Chapter 7

Eleanor's POV

Leaving the office, my feet felt heavy as lead. Every step reminded me that my marriage, my life, everything I'd fought for these seven years, had become precarious in an instant.

Charles's words still echoed in my ears. The words cut like knives because I knew he was right.

Returning home, I looked at this place I had once loved deeply. Every corner held our memories, every piece of furniture we had chosen together, yet now it all felt foreign. Soon, this place would be filled with Claire's scent. She would prepare dinner for Edward in the kitchen where I once cooked, would sleep in the guest room next to ours, just steps away from our bedroom.

I couldn't bear the thought.

Seraphine howled within me. We can stay, she snarled. We won't watch that woman replace us.

I knew she was right. But the Alpha Council had already set things in motion. Since the night the meeting ended, Edward had been stalling, trying to find a way that wouldn't hurt our relationship while appeasing the other Alphas. But now, Charles's threat made everything clear, time had run out.

Either Edward accepted Claire as his true mate, or he'd face sanctions from the entire alliance.

I walked into our bedroom, looking at the bed we'd shared for seven years. How many nights had we slept here entwined? How many mornings had we awakened to each other's sleeping faces? Now, all of it would become the past.

I pulled a travel bag from the closet and began packing essentials. A few changes of clothes, basic toiletries, and some small items with special meaning to me.

With each item I packed, my heart ached more. It felt like holding a funeral for my own life. I remembered Edward's words: "You are my red rose, forever mine alone." Now these promises sounded so ironic.

I knew no pack would take in a Luna who had already been claimed. But I also knew I couldn't stay here, couldn't watch Edward and Claire build their relationship before my eyes.

Where will we go? Seraphine asked in my mind, her voice full of confusion and fear.

"I don't know," I answered honestly, "but we can't stay here."

I thought of Maggie. Maybe she could give me advice, or at least make me feel less alone.

When I knocked on her door, Maggie immediately sensed my state. Her eyes were full of concern, but when she saw the expression on my face and the travel bag in my hand, I noticed fear flash in her eyes.

"Eleanor?" she inquired softly, nervously glancing inside the house. "You... what's wrong?"

"Maggie, I need help," I choked out. "I don't know where else to go."

She hesitated, then quickly let me in, but I could feel her tension. There was an oppressive atmosphere in the house, like the calm before a storm.

"I can't let you stay here too long," Maggie whispered, her voice carrying a fear I'd never heard before. "Maddox... he's in a bad mood today."

"Maggie," I said softly, "what happened?"

Pain flashed in her eyes, immediately replaced by fear. "Nothing, I just... fell."

But I could smell the lie.

"Tell me the truth," I insisted.

Just then, we heard a car door slam. Maggie's face went pale instantly, her entire body beginning to tremble.

"He's back," she whispered in terror. "You have to leave. Now."

Maggie practically pushed me toward the back door, her fear so real, so intense, it made my heart race.

"Take the back door," she urgently whispered. "Don't let him see you."

But it was too late. The front door was roughly pushed open, heavy footsteps echoing in the hallway. I could smell alcohol and the scent of anger.

"Maggie!" Maddox's voice exploded through the house, full of drunkenness and rage. "Where the hell are you, woman?"

Maggie's face went deathly pale. "The living room," she whispered to me. "Quick, go through the French doors in the living room."

I wanted to protect her, wanted to stay and face this man who was obviously abusing her. But Maggie pushed me hard.

"Go!" she hissed. "If he sees you here, it'll be worse!"

I reluctantly moved toward the living room, hearing Maddox's approaching footsteps through the walls.

"Why are there two cups in the kitchen?" his voice was full of suspicion and threat. "Who were you entertaining?"

"No one," Maggie's voice trembled. "I just... I made tea but changed my mind."

"Don't fucking lie to me!"

The sound that followed froze my blood, a slap, then Maggie's painful crying.

My hands clenched into fists, Seraphine roaring within me to rush back and protect her. But reason told me that if I were discovered, it would only make things worse.

I managed to escape through the French doors in the living room, my heart full of guilt about Maggie. I should have stayed to help her, but I knew my presence would only complicate things further.

In the darkness, I heard more arguing and Maggie's weeping. My heart broke for her, and I realized how dangerous my own situation was. If even a Luna could suffer such abuse, what could a woman about to lose her status expect?

I gone to the small inn in town, my hands still shaking. The young girl at the front desk looked worried but asked no questions as she checked me in.

The room was simple but clean and safe. I sat on the bed edge, finally allowing myself to completely break down. Tears poured out like a flood, all the pain, anger, and despair spilling forth.

About an hour later, I heard gentle knocking. Through the peephole, I saw it was Maggie. She had new bruises on her face, but there was a determination in her eyes I hadn't seen before.

I quickly opened the door to let her in. "Maggie, are you okay?"

"I told him I was going to the pharmacy for headache medicine," she said, her voice hoarse. "We don't have much time."

She sat in the room's only chair, and I could see her hands trembling.

"Since he found his fated mate Della, he's changed," she began, tears flowing again. "He drinks, Eleanor. Often gets completely wasted. Then he... he hits me."

I gasped, though I'd already suspected, hearing her admit it still shocked me.

"Why didn't you ever tell anyone?" I asked softly.

"Who would believe?" she laughed bitterly. "Who would believe an Alpha would abuse his own Luna? And even if someone believed, what then? I'm claimed by him, I belong to him. No pack would take in an already marked Luna."

My heart ached for her, and I realized how similar our situations were, we were both trapped in inescapable relationships.