Chapter 18: An Unexpected Ally

Amelia's POV

The blood oath I'd signed in Alexander's office had consequences beyond just my pride. It had only been two weeks since I'd sliced my palm and pressed it to that document, promising to stay away from his engagement with Cassandra. True to his word, he'd revoked Nathan's exile—only to send him to the dangerous pack borders to "monitor Richard's activities." And he'd also followed through on his other threat: cutting me off completely from pack resources.

The stack of bills on our kitchen table grew taller each day. Hospital invoices for Mom's treatments. Rent for our tiny new apartment in the human district. Utility notices with angry red stamps. Tuition payment reminders. The world seemed determined to remind me of just how precarious our situation had become.

"I don't want you to worry about this," Mom said that morning, catching me staring at the latest medical bill. Her face was thinner than it had been a month ago, the treatments taking their toll.

"It's my job to worry," I replied, tucking the bill into my folder. "But I have a plan."

Before leaving for the borders, Nathan had pressed an envelope into my hands. "It's everything I've saved," he'd said, his eyes intense. "It won't last long, but it might buy you some time."

I'd protested, knowing how dangerous and uncomfortable border patrol could be, but he'd insisted. "You need it more than I do," he'd said, hugging me fiercely. "Just promise you'll find a way to keep going until I come back."

His savings had covered the first month's rent and part of Mom's treatment, but the money was almost gone now. Which left me with exactly one option: the Shadow Heights biology scholarship competition. Full tuition, living stipend, and guaranteed research position. If I won, it would solve our most immediate problems.

"I should get to the library," I told Mom, gathering my research materials. "The competition's in two weeks, and I need to perfect my presentation on Alpha-Omega bonding mechanisms."

She squeezed my hand. "You'll win. You've always been brilliant."

I tried to smile with a confidence I didn't feel. "Let's hope the judges think so too."

The irony wasn't lost on me—researching the very phenomenon that had ruined my life. But if my experience with Alexander could help me understand the biological mechanisms behind mate bonds, maybe some good could come from all this pain.

The moment I stepped onto campus, I felt the stares. The whispers followed me like shadows.

"There she is—the Luna Festival lunatic."

"I heard she tried to attack Alexander's fiancée."

"My cousin said she's been kicked out of the pack."

Two weeks wasn't nearly long enough for people to forget my "episode" at the marking ceremony. The rumors had only grown more outlandish with time.

Someone had scrawled "PSYCHO BITCH" across my locker in red marker. I walked past without slowing down. Let them think what they wanted. I didn't have the luxury of caring about their opinions anymore.

The library had become my sanctuary—specifically, the ancient mythology section on the third floor where few students ventured. I claimed the small table hidden behind the dusty shelves, spreading out my research notes and textbooks.

My project on "Neurobiological Foundations of Alpha-Omega Connections" was nearly complete. The scholarship committee would be impressed by the depth of my research—if they could look past the campus rumors about me. I had to believe that science would speak louder than gossip.

I was deep into an analysis of hypothalamic responses when a cheerful voice broke my concentration.

"Hey! You're the famous 'Luna Festival destroyer', right?"

My head snapped up, instantly defensive. A petite Asian girl with bright eyes and a messy ponytail stood before me, smiling as if we were old friends. She wore faded jeans and a university sweatshirt that seemed a size too large, clutching a coffee in one hand and a stack of books in the other.

"Excuse me?" I slammed my textbook shut, rage instantly boiling to the surface. After two weeks of stares and whispers, this casual mockery felt like the final straw.

"I'm Isabelle Chen," she continued, seemingly oblivious to my anger. "You probably don't remember me, but I was—"

"I don't care who you are," I cut her off, shoving my books into my bag. "I'm not your entertainment, and I'm not in the mood for whatever sick thrill you get from harassing me."

Her smile faltered. "Wait, that's not what I—"

"Save it," I snapped, standing up so quickly my chair nearly toppled over. "Tell your friends you got up close with the campus freak. Hope it was worth it."

I stormed past her, blinded by tears of frustration and hurt. The librarian glanced up with a disapproving frown as I pushed through the heavy doors into the hallway.

In my haste, I didn't notice the group of guys until I crashed right into them, sending books and papers flying across the polished floor.

"What the fuck?" One of them shoved me backward. "Watch where you're going!"

I recognized them immediately—Jason, Mike, and Tyler—the campus troublemakers who'd been suspended twice for hazing freshmen. Just my luck.

"Sorry," I muttered, kneeling to gather my scattered research papers.

"Well, look who it is," Jason smirked, making no move to help. "The werewolf girl who lost her shit at the Luna Festival. Man, I wish I'd been there to see that meltdown."

"Leave me alone," I said, trying to keep my voice steady as I reached for my research notes.

Tyler stepped on the papers before I could grab them. "What's the rush? We're just being friendly." His smile made my skin crawl. "Heard you're not part of the pack anymore. Must be lonely without that protection."

A small crowd began to gather. More witnesses to my humiliation.

"Move," I demanded, standing up to face him. My wolf stirred dangerously beneath my skin, sensing the threat.

"Or what?" Mike joined in, stepping closer. "You'll go crazy on us too? Maybe that's what you need—some normal human attention instead of chasing after those stuck-up werewolf assholes."

I felt cornered, my fight-or-flight response kicking into overdrive. If I shifted here, in front of everyone, it would only confirm what people already thought—that I was unstable, dangerous, out of control.

"I believe those are her papers you're standing on." A calm voice cut through the tension.