Maria’s face remained bowed to the ground. She didn’t utter a word. Silence wrapped around her like armor, her lips sealed shut.
Jas took a step closer, sensing her withdrawal. He raised his hand slightly, about to touch her arm, when she suddenly lifted her head.
The look in her eyes was sharp, completely unexpected.
"I’ve told you before," she said, her voice hard and cold, "we can only be friends. But it seems you’re not okay with that." Her eyes didn’t blink. "I think it’s best we keep our distance. Please, don’t co close to again."
With that, she turned and walked out on him.
Jas stood frozen in place, blindsided. Her words echoed in his ears, each one like a dagger. He didn’t move, didn’t speak. He was too stunned to react, still trying to piece together what had just happened.
’What did I do wrong?’ The question spun endlessly in his mind.
Maria’s steps quickened as she walked away, but deep down, she felt a pang of guilt twist in her chest. She knew Jas didn’t deserve the harshness she threw at him.
Part of her wanted to turn around, apologize, explain—but she couldn’t. Not now. She needed to keep her distance and stay focused.
She couldn’t afford distractions, no matter how kind or genuine they seed.
Eventually, her wandering led her to the college ga center. She walked straight to her usual spot and sat down, hoping that the noise and movent of the place would sohow quiet her mind.
But everything in her head was swirling, too heavy to carry alone. She needed soone to talk to.
About ten minutes passed before she spotted Laura and Cassandra approaching. Their pace quickened when they noticed her sitting alone.
As soon as they reached her, Laura’s eyes narrowed with concern.
"Maria, why are you out here alone?" she asked gently, sitting beside her. "You look really bothered. What’s going on?"
Maria didn’t hesitate. She began explaining everything... her recent feelings, the tension inside her, and especially the scene with Jas earlier that day. She poured it all out.
When she finally stopped talking, both Laura and Cassandra were silent. They exchanged glances but didn’t say a word.
Their silence felt deafening and Maria stared at them.
"What’s wrong? Why are you both looking at like that?" Her voice cracked slightly with frustration.
Cassandra let out a sigh, her gaze serious.
"Maria, relax. I know things are overwhelming right now. But no matter what you’re going through, you can’t push good people away just because you’re in pain. What you said to Jas... that wasn’t fair."
Maria blinked, surprised by the scolding.
"We’re not saying we don’t understand you," Laura added, speaking more gently. "We know you’re going through a lot. But Jas isn’t the enemy here."
"I’m not telling you to fall for him," Laura continued, "but there were better ways to express yourself. What you did... it wasn’t right."
Laura and Cassandra leaned in, wrapping their arms around Maria in a warm, reassuring hug.
"We’re here for you," Laura whispered. "You don’t have to carry everything alone."
"So what should I do now?" Maria’s voice trembled.
Laura pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes.
"First, calm your mind. Everything will fall into place when the ti is right. And second... when you see Jas again, apologize to him. He deserves that."
At that, the three girls burst into soft laughter—relieving the tension. They started chatting about lighter things as they strolled back to class together.
---
That sa evening, around 7:30 p.m., Bernard sat with his parents in the living room. The television was playing an engaging program, and the atmosphere was calm.
Suddenly, a knock echoed from the front door.
Bernard turned to look at his parents, one brow raised. "Are you expecting anyone tonight?"
Both Victoria and Beta Gilbert responded in unison, "No."
Their gazes shifted to the door just as another knock followed.
"I’ll get it," Bernard said, rising to his feet and heading toward the entrance.
When he opened the door, his eyes narrowed in confusion. A small box wrapped in white and gold sat on the doorstep. No note. No sign of who had left it.
Imdiately, Bernard stepped outside, glancing in every direction—but the path was empty. No one in sight.
anwhile, his parents had also stood and followed him. They, too, saw the mysterious box.
Beta Gilbert walked over without hesitation and picked it up.
"Dad! You don’t even know what that is!" Bernard exclaid, concern flickering in his voice. "It could be dangerous!"
His father and mother exchanged a knowing look, then chuckled softly.
"It’s not dangerous," Beta Gilbert said calmly. "It’s a ssage from the elders of our pack. For you."
"At this hour?" Bernard’s frown deepened. "Why send a ssage in a box?"
"This is tradition," Victoria replied, placing a hand on Bernard’s arm to guide him back inside. "It’s how things have always been."
Bernard sat down slowly, still staring at the mysterious box in his father’s hands.
"So... what’s the ssage?"
"It’s for the Alpha of the Blue Moon to discover," Beta Gilbert explained as he handed the box over. "Not even we are allowed to be present when it’s opened—unless you insist."
Beta Gilbert and Victoria were just about to rise from the couch and leave the living room so Bernard could open the box in privacy when he suddenly looked up.
"Wait," he said, his voice soft but firm. "Don’t go. Stay with ."
They paused and exchanged glances, then returned to their seats as Bernard gently opened the box.
To everyone’s surprise, including Bernard, the only thing inside was a single white envelope.
"Just a letter in a white envelope?" Bernard muttered, raising his eyebrows as he looked at his father, clearly confused.
"Stop asking questions and just open it already," Victoria said, her tone growing impatient with her son’s hesitation.
Bernard sighed and opened the envelope. As he read its contents, his expression gradually shifted from confusion to disbelief.
Once he was done, he passed the letter to his father, who read it aloud before handing it to Luna Victoria.
When all three had gone through the letter, Bernard frowned and asked; "Why are the elders summoning to address the entire pack for my first open speech—and why must I show up with my Luna beside ? Why wasn’t I told anything before they fixed a date?"
Beta Gilbert leaned forward, his voice calm and asured.
"Son, you are the Alpha of this great pack. You need to understand that these traditions are not optional, they’re a part of who we are. After this event, you’ll officially take full charge. From then on, all major decisions will be yours."
"And besides," Victoria added gently as she rubbed Bernard’s back, "you still have a whole week to prepare. There’s no need to panic."
There was a mont of silence before Beta Gilbert asked with a serious look, "How are things going between you and Maria?"
Bernard paused, his face tightening. Eventually, he spoke.
"Dad, we’re... fine. But she’s still acting distant. It’s hard to talk to her."
"Won like to be pursued, son," Beta Gilbert said with a soft chuckle. "Don’t expect her to run back into your arms easily. You need to earn her trust again."
"You two have been close since childhood," Victoria added with a knowing smile. "You know how to reach her. Speak from the heart."
"I gave birth to a strong man—the most powerful Alpha this pack has ever seen," she said proudly. "So go out there and do what you need to do. Stop acting like you’ve forgotten who you are."
Bernard nodded slowly, his mother’s words lighting a spark in him.
***
The next morning, Maria was in her room, preparing to leave for college, when she heard a knock at the door.
"Co in," she called out, not looking up from her mirror.
To her surprise, it was Bernard.
They exchanged greetings, but Maria quickly returned her attention to her things, ignoring his presence.
Bernard hesitated, then walked toward her and gently took her hand in his.
She turned abruptly, an unpleasant look on her face. Her eyes t his in silent disapproval.
"Maria," Bernard began, his voice softer than she’d heard in a long ti, "what’s really happening between us? Why are we living under the sa roof, yet acting like strangers—like enemies?"
His tone caught her off guard. It wasn’t demanding or defensive, it was calm. Sincere.
Maria looked away, refusing to respond.
"Please, talk to ," Bernard urged. "I miss the way we used to laugh, the way we talked about everything. What happened to all of that?"
Maria remained silent, puzzled by his gentleness. ’Where is this version of Bernard coming from?’ she wondered.
After a long pause, she finally spoke.
"Bernard... I don’t recognize you anymore. You shattered all of that. The trust, the mories—with your lies and coldness. So please... just let be."
"I know I hurt you," he said, holding both of her hands now. "But I’m asking for the chance to make things right. Let get close to you again... let fix this."
Maria’s mind was spinning.
’He doesn’t love . I know he doesn’t. He must have soone else. But... I can’t let this opportunity slip by. I need to get what I ca here for.’ Her thoughts deepened as she looked into his eyes.
"What exactly do you want from , Bernard?" she asked, her voice steady but firm.
"All I want is you," he replied without hesitation. "And the happy monts we once shared. I just want us back."
Maria’s expression softened slightly.
"Bernard, I want those things too. But it’s not going to happen overnight. If this is real, then we’ll have to take it slow. Step by step."
Bernard’s face lit up with a smile. He nodded eagerly. "I understand. And I promise you’ll see a better version of from now on."
Maria watched him closely, noting the joy on his face as he turned and walked out of the room.
’One step at a ti,’ she thought. ’I’ll get back everything that belongs to from this family. I’ll make sure of it.’
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