Chapter 9 Bound By Shadows
Amanda woke early the next morning. Her body ached from restless sleep, but her mind was alert.
She dressed quickly in a simple cream dress and tied her hair back. Then she left her room to explore the estate properly.
In daylight, Nightfang looked different. The stone walls were grand but worn. Paint peeled in corners. Dust gathered on unused furniture. The whole place felt like it was holding its breath. Waiting for something that would never come.
She walked through hallways lined with portraits of Livingstons past. Strong faces. Proud eyes. They seemed to judge her as she passed.
At the end of one hall, she found a sitting room with windows overlooking the gardens. The furniture was covered in white sheets. No one had used this room in years.
Everything about this place felt hollow. Like the heart had been ripped out of it.
Just like Derek.
Amanda turned away from the window and continued exploring.
She passed servants as she walked. Most bowed politely but avoided eye contact. A few whispered to each other after she passed. She caught fragments of their words.
"New Luna."
"Poor thing."
"Doesn't stand a chance."
Amanda kept her head high. She pretended she did not hear.
She found the dining hall. The kitchen. A music room with a piano covered in dust. Each space felt the same. Beautiful but abandoned.
Finally, she stepped outside into the gardens.
The morning air was cool and fresh. It helped clear her head.
The gardens were wild. Overgrown in places. But there was beauty in the chaos. Roses climbed up trellises. Ivy covered stone walls. A fountain sat in the center, though no water flowed from it.
"You must be the new Luna."
Amanda turned.
A young woman stood a few feet away. She looked about Amanda's age. Maybe a year or two older. She had warm brown skin, dark curly hair pulled into a ponytail, and bright hazel eyes. She wore simple training clothes. She carried herself like a warrior.
"I'm Amanda," she said.
"Riley." The woman stepped closer. Her smile was genuine. "I'm part of the pack guard. I've been away on border patrol for the past week. Just got back this morning and heard about the wedding."
"Oh." Amanda was not sure what else to say.
Riley's expression softened. "I'm sorry. That came out wrong. I just meant it was sudden. No one expected it."
"I didn't expect it either," Amanda admitted.
Riley studied her for a moment. Then she gestured toward a stone bench near the fountain. "Want to sit?"
Amanda nodded. They walked over together and sat.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Riley said quietly, "You should know something. Most of the pack isn't happy about this marriage."
Amanda's stomach tightened. "I figured."
"It's not personal. They just don't understand why Alpha Derek agreed to it. And they blame you for accepting."
"Blame me?"
"They think you're trying to claim power you didn't earn." Riley's voice was gentle but honest. "They see you as an outsider. Someone who showed up to take advantage of Derek's weakness."
The words stung. But Amanda appreciated the honesty.
"I didn't want this marriage," she said. "I didn't have a choice."
"I believe you." Riley looked at her directly. "But the others won't. Not unless you prove yourself."
"How do I do that?"
Riley was quiet for a moment. "I don't know. But I'll help however I can."
Amanda felt a wave of gratitude. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet." Riley stood. "This place isn't what it used to be. People are angry. Scared. And they're looking for someone to blame. Just be careful."
With that, Riley walked away.
Amanda sat alone by the fountain. Riley's words echoed in her mind.
They blamed her. They saw her as weak. As someone taking advantage.
But she was not here to claim power. She was here because her family had traded her away.
And now she had a purpose. To help Derek. To free his wolf.
Even if no one believed she could.
Amanda spent the afternoon back in the library.
She pulled books from shelves. She read about pack bonds and wolf magic. About rituals and ceremonies.
But the information she really needed was missing.
Then she noticed something.
A section of shelves at the back of the library was different. The books were older. Dustier. And there was a small iron gate blocking access.
Amanda approached it. The gate was locked with an old padlock.
She reached out to test it.
The moment her fingers touched the metal, her birthmark flared with heat.
Amanda gasped. She pulled her hand back.
The mark beneath her dress glowed faintly. She could feel it through the fabric.
Slowly, she reached out again. This time, she pressed her palm against the lock.
The heat grew stronger. But it did not hurt. It felt purposeful. Like the mark was responding to something.
Then she heard a click.
The padlock opened.
Amanda stared at it. The gate swung open on its own.
She hesitated. Then she stepped through.
The shelves here were filled with ancient texts. Their spines were cracked and faded. Titles written in old languages she barely recognized.
But one book caught her eye.
It was large and bound in dark leather. Gold lettering spelled out the title. "Rituals of Binding and Breaking."
Amanda pulled it from the shelf carefully. She carried it to the nearest table and opened it.
The pages were yellowed and fragile. But the text was clear.
She read about binding rituals. Dark magic used to trap wolves. To sever the bond between man and beast.
Her heart pounded as she turned page after page.
Then she found it.
A section titled "The Alpha Binding."
"An Alpha's wolf is the strongest of all," the text read. "To bind such a creature requires immense power. The ritual must be performed during the full moon. In a place of sacred energy. And it requires a blood sacrifice."
Amanda's breath caught.
"The sacrifice must come from someone the Alpha trusts completely. Only then can the bond be severed. The wolf will remain alive but trapped. Lost in shadow. Unable to reach its human counterpart."
Her hands shook as she read further.
"The binding can only be broken by one who carries the gift of the Curse-Breaker. They must enter the place where the ritual was performed. They must face the darkness that holds the wolf. And they must be willing to risk their own life to free it."
Amanda sat back. Her mind raced.
Someone Derek trusted had betrayed him. Had helped bind his wolf during the ritual hunt three years ago.
But who?
And how was she supposed to break a curse that powerful?
She was about to read more when she heard a sound behind her.
Footsteps.
Amanda spun around.
Silas stood in the doorway. His arms were crossed. His expression was unreadable.
"Interesting reading material for a new bride," he said.
Amanda's heart hammered. She did not know what to say.
Silas walked into the room. His eyes moved from her to the open book on the table.
"How did you get in here?" he asked. His voice was calm. But there was an edge to it.