The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

Chapter 32 Thirty Two

Killian's point of view

I was standing at the entrance of the underground cave in the castle, my eyes gazing gently upward. I watched as the sun was so eager to switch places with the moon. Darkness had already made its arrival known, informing every member of the Crescent North Pack of the mayhem and danger that awaited us soon enough.

After my morning training with Sheila, I went to the training field to train with some warriors. I could feel everyone's anxiety for tonight. Some had started to prepare, while the younger wolves were training harder.

It broke my heart to see my people in this state. I couldn't concentrate on anything, and I had intentionally avoided going into my office. I knew Sheila would be there. I didn't trust myself not to do something that I'd end up regretting. Just yesterday I almost lost it and almost marked her. If Morgan hadn't stepped in just in time and pulled me out of that insanity, I would have involved Sheila in all of this mess, and being a part of the pack with my mark on her, her life would have also been in danger tonight.

As much as my body, soul, and wolf craved her. I had to be with Thea. She was the only one I needed now. The only one that could help us.

I groaned, placing a hand on my chest. Valerie's spell on the dark hole in my chest was slowly wearing out. The cavity filled with darkness in my chest had reopened, ushering nothing but pain.

I couldn't take it. It kept getting worse. It was on this cursed day fifteen years ago that my own father placed a curse on the pack and me. This day had always held pain and the deaths in the pack. I have to watch the disaster that will befall my people once again, and it pains me more that I can do nothing to stop it.

Even the witches couldn't help with this; this was something we had to face on our own.

I hissed as the pain in my chest intensified. My gaze was drawn to the hand I was holding close to my chest, where I could see the black blood dripping from it. Soon enough, the darkness deep within will take control of me. Even Ryker couldn't fight this.

I shut my eyes, wishing badly I could breathe in the very air that carried my mate's scent. It always seems to calm me these days. It somehow manages to quell the growing pain in my chest, and our training this morning proved it. I had spent the night with Thea. Even still, the restlessness and pain within me only kept on growing, but with Sheila beside me, it was different. There was an unexplainable wave of calmness that brushed through me.

I inhaled deeply, feeling warm hands snaked around my waist and a soft body pressed against mine.

I pulled my eyes open. My deep irises fell on Thea. Her bright brown eyes twitched brightly.

"How are you feeling?" She asked quietly, concern and love vividly embedded in her brown depths.

I sighed, engulfing her slender waist in my arms. With Thea, I didn't need to hide anything. It was safe to say, within the short time we've been together, she knows a whole lot about me, about my past with my father, and even my curse.

She was so sweet and just the person I needed. The one the pack desperately needed. Her presence next to me, especially on days like this, was much appreciated. It didn't lock the darkness away, but somehow it lessened the pain and gave Ryker and me more control over the darkness.

"With you beside me, I'll be just fine," I said, trying to believe my own words.

Thea smiled sweetly, her hands moving to my neck. She pulled her lips to mine. And I kissed her back. Her moans echoed in my ears, and I loved them. I loved that I could at least give her pleasure. Thea deserved it. She deserved a lot more from me than that, after everything she was doing for the pack and me. I know that Sheila's situation affected her. But she never speaks about it. That was the kind of person she is: sweet and understanding. And I didn't want to break her heart.

We broke away upon hearing an awkward cough from behind. My gaze traveled in that direction, finding Valerie and Morgan staring at us.

"It's almost time, Alpha," Valerie sounded, her voice neutral. My gaze shifted to that of my brother's, and he didn't hide the rage that stood in them. For some reason, he didn't exactly fancy Thea. even being the gifted one to help break the curse. He still didn't like her.

I moved my gaze to the night sky where the moon was pouring forth its bright rays.

"Is everything ready?" I asked,

Valerie nodded again.

My eyes fell on Thea as we headed back into the cave. At the far end were several chains bound to theExclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

wall.

I took off my shirt, kneeling beside the chains. Allen and Mason joined us. And together with Morgan, they bound me with the chains, pinning me against the wall.

Thea was by my side. I could feel her intense fear and worry.

As soon as the guys were done, Valerie spelled the chains and the cave to ensure when the darkness takes over, I will not be able to break free from the chains and leave the cave.

This is exactly how I've been living my life for the last fifteen years after the curse was placed on me and my pack. Every month of this damned year, my pack and I battle against death itself.

My father, being as vicious as he was, cursed me with a dark hole in my chest. A hole filled with living darkness. It is more like a demon with a deep, insatiable thirst for blood whenever it takes control of my soul.

Thanks to Valerie and the witches, they managed to place a spell on me, weakening the demon's control over me any other day. But tonight, was different. My sincere wish to the moon goddess is that Ryker and I will be strong enough to fight against it, and with Thea beside me, I hope I'll win this war. I really didn't want what happened the last time to repeat itself. I had lost control and went on a freaking rampage into the humans' village. A lot of innocent humans lost their lives, so I really pray I win tonight.

I turned to Morgan and the rest. "Is everyone in the pack prepared?"

They all nodded. Not a single soul was spared from the curse. Every member of the Crescent North Pack would also experience intense pain tonight. They will all experience a slow and painful

transformation into their wolves. It was far worse than the usual and immediate shift into their wolf counterpart. Only those strong enough survive the pain. The younger wolves were the most affected. Their bodies weren't yet used to their wolves. Sometimes, not many make it through the night.

It hurt me the most to know that come to the new dawn, we will have lost many young pups and the elderlies.

"Let's do this," I told them. After some minutes, they all left. Leaving me alone with Thea

She was right next to me, her sad brown gaze never leaving mine.

"I will be with you every second of the night," Her words were sweet and almost comforting, but I couldn't quell my fears.

Thea was putting her life in danger by staying beside me in this cave. If the demon takes over, she could be in danger. Everyone would be in danger. My thoughts drifted to my mate. Just the thought of her being killed at my own hands killed my soul. That was my father's true goal in all of this. He wanted me to be the man he was. The beast everyone feared. The heartless monster who was capable of murdering his own mate abused all three of his sons and cursed his pack.

I shut my eyes to halt the tears, wanting freedom.

My eyes met that of Thea's. "Thank you." Even though she was in danger of being near me, she still remained here.

"You don't have to say that. I love you, Killian," she whispered, almost choking back a sob.

I wished I could say those words back, but I couldn't. Even if I tried to force myself to, the words wouldn't leave my lips. It somehow didn't want to. It's like they were created for someone else's ears alone. Someone I couldn't have. My mate.

Thea kissed me once more, and immediately she pulled away. I felt a sharp piercing in my soul, and something shook me awake. Something dark is spreading through every bone in my body, infecting my blood with its darkness. I struggled deeper to contain the demon in my chest. But it was far stronger. Without warning, my eyes fluttered open, shining a bright torch of red, and my lips flew open, releasing a thundering growl.

Instantly, darkness covered my consciousness. And the demon was free.