Back at the mansion, celebration filled the air. Bernard, Beta Gilbert, and Victoria stood among their guards, surrounding a bound and defeated Elijah Simons.
"Elijah Simons, by raising arms against me and my family, you declared war on the entire pack. And you shall face our wrath!" Beta Gilbert’s voice was cold and firm.
But Elijah sneered, his tone defiant. "You think this is over? You’re blind. You and your precious family are your only concern. There are worse things coming for you, Gilbert. You’ll see."
Bernard stepped forward, fury lacing his voice. "You still have the nerve to talk, traitor? You’re not even afraid of death!"
Elijah chuckled darkly. "You, boy, know nothing of what it means to be Alpha. Ask your father. No one in this pack can kill me. He knows that."
Bernard looked at his father in confusion. "What’s he talking about?"
"Take him to the dungeon!" Beta Gilbert barked. The guards obeyed instantly, dragging Elijah out of the room.
When they were alone, Bernard turned sharply to his father. "What did he mean by that? That no one can kill him?"
Beta Gilbert sighed deeply. "There’s an ancient rule in the pack’s book—no one with Alpha blood can be killed by a fellow pack member. Elijah’s bloodline qualifies. That’s likely why he dared attack."
Bernard’s brows furrowed. "So that rule doesn’t apply to us? He could’ve killed us all."
"Our family doesn’t have Alpha blood. You became Alpha only because Maria is your mate—she descends from the former Alpha. That’s what gave you the crown."
He turned to Victoria. "Mom, did you know about all this?"
She nodded. "I did. But none of it matters now. You’ve proven yourself. We’re proud of the Alpha you’ve become."
Bernard’s voice was tight. "If I’m truly worthy, why don’t I have the rule book?"
"The book is given only after five years of leadership," Gilbert explained. "Unless the elders decide otherwise. You’ve only ruled for three years."
"So I haven’t done enough," Bernard said bitterly.
"No, son. Capturing Elijah Simons is no small feat. That alone will earn you respect across the pack. Trust me."
Victoria interrupted. "But what about Maria? Who were those people in white that took her away?"
"They’re the Mind Listeners and Truth Seekers," Gilbert replied. "They only appear when there’s something big at stake. I still don’t understand why they came for Maria."
"So... is Maria dead?" Bernard asked, concerned.
"No. If they took her, she’s alive. But this is the second time they’ve shown up in our lives. What’s her connection to them?"
"Should we report her missing?" Victoria asked.
"Not yet. We’ll use her disappearance against Elijah—claim he had her kidnapped. It’ll strengthen our case."
"And if she returns?" Luna pressed.
"Then we ask her questions—and keep a close eye on her."
Bernard frowned. "Why do we need to watch her?"
"Because," Gilbert said with intensity, "the Mind Listeners can hear thoughts. If Maria is linked to them, we don’t know what she knows—or what she might do."
A silence fell between them.
"So if she’s had her powers all along... she could’ve been reading our thoughts? That makes her a threat—to us and the pack," Bernard said slowly, running a hand through his hair, visibly shaken by the revelation...