The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

| lowered my speed on my horse as | approached the Council's castle.

My blue eyes narrowed as | scanned through the few warriors and elders scattered around the woods. | pulled my horse to a halt, alighting from it. What the hell happened? 1 went to the woods, searching for Killian. | hadn't gotten far into the woods when my blue eyes fell on Valerie, she was standing under a tree, and Kaiser was with her.

1 rushed to them. "Kai," | embraced him, moving over to Valerie. "Oh Val, it's good to have you back," | embraced her, pulling away and she fixed her purple eyes to the direction of my voice. "How did it go?" I rushed, asking.

She released a small smile. "Good. We found Shota's remains, and we are only a step away from finding out who the vessel is.” “That's great. With everything happening, we need to know who's got this demon now,” Kaiser voiced, pulling his hazel gaze into the woods.

I drew closer, following his gaze. "What happened? Where's Killian, he said he had news on the symbols we found last night.” “Those,” he pointed out using his finger, and my eyes fell on one of the symbols we found last night, also engraved on a tree. | moved slowly to the tree, my fingers gently tracing it. "How...How is it—" | could barely complete my words, feeling Kaiser's presence behind me.

"Here?" he completed, drawing my attention back to him. "Those symbols are all over North Central, engraved everywhere in all of the covens, packs, and kingdoms, including ours.”

My eyes rounded at Kaiser's words. "What?" | gasped, speechless, bringing my gaze back to the symbols. "What on earth are they?" “They are ancient symbols," | turned around instantly, hearing Zeriyah's words as she strolled out from the woods, together with Killian, Elder Alex, and Cora.

“What do they mean?" | asked again, and Elder Alex exhaled deeply.

“We should all head inside for this conversation,” he said, leading everyone into the castle. We headed to the courts where other elder wolves and witches, along with a few members of the Council, were waiting.

We all took our seats, and I pulled my questioning gaze back to Zeriyah.

“Those symbols are preparations,” Zeriyah moved around in the court, her dark gaze moving from everyone. “For a blood ritual,” she

added, and | drew in sharp breaths, folding my hand under my chin.

No one uttered a word as Zeriyah took her seat. “This was done by the vessel. It's here in North Central and has begun putting things in place. These ancient symbols are everywhere in North Central, connected.” The court remained silent as Zeriyah's words sank in. | knew what everyone was thinking already. Things were worse already, and now, this vessel had come to North Central.

“What's our next course of action? We are running out of time,” Damien spoke up, as Cora leaned forward.

“We have Shota's bones in our possession, and Sheila and I are done with the spell. We will perform the ritual tomorrow night to find out the identity of the vessel, and its possible location,” Cora said, sending me a small smile.

“And what happens after?" Kaiser asked, calmly. His words made

Zeriyah exchange a glance with Cora. oo “The witches and | have a way to put an end to the vessel. From what happened last night, it's obvious this darkness is growing stronger and has begun to access its magic. This simply means, it has begun to take control and has begun to merge with its vessel's soul. Once this merge is complete, itl be much more difficult to stop it before the war. We have no idea when this war will happen, so it's best to get id of it now, I buried my face into my palm, rubbing it gently.

All of these were making my head hurt badly. listened through the torture and as the meeting ended, Killian and I rode back to the pack.

It was almost dusk when we arrived and the warriors were still training, and there were few horses outside the Castle. | was walking with Killian through the castle doors when Allen approached us.

“What's happening, Allen? Who do those horses belong to?” Killian asked.

“Alpha Regan of the Grey Wolf pack. He's been waiting for you.” “Where is he?" “In the office, together with his Beta and Morgan,” Allen replied, and Killian started moving towards the office, but stopped when he noticed | wasn't behind him. “Are you not coming?” His amber eyes pierced through mine, as he came to me.

“No, I'd rather go to our chamber and have some rest,” | voiced, and Killian's face rippled with concern.

“Are you really alright, love?" “Just tired," | replied honestly. | was feeling more and more tired by the second, and the painstaking ache in my head was making me feel worse.

“Alright, Il be there as soon as | finish up at the office, Killian kissed me, and | headed towards the hallways. With every step | took, | felt

my body crippled with pain, and a sudden cold enveloped me.

I groaned as my movements slowed, and my head hurt more, making me pull my hands to my head in a poor attempt to stop the pain. | heard several steps rush to me as | crashed hard against the cold floor, and darkness again overcame me.

1 woke up to a drone of voices. They were distant, and almost in a whisper. But | recognized Killian's among them. His deep and appealing voice pulled me out of my drowsy state.

I adjusted my blue eyes and scanned my surroundings. | was in our chamber, and from afar, | noticed Killian, Morgan, and Dr. Maggie standing at the door, with Killian's huge and bulky body resting against the door frame. I pulled myself up on the bed, cursing internally at the light ache against my skull.

“Thank you, Maggie," | heard Killian's voice, and his worried gaze fell on me as both Morgan and Maggie left us.

Killian shut the door, sauntering to me. "How do you feel, love?" He climbed the bed and settled next to me.

“Much better," | leaned forward as Killian pressed his lips to mine.

“What did Maggie say?" | queried as Killian scooped me onto his lap.

“You've been exhausting yourself too much of late, that's what causes the tiredness and headaches. She said all you need is rest, Sheila, and you'll be fine," Killian said, pulling his hand to one of my cheeks and I leaned into it, knowing exactly where this conversation was heading to.

“Killian, | can't" I said, looking him in the eyes, and his brows creased.

“Ever since we returned from Oasis, you haven't rested properly, and it's affecting you, Sheila. Zeriyah, Cora, and Valerie can take care of tomorrow's ritual, please, just take the day off and rest” Killian once again insisted.

“I can't, Killian. | also want to help in any way | can, to find out who the vessel is, and put an end to this darkness. | can't think about anything else other than that." “Sheila,” I stopped Killian before he continued. Nothing was going to change my mind after everything I saw from Amelie's crystal ball. | failed to ensure that darkness didn't find a vessel, and now it has, | had to help stop it.

“You don't understand, Killian. Finding the vessel and putting an end to it is more important than anything else. Yesterday, | went to see Amelie," | confessed, and Killian leaned forward.

“Zeriyah said she wasn't able to see anyone.” I nodded. "Yes, it seemed so, but she spoke to me. She told me things, Killian, and | saw something in her ball. Our reality if this darkness wins," | couldn't stop the fresh tears that gathered in my

eyes, as those horrid images | saw in Amelie’s ball flashed through my mind.

Killian drew closer, and I felt the sudden pain he felt seeing me in this state.

“That's why you rushed out from the castle in tears,” Killian said, and | nodded, holding onto him tightly. “What did you see?" Iwas unable to hold my tears back, and more water rolled down my cheeks.

“We lost, Killian. | saw everyone dead," Killian's eyes widened, but he didn't say a word. "It killed me to see you dead once again,” | broke into tears, crashing against Killian's chest. | felt his arms around me, and he buried his face in the crook of my neck, soothing me calmly.

“Sheila,” he pulled away, cupping my face in his large hands. “None of it matters, because | know deep in my heart that we would win this

bloody war, and put an end to this dark magic,” | watched as his deep, fathomless gaze held hope.

intertwined my hand with his, and he pulled it to his lips, kissing it.

“Please don't think about Amelie’s visions or the Council or anything for tonight. If you want to do the ritual, then it's fine, as long as you promise me you'll remain in bed, resting till tomorrow night,” he pleaded, caressing my cheeks.

1 couldn't help but smile, “I promise, Killian.” A small smile found his lips, as he leaned closer and kissed me. We pulled apart and he rested his forehead on mine. “Now, let's get some sleep.” I lay on the bed, sinking into Killian’s warm embrace, and | found myself falling into a deep, peaceful slumber.