The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

Sheila's point of view

| released a small whooshing of air from my lungs as Leonardo's words rang in my ears and made a crack in my

chest, allowing so much pain in my soul.

When the truth was summed up in those words, | realized it wasn't anything. | shut my eyes closed, and still,

those treacherous tears managed to sneak past the jammed gate of my eyes, rolling down my cheeks.

"You heard," | said in a careless whisper, knowing his spies at Killian's pack must have known as well. It wouldn't

take long before the whole Capital learns of this as well.

"I keep my men there to know everything that has to do with my sister," his voice beclow and soft. "That

bastard is having a pup with his lover, is that okay with you?"

No. I hated it. | wanted to murder both that bitch and Killian. | wanted to do everything to vent the pain | felt. But

I knew Killian also felt the spain, we were mates after all.

| was up from the chair, ambling to the tall window, my hands hugged my arms tightly.

"What do you want, Sheila? Just say it and | swear | would have both Killian's and that bitch’s head before you—"

Leonardo was cut off instantly by Denise.

"Enough, Leo. It's her mate you are talking about," Denise rose to my defense.

| couldn't bear to see Killian hurt. But just the thought of having Thea dead gavea terrifying satisfaction. |

should have killed her a long tago when | had the chance.

| felt Leonardo's presence behind me. "I apologize for my words. | just hate to see those gazes of yours in pain."

The tears that gathered in my eyes rushed for freedom, as Leonardo's arms coveredand | broke more into

tears.

"I hate that bastard, but | care more about you. And | always will. Take your tand make your decision. You

could stay here, no one recklessly wanders on this floor," he said. And that was exactly what | needed. Tto

think.

| could barely eat a mussel at dinner, and after | was done, Denise showedaround. And after many years, |

took the opportunity to visit my mother and father's chamber. It looked the same. My brothers hadn't changed

anything at all. | could still feel their warmth and scent.

| walked out of the chamber, and Denise showedto my chamber. It was the sfor fourteen years, it was

the one | made use of when | was a child before the goddess decided to cursefor eternity.

As soon as | was left alone, | crawled under the covers, staring at the window, lost in deep thoughts. | had no

idea when | fell asleep. But | woke up to a sweet tingling feeling. So alien, and it made my body feel differently.

ork

| stirred on the bed, placing my hand on the large hand that covered my waist. | felt hot flaming kisses at the

crook of my neck. It gavea different feel from the one | was accustomed to, somewhat addictive, and | found

myself flinging my head backward, moaning.

| turned on the bed, and immediately, my lips were engulfed by his and my body responded to his. | kissed him

back as roughly as he did, feeling an unfamiliar feeling in my chest. His lips left mine and began kissing my neck

down to my chest, while my hands worked on his body, caressing every muscle of his. He kept on the assault on

my body until abruptly my eyes fluttered on the tall mirror near the bed.

My eyes went round, enlarging as | saw my reflection in the mirror staring back at me. It wasbut at the same

time, it wasn't me. She looked likeand had my appearance, but those depths of hers were covered by

frightening darkness.

| jerked on the bed, and my eyes fell on the man before me. It wasn't Killian. | felt my heart beat faster in my

ears, as his piercing golden eyes regardedamusingly. They were terrifying.

| attempted to leave the bed, but his strong arms confined me, pinningdown on the bed. "Not too fast, little

witch, you are mine," he muttered with a sickening, devilish smirk.

| wrestled against his strength, and just then, | noticed the black-inked symbol that covered a portion of his

chest. And | froze. | recognized the symbol, even Killian's father, Nell Reid had one engraved on his wrist that

night. It was a dragon symbol of the Dark Circle.

My eyes went up to meet him, studyingwith so much fascination. They were bold, and somehow | knew who

he was. He was the Dark Lord himself, the one after my life.

My eyes widened the more as | screamed, jerking up from the bed, and instantly my eyes fell on the shadow of

someone leaning against the wall. My screaming intensified, causing the fire to break out uncontrollably around

my chamber using my magic.

The figure hurried to me, despite the fire that had begun to burn profusely, and its bright flilluminated him

perfectly.

My eyes narrowed, and | killed the blazing flames instantly before he got hurt. "Damn it, Kaiser. Don't fucking

scarelike that," | screamed, feeling the beads of sweat on my forehead and neck.

"Are you alright?" He spoke hastily. | brushed back the locks of hair that carelessly stuck to my face.

I nodded, hearing Kaiser exhale in relief.

"Did you have a bad dream?" My eyes met Kaiser's deep hazel at his question and | nodded again.

| glanced around the chamber, and my eyes fell on the tall mirror near the bed, remembering what seemed like a

dream seconds ago, but somehow, | was convinced it wasn't.

It felt like it was a dream, but at the stfelt so real, almost as if he was here, the Dark Lord. It was him, |

didn't know how | knew, but strangely it was as if | recognized him.

| rubbed my palm against my face, meeting Kaiser's worried eyes. "I am fine, Kai."

I pulled up from the bed, repairing the damage the fire had made with my magic. | turned to find Kaiser's

scrutinizing eyes on me.

"I heard about what happened with that imbecile," he began and | was about to speak but he pulled his hands

up. "Leonardo askednot to murder him," he said, "yet."

And | sighed. "Thank you," | embraced him. "What are you doing here? | thought you left with Valerie?"

Kaiser's face becserious. "I did, and we are back," he said, moving to the door.

"What happened?" | asked, following his movements. Then his eyes met mine.

"We will talk about it later," | was familiar with those words. It's either he doesn't want to talk about it, or

whatever it was, was bad. "Leo is waiting for us," Kai informed, and ledout of my chamber, to the private

dining hall on the top floor. We went in and found Leonardo waiting for us with his beta, Jensen, and a man

dressed in black. A witch, I felt his magic. They lowered their heads to us, before exiting the private hall.

"What's going on?" | asked, taking a seat beside Leonardo.

"It's Lucius, he was sighted in the West region," Leonardo said.

"What is he doing there?" | shuffled on my chair.

"We don't know, and my men lost him, but it seems he has an ally Pack there," Leonardo muttered.

"That's true. Lucius has people there that he could ask help from," | said, "And | know he won't just give up after

his pack was conquered, he'll be back for revenge and will cafter the Crescent North Pack,"

"Well, good riddance," Kaiser uttered. "He'll be dumb to cafter us. Killian's pack may be one of the largest in

the whole of North Central, but Lucius isn't stupid to wage war against our resources,"

| clasped my fingers together, I'll have to send word to Killian and warn him. | didn't know when I'll be back in the

pack.

| broke out of my thoughts as my eyes fell on Leonardo. "What happened at the Council meeting?"

"They are still crazily searching for you and they sent sof the Council's army to infiltrate spacks and

kingdoms in alliance with the Dark Circle, to get a location," Kaiser summarized.

| felt my chest tighten, shaking my thoughts off from the dream I had of that man | had never seen. The manner

in his eyes regardedmadecringe, and | hated the alien and unfamiliar feeling that blossomed in my «

chest at his touch. I hated it.