Once Broken, Twice Claimed

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.