The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

1 weaved my way through the crowd, with Morgan's hand still on my wrist.

“What happened back there?" He asked me with his green irises on me.

1shook my head. “Nothing,” That was all | had to say. | didn't understand what had happened back there. All | could feel was the vibrations within me, and the fearful feeling in my chest that was suffocating me. | took off my mask.

“Hey Sheila, take a deep breath," Morgan pulled me to a stop as he could hear the deafening banging of my heart against my chest.

“Iwill, but first, | must find Valerie,” | left him in a haste and headed for the tall golden doors which led me outside into the cold darkness.

| couldn't find Valerie nor Lorenzo.

1 gripped my heavy dress with my hands, pulling it up a little so | could move hastily. | was about to head for the witches’ quarters when I felt Killian's presence.

His scent encamped me as he held me close to him. "I've been looking everywhere for you." “Have you seen Valerie?" | asked, and his brows folded.

“No,” he paused. “Did something happen?” He rushed quickly.

looked around the peaceful surrounding, as there was a large crowd outside as well, having drinks and enjoying the party.

“I don't think so,” I shook my head. “Any news from the patrolling warriors? Did they notice anything unusual?” Killian's face crippled the more. “No,” he cupped my cheeks. “Sheila, this is a party and it's meant for everyone to have fun and worry less about serious matters such as patrolling. The warriors are doing their

job, and you should do yours, and have a good time." “Oh Killian,” | wrapped my hands around him, inhaling his deep, intoxicating scent. It managed to calm my nerves. | brought my lips to him, kissing him.

“I want you to have a great time, Sheila. Your emotions have been out of control all morning and it worries me. I didn't know what else to do, so | invited someone tonight,” he said.

His words confused me a little. "Who did you invite, Killian?" Killian placed a hand on my back, leading us away from the hall and into the darkness.

“Your brother, Kaiser,” he said, as we kept walking.

“You invited Kai?" | asked again, completely shocked and unable to believe that Killian could invite him.

Killian stopped walking, and he nodded. "Yes. But he is unable to come in. Many members from the Council attended tonight's ball and are inside. It be very suspicious if Kaiser came in." My lips pressed firmly against each other, and | didn't bother to fight the tears that stung my eyes. | guess | was just overly emotional tonight. But what Killian did tonight warmed my heart. | embraced him tightly.

“Thank you," | whispered into his ears, *I really mean it, Killian," | pulled away, and Killian's eyes gleamed, with a small grin on his lips.

I knew Kaiser couldn't come in, but it was enough that he had invited my brother, a Black whom he claimed to hate. If only the situation was different and | didn't have to keep my identity hidden. But the Council hasn't stopped searching for me.

For some reason, Leonardo doesn't trust them. He believes someone within the Council was working for that man, the one Id rather not

name again. Just thinking about him sends sick shivers down my spine.

1 shook out from my thoughts, and Killian pointed to a tall tree. | could already tell Kaiser was behind it.

1 left Killian and walked deeper into the darkness, closer to the tree.

“Kai,” | hurried to him, as soon as he came into full view. I sprawled my arms around him, falling into his arms. “I can't believe you are here?" I said, pulling away as Kaiser took off the masquerade mask that was covering his face.

“Me neither. But here | am. He invited me,” he muttered, holding the mask in one hand.

“And I'm really happy.” “Yeah. | can imagine. He did it for you. But what's wrong? Killian sounded urgent and worried about you. What happened?” Kai asked.

“Oh, Kai. It's a long story. And | will tell you everything once the party is over. But first, | need your help. Please find Valerie and Lorenzo.

Help me find out what's going on. She came in a hurry and left with Enzo, | know something is going on,” I said and my brother studied me with his worried green eyes.

“What happened, Sheila? | can feel it, you are unsettled,” he said.

“I will tell you everything when you get back. Just find Valerie now.

Please brother,” | pleaded, and reluctantly, he nodded.

Kaiser placed back his mask on his face, fastening it quickly.

“Go back in, quickly,” he added, and | nodded as he faded into the darkness.

1 held my dress, moved back to the castle, and headed to the hall.

There | met Morgan and Allen in front of the tall golden doors of the

hall.

“Have you seen Killian?" | asked them. I badly wanted to see him. | don't think | could wait for the party to be over before | spoke to him.

“I haven't seen—" Allen began, but Morgan's voice sounded. “There,” he said, and | followed the direction of his gaze. It led me to Killian, and he was walking to us.

His eyes fell on Allen, and then Morgan, before finally landing on me.

“Where did you run off to?" He asked with his stare on me heated and lips holding a smirk.

“I need to see you,” | told him, turning to Allen and Morgan.

“Thanks.” Killian's hands were covered with leather gloves. He took my hand in his, leading us into the castle hallways. | needed somewhere private to speak to him, so | decided we should go to his office.

I stepped in with Killian, locking the door behind me. He moved to the table at the end of the wall, taking a cursory look around.

“Killian,” | called his attention to me, moving to the table.

Killian's eyes fell on me, and gently he removed the leather gloves covering his hands and tossed them on the table.

“I know | told you we should talk after the party, but | can't wait,” | said, feeling Killian's arms around me, his palm gliding up and down the exposed skin of my arms, creating a sweet feeling.

“Tell me whatever you want, darling,” he urged, moving closer to him, that only a breath stood between us.

“I've been having some weird dreams lately," | said, and suddenly, his movements on my arms stopped as his fathomless amber eyes gazed down at me, impelling me to continue.

“It's... it's about the Dark Lord,” | forced out, lifting my head to Killian's. And the look on his face hadn't changed, or he was simply masking his emotions cause | couldn't feel him inside of me.

“Interesting,” he had an amusing grin on. “Do tell me, darling, what sort of dreams?" He asked, funnily, with a dark glint in the corners of his eyes.

“Killian, I'm being serious,” | said in a serious tone.

“And so am |" he said, his eyes drinking me, in a manner that made my body heat up. “What happened in those dreams of yours?" He asked, his sweet breath fanning my lips.

“It's ridiculous. But don't get mad, Killian," I warned. "In every one of those dreams, | was with him, kissing him. And | know exactly what you are going to say, but it was a dream and | had no control over it.

And yes, it was him. | have never seen him, but | swear to the goddess, it was that bastard.”

Killian still didn't say anything, and | couldn't feel anything from him.

His hands moved from my arms and held both sides of my waist, digging me into his sexy body.

“Do tell me, how do you feel about those dreams?" His question surprised me. That was not what | was expecting from him.

“Killian—" “Answer me, darling,” he said, boring hard into my eyes as if wanting to take a peek at my soul.

“Nothing,” I said. I didn't want to think about it. And I refused to. | loved Killian and I just wanted him.

Killian's brows raised at my reply. But he didn't utter a word. He removed one of his hands from my waist, moving it up my body till it fell on my neck where his mark was. His eyes dwelt on it briefly, without as much touching it.

Killian's hand fell on my cheek, and he began caressing it, while his other hand pinned my body against his.

I released a moan as his lips kissed my jawline and his hands did things to my body.

*Kill—" I wanted to say, but he placed a finger on my lips, stopping me. His face changed to one of passion and the intensity he bored at me was thick and made me feel unfamiliar things.

I became still in his arms, holding my breath as his eyes flickered down to my lips, before meeting my gaze once more. He leaned closer and possessed my lips fiercely.

1 could feel the need and want in his kisses, but I didn't feel it back.

My still body that seemed to have realized this became cold, and | broke free from his kiss.

My blue eyes fell into his amber stones that I could tell weren't his. |

couldn't move, my whole body became numb and stiff and somewhere deep down, | could already tell who he was.

His faux amber eyes listened with mischief and he could tell | had caught him.

1 parted my lips, my eyes never breaking from his. "You are not my mate, Killian,” His face hardened, and the air around us became gravely cold. The amber glow in his eyes broke and | could see them. Those golden eyes of his that had always invaded my dreams.

Oh, no!