The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

1 was seated in one of the wooden chairs in the cabin, Killian was beside me, Kaiser sat on the table close to the door, and Zena, who | just found out was Kaiser's fated mate, was right opposite us. She was a witch as well who | was grateful to for helping both my brother and Killian.

The cabin was completely quiet as Kai explained everything to me about how he followed Nikolai through the portal into Oasis, meeting Zena and Killian's situation. | had no idea what | had done to save Killian, but whatever it was, | kept thanking the goddess for it.

“Zena had tried to send word out of Oasis, but it's impossible,” Kai said, rubbing his hands together. "We have no idea what's happening on the outside. | can't stop thinking about Leonardo and the others, what exactly happened after Nikolai took you and we jumped right after.”

1 could feel Kai's worry. It was justified. Every single day | also wondered what exactly happened to the others after Nikolai had left with me. Things were pretty bad before Killian died.

Leonardo must be going insane, searching for Kaiser and me, and Morgan had no idea about Killian. What worried me the most was Valerie, there was this sickening feeling in my chest that | couldn't seem to push away. | just hope everyone was alright.

“That's right. Nikolai is channeling the magic of thousands of witches, and that's what is holding this place, and keeping everyone in it. It's impossible to send word out, without Nikolai knowing about it” I told them as | felt Killian's intense stare on me.

“Alright, it's your turn, Sheila,” Killian's deep voice cut through the quiet air. “Tell us exactly what happened,” he asked calmly. Although, everyone could feel the chaos spiraling out of control within him.

I drew in some air, feeling everyone's gaze on me. | didn't even know

where to begin. | got up from my seat, moving to the wooden walls.

“I have no idea what happened after | was taken by Nikolai through the portal. | woke up a few days after, and | had already been marked by Vladimir, and branded with this on my wrist, stripping me off my wolf and magic,” | pulled up the sleeve of my dress, showing them the pyramid symbol. “Nikolai tried to alter my memories with his magic. Vladimir's orders. They wanted to brainwash me, making me believe a twisted lie, and when it didn't work, they tortured me and wouldn't stop until broke. | had no choice but to give in, at least with my sanity still intact. | became what Vladimir wanted me to be, and acted exactly how he wanted.” “Bloody hell, Sheila, | am sorry," Kaiser walked up to me, spreading his arms around me. | could see the pain that filled his depth and before he started feeling all guilty, | made him know none of these was his fault. It was no one’s fault.

| shifted my gaze to Killian who was still seated on the chair, his rich

amber eyes were on me with his emotions raw at the surface. A mixture of rage, pain, and confusion was all | had been feeling from him.

“What do we do now?" Zena broke the lingering silence, asking an important question. What the hell were we going to do now? One thing was certain, we had to figure out how to get out of Oasis before the Blood moon.

“Sheila, you can't go back to the Fortress. If truly Vladimir is starting to suspect you, you are in fucking danger at that bastards side,” Kaiser said, backing against the wall.

I shook my head, about to disagree when Killian's voice filled the room.

“For the first time, | agree with Kaiser. You can't go back to that imbecile,” | could see the rage brewing in Killian's eyes as he tried to contain his emotions.

For a second, | forgot exactly how he must be feeling. | wasn't just being by Vladimir's side; | was living as his mate. | knew more than anyone how excruciating it felt. But if | refused to return to the Fortress, we would only be unleashing hell.

“I hate to admit it, but you are right. That savage beast will find us, and it won't end well” Adie’s voice echoed within me, as she rose to the surface.

“I have to," I said, and Killian ran his fingers through his head in outright disapproval. If | don't go back, Vladimir would turn Oasis upside down, just to find me, and that would endanger every one of us.” “Sheila has a valid point. There's no way she would hide out here without Vladimir finding her or you both,” Thankfully, Zena reasoned with me.

“And I don't plan on hiding. We must figure out how to get out of

here. Things are worse than you imagine here, and it's only a matter of days before everything and everyone we care about outside Oasis suffers the worst fate," | said, as everyone threw confused looks my way.

“What do you mean?" Killian was the first to react.

“Vladimir is planning something evil, and | swear in the goddess’ name it will destroy every one of us," I said, settling on the table close to me.

“Oh fuck! What is that bastard up to now,” Kaiser had started pacing.

I released a breath, and slowly | began to summarize the situation of things in the Dark Circle. “Vladimir is sick and completely evil. His entire plan has been to wipe out every magical being and force that stood against him, starting with the Council and all those affiliated with them. Vladimir was about to unleash a great darkness, one that the prophecy had spoken about in the Crystal stones, and would be

the end of all of us. The Blood moon which is in a few days would help him gain access to this dark magic. He's been searching for a vessel to contain the magic first, and | have been doing all that | can to stop that from happening. But now, | fear that imbecile, Nikolai, has caught on, and he has found a way for Vladimir to gain access to the dark magic using the power of the Blood moon. And Vladimir's victory with the Blood moon will be the beginning of our end.” “What does that mean?" Zena's shocked-filled voice sounded.

“Gaining access to this dark magic is just the beginning. This magic was banished away and imprisoned thousands of years ago by the old Council. Now, Vladimir intends to unleash it, setting it free. And this would require a blood ritual. The old Council managed to imprison this magic by anchoring a blood ritual, sacrificing many lives from different magical kinds. Vladimir will anchor another fucking blood ritual to set it free. And for that, he's planning a war with the

North, but this is only a disguise of what he wants to achieve,” | finished. The air around me was suddenly too cold for my liking.

“Oh, goddess. The Council had to know about this," Killian was up from his chair, stalking closer to me.

“I thought so too, but Vladimir has had a spy all along within the Council” | muttered.

“Leo was right all along,” Kaiser voiced and I nodded. “Do you know who the scoundrel of a traitor is?" “Felix,” | called right away.

Killian gasped in shock. "What?" And a similar shock found Kaiser.

“Felix?” He repeated in disbelief. "Are you sure?" “He attended today's meeting, and Vladimir confirmed it. He's been working for the Dark Circle for a long time, way before the attack on

our pack,” | glanced at Kai's way. "He was the one who informed the Dark Circle about the prophecy, and who | was.” “I swear to all things sacred; | will kill that traitor!” Kaiser was vibrating with a familiar rage, and I didn't doubt his words, not even for a second.

“If there's a traitor within the council, how on earth are we going to let them know what's going on, without this Felix, rattling back to the Dark Circle?” Zena was up from her seat as well.

“We send a message to Leonardo and Morgan and warn them. They will know exactly what to do and apprehend Felix," Killian said, "But the bigger problem is getting that message out.” “There might be a way for that,” Kaiser cut in, and | raised an eyebrow, questioningly.

“But Nikolai—" | started but Kaiser shook his head.

“He doesn't have to know, sister,” His words confused me the most, and before | could ask, Zena did.

“And how will that be possible?” She urged him to continue.

Kaiser took a deep pause, scanning our faces, before sighing. “This is abit risky, but itll work," he finally said, and somehow, | could feel a ray of hope blossom in my chest.