As Maria stepped out of the hospital vicinity, she moved towards the car Laura had directed her to. A black Camry was parked between two other cars, just as Laura had described.
With slightly trembling hands, she unlocked the car door, slipped into the back seat, and immediately bent over, pressing herself down to avoid being seen.
Minutes passed, each second stretching endlessly. Her heart pounded in anticipation. Then, at last, she spotted Laura walking toward the car.
"She did it!" Maria whispered in disbelief, her eyes widening. Whatever Laura had done to distract those men had worked seamlessly.
"Hey, you okay?" Laura's voice pulled Maria out of her thoughts.
Maria quickly nodded, her mind still racing.
"So, where do you plan on going now?" Laura asked as she hopped into the driver's seat and started the car.
"I need to get to the packhouse first," Maria replied without hesitation.
"Alright, let's go," Laura said with a reassuring smile before stepping on the gas.
The drive was silent. Maria kept her eyes on Laura, watching the way she maneuvered the car with effortless skill. It fascinated her. Even more surprising, Laura seemed to know exactly where the packhouse was without Maria having to give her directions.
Maria's mind, however, remained restless. Worry gnawed at her... why hadn't Cassandra contacted her yet? Was she safe?
After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at the packhouse.
The moment Laura parked the car, Maria swung the door open and stepped out, her body vibrating with pent-up rage and anxiety.
She stormed forward, her pace swift, her breath heavy. The glow of the funeral flames flickered ahead, the distant sound of mourning voices filling the air.
As she approached, Maria glanced back, realizing Laura had stopped walking. Instead, she stood a short distance away, merely observing.
Maria hesitated, her stomach twisting in knots. She wasn't ready to face this. Yet, she forced herself to take a step closer, standing just far enough that no one noticed her presence.
The burning pyre crackled before her. Her mother's funeral rites were already underway.
Watching the flames consume what remained of her only parent made something inside her shatter. Tears slipped down her cheeks, uncontrolled, unstoppable.
Laura remained behind her, silent yet present. They both stood there, witnessing the cruel reality unfold.
Then, Maria's face widened with shock when her father's corpse was brought forward.
The moment she saw it, her entire body stiffened. Her gaze locked onto a deep, sliced wound on his neck.
Her blood ran cold.
A wave of fury crashed over her.
"This cannot be an accident!" Maria's voice suddenly erupted like thunder, her anguish spilling out like a flood. "This is not an accident... it's a murder, and you're all acting like you can't see it!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd as they saw her storming toward the altar, her rage boiling over.
Murmurs spread like wildfire, but Maria barely noticed the elders' glares or the uneasy shifting of the pack members.
"Get a hold of yourself, or we will treat you as an outcast!" One of the elders snapped, his voice sharp with warning.
Maria clenched her fists, ready to lash out again before Bernard finally stepped forward.
"I'm sorry for the disturbance," he said smoothly, turning to the elders with a respectful bow. "Please, allow me to handle this."
The elders nodded in approval.
Maria barely had time to react before Bernard turned to the guards. A cold smirk played on his lips as he motioned toward a nearby room.
"Take her away and lock her up!" His words sent a chilling silence through the atmosphere.
Two guards grabbed Maria before she could even struggle. Their grips were ironclad, rendering her powerless.
"Bernard, you coward!" she spat, her voice laced with venom. "You'll pay for this! I swear you will!"
Bernard didn't flinch. He merely watched, his expression so relaxed, as she was dragged away.
Maria's gaze flickered toward Laura, who remained frozen in place. Their eyes met for a brief moment, but Laura did nothing.
It was clear Laura couldn't risk her own life. And then, just like that, she turned and walked away.
Maria's screams echoed as she was forced deeper into the packhouse...