Chapter 5 Chapter 5: No Longer Invisible

She read hungrily. Her hands trembled.

Among the rarest of gifts, the Curse-Breaker bloodline was thought to be lost to time. Those who carried this gift could sense dark magic, could see the chains that bound others, could unravel curses that others deemed permanent.

The mark of the Curse-Breaker: a crescent moon that glows in the presence of dark magic.

Amanda's hand flew to her collarbone.

Her birthmark. The thing she'd always hidden, always dismissed as nothing special.

It was a Curse-Breaker's mark.

She kept reading. Her pulse raced.

The bloodline shall wake when darkness needs undoing. When chains must be broken and wolves must be freed. The Curse-Breaker will know their calling by the howl that pierces their soul.

The howl.

The vision.

Everything clicked into place.

Amanda closed the book carefully and held it against her chest.

She wasn't just being thrown away. She wasn't just a bargaining chip.

She had a purpose.

The Council Hall stood on neutral ground, exactly halfway between Nightfang and Emberfang territories.

It was ancient stone and towering columns. It had been built generations ago when the packs were allies instead of reluctant neighbors.

Tonight, it would host the pre-wedding dinner.

Amanda stood in front of her bedroom mirror. She adjusted her dress for the third time.

The deep green fabric was simple but elegant. Her mother had picked it out, muttering something about "at least looking presentable."

Her hands shook as she fastened a necklace. It hid her birthmark.

In less than an hour, she would meet Derek Livingston.

The man she would marry in two weeks.

"Amanda!" Clarissa's sharp voice cut through the door. "We're leaving in five minutes. Don't be late."

"Coming," Amanda called back.

She took one last look at herself. Her chestnut hair was pinned back. Her hazel eyes looked too wide, too nervous.

She looked like exactly what she was. A girl walking into a trap.

Amanda grabbed her small clutch and headed downstairs.

The ride to Council Hall was silent.

Amanda sat across from Lena, who looked radiant in a silver dress that screamed luxury. Her sister kept checking her reflection in a compact mirror. She adjusted her hair, her makeup, her smile.

"Remember," Clarissa said as they approached. "This dinner is important. Be polite. Be quiet. Don't embarrass us."

Amanda nodded. Her throat was too tight for words.

Lucian said nothing. His eyes were fixed out the window.

When they arrived, the Livingston family was already there.

Amanda's heart hammered as she stepped out of the car.

The massive doors of Council Hall stood open. Warm light spilled out into the evening.

Her father led them inside.

The main dining room was stunning. High ceilings. Gleaming glass pendants. A long table set with porcelain plates and polished silver.

And standing near the fireplace, speaking quietly with an older man, was Derek Livingston.

Amanda's breath caught.

Even from across the room, he was striking.

Tall and broad-shouldered, with dark hair that fell messily across his forehead. His gray eyes were distant, guarded, but they carried an intensity that made her pulse quicken.

He wore a dark suit that fit him perfectly, though he looked uncomfortable in it.

This was the golden heir everyone mourned.

Even broken, he commanded attention.

As if sensing her stare, Derek's eyes suddenly found hers.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other.

Amanda felt something shift in her chest. Recognition, maybe. Or destiny.

But then Derek's gaze moved past her. He dismissed her as quickly as he'd noticed her.

The rejection stung more than it should have.

"Ah, the Kingswells!" Victor Livingston approached. His hand was extended. He looked older than his photos. Silver streaked his hair. Lines were etched deep around his eyes. "Thank you for coming."

"Victor." Lucian shook his hand. All business. "Shall we begin?"

Introductions were made. Brief. Formal. Cold.

When it was Amanda's turn to meet Derek, he barely glanced at her.

"Miss Kingswell," he said. His voice was flat.

"Mr. Livingston." Amanda's voice came out quieter than she intended.

They shook hands briefly. His grip was firm but impersonal, like he was checking a box on a list.

Then he turned away, and Amanda was left standing there. Dismissed.

"Derek," Lena purred, stepping forward. "It's so wonderful to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you."

Derek's expression shifted slightly. Not quite a smile, but warmer than he'd been with Amanda.

"Miss Kingswell." He took Lena's offered hand and held it a moment longer than necessary. "The pleasure is mine."

Lena laughed. The sound was musical and practiced. "Please, call me Lena. We're going to be family, after all."

She said it like Amanda wasn't standing right there.

Like she wasn't the one marrying him.

Amanda's hands clenched at her sides.

"Shall we sit?" Victor gestured to the table.

Everyone moved to their assigned seats.

Amanda found herself positioned across from Derek, with Lena conveniently placed beside him.

Perfect.

A distinguished-looking man with silver hair sat at the head of the table. He watched the proceedings with interest.

"For those who don't know," Victor said, gesturing to the man, "this is Councilor Marwick. He'll be officiating the ceremony."

Marwick nodded. His sharp eyes took in every detail. "I'm honored to witness this union. It's been too long since our packs have been properly allied."

"Indeed," Lucian agreed. "This marriage will strengthen both Nightfang and Emberfang."

Marriage. Union. Alliance.

No one said love. No one even said partnership.

This was business, pure and simple.

Dinner was served, and conversation flowed around Amanda like she wasn't there.

Lucian and Victor discussed territory boundaries and trade agreements.

Clarissa talked about wedding arrangements, though she barely looked at Amanda while doing so.

And Lena... Lena focused entirely on Derek.

"So tell me," Lena said, leaning slightly toward him. "What do you like to do for fun? When you're not busy with pack business, I mean."

Derek's jaw tightened slightly. "I don't have much time for fun these days."

"Oh, that's such a shame." Lena touched his arm lightly. "A man like you should enjoy life more. Maybe after the wedding, we could all go riding together? I'd love to see Nightfang territory."

"Perhaps," Derek said noncommittally.

But he didn't pull away from her touch.

Amanda pushed food around her plate. Her appetite was gone.

She tried to catch Derek's eye, to say something, anything, but he never looked at her.

It was like she was invisible.

Again.

"Amanda," Clarissa's sharp tone cut through her thoughts. "Councilor Marwick asked you a question."

Amanda looked up, startled. "I'm sorry, I didn't..."

"I asked if you're prepared for the responsibilities of being a Luna," Marwick said kindly, but his eyes were assessing.

Every conversation at the table stopped.

Everyone turned to look at her.

Amanda's throat went dry. "I... yes. I'll do my best to serve the pack."

"Your best," Derek muttered, so quietly only those closest could hear.

But Amanda heard it.

She heard the doubt. The dismissal.

"I'm sure Amanda will adapt," Victor said diplomatically. "The Kingswell line is strong."

"Lena's certainly proven that," Clarissa added, smiling at her older daughter. "She's had multiple offers from prominent Alphas."

"Mother," Lena said with false modesty. But she was glowing under the praise.

"It's true," Clarissa continued. "We had to turn down three different proposals for her. But Amanda..." She waved her hand vaguely. "Well, this arrangement works well for everyone."

The implication was clear.

No one else wanted Amanda.

Derek's expression darkened, but not with sympathy. With resignation.

Like he'd just been reminded of exactly what he was getting.

Amanda excused herself quietly. "May I use the restroom?"

No one seemed to care. Clarissa waved her away.

Amanda walked quickly from the dining room. Her eyes were burning.

She wouldn't cry. She wouldn't hand them her pain.

But she needed air. Space. Anything to escape the suffocating weight of everyone's disappointment.

She found a quiet corridor lined with windows overlooking the gardens.

She leaned against the cool stone wall and pressed her hands to her face.

Two weeks. She had to endure two weeks of this, and then a lifetime.

"Two weeks married to a mouse. This is my life now."

Derek's voice drifted from around the corner.

Amanda froze.

"It's not that bad," Silas replied. "She seems... nice."

"Nice." Derek laughed bitterly. "She barely said two words all dinner. She just sat there, looking terrified. I'm supposed to build a life with someone who can't even hold a conversation?"

"Maybe she's nervous."

"Maybe she's exactly what she appears to be. Nothing." Derek's voice was cold. "No presence. No strength. No fire. Just a scared little mouse her family is throwing away."

Amanda's nails bit into her palms.

Something inside her cracked.

Not with pain. Not with shame.

With anger.

She was tired. Tired of being dismissed. Tired of being overlooked. Tired of everyone acting like she was nothing.

She had a Curse-Breaker's mark. She had a gift. She had seen his wolf when no one else could.

She wasn't nothing.

And she was done being treated like it.

Amanda straightened and smoothed her dress. She wouldn't confront Derek now. Not here with Silas present.

But she wouldn't hide anymore either.

When the time came, she would show him exactly what he'd underestimated.