This was his fiftieth call. Fifty attempts. Fifty failures.
He had demanded updates from every patrol in Duskridge. He had sent scouts to nearby packs and even had his Beta call in a few debts from allied alphas.
He had hacked into the Werewolf Registry with help from a shady witch in the outskirts.
And just yesterday, he had stormed Elder Orin’s estate, yelling, threatening, nearly unhinged, but even the Elder had no clue where Eleanor had gone.
It was as if she’d vanished from the map.
He hadn’t slept.
His shirt clung to him with sweat. His hair was a tangled mess, his eyes ringed in shadows.
The scent of whiskey clung to the air like smoke. Bottles littered his study floor. He hadn’t shifted in days as his wolf was silent. Distant.
Amiel opened his phone gallery and stared at the wedding photos.
Eleanor had looked so happy that day. Radiant. Glowing. Genuinely in love.
His smile, though, was stiff. Forced.
Had she really been suffering all this time? For five years?
A knock interrupted his thoughts. He barely turned when Sadie entered, hips swaying, silk robe teasing her thighs.
Without asking, she walked over and settled on his lap, her arms draping around his neck like ivy.
“What’s got my Alpha so tense?” she purred. “Is Eleanor being difficult again? Want me to talk to her?”
Her voice was sweet, but beneath it lay a twisted plan. She wanted to find Eleanor, just to stir the pot. Frame her again. Play the victim. Make Amiel hate his wife even more.
But Amiel didn’t answer her immediately.
Instead, he muttered. “Eleanor’s gone.”
Sadie blinked. “Gone? What do you mean gone?”
He shoved her off his lap. “Gone! Vanished without a damn trace!”
She stumbled back, startled. He reached for another bottle, downed half of it, then hurled it against the wall.
The glass shattered.
Amiel laughed bitterly, running both hands through his hair, nearly yanking it out. She had me sign the divorce papers without even realizing it. She used the contract clause–our bond, it broke the second I signed Chosen mates only need consent. She wanted to be free, and she got
it!”
Once Broken Inace Plann
3:37 am
His voice cracked.
“She was furious at me. So furious that she planned it all in silence. She listed every mistake I made… and even blamed me for her miscarriage.”
Sadie froze.
Miscarriage?
Divorce?
Leave?
Her chest swelled with satisfaction, but she faked empathy, forcing a tear and stepping close to him again. “How could she do this to you? You’re so kind and loving and perfect.”
Amiel turned to her, gaze sharp.
“If I’m so perfect, then why did you reject our bond the first time you recognized it?”
Sadie faltered, her lips twitching before she forced a tremble into them.
“That… that was my biggest mistake,” she sobbed, grabbing his hands. “I was stupid. I was scared. But I’m here now, Amiel. I’ll do anything. Just take me back. Let me be your mate again.” Her words only deepened his headache.
His eyes narrowed, and before he could speak, the door creaked open.
Beta Reed stepped in, holding an envelope. “Alpha. This came just now. From Brakenhowl.”
Amiel took the envelope with a frown. “Brakenhowl? Colt’s pack?”
Sadie leaned in, refusing to move from his side. “A gathering?”
The letter only said: You are cordially invited to a grand banquet hosted by Alpha Colt and Luna Eve of Brakenhowl. An exclusive gathering of Alphas and their Betas will be held in honor of new beginnings. Your presence is not just welcomed–it’s anticipated.
Amiel grunted. “I’m not going.”
Sadie pouted. “Why not? Colt came to our summit weeks ago. Ignoring this one will look like a slight.”
He waved the paper. “Colt hasn’t even signed the alliance renewal. We don’t know what he’s planning.”
Sadie cupped his jaw. “But think about the benefits, Amiel. Their warriors, their resources. Brakenhowl is loaded. They can help us. Supplies, protection, weapons.”
Beta Reed nodded. “She’s right, Alpha. We need more of those in our situation now.”
Amiel looked between them.
He exhaled through his nose, frustration radiating off him. “Fine. We’ll go.”
“I can’t wait to meet Luna Eve. I bet we’re going to be good friends.” Sadie giggled. Just then, she received a text. She fished out her phone and read the message from her mother:
[Your father just got an invitation from Brakenhowl! We’re so excited!]
Sadie’s grin widened subtly.
Soon, Eleanor would be nothing more than a ghost–forgotten and erased.
3:37 am
She had her family wrapped around her finger, and with one more nudge, she’d have Amiel too.
