Refusing My Fate The Villain Alpha's Second Chance Mate

Escape from the Wrong Bond

The bedroom door rattled under Patricia Thornfield's fist at six thirty in the morning.

Elena Ashwood jerked awake, her head pounding. She grabbed her phone. Six thirty. She pulled the comforter over her head, desperate for another hour of sleep.

The knocking resumed, more insistent this time.

"Elena! You need to drink the tonic. You and Marcus have been bonded for over a year with no pup. Your body needs strengthening. The sooner you conceive, the better for the Thornfield bloodline!"

Elena threw off the covers and stormed to the door, yanking it open.

"If you want pups so badly, drink it yourself. Better yet, go have them yourself!"

Patricia Thornfield, a formidable Alpha female in her fifties, stared at her in shock. The sharp scent of her surprise cut through the air.

"What's gotten into you? Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? I'm doing this for your own good, for both of you!"

Elena's lip curled. "For our own good? Then why don't you give the medicine to your son?"

She leaned in, her voice dropping to a deadly calm. "Let me tell you the truth. Your son can't bond properly. His Alpha abilities are defective."

She slammed the door in Patricia's face and started throwing clothes into a suitcase, her hands shaking with rage.

She'd woken up in this body at midnight. She'd been reading a novel because the protagonist shared her name. The tags promised a satisfying story about a woman who left a toxic relationship. But somewhere in the middle, the author had chickens out. The heroine stayed. Forgave. Suffered. Three miscarriages. A forced kidney donation. A sick love quadrangle where everyone pretended to be happy at the end.

Elena had been so furious at the comment section she'd forgotten about the pot of water boiling on her stove. The explosion killed her.

Now she was here.

In a world where werewolves hid among humans, where Alphas ruled Packs with iron fists, where Omegas were expected to submit and breed. Where she'd been forced into a bond with Marcus Thornfield, an Alpha who'd never wanted her, who spent their entire bonded year pining for his first love while his family treated her like a servant.

One year of hell.

The novel had laid it all out. If she stayed, she'd lose three pups to stress and abuse. She'd be forced to donate a kidney to Marcus's precious Vivian when she finally came back. And in the end, the four of them—Elena, Marcus, Vivian, and some other Alpha who'd orbited around her with pathetic longing—would all pretend to be one big happy family.

She was an only child in her real life, raised with love and money. The idea of subjecting herself to this insanity made her skin crawl.

So the moment she'd realized where she was, she'd texted Marcus about dissolving the bond.

He was away on business. He wouldn't be back for a week.

He still hadn't replied.

If she stayed in this house one more day with his mother and sister, she'd lose her mind.

Elena grabbed her suitcase and stepped into the hallway. Patricia blocked her path immediately.

"Where do you think you're going with that luggage?"

"Guess."

"How dare you speak to an elder like that! When Marcus gets back, I'll make sure he—"

"Go ahead. Tell him. Run to him right now if you want."

Elena shouldered past her, her voice cold and clear. "Let me say this once so you understand. Your son's bond is incomplete. I'm dissolving it. I'm leaving."

Patricia's face went purple, but Elena was already down the stairs, dragging her suitcase behind her.

Marcus's car sat in the driveway. He'd taken a company vehicle for his trip.

Perfect.

She threw her suitcase in the back and started the engine.

She had the original Elena's memories, so finding her way back to the Ashwood estate was easy.

What she didn't know was how her family would react.

In the novel, the Ashwood Pack had tried to stop the original Elena from bonding with Marcus. They'd been cast as obstacles, villains even. After the original Elena cut ties to be with Marcus, they'd never appeared again.

Elena figured they must have given up on her.

But when she pulled up to the gates and saw the two figures waiting outside, her breath caught.

A man in his fifties with kind eyes and silver threading through his dark hair. A woman with ageless grace and warmth radiating from her smile.

They looked exactly like her real parents.

Elena stumbled out of the car and ran to them, throwing her arms around both.

"Dad! It's me!"

She sank to her knees before they could react, pressing her forehead to the ground in a full kowtow. The impact echoed dully.

"Dad, Mom. I was foolish. I was so wrong. Forgive me."

This apology belonged to the original Elena, the girl who'd abandoned her family for a man who never loved her.

Richard and Catherine Ashwood exchanged glances, their eyes shining. They pulled her to her feet.

"You're home. That's all that matters."

The three of them held each other. Richard's voice was careful when he finally spoke.

"Elena, did that Thornfield boy hurt you?"

Oh, he hurt her. The original her. But Elena wasn't about to burden them with details.

"That doesn't matter anymore. What matters is this." She pulled back to look at them. "Dad, Mom. I already told Marcus I want to dissolve the bond. He's on a business trip, but when he gets back, it's over."

Catherine's hand flew to her mouth. Richard's eyes went hard.

"You've finally seen sense. That boy was never worthy of you."

Elena nodded, wiping her eyes. Then a thought struck her. "Why are you both standing outside?"

"We're expecting a visitor. He should be—" Richard's gaze shifted past her. "Here he comes now."

A black Maybach rolled up the drive, sleek and menacing.

Elena turned. The car stopped just behind Marcus's vehicle, which she'd left blocking the entrance.

Her stomach dropped. She'd need to move it.

She climbed back into the driver's seat, but nerves made her clumsy. She hit reverse too hard.

The car shot backward and slammed into the Maybach with a sickening crunch.

Silence fell like a stone.

A man in a dark suit emerged from the Maybach and opened the rear door.

Polished shoes appeared first. Then long legs in tailored slacks. A body that could have been carved from marble, all broad shoulders and lean waist. And finally, a face.

Calling him handsome would be an insult. He was devastating. Strong bone structure, intense eyes the color of storm clouds, a mouth that managed to look both cruel and sensual.

But it was the aura that really struck her. Pure Alpha dominance, so thick she could taste it on her tongue. This was a wolf born to rule.

Richard rushed forward, his usual composure cracking. "Alpha Silvercrest, I'm so sorry. My daughter just returned home and she's excited to see you. Please, let me handle the damage. I'll have your car restored immediately."

"No need."

The Alpha's voice was deep, smooth as aged whiskey. His eyes locked on Elena.

Every instinct she had screamed at her to look away, to submit. She forced herself to meet his gaze for three seconds before dropping her eyes.

"Your daughter?" His tone held a note of curiosity. "Which one?"

Oh.

Elena's mind raced through the novel's cast. There was only one person in this world who held enough power to make Richard Ashwood, an Alpha in his own right, act this deferential.

Adrian Silvercrest. Head of the Silvercrest Pack, one of the most powerful werewolf families in North America. In the original story, he'd been the villain. The antagonist who'd spent years crushing the Thornfield Pack, only to die in a mysterious attack. After his death, Marcus had swooped in, saved Adrian's grieving parents, and somehow ended up adopted as their son, inheriting everything.

Elena had thought, even while reading, that it felt like Marcus had stolen Adrian's fate. His family. His fortune. His life.

Now, seeing Adrian in person, she was certain of it.

But why was he here? The novel had never mentioned any connection between the Silvercrest and Ashwood Packs.

"Both our daughters are here," Richard said carefully. "This is Elena. Our other daughter, Elara, is at the Pack offices."

Adrian's eyes never left Elena. "I see."

He moved past her parents with the fluid grace of a predator, heading toward the house. Richard and Catherine scrambled to follow.

"Elena," Richard called over his shoulder. "Come inside and join us. This concerns you too."

Elena's pulse kicked up. She followed them into the sitting room, where Adrian had already seated himself in the place of honor.

"The Thornfield Pack," Adrian said without preamble, his voice cutting through the room like a blade, "is mine. I'm taking everything they have. I'm here as a courtesy to your family, to inform you of my intentions. I hope you won't interfere when the time comes."

So it was about the Thornfields.

That explained why he wanted her present.

Elena felt her parents' eyes on her. She straightened her spine.

"Mom, Dad, you don't need to worry about me. I have no feelings left for Marcus Thornfield."

She turned to Adrian, meeting those mercury eyes directly. "Alpha Silvercrest, Marcus can rot for all I care. Do what you want with him."

Adrian's eyebrow lifted, just slightly. "You seem different from what I expected."

Elena froze. Different? How would he know what to expect? In the original novel, Elena and Adrian never met.

Before she could respond, Adrian produced four elegant cards from his jacket. "These are invitations to the Silvercrest gathering this weekend. I hope your family will attend."

Four cards. One for each member of the Ashwood family.

Her timing really was perfect.

Adrian stayed for another hour, discussing business with Richard. Pack alliances, territorial boundaries, trade agreements. Elena barely listened, her mind spinning.

When Adrian finally rose to leave, she let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding.

After he was gone, Richard and Catherine surrounded her with questions. She answered them patiently, carefully. She was terrified of breaking character, of revealing that she wasn't really their daughter.

But they seemed to accept every word. If anything, they acted like this was exactly how she should have been all along.

"Don't go back to that place," Catherine said fiercely. "Stay here. Even if you never bond with anyone else, we'll take care of you."

Elena hugged them both, tears streaming down her face.

The original Elena had been such a fool.

She pulled back, remembering something. "Where's Elara?"

"At the Pack offices," Richard said.

Right. The real daughter. The true Ashwood heir. In the novel, Elara had been described as cold and ruthless, a brilliant strategist who'd immediately taken to Pack business after returning to her birth family.

The original Elena had been intimidated by her.

But this Elena? She was going to befriend the hell out of her powerful sister.

She spent the afternoon settling in, her old room exactly as she remembered. Well, as the original Elena remembered. Someone had been keeping it clean, so all she had to do was unpack.

At dinner, she heard the distinctive click of heels on the marble entryway.

Elena stood up, her heart suddenly pounding.

A stunning woman walked into the dining room. Tall, elegant, with the same dark hair as Elena but eyes like chips of ice. She moved like a trained fighter, every step deliberate.

"Elara," Elena breathed.

Her sister stopped, taking her in with a cool, assessing gaze. "You came back."

The old Elena would have heard judgment in those words. Rejection.

But Elara's scent told a different story. Surprise, yes, but also cautious hope.

Before her sister could say anything else, Elena crossed the room and wrapped her arms around her.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry."

Elara went rigid. She glanced at their parents over Elena's shoulder. Richard gave her an encouraging thumbs up.

Slowly, awkwardly, Elara's hand came up to pat Elena's back.

"I'm sorry for how I treated you after you came home," Elena continued, pulling back to look at her sister. "I never talked to you. I always assumed the worst. I was wrong."

For the first time, Elara's expression softened. "You're home. That's what matters."

Dinner was warm, loud, perfect. Four people who belonged together, finally at the same table.

Afterward, Richard brought up the Silvercrest gathering.

"It seems like a Mate selection event for Alpha Silvercrest," he said carefully. "He gave us four invitations. That means all of us should attend."

"But I'm not single," Elena protested.

"You will be soon," Catherine said. "And anyway, these things are usually decided beforehand. We're probably just there to fill seats."

Elena nodded. That made sense. And honestly, after everything, a party sounded nice.

Her phone buzzed.

Marcus.

She put it on speaker so her family could hear.

"Elena, what the hell is this about?" His voice was sharp, angry. "We agreed to one year. It hasn't been a year yet. What are you doing?"

"Come home right now. Do what my mother tells you. Stop making her angry."

Richard and Catherine's expressions darkened. Elena held up a hand, asking them to wait.

She cleared her throat. "What do you mean, what am I doing?"

"You left. You told my mother I can't complete a bond properly. You've upset her terribly. Come back and apologize. Stop saying things that aren't true."

"They are true. If you were any kind of Alpha, you'd own up to it. You let your mother pressure me to drink fertility tonics because you can't hold up your end of the bond."

"Elena—"

"I liked you once. I really did. But liking you doesn't make me a doormat. You got all the benefits of having a bonded Omega, and I got all the abuse from your family. Where's the fairness in that?"

"Just you wait," she added. "The second you get back, we're dissolving this bond. If you don't, I'll make sure everyone knows about your little problem."

She hung up and held up her phone triumphantly. "So? How was that?"

Her family stared at her for a beat.

Then, in unison: "Perfect."

***

Elena settled into her old life like she'd never left.

Well, the original Elena's old life.

She spent her days with her parents, helping Catherine in the garden, listening to Richard's stories about Pack history. When Elara came home from the offices, Elena would monopolize her time, pestering her with questions about business strategy and Pack politics.

Over the next few days, the Thornfields called repeatedly. Elena blocked every number.

Peace at last.

The weekend arrived faster than expected.

Catherine dragged her out of bed early for the Silvercrest gathering.

They went to a salon first. Elena let them fuss over her hair and makeup, pick out dresses and jewelry. She'd always liked being pampered.

At the salon, they ran into Patricia and Stella.

Stella, Marcus's sister, a Beta with a perpetually sour expression, pointed at Elena the moment she spotted her.

"What are you doing here? Are you seriously trying to crash the Silvercrest event?"

Elena ignored her.

Stella's face went red. She lunged forward, reaching for Elena's dress.

Elara stepped between them, her Alpha aura flaring. "Back off."

Stella recoiled. "Who the hell are you?"

Patricia recognized Elara. She grabbed her daughter's arm, giving Elara a tight smile. "I apologize. Stella is just protective of her brother."

The implication was clear: Elena had done something to deserve Stella's hostility.

Elena peeked out from behind her sister, her expression sweet. "You're right, it's my fault. I shouldn't have come home without permission. I just couldn't take kneeling on the floor to scrub it anymore. My knees hurt so much. I'm sure you understand."

Several wealthy women in the salon turned to stare at Patricia and Stella, their expressions shocked.

Stella's face went from red to purple. "You lying little—"

A new scent filled the room. Cool. Powerful. Utterly commanding.

"Quite the temper on the Thornfield wolves."

Adrian Silvercrest stood in the doorway.

Every head in the salon turned toward him. Conversations died. Even the staff froze.

He walked past them all, straight to Elena and Elara.

Stella tried to smile, her voice going syrupy. "Alpha Silvercrest, this is a misunderstanding. We were just—"

"I heard everything." His voice could have cut glass. "I didn't realize the Thornfield Pack treated their bonded Omegas so poorly. Enlightening."

Patricia opened her mouth to defend herself.

Adrian's eyes froze her in place. "The Ashwood Pack are my honored guests. I don't appreciate anyone upsetting them."

He turned and left without another word.

Elena stared after him.

He'd come just to say that? To defend her?

Why?

She looked at Elara, who was watching Adrian's retreating back with an unreadable expression.

"Sis," Elena whispered, "is there something between you and Alpha Silvercrest?"

Elara's brow furrowed. "I have no interest in men."

"Oh." Elena blinked. "Oh! That's totally fine. Personal freedom and all that."

Interesting. The novel hadn't mentioned that Elara preferred women.

It was becoming increasingly clear that the world around her was far more complex than any novel could capture. These people were real. Their lives didn't exist just to serve a plot.

Maybe this wasn't a novel at all anymore.

***

The Silvercrest estate was breathtaking.

Built on a mountain, the entire peak belonged to the Pack. The main house was a manor that had stood since the early 1900s, all dark wood and stone, modernized but retaining its old world grandeur.

Inside, the gathering was already in full swing.

Elena stuck close to her family as they made the rounds, shaking hands, exchanging pleasantries. She played her role as the socialite daughter perfectly, smiling until her cheeks hurt.

At some point, she needed to use the restroom.

The estate was massive, and unlike a mall, there were no helpful signs. She asked a server for directions, but on the way back, she took a wrong turn.

Great.

She knew how this worked. In stories like this, when the heroine got lost at a party, she either ran into the hero or stumbled into something dangerous.

Elena pulled out her phone to call Elara.

No answer.

She was about to try finding her way out when she heard voices. Familiar voices.

Adrian Silvercrest's voice.

"You're saying Marcus is back in the country?"

"Yes, Alpha."

"You know what to do. I don't need to spell it out."

Elena's stomach dropped. She definitely didn't want to overhear this.

She stayed perfectly still, barely breathing, waiting for them to leave.

Her phone buzzed.

Elara, calling her back.

Elena jabbed the decline button and switched her phone to silent.

Too late.

Someone knocked on the door. "Who's in there?"

Shit.

Elena's mind raced. She had one option.

She stepped out, head high, and met Adrian's eyes.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop. But I promise I won't say anything. I hate Marcus too."

She'd planned to offer her help, to tell him she could be useful.

But Adrian moved faster than she could react. His hand closed around her wrist and he pulled her into the room across the hall, shutting the door behind them.

The space was dark, unlit. He crowded her against the wall, one hand braced above her head, caging her in.

Her heart hammered against her ribs. His scent surrounded her, pine and cold mountain air, so intense it made her dizzy.

"Why do you hate Marcus?" His voice was soft, dangerous. "At this point in time, you should be madly in love with him."

He leaned closer. "Unless you're not really Elena Ashwood at all."

***

Elena forced a laugh, trying to sound casual. "What are you talking about? If I'm not Elena, who am I?"

"You think you're hiding your reactions well." Adrian's smile was a predator's. "But you're not."

"Elena." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Tell me the truth. I promise you don't want to find out what happens if you lie."

The words were gentle. The threat was real.

In the dim light, Elena met his eyes. They were like looking into a deep well, fathomless and cold.

And then a single word surfaced in her mind.

Reborn.

He'd known she was different from the first moment. He'd helped her at the salon for a reason. Even if she couldn't remember every detail of the novel, she knew enough to recognize that Adrian Silvercrest shouldn't be acting like this.

She'd always been bad at keeping secrets.

"Are you reborn?"

Adrian didn't answer. He stepped back slightly, though he didn't release her.

"Why the sudden push to dissolve your bond with Marcus?"

Elena hesitated. She couldn't tell him everything. Not yet.

"I had a dream," she said slowly. "In the dream, Marcus's first love came back. I suffered. I lost everything. So I decided to leave before it was too late."

"You're lying."

Cold metal pressed against her cheek.

A knife.

Elena's breath stopped. In the darkness, she could feel how dangerous this man truly was. If Adrian was reborn, if he had knowledge she didn't, she had no hope of outmaneuvering him.

She had to tell the truth.

"Do you know what transmigration is?"

The knife didn't move.

"I woke up in this body," Elena said in a rush. "I don't know how or why. I'm not from this world. And I'm sure as hell not stupid enough to stay bonded to Marcus when I know exactly how that story ends."

The knife disappeared from her cheek.

Adrian stepped back. The lights flicked on, sudden and blinding.

Up close, his face was even more striking. Elena swayed slightly, disoriented by his beauty and by the adrenaline crash.

He began adjusting his cuffs, his movements precise and controlled. "Since you know my secret, I'll give you two choices."

"First, you disappear from this world permanently."

"Second, you become mine."

"I pick two!" Elena blurted. "Definitely two."

Was he serious? Of course she'd pick two. She wasn't ready to die again.

"Good. But let me be clear about what that means."

Adrian moved closer. Elena backed up instinctively until she hit the wall. Her mind flooded with a dozen very inappropriate scenarios.

He reached past her.

The door lock clicked open.

Oh.

Oh god.

He'd just been opening the door. She'd been in the way of the handle.

Elena wanted to die of embarrassment.

Adrian's mouth curved in amusement. "Being mine means you follow orders. You come when I call. You do what I say. Understood?"

Elena nodded frantically.

She watched him leave, then gave his back a mental middle finger.

That Alpha was definitely a secret tease. Still waters ran deep, and his were an ocean.

She pulled out her phone. Fifteen missed calls. Most from Elara, a few from her parents.

She called back immediately.

When a staff member came to collect her, her family was waiting in the main hall, their faces tight with worry.

"I'm so sorry," Elena said. "I got lost. I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's alright," Richard said, though his hand trembled slightly as he touched her shoulder. "We were just afraid something had happened."

Elara's expression was cold. "Next time, I'm coming with you to the bathroom."

Elena grinned and linked her arm through Elara's. "Deal."

"Did I miss anything?" Elena asked as they walked toward the refreshments.

"Your mother-in-law and sister-in-law left in a hurry," Elara said dryly.

Elena thought about what Adrian had said. She had a feeling Marcus's business trip might have just taken a deadly turn.

In a way, she'd just become a widow without ever being properly bonded.

That was going to make dating complicated.

Then again, who said she needed to date? She had money, looks, and freedom. She could live perfectly well on her own.

"Wasn't this supposed to be a Mate selection event?" Elena asked. "Did they already choose?"

"The Silvercrest parents announced that Adrian already has someone in mind. They'll reveal her identity later."

"Oh."

Elena followed Elara to the dessert table and proceeded to taste one of everything. The Silvercrest Pack clearly spared no expense. Every pastry was a work of art.

She was so focused on a particularly good chocolate tart that she didn't notice she was being watched.

On the second floor, Adrian swirled red wine in his glass, his eyes never leaving the Omega who was currently humming with pleasure over dessert.

He was reborn, yes.

In his previous life, he'd been shot during what should have been a routine territory inspection. Marcus Thornfield had found him, brought him to safety, played the hero.

Adrian had been grateful. He'd brought Marcus into his inner circle, trusted him.

And Marcus had poisoned him. Slowly. Methodically. Until Adrian's treatable injuries became fatal.

After death, Adrian's consciousness had lingered. He'd watched Marcus take everything. His position. His wealth. Even his parents' love.

This time, he'd made sure to arrange an accident for Marcus before the bastard could get close.

But Marcus had survived with minor injuries.

And this Elena, this transmigrator, was an unexpected gift.

He would strike at Marcus first. And Marcus's supposed great love? She'd stay right here, by Adrian's side.

That was true revenge.

Adrian took a sip of wine, rich and complex on his tongue. His storm-gray eyes glinted with interest.

One of his men approached. "Alpha. There's been a complication. The target only sustained minor injuries."

"Minor?" Adrian's voice was dangerously soft.

He never failed. Not at this.

How was it possible?

Was it pure chance, or did Marcus have some kind of protection? Some protagonist's halo, as Elena had called it?

Adrian considered for a moment. "Bring Elena to me tonight."

His man bowed and disappeared.

Adrian turned back to watch the Omega below, a small smile playing at his lips.

This was going to be interesting.