The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

cave, was anyone else there besides you and Thea?" She asked.

I ran my fingers through my hair, thinking deeply. "It was just Thea and me. No one could get inside

because of the spell you placed, right?"

Her eyes pulled away from mine. "That's exactly what bothers me."

The skin on my forehead creased, "What do you mean by that?"

"With the spell I placed, no one could have left the cave, or entered as well, but you did." She stopped

walking, concentrating hard on me. "When the demon took over, you left the cave, which means

someone had lifted the boundary spell I placed on the cave."

"A witch?" I inquired.

"It can only be," she muttered slowly.

"It could be the same witch that murdered Rowan in the dungeon, but you assured me it wasn't from

your coven," I said.

"And it wasn't. Remember, I did a cleansing spell to find out a possible traitor within the coven, but

there was none, meaning—"

"It's someone else," I concluded, and she nodded.

My rough hands fell on my face. "Another problem to add to the list."

"The Luna knows everything," Valerie said, drawing my attention back to her. Before I could speak, she

said, "I told her. She saw everything that happened last night. There was no point in keeping the secret

anymore. She's your mate, and something about her feels completely different."

I stopped listening to Valerie, my heart picked up an insane speed within my chest. Sheila knew

everything. I couldn't think straight. "How on earth did she see everything?"

"I have no idea. The warriors and witches tried to find you. By the time we found you, the demon had

her. It almost killed her last night. That's all I know." She studied me. "No one knows what happened

between you two, but by the time we arrived, the demon was gone, and I felt something. I swear I did,"

She paused for a moment before returning her gaze to me. "I have a gut feeling there's something we

are not doing right, and I'll find out,"

Valerie left for her quarters, and I headed to the castle. To my mate's chamber. Without knocking, I

walked in and found her staring into the mirror in a daze. It took a long minute for her to notice my

presence, and once she did, she slowly spun around, giving me the opportunity to gaze into her lucid

blue eyes.

"Killian," she said, softly. I could not even imagine what would have become of me if I had hurt her last

night, or even worse, killed her. There was a stinging pain in my chest; even Ryker felt it too.

She moved a step closer to me, her scent dancing in the air, completely distracting me for a minute.

"How are you doing? I heard you were all injured last night," I voiced.

She didn't reply, instead, she sent me a gaze that held so many questions.

"Why didn't you tell me about the curse, Killian? I am your mate," Her voice vibrated. She was in pain. I

wanted to run over to her and wrap her in my arms. I wanted to kiss away her pain and sadness.

"There was no reason to," I said, my words hurting her all the more. But I didn't mean it that way. There

was no point bothering her with these things. What happened last night made it crystal clear to me how

much of a danger I was to Sheila. It also reminded me that not only my life was at stake, but also the

lives of every member of my pack. I couldn't be selfish. Thea should be the one by my side. She should

be the one I truly love.

"I realize there's no way I can help you and the pack with the curse, but," A tear slipped down her

cheek as she struggled for her next words. Something deep within me churned at her teary sight. I

hated seeing those sad tears escape her gorgeous eyes.

I couldn't hold back; I had to hold her in my arms, at least once more. Then I would back away, pretend

she didn't exist, but just this once was all I needed. Before I knew it, my god-damned legs were on the

move, I approached her, but she took a step back.

"Please, just don't move," I said in a soft tone.

To my surprise, she obeyed. I stood before her, leaving no space between us. I cupped her face, and

slowly brushed the pad of my thumb on her delicate cheek, staring deep into her eyes.

Sheila leaned into my touch as my thumb traveled to her bottom lip, brushing against it. Sheila released

a subtle moan and absent-mindedly opened her lips in invitation.

I found myself leaning into her, aiming for her luscious soft lips. My lips felt her warm ones, and I

couldn't help but moan softly at the tingles that erupted throughout my body. Her lips danced beautifully

with mine.

Her soft moans were music to my ears. I loved everything about her. With her sweet honey kisses and

tender caresses, Sheila wrapped her hands around my neck, and I wrapped my strong hands around

her small waist.

Her pristine body was pinned against mine as if it was in my warm embrace. In a quick motion, I hauled

her body against the wooden dresser table and moved my way between her legs, my lips not once

disconnecting from hers. I caressed her thighs beneath her dress.

She made short sounds of pleasure and I froze.

She was beautiful, but I couldn't go on. I couldn't lose myself. I pecked her lips one more time before

pulling away from her.

Ryker and I died, seeing the hurt in her beautiful, brilliant blue eyes. She looked so fragile and

heartbroken.

Her eyes held more questions.

"Please Killian, stop doing this," she spoke. I could see the tiredness in her eyes. "Now I know the

reason why Thea is here. She is the only one you love and the one you need. You have no idea how

much it's hurt me to know I will never stand a chance against her. It will always be her, and you'll keep

choosing her over me. I want this pain I feel to stop. I want to stop hurting, Killian." She said firmly, her

words confusing me.

Sheila's eyes closed, leaning into my tingling touch as if wanting it to warm her shattered heart. Then

she pulled her eyes open, her gaze firm as she declared. "I, Sheila Callaso, reject you, Alpha Killian

Reid, as my mate."