Marked By The Alpha's Cursed Blue Moon
Chapter 69. A Deal with Shadows

Chapter 69: 69. A Deal with Shadows

Shock spread across the living room like wildfire. Beta Gilbert and everyone else stared at Maria, stunned by the fire behind her final words.

"So... what’s the plan, sir?" she asked, directing her intense gaze straight at Beta Gilbert, her voice still laced with anger.

Beta Gilbert cleared his throat and adjusted his posture, as if preparing her for a truth she wouldn’t expect.

"Firstly, you need to understand something, Maria," he said calmly. "Elijah Simons cannot be sentenced to death—not just like that. He has royal werewolf blood. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard that before?"

Maria’s eyes widened, a mix of confusion and disbelief washing over her. "What do you mean, sir?"

"There’s a rulebook for the Blue Moon Pack," he explained. "And in that book, it clearly states that no royal-blooded werewolf can face execution—unless they’ve committed an atrocity against another royal-bloodline werewolf."

Her brows furrowed deeper as she tried to make sense of it. "So... where do I come into all this?"

"You’re a royal-blooded werewolf, Maria," he said. "He shot you. He also murdered your parents. But the strongest allegation—the one that will guarantee his execution—is the attack on you. That’s the only thing the elders can use against him."

Maria fell silent, her heart thudding. She’d never seen herself as a tool for justice before—but now, she understood the weight of her survival.

"We’ll say he shot you," Beta Gilbert continued. "That your body was taken away by some of your men, and since then, no one’s seen you. Not dead or alive. That mystery is what we’ll use. He won’t be able to escape justice this time."

Maria processed the plan, her thoughts racing.

"So... if I understand correctly, I have to remain in hiding until the death penalty is issued. What happens after that? Won’t I come out publicly?"

Beta Gilbert’s expression turned stern. "We’ve seen situations like this before. No one will question it—because this man has taken too many innocent lives. Including your parents. Maria, if those people hadn’t saved you, do you think you’d be standing here to question the plan?"

His words cut deeply. She bit her lower lip and lowered her eyes. He was right.

"Remember," Victoria chimed in, her voice softer but persuasive, "this is the same man who destroyed your family... and tried to take your life. Do you want him to walk free and harm more people?"

Maria didn’t speak at first. She took in both their words, letting the rage settle in her chest. The pain, the loss, the near-death experience—they all merged into one decision.

"I’ll do it," she said firmly. Her voice didn’t waver. "He’s a killer. He doesn’t deserve to live."

Her declaration brought a satisfied smile to Beta Gilbert’s face. He leaned back slightly, clearly pleased. But Maria noticed Bernard hadn’t said a word all this time. She turned toward him, her voice curious.

"Why is Bernard so quiet? Is he not okay with the plan?"

Bernard raised his head slowly, meeting her gaze. "It’s not like that," he said. "I already knew what the plan was, and I understand the outcome. Since Dad’s explaining it clearly, I didn’t want to interrupt. But yes... I support it."

Maria nodded quietly and then turned her full attention back to Beta Gilbert.

"Now we’ll go to the dungeon," he announced, standing to his feet. "But when we get there, say nothing. Elijah mustn’t know who’s in the room—he can only identify us if we speak. I want you all to see the drama he’ll put on."

Maria rose along with the others, her heart starting to pound. She followed behind Bernard and Beta Gilbert as they made their way through the mansion and into a part of the estate she’d never seen before.

The deeper they walked, the colder and darker it got. The air was damp, heavy with echoes of past cries. Shadows clung to the stone walls like secrets. Maria felt a chill crawl up her spine.

She stopped short when they reached the dungeon. It was worse than she imagined, darker than darkness itself.

The only light came from the flickering lamps scattered on the floor. Each person picked one up. Maria didn’t. She couldn’t risk being recognized by Elijah.

Beta Gilbert gave her a small signal to stay a few steps behind them, hidden in the shadows.

They walked slowly, and when they were about five meters from the cell, Beta Gilbert turned and gave a nod. It was time.

"Elijah Simons," he called out mockingly, "how are you enjoying your new home before we execute you?"

A low chuckle echoed from the cell. "This can never be my home," Elijah answered, bold and fearless. "And you know you can’t kill me. Not you or anyone else, Gilbert. You know the rules."

Bernard stepped forward, kneeling in front of the bars to get a better look at him. "You really think you’re invincible?" he challenged. "Don’t you realize you’ve already sealed your fate?"

Elijah went quiet. Maria held her breath. But then, he laughed again—a confident, unsettling sound.

"I’ve done nothing to deserve death," Elijah said, his voice sharp. "And you know the law. Killing me without a proper trial, without cleansing, brings chaos to the pack. Tell your little boy Alpha that."

Bernard growled, rage flaring in his eyes. He kicked Elijah hard—again and again—until blood spilled onto the floor. Maria flinched but said nothing. She wanted to scream, to grab a blade and finish Elijah off herself. But she stayed hidden, just as planned.

Beta Gilbert quickly dragged Bernard away from the cell. "That’s enough," he said.

Wiping blood from his lips, Elijah looked up, still smiling. "What about Maria?" he asked, cocking his head. "The girl I shot. I don’t believe she’s dead. Not until I see her corpse."

"She’s gone," Beta Gilbert snapped. "She was royal-blooded—stronger than you. And now she’s dead. Do you really think the elders won’t seek justice?"

"I don’t believe you," Elijah said with a shake of his head. "Even if she’s dead, do you truly believe the council would condemn me to death?"

Beta Gilbert didn’t answer right away. Instead, he clapped slowly, mockingly. Then he knelt beside the bars and leaned in close.

"That letter of endorsement you received from the elders?" he said with a cruel smile. "That was orchestrated by me and my men. It never came from them. You’ve been dancing in the palm of my hand, Elijah. And now it’s time for your fall."

Elijah’s eyes widened. The color drained from his face. For the first time, Maria saw real fear in him. His confidence shattered. The realization hit him like a storm—and she felt an odd sense of peace watching it unfold.

Her heart finally felt a sliver of justice.

---

Meanwhile...

Mr. Frederick sat in his study, flipping through documents when Raymond burst in, holding papers in his hand and wearing a bright smile.

"Good morning, sir. I’ve got some good news!" Raymond beamed as he approached.

Frederick raised an eyebrow. "I hope it’s something worth hearing."

"It is, sir! Maria is alive. She walked into Gilbert’s mansion earlier today. We confirmed it ourselves."

A wide smile spread across Frederick’s face. "That’s music to my ears. Finally—something good."

Raymond’s tone shifted as he added, "There’s more, sir. Elijah Simons has been captured. They say he might be executed in the next few days."

Frederick’s smile vanished. He sat up straight, concern flashing in his eyes.

"A death sentence?" he echoed. "That can’t happen. Something must be done immediately. I need Elijah Simons alive."

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