Marked By The Alpha's Cursed Blue Moon
Chapter 42. Bonds of Trust

Chapter 42: 42. Bonds of Trust

All their gazes shifted to James the moment he appeared at the edge of the walkway, strolling toward them with a soft, gentle smile stretched across his face.

He hadn’t even made it halfway when Cassandra beat the rest to it. "Good morning, James!" she said, beaming.

"Good morning, Cassandra... and to everyone," James replied, his voice as calm as ever. His eyes briefly scanned the group, but when they landed on Maria, the smile slowly faded into concern.

Maria felt her heart leap. It had been days since she last saw him, and the rush of emotions nearly swept her off her feet.

She barely resisted the urge to run up to him and throw her arms around him.

James took a step closer and directed his attention solely to her. "How are you, Maria? You haven’t been around for a while. Everything okay?"

Maria opened her mouth to explain but paused. There were things she wasn’t ready to share in front of Cassandra and Laura—details too tangled and personal. So, she simply gave a vague smile and remained silent.

Noticing her hesitation, James turned to her friends. "Do you mind if I steal her for a minute? Just need a quick word."

Cassandra and Laura exchanged glances before nodding. "Go on," Cassandra said with a smile. "We’ll be here."

Maria followed James with quiet excitement. She’d wanted this moment alone with him for so long.

As soon as they reached the back storage shed where they usually met, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly and planting a deep kiss on his lips.

He responded warmly, returning her kiss and holding her close.

"I missed you so much," she whispered.

"I missed you too," James said, brushing her hair back gently. "But... you looked troubled back there. What’s going on?"

Maria leaned against the wall, her voice lowering. "James, everything’s a mess. I don’t even know how to handle it all without getting into trouble."

"Hey, talk to me," he urged softly. "I’m here, remember?"

She took a deep breath and began, "We were attacked a few nights ago—at the packhouse. By werewolves. Not just any kind... Something was different about them. Stronger. More organized. Beta Gilbert later said their leader is a reincarnated werewolf on a revenge mission."

James’s eyes widened, but he said nothing, listening intently.

"People died," Maria continued. "Bernard got injured by a spell-infused weapon. It was a miracle he survived. And the strangest part—some unknown group, dressed in white from head to toe, showed up and saved us. We don’t even know who they are."

"That’s insane..." James murmured, his face tightening with concern. "Are you sure you’re okay? You weren’t hurt?"

"I’m okay, just shaken. Bernard’s healing fast, thanks to the healers. But the danger’s not over."

He sighed, pulling her closer, and whispered, "You’ll be fine. We’ll figure this out. I promise."

"What’s the plan now?" he asked after a pause.

Maria looked up. "Bernard and his dad are preparing for war. They think they’ve located the enemy’s base. They’re planning a full-on assault."

James stepped back slightly, his eyes locking with hers. "Wait. They’re going to war with reincarnated beings? That sounds like suicide."

"It is dangerous, yes. But doing nothing is worse. They’ll come for all of us eventually."

His concern deepened. "You’re not going with them, are you?"

She shook her head quickly. "Of course not. Women aren’t allowed in battle in our pack. Even if I wanted to, Beta Gilbert and Bernard would never let me. Specialists are being summoned. I believe they’ll handle it."

Relief washed over James’s face. "Okay... good." He then smiled gently and said, "Head back first. I’ll come after a few minutes, so people don’t start asking questions."

Maria nodded and quietly left the store, her heart a little lighter.

---

Meanwhile, at the safe house, Bernard and Beta Gilbert waited under tight security. Armed guards were posted all around the building as they anticipated the arrival of their summoned allies.

The first to arrive was Sandro.

"Sandro," Beta Gilbert greeted warmly, standing up to embrace the older warrior. "Thank you for coming."

"It’s been too long," Sandro said with a nod, clasping Bernard’s hand firmly.

One by one, the others followed until all the called-for reinforcements were present. It was time to plan.

"Thank you all for honoring my call," Beta Gilbert began. "Your presence means a lot."

The men nodded respectfully.

Bernard stepped forward and unfurled a large map across the table. "This attack must be in three waves. That’s our only chance."

"What do you mean three waves?" Sandro asked, stepping closer.

"The last attempt failed because someone betrayed us. Our strategy was exposed before we even made a move. We won’t repeat that mistake."

Bernard pointed to marked locations on the map. "We’ll split into three units. My father and I will lead the first. We’ll be the bait. The Shadow will think we’re alone and unprepared."

"That’s too risky," one of the soldiers said. "You’ll be walking into their hands."

"We know," Bernard said firmly. "But we’re ready. They don’t know what we’ve planned this time. If all goes well, we might end this sooner than expected."

Sandro raised an eyebrow. "End it sooner? How?"

"With wisdom, mostly," Bernard replied with a faint smile. "Eighty percent wisdom, twenty percent weapons. We’ll prepare for anything... and let them think we’re desperate. That’s when we strike."

The room fell quiet as everyone absorbed the weight of the plan. The war had already begun—now, it was time to fight smart...

***

Bernard continued to lay out the war strategy to the assembled warriors, showing them every detail on the map.

Despite his confidence, some of the specialists known as the mercenaries, remained skeptical.

"We came here to protect you and your family," one of them spoke up. "Why should you and your father be the first to walk into a war zone?"

Bernard didn’t flinch. His voice rang with clarity and strength. "You’re not here to protect us. You’re here to help us win. That’s the reason you were called. This battle isn’t just ours anymore."

He turned back to the map. "Here’s the plan: my father and I will go in first. He’ll talk to The Shadow—not to negotiate, but to distract him. That moment of confusion is our opportunity."

He pointed to two flanking routes on the map.

"Then the remaining two groups will move in from both the right and left sides of their hideout with full force. You’ll be heavily armed with weapons and grenades. The key is to create chaos from outside once we signal. Our goal is to lure The Shadow out. Once he steps out—he’s finished."

As the plan unfolded, doubt began to fade from their expressions. They moved closer to study the map, finally beginning to see the logic in Bernard’s layout.

"There’s one more thing," Bernard added. "We’ll launch this attack in broad daylight, in just two days."

Gasps echoed around the room.

"Attacking during the day? That’s suicide!" one of the men blurted. "They’ll be waiting for us."

Before Bernard could respond, Sandro stepped forward. "That’s exactly why this plan will work. They expect us at night, like the last time. They fight better in the dark. But daylight? They won’t see it coming."

Bernard nodded in agreement. "We hit them when they’re weakest. He knows we’ll come—but not when. Timing is everything."

One by one, the warriors began to nod. With the plan now clear and confidence rising, the room shifted from tension to anticipation.

As the meeting wrapped up, the warriors dispersed, heading back to their hotels to prepare. Only Beta Gilbert, Bernard, and a few trusted guards remained.

Beta Gilbert placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. Pride filled his eyes. "That was brilliant. How did you come up with all that so quickly?"

"I was up all night working it out," Bernard admitted with a confident smile. "I believe it’ll succeed."

"It will," his father replied. "Especially with this." He handed Bernard a small, polished mirror.

"This mirror is your real weapon. If The Shadow sees his own reflection in it—he’ll be destroyed."

Bernard’s eyes widened as he carefully took the mirror.

"One condition," Beta Gilbert added. "Keep it out of sunlight. If sunlight touches it, it loses its power."

Bernard nodded, wrapping it in a handkerchief and tucking it into his bag. They left shortly afterward, heading back to the mansion with a strong sense of hope in the air.

---

In another hidden stronghold, The Shadow seethed with fury. His voice boomed through the stone walls as he addressed his bloodthirsty followers.

"In two days, we strike again. And this time, we don’t return unless we’ve conquered them!"

The soldiers roared in agreement.

"We attack at night—like always. And this time, there will be no mercy. No retreat. Only blood and victory!"

He raised a wooden cup filled with blood high above his head. "Victory grants us immortality! We shall reign over the living and the dead! Toast with me—to immortality!"

The warriors roared and drank deeply, stamping their feet in rhythm.

The Shadow grinned. "Tonight, we dance the dance of the spirits from the darkest realms! For in two days, we unleash destruction! They won’t see it coming!"

Chants filled the air as they sang in an ancient tongue, invoking dead warriors and drawing strength from their spirits. Their ritualistic song stirred the fire in their hearts, preparing them for the bloodshed ahead.

***

Maria jolted through a dense forest in her dream, blood smeared across her body, her eyes glowing a piercing blue. She wasn’t just running—she was hunting, consumed by rage.

Every living thing she passed fell victim to her fury. Her senses were heightened beyond natural limits. She could hear voices from miles away and smell things no human could detect.

Behind her, werewolves gave chase. She suddenly stopped, turning to face them. With bare hands, she began digging a massive hole.

As they neared, she transformed into a gigantic white werewolf laced with streaks of glowing blue. Her eyes shone like oceans under sunlight.

The other wolves halted, frozen in awe and fear. Her size dwarfed them. Realizing she was no longer running, they started backing away.

"No... not again!" Maria screamed as she snapped awake.

She sat up in bed, her body trembling. "Why do I keep having this dream? What does it mean?"

She held her head in her hands, breathing heavily.

"Is this what I’ll become when I finally shift? Is this really me? I can’t let that happen... I can’t be this monster!"

Fear and confusion gripped her. She couldn’t talk to her friends—they wouldn’t understand. She didn’t want James to see her differently. And Bernard? He had enough to deal with.

She buried her face in her hands.

"I need answers. I need to find a solution to these nightmares before they consume me."