The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

Chapter 12 Twelve

Sheila's point of view

It was already dawn. I woke up earlier than usual. I just couldn't get some sleep. My chest kept aching, and for some reason, I've been experiencing some headaches, which always lasted for a few hours.

I was walking down the long hallway of the castle alone, wearing a long blue velvet dress. Ria had some patrolling to do for the day, and so did Brielle. As for Killian, I was told that there was an important council meeting, so he left the castle at the first light of dawn, together with Mason, Allen, and Valerie.

I have gotten much more used to my environment and life in the castle. I can't say it's comfortable, but it's bearable enough when I don't see Killian together with his lover. I've also made some friends in the pack.

Right now, I'm supposed to be on my way to the dining hall to have my breakfast, but something caught my attention in the hallway on the other floor of the castle that I haven't been to yet. My curiosity got the better part of me, so I decided to explore it.

It led me to a very old part of the castle. The surroundings looked old and scary, and the air here wasn't the usual warmth from the morning sunrise. It was cold. Very cold. There were burning torches hung on the wall. Their lights were very dim and they did much to illuminate the path. There were almost no windows, if there were any at all.

The place gave me a creepy feeling, but I kept walking, despite feeling anxious. I stopped in front of an

old-looking door. It was the only door in the hallway, and it was locked.

Something caught my attention the most. I looked around but there wasn't a door knob nor a key hole to pull it open.

That was strange. I placed my hand on it, inspecting the door for any other way it could get open, when suddenly, I heard it creaking and, to my surprise, the door opened.

I was stunned, even worse, confounded.

I looked behind me, but there was no one. My eyes shifted to the door, and I walked in cautiously.

The inside was warm. A lot of candles were lit, and there were all sorts of books arranged on a wooden shelf. Weird looking vases on the table. On the walls were strange markings in red and black. I felt drawn to them. The pad of my fingers trailed them on the wall.

There were also a lot of flowers spread all over the room, a few trees in the corners, mistletoe on the ceiling, and a couch at the far end. It was a sight.

It didn't have a spooky appearance; on the contrary, it seemed like it was a room inside a forest with a lot of trees and nature around. And the air in the room was powerful in a strange way.

Weirdly, I felt safe and at home, but I couldn't tell why.

I went to the wide circle table at the center of the room, my eyes taking in everything on it. Weird objects like knives have one mark on each side. They were intriguing. My eyes rested on a small

wooden bowl, and inside was a thick red liquid. It looked more like blood. There was a book beside it. It was opened, and the page showed a large symbol in red, and on the top some words were written in red as well, 'The Crystal Fortress'. I pulled my hand to touch it but jolted at the sudden voice that echoed.

Cripes!

"Don't touch that!"

I spun around in fear, my eyes falling on the face of a familiar woman. Valerie. She was wearing a brown dress and a blue cloak over it.

She hurried closer to me, and swiftly, she moved her fingers in the air, and the book in front of her closed without her even touching it.

I remembered that Ria informed me she was a witch. She was in charge of the witches' quarters within the pack.

I intentionally took a step backwards. "I am really sorry for barging in here. I didn't—"

"How did you get in here?" Valerie asked suddenly, but she didn't look upset that I had barged in without invitation. Her face held more of a surprised, confounded gaze.

"I found—" I decided to ditch the long story. "The door just opened," I said in honesty.

Valerie froze for a second. Was I imagining it? Her gaze traveled to the door before meeting mine again. She looked a little bit lost. "But that's impossible." She whispered more to herself, but I heard.

I quickly added, "I am really sorry."

"It's nothing, Luna, it's just unusual that the door opened for you." Her eyes studied me briefly. "But it's alright. I was only worried when you reached for the book. It's a little dangerous for non-witches."

I glanced at the book cover, and on it a name was inked at the bottom. 'Fiona Black'

I removed my eyes from it. "I was just curious about this side of the castle,"

She kept staring at me, her face crippled, as if having some bizarre thoughts. Her stare at me wasn't creepy, but I couldn't deny that I felt a bit uncomfortable.

"I should get going now. I'm a little late for breakfast." With that, I managed to excuse myself out of that room.

I found my way to the dining hall, and to my surprise, Killian's lover was already there, having her breakfast. There was no sign of Killian, I had expected him to be around for breakfast, since Valerie was back from the meeting with the Council early in the morning. Killian had attended as well. Maybe his absence was a good thing. I wouldn't be able to bear seeing them together.

Thea's heavy gaze pulled me out of my thoughts. I approached the table, taking ownership of one of the chairs.

Her constant stare was still on me. I pulled my head up, my eyes meeting hers.

This was the first time we were this close and alone. Other times she's either sucking Killian's face or

throwing unreadable stares at me, like now.

She regarded me with her brown eyes that showed nothing in their depth. She didn't like me, and I didn't like her either, but I barely had the strength to get into a fight with her.

I shifted my gaze to my food instead.

"What the hell are you still doing here?" Her voice sounded far different from the cool and soft voice I was accustomed to hearing whenever she was with Killian.

"Obviously, I'm having breakfast," I replied without looking at her.

"You know, Killian will never accept a good-for-nothing like you. I am the one he's in love with and the only one that can save him and his pack."

Her words drew my attention to her. What did she mean by the only one that could save Killian and the pack? I was confused by her words.

The mocking laughter she released afterward informed me she could see the confusion imprinted on my face.

Thea dropped the silver spoon from her hand and clasped her fingers together as she rose from her chair and moved to mine.

"Killian doesn't love you, bitch, and he will never look your way as long as I'm in the picture. Isn't it obvious already? You're just a fool holding on to nothing."

Her words stung a lot. Even though every word of hers was right, I hated the damn tone she was using on me.

I dropped my spoon, looking her in the eye. "You are the one who is holding on to nothing. You are only an object he uses to warm his bed. I, on the other hand, I'm his mate, and the Luna of his pack." What I said seemed to have stung Thea well. But my own words had also pierced me. They were all lies, and I knew it. I was nothing to Killian. I meant absolutely nothing to him.

Thea's brown eyes burned with fury. She was angry. I wasn't expecting it when her hand pulled up and collided with my cheek.

I gasped, shocked that she could strike me. My eyes flashed on her and without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped her harder. That impact caused her to stagger on her shoes. I was surprised at where that strength came from.

Thea's face was colored with rage, a murderous flash of hate, and something I couldn't decipher stalked her eyes.

Thea angrily moved to me, but suddenly, a loud growl thundered, frightening both Thea and me.

I looked to where it came from, Killian's hateful glares directed at me. In swift motion, he was before me, his large palm crashing harshly against my cheek, causing me to collapse on the floor.

My mate hit me.