Marked By The Alpha's Cursed Blue Moon
Chapter 53. Flashback

Chapter 53: 53. Flashback

"Please, I need a solution to the problem that surrounds me... Let the spirits help me!" Bernard pleaded earnestly, his eyes locked on the swirling white smoke before him.

"What you seek cannot come to you, for your heart is unclean. To work in your favor would mean working against the spirits and defying the universe!" the voice of the highest priest responded, calm but firm.

Bernard frowned, his voice full of desperation. "Your words aren’t clear, and they’re hard for a man like me to understand. Please, help me see the light in your words!"

"The words of the spirits aren’t meant to satisfy anyone," the priest continued. "They bless those who deserve it. Everyone receives what is due to them based on their deeds and what they have tainted their hands with. Young Alpha, what you seek cannot be spoken—it can only be felt and endured."

Bernard lowered his head, still on his knees. "Is there no way to redemption?" he asked softly.

"Redemption comes only to those who seek it and deserve it," the priest answered. "One day, you will hear what you yearn to hear and see what you should have seen. But remember—no one can question the spirits. The universe gives us what we earn, not what we believe we deserve."

"So, I have no power to change their verdict?" Bernard’s voice trembled with frustration.

"The power of life and death has always been in man’s hands. But knowing what is right and choosing wrong means choosing death and destruction. Let your spirit guide you toward righteousness," the voice said with a solemn finality.

Bernard’s eyes burned with passion as he stood up.

"Then I’ll work against the universe! I will be the first to overturn their verdict. I won’t let destruction steal the ones I love. I’ll do whatever it takes to live a great life—one without pain!"

"The universe has known you since your mother’s womb. Only the spirits decide who receives mercy—not your words, nor your sense of entitlement. The young Alpha may now take his leave," the priest’s voice faded into the smoke.

Bernard rose to his feet, his face tight with fury and disappointment. In a flash of anger, he charged at the mold pot emitting the smoke and kicked it hard.

A strange, chilling voice rang out immediately.

"You have kicked the pot of the spirits. Destruction shall follow you and your family. Those you love most will vanish like dust before your eyes. Prepare for the damnation to come!" the voice thundered.

Terror gripped Bernard as he stumbled out of the chamber, his legs barely holding him up.

Standing outside the chamber, he whispered shakily to himself, "What must I do to overturn the spirit’s verdict?"

"I will do whatever it takes to win this fight against the curse," he muttered and stormed away from the temple, anger and disappointment swirling within him.

***

Beta Gilbert sat alone in his chair, lost in deep thought. The silence was broken by his phone ringing. He hesitated, but when he saw the caller ID, he quickly picked it up.

"What do you have for me?" he asked, his tone sharp and expectant.

"Boss, from what we’ve gathered so far, it looks like someone is planning an attack—though we’re not sure on who yet. My team will get more concrete information before the day ends," the voice on the other end reported.

"Good. I want full updates by 6 p.m.," Beta Gilbert said, then ended the call.

He smirked. "So the Simons are planning an attack. I hope it’s not against me. But I should prepare—just in case."

He immediately dialed another number.

"Hello, Mason. Call Sandro and everyone. Get ready for anything. If we have to go to war tonight, then we will."

"Yes, boss. You know war is what we live for. We’ll gladly go for your sake!" Mason responded with excitement.

Beta Gilbert ended the call and chuckled darkly. "If they try anything, I’ll show them I’m the boss. I’m always ready."

---

Later That Day – At School...

It was closing time, and Maria walked out of the classroom with her friends, heading toward the waiting cars.

Cassandra left first, sprinting toward her car as her driver sped off.

Maria turned to leave when Laura gently grabbed her hand. Her eyes were filled with concern.

"Please, be careful. Don’t trust too easily or go anywhere alone. I have a bad feeling... like the man who tried to attack us this morning was actually after you. I don’t know why, but something just feels off," Laura warned her.

Maria gave a small smile, appreciating the concern. "Alright. Thank you so much. See you tomorrow."

She watched Laura enter her car before getting into her own. As the car drove off, her heart sank. She was scared. Really scared.

’Who wants me dead? Why? What could they possibly want from me?’ she thought, worry clouding her mind.

After about fifteen minutes, the car pulled up at the house. Maria stepped out and walked inside, only to find the house quiet. None of the family members were around—just the guards she’d seen outside.

Curious, she stepped back out and approached one of them.

"Good afternoon, miss. How may I assist you?" the guard asked with a polite smile.

"Do you know where everyone went?" she asked gently, keeping her tone casual.

"Everyone left for different reasons. But the boss and Mr. Bernard went out this morning in separate cars. Mrs. Victoria left about fifty minutes ago," he explained respectfully.

Maria nodded and thanked him before returning inside. She picked up her bag and climbed the stairs to her room. She paused by Bernard’s door—it was locked.

Loneliness pressed down on her. The house felt too empty.

She sank onto her bed, overwhelmed by fatigue and solitude. Memories of her parents crept into her mind, haunting and vivid.

**Flashback**

Maria had walked toward her parents’ room one evening when she overheard them speaking softly.

"Catherine, these are all the files to everything we own—as a family and individually. Keep them safe for Maria," her father said, handing the documents to her mother.

Her mother looked surprised. "Why are you giving me all this?"

"Because I trust you more than anyone. You’ve never failed me. I’m entrusting you with our life’s work—and Maria’s future. If anything happens to us, these files are all she’ll have."

From the doorway, Maria watched as her mother got up and walked over to the safe hidden beneath the bed—something Maria had never known about. Her mother carefully placed the files inside and covered it again.

Her father fell quiet. Her mother noticed the shift in his mood.

"Jackson, you look worried. What’s wrong?" she asked, her eyes searching his.

"I’m scared for you and Maria. We have too many enemies. I don’t care what happens to me—I just want both of you safe."

"I know, but worrying won’t fix it. Maybe it’s time Maria knows the truth about herself," her mother replied, squeezing his hand.

"I’m thinking of a solution in the middle of my worry," her father said. "When the time is right, she’ll know everything."

"But why hasn’t Maria transformed into her werewolf form yet?" her mother asked quietly.

"She’s special. Not like others. I believe she’ll bring blessings to us someday."

Maria stood there, her heart pounding.

’What are they hiding from me? What makes me special?’ she wondered, as their voices echoed in her mind.

Moments later, she made herself visible, pretending she’d just come out of her room and calling out to them from the hallway...