CHAPTER 106: 106. PAST LEGENDS

"They are the ancient werewolves who died long ago. Some of them didn’t die at their destined time. Their deaths were untimely, and they’ve always believed they had unfinished business in this world," Hadizah explained, her voice cold and her fear still evident.

"I still don’t understand. How did they return? Did they come back in their original bodies and faces?" Laura asked, leaning forward, eager to understand.

"No, they can never return in their former bodies," Mrs. Spencer answered, her voice firm and her gaze locked on Laura. "They now possess the bodies of other people and operate through them."

Laura sat back, processing what she had just heard. "We need to do something quickly. This can’t be allowed to continue. Has anyone found out anything concerning Maria’s safety?" Hadizah asked as she shifted her focus to Laura.

"Yes, ma’am. That’s why I came early today," Laura said, her voice steady but laced with concern. "Maria is fine for now. I checked on her yesterday, and thankfully, no strange spirits have entered her body yet."

Hadizah let out a breath but still looked troubled. "What do we do now? Why have these old legends come back?"

"In the past," Hadizah began, her voice soft but serious, "there was a great war among the werewolf parks and clans. Many lives were lost, and some of these werewolves still believe they left this world with unfinished business. What those unfinished matters are, we do not know."

Mrs. Spencer nodded slowly.

"We must send them back to where they came from and close that path permanently. But doing that will require a power far greater than ours. Fighting the souls of the dead is dangerous—we might not survive without the right help."

"Where can we find the power to fight them?" Laura asked, her curiosity written all over her face.

"We must go to the Holy Ones," Mrs. Spencer answered with certainty. "They are the only ones who can help us. They can undo certain things, close that path, and return the souls of the old legends to the other world."

Hadizah, the witch, looked up and sighed. "I know I do not belong to their clan or lineage. My people have always used their powers for evil. But I chose a different path—I do not follow their ways. I agree with you, my friend. Visiting the Holy Ones is the right step for the safety of everyone."

The two friends were united in their decision to seek the Holy Ones, but the danger remained. The ancient legends were now roaming the streets freely, and no one could tell what their true intentions were.

Laura looked from one woman to the other. "When do you plan to visit the Holy Ones? Can I come with you?"

"We’ll go first thing tomorrow morning," Mrs. Spencer replied gently. "But you can’t come with us, Laura. We need you to stay close to Maria and watch over her carefully. You must keep an eye on everything happening around her."

Laura understood, though disappointment briefly crossed her face. Mrs. Spencer squeezed her hands tightly, locking eyes with her.

"Alright, ma’am. I’ll do as you said, and I promise to stay in constant touch with you about any new developments," Laura said firmly, reassuring them of her commitment.

Their conversation wrapped up, and Laura stood to leave. "I’d like to be on my way now, ma’am."

Mrs. Spencer and Hadizah both smiled and bid her farewell.

As Laura walked away, Hadizah watched her with admiration. "She’s such a good girl. I wonder where you found her?"

Mrs. Spencer smiled thoughtfully. "Hmm... Laura, my dear one. Her story is not for today, but when the time is right, I will tell you all about her."

***

Maria woke up on a quiet Sunday morning. After washing her face and brushing her teeth, she left her room and headed to the living room.

What she saw surprised her. Several of the Blue Moon Park elders were already seated there with Bernard and his parents. As Maria descended the staircase, the elders stood up to greet her, and their respectful gesture caught her completely off guard.

She greeted them in return, exchanging pleasantries, and was about to head back to her room when Beta Gilbert called her back.

"Maria, please come back," he said warmly. "We’re discussing matters concerning the park. Your attention is needed here. Please, join us."

Maria quietly walked back and took her seat among them. Beta Gilbert wasted no time in explaining why the elders had come.

"They’re here to discuss the upcoming annual meeting and some unresolved matters. One in particular is very important—and I believe you’re not yet aware of it."

Beta Gilbert gestured to the elders to continue the discussion.

The leader of the council spoke first. "We won’t take much of your time. We’ve come to highlight something very important that will make this year’s meeting more significant than any we’ve attended before. It’s been three years since Bernard was named Alpha of the park, but one thing has not yet been handed over to him—something necessary for his position."

Maria listened carefully, her curiosity piqued. She wanted to know what was so essential.

"What gives an Alpha his true strength," the elder continued, "is the staff of office. The Alpha currently does not possess this. We believe he should receive it at the next annual meeting, which will take place in about a week."

Maria was surprised. She hadn’t expected this.

"The only person who can hand over the staff of office to the Alpha is you, Maria," another elder added, looking at her with steady eyes. "You know you are the Alpha’s Luna."

Maria was stunned. The weight of his words left her momentarily speechless. She had no idea where this was coming from.

"I... I don’t even know what the staff of office looks like," she said in confusion. "I don’t have it. How can I hand it over?"

The leader of the elders smiled gently. "Maria, you are pureblood, the true daughter of your father—the last Alpha. Only someone from his bloodline has the power to enter the park shrine and retrieve the staff of office. No one else here can do it—only you."

Maria’s heart pounded. "So, all I need to do is find the park shrine, get the staff, and hand it to Bernard so he can fully become Alpha?"

The elder nodded. "Exactly. When the day of the meeting approaches, we, along with Beta Gilbert, will take you to the park shrine. The staff will be handed to Bernard in the presence of everyone at the park house."

As the conversation ended, Maria’s face darkened, though she kept her expression calm. Inside, a dangerous thought bloomed.

Now I can make him kneel at my mercy. This is my chance to strike, she thought, a sly smile flickering at the corner of her lips.