The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

Kaiser drew in sharp breaths, "This is a bit risky, but itll work," he said as his hazel orbs moved over Zena, Killian, and me.

“Alright, just spill it, Kai,” Killian folded his arms around his chest.

“I overheard some litle birdies at the training camps for prisoners.

The Dark Circle is sending their army to the Southern regions,” Kai started, and | nodded, affirming.

“Yes. The southern regions have joined forces with the Council and the Packs, kingdoms, and covens in North Central. Vladimir doesn't want to take chances. He wants to conquer the South regions before the Blood moon. And he just might be successful because of Felix,” “Alright. How does the attack on the South help us in any way?" Zena asked, confusedly.

“We use the Dark Circle army going for the attack. They will be leaving Oasis, and Nikolai will be aware. We use this opportunity to send one of our own to warn Leo and Morgan about that bastard's treachery,” Kaiser explained more in detail.

Kaiser's plan was brilliant but dangerous. First of all, it wouldn't be easy sneaking someone in, and secondly, if something were to go wrong with this plan, itd be the death of everyone.

I exhaled, leaning my head against the wooden wall.

“That will be dangerous,” Zena was also thinking like | was. "If anything goes wrong—" “It won't. And this is the best chance we have to get across to those outside Oasis. We need all the help we can get from those outside, and with what Sheila said, things are getting worse here. We need to act smartly,” Kaiser came again.

“Let's do this,” Killian sounded, "We send someone out to inform the others of Felix's involvement with the Dark Circle, and also, bring the Council's army right here. We end this before Vladimir does whatever he wants on the night of the Blood moon.” “This is fucking risky. Nikolai will know, you underestimate him. And besides, who exactly will be leaving with the army?" Zena wriggled her brows, questioningly.

“Good question,” | heard Adie whisper in my head.

“We have to be careful about who we would be sending, we can't

trust anyone,” | said, sending glances at everyone.

“I'm not leaving you alone, in here, with that bastard, Sheila,” Killian said with his heated gaze on me. | could feel his emotions in every word of his.

We stared at each other intensely for a long minute, before Kaiser cleared his throat, bringing us back to the room.

“And, | am not leaving either," Kaiser voiced, and his eyes darted to his mate, Zena. All of our eyes did.

“Fucking no!" She sounded, shifting her gaze from Kaiser to Killian and me. “No. No,” she began pacing. “There's no way in hell I'm leaving Kai," “We need someone we trust,” Kaiser went to her but she backed away, flinging her hands in the air. “And someone that knows this place well enough to bring the Council's army here.”

“I can't Kai. | am already a member of the coven. Nikolai will know if I'm gone and besides, it will take me days to get to the North with this on my fucking wrist, limiting my magic,” She half-yelled.

1 pulled away from the wall, “I can break off the pyramid's magic.

And, | have some friends in the coven. They'll help. Trust me, Nikolai will have no idea someone's missing." Zena sighed softly.

“Please, Zena. This is the only way to get rid of Vladimir and this place,” Kaiser came softly at her.

We remained in silence for a few more minutes, while Zena thought of things quietly.

“Alright, I'm on board. What's the plan to get into the army?" She asked, and a small smile found my lips.

“The Dark Circle will be sending some witches along. We just have to

ensure you are one of them, and | know someone who can help with that," I said, knowing full well Jaskier was in charge of that.

“Once you are out of Oasis, you will flee from the army and head to the North. You have to go to the Crescent North Pack and find Morgan Reid or Leonardo Black, and inform them of our situation.

They'll know exactly what to do,” Killian told her.

Zena nodded, “The Blood moon is in four days until | return with the council's army, what would you guys be up to?" “We need forces within the Oasis, and | get the prisoners on board.

They'll be more than happy to join if it means escaping this hellhole, everyone will be fighting for their freedom,” Kaiser replied.

“And the Blood moon's ritual?” Killian asked in his richly deep voice.

He pulled his amber gaze to me.

“Whatever plan Nikolas has for the ritual, | have no idea. He

intentionally kicked me out. But some of the witches within the coven will be informing me and we will be prepared as well," “What's your plan, sister?" Kaiser asked, calmly.

“I've been working on a spell to close off the access Nikolai has to the dark magic. If | can bind whatever prison holding the dark magic before Nikolai transfers it to a vessel, then we won't have any problem,” I explained my plan in detail to them. “On the night of the Blood moon, Vladimir wants me to perform the ritual. And | will, but instead of performing the ritual as per his wishes, some of the coven witches and | will be doing the exact opposite to get rid of this darkness,” “Fuck. | don't like that Sheila,” Killian spoke too quickly, running his fingers through his hair.

“Neither do I,” Zena backed him up quickly. “It won't be pretty when Nikolas finds out you deviated from the actual ritual.”

“By then it'll be too late and I've banished the darkness away for good. And trust me, Nikolai won't live a second after that. He is the very source holding Oasis boundaries. With Nikolai down, everyone will be free," I added, hoping they would all see reasons. | had this sickening feeling in my chest that if | don't do this, and that darkness finds a vessel, it would be too late.

“I hate this plan Sheila, but I trust you,” Killian's words sent a comforting warmth to my chest. I glanced at Kai's way. He hadn't uttered a word yet.

“Kai?" | called, and his gaze was still heavy on me. He also didn't like the risk involved in this. But at this point, we have no choice. These risks were nothing compared to the after-damage if this darkness was set free.

Kaiser sighed, concerned. “Please, just be careful.” I released the breath | was holding, nodding. "I will” And | meant it.

A few days ago, | didn't really care about the dangers and risks

involved, my only goal was destroying every chance Vladimir had to gain access to that darkness. But now | found out Killian was alive, it changes everything, and | don't plan on dying just when | finally have him back. | was so tired of all these problems, and for once in my life, 1 badly craved some normalcy.

“We will need weapons,” Killian said, and | agreed as well. Some prisoners were very young in here, they'll need it to protect themselves.

“Can be arranged. The warriors’ armory, we could raid it, including some of the prisoners who would join us," Kaiser replied. "But we need to get rid of the fucking symbols on the prisoners. Everyone would need to be at their best forms.” “Although I'm not allowed to leave the Fortress, | can help with that, but I can't lift the pyramid magic for all prisoners,” I told them. It would have been much easier to kill Nikolai and lift the magic of the

pyramid on all the prisoners. But Nikolai's death now would only complicate our plans and create more problems that we definitely are not ready for.

“That's fine,” Kaiser said.

“I guess we have a plan in motion,” Came Zena's voice. She was right, we did have a plan in motion, and hopefully, nothing would go wrong. There was so much at stake to fail.

“The army would be leaving for the attack on the Southern regions in two days. | would inform Jaskier, he's a witch in the coven. He'll help make you among the witches leaving for the attack,” | turned to Zena. "And unfortunately, once you get out of Oasis, there's no way you can get to us," "Of course. This whole plan is giving me the chills,” Zena fell onto one of the chairs. | knew exactly what she meant by that, | couldn't deny it to0. The days ahead frightened me to the point my soul was restless.

But | guess that was normal, this was a battle our only chance of survival was our success. We had to win.