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.”

Her green eyes widened. “What did you say?”

Colt chuckled softly. “I missed gazing into those green eyes. But your stay in this hell pack, it dulled their shine.”

Eleanor blinked, uncertain. “How did you even know what’s happening here? How did you know Sadie isn’t really my sister?”

Colt brushed his thumb gently over her knuckles. “When you care for someone, you do whatever it takes to protect them. I have my ways, Eleanor. I’ve always kept an eye on you.”

Her breath caught.

“Even after all these years... you still care?”

“I never stopped.” He lifted their joined hands and pressed a warm kiss to her knuckles. “You once told me… if I came back and you were still single, I should marry you. So—are you ready?”

“C-Colt...” His words hit her harder than she expected. That old promise—they’d made it as young dreamers, back when the world felt kinder. She never thought he’d remember, let alone still mean it.

It unraveled her defenses. And underneath her disbelief… hope flickered to life.

She took a shaky breath. “Can you give me a week?”

Colt frowned. “Why wait a week, Elle? You could leave with me now. You don’t need to bring anything.”

“I’m waiting for our anniversary. I want to give him something before I go.”

Colt studied her face for a long moment. Then he nodded, quiet understanding in his eyes.

—

That night, Eleanor stayed in the guest room. Not by choice, but Amiel had insisted on it. He claimed Sadie needed supervision because of her burn.

As she reread the separation scroll, Eleanor’s thoughts drifted to what he had told her weeks ago:

‘I’m actually doing you a favor, Eleanor. Since you’re blind, you obviously can’t care for Sadie. So I will. This is your fault. I’m moving her closer to me so your parents won’t see her wound and blame you. I’m saving you from their anger.’

She hadn’t argued. She had no strength left for it. And so, she moved into the room Amiel chose.

It used to be meant for their child.

But Amiel had barely touched her—only once, in a drunken haze. That night, he'd been passionate. The next morning, cold and distant. Civil.

The child conceived from that night was gone—lost in a rogue attack just a month ago.

Now, all she could do was wait. Colt would come. He promised.

That thought made her smile.

A knock echoed at the door, and Eleanor quickly hid the papers.

Then Amiel barged in.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, playing the part of the blind woman, her gaze unfocused.

“Why not? This is my house,” he said, walking up and seizing her jaw. “Are you entertaining another man, Eleanor?”

She recoiled. “What are you talking about?”

“That Alpha Colt. He pulled you from the dining hall and whispered to you. What did he say?”

Eleanor gave a bitter chuckle. “Why do you care? Do I ever ask about your lovers? Your wife is alive and well, but your bed’s already shared with another woman.”

Amiel flinched but quickly waved it off. “Whatever. Be ready tomorrow. We’re attending the Moonlight Accord.”

“Why me? I can’t even see. Bring Sadie.”

“I could. She’s more useful in every way. But your parents are arriving, and she needs to welcome them.”

“I’ll just humiliate you.”

“You’ll represent our family. Just behave. Don’t embarrass me.”

He left. Her hands trembled.

—

At the Moonlight Accord, nobles swarmed Amiel with greetings and praises.

He leaned toward Eleanor. “Just smile and sit still. Pretend you’re not blind. I won’t let them know I have a useless Luna.”

She sat in silence, her face blank.

Then, she caught a faint mindlink between Sadie and Amiel. I’m here, love.

Amiel straightened. “Where?”

Sadie: In front of the ladies’ washroom.

He glanced at Eleanor. His warmth vanished, replaced with frost.

“I need to speak with some alphas. Stay here. Don’t speak to anyone. Behave.”

Eleanor nodded wordlessly.

Moments later, she spotted Amiel—hand in hand with Sadie—introducing her as his wife.

Eleanor went still. Numb. Her thoughts froze. Her world seemed to tilt, yet her body didn’t move. She simply watched as her soul cracked further.

A noble approached and asked about her.

“She’s my wife’s sister,” Amiel replied smoothly. “She had no one to care for her, so we took her in.”

The nobles praised him. “How noble of you, Alpha. A rare man, indeed.”

He’s doing more than that, Eleanor thought bitterly.

Feeling like an outsider in her own life, she slipped away and found the comfort room. She splashed water on her face, trying to catch her breath.

Then a voice sneered behind her.

Sadie kicked Eleanor’s cane. “So bold of you to show up. Aren’t you afraid of getting lost?”

“I won’t let my condition stop me,” Eleanor muttered, keeping her focus on the basin.

Sadie leaned close, her voice venomous. “You think you still have a life? You’re nothing. No one would miss you if you vanished.”

Eleanor was too exhausted to argue. Her muscles ached. Her spirit felt frayed. She needed to conserve what little strength she had left.

Without a word, she turned to the door, reaching for her cane. Her hand gripped the cold metal tightly.

"You don’t get to ignore me!" Sadie shrieked.

She shoved Eleanor hard against the wall, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and yanked it back violently.

Eleanor winced, her scalp burning. “What do you want from me?”

Sadie’s lips twisted into a cruel smile, her teeth clenched. “I like seeing you like this. Weak. Broken.”

Eleanor fought back, grabbing Sadie’s wrist. “You’re scared of me. That’s why you keep trying to crush me.”

“You wish!” Sadie growled. She drove her foot into Eleanor’s ribs.

Pain exploded through her. Her body folded.

"You stay here where you belong!" Sadie snapped. Then stormed out, slamming the door and locking it with a loud, final bang.

Eleanor collapsed to the floor, bleeding, dizzy. Her mouth opened to scream, but only a ragged breath escaped.

Then a loud crash echoed through the tiled walls and the door burst open.

A tall figure stormed in. Tousled dark hair. Jaw clenched. Blue-grey eyes blazing.

"Colt?" she rasped.

The man knelt beside her, face shadowed with worry. “No, Elle,” he whispered, gathering her into his arms. “I’m Cal. I’ve got you now.”