Marked By The Alpha's Cursed Blue Moon
Chapter 37. Between Lies and Loyalties

Chapter 37: 37. Between Lies and Loyalties

After they left the restaurant around 6:30 p.m., James and Maria went straight to the hotel he had earlier reserved.

What followed was a night of intense passion—they had multiple rounds of sex, each more intense than the last.

Maria’s thoughts swirled with a sense of urgency. Her only focus was breaking free from Bernard and his family’s grip.

Once they were done, both fell into a deep sleep, exhausted. But around 8 p.m., Maria woke up with a start. She quickly tiptoed to the bathroom, cleaned up, and returned to find James still asleep.

She decided not to wake him, knowing they’d see each other at college the next day.

Stepping outside the hotel, Maria flagged down a taxi. The short ride home gave her time to rehearse the lies she’d prepared. She was already back in the outfit she wore earlier that day.

As she stepped into the compound, the tension was thick in the air. Even the guards looked at her with suspicious eyes. Beta Gilbert was the first to notice her return. He said nothing but simply watched as she walked in.

Bernard was the first to confront her, standing up angrily.

"Where have you been, Maria?" he asked, his voice sharp and accusing.

"Cassandra and I went to do some research on our courses. We lost track of time. I’m sorry for coming home late," she replied, delivering the lines she’d memorized with a calm expression.

Bernard stared at her silently, his eyes burning with mistrust.

"But why didn’t you tell anyone where you were going? Or call?" Victoria’s voice rang out from behind her, laced with frustration.

"I’m really sorry, ma’am. I didn’t expect to stay out so long. I thought I’d be back early and didn’t want to disturb anyone," Maria said with a practiced sorry look.

Victoria shook her head in frustration and walked out of the room toward her chambers.

"We’re not trying to control you, Maria," Beta Gilbert chimed in, his voice gentler. "But everyone was worried. Next time, let someone know your plans. Please."

Maria nodded in agreement. Gilbert gave her a faint smile and turned away.

She was about to head upstairs when Bernard snatched her bag from her hand. He quickly opened it and rummaged through its contents. But she had planned ahead—everything tied to her evening with James was left behind at the hotel.

Finding nothing, Bernard handed the bag back, and Maria walked to her room without another word.

Inside her room, she let out a deep breath of relief. Her plan had worked. No one had contacted Cassandra either, which meant her backup story was intact.

She undressed and headed into the bathroom, forgetting to lock the door. After a warm shower, she walked out naked and stopped in shock—Bernard was sitting on the bed, staring at her.

Embarrassed, she made to rush back, but Bernard stood and grabbed her from behind. He started kissing her, and though Maria didn’t enjoy his touch, a realization struck her.

She needed him. For now.

Letting him have his way could be the only way to get the information she needed.

His breath reeked of alcohol. He always drank when something troubled him. She let him continue, waiting for the right moment.

As Bernard lost himself in the moment, she gently kissed his neck, moaned softly, and whispered, "The documents about our agreement... are they with you?"

"Yes," he groaned, eyes half-closed. "They’re in my room. In the inner chamber of my safe."

She pressed further. "And the property documents from my parents? Are they safe too?"

"Same place... they’re all there," he answered louder, his body trembling as he neared climax.

Moments later, Bernard released himself and collapsed onto the bed, fast asleep.

Maria lay next to him, staring at the ceiling. She had what she needed—the exact location of the documents.

"Now, I’ll move more carefully," she thought, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. She drifted off into sleep beside the man she couldn’t wait to escape from...

***

At about 6 a.m., Maria woke up to find Bernard still lying beside her on the bed. She sighed quietly and slipped out from under the sheets.

Walking into the bathroom, she needed to wash off the remnants of the night before—she’d been too exhausted to clean up after they had sex.

Twenty minutes later, Maria stepped out of the bathroom, drying her hair with a towel. To her surprise, Bernard was now awake, sitting up in bed with a confused and irritated look on his face.

"What am I doing here?" he asked angrily, his eyes scanning the room as if trying to piece together a broken memory.

Maria ignored him, her face hardening. She couldn’t believe he was acting like he didn’t remember anything. He had come to her room, drunk and full of desire, and now he was pretending it never happened.

Bernard’s eyes widened as he noticed he was naked beneath the duvet. His confusion quickly turned into frustration.

"Maria, how did I get here? What happened between us?" he demanded with a sharper tone.

At his repeated questioning, Maria’s patience snapped.

"Just take your naked self and get out of this room!" she shouted, her voice slicing through the air.

Bernard looked genuinely shocked. "What did you just say to me, Maria?"

Maria scoffed. "Oh, so you want to act like you don’t remember coming in here last night, stinking of alcohol, grabbing me, and having sex with me? What are you implying?"

Bernard shook his head vehemently. "You’re lying. Yes, I drank, but not enough to forget what I was doing. I’d never do something like that—not with you."

Maria crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes blazing. "Then ask yourself what you’re doing in my room—naked. Did I drag you here and strip you too?"

Bernard’s defiance faltered. He went silent, ashamed, and slowly started picking up his clothes from the floor. Once dressed, he paused before the door and turned to her.

"Please, Maria. Let what happened between us stay between us."

She looked at him with raised brows, baffled by his sudden plea. "What are you talking about? I don’t plan on telling anyone, but what if someone finds out? We’re chosen mates, Bernard. We’re not kids. What’s the secret?"

"I have my reasons," he replied softly, almost pleading. "Just keep it between us—for now."

Maria shook her head in disbelief. "I don’t deserve to know the reasons, but you expect silence from me? Fine. Whatever you want. Just get out."

Bernard left quietly, tiptoeing down the hallway back to his room. Maria collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her mind whirled with thoughts.

Could he really not remember what happened? What if the information he gave me was false? she wondered. But she recalled his tone, how deeply he was into her. No, he was too sincere. It had to be true.

She whispered to herself with resolve, "I won’t tell James yet—not until I’ve tried everything myself. If I fail, only then will I ask for help."

---

More than a week passed. The time for the annual general meeting of the Blue Moon Pack had arrived—a gathering every member was expected to attend.

Maria had attended this event with Bernard for the past three years as his chosen mate, and this year was no different.

The packhouse was buzzing. Elders were seated, Beta Gilbert and Luna Victoria in their places, and Bernard—the Alpha—sat beside Maria at the main table designated for the high-ranking members.

After five minutes, one of the elders walked up to the podium. He welcomed everyone with a hearty greeting, and the hall echoed with a chorus of howls.

Then he called upon Bernard to give his speech. The Alpha stood confidently and made his way to the podium. But just as he opened his mouth to speak, the lights went out. The hall was consumed by darkness.

Gasps filled the air, and in the pitch-black room, a chilling voice echoed.

"People of the Blue Moon Pack... today is your last day on earth. I, The Shadow, have come to take your lives away!" the sinister voice declared, followed by cruel laughter.

Chaos erupted. It wasn’t a battle—it was a massacre. Some elders who managed to shift were slain instantly as they attempted to defend the pack.

The voice returned. "What you face are not mortals. They are warriors of the past, risen to end your existence!"

Maria stood frozen, powerless. She had never shifted. She was as vulnerable as any human.

Just when all hope seemed lost, a blinding light filled the hall. Figures dressed in white, from head to toe, appeared and began to fight back.

In moments, the tide turned. The attackers began to fall and flee. But the damage had been done—wounded pack members lay scattered, others already lifeless.

Through the chaos, Maria spotted Bernard, bloodied and trying to rise. His body was weak from the fight, and she could tell he had taken a brutal blow.

Her heart clenched. Despite everything, he was still her childhood friend. She couldn’t bear to lose him.

But as she started running toward him, she noticed one of the white-clad warriors raise a sword above Bernard’s neck.

Let me kill him now, and end his evil for good, the woman thought.

"Please, don’t kill him!" Maria screamed, her voice breaking with emotion as she ran toward them, tears streaming down her face.

The woman halted and turned. Her eyes met Maria’s, and after a tense moment, she lowered her weapon and walked away.

Those who remained uninjured sprang into action, tending to the wounded, calling the police and ambulances. Bernard was rushed to the hospital. His injuries weren’t healing fast—as they should for a wolf.

Whispers filled the air.

What had those attackers used to hurt him so deeply? And why wasn’t his healing working?

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