The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

It was already morning, and the sun appeared above the Eastern horizon. | moved past the bloody mess on the ground, scattered around the pack. Lifeless bodies of Lucius's army of both rogues and witches. More than half of his army was all dead, few escaped while a few were taken as prisoners.

Lucius was dead. His death gave me great joy and satisfaction. Finally, he was able to pay for every damned wrong he did to Sheila.

I felt a rush of calmness within me. We did not only win the war Lucius started, but we also managed to put an end to the terrible things that had been occurring in the pack, along with Thea.

1 left the castle and joined Morgan at the Packhouse where the warriors were disposing of the bodies.

“How are things going?" | turned to Morgan whose green eyes were already on me.

“The outcome is better than | had imagined. We lost a few warriors, while the wounded ones are being taken care of by the Pack's physician, and the witches,” he voiced.

“I'll make preparations for the burial rites of those we lost," | said.

“What are we going to do with him?" Morgan asked with raised brows. He didn't need to say his name, | knew exactly who he was talking about. Mason. | had asked myself that question countless times.

Presently, Mason was being held in custody at the castle. Only a few knew about his betrayal and the role he played in helping Thea accomplish all her plans. His silence and actions had placed the entire

pack in danger countless times, resulting in the loss of many innocent lives from the pack. Mason deserved to be punished as well, and the punishment for his actions and betrayal by the rules of the pack was instant death. But does he really deserve it? Frankly, | didn't know. But one thing | knew was if | had been in a situation to choose between Sheila and the entire world, | would choose her. Always. And that was exactly what Mason did. He chose his mate. And in a way, Thea used him as well to accomplish all her evil plans which Sheila and the pack was a victim of. But Mason as well as a victim.

I sighed, shaking my head. “I haven't decided yet. And the court isn't aware of his involvement yet." Morgan nodded. “I'm just really glad this nightmare is over.” 1 smiled at him. "Me too, brother.”

I left the Packhouse, sauntering to the witches’ quarters. Sheila was.

there, and there was someone else | wanted to see.

I reached the courtyard, and from a distance in one of the courts, | sighted Enzo with the very person | wanted to see. Kaiser Black.

| approached them, nodding my head to Lorenzo, and my eyes fell on Kai's deep hazel.

“Look who we have here," Kaiser muttered under his breath, but both Enzo and | could hear him.

“I was looking for you,” | said to him, and Lorenzo excused himself.

“You've found me. Don't tell me you are here to personally kick me out of your territory?” Kaiser's eyes dwelt on me, as they regarded me with the usual glint of hate. He leaned slightly against the pillar.

“I didn't come all the way here for that,” | said, sounding calmer than I expected, as | struggled with the words about to let loose from my lips. "Thank you. | could sniff the scent of your warriors around the

pack. They also helped in winning this war.” “Don't be mistaken. | didn't bring my warriors because of you. They were only here to protect my sister. | wouldn't give a fuck if your pack burnt to the ground and became nothing more than ashes,” Kaiser's voice alone was enough to convey his true emotions to me.

And | understood. | knew what he did changed nothing between our packs, but despite the hate between us, he helped, and that's what | chose to see. "I know you probably didn't want to help, and I know you did it for your sister, but that doesn’t matter. You helped anyway, so thank you,” | uttered, and Kaiser was about to say something but stopped immediately Sheila walked to us.

“I should leave now, sister,” he went to Sheila, embracing her, before escaping into the woods. Sometimes | wonder just how he sneaks into my territory unseen.

1 pulled my attention away from him, and back to Sheila, wrapping my arms around her.

“Thank you," | whispered against her lips, digging her soft body deeper into my chest.

Sheila's perfectly shaped brows creased, “What for?" A smile found my lips, inhaling deeply. | didn't even know where to start. | was just being thankful for everything.

My hands cupped her tender rosy cheeks. “For everything, Sheila," | said, kissing her sweet soft lips gently. °I love you,” I whispered slowly through our link.

Sheila's point of view I weaved my way through the crowds of people grinding on the dancefloor, swaying to the blasting rhythm of the beats that sounded loudly throughout the pack. The neon lamps that were decorated all around the hall illuminated the people's fancy dresses and masks. It was a masquerade ball in which many delightful guests from our

region and beyond graced the pack with their presence.

1 joined Brielle, Ria, and the girls on the dancefloor, allowing my body to sway to the rhythm of the beats. | was having so much fun. It was the first time since the war the pack was throwing a feast. And it was well deserved. Just the thought of having nothing to worry about was gratifying and absolutely marvelous. And I loved it. | wanted things to be like this. Always.

The gates of my eyes were shut closed, as | kept swaying my body around, moving my hips around when | felt strong arms grip them.

I moaned internally at the sweet sparks that ignited against the thin velvet dress | was wearing. His strong hands began to glide up and down my hips, providing a sweet sensation to my body that | found myself leaning back into his arms.

I felt his arms snake around my waist, digging me closer to his hard- toned chest. His lips found my neck, assaulting it with pleasing kisses that forced me to throw my head backward, giving him full access.

My body was vibrating with an insane need that | had no name for.

He spun me around firmly, holding me closer in his strong arms and muscular body.

My eyes fell briefly on the mask that was covering half of his face. My body burned for more as he skillfully ran his hands up and down my body for the sweet stimulation | craved for.

I didn't let go. My slender hands clutched hard onto his neck, caressing his broad shoulder blades. And with much vigor, his lips captured mine. Every kiss of his held a similar need and want. I kissed him back harder and suddenly, the music stopped.

1 gasped, breaking free from his kiss, backing a breath away to allow myself some air. | lifted my eyes to the mask that covered his face, locking his gaze with his obsidian black eyes, and in the middle was a blinding torch of golden flames. It was him, the beast from my dreams. The Dark Lord himself! My body became numb and frozen in his arms immediately. | was

unable to pull away from those bright golden irises of his that were regarding me with the most fascinating stare. My heart began to pound hard in my ears as | jerked away from his arms.

I glanced around the hall and everyone became still, as if frozen in time. He stood still, watching me with a heated gaze for a while, before taking slow calculated steps closer to me. His tall body towering over me. I looked up at him through my long lashes as he leaned closer to me so that I could feel his musky breath on me.

Our surroundings began to change. The sea of bodies that surrounded us began to vanish from sight, and in less than a second, we were no longer at the grand hall. We were somewhere else, in a large court with chairs arranged in a circular order. The place was dark, only a few torches were lit around.

My heartbeat skyrocketed as | glanced around frantically. The court had tall black windows that fought against any form of light that attempted to seep inside.

Then slowly, my eyes fell on the large symbol that was carefully engraved on the wall. It was a detailed drawing of a black dragon that symbolizes the circle. My eyes widened.

“Welcome home, my beloved,” he whispered almost seductively in my ears.

No. No. What the hell is happening?