<h4>Chapter 39: 39. Survival and Cmity Ahead</h4>


    Victoria was filled with shock the moment she stepped into Bernard’s room and found Maria there.


    But her surprise quickly faded when she noticed Maria arranging Bernard’s scattered clothes on the mattress.


    Maria, thinking quickly, ruffled more clothes around and started folding them back into ce, trying to look as natural as possible.


    "Maria, why are you the one doing this and not one of the maids?" Victoria asked, her eyebrows arching high in suspicion.


    "I didn’t want any of the maids to do it," Maria replied softly, feigning a pitiful expression. "I just miss Bernard so much. I wanted to feel close to him again... to smell his scent on these clothes."


    Surprised and clearly touched, Victoria softened. She approached Maria and gently held both of her hands.


    "Don’t worry," she said reassuringly. "Bernard is strong. He’ll make it through this. But you need to be strong too—for him. Don’t let yourself fall apart now."


    She gave Maria a brief side hug and patted her on the back.


    "So, when do you n on going to see him at the hospital?" she asked, locking eyes with her.


    "I was nning to go after I take a bath," Maria replied, pulling her hand free.


    "Good. Go get ready then," Victoria said with a nod. "I’ll be heading there in thirty minutes myself. You should be done by then."


    Maria quickly excused herself and left the room. As soon as she was gone, Victoria’s warmth melted into doubt. Her face hardened.


    "What exactly was Maria doing here?" she murmured to herself. "She’s never been this close to Bernard before. I’ll get to the bottom of her intentions... soon."


    Meanwhile, Maria was in her bathroom, standing under the warm spray of the shower. Her thoughts wandered back to a conversation she had recently with Beta Gilbert.


    <strong>shback</strong>


    "All that you see here is the result of your parents’ hard work—especially your father’s," Beta Gilbert had said with a slight smile.


    Maria had been stunned. Her parents had owned something so grand, and she had known nothing about it? And the idea that it had been willed to Bernard instead of her—it didn’t sit right.


    "So why didn’t I know about this all along?" she had asked, her voice sharp with confusion and pain. "Even before they died?"


    Gilbert had sighed. "Maria, I thought your father would’ve shown you himself. But he said he had his reasons. He feared knowing all this might derail your future. That you’d stop chasing your dreams if you believed you had it all already."


    Maria had remained silent, trying to make sense of it all.


    "So why show me this now?" she had asked, barely able to hide her hurt.


    "I wanted to remind you that you’re not some helpless girl living off someone else. Your parents left behind more than enough. Your father only willed everything to Bernard for your protection, knowing the two of you would eventually marry. Don’t think we’re after your inheritance. We have our own," Gilbert had said as he took her hand.


    Maria had smiled back at him, but deep inside, she was boiling with unanswered questions and a growing resolve.


    Back in the present, she snapped out of her thoughts when Victoria’s voice echoed from outside the bathroom.


    "Maria, are you not done bathing? Let’s get going. I’ll be waiting in the living room!"


    "Coming!" Maria shouted, quickly stepping out of the shower. She got dressed and joined Victoria shortly afterward.


    Together, they got into the car and headed for the hospital, the driver navigating swiftly through the familiar roads.


    Upon arriving, they both went straight to the emergency ward where Bernard was being kept in istion.


    To their relief, Bernard was already awake. His eyes opened gently, and a weak but clear smile spread across his face as they entered.


    "Thank goodness!" Victoria eximed joyfully. "How are you feeling? Can you speak?"


    "I’m doing better, Mom," Bernard said, smiling. "The doctor did great. And you know me—I’m a fighter. I won’t go down easy."


    Maria stepped forward and sat beside him, her movements gentle but calcted.


    "Hope none of your organs are damaged, Bernard?" she asked as she held his hand.


    "No," he replied. "Most of it is surface-level, except for a deep wound on my back. That one’s taking time, but I’ll be fine."


    "Thank you for saving my life, Maria," Bernard added, squeezing her hand lightly. "I owe you everything."


    "You don’t have to thank me," Maria replied with a small smile. "We’re just d you’re recovering."


    Victoria’s eyes darted between the two of them. "What do you mean you owe your life to Maria?" she asked.


    Bernard turned his head. "One of those people in white—the rescuers—was about to kill me. But Maria pleaded with her, and she stopped. Why she wanted to kill me in the first ce is still a mystery. And who are those people anyway?"


    Silence filled the room as none of them had an answer, but gratitude hung thick in the air.


    <strong>***</strong>


    Meanwhile, at the Shadow’s safe house, tension was heavy. One of the Shadow’s men burst in, panicked and breathless.


    "What’s the matter with you?" the Shadow barked.


    "The Alpha... he’s alive. He survived the bite of the dead!" the guard gasped.


    The room fell into stunned silence.


    "That’s impossible!" the Shadow roared. "No one survives the bite of the dead! Hisamo is a cursed weapon—an instant death tool forged by the dead and powered by the darkest forces. No one... NO ONE survives it!"


    He rose from his seat in fury, his voice echoing off the stone walls of the hideout.


    Rage burned in his eyes.


    "Who dares defy the power of the dead?"


    ***


    Beta Gilbert arrived at a massive temple, its air filled with calm chants and the scent of incense. Worshipers and devotees were seated in quiet meditation on mats spread across the marble floor.


    The moment he stepped in, it was clear he wasn’t used to the ways of this sacred ce.


    His focus, however, was undeterred—he hade to meet Lord Espinaz, the great wizard known for his ancient wisdom and mystical powers.


    Gilbert’s heart pounded with urgency, seeking answers and solutions.


    Seeing no one he could interrupt among the meditating crowd, his eyes quickly found a temple usher, standing to the side. He rushed toward him.


    "Good morning," Gilbert greeted, managing a small, polite smile.


    "Good morning, sir. How may I assist you?" the usher replied, his tone gentle and warm.


    "I’m here to see Espinaz. Am I in the right ce?" Gilbert asked anxiously.


    "Yes, this is the Supreme Temple of Lord Espinaz. He is always open to help those in need," the usher assured him.


    Gilbert’s shoulders rxed slightly. "That’s good. So how do I see him?"


    "Please write your name here and wait to be called," the usher instructed, handing him a hardcover book.


    Gilbert saw that he was number five on the list, which pleased him. He took the seat offered by the usher and waited, his mind racing with thoughts.


    About an hour passed before his name was called. Excited and nervous, he stood up and walked towards the sanctum. As tradition demanded, he removed his shoes before stepping into the inner room.


    The sight of Lord Espinaz was breathtaking and intimidating. The wizard sat still, his long white beard flowing over his robes, his headpletely bald.


    His eyes remained closed, and when opened, glowed with a piercing ocean-blue hue. His voice was as deep and ancient as time itself.


    With a hand gesture, Espinaz directed Gilbert to sit.


    Gilbert lowered himself onto a mat and spoke with urgency. "Troubles beyond my understanding gue me and my household. Lives are being lost, and I have no idea where this darkness ising from or who is behind it."


    The wizard slowly opened his eyes. The intensity in them sent a shiver down Gilbert’s spine.


    "Stretch forth your right hand," Espinazmanded.


    Gilbert did so without hesitation. The wizard peered into his palm, then suddenly let out a loud, guttural sound. Gilbert flinched.


    "What did you see, great wizard?" he asked, his voice trembling.


    "What I see speaks of a great destruction," Espinaz began gravely. "The one you seek is only a part of a much greater danger."


    "I don’t understand," Gilbert admitted, brows furrowed.


    "The one who troubles you is called The Shadow because he operates from darkness. But his true name is Francesco. He once worked with your parents before his death."


    Gilbert’s eyes widened. "Francesco? I remember him! He was one of our drivers—an old Italian man. Then one day he vanished. We were told he disappeared, but nothing was ever investigated."


    Espinaz nodded slowly. "He didn’t vanish. He was killed by your father. Francesco was of your kind, sent by an enemy to kill your father but failed. Before dying, he swore vengeance and received a painful death in return."


    Gilbert shook his head in disbelief. "But how can a dead man return?"


    "When he died unfulfilled and bitter, his spirit encountered the dark forces of revenge," Espinaz exined. "He was asked if he wanted revenge. He epted and was granted the chance to return with dark powers."


    "Does that mean he’s immortal?" Gilbert asked nervously.


    "No. He is still dead. But he was given time on earth toplete his vengeance. If he seeds, he will be granted immortality. That is why he fights so fiercely—his time is almost up."


    Gilbert felt both enlightened and rmed. "So how do we defeat him?"


    Espinaz continued, "I will enchant a mirror. Give it to your son. If the Shadow sees his reflection in it during battle, he will be destroyed. But beware—he is no ordinary enemy."


    "But my son is still recovering in the hospital," Gilbert added. "He’s not yet ready."


    "Your son is ready," the wizard assured. "But your pack is not strong enough to face what lies beyond."


    Gilbert blinked, stunned. "What do you mean ’what lies beyond’?"


    "There is a greater cmitying," Espinaz warned, his eyes now closed again. "It was brought into the world and it wille for your family unless you all do what is right."


    "What can we do to stop it?" Gilbert pleaded.


    "The spirits have not yet revealed that path. Deal with The Shadow first. In time, more will be revealed."


    Gilbert nodded solemnly.


    Espinaz handed him a small mirror. "Keep it out of sunlight. Hide it in darkness. Use it only at night."


    Gilbert carefully tucked the mirror inside his coat.


    "What is the price for this help, great wizard?" he asked, suddenly remembering to show gratitude.


    Espinaz gave a gentle smile. "When you’re satisfied with what it brings, return and give donations to the less privileged and motherless in this Temple."


    Gilbert stood and bowed deeply. "I will do more than expected." He turned and left, hiding the mirror as instructed.


    ---


    Meanwhile, The Shadow sat alone in his dark chamber, disturbed by one thought: how had the Alpha survived the bite of Hisamo—the bite of the dead?


    "Is he not a werewolf? Or is he something more? How can he still be alive?" The Shadow murmured in disbelief.


    "I must return to thend of the dead. Something is wrong," he growled. "My time is running out and so is my chance at immortality. I must not fail!"


    With a furious roar, he dered, "I will return, and none of you will see the light of another day!"


    He spun three times, then vanished into thin air, leaving behind a cloud of smoke...