The Alpha's Curse The Enemy Within

Chapter 27 Twenty Seven

Valerie's point of view

I pulled down the woolen hood covering my shiny black hair as I stepped through the black gigantic gates of the supreme council. I breathed in calmly, the fresh air gliding into my nose, releasing the restlessness that had clogged my chest on the way here.

By my side was Alpha Killian of the Crescent North Pack. He turned to me, giving me a small nod, and together, we made our way to the supreme court.

Walking through the black doors into the supreme court reminded me of the Crystal Fortress. A place where I grew up. Unfortunately, it was no more.

My eyes scanned the familiar faces of everyone that had appeared for the Council meeting today. The court was filled with every ranked member of the Council from various supernatural kinds within the whole of North Central.

I moved closer to the large mound that was rooted in the center of the courts, which had various seats around it and also behind it. I settled into one of them, and so did everyone else.

The council's head had requested an urgent meeting today to discuss something of great importance. But so far, no one was saying anything. There was an uncomfortable stir within me as my gaze fell on Amelie. She was one of the oldest witches from a long time ago. She was also a member of the Crystal Fortress centuries ago. She was a witch with the ability to foretell the future.

My thoughts were interrupted by Zeriyah's voice. "I'm glad everyone could make it," she said, scanning the large crowd in the Supreme Court.

Everyone was in a frenzied state. Well, I couldn't blame them. The Dark Circle has struck again. Nothing was surprising about that; everyone's fear was well understood. But what surprised me most was the fact that they had attacked the Fae kingdom. That didn't make sense. Ever since the Dark Circle began their attacks, so far, they've gone after the vampire kingdoms, some witches' covens outside the capital, a few packs within the central, which also included Killian's pack, and last night, they went into the Fae territory.

"I won't waste much of our time. We are all aware of why we have gathered here," Zeriyah's eyes circled again, "They have returned. The Dark Circle has appeared in the North Central once again."

Even though everyone's faces were either colored with unsaid rage or had adopted a grim expression, the court fell into another echoed silence as Zeriyah drew in a deep breath.

The Dark Circle was no joke. They were a congregation of the darkest and vilest creatures of the supernatural kind that had either run wild or lost every sense of morality. They were almost like the Council, but they were more dangerous and darker.

"So far, they've attacked some packs, vampire kingdoms, and last night, they were at the Fae kingdom, looking for something," came Zeriyah again.

My brow crinkled as I leaned closer. I guess every one of us did. The Dark Circle had never attacked without a motive. Even that night, fourteen years ago, they had attacked the Crystal Fortress for a reason. I shut my eyes, not wanting to be drawn back into the past. It was a long time ago, but

sometimes, it felt like it was just last night. Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"And what do they want this time?" A voice rang distastefully within the crowd. It dangled with the usual rage, but also with a familiar disdain for the Dark Circle. I didn't bother to swerve my head to know who that voice belonged to; it was none other than Leonardo, Alpha of the Black Blood Pack.

At Leonardo's words, Zeriyah exchanged glances with Amelie and a few of the supreme council's heads. There was something they weren't saying.

"We believe they were in search of something, and last night confirmed it. A phoenix stone was stolen from the Fae kingdom,"

Short gasps sliced through the air, accompanied by murmurings.

"Why will they be after the Phoenix stone?" Killian asked next to me.

"We don't know yet," Damion, an elder vampire, said. "But everyone knows how serious it is for the Phoenix stone to be in the hands of the Dark Circle."

It was worse than being serious. It was dangerous. The Phoenix stones were one of the most powerful sources of magic. They had been around since the dawn of witchcraft. As powerful as it may be, it is also dangerous if all four are used together.

"Those Phoenix stones have great powers that are capable of the impossible. Whatever the Dark Circle's aim is, it's not good." Elder Walter voiced.

"It has started, exactly as the prophecy had shown on the crystal stones in the fortress. The end of all

our kinds is near. I can feel a storm heading our way, and it is capable of destroying every one of us." When Amelie spoke for the first time, everyone's gaze shifted to her. She leaned deeper into her chair, a finger to her temple. The dark circles around the skin of her eyes showed how weak and strained she was. It wasn't easy having a gift like hers. Her gift was something not many witches would wish for. The gift of prophecy was taking a toll on her.

"It's been fourteen years now since the attack on the Crystal Fortress by the Dark Circle. They even managed to infiltrate the Black Blood Pack and have the destined one killed. What more do those leeches want?" Felix sparked into a rage, his words ushering in a certain coldness that covered the court.

Everywhere went silent. It was as if everyone was thinking the same thing, remembering that night. Involuntary, my gaze fell on Leonardo's, his blue eyes dark with pain and an understood rage. The Blacks were the ones that suffered the most. On that night, they lost everything. The Alpha, the Luna, and most importantly, the child the prophecy had spoken about, their sister.

I shut my eyes closed, pain eating through the depth of my soul, reminding me that everyone had lost something. When the prophecy formed on the crystal stones twenty-four odd years ago, no one knew exactly what it meant until the night the destined child with powers like that of the goddess herself was born.

The child spoken about in the prophecy is the one destined to save our world from the unknown darkness. But that child was stolen during the attack on Leonardo's pack led by a Dark Circle member, Killian's father. We tried everything to find her, but we couldn't. We even tried locating her magic instead, but it came up blank. I sighed. It's either she's still missing or dead. Deep down, I hope it's the former, even though many seem to think it's the latter.

The Crystal Fortress tried to keep the prophecy within our walls, but somehow, the Dark Circle got to know about the child and her powers. They raided the fortress, murdering every witch until they found the identity of the child the prophecy had spoken of. Many witches lost their lives, and the Crystal Fortress was destroyed. It was the witches' responsibility to protect that child, and we failed to.

"It wouldn't do any good to speak of a past we have no power to change," Elder Philip spoke up. "We know exactly what the Dark Circle is after, and for whatever reasons they are after the Phoenix stones, we mustn't let them get hold of them." He added

"Philip is right. They've already got one stone and will no doubt go after the other three. We must protect it." Silas, another elder vampire, said.

I turned to find Killian's gaze on me. Whatever they are proposing would require a lot of work. There were only four Phoenix stones with an equal amount of magic. They were separated and kept safely with the Fae, the vampires, the wolves, and the witches. The Fae were with one, and the vampires were with the second. Back then, the Crystal Fortress also held the stones, and so did the wolves. The last stone was entrusted to the Crescent North Pack, with Killian's ancestors to be precise.

At that time, they were also one of the ancient trustworthy packs within the Council to protect the stone, before Killian's father's reign ruined everything. Nell Reid had withdrawn from the Council, and instead became part of the Dark Circle. He was an alpha whose soul went dark. Those kinds are called feral wolves, who have lost all morals and humanity.

Leonardo's words filled the court, his dark eyes scowling at Killian. "We mustn't forget, his father was a member of the Dark Circle, and he could have given the stone to them already,"

Killian returned with a glare. "I doubt the possibility of that. He had no idea where the Phoenix stone

was. If that stone is somewhere within my pack, then I'll find it with the help of the witches."

Zeriyah's gaze darted swiftly to me. "Please do Valerie. We must get the remaining three stones together, and they must be kept safely."

I nodded to her words. After a while, the meeting was adjourned, and everyone exited the supreme court.

Killian and I moved to our horses, getting on them.

"Do you think the stone is still within the pack?" I asked him, after a long time of silence.

He nodded, sparing me a glance. "Yes. Now it makes sense why the Dark Circle attacked the pack. They came seeking the stone. This only means it's still somewhere within the pack, and they'll be coming for it,"

A worried expression settled on his face at his last words.

"Then we must find it," I said.

"And be ready when they come."