Chapter 29 : The Attack
Three days.
Three days of silence. Three days of avoiding each other in the corridors. Three days of pretending the fight hadn't happened.
Amanda spent most of her time in the library or locked in her room. The pack's whispers followed her everywhere. The suspicious looks. The way conversations stopped when she entered a room.
She'd tried to focus on her research. On finding more proof. But every page blurred. Every symbol felt meaningless.
Derek didn't believe her. After everything. After the partial shift. After weeks of working together. He still chose Silas over her.
The hurt sat in her chest like a stone. Heavy and cold.
Riley had tried to visit twice. Amanda sent her away both times. She couldn't face anyone right now. Couldn't pretend everything was fine.
On the third night, Amanda lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Sleep was impossible. Her mind wouldn't stop racing.
Then the pain hit.
It started as a dull ache in her collarbone. Right where the birthmark sat. Then it flared. Hot and sharp. Like someone had pressed a burning brand against her skin.
Amanda gasped. Sat up. Pressed her hand to her chest.
The birthmark was glowing. Bright gold. Pulsing frantically.
Something was wrong.
Derek.
The certainty slammed into her. She didn't know how she knew. But she did. He was in danger.
Amanda threw off her covers. Grabbed a robe. Ran.
The corridors were dark and empty. Her bare feet slapped against the cold stone. The birthmark burned hotter with every step. Guiding her. Pulling her toward Derek's chambers.
She reached his door. Didn't knock. Just threw it open.
The sight inside made her heart stop.
Derek lay on the floor. His body convulsing. His back arched. Veins stood out dark against his skin. Black. Like ink spreading through his bloodstream.
"Derek!" Amanda dropped to her knees beside him.
His eyes were open but unseeing. His mouth moved but no sound came out. Sweat soaked his skin. His hands clawed at the floor.
This was the curse. But worse than anything she'd seen before. Worse than the night he'd collapsed. This was killing him.
Amanda didn't think. Just acted.
She placed her hands on his chest. Right over his heart. Let her gift flow.
The birthmark flared brighter. Golden light spilled from her palms. Warm and healing.
But the moment the light touched Derek, something pushed back.
Dark energy exploded from his chest. It slammed into Amanda's hands. Burning. Vicious.
She gasped but held on. Pushed harder. The light grew brighter.
The curse fought back. She could feel it now. Alive. Aware. Wrapping around Derek's wolf like chains of shadow and malice.
But there was something else. Something new. Fresh magic layered over the old. Reinforcing it.
Someone had just strengthened the curse.
Amanda gritted her teeth. Channeled more power. The birthmark blazed like a small sun.
Derek's back arched higher. A scream tore from his throat.
The dark energy lashed out again. This time with force that sent Amanda flying.
She hit the wall hard. The impact knocked the air from her lungs. She crumpled to the floor. Gasping.
Derek convulsed on the ground. Blood dripped from his nose. His mouth. The black veins spread further across his skin.
Amanda forced herself to stand. Stumbled toward him.
"Derek, hold on. Please hold on."
She reached for him again. But before she could touch him, the door slammed open.
Pack members poured in. Silas at the front.
"What's going on? I heard..." He stopped. His eyes went wide. "Derek!"
He rushed forward. Dropped beside Derek. His hands hovered over his friend. "What happened?"
"The curse. Someone reinforced it. Tonight. I felt it attack him."
Silas's gaze snapped to her. Then to her hands. Still glowing faintly with golden light.
His expression shifted. Horror. Realization.
"You." His voice was barely a whisper. "You're attacking him."
"What? No!" Amanda shook her head frantically. "I'm trying to help..."
"She's using dark magic!" Silas stood. Pointed at her. "Look at her hands! She's channeling power directly into him!"
More pack members crowded in. Their eyes moved between Amanda and Derek's convulsing form.
"I was healing him. The curse attacked. Someone strengthened it tonight."
"The only person who's been working magic on Derek is you." Silas's voice rose. Urgent. Terrified. "I warned him. I told him your gift was dangerous. But he trusted you. And now look what you've done."
"I didn't do this!" Amanda's voice cracked. "Silas, you know I didn't..."
"Do I? You've been obsessed with breaking the curse. Reckless with your methods. And now Derek is dying!" Silas looked at the warriors crowding the doorway. "Restrain her. Now. Before she finishes what she started."
"No!" Amanda backed away. "You can't believe him. He's lying. He's the one who cursed Derek. He's the one who reinforced it tonight."
"More accusations. More paranoia." Silas moved toward her. "You're unstable, Amanda. Your gift has corrupted your mind. But I won't let you kill Derek."
Two warriors grabbed Amanda's arms. She struggled. "Let me go! I have to help him!"
"You've done enough." Silas knelt beside Derek again. Pressed his hand to his friend's forehead. "Someone get Nadia. Now."
A warrior ran.
Amanda fought against the hands holding her. "Derek, please. Tell them. Tell them I was helping you."
But Derek's eyes were closed. His body still. The convulsions had stopped but he wasn't moving. Blood stained his lips.
"Is he breathing?" someone asked.
Silas checked. Nodded. "Barely. We need to get him to the infirmary."
More warriors entered. They lifted Derek carefully. Carried him out.
Amanda watched them go. Her heart breaking. "Derek..."
"Take her to the holding cells." Silas's voice was cold. "And post guards. She's dangerous."
"No!" Amanda struggled harder. "I didn't do anything! You have to believe me!"
But the warriors weren't listening. They dragged her from the room. Down the corridors. Away from Derek.
Amanda's mind raced. This was Silas's plan. He'd reinforced the curse. Made it attack Derek. Then made sure she'd be blamed.
And it had worked perfectly.
The pack believed him. Derek was unconscious. And she had no way to prove her innocence.
They reached the lower levels of the estate. The old dungeons that hadn't been used in years. Damp stone. Iron bars. The smell of mold and decay.
They shoved Amanda into a cell. Slammed the door. The lock clicked.
"This is a mistake. Please. You have to listen to me."
The warriors didn't respond. Just took positions outside the cell. Guarding her.
Amanda sank onto the cold stone bench. Her hands were shaking. Her birthmark still pulsed faintly with warning.
Derek was hurt. Maybe dying. And she couldn't help him.
Movement caught her eye. A small window set high in the wall. Barely large enough to see through.
Amanda stood. Moved to it. Looked out.
The courtyard was visible from here. Empty except for one figure standing in the shadows.
Silas.
He was watching the dungeon entrance. His expression was calm. Satisfied.
Then he smiled. Cold and triumphant.
Amanda's blood turned to ice.
He'd won. He'd isolated her. Discredited her. And now Derek would die believing she'd betrayed him.