Marked By The Alpha's Cursed Blue Moon
Chapter 17. Sudden Silence

Chapter 17: 17. Sudden Silence

Bernard was hailed throughout the packhouse for his sharp instincts and swift action. The way he uncovered and captured the spy without assistance left the crowd in awe.

Applause and howls filled the air as he stood back at the podium, resuming his speech with renewed intensity.

"We’ve all seen it tonight, war is at our doorstep," Bernard roared, his voice echoing through the massive hall.

"There are packs out there that envy what we’ve built here. They can’t have what we have, so they choose destruction. They think because I’m a young Alpha, we’re vulnerable... but they’re wrong. So wrong."

His eyes scanned the crowd, fierce and determined.

"If they want war," he said, pausing dramatically, "then they’re about to face one unlike anything they’ve prepared for. We will not cower. We will strike harder than ever!"

Murmurs of support surged through the crowd. Maria watched silently from her seat, taking in the fire in Bernard’s voice. She couldn’t deny the admiration rising in her chest.

"Tonight, you all leave here with this truth; an unknown pack has declared war on us," Bernard continued. "What happened here tonight stays here. No one speaks of it outside these walls not until we uncover the ones behind this betrayal and bring them to justice."

With that, he signaled the guards. The captured man was dragged away, struggling against his restraints. Bernard stepped down from the podium, signaling the end of the meeting.

Maria rose to her feet, her mind swirling. She was impressed, truly impressed by the way Bernard had handled the entire situation.

’If only my father had this kind of strength...’ she thought bitterly. ’He would’ve preached peace... not declared war.’

Her chest tightened.

’Maybe that’s why he was murdered. He wasn’t feared... and without fear, he had no loyalists strong enough to fight for him.’

She pushed the thought aside and joined Bernard and the others as they quietly exited the packhouse.

---

The Next Morning, Beta Gilbert sat at his desk, deep in thought, when the intercom buzzed.

"Sir, you have a visitor," his receptionist announced.

"Who is it?" he asked, already distracted.

"Sandro, sir."

At the sound of the name, Beta Gilbert’s demeanor changed. "Send him in. Immediately."

Moments later, a knock landed on the door.

"Come in," Beta Gilbert called.

"Good morning, boss," came a deep voice with a slight Italian accent. Sandro walked in, his signature confident smile already on display.

"Good morning, Sandro," Beta Gilbert replied, rising slightly. "How was your flight to Scotland?"

"I took the night flight as soon as I heard the tone in your voice yesterday. You sounded... off. And now, seeing your face, you look worse." Sandro’s tone shifted to concern. "Tell me what’s going on. I’ll take care of whoever’s bothering you."

Beta Gilbert exhaled heavily and motioned for him to sit.

"We’re facing a problem, bigger than anything we’ve dealt with before. And I need someone I trust."

Sandro leaned forward, attentive.

"For weeks now, I’ve been followed. I’ve sent my best men after this person, and they’ve failed every single time. The last attempt... they returned broken. Arms. Legs. Shattered. But here’s the strange part—the man had the chance to kill them... and he didn’t. He told them he wasn’t interested in blood."

Sandro’s jaw tightened. "So what do you need from me?"

"I need him alive," Gilbert said firmly. "I need to know who he is, why he’s following me, and if he’s working alone, or for someone."

"You’ve always known what I’m capable of," Sandro replied with a smirk. "You want him alive? I’ll bring him back to you like a stray dog—on a chain, begging for mercy."

Beta Gilbert cracked a faint smile, watching Sandro sling his bag over his shoulder and head out the door with a mischievous laugh.

Left alone again, Beta Gilbert leaned back, rubbing his temple.

’Sandro’s dangerous, more than anyone I know but after what happened to those twenty men...’ he thought. ’I need to be sure. I can’t afford to underestimate this threat... not for my safety, and not for his.’

He picked up his phone, ready to make another call.

Later That Day – 1 P.M.

A group of cloaked individuals darted through a thick forest, weaving between trees, moving like shadows chasing prey. Their pace was quick and focused.

Suddenly, they stopped in perfect unison at a dark, empty clearing devoid of light.

Without warning, the entire area lit up as if the sun had risen in the clearing alone. Golden light poured from nowhere, illuminating the figures and their surroundings.

A tall woman stepped forward, her face obscured by a silver mask. Her voice was calm but commanding.

"Well done, listeners of the minds and spirits," she said, her tone filled with pride. "You continue to fight for the cause we’ve always believed in to preserve the balance between Earth and every other realm."

The group stood silent and reverent, hanging onto her every word.

"We have a sacred duty," the masked woman continued. "We hear what others cannot. We see beyond the veil. And for that, we must stand strong. What we face next... they are not mere mortals. Not untrained rebels. No, we face Earth’s strongest forces. And we must not falter."

Her words hung heavy in the air.

"We are fearless," she said, raising her hand. "We are undivided. We are undefeated. We shall forever remain..."

And the group shouted in unison, their voices like a thunderclap echoing through the clearing:

"We are the seers and listeners of the minds and spirits!"

With fists raised and feet stamped, their chant was a promise, war was coming, and they would be ready...

***

James sat comfortably in the living room, eyes locked on the massive television screen in front of him.

The movie he was watching had completely stolen his attention, and he was deeply immersed in the storyline.

Suddenly, a shift in the atmosphere made him feel someone’s presence nearby which froze him in place...