Chapter 81 Chosen
Derek barely felt the stone biting into his knees.
All he could see was Amanda.
Light tore from her body in violent pulses. Silver-white and blinding. Cracking the floor beneath her like ice under strain. The air shimmered with heat and pressure. Magic so dense it burned his lungs with every breath. Her scream cut through the hallway. Raw and terrified. Nothing like the steady strength she always carried.
This was his fault.
The bond shrieked inside his chest. A living thing pulled too tight. Vibrating with pain and panic. He could feel her fear as if it were his own. Sharp. Suffocating. Threaded with a helplessness that made his wolf snarl in fury.
"Amanda," he said again. Louder this time. Voice breaking as he reached for her.
The moment his fingers brushed her arm, the magic lashed out.
Pain exploded through his hand. Searing up his arm. But he didn't pull back. He wrapped his body over hers instead. Shielding her instinctively. Uncaring of the cost.
"Get Cassius," someone shouted. "Now!"
Boots thundered down the corridor. Wards flared as guards scrambled back. Unable to get close without being thrown off by the wild energy spilling from her.
Derek pressed his forehead to Amanda's. His power roaring in answer to hers. Uncontrolled and desperate.
"I'm here," he whispered fiercely. "I'm not leaving you. I swear."
Her body convulsed beneath him. Breath hitching. Fingers clawing weakly at his tunic. The birthmark at her collarbone burned so bright it looked like molten silver poured into her skin.
Too much.
She was pulling in too much.
And he knew, with sick certainty, why.
The separation.
The imbalance.
Him.
Cassius arrived moments later. Staff already glowing as he took in the scene with grim focus. Moira followed close behind. Her expression darkening the instant she felt the magic in the air.
"Move," Cassius ordered.
Derek didn't.
Cassius met his gaze. "If you want her to live, Alpha, you’ll let me assess what’s happening.”
Derek forced himself to shift just enough for Cassius to kneel beside Amanda. His hands hovered inches above her skin. Eyes narrowing as he followed the violent flow of energy.
"This isn't physical," Cassius said tightly. "Her magic is burning itself out."
Amanda cried out again. Arching as another surge tore through her.
Moira stepped closer. Her voice low and urgent. "Cassius. The bond."
Cassius exhaled sharply. "Yes. I feel it now."
He straightened slowly. Looking between Derek and Amanda, then back at Derek with something close to disbelief.
"The mate bond isn't just emotional," he said. "It's magical. Foundational. You two don't just love each other. You regulate each other."
Derek's throat tightened.
"Your Alpha power is immense," Cassius continued. "Unstable without grounding. Amanda's gift absorbs, redirects, and balances magic. When you're united, the flow evens out naturally."
"And when we're not?" Derek asked hoarsely.
Cassius didn't soften the truth. "Then you destabilize. Both of you."
As if to prove the point, Derek's own power surged violently. Silver veins flashing beneath his skin. The wolf inside him slamming against his control.
"Amanda is drawing in excess magic," Cassius said. "Too much. With nowhere to release it, it's tearing her apart from the inside."
Moira's gaze sharpened. "If this continues..."
"They'll both burn out," Cassius finished. "Or worse. Magical feedback through the bond could kill them."
The word hit Derek like a blade.
Kill.
His knees nearly gave out.
"How," he rasped, "do I fix this?"
Moira stepped closer. Her eyes unwavering. "You already know."
Derek looked at Amanda. At the pain etched into her face. At the way her fingers trembled weakly against his chest.
"I was afraid," he said quietly. "Afraid of hurting her."
"And so you did," Moira replied. Not unkindly. "Stop running from love, Derek. Stop letting fear make your decisions."
Cassius nodded. "The only way to stabilize her is through the bond. Through you."
Derek didn't hesitate again.
He moved to Amanda's side. Sitting on the stone floor and pulling her carefully into his arms. Her head lolled against his shoulder. Breath shallow. Magic still flaring wildly.
He took her hand.
The bond exploded open.
Pain and grief slammed into him. Raw and overwhelming. Her heartbreak tore through him. Every doubt. Every moment she believed she was unwanted. A burden. Easy to discard.
Tears burned his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. Pressing his lips to her temple. "I'm so sorry."
He stopped trying to cage his power.
Instead, he opened himself to her.
Alpha energy poured through the bond. Steady and deliberate this time. Flowing from his chest into hers. Silver light followed the path of their connection. Sinking beneath her skin. Meeting her magic head-on.
Amanda gasped.
The violent surges stuttered, then slowed. The burning light at her collarbone softened. Its blinding glare dimming to a warm glow. Her breathing evened. Her body finally relaxing against his.
Derek sagged with relief. Holding her as if letting go would undo everything.
Minutes passed in fragile silence.
Then her fingers curled around his.
His heart nearly stopped.
Her lashes fluttered. Eyes opening slowly. Unfocused at first. Then finding him.
"Derek," she whispered.
His chest broke open.
"I'm here," he said. Voice cracking. "I'm not going anywhere."
Her gaze searched his face. Vulnerable and aching. "You called me a burden."
The words cut deeper than any blade.
"I lied," he said immediately. "I was lying to push you away. To protect you from me. But the truth is..." His voice shook. "You're my salvation. Every single day. I can't do this without you. I don't want to."
Tears slipped from her eyes. Tracing silent paths down her temples.
"Then stop treating me like I might break," she whispered. "I'm strong enough to stand beside you. I always have been."
He nodded fiercely. "I know. I see it now. I'm sorry it took me so long to trust it."
He leaned down. Pressing his forehead to hers.
"I choose you," he said. "Not prophecy. Not fear. You."
Amanda lifted her hand to his cheek and kissed him.
The mate bond flared to life.
Not violent. Not wild.
Whole.
Silver and gold light wrapped around them. Warm and steady. The magic settling into perfect balance at last. The wolf inside Derek went still. Not restrained, but content.
Complete.
The door slammed open.
"Alpha!"
A messenger burst into the room. Breathless. Eyes wide as he took in the scene.
"The Council has convened," he said urgently. "They're calling for both of you. Julian has convinced them your instability makes you unfit to lead.
They're voting on whether to exile you both and dissolve Nightfang Pack."