Chapter 33 The Price of Trust
They reached Derek's chambers. He set Amanda gently on the sofa by the fireplace. Then he ordered servants to bring food, water, and medical supplies.
"I'm fine." Amanda's voice came out weak.
"You're not." Derek knelt beside her. He examined the bruises on her arms. Fury simmered just below the surface. "But you will be."
His jaw clenched. He couldn't believe it. Silas. His friend. His brother in every sense but blood. All these years, pretending, smiling, whispering secrets while plotting his downfall. Derek's chest ached with disbelief, anger, and grief.
“How could I have been so blind?”
Nadia arrived with her healing bag. She tended to Amanda's injuries while Derek paced. Each step echoed the betrayal burning inside him.
Silas. That name burned on his tongue.
"We need to move carefully." Victor stepped through the doorway. His eyes blazed with fury. His hands tightened into fists. "Silas has built influence. Act without proof, and the pack could tear itself apart. But know this. I've never wanted to strangle a man more."
"We have proof." Derek spoke through gritted teeth. "My memory. Amanda's testimony."
Victor's glare could have burned through stone. "And he'll twist it. Say Amanda manipulated you. That you're imagining things. We need allies. People the pack trusts. People strong enough to stand against him."
Derek stopped pacing. Victor was right. The betrayal stung worse than any wound on his body. He wanted to strike immediately. But strategy mattered.
"Who can we trust?" Amanda asked. Nadia finished packing her supplies.
"Riley." Derek said the name instantly. "She never believed you attacked me."
"Elder Moira." Victor added. "She's old enough to see dark magic for what it is."
"And Owen." Derek's jaw tightened. "Head warrior. Loyal. He's been suspicious of Silas for months."
"Why?" Amanda asked.
"Because Silas has been preparing for this." Derek's hands shook slightly as he clenched them. "Subtle moves. Recruiting warriors. Building his own faction. Owen saw it and warned me weeks ago. I ignored it. I trusted him like a brother. I was blind. And now..." His voice broke slightly. "Now he tried to destroy me."
Victor's fury flared again. Hot and sharp. "A lifetime of trust thrown away like filth! If I had Silas here right now, I'd..." He stopped himself. His chest heaving. "We'll make sure the pack sees him for what he is."
The room fell silent. The weight of betrayal pressing down on them all.
Nadia stood. "I'll reach Moira. She'll help. I'll prepare a magical report. Proof Silas can't deny."
"Thank you." Derek stared at the fireplace as if expecting Silas to appear from the flames.
By nightfall, the allies had gathered. Riley held Amanda's hand. Elder Moira's sharp eyes scanned the room like a hawk. Owen leaned against the wall. His muscles taut and ready. Victor stood beside Derek, seething.
Derek cleared his throat. "Thank you all. I know some of you risked much by being here. What I tell you may sound impossible, but it's the truth."
He revealed everything. His recovered memory. Silas's betrayal. The curse. Amanda's gift. Nadia's evidence.
Silence fell. Then Moira spoke. Her voice soft but firm. "I knew. Felt dark magic the night of your ritual hunt. Couldn't prove it. Accusing blindly brings only harm. But the prophecy is clear. United, you will prevail. Divided, you will fall."
"You've read Catherine's journal." Amanda said.
"She was my student." Moira's eyes held ancient wisdom. "She foresaw your union before either of you were born. This marriage is destiny, not politics."
Riley squeezed Amanda's hand. "I'm with you. Whatever you need."
Owen straightened. "I've watched Silas for months. Recruiting warriors. Promising them advancement. Building a faction. He's planning to challenge you."
"How many are with him?" Derek asked. His voice tight with anger and disbelief.
"About a third. Enough to cause chaos if we act openly."
Derek sank into the sofa. His hands running over his face. “My brother. My friend. All these years, plotting to destroy me. How could I have trusted him?”
Amanda placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll make him pay. Not just for the pack. But for you."
Victor's jaw tightened. "I'll make sure he regrets every lie. Every smile he faked. Every moment he called you brother."
Amanda stepped forward. "Then we trap him. Force him to reveal himself in a way he can't deny."
"How?" Victor asked. Still seething.
"Moira, can you craft wards? Something to block Silas's dark magic?"
Moira's eyes gleamed. "Yes. But it will require power and precision."
"I have power." Amanda's birthmark glowed faintly. "You have precision."
Derek moved to her side. "Wait. If we trap him, he'll know. Could force a desperate move."
"Good." Amanda's voice was steel. "Let him try. We'll be ready."
"You should stay protected." Derek's voice held worry.
"No." Amanda said firmly. "We do this together. You said I was your mate. Your equal. Treat me like one. Trust me to fight beside you."
Every instinct screamed at him to shield her. But she was right.
She is his equal. His mate. And he will not deny her.
"Together." Derek said finally.
They strategized for an hour. Moira and Amanda would craft the wards. Owen would position trusted warriors. Riley would monitor Silas. Victor would prepare the council. Derek would act as bait. Weak. Vulnerable. The perfect target.
"When do we spring the trap?" Owen asked.
"Soon." Derek's voice was hard. His eyes burning.
Moira nodded. "I'll start tonight with Amanda at my cottage. Wards take time."
"I'll go with her." Derek said immediately.
"No." Moira snapped. "You need rest. You must be strong tomorrow. Amanda will be safe."
Derek hesitated. Then nodded. Amanda's face held reassurance.
"Riley goes with you. Two guards." Derek instructed.
"Agreed."
As the group began to disperse, a knock sounded at the door. A young pack member entered, breathless. "Alpha, a message from the Emberfang pack."
Derek broke the seal. He scanned the letter. His expression shifted to surprise mingled with wary tension.
"What is it?" Amanda asked. She sensed his unease.
He handed her the letter. "Lena. She's coming tomorrow."
Amanda blinked. Stunned. "Tomorrow? Of all days, why now?"
Derek's jaw tightened. He didn't know what to make of it. At least, not openly. It was impossible to know if her arrival was connected to Silas's schemes or if it was simply coincidence.
"I don't know." His voice dropped low. "It could be nothing. Or it could complicate everything. But we can't afford distractions. Everything depends on being ready for whatever happens next."
Victor's hands curled into fists. The tension in his shoulders radiated anger. "Well, whatever her reason, whatever brings her here, she won't catch us off guard. Lena or no Lena, the pack will not be unprepared.”