CHAPTER 96: 96. NEW PROBLEM

"How can it be this soon? And what kind of medication was she placed on to have made her come out of a coma in such a short time?" Elijah Simons asked, his eyes narrowed as he stared directly at Jake.

"Boss, I’m just as shocked. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it myself. Everything happened too fast," Jake replied, frustration heavy in his voice.

He looked visibly disappointed, his jaw tight.

"We were still working on our plans to launch an attack on the Alpha and his family... then this news just came out of nowhere."

"You can go now," Elijah said, waving him off as he looked away, his face hardening. "I need to think. I need to work with my brain."

Without another word, Jake quickly turned and left the room.

The moment Jake stepped out, Elijah picked up his phone and dialed Mr. Frederick’s number. The line rang only once before it was answered.

"Hello, friend!" Mr. Frederick greeted with excitement.

"Have you heard the news?" Elijah asked, his tone sharp and to the point.

"Calm down, what news? What are you talking about?" Mr. Frederick asked, sounding confused.

"Maria is awake. She’s out of the coma. And she’s doing well," Elijah said bitterly, his voice thick with disappointment.

Mr. Frederick, although genuinely happy to hear the news, quickly masked his excitement. He had already noticed the displeasure in Elijah’s tone.

"I haven’t heard anything about that," he replied carefully. "But why do you sound like you’re upset about this?"

Elijah scoffed. "Don’t you realize? If she had died and Bernard failed to get empowered with the staff of office, I would have automatically become the next Alpha."

"So, that’s where your mind is," Mr. Frederick said with a knowing hum. "But do you know that the same Maria you tried to kill could actually be the key to you becoming Alpha?"

Elijah frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Maria helping you get the Alpha’s seat," Mr. Frederick explained patiently. "She’s a lady, Elijah. She’s not interested in ruling. All she wants is a normal life. But as long as Bernard is alive, she can’t have that. If we help her get the Gilberts out of her life, she’ll give us the staff of office willingly. And you will be named Alpha."

Elijah’s eyes lit up as the puzzle began to come together in his mind. "Now I’m starting to see the picture. But how do you know she isn’t interested in being Alpha?"

"Elijah, I have people close to her," Mr. Frederick said confidently. "My workers talk with her almost every day. I know what I’m saying."

Elijah paused for a moment, his mind spinning with new possibilities. "Okay, I get you now. How do we proceed to help her?"

"It’s a gradual process. Let’s wait for her to fully recover. When her mind is stable, she’ll be ready to work with us," Mr. Frederick replied calmly.

"Alright, friend. Thanks for your help. We’ll talk later," Elijah said as he ended the call.

As soon as the call ended, Mr. Frederick dropped his phone on the table and sat still, lost in thought. His expression tightened with concern.

Elijah Simons is too unpredictable. I can’t risk trusting him completely with Maria’s situation. I need to act quickly. First, I’ll tighten the security around her and keep close watch on her every step, he thought to himself.

Determined, Mr. Frederick called one of his men.

"Boss, you called me," the man said, stepping into the room.

"Tell the others who were watching Maria to stop immediately. I have a more special assignment for you all," Mr. Frederick ordered, his tone firm and deliberate.

The man quickly left to relay the new instructions.

Without wasting time, Mr. Frederick dialed another number. The call was picked up almost immediately.

"Good day, boss!" A deep masculine voice with a thick Italian accent responded.

"Andreas, I need you and your men here in Scotland by tomorrow. I have a very important task waiting for you," Mr. Frederick said with authority.

"Understood, boss. We’ll leave Italy tonight and arrive by tomorrow," Andreas assured him.

After the call ended, Mr. Frederick leaned back in his chair, a smirk forming on his face.

Now that Andreas and his men will be here soon, let’s see who dares to bring harm to Maria, he thought, his satisfaction growing.

This is going to be more like a chess game, but I’ll play using strategies that no rule book can predict. Whatever must be protected to win, I’ll guard with everything I’ve got, Mr. Frederick decided, smiling to himself.

"It’s an open floor now. Let the game begin!" he said aloud, laughing confidently.

---

Meanwhile, Mrs. Spencer and Hadizah, the witch, were seated in the living room, both of them clearly satisfied with how their plan had turned out.

"I’m so happy and relieved now," Mrs. Spencer said, though a hint of concern still lingered in her voice. "But I keep wondering—what exactly happened to Maria to make her fall into a coma just like that?"

Hadizah’s face turned serious. "There are things hidden from the ordinary eyes. Maria journeyed to a land with no end. If we hadn’t intervened and spoken with the spirits, she would have been stuck there forever."

"What do you think happens on the other side?" Mrs. Spencer asked, her curiosity evident.

"My father told me before he died that whatever is troubling you or causing you confusion is sometimes revealed to you there. But if things go wrong, you may never return," Hadizah explained calmly.

"So Maria must have seen things over there. Will she remember them?" Mrs. Spencer asked with a thoughtful expression.

"She must have seen things, but whether she remembers them is another matter. Some people return with full memories, others forget but start showing signs—new traits they picked up from the other side," Hadizah explained further.

"I just pray she remembers everything because she has suffered so much already," Mrs. Spencer said softly, worry clouding her eyes.

Hadizah sighed. "We should not only pray that she remembers but also that she made the right choice. Whatever decision she made there will shape who she becomes here. And her choice can either be good or bad."

Mrs. Spencer sat up, alarmed. "What are you saying? Are you suggesting she’s now a different person?"

"She’s surely changed," Hadizah said firmly. "We bent the rules of nature to bring her back. That alone is enough to change someone. We rushed her return, not knowing if she had finished her journey there or made a decision. We have to watch her closely."

Mrs. Spencer’s worry deepened. "I pray the spirits guide her to do what’s right. Because if she chose the wrong path, the world may be facing something it has never seen before."

"What do you mean by that?" Hadizah asked, now deeply intrigued.

"Maria’s birth was tied to an ancient prophecy," Mrs. Spencer revealed. "Though everything seemed fine at first, her birth quickly turned into a disaster. Many believed all the children born that day were killed. But Maria survived. She carries a destiny too great to waste—she’s the only child of the then Alpha."

Hadizah’s eyes widened. "So what’s the danger her existence brings?"

"If she turns out to be the true child of the Blue Moon... then a beast is about to awaken. A force like a volcano on the verge of eruption," Mrs. Spencer said, fear etched on her face.

"Then why have you been protecting her?" Hadizah asked, clearly baffled.

"Because Maria isn’t just a good girl," Mrs. Spencer said softly. "I have a mandate to protect her with all I have—my power, my connections. One day, you’ll understand why. For now, we can only hope she made the right choice."

Hadizah sighed. "I truly hope everything turns out well. I’ll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning."

"I can’t thank you enough, my friend. May the spirits always bless and protect you," Mrs. Spencer said as she leaned back on the sofa, finally closing her eyes to rest.

***

At the Gilbert residence, Bernard and his parents had just returned home after visiting Maria in the hospital. Maria had eaten the food Luna Victoria prepared and had spent time with her friends.

In the living room, Luna Victoria stood up first, exhausted and ready to retire to her room.

Bernard sat quietly across from his father, a deep frown on his face. He looked troubled, his mind far away.

Beta Gilbert quickly noticed his son’s unease. He turned to him, concern sharp in his gaze. "Son, look me in the eyes and tell me the truth. What’s bothering you?"

Bernard hesitated at first, unsure if he should speak. But his father’s unrelenting stare left him with no choice.

"My problem is Laura," Bernard finally said, his voice tight with frustration.

"Who exactly is Laura?" Beta Gilbert asked, curiosity in his tone.

"She’s the lady who showed up at the hospital today—when you and mom stepped out to get food for Maria," Bernard explained.

"That lady again?" Beta Gilbert growled, anger flashing in his eyes as his jaw clenched.

Bernard was startled by his father’s fierce reaction. He turned sharply to look at him, confusion written all over his face...