The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

Chapter 25 Twenty Five

Sheila's point of view

I couldn't wait any longer to get my trembling legs into my chamber. As soon as I was in, I let them collapse onto the bed, which gladly received me. I still couldn't believe everything had worked out so well. I couldn't believe that my innocence was proven in front of the court, and the real culprit was caught.

I shut my eyes, holding back the tears that yearned for freedom.

Just then, the door pulled open, and Ria came bustling through, rushing to me. Her hands were sprawled open in the air, gripping me in a hug. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

"I am so glad you're safe," she whispered, holding me closer to her body. I returned her hug.

"I am glad too," I said, finally able to stop my trembling legs. Brielle roved over to us, joining in on the hug.

After a while, we pulled away. I held both their hands, my blue eyes now glistening. "Thank you both for everything," I said, smiling at them. I had indeed found good friends.

After keeping me company for some time, Brielle and Ria left. I was alone by myself in my room, my mind replaying everything that had happened within the last twenty-four hours. Later in the day, precisely at dusk, Ria came to take me down for dinner, but I insisted she brings it to my chamber instead. I didn't want to see Killian just yet, or the face of that annoying lover of his.

Ria did as I wanted, and she brought my meal to my chamber.

The next day, I was up quite early. I showered and got dressed, leaving my chamber. I made my way to Valerie's spell room. The door was slightly ajar.

I stood at the entrance, peering inside. My eyes fell on Valerie. She was in the middle of two young females. I recognized them as the witches that accompanied Valerie to my trial. All three of them were positioned inches away from each other, having their hands clasped with one another, the gates of their eyes were shut, and their lips moved gently.

In the middle of the circle was a book, a familiar one at that. I had seen it here the first time I came snooping around. Whatever they were doing seemed pretty serious. There was a shivering coldness in the air. It sent a jolt down my spine. Even the red candles that were lit in every corner of the room blazed brightly, and so did the burning torches that illuminated the path to Valerie's spell room.

I didn't dare move a step forward. They seemed really into whatever it was they were doing, so I decided to leave quietly.

I had turned to the door when Valerie's voice rang out loudly as she called out to me, startling me.

I turned around to find all three women staring at me.

"I apologize, I didn't mean to intrude," I cast a glance at the other two females. They tilted their heads in respect.

"It's fine, we are done here," Valerie closed the book. She picked it up and sauntered to the corner of

the room, placing it in a drawer. The two females gave a light bow to Valerie before leaving us alone in the room.

I sauntered closer to her. "I came to say thank you for helping me. You saved my life."

Her warm smile lurked on her lips. "I wish I could take all the credit, but I can't. Either way, you're most welcome, Luna," Valerie said.

I smiled, knowing she was just being polite. If it wasn't for her, there was no way Rowan would be caught, and there's no way I would have proven my innocence. I owed her my life.

I was about to make my way out when a thought crossed my mind. I paused, my eyes meeting Valerie's bright purple crystals.

"I need your help once again. If you can help me with anything that can rid me of the nagging ache in my head, please. It keeps getting worse, and for some reason, the medication from the Pack's healer doesn't seem to help."

Valerie furrowed her brows, her lips pursed together. She took a few steps until she was a few feet away from me. "What do you feel when it aches?"

"Pain and more pain, writhing through my skull, infiltrating my mind." Sometimes it feels like a drone of voices battling within. The pain is unbearable. It's driving me insane." It was hard to keep the strain of rage and frustration from my voice.

Valerie took my hand in her slender, warm palm. Her eyes were closed. She wasn't muttering any

words, just holding my palm. But I felt a warm, calming sensation spread from her touch through every bone in my body as if fusing with the blood in my veins while it intruded on my mind. The stabbing ache in my head slowly disappeared. I let out a whooshing sigh of relief. It was as if a painful burden had been lifted from me. My head felt lighter, and my soul calmer.

Valerie's purple eyes pulled open.

"What did you do?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I just took the pain." Valerie's hands pulled away from mine.

"Will it stop the painful aching?" I asked, my eyes on her.

She shook her head. "Unfortunately, no."

The skin on my forehead was crippled, and Valerie spoke again.

"Nothing can help it ache less, not magic, nor medication. The only person that can stop the pain is you. There's a turmoil within you. If you hear voices, then you should listen. Just maybe something has been trying to reach out to you,"

I stared blankly at her. Her expression was dead serious, but her words only managed to confuse me.

I nodded. Valerie escorted me out.

Instead of heading to my chamber, I decided to stroll the castle grounds.

"Someone is looking refreshed after last night's rest," I heard behind me. I glanced sideways to find Morgan stalking me.

A smile formed on my lips. "All thanks to you."

"Ha! I highly doubt that."

"But that's the truth. I would have probably been executed by now if it wasn't for you, Valerie, Ria, and Brielle, who believed me."

"I'm touched." He placed a hand on his chest, sarcastically. "But we had other help though,"

Yeah, he was right. Like Kaiser Black. If he hadn't returned my dagger, we wouldn't have caught Rowan.

Morgan's lips parted, about to say something, when Ria hastened to us, calling my name.

"Sheila, I've been looking for you. The Alpha has called for your presence in his office."

"What?" I couldn't stop the shock that invaded me. "Are you sure?" I asked Ria.

And she nodded. My gaze fell on Morgan questioningly, but he simply shrugged, not knowing.

I left with Ria, and we made our way to Killian's office. Ria stopped at the door, and I gave a light knock on the door.

Immediately, I heard a "come in" echo from the inside.

Sparing another glance at Ria, I tugged on the doorknob, strolling in.

My eyes connected instantly with Killian's. I sucked in some air, shutting the door close behind me.

He was at the library at the far end of his large office, with stacked books and journals on the floor.

His gaze shifted from mine, dumping the book in his hand on his left, onto the stash of books standing neatly.

"You called for me?" I said, after a while, when he still didn't say anything.

"Yes," Killian said, still with his back to me, picking up some more books. He added them to the stash beside him.

"And for what reason?" I crossed my hands against the blue linen of my dress.

Killian turned to me, his fathomless amber gaze taking me in, breathing a certain life into my body.

"You told me you wanted to be more involved in the Pack's business and know more about your duties, didn't you?"

I nodded.

"Well, this is where you start." He pointed to the stash of books. "You must learn every little thing about the pack."

"By reading those?" I asked.

He cocked his head left. "Yes, every one of those in my office, and from today onwards, you are allowed to partake in the Pack's activities."

I was left agape. My eyes scanned the stash of books.

"You are joking, right?" My eyes shot sharply to meet his.

"Do you have any objections? If not, — "

"Don't you think you should say something to me?" I cut him off.

Killian tucked his thick black brow, "Like what?"

His careless words struck a painful nerve. And his nonchalant attitude infuriated me.

"I'm aware that we are far from being the best of mates, but I almost lost my life for the crime of attempting to murder my mate and his lover. The least you could do is—"

"Is what?" Killian strutted aimfully towards me.

"Well, for starters, you could..." My words got stuck in my throat as Killian's divine scent clouded my senses at his sudden nearness.

"Go on," he prodded, in the huskiest, and may I add, deeply sexy voice. Damn, my mind had begun to have impure thoughts.

I took a few steps backward to evade his heavenly scent and impede the dirty thoughts invading my mind.

But I came to a halt when my back collided with the door. Killian's large hand was on my waist, pushing me up against the wall. I gasped at the manner in which his body pressed against mine, caging me between his arms. I quivered from a pleasurable sensation building up in my body.

"You were saying?" He asked again, almost teasingly, his amber eyes holding a dark glint.

"Stay back, Killian," I warned him, almost breathless.

"Or what?" He leaned closer to me as my heart began to race. Its fast pounding made it difficult for me to breathe through my nostrils, or maybe the air had somehow vanished from existence because I couldn't breathe.

"Please, just stop." My voice was strained and breathless. Killian's nose collided with mine, and his lips were a breath away from mine. He had one hand on my waist while the other skillfully moved from my waist, leaving a trail of sparks as it journeyed up to my face. I felt hot. very hot. I felt like my skin and soul were on fire, and what's even worse, I didn't want it to stop.

Killian's hand rested on my cheek, caressing it so tenderly that it caused me to lean into it. He guided my face up, and his lips brushed mine. I gasped. I felt heat building between my legs. And Killian's lips swallowed mine again.

His hand on my waist pushed me closer to him.

My hands took on a life of their own, and before I knew it, they had made their way to his neck, causing him to moan. His tongue sucked in my mouth, and I moaned at the blissful feeling. Soon, Killian's lips pulled from mine, his head resting on mine as we swallowed each other's breath. His dark eyes drew mine, and we stared at each other, bored.

"Killian,"

He tilted his head, his lips intentionally grazing mine for the briefest second.

I released a quick gasp, feeling the tingles that lit up my body in a pleasurable sensation.

"So, what's your decision?" He asked, calmly yet darkly.

"I— I—" I stuttered with my words, trying to make a quick decision.

My gaze pulled back to Killian. "I accept." After all, whether I like it or not, I am the Luna of this pack, and I have a responsibility to fulfill."

Killian narrowed his dark eyes, and his lips curled up darkly. "That's good."