Marked By The Alpha's Cursed Blue Moon
Chapter 28. High Priest

Chapter 28: 28. High Priest

Beta Gilbert and Victoria were still seated in the living room, the atmosphere tense as Victoria replayed her husband’s cryptic words in her head.

"What do you mean by ’let the fight begin’? And who were you talking to on the phone?" she asked, her patience thinning under the weight of curiosity.

Gilbert leaned back slightly, trying to remain calm.

"Victoria, you don’t need to worry yourself over this... Just trust that I will always make the right decisions for our family."

Victoria gave him a look filled with both concern and disbelief.

"I know you’re doing everything you can to keep us safe, and I appreciate that. But I can’t help worrying. I don’t want anything to happen to any of us."

Gilbert offered a reassuring smile, trying to ease her anxiety.

"All I can say now is this—stop troubling yourself. I’ve brought in the best hands to face this threat. Whoever is behind all this, we’ll come out victorious."

Victoria sat down slowly, though her thoughts still swirled with unease. That word—victorious. It felt heavy, like there was more behind it than he was saying.

"So, who exactly called you?" she asked again, leaning closer to him.

"You’ll meet him soon enough," Gilbert replied, his tone confident. "But trust me, he and his team are exactly what we need right now."

They were still talking when Mason entered the living room.

"Mason, what’s happening?" Beta Gilbert asked, his eyes fixed on him.

"Sir, are you expecting anyone?" Mason asked politely, his head slightly bowed.

"Yes. A man named Sandro and his team. Are they here?" Gilbert inquired.

"Yes sir. They’re waiting just outside. I’ll bring them in immediately," Mason responded and turned to leave.

"Wait. One more thing," Gilbert added. "Do not search any of them."

Mason froze momentarily. The instruction didn’t sit well with him, especially considering recent events. But he couldn’t challenge Gilbert.

"Yes sir," he replied, then walked out to open the gates.

A large van stood outside. As the door slid open, ten well-built men stepped out, led by a man with sharp eyes and a commanding presence—Sandro. Mason led them into the house, still unsure about this new presence.

When Sandro stepped into the living room, Gilbert lit up and rushed forward, embracing him in a tight hug. The joy on his face was unmistakable.

Victoria and Mason exchanged glances, both clearly taken aback.

’Who is this guy to Beta Gilbert?’ Mason wondered, his curiosity growing by the second.

"Sandro, meet my dear wife, Victoria. And that’s Mason, the head of my guards," Gilbert said, gesturing warmly.

Sandro offered a polite nod and firm handshake.

"As your husband mentioned, I’m Sandro—from Italy. I’ve served with the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service for over fifteen years. Now, I’m here to help."

Gilbert clapped him on the back. "He’s an old friend and the best man for this job."

"I’ll need full control over my operations, Gilbert," Sandro said quietly, pulling him aside. "I don’t work well with people I don’t know. That’s why I brought my own men."

Gilbert gave him a grin. "No problem. I trust you."

Mason stood nearby, trying not to let his inner thoughts show. ’I hope this guy isn’t here to replace me. I’ll prove to Gilbert I’m more capable than this so-called super-agent.’

"Sandro, I’m sure you and your men must be hungry," Victoria said kindly. "We’ll have the table set. Tonight, we eat as one big family."

Sandro chuckled. "We Italians never joke with family. We’ll gladly join you."

They all laughed lightly, breaking the tension as the house staff began preparing a meal.

---

Elsewhere, Bernard drove down an unfamiliar road, a troubled look on his face. His grip on the steering wheel tightened as his mind replayed the directions Alpha Jackson once whispered to him.

"Could this be the road he described?" he muttered, scanning the trees around him.

Ten minutes later, he spotted a small, aged signpost: "Temple of the Holy Ones."

"This is it," he murmured, parking the car along the narrow path. "Seems like I’ll have to go on foot from here."

Bernard locked the car and ventured into the thick woods. But after walking for a long time without any progress—and no clear sign of the temple—panic crept in.

"Where am I? I can’t even find my way back now!" he yelled in frustration. "This is bad. Really bad."

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a massive black bird swooped down and struck him hard on the forehead.

Dizziness took over. His vision blurred. His body locked in place—feet frozen to the ground, arms going numb.

What’s happening to me? Am I going to die out here? his thoughts screamed.

Before him, the black bird transformed into a cloaked figure—tall, dark, with a hidden face.

"Who are you?" Bernard managed to ask, his voice barely audible. "Why did you attack me?"

The figure responded with a voice like rolling thunder. "I am the Spirit of Darkness, keeper of the seven dark seas of the Earth. I’ve been sent by unseen forces to destroy you... young Alpha."

A wicked laugh echoed through the trees.

Dark smoke started to rise from the figure’s hands, forming a fireball. Just as he raised it, ready to strike, a blinding white light burst out behind Bernard.

The man in black staggered back.

"Why have you come to stop me, O Spirit of Light?" the dark figure roared.

A woman’s voice echoed from within the light. "Just as you were sent to do evil, I was sent to preserve the light. I will not let you take this one."

"I will leave today, but I will return. And next time, I will take what is mine!" the dark spirit shouted, then vanished into thin air.

As soon as he disappeared, Bernard’s limbs regained feeling. He gasped for breath, overwhelmed.

"Why have you come to this place, young Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack?" the female voice asked, still coming from the light.

"I came seeking help," Bernard replied shakily. "I come in peace... guided by the last Alpha of my pack—Alpha Jackson."

He reached into his pocket and raised a golden ring into the air.

There was a pause. Then the voice said, "Ah... You speak the name of a noble son of the Holy Places. Because of him, you will meet the highest priest."

A woman dressed entirely in white emerged from the light and took Bernard’s hand.

Before he could comprehend what was happening, they shot through the air like a beam of energy.

"Where are we?" Bernard asked, stunned by the beauty surrounding them.

"You’re on your way to see the High Priest of the Holy Ones," she replied gently. "That ring... it grants you access only he can approve."

Moments later, they arrived at an enormous white gate glowing with radiant light. Soft, melodic sounds filled the air.

"Where you are now must never be revealed. What you see and hear here must remain with you alone," the woman warned, looking deep into his eyes.

Bernard nodded in solemn agreement.

They passed through the gate and were welcomed by men and women in white robes. Eventually, they reached the sacred temple, where they were told to wait.

Soon, the High Priest appeared—a tall, noble figure robed in shining white.

"What has brought the Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack to my sanctuary?" he asked, his voice calm but commanding.

Bernard bowed his head. "My family and my pack are under threat by an unknown enemy. I don’t know how to fight this darkness... That’s why I’m here."

The High Priest looked at him with piercing eyes.

"Victory must be earned, and it always comes with a price," he said slowly. "Are you prepared to face the truth... and pay the cost?"

Bernard’s heartbeat quickened...