face strikingly similar to mine, and the other exuded a dominant Alpha aura.

The man who had Alpha aura spoke first. “So, you are really Eleonor, Beta Mark’s twin?”

“I... I am,” I replied, stumbling over my words.

It felt surreal. Although the book mentioned Eleonor having a twin brother who was taken by their mother fifteen years ago, their paths never crossed in the original story.

That moment was not supposed to happen also, so it could be said, I had changed the story again.

Despite my confusion, I forced a smile to mask it. “Could I ask who this gentleman is, Mark?”

Mark looked a bit awkward, as if he too was not sure how to bridge the gap between us after so many years apart. “Ah, sorry, Eleonor. You must be surprised. This is Alpha Christopher Orlando. I’ve told him not to bother you, but he insisted on meeting you.”

Alpha Christopher Orlando.

My heart skipped a beat as I realized who he was—the Alpha of the Whiteclaw Pack, the one who took over after his father’s death. He could be a shortcut for me because I decided to move to his pack.

“Oh, I see. Nice to meet you, Alpha Christopher,” I said, giving him a polite nod.

He said excitedly, “Nice to meet you too, Eleonor. I have always wanted to meet you since Mark mentioned he has a twin in the Nightwalker Pack, that’s why I have been trying to find you since I attended this banquet.”

I just nodded, and did not know how to respond.

For a moment, the awkwardness lingered. But as the three of us talked, the barriers between us began to dissolve.

Besides the fact that Christopher was a talkative Alpha, I also found comfort in being with Mark.

Despite the years of separation, we often said the same things at the same time, laughing at our unintentional synchronization.

It felt almost natural, as though the bond of being twins had not faded despite the time and distance.

But our lighthearted conversation was abruptly interrupted.

“Eleonor.”

Branden’s voice was cold and dark as he called my name. He was already approaching us, his expression thunderous.

Before I could react, Branden pulled me into a tight embrace. “Who are you talking to?” he asked, his voice laced with tension.

I could sense his grip on my waist hardened every second, as if he wanted to say that I was his. No one should talk friendly to me or take me from him.

So, I could not help think, ‘Don’t tell me he’s jealous.’

But then I strengthened my mind, why should he be jealous when he planned to marry Quincy?

That did not make any sense at all.

In the end, I decided to introduce them. “Oh, it’s….”

Before I could explain, Branden’s father called out to him, urging him to take his place at the podium.

Branden gave me a long look before gripping my hand tightly. “You have to listen to my speech, Eleonor. Come to the center.”

He led me away, separating me from Mark and Christopher.

I did not even have time to reject and ended up watching him climb the podium.

I found myself standing amidst the crowd, listening to his speech—or rather, pretending to listen.

My mind wandered until Christopher managed to slip through the gathering and stand beside me.

“Sorry for not introducing you to Alpha Branden earlier,” I said softly, glad to have a familiar face near me.

Christopher shook his head, his expression cold but composed. “It’s fine. He seemed in a hurry. Besides, we’re not exactly close.”

His tone was frigid, as though the very mention of Branden irritated him. Despite the chill, I saw an opportunity to steer the conversation in a new direction.

“Does Whiteclaw need an extra Beta teacher?” I asked, keeping my voice casual but hopeful.

Christopher’s lips curved into a small smile. “It does.”

Then, after a pause, he added, “I think it’d be good for you to help your brother.”

Before I could respond, Branden’s gaze locked onto us from the podium. His expression darkened as he noticed me talking to Christopher.

However, I did not care and continued to talk friendly to Christopher.

Even if the point in the story where he was supposed to announce his marriage to Quincy was about to happen, it could be said, I no longer care since it was not my love story at all.

I did not have any love for him, just hate. We never had any romantic situations either, so it did not disturb me with whom he ended up with.

I just wanted to escape the tragic ending that the heroine had, which was me at that moment.

That was why, I should try everything including persuading Christopher to let me come to his Pack.

But instead of hearing Branden announce it, he faltered. His speech trailed off, and after a tense silence, he abruptly ended it without making any announcement.

My heart raced. Had my presence with Christopher disrupted the storyline?

“That’s all. Enjoy the banquet, everyone.”

Branden descended the podium, his face darkened with an unspoken fury as he walked straight toward me.

The crowd dispersed, returning to their conversations and activities, but Christopher remained by my side, exuding a calm and steady presence, as if he were completely unfazed by the tension building in the air.

As soon as Branden reached us, he pulled me closer to him in a possessive gesture and addressed Christopher curtly. “Sorry for the interruption because I had to speak, Alpha Christopher.”

“That’s no problem, Alpha Branden. I understand you must be very busy at this event,” Christopher replied, his tone polite but firm.

Branden nodded, his grip on me tightening. “Of course. Thank you for accompanying my mate and keeping her entertained so she wouldn’t get bored at this event.”

Christopher gave a small smile, but his words were sharp. “Sure. Anything to make her happy.”

Their eyes locked, and the atmosphere between them turned electric, a silent clash of dominance.

Neither one was willing to back down, their Alpha auras filling the space like a thunderstorm brewing on the horizon.

Christopher extended his hand, his voice steady. “Oh, and congratulations on officially becoming the Alpha of the Nightwalker Pack.”

Branden took the offered hand, gripping it so tightly that the veins on their arms became visible. “Thank you. We look forward to working together in the future.”

Their handshake turned into a silent power struggle, the tension between them palpable. Nearby guests glanced nervously at the two Alphas, their imposing energy causing unease.

But it did not affect me.

To break the growing tension, I pinched Branden’s side and whispered, “Enough of that, Branden. Look around you.”

Branden winced slightly, his body arching at the pinch. He looked at me and then glanced around, realizing the attention their silent battle was drawing.

He relaxed slightly and nodded. “Thank you for reminding me, my future Luna.”

He released Christopher’s hand and turned to him. “Then we’ll take our leave. There’s something we need to discuss.”

“Sure,” Christopher said, his gaze shifting to me. “See you later, Eleonor.”

I smiled politely at him, but before I could say anything, Branden grabbed my hand and led me away, heading toward the back of the hall where it was quieter and out of sight.

“Branden, let go of me. That hurts!” I protested, my voice rising.

As I said it, a wave of déjà vu washed over me. The line was eerily similar to the heroine’s plea in the novel, during the infamous scene where Branden assaulted Eleonor.

The thought made my stomach churn.

What was more, once we reached the secluded area, Branden cornered me against the wall, his hands gripping my shoulders firmly. His face was filled with a mix of anger and frustration.

“How could you chat so intimately with another man in front of me, Eleonor? And not just any man—an Alpha from another pack!”

Despite his attempt to dominate me, I remained calm and asked innocently, “Why can’t I? Shouldn’t we be able to get along with everyone, especially an Alpha, to foster diplomatic relations?”

“No!” he snapped, his voice echoing in the quiet corridor.

Branden took a deep breath, trying to compose himself before speaking again. “You’re going to be Luna. You should chat with the Lunas, not the Alphas. Do you understand?”

I met his gaze without flinching, refusing to back down. Instead, I tilted my head and challenged him, “Really? I’ll be Luna like you say? Shouldn’t you announce your plan to marry Quincy, then?”

His eyes widened in shock, his hands dropping from my shoulders. “Where did you hear that?”

His reaction confirmed it, the very thing I had read in the novel was indeed true. The plan to announce his marriage to Quincy was still on his mind, even if he had not done so yet.

I crossed my arms and arched a brow. “Does it matter where I heard it? The question is, why haven’t you announced it yet?”

Branden’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he stepped closer. “You don’t understand anything, Eleonor.”

“Then explain it to me, Branden,” I said, refusing to let him intimidate me. “Why am I still here, your supposed mate, while you make plans with Quincy behind my back? Do you think I’ll just stay silent and play the fool?”

His eyes flickered with something I could not quite place—regret, anger, or perhaps guilt. But instead of answering, he gritted his teeth and turned away, running a hand through his hair.

“This isn’t the time or place to talk about this,” he muttered.

“No,” I said firmly, “this is the time. If you won’t tell me the truth, I’ll make my own decisions, Branden. And don’t expect me to stay where I’m not respected.”

His head snapped back toward me, his expression conflicted.

I smirked, letting the words roll off my tongue like venom. “You’re really surprised I already know about your evil plan, right?”

Branden’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. “Just answer me, Eleonor. Who told you?”

I stared at him sharply, my voice steady and cutting. “I don’t need anyone else to tell me. I already know about your affair, Branden.

“Even my wolf told me that our bond was weakening because you were attracted to another wolf. Should I tell you more?”

His pupils darkened instantly, rage and anger swirling together, threatening to consume him. It was as though the mask he always wore was starting to crack.

“It’s... It’s just a misunderstanding, Eleonor,” he stammered, trying to keep his voice calm but failing miserably. “You can’t just jump to conclusions based on such trivial evidence. How dare you accuse me of cheating on you, huh?”

I stepped closer, my tone cold and unwavering. “So, yesterday’s kiss in your office was also a misunderstanding? Is that the new way people communicate these days—by exchanging saliva?”

His pupils trembled as my words hit him like a slap. I watched as the realization settled in that I had witnessed everything.

Branden let out a frustrated snort, his facade breaking. “So, you really saw it. Good, now you know. But what?”

His arrogance was sickening, but instead of feeling hurt, I only felt disgust.

“Do you think it hurts me, Branden?” I asked, my voice dripping with disdain. “No, it doesn’t. Not anymore.”

With that, I shoved him backward. He staggered, clearly off balance, his body weakened from the wine he had been drinking earlier to appease the visiting Alphas.

Taking my chance, I stepped back and said firmly, “I, Eleonor Malone, reject this mate bond with you, Branden Harrison.”

The words struck both of us like a thunderclap.

Branden’s eyes widened in horror as the rejection sank in. He tried to move forward, his hand reaching for me, but it was too late.

Before he could even attempt to cover my mouth like he had before, his knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the ground.

He clutched his chest with one hand, his face contorted in pain, while the other hand pressed against his head as if trying to stop it from spinning.

I winced as the mate bond backlash hit me too, a sharp pain shooting through my chest and head. But it was not unbearable.

Maybe because I was not truly in love with Branden like the original Eleonor had been, the pain did not overwhelm me.

Branden, on the other hand, looked utterly broken. He gasped for air, his voice weak and strained. “No… Eleonor… why are you so cruel?”

I stared down at him, my expression emotionless. “You’re the one who’s cruel, Branden. You betrayed me first.”

His body finally gave out, and he crumpled fully to the floor, breathing heavily, his face pale.

Without sparing him another glance, I turned around just to see where Quincy was hiding.

She was standing exactly where the novel had described her, watching everything unfold from the shadows.

Her face twisted in shock as our eyes met. She had not expected me to notice her, but I had.

I strode past her purposefully, my head held high, and as I passed, I leaned in close and whispered, “Enjoy your Alpha, stepsister.”