Marked By The Alpha's Cursed Blue Moon
Chapter 73. The D-day

Chapter 73: 73. The D-day

Inside the hall, Raymond projected a detailed map onto the large screen. Everyone in the room shifted their attention to it, eyes locked as they absorbed the details.

"This is the map of their packhouse and the entire surrounding area," Raymond began, his voice calm but firm. "We need to find the weakest point of their defense. That’s where we’ll focus our attack. Fewer guards, lower resistance."

Mr. Frederick stood up and approached the screen, his eyes scanning the map intently. "We will attack from the roof," he announced.

"It’s the last place they’d expect. In their minds, it’s an impossible entry point. They never place guards up there. That’s our advantage."

One of his men raised a hand, doubt lacing his voice.

"But how do we even get on the roof without being spotted? What if we get caught before the operation begins?"

Mr. Frederick nodded, appreciating the concern. "A fair question," he replied. "We’ll scale the walls wearing jackets that change color based on any light they’re exposed to. Infrared, UV, or normal light—the jackets adapt, making detection virtually impossible."

Gasps and murmurs of awe spread through the room. Another man leaned forward, curiosity in his eyes. "Once we get on the roof, then what?"

Mr. Frederick turned, his tone dead serious. "We drop grenades into the packhouse. After the explosion, we count to ten. Then, with the speed of light, we drop down, locate Elijah Simons, and extract him. The entire mission will last only ten minutes."

"And the escape plan?" someone else asked. "You know they’ll fight back. How do we leave without losing anyone?"

"Two helicopters will be waiting outside," Mr. Frederick answered. "Once you have Elijah, run straight to the choppers. Don’t stop for anything. We are not there to fight a war. We are there to get one man out."

His eyes swept across the room, lingering on each man’s face.

"This mission is risky, yes, but not impossible. I know each one of you. You’re warriors—champions. Let’s hit them hard, fast, and disappear before they realize what’s happening. Ten minutes. That’s all we need."

A roar of cheers filled the room. Men clapped each other on the back, their confidence growing, their courage swelling. They were ready.

---

Meanwhile, at Gilbert’s Mansion, Maria lay in her room, alone as usual. The house had quieted down after dinner. Everyone had retired to their rooms, and only the faint sound of the night air filled the silence.

Her thoughts were heavy, turning again and again to Elijah Simons and the trial scheduled for the next day. Lying on her bed, she stared at the ceiling.

"I will be so happy when they finally sentence him to death," she thought bitterly, letting the idea soothe her like a lullaby.

Sleep began to take over. Her eyelids felt heavy. Within minutes, she drifted off.

She was running.

Fear pulsed through every vein in her body. Her breaths came in gasps, sharp and panicked. Behind her, voices roared in fury.

"She must die today! Her blood must redeem the souls she’s destroyed!"

Maria pushed harder, her legs burning. Her lungs screamed for air. The mob behind her was gaining.

Tears blurred her vision as she darted toward a large tree. Just as her legs gave out, she collapsed behind it, hoping, praying they hadn’t seen her.

For a moment, it seemed she had escaped.

Until a voice shattered the silence.

"She’s here! We’ve got her!"

Rough hands grabbed her. She screamed, fighting, kicking, begging. "Let me go! I’ve done nothing! I don’t hurt innocent people! Please!"

Her cries were ignored. They bound her hands and feet and dragged her through the dirt.

When they finally stopped, she found herself thrown into the center of a wide circle marked with a strange white substance. Her heart pounded as she lay there, powerless.

Then he appeared.

A tall man, broad-shouldered, stepped out from a nearby room. As he walked forward, the crowd bowed deeply. Their reverence made Maria shiver.

The man sat down in a high-backed chair, and when Maria looked up to see his face, her soul shattered.

"Dad..." she gasped. "Dad, please! It’s me, Maria! Don’t let them hurt me!"

But his expression was cold, distant. Not the father she remembered.

"I am not your father," he declared. "You are a cursed child. Everywhere you go, pain follows. Tonight, your blood will cleanse this pack."

"No! You can’t do this!" Maria cried, sobbing. "I’m your daughter. Your only child!"

His eyes darkened. "Your death is the only way to bring peace. Your blood must flow around the lines of the circle."

A large man with a heavy sword stepped forward. Maria’s screams echoed through the clearing.

"Please, don’t kill me! Please! I didn’t do anything!"

The man raised the sword.

"NO!"

Maria bolted upright in bed, drenched in sweat, her chest heaving. Her room was dark and still, but the terror lingered.

It had only been a nightmare, but it felt so real. Her father’s face... his words... they haunted her.

She pressed her hands to her face, trying to calm her breathing. And yet, deep down, she wondered if the dream was more than just a figment of fear.

Maybe it was a warning...

Maria woke up with her entire body drenched in sweat, her chest rising and falling quickly as she struggled to catch her breath. The dream had felt too real, too vivid. Her heart still pounded against her ribs like a warning drum.

Fear clung to her like a second skin, and a dull ache lingered in the places she’d been struck and dragged in the dream.

"What’s happening to me?" she whispered, sitting upright. Her eyes searched the dim room as if it might hold the answers. "Why would my dad want to kill me in a dream? That doesn’t make any sense."

Confusion clouded her features. Her father’s image, so stern and cold in that nightmare, haunted her thoughts.

’I need to visit Mrs. Spencer,’ she thought, standing up slowly. ’But I can’t go anywhere yet. Elijah Simons’ trial must happen first.’

She walked straight to the corner of the room where she’d hidden the mysterious ring Mr. Spencer had given her.

Her fingers reached for the small box, and when she opened it, the ring shimmered faintly under the low light. She picked it up and stared at it closely.

"How is this supposed to communicate with Mrs. Spencer without me saying a word?" she murmured. Doubt flickered in her eyes.

But then she took a deep breath. ’Maybe I just need to follow the instructions like I was told. One step at a time.’

She returned the ring to its box and closed it carefully. As soon as the lid shut, her alarm rang out, indicating it was six in the morning. That jolted her fully awake—this was the day Elijah Simons would finally face judgment.

Maria felt a surge of excitement rise in her chest.

"After today, I’ll be free to walk around without fear," she said aloud. "The one who killed my parents, who has caused so much pain, will finally be gone forever."

Her voice faltered a little at the end, and her expression dimmed with the weight of grief. "Mom... Dad... I miss you both so much," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I’d give anything to have just one more day with you."

Still lost in thought, she was heading toward the bathroom when a soft knock came at her door.

’Who could that be at this hour?’ she wondered, her brows furrowing in curiosity.

She moved to the door and opened it. To her surprise, it was Luna Victoria.

Maria blinked. Of all the people she had expected, Luna Victoria wasn’t on the list.

"Good morning, ma’am," Maria greeted respectfully, stepping aside to let her in.

"Good morning, Maria. I’d like to talk to you—if that’s alright?" Luna Victoria asked, her tone warm but serious.

Maria nodded and stepped back further. "Yes, of course. Please come in."

She watched as Luna Victoria walked in, her presence calm yet commanding. Maria sat quietly, her eyes focused on her.

"I know you’re probably wondering why I’m here so early," Luna Victoria began, settling into the chair. "But I felt it was important you heard this from me."

Maria leaned forward slightly, her full attention on the older woman.

"None of us are trying to deceive you," Luna Victoria said gently. "Elijah Simons has committed countless atrocities. Your parents were among his victims, but there are so many others too. Innocent lives destroyed for his selfish thirst for power. We didn’t plan this out of hatred—but out of necessity."

Maria’s lips parted slightly. "But why haven’t the Elders done anything until now? Why did we need to create our own plan?"

Luna Victoria’s eyes darkened with frustration. "Because he has loyalists among the Elders. They protect him, despite what he’s done. If we hadn’t taken matters into our own hands, he would have grown even more powerful. He would’ve kept killing. This plan... it’s our only shot at justice."

Maria slowly nodded, understanding dawning on her. Her expression grew more resolute. "Thank you for telling me. I understand now. And I promise—I’ll do everything I can to help us win."

Luna Victoria smiled softly. As she stood to leave, she paused and turned to Maria again.

"I hope you and Bernard are still doing okay?"

The unexpected question took Maria by surprise. Her eyes widened slightly. She didn’t respond right away, caught off guard.

All she could manage was a small nod.

Luna Victoria smiled again, clearly sensing more than Maria revealed. She left the room quietly, leaving Maria standing there, deep in thought.

’Why would she ask me that? Is she noticing something?’ Maria wondered. She shook her head to clear it and made her way to the bathroom.

***

By 7 p.m., the mansion stirred with quiet urgency. Beta Gilbert and Bernard arrived with several men, marching straight to the dungeon. Moments later, they emerged with Elijah Simons, still bound hand and foot.

Maria quickly ducked out of sight. She didn’t want him to see her.

After the men left with Elijah, Beta Gilbert returned briefly.

"Maria," he said, addressing her directly. "I know you’d like to witness everything tonight, but it’s risky to take you with us. However, we’ve arranged for you to dress in a guard’s uniform so you can blend in. Just stay quiet, stay in character, and don’t draw any attention to yourself. Understood?"

Maria’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t expected to be included, and now the opportunity filled her with fire.

"Yes, sir! I’ll do exactly as you’ve instructed," she said, her voice steady but laced with excitement.

Beta Gilbert gave her an approving nod before turning and leaving the mansion with his driver.

Maria turned to Luna Victoria, who had been watching silently. They exchanged a small smile—one of understanding and silent support.

When Luna Victoria headed to her room, Maria remained in the living room, pacing a little before finally sinking onto the couch.

She tilted her head back, eyes fixed on the ceiling, hands behind her neck.

’This is it,’ she thought. ’This is the moment. Mom, Dad... this is for both of you. I’ll make sure justice is served.’

Her expression hardened. Tonight wouldn’t just be a trial. It would be the beginning of a reckoning...