The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

I curled my right hand into a ball, feeling the scar on my palm. It reminded me of my rage, and everything | had lost, and the only emotion that filled my mind was hate, rage, and a maddening drive for revenge.

My gaze softened as | felt my mate's comforting presence inside the corner walls of my mind, reminding me he would be there for me, always.

“Meeting adjourned,” his voice filled the air, commandingly, and immediately, everyone was up from their seats, leaving the Dragon's court until it remained just my mate and me.

He pulled up from his chair, stalking to where | was seated.

“It enrages me to see you in so much pain, love," his large hand caressed my cheek. It was cold as usual but | couldn't help but lean into it.

My eyes fell on his flawless, and uniquely pale face. Vladimir was of mixed blood, being both a vampire and a wolf. He was one of the old wolves that magically transitioned into a vampire.

“I hate it too. But what do | do with this anger | feel? Remember, Vlad, | lost everything because of those imbeciles, and | wait patiently for the day I will make everyone pay,” I said and he pulled closer to me, engulfing me in his arms.

“Remember, you have me. And you will always have me," he said, kissing me.

“And | thank the goddess every day for that. | cannot begin to imagine what harm would have come to me if you hadn't come to rescue me,” My slender hands snaked around his neck, getting lost in his smooth hair. “Thank you," | bitted.

“Every one of those mutts will all pay for everything they have done to you. It's my promise to you, Sheila,” he kissed me. "And revenge tastes better when served without a hurry. Once we conquer South Central first, they'll know that they are next and they will not be spared. Every one of them must witness what is to come.” “And they will," | kissed him back. "I have to go to the Dark cave and prepare for tonight's ritual, hopefully, itll be a success," | stood up from the char, exiting the Dragon Court with Vladimir.

1 left him and headed for my chamber with Sybil and Kali behind me first before leaving for the Dark cave. | grabbed a black furry coat and placed it over my dress.

1 roved to the black windows. With a small wave of my hand, | used my magic to pull apart the draperies, and the black windows unlocked, pushing open. The warmth from the sunlight descended on me, but unfortunately, | could feel nothing at all. From the top floor of my chamber, it was impossible to get a full view of the entire Oasis. | couldn't see beyond the Fortress grounds.

1 gazed at the burning sun for a while with absolutely nothing running through my mind, before exiting my chamber.

Sybil and Kali were waiting for me outside my chamber. We left the Fortress and stepped out into the sun. We got on our horses and left the Fortress grounds, heading for the Dark cave. This place was called the Oasis. It was quite different from anything I had ever seen, and heavily protected.

It's been almost eight weeks now since | was rescued by Vladimir and his army from the hands of those | call my enemies. | had been living

at their mercy for so long after | was taken away from my family here in the Oasis. The Council, the Black Blood Pack, and... | paused for a split second, before continuing. And the Crescent North Pack had murdered my entire family, and kidnapped me for years, trying to make use of me and my powers as much as they could.

But Vladimir rescued me. He had sent every army of his and didn't stop until he had me right beside him. The place | was held captive was attacked and many lost their lives, including the Alpha of the pack. He had lost his life in the hands of Vladimir's warlock, Nikolai.

He had saved me, although my wolf, Adie, didn't make it. | was badly wounded during the war, | managed to make it out alive but she didn't. She sacrificed herself for me to live. It was important | did because | had to avenge her and the deaths of everyone else | had lost. This is the only truth that | chose to believe.

My hold on the reins of my horse tightened as we took the path into the square. Oasis belonged to Vladimir and it was guarded with the

magic of a thousand witches. There was no way in, once someone got in here, and no way out.

The Dark Circle always takes in magical beings who are deemed useful. They become prisoners at first, and then are tortured and trained in the worst possible way until they are broken and then the Circle molds them into loyal warriors that are willing to die for the great cause.

Every magical being was placed together and has its unique training process which often takes time. Vladimir was smart enough to have his witches devise a method to strip his prisoners of their powers.

Every prisoner that is brought into the Oasis always has a pyramid symbol imprinted on them. Just like the one on my wrist. But mine doesn't strip me of my magic, my magic is only limited. Viadimir did this for my safety alone, to protect me from outside the protective barriers of the Oasis who wants me back. And | do agree with him.

My presence here was much needed for our great cause.

1 pulled my eyes away from the symbol on my wrist. It ensures they are unable to use their powers until they are taken into training, and broken, then branded. They are always tested and if they turn out successful, and are deemed worthy enough to make it into the Dark Circle army, they are welcomed as a member of Vladimir's army.

1 rode into the woods with Sybil and Kali behind me on their horses. | could feel the enormous magic holding the Oasis, this was the reason no one outside the walls could ever find this place. It has existed for over four centuries, and it's being held by the magic of so many witches, dead and alive. It also draws from nature's magic from the earth and air.

Finally, we arrived at the Dark cave. | alighted from my horse and handed it over to Kali, making my way into the tunnel. | moved past the narrow path in darkness until I got to the first lamp that burned against the wall. | began to follow the trail as several lamps came into view. Though it wasn't really necessary, | had spent most of my time here since | returned to the Oasis.

I reached my destination, finding Randall at the entrance. He was one of Nikolai's witches. | handed over my coat to him, stepping through the darkness that covered the entrance.

The Dark cave was restricted for everyone, including members of the Circle. Only a few had the authorization to be in the cave, which was Vladimir, Nikolai, and myself, while the others were dark witches from Nikolai's coven.

I stepped through the darkness and Nikolai was in there with some dark witches. They lowered their heads, noticing my presence.

I scanned around briefly before my eyes fell on Nikolai. "Where is she?” He shifted his gaze to one of the witches, nodding. It didn't take up to a second when the crying sound of a female echoed within the cave. | tilted my head a little, and my eyes fell on a young female that was being dragged to us wearing ragged clothes. She seemed like

one of our prisoners and the black pyramid symbol on her wrist confirmed my thoughts. She was young and looked like she was no more than sixteen.

My eyes drifted to Nikolai whose dark eyes were on me. “She's a new prisoner we found in the East Central, from an ancient clan,” He informed me and my eyes fell on the young girl once more. She was blindfolded, and her hands chained together. Frankly, she was the youngest that had been brought to the cave since my arrival.

“Her magic, | need to feel it." | told him. Nikolai was the only witch in the Oasis that could lft the magic of the pyramid binding a prisoner.

He fixed a brief gaze on me, before moving to the young girl. He tore off her blindfold, and her watery chartreuse eyes and her tears and resistance against the witch's hold intensified.

Nikolai grabbed her hand, placing a finger on the pyramid symbol on her wrist, he muttered a few chants, breaking the magic of the pyramid.

The witches held her in place, while | placed my hands on her head. | closed my eyes, connecting to her magic. It was indeed powerful.

And might just be what we needed.

My eyes snapped open and they fell on Nikolai. “You are right. Her magic is indeed powerful. She would do," | turned to the witches surrounding us. "Prepare her for the ritual.” “No, please! Spare me, | beg of you. Please,” Her screams and cries filled the air as she was dragged away. But it didn't matter. Here in Oasis, nothing mattered.

1 watched the young girl until she faded out of sight.

Nikolai came up behind me. “Do you think her magic will be able to contain it?" “She is young, and her magic is pure. Not to worry Nikolai, she would be a great vessel,” | voiced, leaving the cave to prepare for the ritual.