CHAPTER 89: 89. STAFF OF AUTHORITY

Bernard woke up early that morning, his head still foggy from yesterday’s events.

After spending a few quiet minutes in the bathroom, washing his face with warm water and wiping it dry, he stepped out of his room and walked down the stairs toward the living room.

As soon as he saw his parents seated together, he immediately sensed that something was wrong. Their faces looked stiff, their eyes distant.

"Dad, Mom, good morning," Bernard greeted, keeping his gaze fixed on them as he took a seat opposite them.

His parents responded, but their answers were flat and distant—so unusual that it confirmed his suspicion. Something was definitely off.

"Okay, what’s going on between you two?" Bernard asked, worry evident in his tone.

His father, Beta Gilbert, didn’t hesitate to speak first. His voice was sharp with frustration. "Your mother is the problem here. She’s always acting difficult over little things. I don’t know why she keeps doing this."

Bernard immediately turned to his mother, Luna Victoria, hoping she would explain, but she kept her lips sealed and refused to meet his eyes.

"Mom, what’s happening? Why are you both arguing this early in the morning?" Bernard pushed gently, his concern deepening.

"Ask your father," Luna Victoria snapped, still not looking at Bernard. "He’s the one starting with accusations. Let him tell you what I’ve supposedly done wrong."

Beta Gilbert shook his head in frustration and quickly cut in.

"You won’t believe this, son. Yesterday, I lied to you. I told you your mother was busy so she wouldn’t look bad in front of those girls at the hospital. The truth is, she refused to come with me to check on Maria when she passed out. And she didn’t even give me a reason for her behavior!"

Bernard turned back to his mother, hoping she would say something now. "Mom, I’m sure you have a reason for what you did. Please, talk to us. Why didn’t you want to go to the hospital? Why are you acting this way about Maria’s health?"

Luna Victoria finally relaxed her shoulders and looked a bit less defensive. "You know how to speak, son. I like that you’re calm about this," she said, a small smile breaking through her frustration.

Beta Gilbert glared at her but said nothing, waiting for her explanation.

"I didn’t go because I’m tired of your father delaying what we agreed on," Luna Victoria said firmly.

"By now, we should already have everything we need from Maria. I don’t understand why he’s still dragging his feet and taking unnecessary steps. And then he just ran off when he heard she passed out. Why? Why is she so important to us?"

Bernard and Beta Gilbert burst into sudden laughter, their chuckles filling the tense room.

"What’s so funny?" Luna Victoria demanded, clearly irritated.

Beta Gilbert’s face softened as he wiped a tear from his eye. "Now I understand why you’re upset. But, darling, we need Maria alive. In fact, we need to protect her—at least until we get what we need."

"What do you mean?" Luna Victoria frowned, now completely confused. "Don’t we already have everything we wanted from her?"

"We have most things," Bernard explained, his voice calm but firm. "But we’re still missing the most important one. Without it, I might be Alpha by name, but I’ll have no real power. My authority won’t be recognized."

Luna Victoria blinked, struggling to follow. "What are you talking about? What else is there?"

"There’s something called the staff of authority," Beta Gilbert stepped in to clarify. "Only the Alpha who has been fully inducted by the previous Alpha—or the heir of the last Alpha—can handle it. And it must be willingly passed on."

Bernard leaned forward and locked eyes with his mother. "Maria is the key, Mom. She has to willingly hand over the staff of authority to me. Without her, I can’t truly claim the Alpha seat."

Realization washed over Luna Victoria’s face. "So Maria is the one who can pass the staff to you? And it has to be her choice?"

"Exactly," Bernard nodded with a half-smile. "Now you see why nothing must happen to her."

Luna Victoria turned to her husband with an exasperated sigh. "Why am I just hearing this now?"

Beta Gilbert scratched the back of his head, looking apologetic. "I didn’t think things would get this complicated. I thought we’d have everything sorted by now. But I promise you—once Maria recovers, we’ll get that staff of authority. The Alpha seat will forever remain in our family."

Bernard added with a determined smile, "Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll make sure we get it sooner than you expect."

Luna Victoria smiled softly and walked over to hug her husband tightly. "I’m sorry, darling. I shouldn’t have disobeyed you or picked a fight with you."

Beta Gilbert wrapped his arms around her. "Let’s put this behind us."

Just as they settled, Bernard suddenly remembered something. "There’s something else... I got a call last night at the hospital. An unknown number. The caller said they had their eyes on me and that I would be next."

Beta Gilbert shot up from his seat in alarm and grabbed his phone. "I need to call our allies immediately."

"Dad, calm down," Bernard said, quickly standing to intercept him. "What are you doing?"

"I need to get backup. I can’t risk anything happening to you!" his father said, his voice full of panic.

"Dad, listen. I don’t think the caller was threatening me directly," Bernard reasoned. "I think they know about the staff of authority. They know that if Maria’s life is in danger, we can’t achieve our goal."

Beta Gilbert paused, considering Bernard’s words. "That makes sense."

"So what do we do now?" Luna Victoria asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"We know Elijah Simons is still alive out there somewhere," Bernard said with a serious look. "We need to increase security around the Celtic Hospital and around ourselves. Elijah knows about the staff of authority and he wants it too. We can’t let him catch us off guard."

"You’re right," Beta Gilbert agreed, nodding firmly. "Elijah is dangerous. We need to split our forces—half should stay here to protect us, and the other half should go straight to Celtic Hospital immediately. Son, get it done now."

Bernard didn’t waste time. He got up, left the living room, and went straight to Mason, the head of security. They spoke quickly, Bernard giving him all the necessary instructions. Minutes later, Bernard left the house with a group of men to begin the protection plan.

***

Meanwhile, Laura arrived at Celtic Hospital early that morning. Mrs. Spencer’s instructions echoed in her mind. She had to be careful. No one could suspect her.

Wearing a bright, confident smile, Laura walked through the reception area. As she passed by the front desk, a security guard called out to her.

"Excuse me, miss. Who are you here to see?" the guard asked politely, approaching her.

"I’m here to see my friend. We rushed her here yesterday after she passed out," Laura answered sweetly, masking her nerves.

"What’s your friend’s name? And can I see your ID?" the guard continued.

"Her name’s Maria," Laura replied quickly, handing over her school ID card.

The guard examined it briefly, then smiled and handed it back. "You may go in. I just needed to verify who’s coming in. Have a good day, ma’am."

Laura let out a deep breath as she turned toward the ward where Maria was admitted.

But just as she reached the door and was about to step inside, a loud voice thundered behind her.

"Hey, miss! Stop right there!"

Laura froze instantly, her heart racing...