The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

Sheila's point of view

I shifted underneath the covers, stirring on the large bed. I stretched to the other side of the bed where Killian was laying but I was greeted by a disturbing coldness from the sheets. My eyes tore open, and I groaned, adjusting my eyes to the bright sun rays that sneaked through the window, descending on me.

I rose to a sitting position on the bed, brushing back my long brown hair. I peered at the window, the sun was shining so brightly and I had overslept. I moved my eyes back to the bed, but Killian wasn't beside me. He must have woken up early to get ready for the day. Today was a little busy, as Killian would be attending a meeting at the Council's castle, and I also had a lot of things to tend to in the pack, amongst which was looking forward to kicking Thea out of the pack.

I left the bed, showered quickly and got dressed in one of my training clothes. I joined the warriors at the training field and I trained with Brielle, Ria and Allen. All through, I didn't see Killian or Morgan.

I mind-linked Morgan, asking after Killian. Apparently, he was at the field in the woods, training.

I left for the woods. I saw Morgan under the shade of a tree, leaning against it, and from afar, I saw Killian, he was training all alone. Fighting like he was fighting against an unknown opponent that he badly wanted to get rid of.

"Has he been like this all morning?" I stopped beside Morgan, joining him under the shade.

Morgan's emerald green eyes shifted on me, and he nodded his head gently. "Yes," Morgan's eyes pulled back to Killian. "Something's wrong with Killian."

"Yes," I muttered, not taking my eyes off Killian. "He's been like this since yesterday," I was honest. Morgan's eyes drifted back to me. "He won't tell me what's really going on, and he keeps turning his link on and off," I said to Morgan. "To be frank, Morgan, I am terrified. I feel like whatever he isn't telling me is bad, really bad."

"Don't say that," Morgan placed a hand on my shoulder. "He's just probably dealing with everything that happened these past few days," Morgan said with concern, and I threw him a look, knowing neither of us believed that.

But he was right, a lot had happened the last few days between all of us, starting with Morgan and Killian finding out about my true identity and the curse being broken.

Something was wrong with Killian, and I hope to the goddess, I find out what was really wrong with Killian.

"Don't worry too much about it, Sheila," Morgan pulled out from the shade. His care and concern forced a smile on my face. Even after he found out the truth about me, his care for me didn't go away. I knew that Morgan, Killian and my brothers may never be able to shield the hatred that existed between them, but it was more than enough for me, they haven't murdered each other. "Sheila," Morgan's voice jerked my attention back to him. You should go to him," he gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze, sending me a smile, before walking away.

I held a smile, watching him leave, requesting the moon goddess to bless Morgan with a beautiful mate. He deserved it.

My gaze travelled back to Killian who was in the middle of the field a distance from where I was, fighting. Even as I moved closer to him, he still didn't sense my presence. He's been constantly lost in deep thoughts.

"Killian," at my call, he spun around, his eyes connecting with mine.

"Love," he said, placing a kiss on my lips. "What are you doing here?”

"To train, obviously," I said, smiling, in a flirtatious manner.

Killian groped my waist, digging me into his arms. "Are you sure about that?"

I pulled out of his arms, nodding. "Just don't go easy on me, otherwise you'll regret it,"

I took my stance, and Killian smirked, taking his stance. We began training, and for the first time he was actually going easy on me, making it easy to pin him against the ground and I was on top of him. The smile across his face deepened and as I stared into his eyes, I couldn't hold back the question choking my chest. "It's time, Killian. Tell me, what's the reason behind the sadness in your eyes?"

*****

Killian's point of view

I was panting so hard by the time Sheila pinned me on the ground so easily and effortlessly, she came on top of me. I couldn't repress the smile that momentarily found my lips as I felt her warm body lean on my chest.

Her perfect round eyes dived right into mine, and I could literally see the questions that flew out of her lips. "It's time, Killian. Tell me, what's the reason behind the sadness in your eyes?"

I didn't know when my hold around my mate's flawless body tightened, and I fought every emotion from my eyes. I tried pulling up from the ground, but Sheila pinned me the more.

"Last night you made a promise to me, Killian. Now, tell me, what's really going on with you?" Sheila’s eyes furrowed on me as she asked again with worry.

I felt my bones tense beneath her soft body, and my only option was to stare back at her. I hated to see the worry in her blue crystals, but I couldn't tell her what was really going on. At least not now.

Even Ryker and I haven't fully come to terms with our new reality. There was no way I could ever keep this secret from her or anyone else in the pack. It was only a matter of time before everyone began to find out. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Fuck. I hated this. I hated it badly. Why did something like this happen now, at a time when I was beginning to have a chance with Sheila?

I shut my eyes, feeling the pain, and sadness from inside my bones. I swear to the goddess I would do anything and give everything just to make this go away. Just to make Sheila the one instead.

I fought the stinging that began to erupt around the corners of my eyes, just imagining the immense happiness I would be bursting from if only this had happened to my mate instead.

"Killian, enough of this, talk to me!" Sheila yelled, but not from rage.

I wish it was that easy to say. But the instant the truth was exposed, Sheila would be in as much pain as I was in, and the bitter truth is that, her hatred for me would return. It would consume her and kill me to see her despise me so much.

I pulled up a little from the ground, wrapping my arms around her. I buried my head into her neck, inhaling her scent. I unblocked the link between us, masking all my emotions so they won't betray me.

My amber pair moved to meet hers. And for a second, I got lost in my thoughts. I didn't deserve her. I knew it. And yet, shamelessly and selfishly, I couldn't risk telling her the truth now. This would be the height of my betrayal and it's unforgiven. I just might lose my mate, and this time, it'll be forever.

"I am sorry," I said through the mind link, feeling Ryker's silent presence at the back of my mind. He had barely muttered a word since yesterday when we received the news.

"About what?" She asked, adjusting her body on mine.

"Everything. The pain, humiliation and suffering I have made you go through being my mate," I was being earnest. "I just feel so bad about it,"

"Is that it?" Her curious eyes pried into the depths of my eyes.

I nodded. "Yes," I lied, for now.

Sheila nodded her head slowly as well. Her eyes were pretty clear that she didn't believe a word I had

said.

"Then it's alright, Killian. Everything is in the past," she kissed me. "What is important is our future together," she muttered and my heart ached at her words.

I knew the chances of a future with Sheila were slim when she found out about this.

"On that note," she began, "I will be sending Thea away from the pack before the dusk of today."

Her words threw me off guard, and it made my insides crawl. That would have been good news if the circumstances had been different. I also was dying to have Thea away from here, and focus on my life with Sheila.

But that will no longer be possible. And I had no way of telling Sheila without having to spill the truth. The truth I detested and wished I could spare her from. But unfortunately, at this point, there was nothing I could do.