Chapter 32 Her Faith, His Fall
Derek didn't wait for permission.
He moved through the corridors with purpose, ignoring the pain still radiating through his chest. Guards called after him. He didn't stop.
His father's voice echoed behind him. "Derek! Where are you going?"
"To fix my mistake."
Victor caught up, matching his stride. "What are you talking about?"
"Amanda didn't attack me. Silas did." Derek's voice was raw. Hard. "Three years ago, he cursed me. And a few nights ago, he reinforced it. Then he made sure Amanda would take the blame."
Victor's expression shifted. Shock. Then understanding. "You're sure?"
"I saw it. My wolf showed me the memory. The real one. The one the curse had been hiding." Derek stopped at the entrance to the dungeons. "I'm getting her out. Now."
"Derek, if you're wrong..."
"I'm not." He looked his father in the eye. "I've been wrong about everything else. But not this. Not her."
Victor studied him for a long moment. Then nodded. "Then I'm coming with you."
They descended into the cold dampness of the cells. The guards snapped to attention.
"Open it," Derek ordered.
"Sir, we have strict orders from Sir Silas..."
"I don't give a damn what Silas ordered. I'm your Alpha heir. Open the cell. Now."
The guard hesitated. Looked at Victor. The Alpha nodded.
The lock clicked. The door swung open.
Derek stepped inside.
Amanda sat in the corner. Her robe was torn and dirty. Bruises marked her arms. A cut above her eyebrow had dried with blood. But her eyes. Her eyes were still fierce. Still defiant.
When she saw him, something flickered across her face. Hope. Then caution.
Derek's heart clenched. He'd done this. He'd let this happen to her.
He crossed the small space and dropped to his knees in front of her. "I'm sorry."
Amanda stared at him. Silent.
"God, Amanda, I'm so sorry." His voice cracked. "I should have believed you. I should have trusted you. I should have..."
"You believe me now?" Her voice was quiet. Careful.
"Yes. I saw it. Through our bond. Through whatever connection we've built." Derek's hands trembled. He wanted to touch her. To pull her into his arms. But he didn't know if she'd let him. "I saw the truth. Silas cursed me. Three years ago during the ritual hunt. And he tried to kill me again to frame you."
Tears welled in Amanda's eyes. "You really saw it?"
"Every detail. His hands glowing with dark magic. The chains wrapping around my wolf. His face when he thought no one was watching." Derek's jaw clenched. "He's been lying to me for three years. And I believed him over you."
A tear slipped down Amanda's cheek. "I tried to tell you."
"I know. And I was too blind to see it." Derek reached out slowly. Gently cupped her face. His thumb brushed over the cut above her eyebrow. His eyes flashed silver. "Who hurt you?"
"Derek..."
"Who put their hands on you?" His voice was low. Dangerous. "Which pack members did this?"
"It doesn't matter. We need to focus on..."
"It matters to me." Derek's other hand came up to frame her face. "You're my mate. My Luna. And I failed to protect you."
The word hung between them.
Mate.
Not wife. Not political arrangement. Mate.
Amanda's breath caught. "You've never called me that before."
"I should have. From the beginning." Derek's forehead touched hers. "I was so focused on what I'd lost that I couldn't see what was right in front of me. You've been fighting for me since the day you arrived. Healing me. Protecting me. Believing in me when I'd stopped believing in myself."
"Derek." Her voice broke.
"I don't deserve you. I know that. But if you'll let me, I want to spend the rest of my life proving that I can be the mate you deserve."
Amanda's hands came up. Gripped his wrists. "We need to stop Silas first."
"We will." Derek pulled back enough to look at her. "But first, tell me who hurt you. Please."
Amanda hesitated. Then, "Two warriors. I don't know their names. And one of the guards spit at me. Called me a witch."
Derek's expression went cold. Deadly. "Their names. I need their names."
"Later. Right now, we have bigger problems. Silas doesn't know you've figured out the truth. But how long will that last?"
Derek helped her to her feet. She swayed. He caught her. "Easy. When's the last time you ate?"
"Riley brought food yesterday. I think. I lost track of time."
Rage burned through Derek. He'd left her here. In the cold and dark. Hurt and alone. While Silas walked free.
Victor stepped into the cell. His eyes swept over Amanda. His expression hardened. "This is unacceptable. No one should be treated this way. Especially not our Luna."
"I'm working on fixing it." Derek's voice was tight.
Victor looked at his son. "What's your plan?"
"We need to move fast. Silas doesn't know I've recovered. Doesn't know I remember. That gives us an advantage." Derek's arm stayed around Amanda's waist. Supporting her. "We're going to make him confess. In front of the entire pack."
"How?" Amanda asked.
Derek's eyes hardened. "By giving him exactly what he wants. A chance to finish what he started."
Victor frowned. "You're going to use yourself as bait?"
"It's the only way. He's too careful. Too practiced at lying. But if he thinks I'm weak, vulnerable, he'll strike again. And this time, we'll be ready."
"That's too dangerous," Amanda said, her voice trembling slightly. "What if something goes wrong?"
Derek’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "Then you’ll be there to save me. Again."
She looked up at him, startled by the warmth in his tone. His gaze held steady, calm, unshaken. "I trust you, Amanda," he said softly. "Completely. Do you trust me?"
The question lingered between them like a heartbeat.
Every memory, every argument, every betrayal, every hard-won truth, rose in the silence that followed. It was more than a question of safety. It was a test of faith.
Amanda’s throat tightened. Then she nodded.
"Yes," she whispered. "I trust you."
"Good."
Derek’s expression softened. "Can you walk?"
"I can manage," she said, though her legs still felt weak beneath her.
"You shouldn’t have to."
Before she could protest, Derek moved. In one smooth motion, he swept her into his arms.
Amanda gasped, her hands instinctively clutching his shoulders. "Derek, I’m fine, "
His grip only tightened, steady and protective. "I know," he murmured, glancing down at her with that same quiet certainty. "But let me take care of you this time.”
Amanda's resistance melted. She rested her head against his shoulder. "Okay."
They walked out of the cell together. Past the stunned guards. Through the corridors where pack members stopped and stared.
Derek didn't care. Let them see. Let them know their Luna was under his protection now. Let Silas hear that everything was about to change.
The game was over.
And Derek was done playing by anyone's rules but his own.