Marked By The Alpha's Cursed Blue Moon
Chapter 64. The Battle Begins

Chapter 64: 64. The Battle Begins

Once Maria and Bernard appeared in the midst of their parents, the conversation between the adults abruptly stopped. Everyone began smiling at the sight of them.

"Dad, I think I heard you and Bernard’s names just now... I hope we haven’t done anything wrong?" Maria asked with a curious look, glancing between the adults.

Alpha Jackson chuckled, shaking his head. "No, sweetheart. You two just reminded Beta Gilbert and me of our own childhood. We used to roam around and play like you two. Believe it or not, your mothers admired us even before we married them."

"Please! Let’s not twist the story," Victoria interjected playfully. "It was both of you who were always swooning over us, not the other way around."

Laughter erupted around the group, and the atmosphere instantly lightened.

Beta Gilbert leaned forward, a warm smile on his face. "So, what did you two see around the park? Anything interesting?"

Maria’s eyes lit up. "So many beautiful scenes! The animals in the zoo section... the whole place feels like it brings us closer to nature. I’m really enjoying every moment here."

"I agree with Maria," Bernard added, sounding more lively than he had earlier. "This whole place is just... peaceful. We should come here at least once a month."

Just as the conversation flowed comfortably, a sudden knock on Maria’s door in the present snapped her out of her thoughts.

She quickly rose from her bed and walked to the door. Opening it, she found a maid standing quietly.

"Beta Gilbert requests your presence, ma’am," the maid said politely before turning and leaving.

Maria closed the door and glanced at the clock. It was a few minutes past eight in the evening. Instantly, the weight of the looming battle returned to her thoughts.

This is it, Maria, she thought with fierce determination. This is your chance to avenge your parents. Make Elijah Simons pay.

She changed into a smarter outfit and headed out to meet Beta Gilbert and the others in the living room. Beta Gilbert sat beside Victoria, while Bernard was opposite them.

Maria joined Bernard on the couch, her expression calm but focused.

Beta Gilbert rose to speak. "The moment we’ve been preparing for is almost here. My source confirmed—they’ll arrive in a few minutes. We all know our roles. Please, give this everything you’ve got. Our future depends on it."

"We march to our positions with one goal—freedom," Bernard added, his voice steady and strong. "We are not weak. We are the force others fear. Tonight, we show what true strength looks like."

The guards around them nodded, energized by Bernard’s words, then began moving swiftly to their assigned posts.

Beta Gilbert approached Maria. Taking her hands gently, he whispered with sincerity, "Everything rests on you now. I believe in you. The success of this mission will come through you."

Maria’s chest swelled with determination. Her eyes flicked to Luna Victoria, who seemed uneasy watching the interaction.

Maria could sense her disapproval, but she didn’t care. Elijah Simons’ downfall mattered more than anyone’s opinion.

Outside, in the garden, chairs were already arranged to make the gathering look natural. Beta Gilbert and Victoria were known to relax there in the evenings, so their presence wouldn’t raise suspicion.

They waited.

Maria’s heart pounded. Every second stretched with anticipation. She was ready for Elijah Simons. Ready for justice.

After about twenty minutes, a loud bang echoed from the mansion’s gate.

"He’s here," Beta Gilbert murmured with a grim smile. "He never sneaks in. Always wants to be noticed—never a coward."

Before anyone could react, armed men flooded the garden. Beta Gilbert’s guards followed the plan... some exchanged gunfire and, once struck in protected areas, dramatically fell as if dead.

Through the chaos, Elijah Simons stepped forward, his presence chilling. His eyes radiated menace. With a cold expression, he pointed a gun directly at Beta Gilbert.

"I’ve waited years for this moment!" Elijah growled. "You made your son Alpha instead of me—when you know my family rightfully owns that crown!"

Maria’s heart raced. According to plan, she stepped forward, intending to plead with him, hoping to distract him. But before she could utter a word...

A deafening gunshot rang out.

She gasped. Pain seared through her stomach. She had been shot. Maria collapsed to the ground.

"No! Why did you shoot the innocent girl?!" Beta Gilbert shouted in horror, his voice filled with fury and anguish...

***

Maria woke up with a sharp wave of pain around her stomach, radiating down towards her lower belly. The bright light fixed above the bed pierced into her eyes, forcing her to squint.

Groaning, she opened her eyes gently and glanced around, her mind struggling to recognize where she was. The room was unfamiliar, sterile, and strange. She was sure she had never seen it before.

"Where am I... or am I dreaming?" she mumbled to herself. She pinched her right hand, hoping it was all a bad dream. But the sting of pain told her otherwise.

"Ahh... where is this place, and why am I wrapped up in bandages?" she muttered again, discomfort clouding her voice. Her stomach throbbed with pain, and her legs were sore and numb.

Still lying in bed, Maria heard footsteps approaching. She strained her stiff neck, trying to catch a glimpse of who it was.

A woman dressed in plain white, like a nurse, entered the room. She wore a half-mask, revealing only her eyes and forehead.

"Good morning, Maria. You’re awake now... How are you feeling?" the woman asked warmly. Though Maria couldn’t see her full face, her voice sounded gentle, even cheerful.

Maria didn’t respond. Her mind was clouded with confusion and unease. She kept staring at the woman, wary and silent.

"I understand you have many questions," the woman said calmly, taking a step closer. "But for now, you need to focus on healing. Once you’re stronger, I promise you’ll get answers."

As she approached with an injection in her hand, Maria instinctively flinched, trying to resist.

"Maria," the woman said soothingly, "I’m not your enemy. If I meant you harm, you wouldn’t still be alive. Let me help you. This is just an antibiotic to speed your healing. Please."

Something in her tone felt honest, and Maria, still too weak to fight, nodded faintly. The nurse administered the injection and then sat beside her.

"You’ll soon meet those who saved your life," she continued gently. "And when you do, I beg you—whatever instructions they give you, follow them. You owe your life to them."

With those words, she stood up and quietly left the room.

Maria remained in bed, trying to piece together the events before she lost consciousness. The last thing she remembered was the gunshot, and then darkness.

"Are Bernard and his parents... are they dead? What happened during the battle?" she whispered to herself, dread creeping in.

"Where am I? Could this be Elijah Simons’ doing?" she mumbled again, her thoughts spiraling.

"No, it can’t be him... He would have killed me on the spot. He’s the one who shot me, I remember now," she said with more certainty.

A flicker of determination returned. ’I need to cooperate with the people here. Next time someone comes in, I must ask questions,’ she resolved, though her heart remained heavy with confusion and fear.

---

Back at the mansion, celebration filled the air. Bernard, Beta Gilbert, and Victoria stood among their guards, surrounding a bound and defeated Elijah Simons.

"Elijah Simons, by raising arms against me and my family, you declared war on the entire pack. And you shall face our wrath!" Beta Gilbert’s voice was cold and firm.

But Elijah sneered, his tone defiant. "You think this is over? You’re blind. You and your precious family are your only concern. There are worse things coming for you, Gilbert. You’ll see."

Bernard stepped forward, fury lacing his voice. "You still have the nerve to talk, traitor? You’re not even afraid of death!"

Elijah chuckled darkly. "You, boy, know nothing of what it means to be Alpha. Ask your father. No one in this pack can kill me. He knows that."

Bernard looked at his father in confusion. "What’s he talking about?"

"Take him to the dungeon!" Beta Gilbert barked. The guards obeyed instantly, dragging Elijah out of the room.

When they were alone, Bernard turned sharply to his father. "What did he mean by that? That no one can kill him?"

Beta Gilbert sighed deeply. "There’s an ancient rule in the pack’s book—no one with Alpha blood can be killed by a fellow pack member. Elijah’s bloodline qualifies. That’s likely why he dared attack."

Bernard’s brows furrowed. "So that rule doesn’t apply to us? He could’ve killed us all."

"Our family doesn’t have Alpha blood. You became Alpha only because Maria is your mate—she descends from the former Alpha. That’s what gave you the crown."

He turned to Victoria. "Mom, did you know about all this?"

She nodded. "I did. But none of it matters now. You’ve proven yourself. We’re proud of the Alpha you’ve become."

Bernard’s voice was tight. "If I’m truly worthy, why don’t I have the rule book?"

"The book is given only after five years of leadership," Gilbert explained. "Unless the elders decide otherwise. You’ve only ruled for three years."

"So I haven’t done enough," Bernard said bitterly.

"No, son. Capturing Elijah Simons is no small feat. That alone will earn you respect across the pack. Trust me."

Victoria interrupted. "But what about Maria? Who were those people in white that took her away?"

"They’re the Mind Listeners and Truth Seekers," Gilbert replied. "They only appear when there’s something big at stake. I still don’t understand why they came for Maria."

"So... is Maria dead?" Bernard asked, concerned.

"No. If they took her, she’s alive. But this is the second time they’ve shown up in our lives. What’s her connection to them?"

"Should we report her missing?" Victoria asked.

"Not yet. We’ll use her disappearance against Elijah—claim he had her kidnapped. It’ll strengthen our case."

"And if she returns?" Luna pressed.

"Then we ask her questions—and keep a close eye on her."

Bernard frowned. "Why do we need to watch her?"

"Because," Gilbert said with intensity, "the Mind Listeners can hear thoughts. If Maria is linked to them, we don’t know what she knows—or what she might do."

A silence fell between them.

"So if she’s had her powers all along... she could’ve been reading our thoughts? That makes her a threat—to us and the pack," Bernard said slowly, running a hand through his hair, visibly shaken by the revelation...