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?
