This Time, The Serpent is Mine

In my past life, I was a decorated Marine. I married Julian, a mild-mannered architect I had nothing in common with. My sweet sister, Paige, was the one who married Gideon Graves, president of the Chaos Serpents Motorcycle Club. Both our marriages ended in tragedy.

Gideon's childhood sweetheart, Cassie, saw Paige as a thorn in her side. Her vicious schemes drove my sister into a despair that ended in her death. Meanwhile, I died bitter and full of regret, trapped in a loveless marriage.

So when fate gave me a second chance, I knew exactly what to do.

This time, I wouldn't let history repeat itself. I switched our marriage pacts. Now, Gideon Graves is mine. He might be the king of this underworld, and Cassie might have scared off every woman who ever dared get close. But I’m no delicate flower. I'm a warrior forged by war. If they dare to cross me, I’ll make them kneel before the entire club.

They say I stole my sister's destiny. Maybe I did. But if marrying this cold-blooded outlaw is what it takes to keep Paige safe and happy, then I will crush anyone who stands in my way.

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1

I jolted awake with a gasp, my chest constricting.

My gaze fell to my hands, and I stared. The skin was smooth and firm, unmarred by a single scar. This was me at twenty-two.

I had been reborn.

"Blake?" a trembling voice called from the doorway.

I whipped my head around. My sister, Paige Maverick, stood there, her face mirroring the same shock I felt.

She wore an elegant white dress that made her look as fragile as a porcelain doll. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, her face was flawless, and her eyes were bright and clear.

Our eyes met, and we both spoke at the same time.

"You're back too—?"

Before the words had fully formed, we rushed toward each other, clutching one another in a desperate embrace.

"Oh my God..." Paige's voice trembled. "I thought I was the only one."

"Me too," I said, my throat tight. "Paige, we're back. Three days before the family alliance agreement is signed."

In three days, our two families would solidify their alliance through marriage.

Our family's arrangement was brutally simple.

The younger daughter, Paige Maverick—a florist as gentle as a summer breeze—would marry the ruthless and cruel president of the most powerful MC on the East Coast: Gideon Graves.

And I, Blake Maverick, a decorated former Marine, would marry the heir of the partner family—the well-mannered architect, Julian Hayes.

In our past life, these two marriages destroyed us both.

Paige withered under Gideon's cold indifference and the relentless torment of his childhood sweetheart, eventually succumbing to a depression that stole her from the world.

My marriage to Julian was a disaster. He found me coarse, and I found him dull. We were separated in less than three years, making us the laughingstock of the East Coast elite.

Paige took a step back, her deep breath steadying her as a flicker of determination hardened her eyes.

"Blake, let's switch."

I blinked. "What?"

"The marriage pacts," she said, her grip on my hand tightening. "You marry Gideon. I'll marry Julian. We can't make the same mistakes."

I looked at her, then a slow smile spread across my face. "That's exactly what I was thinking."

That night, I packed my bags.

"Blake, are you sure we don't need to discuss this with the family first?" Paige bit her lip, her expression fraught with worry.

I took a deep breath. "Paige, this is our choice. The family thinks your gentle nature can soothe a man like Gideon, and that I'm a better match for Julian. They were dead wrong."

"But if we don't talk to Mom and Dad..."

"Talk to them?" I scoffed, a bitter smile twisting my lips. "They arranged these marriages like we're pawns on a chessboard. Once the knot is tied, it'll be too late for them to object."

I continued, "Paige, just blame me. I left a letter for Mom explaining everything. Don't worry, I'll say the switch was my idea. They won't come after you."

Just then, the roar of a car engine tore through the quiet night.

"Blake! Get out here!"

It was my mother, Eleanor.

A chill shot down my spine. How did she find out so quickly?

"Paige, I'm leaving!" I grabbed my backpack and car keys and bolted out the side door. In the moonlight, my Harley gleamed like a beast ready to pounce. I swung a leg over the bike, and with a twist of the throttle, the engine roared to life. I hunched low over the handlebars and gunned it toward the estate gates.

"Stop! You reckless fool!" Eleanor's furious shout erupted behind me, followed by the screech of her sedan's tires as she gave chase.

I twisted the throttle harder, bursting out of the estate gates and merging into the highway traffic.

"Are you out of your mind!" Eleanor's car pursued me relentlessly, gaining speed. "This marriage was arranged by the family! You can't just change it on a whim!"

I clenched my jaw, the wind snatching any reply from my lips.

"Blake! Stop!" Eleanor was gaining on me. I wrenched the handlebars, peeling off onto an exit ramp. The tires screamed against the asphalt, but I didn't care. I just kept accelerating.

Her sedan couldn't make the sharp turn, and I left her behind.

I used the lead to get onto another road. Ahead, the city lights grew sparse, swallowed by the darkness. I was heading into Chaos Serpents territory.

I gunned the engine without a second thought.

"Blake!" Mom stopped at the ramp, her window rolled down, glaring at me from a distance.

I brought my bike to a stop, pulled off my helmet, and ran a hand through my wind-whipped hair, shouting back, "Mom! I'm getting married! If it all goes to hell, that's on me!"

"You—"

Before she could finish, I slammed my helmet back on and vanished into the night.

Eleanor's enraged yells echoed behind me, but I didn't look back.