chapter 12: mark of the curse

The air in the warehouse was thick with tension, the scent of fear and adrenaline mingling with the metallic tang of weapons. Damien’s massive, wolf-like form loomed over the hunters, his golden eyes blazing with fury. Sofia stood by his side, her heart racing but her resolve unshaken. She could feel the weight of Jake’s gaze on her, his obsession now boiling over into something darker, more volatile.

“You think you can protect her?, just because you got married to her?” Jake sneered, his voice dripping with malice. “She’s not yours to save, Damien. She’s mine, I only made a mistake once , but I will do whatever it takes to get her back.”

Sofia’s stomach churned at the words, but she refused to let Jake see her falter. She took a step forward, her Louboutins clicking sharply against the concrete floor.

“I’m not anyone’s property, Jake,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.

“You lost any claim to me the moment you betrayed me.”

Jake’s smirk faltered, but only for a moment. His eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer, his movements deliberate, almost predatory.

“You don’t know what you’re playing with, Sofia. Damien’s world is a curse, and you’re just a pawn in it.”

Behind her, Damien let out a low growl, the sound vibrating through her chest. “Stay away from her,” he warned, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to shake the very air.

But Jake didn’t stop. He took another step, his eyes locked on Sofia’s. “You’re changing, aren’t you?” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I can see it in your eyes. You’re becoming one of them.”

Sofia’s breath hitched, her hand instinctively moving to her arm where an odd, tingling sensation had begun to spread. She glanced down, her heart skipping a beat as she saw it—a faint, glowing mark etched into her skin, intricate and pulsing with an otherworldly light. “What… what is this?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Damien’s growl deepened, and he moved to shield her from Jake’s view. “It’s the mark of the curse,” he said, his voice heavy with regret. “Your transformation is accelerating.”

Sofia’s head snapped up, her eyes locking with Damien’s. “What does that mean? Am I…?”

He didn’t answer right away, his gaze filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination. “You could be the key to breaking the curse,” he said finally. “But it’s dangerous. It could cost you everything—your humanity, your life.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Sofia felt the weight of them settle on her chest, but before she could respond, Jake’s laughter cut through the silence. “Oh, how poetic,” he sneered. “The cursed beast and his sacrificial lamb. But don’t worry, Sofia. I won’t let him destroy you. I’ll save you, even if I have to tear him apart to do it.”

Sofia’s eyes narrowed, her fear giving way to anger. “You don’t get to save me, Jake,” she spat, her voice trembling with emotion. “You lost that right when you decided to hurt me. You’re not a hero—you’re just a coward hiding behind lies.”

Jake’s expression twisted, his anger flaring. “You’ll regret this, Sofia,” he hissed. “You don’t know what I’m capable of.”

Before she could respond, Damien’s voice cut in, low and dangerous. “Enough.” His golden eyes burned with intensity as he stepped forward, his massive form casting a shadow over Jake. “You’ve made your threats. Now, leave. Before I make you.”

Jake hesitated, his eyes darting between Sofia and Damien. For a moment, it seemed like he would back down, but then his lips curled into a cruel smile. “This isn’t over,” he said, his voice dripping with venom. “You’ll see. Both of you.”

With that, he turned and strode out of the warehouse, his footsteps echoing in the silence. Sofia watched him go, her chest heaving with breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. As soon as he was out of sight, she turned to Damien, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

“What’s happening to me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “This mark… this curse… what does it mean?”

Damien’s expression softened, and he reached out to gently cup her face in his hand. His touch was warm, comforting, and for a moment, it made her forget the chaos around them. “It’s complicated,” he said quietly. “But I promise you, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you.”

Sofia leaned into his touch, her heart aching with a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite name. “What if it’s not enough?” she asked, her voice trembling. “What if I lose myself?”

Damien’s thumb brushed gently over her cheek, his eyes searching hers. “You won’t,” he said firmly. “I won’t let that happen. You’re stronger than you think, Sofia. But we need to act fast. There’s a way to break the curse, but it’s dangerous. Are you willing to take that risk?”

Sofia hesitated, her mind racing. The thought of losing her humanity, of becoming something she didn’t understand, terrified her. But the idea of living under the shadow of the curse, of being hunted for the rest of her life, was equally terrifying. She looked up at Damien, her resolve hardening.

“Yes,” she said firmly. “Tell me what we need to do.”

Damien nodded, his expression serious. “There’s a ritual,2 rituals” he began, his voice low. “the first is An ancient, shamanic rite that could break the curse. But it will require you to face your darkest fears, to confront the parts of yourself that you’ve buried.”

Sofia swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. “And what if I can’t do it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Damien’s hand tightened around hers, his gaze unwavering. “You can,” he said firmly. “And I’ll be there with you every step of the way.”

She nodded, her breath shaky but her resolve unbroken. “Then let’s do it,” she said. “Let’s break this curse.”

But even as the words left her lips, a cold shiver ran down her spine. She could feel the mark on her skin pulsing, almost as if it were alive. And in the back of her mind, a voice whispered, a voice that was both foreign and disturbingly familiar.

You can’t escape me, Sofia. I am you.