The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

I moved faster on my horse till we reached the Fortress. | rode past the warriors scattered around the Fortress grounds, wearing similar clothing from the Circle, having half of their faces covered.

1 got off my horse, leaving it to a warrior.

| gripped hard to my dress, as | moved hastily past the hallways.

Walking as fast as | could. | couldn't wait to get to my chamber. | could hear the calls of Kali and Sybil behind me, but | couldn't deal with any of their nonsense right now. | couldn't let anyone see me like this, 1 wasn't in the right state of mind.

The second | burst through the doors to my chamber, | slammed them close, using my magic to ensure no one got in. | loosened the ropes clutching around my neck that held my cloak in place. It was suffocating me. | tossed it on the floor, pulling my hands to my face.

I felt the chaos inside me, as well as Adies struggle to the surface.

She was fighting for control and my body was vibrating intensely. It caused the burning lamps in my chamber to burn fiercer and the calm air around me began to grow rough and violent, creating a disaster within my chamber.

“Adie, please stop!" Adie was fighting harder for control. She wanted Us to go back to the woods. She had completely lost it and wasn't thinking straight. | couldn't let us play right into one of Vladimir's stupid games. “It isn't him, Adie," 1 yelled, enunciating each word, and every struggle of hers seized. This wasn't the first time he had tried to get into my head, to break me and see right through my emotions. | couldn't let that happen.

I was trying my hardest not to lose control of my emotions, but at

every attempt, | felt my heart shattering the instant the thought of Killian standing right in front of me flashed through my mind.

My emotions were spiraling out of control, and | lost them. My body and soul gave in to the pain that had taken dominance within me, feasting on every piece of me. It was saddening. | wanted to scream, to release everything | felt at the moment, but | couldn't. I placed my hands over my lips in a weak attempt to muffle it all and tears found freedom from the gates of my eyes.

1 was completely frozen. I couldn't move, I couldn't breathe. I couldn't hold back the tears that burned my eyes, rolling down my cheeks and my thoughts, and every piece of me was filled by him again. Killian.

I couldn't believe this. This was the cruelest | had ever been tested with in all my time here. I held on tightly to my dress, as my knees kissed the floor. | wasn't in control of anything at the moment. | felt Adie retreat to a dark comer of my soul. The familiar pain that had always coursed through her merged with mine, staking my chest.

1 fell hard on the floor, crying my heart out and | was forced back to that moment I lost Killian forever. It played over and over in my head, hurting me to the depths of my soul. Killian was dead. | watched him die right in front of my eyes and held him in my arms.

I shut my eyes closed and I could still see those gazes of Killian boring right through me and for a painful second it felt like him. | didn't know what was going through that psychotic bastard's mind, but this was absolutely the worst.

“I swear it felt like it was him," Adie voiced slowly within me, and | couldn't deny it. She was right. For a god-damned second, | almost believe it.

I shut my eyes, leaning against the bed. "Stop it, Adie, it isn't him." “Think about it, what if he's really—" “Please, Killian is—" | paused, as a tear slipped down my cheek.

“Dead,” | added. This is not the right time to lose it and wish for

something never possible. You know better than to believe what you see in this place,” | said, tiredly. | was tired of it all. This only spelt problem.

It simply meant Vladimir still had a suspicion about me. This was the wrongest time for that. The moon's eclipse was days away, and Vladimir was still testing me. If he had the slightest doubt about me, everything would be over. He would finally get what he wanted on the night of the lunar eclipse and everyone's life, including mine, will be at his mercy. | couldn't let that happen. I had to win this fight at all costs. I had to avenge Killian's death and put an end to Vladimir's plans.

1 shook out of my thoughts when | heard the sharp knock on the door. I was up from the floor, | used my magic and fixed my chamber quickly, wiping off the tear stains on my face.

“What is it?" | asked.

“The Dark Lord requests your presence in the grand hall," | heard Sybil's voice and | was surprised. | wasn't informed he was returning tonight.

“Iwill join him soon,” I voiced loudly.

“Yes, my queen,” | heard the tapping sound of her boots exit to the hallways.

“That doesn't sound good,” Adie muttered. *I have a bad feeling about this," she added, returning to the deepest corners of my mind.

swiftly, | fixed myself up, keeping my emotions at bay. | lifted the spell 1 had placed on myself, restoring my connection with Vladimir. | left my chambers. | headed for the grand hall, and Vladimir was there.

He was standing at the window, staring into the darkness that wandered outside.

I strode to where he was. The instant | was by his side, his golden

gaze found mine. He placed the goblet in his hand aside, pulling me into his arms and his lips captured mine. He kissed me and his hand pinned me to his body, and his other hand got lost in my hair. | let myself go, kissing him back, until we pulled apart, panting.

He kissed my marking spot where his mark was, inhaling my scent. *1 missed you," He muttered against my ears, pulling away, his thumb brushing my lips.

“Me too. I thought you'd be back tomorrow," | wrapped my hands around him, burying my head in the crook of his neck. I felt his presence and worry at the back of my mind. I drew away from him, and my blue eyes met his.

“I could not wait until tomorrow,” his fingers trailed my jaw and his golden eyes held mine. “I was worried, more so when | was informed about tonight's incidence in the woods..." My lips curved into a small smile. | tilted my head to the doorway

where Sybil was standing with her back turned away from us.

“What happened?" He questioned as his thumb pulled my face to him, and his golden piercing eyes locked with mine.

“I would also like to know what happened. One second, they were beside me, and the next second, vanished from sight” | sounded, tearing my eyes from his piercing ones.

“I see. Then it's more serious than | thought. First, it was the shooting, and now, this. | fear someone may be after your life,” He spoke shortly, after regarding me for long seconds.

“That's ridiculous, Vlad, as well as impossible,” I tried keeping my voice calm.

“All the more reason it's serious. | will have Nikolai look into it, love,” he kissed me, pulling away a little. “Until this matter is resolved, | suggest you remain within the walls of the fortress. It's far much safer.”

“What! No, Vlad. That's not a good idea. The moon is almost upon us and we haven't made progress yet with the rituals,” | started, what he was suggesting was something | couldn't agree to.

“Nothing is more important than your safety, love,” he insisted, his blazing golden crystals regarding me intensely.

“And what about the rituals and preparations? We still have a lot to figure out,” | uttered.

“Don't worry yourself so much. Nikolai has an idea of what the problem is.” “That's good. | will speak to him about it, and together we can—" | began but his fingers sealed my lips.

“No. As you said, the moon is almost upon us. Nikolai will make the preparations, and do the needful while you are safe and well-rested

for the Blood moon. You'll need all the magic you can get. What do you say?" | pushed a smile, giving in. “Sounds like a plan.” “Perfect,” he held a mischievous smirk and | tried my hardest to fight off the worry that clouded my thoughts. | knew Nikolai was behind this sudden change and whatever new plan he had scared me.