Marked By The Alpha's Cursed Blue Moon
Chapter 46. Call to War

Chapter 46: 46. Call to War

Maria sat uneasily at the hotel with James. His continuous smiling was beginning to make her feel uncomfortable.

"Will you just keep smiling like that, or will you finally tell me why you asked me to come here?" Maria said, her patience running thin. Her voice came out harsher than she intended.

James was taken aback by her tone, and the look he saw on her face was unfamiliar.

"Maria, are you angry with me? Come on, I was just amazed by your earlier reaction..." James said, a little hurt.

"As for your dreams, it’s just that—you’re over eighteen now and you’ve already shifted into your werewolf form. Dreams like that shouldn’t worry you too much."

Maria held back her tongue quickly. She didn’t want him to know her secret—that she hadn’t shifted yet. No one was supposed to know that. She forced herself to stay calm.

"So only those who haven’t shifted have dreams like that?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

"Yes, of course. We all had strange dreams growing up. Once we shifted for the first time, those dreams stopped. So stop overthinking it," James said reassuringly. "Relax your mind, Maria. Everything will be fine."

Hearing those words eased her heart slightly, but on second thought, fear crept in again. She hadn’t shifted yet. She became lost in her own worries once more.

"Does this mean I’m about to shift soon? What if I turn into a beast that kills everyone?" she thought, her mind spiraling.

James noticed her zoning out. He snapped his fingers in front of her face. "Hey! Are you still here with me?"

Maria blinked back into reality, forcing a smile.

"Is there something else you’re not telling me?" James asked, his voice now serious, his eyes locked onto hers.

"No, no... I was just thinking about the two of us," Maria lied quickly.

James raised a brow, now intrigued. "Oh? And what were you picturing about us?"

"I want us to get married," Maria said without hesitation. "Maybe after college, you can get me pregnant... and that would put an end to all these problems."

James stared at her, mouth slightly open in shock.

"Why would you wish for something like that?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

"Because I want to be with you forever. It seems like you don’t want me as much as I want you," she replied softly, her voice tinged with disappointment.

James sighed deeply and cupped her face in his hands.

"Of course I want you, Maria. But I want us to do things the right way. I don’t want anything to stain your life or our future. I want us to get married properly—with love all around us and no chaos. Please, understand me."

Hearing those heartfelt words made Maria’s love for him grow even stronger. She threw her arms around him, pulling him close.

Their kiss deepened quickly, passion taking over. Clothes fell to the ground, and they made love again—wild and intense, as always.

Exhausted, they both drifted into a deep sleep afterward.

***

Meanwhile, at the safe house...

"Anderson reporting, your most supreme Lord Shadow. I’ll keep you updated with every piece of information from here," Anderson whispered into his phone, standing behind the building where no one could see him.

"Good, Anderson," The Shadow replied, his voice cold but promising. "I will reward you greatly. You shall have a place of honor in my kingdom."

"Thank you, your supreme lord. They are moving out tomorrow night for the attack. Stay prepared," Anderson said before ending the call.

After double-checking that no one had seen him, he walked back inside with a proud, confident stride.

But as soon as he entered, he froze.

Everyone—Beta Gilbert, Bernard, Mason, Sandro, and the mercenaries—sat around the large table, staring at him. The only empty seat left was his.

Acting unfazed, Anderson walked to his seat and sat down. But the moment he did, nearly everyone except Gilbert and Bernard pointed their guns directly at him.

"What is the meaning of this?" Anderson barked, but his voice trembled with fear.

"You traitor," Bernard growled, rising from his chair. "I knew it. I felt it—someone among us would betray us. Thank the heavens you exposed yourself before the battle."

"Lies!" Anderson shouted, trying to sound brave. "I would never betray Beta Gilbert! What proof do you have?"

Without a word, Mason and Sandro stepped forward. Sandro dropped a phone onto the table. Bernard picked it up and pressed play.

Anderson’s own voice filled the room—the recording of his conversation with The Shadow just minutes ago.

Anderson’s mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. He stammered helplessly.

"I’m sorry, it’s not what you think... I’m sorry!" he cried out, but it was too late.

Several mercenaries tied him tightly to the chair, binding his arms and legs.

Bernard glared at him with disgust. "Since I noticed suspicious movements, I ordered Mason and Sandro to monitor everyone. I would not allow another betrayal like before. You would have sacrificed all of us for your greed!"

Bernard’s fist slammed into Anderson’s face, splitting his lip open.

"You gave us an edge without even realizing it," Beta Gilbert said coldly, stepping forward. "We’ll change the plan now—and it’ll happen after your death."

Gilbert leaned close to Anderson’s ear.

"All these men you see here... They stand with us not for money, but because they know what loyalty means. Something you’ll learn about... just before you die."

Bernard raised his hand in the air—and when he brought it down sharply, the mercenaries opened fire without hesitation.

Anderson’s body was riddled with bullets, flesh and blood tearing apart under the onslaught.

Standing tall among the carnage, Bernard shouted, "Plans have changed! We strike tonight! Victory will be ours by dawn!"

The safe house erupted into loud cheers and chants. The spirit of brotherhood and loyalty burned fiercely as the men prepared, packing weapons and armor, ready to march into battle.

"Prepare yourselves!" Beta Gilbert commanded, his voice ringing loud. "Tonight marks the beginning of a new era! We fight for loyalty, for honor, for brotherhood!"

---

At the hotel...

Maria stirred awake around six in the evening. Panicked by how much time had passed, she quickly jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom to freshen up. In no time, she was dressed and ready.

James, now awake but still lounging on the bed, smiled sleepily at her. Maria gave him a quick kiss before dashing out of the room.

Luck was on her side—she hailed a cab almost immediately and was on her way home.

Fifteen minutes later, she arrived at the house. After paying the cab driver, she sprinted toward the mansion.

Something felt different the moment she stepped in. The number of guards had decreased drastically, and most of the ones she saw were unfamiliar.

Only one familiar guard remained—the one who had been with them for about a year.

"Where is everybody?" Maria asked him, her heart pounding.

"They’ve all gone on a mission," the guard replied curtly. "Only Luna Victoria is inside the mansion now."

The guard turned and walked away, leaving Maria standing there, deep in thought.

"A mission? Could it be... they’ve gone to fight The Shadow?" she wondered, her mind racing.

As she stepped into the living room, a new thought struck her.

"This might be my only chance to find those important files... They won’t be back until morning. I have to use this time wisely!"

Determined, Maria straightened her shoulders and set her mind on the task ahead...

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