Chapter 208 - The Truth

Chapter 208 - The Truth
Amaia's POV
"You used me," Harrison growled.
"No, no, no!" Serena cried out. "She—she's lying!"
Harrison's glare intensified, his fists clenching at his sides.
"I trusted you, and you betrayed me," he spat, his voice shaking with a mixture of anger and hurt.
"There is more," I said, stopping him. I had a lot to reveal, and I wanted him to hear it all.
Harrison's attention snapped back to me.
Surprise flickered in his eyes. He wasn't sure if he should trust and listen to me—but I didn't care. I was about to make him see what kind of monster Serena actually was.
I took a deep breath, knowing the weight of my words could change everything.
"There are secrets that go beyond what you think you know, brother," I said. "And it's time you understood the truth."
"What do you mean by 'more' and 'truth'?" he asked.
"The truth is darker than you think," I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "Serena has been hiding her true intentions, and it's time I tell you what she really is."
I looked back at Serena, then at Harrison.
"Serena is not your fated mate," I said, dropping the bomb.
Harrison's eyes widened in disbelief, the color draining from his face.
Serena froze, while Harrison growled. He didn't like what I was saying.
"What are you talking about? She’s…" He protested, but I could see the doubt creeping in, the seeds of uncertainty taking root in his mind.
"Don't believe me?" I asked, extending my hand. "I can always show you. It's the quickest way...."
Harrison's face darkened. "I've seen enough for one night."
"Well," I said. "Then I just need to tell you."
Serena's face turned ashen. She looked like she was about to faint and quickly stepped away from Harrison. She never bargained on my memories returning—but I knew the truth—and he needed to hear it.
Every time she got me killed, she made sure to use a spell to wipe my memories, but this time, it all came back. I guess I had become immune to her magic?
"I always wondered why I couldn't remember your face or name," I went on. "She did not only erase my memories to ensure I couldn't remember you, but she erased them so that I couldn't remember her."
Harrison flinched and looked at Serena. Her face twisted in a mixture of fear and hatred. She didn't enjoy the fact that I was revealing her secrets.
"That was until I saw the painting in the room your warrior left me in," I went on. "And some of the erased memories came flooding back... but being honest with you, brother, as soon as I saw Serena's face, the rest of the memories filled the blanks in my mind..."
"What painting?" Serena sneered angrily. "I made sure...."
"One that was painted the night before our coronation," I replied. "I had wondered what had happened to it. It seemingly got misplaced with the amulet Mother Moon used to wear—the same one around your neck."
I crossed my legs as I sat back, feeling quite comfortable and confident in my seat. I was enjoying this little chat, while Serena grew frustrated. I could see it in her face. Her eyes changed color and her face turned red as she tried to use her magic to get me to shut up.
It might work on Harrison, but not on me—not tonight.
"You see, brother," I went on. "I remember you and some of the guard sneaking out to the mortal world often... you met Serena on one of those nights out."
"How do you—" he started, his gaze shifting to Serena and back to me. "I have no memory of that."
"You wouldn't," I replied. "But she did put a spell on you—one that would make you believe that she was your mate... You see, you did meet your mate on one of your boys' night outs... that's why you kept on sneaking out to meet with her."
"Is this true?" he asked, his face burning red.
"I…I can explain," Serena stuttered.
"There's nothing to explain," I said firmly, sensing the tension in the room. "The truth is already out, and it's time for you to face the consequences of your actions."
"Where's my fated mate?" Harrison snapped. "What happened to her?"
"She murdered her," I said. "And she took her place. She assumed her identity and carefully imitated her behavior. She even made sure she smelled like her."
"You did what?!" he snarled; anger radiated off him.
"That's not all," I said. "She had manipulated Onyx with magic to attack Mother Moon... but she didn't bargain on getting you banished."
Harrison narrowed his eyes.
"I remember I had no control," he growled. "The words that left my lips weren't mine. I couldn't control Onyx—he was out of control."
I nodded.
"I saw the changes in you..." I said. "I followed you one night... that's why I knew that Serena was a witch... she poured something into your drink..."
"A potion?" he gasped, his gaze shifting back to Serena. "Did you give me a potion?"
"That's also the reason why your wolf is black..." I interrupted. "And not a pure white wolf like mine..."
His gaze snapped back to me.
"Her black magic influenced your wolf's magic," I explained. "And it spilled over to Roland's wolf, too."
"What's Alpha Lennox got to do with this?" Serena snapped.
I saw Roland and Fenrir's dark side—the monster that roams inside them. The black magic that consumes their mental sides. They had cooled off over the centuries, probably because Serena didn't feed Harrison more dark potions.
"He and Harrison wolves are brothers—twins, to be exact," I replied. "If you don't believe me, ask Onyx. He mindlinked Fenrir in the forest."
"Only pack members can mindlink one another!" Serena snapped.
Good, at least she knows wolf dynamics.
"And those from twin wolfsouls—" Harrison muttered, wide-eyed, realization hitting him hard.
"Yes," I nodded.
"I didn't know," he said, and I believed him. Harrison was just a pawn in Serena's game.
"To make matters worse," I said. "She made you steal Mother Moon's amulet, hoping it would open the gates to the immortal world. You used Peter to do that.... I assume that he brought the painting with him, correct?"
"It was a transaction," he replied. "Peter needed help to get rid of Anthony."
"Yes, that exchange ultimately resulted in Anthony destroying a human village," I added while observing his reaction. "I assume that wasn't the plan."
"You gave me that potion..." Harrison growled. "You promised that no one would get hurt—it would only sedate Anthony's wolf until the test was done to ensure he wouldn't become Beta."
Serena shrugged.
"I lied," she said.
"She doesn't care about any wolf or the destruction she creates," I said. "She only wants revenge because Barrett rejected her when he found his fated mate..."
Different kinds of emotions crossed Harrison's face: Anger. Betrayal. Sadness.
"I trusted you," he said.
"Now that you know the truth," I said. "There is just one little question I have."
"And that is?" Serena sneered, crossing her arms around her chest.
"Why did you allow Harrison to get close to me if you knew that we would find out the truth?" I asked.