The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

I adjusted the little bundle of joy in my arms, feeling his tiny warmth against my body. He was simply beautiful, sleeping peacefully in my arms as | fiddled with his baby fingers.

My lips curled into a small smile, and for a second, | couldn't hide the elation that swirled within my chest just looking at his adorable little face. Slowly, | walked to the beautiful wooden cradle and gently placed Wren init.

Staring at his beautiful face, | couldn't stop my mind from thinking about my dreams that had been constant for a week now. At first, it confused me, because even after the war and everything, some things had still not made sense to me. Like the visions | had seen from Amelie’s crystal ball. She had been lucid with her words that my choice would decide whatever future was to come.

At first, | had thought my death would be the way out to save everyone | loved and ensure a future where everyone survived. But it wasn't supposed to be so, my death would have ruined it all and destroyed my future and the future of everyone | loved. The only choice | had to make was to fight to live and fulfill my destiny by destroying Shota’s magic. | had to survive for Killian and her. For Rhye.

The door pushed open, and | tilted my head in its direction, watching Brielle sneak in with a cup of water.

“Is he asleep?” she asked, almost in a whisper with her brows raised, and | nodded with a smile.

She breathed out in relief. “Thanks a bunch. He could be a handful sometimes,” she said in exhaustion, dropping the cup on the table, and plopping on the edge of the bed in her chamber.

“No, he's simply gorgeous,” | said, unable to take my eyes off Brielle’s son. He was really beautiful.

“That's because, as soon as you take him in your arms he becomes as gentle as a lamb,” she joked, and my smile deepened. That was probably true. "Hey, Sheila, | am so sorry for stealing you away from the party and all, especially today..." she started on quickly and before she completed her words, | shook my head, silencing her.

“It's alright, Brielle. Believe me, | love spending time with Wren," | said, flattening my dress. "Whatever you need, please, don't hesitate to call me." She nodded with a smile as I left her chamber, stepping into the loud music blasting around the castle and even beyond the Packhouse and village.

When Killian insisted we held tonight's ball to celebrate my birthday, | had thought it was just within the pack, but it wasn't. Killian had invited many guests from across each region, including from the Council.

A small grin found my lips as | swallowed in the happiness, dancing around and it warmed my heart. | began to descend the stairs, making my way past several guests, splattered around in groups, most probably chattering about nonsense while others were on the dance floor, swaying to the beats of the infectious music.

I made my way to the large hall packed with guests as well, my deep blue eyes glazed past the crowd in a hurry in search of Killian. | caught a glimpse of my brothers with Morgan, Denise, and some quests from the East region. Finally, my gaze zeroed in on Killian. He was in the company of some Alphas from other regions and a few members from the Council.

Immediately, his amber gaze turned to me, and he smiled, tilting his head for me to come over. But I shook my head.

“Meet me at the lake,” | said through our mate bond, trying desperately to keep my nervousness away from my voice. But the way his eyes narrowed on me, | knew too well he could sniff it out of me.

I turned for the doors instantly, and left the hall, walking into the cool, refreshing midnight air. | moved into the woods, stripping naked, and shifted into Adie. | grabbed my dress with my sharp canines and darted through the woods, heading to the riverbank closest to the witches’ quarters.

I reached the lake and shifted back to my human form, tossing my dress to the side of the lake. My lips stretched into a smile, loving the serenity of the place. | moved closer to the lake, my eyes glazing over the tall, shadowed trees that stretched up like arrows into the blue sky.

The freshwater looked like a beautiful puddle of blue ink, taking the reflection of the full moon hanging up in the sky. The sight alone calmed my soul.

1 took a few tentative steps into the glorious luster of the water until its stillness circled my naked waist. A high-pitched squeal escaped my lips as | chuckled at how cold the water was, but regardless, | loved it.

I dived deep into the water, my eyes gazing up at the bright moon. | sighed. It had been four weeks already. It was amazing how time flew by so fast, and how much things had changed since the war. | closed my eyes, letting the cool water refresh my body and my thoughts wandered far away into that night. | still remembered it all so vividly.

My death, Vladimir unifying with Shota's darkness, and the witches and |, finally putting an end to Shota's magic and its vessel, and this time there was no way it would ever be unleashed.

That night had changed everything and had birthed a new dawn for us all. We had won the war, and Vladimir, well Vladimir along with Shota's darkness was far gone.

I had created the Vortex prison myself. It was a phantom prison world that was created by my magic and powerful enough to ensure the Shota's vessel remained imprisoned forever. The Vortex | made, along with my blood and magic, was the only thing that could access the portal to that prison world, and | destroyed it the second Vladimir was caged. The Council had erased every trace of Shota’s magic from

our realm. It was better that way.

I dived my head back into the water for a second, before coming up for air. | threw my head back, taking another glance at the full moon in ts glory. Killian was taking too long and as the seconds flew by, could hardly contain my growing nervousness at what | was about to tell him. | had been worried because of my recurring dreams of the young woman | had seen in Amelie’s crystal ball. | knew they were visions of what was yet to come. That made me more confused and terrified. It took me some time before | understood my visions and realized what they truly meant. Who the young woman, Rhylie, truly was to both Killian and me.

I closed my eyes, breathing calmly as tears rolled from the corners of my eyes. And once more, the flawless image of her drowned my thoughts, and | just couldn't wait to have her here with us.

| chuckled again to myself and | could swear anyone who saw me now would think | was slowly losing my sanity. | began to swim slow,

delicate breaststrokes, gliding through the lake, relishing the tranquility this moment gave me. It was all | could ever wish for.

| was so immersed in my thoughts that | hadn't noticed the presence that had been watching me from behind the tall Alder trees.

“Are you coming in or what?" | asked after a while of letting Killian enjoy the picturesque view of me in the water. Slowly, | turned around as his sweet manly chuckle filled my ears. | watched Killian step out from the shade, taking slow steps to the lake. His deep amber eyes were already drowning with lust.

Killian's point of view As soon as | approached the lake, | felt my breathing quicken as my eyes took in the picturesque view before me. | felt turned on immediately.

Sheila was naked, standing waist-deep in the middle of the lake with her gorgeous back turned to me and her head tilted up to the gleaming moon above her. The moon's bright rays shimmered down on her, forming a circle around her in the water. Her wet hair cascaded down her back and the tips submerged into the water. She looked like a fucking goddess. A sexy, fucking goddess.

| couldn't take my eyes off her and all | could think about was burying myself inside of her and fucking her like crazy.

“Are you coming in or what?" Her voice spoke softly into the moonlight, and she slowly turned around, forcing me out of my hidden spot.

“The view from out here is the best," | said, my voice sounding deeper than usual from the arousal | was feeling and Ryker was badgering me to let him out. Her sensational image had the wolf excited.

“It's better from here," she spoke again softly, enticing and luring me.

She was a damned seductress. A smirk covered my lips as | glanced down at her bare tits hovering above the water. Her nipples pebbled from the cold, and droplets of water ran down her flawless skin, making my dick harder by the second.

Alow sensual growl vibrated from my chest as the air around me was ticked with a lot of sensual tension. And | was merely holding back for the sake of everyone that had journeyed here to celebrate Sheila's birthday with us. But fuck them all.

1 took a step back, kicking off my boots, and I began to undress as fast as | could. Sheila remained in the water, and her lustful gaze was heating me.

joined her in the water, grabbed her by the waist, and pressed her naked skin to mine. She gasped at the sparks that went flying on both of our skins and | took the opportunity to stick my tongue in her mouth, kissing her. Every part of her body felt soft and heavenly

as | glided my hands up and down her skin.

Sheila's hands rested on my bare chest as she kissed me back, matching the intensity of my kisses. A low growl vibrated in my chest as Ryker purred in my mind. Our tongues caressed as we deepened the kiss and | was dying to have myself inside of her.

As if having the same thoughts, Sheila wrapped her long legs around my waist, and | pinned her deeper into my body. | moaned senselessly as she began to grind her hips against mine. She was driving me wild already.

1 gripped her hips to mine and started biting, kissing, and sucking her neck down to her shoulder, loving her constant moans.

“I love you,” | whispered against her ears, as | couldn't wait any longer. | gripped her ass and positioned my hardened member against her center.

I could hear her heart drumming in her chest as | slammed myself

inside of her. Sheila threw her head back and cried out in pleasure.

She tightened her legs around my waist and gripped my nape as | pounded in and out of her.

I assaulted her nipples, biting and sucking them as | kept my relentless thrusts into her.

“Killian!” she moaned, gripping my hair.

"Yes?" | whispered into her ear.

“Faster. Don't stop!” she commanded and my smirk deepened. Her wish was my command. | thrust harder into her, moving faster and faster.

After several more thrusts, we both came hard together, panting heavily. | carried her out of the water and placed her gently on the ground. | laid next to her, wrapping her petite frame in my arms.

“That was beautiful,” she whispered into my chest after her breathing had synchronized and calmed. | chuckled, sweeping back strands of her damp hair behind her ear.

“So are you," | whispered, moving my hand up and down her flawless skin. We dwelt in silence for a while, and then | felt her grow a little nervous through the mind link.

“Killian,” she called, and | squeezed her body to mine.

“Yeah,” | said, calmly wanting to hear what she had to say.

“I have something to tell you,” she said, sounding so serious that | had to pull away a little so | could gaze at her beautiful blue eyes.

“Yes,” | uttered, and suddenly, Ryker was feeling anxious for no fucking reason. “Tell me." Her gaze studied me briefly, before sighing deeply, making my heart beat faster. “What is it?" | asked, unable to bear the suspense.

“I.." She began quietly and | held unto her every word. “I am pregnant.” 1 felt my entire body become very still. Ryker was completely frozen and my eyes never broke away from Sheila's round ones that swallowed me up.

1 pulled up into a seating position. "Are you serious?” The words flew out of my lips, wanting to be fucking certain she wasn't at all teasing me. And slowly, she nodded.

I couldn't sit still, 1 was up on my feet and | began pacing around, before stopping abruptly. | turned around and my amber eyes fell on Sheila, still watching me closely. | was completely speechless. | had no idea how to utter exactly what | was feeling. I could barely stop the tears that escaped my eyes and without hesitating, | rushed to Sheila, pulling her into my arms.

I wrapped my arms tightly around her, and she did the same.

“I can't believe this," | finally said, and she nodded her head gently.

“Me too,” she whispered. "So, how do you feel about it?" Her instant question forced me to gaze into her eyes. “Fuck, Sheila.

You've made me the happiest man,” I said genuinely, kissing her passionately.

We pulled apart, resting our heads against each other.

“It's a girl,” she said, and my brows furrowed. And before | could ask how she knew, she smiled. "I saw her, Killian. In my dreams. She's beautiful,” her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

“You had a vision about our child?" | asked, cupping her cheeks with my large hands and she nodded.

“Her name is Rhylie," she added, quietly.

A giant smile nested on my lips. “I love her already,” | kissed the tear stains off her face. "And | love you, Sheila. I love you so much,” | meant every word | said. | loved her much more than my very own life. She and our child would be my everything. “And | thank the moon goddess for making me yours.” “I love you too, Killian,” More tears rolled out from her eyes. “Il am also thankful we made it this far,” she said softly, and | couldn't stop myself from kissing her.

“Me too," | said. "You are mine, Sheila Black," | uttered possessively.

Sheila's eyes sparkled with love and her smile widened. "Always." “Always,” | repeated, as our lips collided and we kissed passionately, and | felt at peace. Contented, and above all, completely happy at the only good gift life had given me.