Moon Lovers: Bound by Blood and Revenge

'What?! The Ametiz Protection Stones are fake… Who swapped them?' Marceline clenched her fists and gnashed her teeth as she watched the scene before her.

'So this is how my parents die in the hands of Cedric Morgan.'

Marceline continued watching the scenes flashing in her mind.

Vladimir arrived on the scene, bringing Cedric's robe. His mission was done. The gatekeepers were dead. He put on his clothes, turning to the little girl lying unconscious on the ground.

'What are you going to do with her, Alpha? She is still alive. Should I kill her now?' Cleo, who was still in his wolf form, asked Cedric.

His Beta was waiting for his command when Vladimir spoke up. "She's just a harmless kid. I think she is dying. We need to leave now. The Zhou Patriarch is already here in the forest, along with their family guards. He is searching for them."

Cedric just sneered at him. This was a lesson for the Zhou Clan for helping the vampires escape from them, using the Northern Gate Portal.

'Let's go." Cedric said, motioning Cleo, Vladimir, and the other werewolves to follow him.

That was the end of this scene. They just left Marceline who was bleeding profusely because of Cedric's bite.

After replaying what happened in the forest, Kira showed Marceline something that would shock her to the core.

It was a scene where Cedric and her Uncle Ronan were talking at Triple W Headquarters. It was the secret deal between the two.

"Dominique Silvano already gave me the order to solve the problems regarding the vampires fleeing from Kingdom Phantasia through the Northern Gate Portal," Cedric said with a serious expression on his face. He raised his wine glass and shook it in his hand in a circular motion.

Ronan frowned upon hearing that. "My elder brother will not allow this. They are neutral when it comes to this issue. For them, werewolves and vampires are equals. There is no such thing as allies and enemies."

"But you are also a gatekeeper," Cedric pointed out. "Don't tell me you are also neutral?"

Ronan immediately shook his head. "If I am the head gatekeeper then I will side with the werewolf clan. I will not dare offend the King of Werewolves."

"Then why don't you just become the Head of the Zhou? The werewolf clan can provide you more benefits than those lowly vampires who are just trying to flee from us." Cedric seemed like tempting him.

"Then help me do something about it. As long as my brother is here… I can only be second best. Our father already decided who would inherit most of our family wealth, including the Zhou Empire! It will definitely be my brother." Ronan's expression dimmed. There was a hint of jealousy and bitterness in his tone.

"Oh… is that what you want? Then I will fulfill it for you. I will help you become the next Patriarch of the Zhou Family… and you will have anything you want including the Zhou Empire."

Ronan's eyes lit up when he heard that. "Are you sure? Can you do that for me?"

"Yes, I can do that… but in one condition… I need your loyalty. You and I will form an alliance. You should serve me… only me! Not the Silvano Clan."

Ronan didn't say a word but the wide smile on his face signifies that he was accepting Cedric's proposal. He walked over to Cedric while raising a wine glass. He was inviting Cedric for a toast.

The two clinked their wine glasses sealing their deal. That was the start of their collaboration.

"Oh, one more thing… there is something you have to do," Cedric added as he remembered something.

"What is it? Just tell me what to do." Ronan asked Cedric expectantly. 

His eyes were glowing with excitement. He was already looking forward to the time he would inherit the Zhou Empire and become the new patriarch of the Zhou Family. Ronan was too ambitious and greedy!

"You have to steal the Ametiz Protection Stone without your brother's knowledge."

"Hmm, just leave it to me. This is just an easy task."

The two men let out a soft chuckle before having another toast. They drank their wine with sinister smiles on their faces.

Marceline didn't know what to feel after learning the truth. Her Uncle connived with the cunning werewolf. He… he schemed against his own brother just to get what he wanted.

How could he do that?!! Was he really thinking of killing his own brother just because of power and wealth?

Marceline's heart constricted and she suddenly felt suffocated. She wanted to vomit after knowing the dirty secret of her Uncle. Ronan Zhou betrayed his own brother! He conspired with the werewolf clan behind Grandpa Roland and Marceline's father.

Marceline knew that her Uncle wanted to claim the Zhou Empire but she had never expected that he was involved in her parents' death. They were family! How could he do that to them… his own family?!

Meanwhile, Kira could feel Marceline's rage. He was contemplating whether to continue showing her the rest of the scenes or just stop there.

It was already too much for her. She had seen the most important part. Her Uncle had something to do with her parents' death. He chose his selfish ambition and greed over his family. 

Kira retreated his palm as he was done showing what Marceline needed to see. The room was engulfed by silence. No one spoke between them as Marceline was still trying to digest everything.

Kira could feel her pain. He understood her feelings. Just like him, Marceline and his family experienced betrayal… a betrayal from the person close to them.

Kira's gaze was fixed on her. He was observing her reaction but Marceline lowered her head to hide her face. Before she could stop it, her tears already fell from the corner of her eyes like raindrops.

She hated Cedric Morgan and the werewolf clan but she loathed her Uncle more than them. After knowing this truth, Marceline became more determined not to give the Zhou Empire to her evil Uncle.

She would never allow him to get what he wanted. The power and wealth– she would take those away from him, making him regret his decision eighteen years ago.

She would not kill him but she would definitely punish him for what he had done to her parents.

"I… I will give him the punishment he deserves. For me… he is no longer part of the Zhou Family. I will not be merciful this time…. I will no longer tolerate his evil deeds…" Marceline tried her best to speak even though there was a lump in her throat, making it difficult for her to utter some words.

Kira lifted her chin. A gentle look could be seen in his scarlet eyes. He was empathizing with her. He raised his other hand, reaching out to wipe her tears.

"I will support you to whatever you will do… in the future," Kira softly said, comforting her. He wanted to ease her pain. He knew she was still having a hard time accepting the truth.

Marceline might be indifferent to her family but deep inside, she had a soft spot for them. She didn't show how she cared for them but she always thought of their well-being. Despite the schemes and hates she received from her Uncle Ronan and her cousin, Natasha, she still considered them family.

But now, everything changed. She couldn't let this slide. Her Uncle had to be punished for his crime. But she had one concern– her grandfather.

She wondered how her grandfather would react once he learned the truth. Could he handle this ugly truth? His youngest son schemed against his elder son and it led to the death of his elder son. This would cause a great impact on the Zhou Family!

But aside from Ronan, Marceline also needed to get her revenge against Cedric Morgan.

At this moment, Marceline looked up, meeting Kira's gaze. She tugged Kira's shirt and she begged, "Ki… can you help me? Can you kill Cedric Morgan for me?"

Kira was dumbfounded for a moment. He didn't expect Marceline to request this from him. He chose not to kill Cedric as he wanted to use him against Dominique Silvano.

"Marceline… I…"

Marceline could see the hesitation in his eyes. She was not dumb so she could tell that Kira was against it.

"I'm sorry… just forget it. I will be the one to kill him with my own hands. But I think death is just a light punishment for him. I want him to suffer… miserably." Marceline didn't bother to hide her hatred towards Cedric Morgan.

"Don't worry, My Lady. I will make sure that he will suffer a thousand times." A cold glint flashed through Kira's eyes. "Just trust me."

'But for now, I have to use him… I will be happy to see Cedric Morgan and Dominique Silvano destroying each other.' Kira added to his thoughts.

Marceline could only nod her head in agreement. Then she pounced on him, embracing Kira. She badly needed this hug right now so Kira hugged her back, gently stroking her hair.

'She just learned that her Uncle betrayed them by conniving with the werewolves. I think this is not yet the right time to tell her about Stella. I don't want to give her another shocking revelation.' Kira sighed inwardly.. He felt like they were destined to meet each other– a guy who was betrayed by his lover, and a woman who was betrayed by her kin.