The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

I was right outside the cave, feeling the cool satisfying breeze of the night as | watched the witches trooping into the cave, all dressed in the ceremonial red cloak of the Dark Circle. | was wearing one as well.

It was almost time for the ritual as | could already feel the power of the Blood moon.

It was almost upon us and | hoped Kaiser and Killian were doing great. And Zena too, | hoped she had succeeded in getting to Leo and Morgan. Ever since she had left Oasis with the army, we didn't know how things had gone and so far, the Dark Circle hasn't received a word from the army.

1 peered once more at the dark, starless sky, and right before my eyes the Blood moon appeared, and | felt its great magic. It was time. | made my way into the cave. Every second of the last eight weeks had brought me to this moment and I couldn't wait for this night to be over. | inhaled, feeling a shiver ripple down my spine.

I moved through the rough rocky path, going deeper into the cave when abruptly, | was pulled into a comer and pinned against the wall.

1 gasped at the sparks that shot through my body and my blue crystals fell into Killian's magnetic amber pair.

I felt a rush of relief as my hands tightened around his torso, and he pulled me into his embrace with his lips on mine.

“Killian, what are you—" His lips covered mine. *I had to see you, or | swear, | would have gone crazy.” 1 kissed him back, briefly, "How are things outside?" “Good. Kai is taking care of it and I hope the Council's army arrive

justin time,” he said.

“They will," | pecked his lips, before forcing myself out of his grip. “I need to go now,” | stopped him, and | watched as fear and worry rose within him, unwilling to let me go.

| could feel Killian's growing uneasiness as his crystal amber eyes locked with mine and | held my breath as | felt our souls connect.

And deep down, | didn't want to leave either.

“Please, kiss him again,” | heard Adie’s voice in my head, and before | could take action on her words, Killian's mouth invaded mine once more and our tongues entangled in a deep embrace, his arms squeezing me so close to his body that | could barely breathe.

Killian pulled away reluctantly, resting his forehead on mine. “Please come back to me, safe and unharmed,” There was something in his words that made my soul tighten. | don’t know what, but | nodded.

“I swear | will," I smiled, “Always,” | assured him gently.

“I will be here with the witches. | know you can handle yourself, but please, at the first sight of danger, Sheila, just call my name and | swear I'll be there,” he said with all seriousness that | couldn't help but smile at him.

“Iwill,” | muttered, kissing him one last time before leaving him and joining the trail of the witches to where the ritual will be performed.

I walked in, behind the coven’s witches, taking a careful scan around.

Everything had been carefully prepared. My eyes went over the ancient marking that seemed like they were deeply etched on the ground, moving to the phoenix stones positioned around the crystalline water.

I sighed again. | had asked Jaskier about the vessel that Nikolai had chosen for tonight, but he had no idea who it was. It worried me that I didn’t know what that imbecile plans, but, it doesn't matter.

1 jerked from my thoughts, feeling a strong grip around my waist, and then Vladimir's scent invaded my nostrils.

1 turned to him, smiling, and from behind, Nikolai joined us.

“It's time already,” he said, and | nodded at his words. My eyes moved from him to Nikolai.

“Are you going to be watching the ritual?" | asked Vlad through my eyelashes.

“No,” he replied, and | nodded, hiding my relief. “I am going to be tonight's vessel.” The second his words reached my ears, | felt my spine stiffen and my eyes gazed at him expressionlessly before shifting to Nikolai.

“That's... dangerous, Vlad," I said calmly, bringing my eyes back to Vladimir. "I don't agree with this new change. We should use a

different vessel first, just in case things go wrong.” “Nothing will go wrong tonight," Nikolai assured me from behind, as my blue eyes slowly fell on him. I felt an overpowering urge to rip his throat out. But | had to tame my raw emotions, not responding to his comments, and my gaze drifted back to Vladimir.

“If this is truly what you want," | said, and Vladimir's lips pressed to mine.

“Don't worry, darling. | know for a fact that this will be successful.” I nodded, having nothing more to say on the matter. They had decided on this. My eyes met with Nikolai, "We should begin.” At my words, the coven witches spread out, taking their positions on each ancient symbol etched on the ground. Vladimir took off his leather garment, exposing his broad arms, and chiseled chest where the symbol of the black dragon was inked on his skin.

I followed him to the crystalline waters, and slowly, he settled in. His wet golden hair stuck to his face, and his eyes found mine.

Nikolai moved to his position at the end of the water and slowly moved to mine at the head of the water, right opposite Nikolai.

The instant | stepped on the ancient symbols, the phoenix stones glowed brightly, and | felt its magic mix with the air, charging into the crystalline waters.

I took a deep breath, knowing at this moment, Jaskier and the witches were gathered as well somewhere within the cave, waiting for the time they will join the ritual, changing its course of direction, and instead of making use of the crack and temporary unleashing the dark magic in Vladimir, we will be permanently sealing the crack that has been made by Nikolai in the prison caging this darkness.

I closed my eyes, as Killian's face flashed through my mind, calming me. It gave me the strength | needed to do this. Just the thought of

getting our lives back to normal where no threat or darkness was lurking around was so tempting and the motivation | needed.

1 pulled my eyes open, and they captured Vladimir's fathomless stare on me, regarding me so deeply.

“Let's begin," | released my magic, and my eyes glowed a bright blue, causing the ancient symbols and inscriptions on the ground to glow as well. | began channeling every witch in here but concentrated more on Nikolai's magical energy. I had to weaken him to a point where itll be easy for Zena and the witches to pull down the invisible boundary spells holding Oasis. Just then, the ritual had begun, and there was no turning back now.

Kaiser's point of view We were all in position. Many prisoners were scattered throughout

Oasis, watching and waiting for the signal before we began the attack.

1 was in my wolf form, sharing control with Kade, constantly searching the air and sky for the signal which was Zena's and the witches successful entry into Oasis. It was until we saw the signal that the attack had to begin.

My eyes lifted to the raging Blood moon. | was worried. Sheila must have begun the ritual now, and the attack should be happening right now as the witches are busy with the ritual.

| couldn't help my trembling. And somewhere deep down within my soul, | recognized the fear settling in, not for the attack, but for Sheila.

Urght 1 groaned internally; this was all Killian's fault. | knew my sister was very capable, hell, | had seen it countless times, but for an unknown.

sickening reason, | felt fear.

Oh, goddess, please take care of her.

I moved around the woods, to clear out my thoughts and expel the fear settling in. The exercise worked a great deal. My eyes went back up, scanning for any signs, but nothing.

“Please, give me something,” | begged mentally. “Come on, love,” | muttered internally, and immediately, | felt an enormous wave of magical energy pass through me, sweeping through Oasis. It was external and supreme.

My eyes darted up into the darkness and I noticed blue sparks traveling in the air. The boundary. A smile found my lips. The boundary was collapsing. They were fucking here.

I couldn't hide my elation as another wave of powerful magical energy swept through the air and earth, almost pushing me over. It

lasted for a quarter second before it stopped, and | felt it. The fresh breeze of freedom.

Kade lifted his face in the night, releasing a deep long howl for everyone to hear, informing them it was time to fight like our lives depended on it because, at this point, it actually did.