Chapter 11 Eyes in the Dark
Morning light spilled through Amanda’s window. She woke with a start, her body still aching from the night before.
The birthmark on her shoulder pulsed faintly, a dull reminder of the power that had rushed through her. Power she didn’t yet understand.
She dressed slowly in a simple white dress, her hands shaking as she buttoned it.
A knock came at her door.
When she opened it, a young servant girl stood there.The same one who had brought her tea on her first day.
“Your husband requests your presence in his study, my lady.”
The word husband felt strange. Cold. Like it belonged to someone else’s life.
Amanda’s stomach tightened. “Now?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Amanda nodded, and the girl hurried off.
She took a deep breath and made her way through the halls.
The estate looked different in daylight.Less shadowed, but no less watchful. Servants paused when she passed, whispering behind her back. Their eyes followed her like ghosts in the corridor.
She reached Derek’s study and knocked.
“Come in.”
Amanda pushed the door open.
Derek stood by the window, his back to her. He wore dark pants and a white shirt, his posture tense and sharp.
“Close the door,” he said.
She obeyed and stepped inside. Silence hung between them.
Derek didn’t turn right away. When he finally did, his eyes were cool but not cruel,guarded, like he was studying a stranger he was forced to live with.
“Explain what you did,” he said. “The truth.”
Amanda swallowed hard. “I told you, I don’t fully understand it myself.”
“Try.”
She moved closer to his desk but kept a careful distance. “The mark on my shoulder appeared when I was sixteen. It burns when dark magic is near. When I touch someone who’s cursed. I can feel it, and sometimes, I can fight it.”
“Did your family know?”
Amanda’s jaw tightened. “No. They never cared enough to notice. I kept it hidden. I didn’t understand what it meant until recently.”
Derek studied her. “You’re a Curse-Breaker.”
“I think so, yes.”
“Those are myths. Stories from the old times.”
“So are people who survive having their wolves bound.” She met his eyes. “But you did.”
Derek looked away. His hands gripped the edge of the desk.
“You touched me, and I felt my wolf,” he said softly. “That hasn’t happened in three years.”
“I know.”
“Raze was there. Present. Strong.” His voice broke slightly. “I thought I’d never feel that again.”
Amanda took a small step closer. “He’s still there, Derek. Trapped, but alive. And he’s fighting to reach you.”
“The binding is too strong.”
“Not if we work together.”
Derek was silent for a long moment. Then he gave a slow nod. “I want you to try again.”
Relief washed through her. “When?”
“Tonight. After the pack dinner. We’ll do it in private.”
“Alright.”
But his expression hardened again. He stepped back, putting space between them.
“This doesn’t change anything between us.”
The words cut deep, but Amanda didn’t let it show.
“I understand.”
“This marriage was arranged. Neither of us wanted it,” Derek said, his voice cold. “You help me free my wolf. That’s all this is. A transaction.”
Amanda lifted her chin. “Of course. I wouldn’t expect anything more from a husband who was forced to marry me.”
Derek’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
“We’re done here,” Amanda said, and left before he could answer.
Her hands shook as she walked back through the halls. She told herself his coldness didn’t matter. That he was just protecting himself.
But it still hurt.
She was his wife in name only. A stranger bound to him by family politics.
Nothing more.
Amanda spent the afternoon in her room, the stolen ritual book open on her lap. The words swam before her eyes.
She couldn’t stop thinking about Derek’s voice, the way he had reminded her what they really were. Strangers.
And she couldn’t stop thinking about Raze,the wolf trapped in darkness, fighting for air.
A knock came at her door.
A young man stood there, about her age. Sandy hair, hazel eyes, a kind smile that didn’t reach all the way.
“You must be Amanda. Derek’s wife. I’m Jayson, his cousin.”
“Oh.” Amanda stepped aside. “Come in.”
Jayson entered but stayed close to the door. His eyes flicked around her room before settling on her.
“I heard what happened last night,” he said.
Amanda stiffened. “Who told you?”
“The servants talk. Word travels fast here.” His smile faded. “Is it true? You touched him and he felt his wolf?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
Amanda hesitated. She didn’t know if she could trust him. But he was family.
“I can sense dark magic. Sometimes, I can push back against it.”
Jayson’s eyes widened. “You’re a Curse-Breaker.”
“That’s what Derek said.”
“Those are rare,” Jayson said softly. “Do you really think you can help him?”
“I’m going to try.”
“But what if it makes things worse?” His voice dropped. “Derek’s been through so much already. Losing his wolf. This marriage. Watching his father struggle. If something goes wrong, it could destroy him.”
“I know the risks.”
“Do you?” His voice sharpened. “Do you know what it’s like to watch someone fade for three years? To see them lose everything that made them who they were? Derek was strong. Now he’s barely holding on.”
Amanda’s chest tightened. “Then let me help him.”
“It’s not that simple.” Jayson rubbed his neck. “Alpha Victor doesn’t trust easily. Neither does the pack. They see you as an outsider. Someone forced on Derek when he was weakest. They think you’re here to use him.”
“I didn’t choose this marriage either.”
“I know. But it doesn’t matter,” Jayson said quietly. “Some are saying you use dark magic. That you’re dangerous. That Derek should’ve refused the union.”
“I’m not using dark magic. I’m fighting it.”
“I believe you,” he said. “But others don’t. They’re scared. And fear turns into hate fast.” He met her eyes. “I want to trust you. I really do. But if you hurt him, the pack won’t forgive you. Neither will I.”
He left without waiting for a reply.
Amanda stood there, her hands trembling. Surrounded by doubt. By whispers. By people waiting for her to fail.
But she couldn’t stop now.
Derek needed her, even if he’d never say it.
Dinner that evening was tense.
Alpha Victor sat at the head of the long table. Derek sat to his right. Amanda’s seat was far down, away from both of them.
The message was clear.
Silas sat beside Derek. Jayson sat across from Amanda. No one spoke. The sound of silverware against plates filled the silence.
Amanda could feel their stares. Their judgment.
She kept her head down and ate quietly.
Derek barely touched his food. He looked exhausted.
Alpha Victor’s gaze drifted between them. Amanda couldn’t read him, but she felt his disapproval like a shadow over her.
When the meal ended, Derek stood. “Come with me.”
Amanda followed him through the halls. The walk was silent, heavy.
At his study door, Derek unlocked it and gestured for her to enter.
Amanda stepped inside. He closed the door and faced her.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
He hesitated, then gave a short nod. “Alright. Let’s do this.”
Amanda’s heart pounded. The mark on her shoulder burned hot. She reached out slowly. Derek’s body tensed but he didn’t move.
Her hands pressed against his chest.
Power rushed through her again, bright and fierce.
But this time it felt steadier.
She closed her eyes and reached deeper. Past his pain. Past his fear. Past everything he used to hide.
She found Raze.
The wolf was bound, trapped in chains of dark magic, but the chains were cracking.
“I see you, Raze.”
The wolf stirred. Hope, pain, and loneliness surged through her.
“I’m going to help you,” she whispered.
Derek gasped. His hands gripped her arms. “Don’t stop. Please.”
Amanda pushed harder. The light grew brighter.
The binding weakened further.
Raze was close, so close to breaking through.
Derek leaned forward until his forehead almost touched hers. “I can feel him,” he breathed. “He’s right there.”
“I know. Hold on.”
Then everything shifted.
Her birthmark burned hot, too hot. Not the healing warmth from before. This was sharp, searing.
Amanda cried out and pulled her hands back. She stumbled, and Derek caught her.
“Amanda, what’s wrong?”
“Someone’s watching,” she gasped. “Someone knows what I’m doing.”
Derek’s arms tightened around her. “How?”
Her hand went to her shoulder. The mark blazed under her skin. “I don’t know. But it’s dark magic. They’re tracking me.”
Derek’s jaw tensed. He helped her to a chair.
“Then we find out who.”
Amanda nodded weakly. Fear coiled in her stomach.
Whoever was watching her was powerful.
And they didn’t want her to succeed.