The second encounter was worse.
Amara's POV
The following morning, I woke up with a pounding headache, the weight of yesterday’s practice still clinging to my body like an invisible shroud. I dragged myself to the bathroom, staring at my reflection. My eyes were tired, shadows darkening beneath them. A reminder of how much I had been pushing myself.
The training was taking a toll, but Elian was right. I couldn’t let my emotions control me. The spell wrapped around the Triplets wasn’t just dark magic; it was a web of pain, manipulation, and deception, and I was going to break it, no matter what.
At school, I tried to keep my head low, avoiding unnecessary interactions. My resolve was strong, but I couldn’t deny how much it hurt seeing them every day, acting like completely different people. They weren’t the same Triplets who had once been a part of my life, a part of my heart.
The first encounter happened during lunch. I was sitting alone, picking at my food, when I felt a shadow loom over me. Looking up, I saw Jaxon. His piercing eyes stared at me with a mix of anger and something I couldn’t quite place.
"Did you think you could just walk away from me?" His voice was cold, venom dripping from each word.
I clenched my fists under the table, trying to steady my breathing. "What are you talking about, Jaxon?"
"You’ve been avoiding us," he accused, his tone sharp. "You think you’re better than us now?"
The words stung, but I knew this wasn’t him—not truly. "I’m not avoiding anyone," I said calmly, though my voice wavered slightly. "I just don’t have the energy to deal with your games anymore."
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, his eyes softened, like the real Jaxon was fighting to break through. But then, just as quickly, his expression hardened again. "Pathetic," he muttered before walking away, leaving me sitting there, my chest aching.
The second encounter was worse.
I was in the library, trying to find some peace, when I heard voices behind me. Turning, I saw Ryder and Stephanie standing close—too close. She was laughing, her hand resting on his arm as if they were the best of friends.
Something inside me twisted painfully. I turned back to my book, trying to block them out, but their voices grew louder as they walked toward my table.
"Looks like someone’s all alone again," Stephanie sneered, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.
I ignored her, keeping my eyes on the page, even though I wasn’t reading a single word.
"Amara," Ryder said, his tone low. "We need to talk."
I looked up, meeting his gaze. His eyes held a flicker of the Ryder I used to know, but it was buried deep under the spell’s influence.
"I don’t think there’s anything left to say," I replied, my voice cold.
"Don’t be like that," Stephanie said, sliding into the seat across from me. "Ryder’s just trying to help you. You’re the one who’s been acting so... distant."
My wolf growled inside me, the sound echoing in my head. She’s provoking you. Don’t let her win.
"Get to the point," I snapped, glaring at Ryder. "Why are you even here? To humiliate me again? To defend her?"
His jaw clenched, and for a moment, he looked genuinely conflicted. "Amara, I—"
But Stephanie cut him off, leaning closer to me with a sly smile. "Face it, Amara. You’ve already lost them. You’re nothing but a distraction now."
I stood up abruptly, the chair screeching against the floor. "You don’t get to decide what I am," I said, my voice shaking with suppressed anger. "And you don’t own them, no matter how much you think you do."
Before Stephanie could respond, I grabbed my things and stormed out of the library, my heart pounding.
The day didn’t get any better. Caden ignored me completely, his gaze cold and distant whenever we crossed paths. Even when our eyes met briefly in the hallway, there was no warmth, no recognition. It was like I didn’t exist to him anymore.
By the time I got home, I was drained. Elian was waiting for me in the training room, his expression calm but concerned.
"Again a rough day?" he asked as I walked in.
I nodded, dropping my bag on the floor. "They’re getting worse," I said quietly. "The spell... it’s changing them more every day. I don’t know if I can save them in time."
Elian stepped closer, his presence steadying me. "You’re not weak, Amara. But you need to believe that. If you let doubt consume you, the spell will win."
I took a deep breath, trying to let his words sink in. He was right, but it didn’t make the pain any easier to bear.
"Let’s start," I said, squaring my shoulders. "I don’t have time to waste."
Elian nodded, and we began another intense session, the glow of my magic filling the room as I pushed myself harder than ever. I didn’t care how much it hurt or how tired I was. All I cared about was saving them—no matter what it took.