“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.”
