"Luna, are you sure you want to delete your identity and sever your mate bond with Alpha Amiel? That means you’ll have no protection, no identity, no rank, not even as a rogue."

"Yes." Eleanor's fingers trembled as she looked down at the documents clutched in her hand. "I want no trace left for him to cling to, not a damn fingerprint, not a hair, nothing!"

Her decision to sever all ties didn’t come out of impulse but out of her mate’s cruel choices.

A month ago, she was ambushed by rogue wolves and thrown into a pit like garbage.

Bleeding and broken, Eleanor had done the only thing she could. She reached out through their mate bond, screaming for help with what little strength she had left. And where was her noble Alpha mate? He was too busy screwing her sister in the brooks behind the packhouse.

While she clawed at stone and death, he was clawing at her sister like some horny dog in heat.

At first, she thought the ambush had been the worst of it.

But the real cruelty came after because instead of remorse, Amiel had leveled up his betrayal. He mated with her sister again—this time right outside the infirmary window, where Eleanor could hear every moan, right in front of her blind eyes.

What Amiel didn’t know was that Eleanor’s sight had quietly returned the night before she was discharged. 

She was done with unrequited love and constant betrayal. It was time to walk away for good.

So, on their fifth anniversary, she gave him the only gift he truly deserved: a rolled separation scroll and a sonogram photo of the twin pups she had carried... and lost.

___

That evening, Eleanor returned to the Alpha villa she once called home.

She found Amiel already seated at the dinner table, a half-eaten bowl of stew in front of him.

"If you're hungry, sit." He didn't look up right away. “How was your checkup at the hospital?”

He sounded concerned, but Eleanor knew it wasn’t care. It was guilt for what happened when she was left to die in that rogue attack.

Maybe once, concern like this would’ve softened her.

But now, his concern only disgusted her.

Guided by the soft tap of her metal cane, Eleanor made her way to the table. “The doctor said my nerves are still recovering. So for now, I'm still in the dark. Literally."

He didn’t probe further.

Eleanor remembered how she ended up with a mate like him.

Sadie had been his true fated mate who recognized the bond when she turned eighteen.

But instead of embracing it, Sadie felt overwhelmed. She just wanted to travel, live among humans, and chase happiness without responsibility. So she rejected the bond and flew to Milan, pursuing her modelling career.

That left the twenty-year-old Eleanor to clean up the mess, as always. Their father, Alpha of their pack, arranged for her to take Sadie’s place.

But regardless of the political union, Eleanor had loved Amiel since she was young.

Amiel held a steaming ladle and served redroot stew onto her plate, flashing what he must have thought was a thoughtful smile. "I remembered you liked this."

The ache that bloomed in her chest was sharp.

Sadie liked redroot.

She, on the other hand, was allergic to it. And after five years, her mate hadn’t bothered to remember.

Of course he didn’t remember. He never had. Not really.

Instead, she drew a sealed scroll from her cloak and placed it quietly on the table.

“I need you to sign this.”

Amiel raised an eyebrow as he gazed at her. "Can't it wait for later or maybe tomorrow?"

Before she could respond, Amiel’s eyes glazed—a private mindlink pulsed in his aura. His lips twitched into a smirk.

Of course—it was Sadie, calling him with her mindlink again.

Within seconds, he was on his feet, trying to sound casual. “I’ll be right back. Just a quick matter to handle."

It was the same excuse he always used when Sadie came calling.

As she placed the scroll on the table, her throat burned, and she realized that even the scent of the redroot stew he served her had triggered an allergic reaction.

"Wait!" She stepped in front of him. Even though pain was shooting through her chest, she shoved the scroll into Amiel’s hands with trembling fingers. “You haven’t signed this.”

With an impatient grunt, Amiel snatched the scroll. “What is this even about?”

“Read it,” she said, coughing as she clutched her chest.

For an Alpha, he should be cautious about legal documents. But he didn’t. He flipped to the last page and signed with a careless flick of his pen.

His obsession with Sadie made him reckless and Eleanor had counted on that.

“There. That’s all you need, right? Bye.” he muttered, barely sparing her a glance as he turned toward the door.

Gone just like that.

She reached into the inner pocket of her coat, groping blindly for the emergency syringe she always kept there.

But she collapsed with a thud, hitting the cold tiles hard.

She hadn’t noticed the faint scent of fresh pine lingering at the edge of the doorway… someone else had been watching.

Just as everything started to go black, a strong arm wrapped around her back and lifted her up gently.

Then a sharp sting pierced her upper thigh.

"You're going to get better..." His voice was deep and raspy, with a strange softness to it.

A second later, cool air began rushing back into her lungs, and the swelling had stopped.

"Who... who are..."

The antihistamine made her drowsy fast, and she blacked out a few seconds later.

Eleanor woke slowly, her first thought drifting to the man who had saved her last night.

She didn’t know who he was, but she was certain it wasn’t Amiel.

Aside from the fact that he was probably between Sadie’s legs at the time, the man’s scent was completely different.

She once believed that if she were patient, sincere, and loyal enough, Amiel would eventually learn to love her.

But that belief was the biggest delusion of her life.

Now, bitterness prickled at her chest as she pulled out a tattered notebook from her bag.

Three years ago, she had made a desperate prayer to the Goddess Selene, asking for a sign. If she was disappointed 100 times, she swore she'd walk away forever.

Sadie’s return? That was disappointment number 99.

Although the 100th had already carved itself into her soul.

She placed three items into a box, sealed it, and locked it in the safe. Then, just as she reached for her metal cane, the sound of a female giggling echoed outside the room.

Expression blank, she stood and opened the door, and at the bottom of the stairs, she saw the source of the laughter.

The redhead was lounging on the couch, her hand resting boldly on Amiel’s thigh. He was all over her—kissing her neck, nuzzling into her hair, his hands openly exploring her body.

Eleanor gripped the cane tighter and descended the stairs slowly, never letting her face show what she truly felt.

Sadie wasn’t her real sister—just the daughter of her mother’s best friend, an omega who had served as their maid.

When Sadie’s mother died saving Eleanor’s mother from hunters, her mother promised to raise Sadie like her own. What started as a noble promise became something else over time.

Her mother doted on Sadie, adored her, spoiled her, while Eleanor learned to keep quiet, to never question why her own mother would rather smile at someone else.

Even when it hurt, she hadn’t been jealous. Not then. But as they grew, Sadie’s demands swelled, and so did the favoritism.

Back in the present, Eleanor reached the base of the stairs. Her gaze was blank and forward.

Amiel broke the silence with a snide tone. “It’s ten in the morning. I noticed you slept longer. Just because you have no sight doesn’t mean you get to lie around all day.”

Then, as if she wasn’t there, he leaned in to kiss Sadie’s neck again.

Eleanor didn’t flinch. Her voice came out flat. “It was the effect of the antihistamine. If you didn’t notice last night, I had an allergic reaction.”

Amiel shifted and waved her off. “Whatever. Just help yourself in the kitchen. The servants are off-duty. You need to start practicing how to do things alone. I’m not always here to babysit you.”

She didn’t reply, but in her head, she thought, Of course not. You’ve got your hands full servicing your mistress.

She moved to the kitchen. Her hands were trembling as she poured herself some tea. But she didn’t drink it there.

Instead, she calmly walked back into the living room and sat on the armchair opposite the couch.

Sadie grinned and tugged Amiel close, their mouths crashing in a heated kiss as she straddled his lap. His hand slipped under her shirt, massaging her breast in slow circles, completely engrossed in her.

Neither of them noticed the way Eleanor’s milky eyes constricted to narrow beads as she stared unblinkingly at them, her hands tightening around the fragile porcelain cup.

They thought she couldn’t see, and the rogue attack had stripped all her senses.

But it hadn’t.

If anything, her senses were now far stronger than they used to be.

She even heard their mindlinks they assumed she couldn’t catch.

Sadie: Love, I’m tired of hiding. You have to tell her I’ve arrived. I won’t keep pretending I’m not here.

Amiel: Fine. Let’s do it properly. Let’s start with the surprise arrival act.

Sadie giggled and kissed Amiel. Eleanor narrowed her eyes subtly as Amiel walked over to the front door.

Seconds later, a knock echoed.

“Anyone home?” Sadie’s saccharine voice called out.

Amiel gasped dramatically. “Oh, look who’s here!”

Sadie strutted in, her voice breathy and sweet. “Yes, it’s me, Alpha.”

Then she “noticed” Eleanor and gave a gasp of joy. “Oh! Hi, dear sister. I’m so happy to see you!” She walked over and kissed Eleanor on both cheeks. Eleanor kept still, though her stomach turned.

“Hi, sister,” she replied, her voice cold.

Amiel’s voice hardened. “Is that all? You’re only blind, Eleanor. You’re not paralyzed. Stand up and greet her properly.”

Sadie quickly played the gracious one. “Alpha, it’s okay. I know what my sister’s been through. Be gentle with her.”

Amiel smiled. “See how understanding she is? You should learn from her, Eleanor. Why don’t you get your sister something to drink? Be a good Luna.”

Sadie acted modest. “No need, Alpha. I can get my own tea.”

Eleanor forced a smile. “It’s fine. I’ll do it.”

She walked back to the kitchen, her insides boiling, but she forced herself to breathe. Relax. This won’t last forever.

She reached for a bag of tea when she heard humming. Sadie entered the kitchen.

Eleanor turned her head blankly. “Sadie? This won’t take long.”

Sadie stepped closer, pretending to inspect what Eleanor was doing. “I wonder how you endure this, sis. Don’t you realize how pathetic you’ve become?”

Eleanor’s jaw clenched. She looked straight at the wall. “What do you mean?”

Sadie took the kettle from her hands and poured hot water into a cup. “Look at you. Blind, useless, unwanted. You really think a powerful alpha like Amiel still belongs to you?”

Eleanor’s hand trembled. She hadn’t expected their first exchange to be this cruel—but then again, Sadie had always been blunt. “I didn’t choose to be like this. I was attacked. But maybe if he hadn’t been busy with someone else that night, he could’ve stopped it, could've saved me.'

Sadie chuckled, leaning against the counter. “Even if he weren’t busy, do you think he would’ve chosen you over me? You’re only his mate because of an arrangement. The ceremony may have bonded you, but his heart was already mine.”

That hit harder than she thought it would.

But she stayed composed, turning to Sadie’s direction but sight was straight at the wall behind her. “You had your chance. If you hadn’t run away, maybe this house would’ve been yours. So don’t act like I stole something you abandoned.”

Sadie’s face twisted. Offended. Angry. It was the first verbal hit Eleanor had landed in years, and it felt good.

For a second, she thought Sadie might throw the hot kettle at her. But instead, Sadie did something worse.

She poured the steaming tea directly onto her own arm.

"What the--ouch!"

Her scream pierced the kitchen.

Amiel came rushing in. “What the hell happened?”

Sadie held her arm, tears in her eyes. “She poured it on me! I was just trying to help her, but she got mad and burned me!”

Amiel’s eyes blazed. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and slapped Eleanor hard across the face. “What the hell is your problem? You’re already blind and now this? God, Eleanor!”

He wrapped his arms around Sadie, glaring over her head at Eleanor. “From now on, Sadie will live here, and you will take care of her. She got hurt here. That’s on you.”

Sadie sobbed. “Please, Alpha, don’t be mad at her. I forgive her.”

Amiel didn’t soften. “She still needs to learn. Forgiveness doesn’t erase consequences.”

He gently helped Sadie up. “Let’s get the pack doctor.”

They walked out of the kitchen, Sadie throwing one last mocking look at Eleanor before disappearing.

Eleanor stood frozen, her face stinging, her whole body shaking.

Almost there, she thought. Just a little longer.

Today was the pack’s monthly breakfast gathering, a tradition Eleanor once hosted as Luna.

She rose before the sun, slipping into the plainest dress she could find. She braided her hair neatly and washed her face with cold water.

Then, reaching for her metal cane, she made a follow-up call to Elder Orin about her record in the Werewolf archive. She needed to be certain it had been wiped clean before she made her move to leave the pack.

At the dining hall, she set the table in silence, then she stepped back and took a seat near the hearth, her metal cane resting beside her.

Some glanced at her nervously, still recognizing her authority but are too afraid to show it.

But when the high-ranking wolves arrived, they breezed past her and greeted Sadie first.

The redhead whore was radiant, wearing Eleanor’s old Luna crest like a necklace and a red gown from Eleanor’s wardrobe. She sat comfortably in Amiel’s lap, laughing at something Beta Ruvan whispered to her.

Eleanor stood behind them, pouring tea, steadying each cup. Her eyes, though milky, scanned the room. She listened to every heartbeat, caught every smirk.

“Careful, Eleanor,” Amiel drawled as she poured his tea. “Wouldn’t want another incident, would we?”

A few wolves chuckled.

Sadie leaned into him. “Alpha, don’t tease. She’s doing her best.”

“I’m sure she is,” he replied with a grin. “She’s just a little slow.”

As Eleanor moved down the table, someone bumped her elbow—accidentally, they claimed. The tea sloshed but didn’t spill.

But then a quiet hand reached out to steady her. “You’re fine,” the deep voice said.

Without looking up at him, she gave the smallest of nods and moved on.

Moments later, as she refilled Sadie’s glass, the redhead mistress suddenly jerked forward. Red wine splashed across Eleanor’s bodice.

“Oh no,” Sadie gasped in mock horror. “This fabric… I think it’s ruined!"

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop dragging that relic around? It's embarrassing, Eleanor." Amiel yelled, hugging Sadie who was still whining about her dress." You're blind—permanently blind. That means you need to stop being clumsy and useless. Practice. Adapt. Or you'll keep humiliating both of us like this."

Someone nearby muttered, “Should she even be sitting here? Isn’t she more of a kitchen wolf now?”

The laughter spread.

Sadie turned sweetly. “We don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, do we? Sister, would you mind joining the omegas in the other room?”

Eleanor’s jaw clenched. As she stood to leave, her foot caught subtly on Sadie’s outstretched boot. She stumbled forward and collapsed onto the floor, her metal cane clattering and sliding out of reach.

A wave of laughter swept the room.

Eleanor’s eyes landed on her cane, but Sadie bent slowly, tracing its outline with her toe without picking it up.

"Funny, even your cane's ashamed to be near you."

Eleanor’s hands curled into fists at her sides.

How dare they laugh? she thought, blinking back tears that burned behind her lashes. How dare they treat me like I didn’t contribute something as Luna.

Her throat tightened. She had once stood at the head of this table, and had once commanded this room. And now she was the joke.

It was then that the same man stood from his chair and picked up the cane. He handed it to Eleanor.

She, on the other hand, gripped the cane more firmly, not just out of necessity, but as a stand against the humiliation.

Sadie’s voice rang out, brittle and mocking. “Alpha Colt, don’t waste your help on a useless, outgoing Luna.”

Amiel said nothing, but his eyes narrowed at the way Colt looked at Eleanor.

“Of all the people here, you should be the last one treating her like this.”

Sadie stiffened. “Maybe you’re right. But I won’t tolerate her mistakes just because she’s my sister.”

Colt scoffed. “I’m not referring to your fake bond to the Luna. I mean you being an omega. You should know what it feels like to be degraded. Don’t repeat the same cruelty just to distance yourself from your past.”

Sadie's face flushed a deep crimson. She turned to Amiel, seeking rescue with pleading eyes.

But Amiel remained silent, watching Alpha Colt bent and carefully lifted Eleanor into his arms, carrying her out of the room.

No one dared speak.

---

Outside the backhouse, Colt set her gently on her feet.

Eleanor adjusted the hem of her sleeve, fingers fumbling as if searching for invisible threads. “Thank you, but you don’t have to do that. You’re their guest.”

Colt brushed a braid behind her ear, his gaze holding hers. “Now that we’re alone, stop pretending you’re blind.”

A strange flutter twisted in her chest. She gulped, turning her gaze away from him. “What are you saying?”

“You’re not blind." He reached up, pressing his fingers under her chin, lifting her gaze. "Now, recognize my face, Elle.”

No one had called her that name in years.

So she looked up, her green eyes dilated as old memories surfaced. “Is that you, Coco?”

He had been five years ahead of her in the academy, but even when she was just a small, timid pup surrounded by sneering older wolves, he'd stepped in. He had a way of appearing whenever the other werewolves tried to shove her around or corner her during sparring sessions.

“Yes. But I go by my real name now.” Colt smiled, and added, "Can you say my name for me? Without that alpha thing."

"Colt." Eleanor chuckled with happy tears streaming down her face. "I'm happy you're back."

Then his expression hardened as he looked her over. “And I’m here to get you out of this place.”