"I’m just so happy about us, and I was also thinking about things to co ahead of us," Cassandra said with a soft smile spreading across her face.
Bernard glanced at her, intrigued by her words. "Hmm... What exactly do you think lies ahead of us?" he asked with a curious look.
Cassandra took a deep breath. "As much as I want the good tis, I know that being with you will bring chaos. It’ll create a rift between Maria and ... but I’m ready to make that sacrifice for the sake of our love. Just promise , Bernard—don’t make regret loving you."
Bernard nodded slowly, his expression suddenly intense. "I’ll make sure you stay the happiest person alive for choosing . That’s why I want all the power—so I can protect you, always."
They exchanged a soft, aningful smile.
Cassandra tilted her head slightly, lowering her voice. "Why can’t you just tell Maria that you don’t like her? Save yourselves the stress and avoid the problems that might co from your pack or even your parents."
"I need Maria to secure the powers I’ve been seeking," Bernard replied calmly but firmly. "Once I get what I need, I can let her go."
As their conversation lingered, Jas suddenly approached with a stern, unreadable look on his face.
"Good morning to both of you," he said, skipping pleasantries. "I’m here to ask about Maria. Why hasn’t she been coming to college?"
Bernard’s expression changed imdiately. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "And what relationship do you have with Maria that makes you think you have the right to question about her?"
"She’s a friend of mine. I care, and I want to know why she’s been absent," Jas replied calmly, trying to stay composed.
Bernard scoffed. "Well, we don’t have any answers for you. It’s best you walk away now."
Jas stared at Bernard for a long second, then turned his gaze to Cassandra. "Hope you’re ready for when he betrays you too, the sa way he’s doing to Maria," he said coldly.
Before anyone could blink, Bernard stord toward Jas and pushed him hard. The classroom fell silent in shock as the two most admired male students confronted each other.
Jas stumbled but quickly regained his balance. Instead of retaliating, he let out a small smirk and walked away.
Cassandra remained seated, stunned by the sudden outburst. Bernard turned to her and held out his hand.
"Let’s get out of here," he said firmly.
Without protest, she took his hand, and they walked out together, leaving the classroom buzzing with confusion and whispers.
Maria’s POV
Maria lay in bed, her mind heavy with thoughts. She had tried calling the number from the unknown caller several tis, but it wouldn’t connect. Frustrated, she picked up her phone and called Laura.
Laura answered imdiately. "Maria! Is everything okay?"
"Laura, I need to see Mr. Frederick as soon as possible. Have you found a way to contact him yet?" Maria asked anxiously.
"Calm down," Laura replied gently. "I’ve spoken to my dad. He promised to arrange a eting for us. Once it’s set, I’ll go with you."
Maria sighed in relief. "Thank you. I really need that eting."
"By the way, how are you feeling? And why weren’t you in college today?"
"Still recovering from so health issues, but I’m stronger now. I’ll be back soon."
"Well, sothing strange happened today. As I got to class, I saw Bernard holding Cassandra’s hand, and they walked out together. It looked like sothing is going on between them," Laura explained.
Maria’s heart sank, but she kept her tone calm. "Thanks for telling . I’ll talk to you later."
Ending the call, Maria stared at her phone. The plan was working—Cassandra was getting closer to Bernard. But her thoughts quickly shifted to Mr. Frederick and the urgency of Elijah Simons’ situation. He had only a day left before his trial, and possibly, execution.
***
anwhile, at Mr. Frederick’s Hideout, he stood at the front of a large hall filled with his trusted n. The room was lit brightly, with fine furniture and a large screen at the back displaying a tactical map.
"I called all of you here today for one reason... Elijah Simons. We’re going to rescue him from the Blue Moon pack. This won’t be easy, but we’re not going to fight them directly. Our mission is to extract him and offer him redemption, as an ally to our cause," Mr. Frederick explained with conviction.
Murmurs rippled through the room as the n processed the gravity of the task.
One of the n stepped forward. "Boss, this mission cos with great risk. The Blue Moon pack is powerful. We can’t go in blind, we need to find their weak spot. Otherwise, we’re walking into a death trap."
Mr. Frederick nodded. "You’re right. That’s why we’ve done our howork. Raymond will brief you on the weak link we’ve discovered."
All eyes turned to Raymond as he stood, holding a small remote to switch the map slides.
"The Blue Moon pack is a fortress, especially with Bernard as their Alpha. But every fortress has a crack," Raymond began. "We’ve studied their behavior. The only ti they are truly vulnerable is during their high council etings. They’re most distracted then, completely absorbed in discussions. That’s when we strike."
The n leaned in as Raymond continued.
"We’ll position ourselves in the surrounding woods before the gathering begins. Observation is key. Once we’re certain they’re fully engaged, we move in fast and extract Elijah before they know what hit them."
Mr. Frederick added, "There will be no mistakes. If we fail, Elijah dies. But if we succeed, we gain an invaluable ally. This is war, gentlen—but it’s a war we must win."
As the n nodded in agreent, determination etched on every face, the room humd with energy. The countdown to the rescue mission had begun.
Back in her room, Maria prepared for the storm that was coming. One wrong move could unravel everything, but she had no choice, she had to play her part in the dangerous web of love, betrayal, and power.
***
Inside the brightly lit hall, all eyes were fixed on the large screen that displayed the projected map. Raymond stood beside it, laser pointer in hand, while the rest of Mr. Frederick’s n listened intently.
"This is the full map of the Blue Moon packhouse and its surrounding territory," Raymond began, his voice calm but assertive. "We need to identify the weakest entry point—one with minimal security presence. That’s where we’ll channel our focus."
The room remained quiet, every man digesting the details being presented. Raymond pointed toward a section of the roof.
"We’ll infiltrate from above. The roof is the only spot they don’t guard—it’s considered an impossible point of entry by their standards. That assumption is our greatest advantage."
Mr. Frederick stepped forward from his seat, his eyes blazing with intensity as he faced the group.
"They won’t see it coming," he said firmly. "We climb the outer walls, stealth mode only. Each of you will be equipped with jackets that adapt to light exposure—no matter the color or intensity, the fabric changes to match. That ans zero detection."
One of the n raised his hand, eyebrows knitted in concern. "How do we scale the roof and drop in without getting spotted during movent?"
Mr. Frederick nodded in approval at the question. "Good point. Once on the roof, we’ll detonate stun grenades into the main hall. When the smoke spreads, we count to ten and descend like lightning. Elijah Simons will be our only target. We grab him and exit fast."
"But sir," another soldier spoke up, "how do we deal with the backlash? The Blue Moon pack won’t just stand down. We’ll be t with resistance."
"This operation," Mr. Frederick said, "will last only ten minutes. No more. Only ten of you are going in. Two choppers will be stationed on standby at the extraction point. Once Elijah is secured, you run—no fighting, no dragging. Just get him out."
He looked around the room, his voice growing louder, filled with conviction.
"I know this won’t be easy. But nothing great ever is. You’ve all proven yourselves ti and ti again. We’re not just a team—we’re a family. And tomorrow, we bring one of ours ho. Ten minutes, one mission. Let’s do this!"
The room erupted into cheers. The tension was suddenly replaced with fiery determination. Each man thumped his chest or raised a fist, adrenaline pumping high.
They were ready.
---
anwhile, at Gilbert’s Mansion, Maria sat alone in her room after dinner. The mansion was quiet now, everyone having retired to their chambers. But sleep refused to co easily to her.
Her mind was heavy with thoughts of the next day, Elijah Simons’ trial. The tension had her stomach in knots. She curled beneath the blanket, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"I’ll be so relieved when that man is finally out of the way." Her thoughts were sharp, echoing in her mind as her eyes fluttered shut.
Soon, fatigue won. Maria drifted off into a restless sleep.
**In the Nightmare**
She was running. Her heart pounded against her chest like a war drum. Trees blurred past her vision as she dashed through the darkness, lungs burning, legs trembling.
Terrified voices followed closely behind her, shouting with hatred.
"She must die today! Her blood must cleanse the evil she has caused!"
Maria’s breath hitched. Her body felt like it might collapse any second. She stumbled toward a massive tree and threw herself behind it, praying for silence. A few of her pursuers sprinted past, oblivious to her hiding place.
Just when she dared to breathe again—
"She’s here! We’ve found her!" a voice cried from behind her.
Strong hands yanked her up roughly. Panic surged through her as they bound her wrists and ankles. She kicked and scread, her voice raw with desperation.
"Please! Let go! I haven’t done anything! I’ve never hurt anyone innocent!" Her tears flowed freely, but the mob was deaf to her cries.
They dragged her toward a clearing, placing her inside a strange white circle etched into the ground. She collapsed onto the earth, breathless and defeated.
Then, from a distant building, a tall, commanding figure stepped into view. Every mber of the crowd bowed their heads in reverence.
Maria’s eyes widened in horror as the man approached the center.
"No... it can’t be..." she whispered. "Dad?"
Her father—her late father—stood before her, expression cold and unfamiliar.
"Please, it’s ! Maria! Don’t let them hurt !" she scread, crawling toward him.
But his voice cut like ice.
"I am not your father. You are cursed. Pain and ruin follow your every step. Your blood is the only redemption for the lives you’ve shattered."
Maria’s soul broke apart with each word. "No! I’m your daughter! I’m your only child!" she pleaded.
But the verdict had been given.
"Your death will bring peace to the pack. Spill her blood!"
A massive executioner approached, sword gleaming.
"No! Please! Don’t kill !" Maria cried out, her voice echoing through the night.
Just as the blade lifted high, Maria jolted awake, breath ragged, drenched in sweat.
Her scream rang out into the silence of her room. She sat up, heart racing, hands trembling.
It had only been a nightmare... but it felt far too real.
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