The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

linhaled deeply, shifting under the warm silken covers. | turned gently on the bed, leaning deeper into the soft pillows as my eyes fell on that of my mate, sleeping next to me.

1 pulled closer to him, my blue eyes taking in all of him. I shut my eyes momentarily, breathing in his scent. It was a new dawn already, and even though the thick draperies had blocked out all lights, | could feel the gentle warmth of the sunlight that waited outside for me.

1 pulled my eyes open, firmly holding the covers around my naked body when | felt his presence at the back of my mind.

“I'm sorry | woke you up, | wanted you to sleep in for a few more minutes,” I smiled, turing to peck his lips, pulling my eyes to meet his deep golden eyes.

His strong arms gripped my waist, pinning me against the bed, and slowly, he leaned in to kiss me.

1 kissed him back, matching his fierce kisses. He pulled the covers away, pressing his naked body to mine, as his lips began trailing kisses down my jawline, moving to my marking spot where his mark was deeply rooted.

My hands moved skillfully on his body, stimulating him to the point | felt his almost unnoticeable moans against my skin.

1 wrapped my legs around his waist, as he began to pleasure my body, ensuring my mind and thoughts are filled with him only.

His sweet lips began to leave a burning sensation down the valley of my chest, as his large hands cupped both of my breasts.

1 bit the bottom of my lips, my hands getting lost in his shoulder- length golden hair that matched his twin golden flames that gazed down at me with love and fascination. | felt it through the bond we shared. It was unique and powerful, and frankly, like nothing I've ever felt.

“You are mine, darling. Mine alone,” he whispered through our link, and a smile found my lips as | shared similar emotions.

“I love you, Vlad," My lips captured his in a kiss and we were about to take things quite further, but he was mind-linked all of a sudden, and regardless of what had happened to me a few weeks ago, | was as well connected to Vladimir's pack and coven beyond the Fortress and within the Oasis through the mate bond.

“What is it?" Vlad queried in a gruff, and | pulled up in a sitting position as Vlad pulled away from me.

“I apologize, Dark Lord, but we have some important information regarding the wolves in the East," Vlad's demeanor hardened as his golden eyes blazed at me from within his long thick lashes.

“Hmmm,” He was up instantly, while | remained on the bed, watching him. “Tell the others to wait. We'll be there in a moment,” he replied, and the presence at the back of our minds through the link retreated.

Vlad gripped one of his black garments from the rack, pulling it over him. He moved back to the bed where | was still positioned, leaning down to kiss me.

“I'll be out in a few minutes,” | told him through our link as he pulled away. | sank deeper into the warmth of the bed when | heard the usual sharp knock on the door.

“You may enter,” | spoke in a voice they could hear and they both stepped in, bowing their heads in respect. Sybil and Kali were witches and belonged to the Dark Circle coven.

1 got up from the bed, donning a silken robe, while Sybil went into the washing room to prepare the tub for me to shower, and Kali fixed adress for me.

I sauntered into the washroom, taking off my robe. I climbed into the tub and sank my body into the hot water. It was refreshing. | took my time to get my body washed, and by the time | went back to my chamber, Kali had prepared a dress for me. It was black elegant, and anything but simple and plain.

The witches helped me get ready for it, and | took a glance at myself in the mirror once more. My blue eyes moved from the natural curls of my brown hair that now had a noticeable shade of blue growing on them. It fell neatly on both sides of my shoulders, stopping at my stomach. My eyes glided to the crook of my neck where the mark of

my mate stood in a flaming golden color, having the shape of a dragon.

My eyes lingered on it for a second, before they pulled away. My eyes closed briefly for a second as | felt the scar that was etched on my palm. | opened my eyes and they fell on it. It was a deep wound made from the sharp blade of a sword.

1 paused all my thoughts and cleared my mind of all silly emotions, exiting my chamber for the Dragon Court. The biggest hall in the whole of the Fortress. Vlad loved having his meetings there, especially when they were important like today.

I kept moving with Sybil and Kali tailing behind me. They were always with me, and | liked to think of them as my shadows.

1 was at the black diamond doors of the Dragon Court, and immediately, it was opened for me. My eyes fell on the large individuals that were seated around the black circular crystal table.

1 lifted my chin and walked inside. As usual, they were waiting for my arrival before starting the meeting.

1 took my seat right opposite Vladimir with the black crystal table separating us.

“Begin,” Vlad's deep voice sounded throughout the Court. And Elias, one of Vladimir's most trusted leaders of the vampire coven stood up from his seat, my eyes fell on the wide map spread out on the table with red crosses and green circles dotted all over some small drawings and writings. It was a map encompassing all of the regions in the North, West, South, and East.

Every region in the East had red crosses on them which meant they'd already been targeted and destroyed by our armies, and up until a week ago, the West Central still had few regions that haven't been targeted yet, but according to the map, not anymore. They've been targeted and destroyed.

“Every region in the West has been attacked, my Lord," Elias spoke with a smirk, highly satisfied with the results. We had encountered some problems conquering some regions in the West that were affiliated with the Council. The Council had fought hard to prevent the destruction of the West regions that were under their control but it was of no use.

Our army was stronger and we had an impressive number and the tight power at our disposal. They didn't stand a chance against us, and will never. We always grew in numbers. From every attack, our armies always bring prisoners to the Oasis. Prisoners from several magical kinds. They are branded and molded to our liking and forced to work for us by their own will, or against their wil. It doesn't matter.

The Dark Circle always has a special way of keeping one in line.

My eyes retracted from the map and | found Viad's intense gaze on me, piercing right into my soul. A small smile found my lips. There was something about his gaze that was capable of seeing right

through me. It was fascinating how he always managed to know exactly what | was thinking and feeling. It was like every print of me was molded in him.

“Excellent, Elias. Good job," Vlad finally spoke in his rich accented voice. His interesting golden eyes never drifted from mine.

“Splendid news. We should proceed on to the next. We have limited time already on our hands. We should make South Central our next target, before heading for North," Festus, a feral wolf suggested.

*I do agree with Festus, and indeed we do have limited time on our hands," He sounded icy, making cold air escape my lungs slowly as my blue eyes drifted from Vladimir's and fell on him. Nikolai.

Vladimir's shadow itself and warlock. A powerful one. And I could also deem him as my savior whom Vladimir sent to rescue me from the hands of the Council and every one of those wolves who wanted me dead.

His dark eyes moved from the map, scanning around the members seated at the table before they fell on me. “Although the queen and | still have pending issues at the Dark cave, | do propose we move on to North Central," His gaze shifted to Vlad's, whose eyes were still on me.

“What do you suggest, darling?" At his question, the Dragon Court fell into silence.

My eyes narrowed on the map once more, glancing over the green circles dotted over several regions on the South and North. | couldn't fight the emotion called rage that took dominance of my mind.

My eyes met with that of my mate. “I do agree with Nikolai on this one. We suffered a delay in the West because of the Council and their reinforcement. North Central has the largest covens, kingdoms, and packs in all of the lands. The best thing is to take them down. They won't see it coming, as they would expect the South to be next.”

“It's no secret how much | detest the North for a reason. | have suffered greatly at their hands and lost everything because of them.

My wolf, my family, and important years of my life. I hate them all, especially the Council and the wolves pack. So, I'm afraid I'm with Nikolai in this one. North Central should be targeted next, and | want every one of those wolves, especially the Crescent North Pack, and the Black Blood Pack,” | paused, leaning against the table as | forced out everything | needed to feel. The rage, and hate.

“One has the largest Pack in the whole region while the other has the most resources. Taking them down will be a major blow to the Council" 1 voiced out everything | was feeling, and all through, my blue depths never left that of my mate as a small, intriguing smirk found his lips.