The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

I was dying to see her after she's been caught and thrown in the dungeon in a state worse than a prisoner.

But | just couldn't be careless and get caught.

Killian had eyes on the dungeon and I couldn't risk getting caught.

50, 1 had no choice but to wait until there was a shift in the guards, before the first light of dawn.

I had volunteered to keep watch over Thea's dungeon with a few warriors. After a while of guarding outside the dungeon, | turned to the warriors and told them I had to go check on the prisoner.

1 pulled the large dungeon doors open, stalking through the narrow passage down to where another tall door was.

Gently, I unlocked it open with a spare key, jerking it open and my eyes instantly fell on my mate. It broke my heart completely to see her confined against the chair like some kind of monster.

I walked in, but her eyes were closed. As if sensing my presence, she

breathed out.

“What the hell are you doing here?" She bit out ragingly, almost annoyed.

“It hurts me to see you like this, Thea, especially not in the condition you are in. Remember you are still expecting my child—" | started, but before | could go any further, she hushed me immediately.

“Enough of that same old nonsense. Don't you know Killian is dying to find out who my fucking lover is? What rubbish idea was this, coming here” She shot back coldly as usual. Her words pierced my heart.

My wolf couldn't stand it. | didn't know which was worse, seeing her in this condition or knowing deep down she really didn't care about me the way | do. But regardless, she was my destined mate and if this was the curse | had to bear, then | had no choice.

“I could set you free. The warriors on duty will be easy to dismiss.

Before Killian finds out we are gone, we'd already left the capital, and crossed over to another region,” | suggested like I'd done countless

times, but my words were only greeted by a cold grunt.

“Seriously, again with that nonsense. So, your big plan is to escape? | can't believe this rubbish!” She sounded harsh. “I've been fucking caught. And Killian has found out everything about me. Every single thing. Do you think this is the best time to turn back now?" She was yelling, and I was thankful for the long hallways before the main dungeon gate, at least, no one could hear us.

“Lower your voice," | uttered but she didn't listen, and continued when I was obviously not going to respond to her question.

“No. This isn't the best time to back out now. More than ever, | want Killian to pay for everything he's done, and for putting me in here like 1 was some kind of bloody, disgusting wolft” She was vibrating with rage and dark hatred. "I will see to it that that bastard pays for what he's done to me, and for that, you will help me,” she paused when | didn't say anything. “I am your fucking mate, so you have no choice but to help me, otherwise, your stupid Alpha is going to kill me and your sweet child."

linhaled deeply. | didn't want to put my pup in harm's way. Never.

“What do you need?" Her dark smile appeared. “Firstly, | need Lucius," she voiced. “I can't use any magic here, so I'l have to wait. Send word to Lucius. Tell him about my situation.” “Lucius will attack, Thea. This will be an all-out war, many people will lose their lives,” | said. Thea was my mate, but | couldn't deny this was my pack as well. And many would not survive this.

“What the heck is your problem? Must you seriously complain about everything?" Her smile vanished from her lips, and only rage reflected in her brown eyes. “To hell with these flimsy emotions. It's either those bloody wolves you call family or your actual family which is me, and don't forget your child too. If you really want the family you want, help me destroy Killian. It doesn't matter who he is to you, remember this child and | come first." “And the second thing you need?" | questioned, after long seconds of thinking. | rubbed my palm against my face. Thea's sick smile returned. And | knew whatever was brewing in her mind was

something wicked and dark.

“I need you to send a word to them,” she counted her words cautiously, smiling in such a dark, yet beautiful way.

I creased my brows. "Who's them?" It was as the words left my lips, | realized who ‘them’ was. It was the Dark Circle. Thea has been trying to send word to them that Sheila was right here in Killian's pack, but since no one knows the true location of the Dark Lord himself, that was next to impossible. But she found a way to reach out to him through affliated kingdoms and packs that are a member of the circle. This was not good in any way.

“No, Thea. It's one thing for Lucius to attack with his army and it's another thing to bring them here,” | moved closer to her. That would be a fatal disaster.

“I agree with you. Lucius is here to make Killian suffer, while she will experience a far worse fate in their hands,” she was smiling as if imagining it all.

“You are crazy," | voiced out, backing against the wall.

“Yes, but I'm still your destined mate. Never forget that!" she forced through gritted teeth and I sighed, wondering why the goddess had resigned me to this fate.

“Can't we just leave Luna out of this?" | asked, and Thea's angry brown flames ignited in her eyes.

“That bitch is the reason | am locked here. She has to pay for everything. And besides, she's the perfect punishment for Killian. It'll hurt him badly,” she spoke emotionlessly.

“Thea, mates aren't tools for punishment. | know Killian killed your parents but it wasn't his fault. Thane was as crazy as Nell—" | began but was cut off by Thea as her loud shrill pierced through my words.

“Shut that hole you call a fucking mouth! I can't believe you, of all people, would say that to me. You know exactly what I've been through,” there was an instant tug in my chest, seeing the tears that gathered in Thea's eyes.

That look was the same she wore the day she appeared at the pack,

looking as though she was being chased. | had to find out through the worst possible way that my mate was the gifted one destined to stand next to Killian and free us from the curse.

I couldn't live with that. | knew I had to tell Killian Thea was my mate, but when | met with her at her chamber. She insisted | didn't. She wanted Killian by her side at all costs. Then she told me her story and made me choose. It was either | helped her, or she would kill herself the instant Killian had an idea who she was. And | chose her.

I knew that was stupid, standing against my family. But | had no choice. Thea was my mate, and | was compelled to help her.

“I know," 1 replied to her, gently, pulling my hand to her bruised face and blood-smeared neck.

She winced in pain at my touch. "Your supposed family, Killian, did that to me. Would Killian be okay if someone had done this to his mate?" Another round of spark ignited in her eyes.

“That's enough, Thea. Just promise me one thing," | said and she

almost rolled her eyes as if knowing what | was about to say. But | didn't care. | continued. "As soon as all this is over, we are leaving, Thea. For good. | swear, you, our pup, and | will start a new life, together,” I crouched next to her chair.

She nodded, "Whatever you say, mate. Just do as | say first” “Alright,” I was up, stalking the humid and cold floors of the dungeon.

“And the court? Has Killian and those imbeciles decided on my fate yet?" She asked and | drew in a quick breath.

I didn't want to think about that. | couldn't bear the thought of them deciding to execute Thea. They would, if the situation was different and Thea wasn't pregnant. But I'm hoping they don't.

I know Killian, and he wasn't so heartless to murder an innocent child, regardless of what Thea has done.

“No. Hopefully, they ll settle on a lighter punishment,” | said, moving to the door. | peeked outside at the narrow passage. There was no one there.

I turned to Thea. "I have to go,” I said, regretfully.

“Whatever, just make sure you don't fail me,” she muttered, shutting her eyes closed.

1 sighed, exiting the dungeon. Frankly, Thea was utterly right.

Sometimes these mate bonds were a curse in itself.