Chapter 38 Father’s Treachery
Amanda couldn't move.
The words echoed in her skull, sharp as blades.
You were never meant to matter.
Her father's voice carried no emotion. No regret, no hesitation. Just calm indifference, as if he were giving orders instead of ripping apart what remained of her heart.
"You sold me." Her voice trembled. Raw and hoarse. "You used me as a spy in a marriage you orchestrated just to destroy Derek."
Lucian's expression didn't waver. His gray eyes were cold, calculating, utterly devoid of warmth.
"You were a pawn who gained unexpected value." He said it flatly. "Your gift was supposed to be dormant. Useless. But instead, you became a problem."
A chill ran through her. “A problem?” she repeated, her throat tight. “I’m your daughter.”
Lucian's lips curved. Not into a smile, but something far crueler. "You're a disappointment who accidentally developed a spine. I expected you to fail quietly. Instead, you complicated a plan three years in the making."
Lena stepped forward. Her movements smooth and feline. Her beauty marred only by the poison glinting in her eyes.
"Poor Amanda." Her tone was sweet as venom. "Still clinging to your little fantasy that you were special. You were just convenient. A placeholder until the real Luna could take her rightful place."
The words hit like a blade twisting into her chest.
"You knew." Amanda whispered. "You knew Father was using me. That he was destroying Derek. And you helped him?"
Lena's smile sharpened. "Of course I helped. Did you think I'd stand aside while you stumbled through being Luna? You, who hides behind silence and shadows?"
Amanda's breath hitched. "You're my sister."
"No." Lena tilted her head. Her voice dripping superiority. "I'm the daughter Father chose. The one with ambition, with intelligence. Everything you lack." Her gaze turned cutting. "You were always meant to be forgotten, Amanda. A shadow no one remembers."
The words sliced deep. Deeper than claws or silver.
Derek moved before she could react. Stepping between Amanda and the family that had just shattered her.
"You used your own daughter." He growled. Eyes burning gold. "What kind of monster are you?"
Lucian's tone remained calm. Detached. "The kind who ensures his pack's survival. Nightfang's territory should have belonged to me years ago. Your father's pride prevented that. I simply found another way."
"By cursing me?" Derek's voice thundered. "By using Amanda?"
Lucian's lips twitched. Almost in amusement. "By creating opportunity. Silas was easy to sway. Ambitious, jealous, desperate for power. Amanda's purpose was simple. Keep you distracted while we dismantled your pack from within. But then she decided to play hero."
Victor stepped forward. Fury vibrating through his every word. "You betrayed our alliance. You corrupted my son's friend. You sent your own daughter to infiltrate my family. We trusted you, Lucian. Our packs stood together for decades."
Lucian's eyes flashed. Cold steel in moonlight. "And what did Emberfang gain from that trust? Nightfang's riches. Nightfang's power. All while we scraped by on scraps. I grew tired of watching my pack starve while yours feasted."
"So you cursed my son?!" Victor thundered. "You destroyed his life for power?"
"I created evolution." Lucian's voice was hard as iron. "Derek was doomed to fail eventually. The curse merely hastened what was inevitable."
Derek's fists tightened. His voice a snarl. "I would have been a strong Alpha."
Lucian's gaze didn't flinch. "You would have been adequate. Silas will be better." His cold eyes slid toward Amanda. "And Lena will make the perfect Luna. Beautiful, cunning, ruthless. Everything a pack demands."
Amanda's voice shook, but her stare didn't waver. "And what was your reward, Lena? What did you trade my soul for?"
Lena's smile gleamed like a blade. "Power. Silas. Respect. Everything I deserve." She took a deliberate step closer. "Everything you don't."
Amanda's breath caught. "Silas is broken and bleeding on the ground. Your plan failed."
"Did it?" Lena's tone was almost mocking. Her gaze flicked to Derek. "He still doesn't trust you. I see it in his eyes. The hesitation. You hid the truth. You kept our father's betrayal secret. How long before he realizes you're just as guilty as the rest of us?"
Amanda froze. She could feel Derek's eyes on her. Heavy with doubt.
"Did she know?" He asked quietly. His voice breaking. "Was she part of this?"
She shook her head. Tears stinging. "I didn't know until yesterday. I should have told you the moment I found out, but I was terrified you'd look at me and see him. That you'd hate me for my blood."
Derek's jaw tensed. "We'll talk about this later."
"Will we?" Amanda's voice trembled. "Or will you decide I'm not worth trusting?"
Lucian's laughter sliced through the air. Cold and mocking. "Blood tells, Derek. You can't escape it. She carries my blood. Lena's blood. The blood of those who wanted you destroyed. Can you ever truly trust her?"
"Shut up." Derek snapped. His voice rumbling with Alpha authority.
Lucian smirked. "The truth hurts, doesn't it? Your mate is the daughter of your enemy. The sister of your betrayer. How long before she turns on you?"
"She already chose." Derek growled. Stepping forward. Eyes glowing gold. "She chose me. Every single day. Even when I pushed her away. Even when I doubted her. She chose me."
Amanda's eyes filled with tears. "Derek..."
He didn't look back. "We'll deal with the rest later. Right now, we end this."
A rustle cut through the tense air.
From the shadows of the forest, Owen and his warriors appeared. Steel in their eyes. Weapons drawn. Riley emerged next, gripping the ancient war horn, ready to summon the rest of Nightfang. Elder Moira stepped forward. Her silver hair gleaming like moonlight. Her aura pulsing with raw, ancient power.
Victor took his place beside his son. "You're outnumbered, Lucian." His voice was deep and steady. "Your conspiracy is exposed. Walk away now before this ends in blood."
Lucian smiled. That same cold, perfect smile. "Outnumbered? Oh, Victor..." He raised his hand. "I don't think so."
The forest shifted. Dozens of warriors stepped out from the trees. All armed. All bearing the crimson insignia of Emberfang.
Owen's eyes widened. "He brought an army."
Lucian's grin deepened. "Not just mine."
The air seemed to thicken. Then another figure emerged from the shadows. Tall, broad-shouldered. His silver hair glinting under the moonlight. His presence radiating Alpha dominance.
Elias Hale.
Derek's entire body went rigid. His claws slid out. Glinting.
"Hello, Derek." Elias's voice was smooth. Confident. A serpent's whisper. "It's been a long time. I'm here to claim what's mine. Your territory..." His smile curved. Sharp and lethal. "And your life."