Marked By The Alpha's Cursed Blue Moon
Chapter 75. Unexpected Friendship

Chapter 75: 75. Unexpected Friendship

The entire house was tense when they returned. Bernard’s fury hadn’t waned a bit. His voice echoed through the hall, filled with rage and frustration.

"I know someone helped them from the inside," Bernard roared, pacing back and forth. "And I swear on my life, when I find out who it is... I will rip that person’s heart out with my bare hands!"

He faced the guards with clenched fists and eyes burning with fury. No one dared to speak. The silence was thick, and even Maria felt the heaviness of betrayal lingering in the air.

Inside the living room, Maria slumped onto a couch, her mind restless.

Who would want Elijah Simons alive? she wondered. Could it be someone from his past, seeking their own revenge? Or someone trying to stop the execution for personal reasons?

Her eyes flicked up as Beta Gilbert sat down heavily beside Bernard. The Beta looked just as frustrated, rubbing his temples.

"Bernard, we need to calm down and think this through objectively," Gilbert said. "Elijah Simons isn’t some random criminal. We underestimated him. I did. And that was a mistake."

Bernard frowned. "What exactly are you saying, Dad?"

"I’m saying Elijah still has powerful allies. People who wouldn’t hesitate to pull strings for him. We need to focus on tracking them down and restoring our reputation."

Bernard nodded slowly. "Then I know what to do. I’m calling in every contact I have. A bounty on Elijah—dead or alive."

"I’ll do the same," Gilbert added. "This will force him into hiding. Eventually, he’ll slip."

Maria watched them carefully, her expression unreadable. The shame of Elijah’s escape wasn’t just Bernard’s to carry. The entire pack would be seen as weak.

"I won’t stop until I see his head before the elders," Bernard vowed, fire gleaming in his eyes. "No one escapes justice and lives to mock my name."

After a few more minutes, Gilbert and Luna Victoria excused themselves and left for their rooms. Maria was about to do the same when Bernard suddenly called her name.

She turned, eyebrows raised.

"Tell me the truth," Bernard said, stepping closer. "Did you speak to anyone about our plans?"

Maria’s jaw clenched. She walked straight up to him, her eyes narrowed.

"How dare you ask me that? Do you think you want Elijah dead more than I do? What I feel for him goes beyond rage. I wish he was already dead! And I would never betray you—I’m not that stupid."

Bernard didn’t flinch. "I only asked a question. Why are you so defensive?"

"Because you hurt me!" Maria snapped. "You chose to doubt me. That tells me I’m not really part of this family, am I?"

With that, she stormed off, leaving Bernard alone in the dim room.

Bernard sat down slowly, staring at the floor.

I can’t afford any more weakness, he thought. The rule book holds power I need. Elijah must fall.

He stood and clenched his fists.

"I’ll find him. And when I do, his head will be my proof."

Maria slammed her bedroom door shut. Rage still bubbled beneath her skin. She didn’t even make it to the bed—she sank to the floor, overwhelmed.

Her thoughts spiraled. Was she really not trusted? How could Bernard question her loyalty after everything?

Eventually, she drifted into sleep, curled on the floor.

In her dream, a powerful scene unfolded.

An old man with a thick white beard stood before a crowd, shouting, "Kneel before the one who came by prophecy, the Blue Moon!"

Everyone obeyed, bowing their faces to the ground.

From a golden chamber, Maria emerged, dressed like royalty. A majestic gown trailed behind her as she ascended a grand throne.

She raised her right hand, and the crowd rose.

Stepping to a podium, her voice boomed, "I am the cursed child, the one who brings calamity. I am the Blue Moon, and I have come to reign. If any dares oppose me, step forward and perish."

"Hail the Blue Moon!" the crowd chanted in madness. "Let darkness rejoice!"

Maria threw her fist into the air. "We will reclaim everything stolen from us. Blood will be the price of resistance."

Suddenly, they jumped into a vast pool of blood. Maria smiled, watching them swim.

"Swim in the blood of thy enemies!"

Then she jolted awake.

Breathing heavily, she stumbled to the bathroom to wash her face. But when she looked into the mirror, she gasped.

Her reflection was... different.

A naked image of herself stared back, eyes glowing, lips moving slowly. "Go and see Mr. Frederick."

Maria screamed and fell to the floor.

Am I losing my mind? she wondered. She pinched her arm—the pain was real.

She sprinted from the room, heart racing, and entered the living room. It was quiet. Eerily so.

Her skin prickled with goosebumps.

Was that real? A vision? Or just my mind playing games with me?

She sat down, trembling, when a familiar voice broke the silence.

"Maria?"

She jumped and screamed, spinning around to find Bernard standing behind her, holding a cup of coffee.

"What are you doing up? It’s only 3 a.m.," he asked.

Maria didn’t respond. She looked away, still angry.

Bernard sighed. "I’m sorry for what I said earlier. I wasn’t thinking straight. Please forgive me."

Maria turned to him, still hurt. "I’m not a snitch, Bernard. I would never betray this family."

He nodded. "I know now. I’m sorry."

She gave a small nod in return.

"So what’s keeping you up?" he asked gently.

Maria looked at him, fear etched into her face.

"I had a terrible nightmare. One I can’t forget."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I... I don’t even know how to explain it. Just remembering it chills me to the bone."

Bernard sat down beside her.

Maria didn’t speak further, but her body still trembled slightly.

Somewhere deep within, she knew that dream wasn’t just a nightmare. It was a warning, or a calling.

And Mr. Frederick’s name lingered in her mind like a whisper she couldn’t ignore.

***

Maria looked straight into Bernard’s eyes, fear still tightening her chest and sealing her lips. It took everything in her to speak, but she remembered Mrs.

Spencer’s warning clearly—don’t trust everyone with what’s going on.

Still, she had never truly seen Bernard as an enemy. Greedy, yes. Opportunistic? Absolutely. But not evil. Not someone who would use her pain against her.

So she chose to speak.

"I’ve been having these... dreams," Maria began slowly, her voice shaky. "They’re terrifying, Bernard. I don’t understand why they keep coming."

Bernard leaned in slightly, nodding for her to continue.

"Most nights, I wake up in the middle of one—drenched in sweat, heart racing—and then I can’t sleep again."

His brows knitted together with curiosity. "What are the dreams about? Are they always different?"

Maria took a breath. "Some are about me being chased. A group of people, hunting me down like they want to kill me. But others... they’re worse. In some dreams, I’m the one doing the killing. I see blood all over me."

Bernard’s expression stayed neutral but unreadable. He didn’t interrupt.

"But the last dream—it was different. More disturbing."

"How so?" he asked, his voice gentler now.

"I saw myself leading people... as if I were their leader. I looked powerful, Bernard. Elegant, even. I was giving orders, and everyone followed them without question." She paused. "But it was dark. We all looked like monsters... bloodthirsty beasts. And I didn’t feel like myself."

Bernard smiled.

Maria blinked, stunned. "Why are you smiling? What’s so funny?" she demanded, anger creeping into her voice.

"I’m smiling because I think I understand what’s going on. And it’s not something to be scared of," he said calmly.

Maria narrowed her eyes. "Then tell me—what do you think this is?"

"I believe you’re about to transform," Bernard said simply. "You haven’t turned yet, and since your transformation is coming late, your body and mind are trying to process it. That’s what’s causing the nightmares."

Maria sat back, unsure. It made sense, partly. She’d heard of others going through terrifying dreams when their time drew near.

But something inside her said it wasn’t just about the transformation. The dreams felt deeper... darker. Even during the day, she saw things—flashes, feelings she couldn’t explain.

"I’ve heard of dreams before a shift," she murmured, "but mine feel... wrong. Off. There’s more going on."

Bernard didn’t respond right away, and Maria’s mind drifted to Mr. Frederick. Maybe it’s time I pay him a visit, she thought, keeping her expression neutral.

Bernard, noticing her silence, lightly tapped her arm. "Maria? Still thinking about the nightmares?"

She snapped back. "Not really. I was just... wondering what my wolf form will look like."

Bernard chuckled. "Don’t stress. When it happens, it’ll feel natural. You’ll see—it’ll be amazing."

Maria forced a smile, but her mind wasn’t at ease. Bernard was acting... different. Too attentive. Too kind.

He used to be sweet—once—but that disappeared when he turned seventeen. Since then, they’d barely connected. Now suddenly, he was full of concern?

"Why are you acting like this?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

Bernard looked caught off guard. "Acting like what?"

"Like we’re close. Like you care."

"I do care," he insisted. "I always have. It’s just—you pulled away. Isolated yourself. I didn’t know how to talk to you anymore."

Maria sighed. "I didn’t mean to isolate myself. I just had too much on my mind. Things I couldn’t explain or face."

She looked down, then back at him with a smile. "But I’m learning now... learning to accept things as they come."

"So... we’re good now?" he asked, locking eyes with her.

"We’re good," she nodded. "But promise me something—don’t change. Stay the Bernard I remember, not a stranger."

"I promise," he said, pulling her into a side hug before walking off toward his room.

As he left, Maria’s expression shifted. I need to start playing this game too. I can’t leave everything to Cassandra.

But then another thought hit her. What if Bernard is playing his own game with me?

She stood up slowly. "I just need to be careful... and get this right," she whispered, heading to her room.

---

Meanwhile, in another part of town...

Mr. Frederick ended a phone call just as Elijah Simons walked into the room, his face as hard and hostile as always.

"Good morning, Elijah. How are you today?" Mr. Frederick asked with a practiced smile.

"I’m fine," Elijah grunted. "But I’ll be better once Gilbert and his family are destroyed."

Mr. Frederick arched a brow. "Is that all you want?"

"I want the Blue Moon pack under my control. I want to be Alpha," Elijah declared, laughing cruelly.

Mr. Frederick leaned forward. "And how do you plan to make that happen?"

"I was close during the last attack," Elijah said proudly. "I would’ve taken them all if not for those damn people in white garments with their faces covered. They ruined everything."

Mr. Frederick’s expression didn’t change. "So what’s your next move?"

"I need to meet with my men. Rework the plan," Elijah said, clearly already forming one in his mind.

"You’ll have everything you need," Mr. Frederick assured him. "My support, my men, and full access."

Elijah paused. "Why are you helping me? What do you gain?"

"I have my reasons. Gilbert has painted himself as a saint for too long. But I know the real man—and I swore he would pay."

Elijah grinned. "I like you. You didn’t even ask what he did to me. You just agreed. That’s loyalty. I’ll return the favor—Gilbert and his family will fall."

Mr. Frederick handed him a sleek phone. "Use this. The only contact saved is mine."

Elijah accepted it. "Thank you, friend. I’ll keep in touch."

Mr. Frederick nodded. "Keep a low profile. They’ll still be watching for you."

Elijah laughed as he left the room. "Let them watch."

As the door closed behind him, Mr. Frederick picked up his wine glass and whispered to himself:

"Now, Gilbert... let’s see how you handle chaos. Your worst enemy is coming, and while you’re distracted, I’ll be striking where it hurts the most."

He raised the glass, smiling innocently.

"Let the show begin."

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