Alisha’s POV
I had to maintain the facade of a perfect wife in front of Joey, so I forced myself to respond to Archie's question with a smile, "I'm sorry, honey. I was asked to help with the cooking." I said this deliberately, knowing that Archie would be upset if he found out his wife was being mistreated by others. While he might not care about me personally, as the ruler of the Golden Crest pack, he wouldn't tolerate anyone challenging his authority.
Indeed, Archie glared at Joey and Aunt Patria after hearing my words. He snapped, "Why do you need my wife, the Luna of the Golden Crest, to serve you?"
"No, Archie, I... I just thought that Alisha is good at cooking, so..." Patria tried to explain, her face turning pale under Archie's intense gaze.
I was pleased to witness this scene, but Joey hurried to come to my aid, saying, "Alisha, we treat you very well, don't we?"
Suppressing my laughter, I replied, "Archie, I was more than willing to help. You've always enjoyed the dishes I make, so I prepared some especially for you."
Archie seemed satisfied with my response. He raised an eyebrow and said proudly, "You don't have to do this in public. Today, we are guests. When we get home, you'll have plenty of time to cook for me."
Who would want to go home and cook for you? You're dreaming!
I remained silent and simply smiled.
Joey continued, "Yes, Alisha! You must do your best to serve Archie. You represent our pack. Archie is your husband, and you should listen to him and not upset him..."
I grew weary of Joey's comments, while Archie looked at me meaningfully.
Ignoring his gaze, I endured Joey's nonsense and said, "As the Luna of the Golden Crest, it is a great honor. You're expected to give birth to a new baby, and that is also my birthday wish. The Moon Goddess will bless you..."
Before Joey could finish his words, Stephenie interjected, "Absolutely not! I will never allow this disabled she-werewolf to be the mother of my grandson!"
Stephenie's outburst tore at my heart. She had always looked down on me and disapproved of Archie marrying me. Without Archie's grandmother's approval, I couldn't be the Luna of the Golden Crest. Stephenie saw me as a stain on Archie's life and continued to mistreat me after our marriage.
Joey appeared embarrassed by Stephenie's remarks and tried to persuade her, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Redner. I understand that Alisha has her flaws, and I appreciate your efforts in trying to educate her. But I have to say, now that she's married to Archie, their child should be the next Alpha."
"The next Alpha? Are you out of your mind? She would only give birth to another disabled werewolf without a wolf, even inferior to the lowest omega!" Stephenie exclaimed, dismissing the idea.
"That's enough!" Archie growled suddenly, his menacing aura causing everyone to hold their breath.
I couldn't understand why he had erupted in anger. I had grown accustomed to Stephenie's insults. Every time she laid eyes on me, she would verbally abuse me and even deliberately subject me to punishment. I knew she wanted to drive me away, but she didn't dare defy Archie's grandmother. So Stephenie resorted to these tactics, trying to force me to leave. I had once loved Archie deeply, so I had done everything I could to earn Stephenie's acceptance. But in the end, I realized that no matter what I did, Stephenie would never like me unless I could change my identity, transforming from a disabled she-werewolf from a weak pack.
Stephenie appeared stunned by Archie's reaction. Anger flared in her voice as she said, "I am your mother! I have the right to say that this woman has ruined your life! You can't let her influence your child!"
"Mom! I've told you to stop discussing this now!" Archie retorted, his gaze fixed on Stephenie.
I resented Archie for his disloyalty and coldness, but at this moment, I was grateful that he had spoken up to silence Stephenie. He didn't intend to protect me, but rather to preserve his own dignity. Even so, I still felt thankful. I didn't want to reveal my wounds in front of Joey.
"Archie, I never expected you to yell at me in defense of this lowly slut!" Stephenie yelled at Archie, her disbelief transforming into horror.
Archie's frown deepened, and he seemed about to say something, but at that moment, his phone on the table rang. My blood seemed to freeze as I glanced at the caller's name—Erma.
I watched Archie intently as he picked up his phone and immediately walked away to answer it. Pity welled up within me for being a foolish and miserable wife, always holding onto a glimmer of hope for Archie.
After Archie left, Stephenie turned to Joey and cut to the chase, "Mr. Heimann, let's be frank here. The only reason I agreed to come here is to ask you to remove your niece from our pack! I refuse to acknowledge her as part of our family!"
It was clear that Stephenie never considered me her daughter-in-law. But this time, I hoped she could convince Joey and Archie to end our marriage immediately. It would help resolve a significant problem for me.
Joey glared at me for failing to gain Stephenie's recognition and then spoke to her with a servile smile, "Mrs. Redner, please calm down. I understand your concerns. Living with Alisha is undoubtedly challenging. However, we all know that it was the previous Luna, Shaunda, who chose Alisha as the new Luna. We can't disobey her command."
Stephenie scoffed, seeing through Joey's intentions. "Oh, come on! I know your ulterior motives. You hope the next Alpha comes from the Black Furies, right? That way, you can gain more resources from our pack! Just like how you latched onto my son and now suck the life out of him through your wretched niece!"
Hearing this, I frowned and flushed with anger, while Joey remained entirely unaffected. He defended himself, "You've misunderstood me! I have great respect for Shaunda and will always follow her orders!"
Stephenie sneered and pointed at me sarcastically, "Don't think you can manipulate the situation by using Shaunda as an excuse. Since you refuse to have this woman leave my son, I will use my own methods to protect him and our pack!"
Joey asked worriedly, "Mrs. Redner, what's your meaning?"
Stephenie stared at me with evident disgust in her eyes. "I will find another she-werewolf, someone strong, healthy, and exceptional, to bear a child for Archie."
It appeared that Stephenie was seeking a mistress for Archie. While this might have bothered me before, I no longer cared. I wondered what Stephenie would do if she found out about Erma's pregnancy. After all, Erma used to be a rogue before joining the Golden Crest pack through her connection with Archie. I doubted Stephenie would approve of this humble omega.
Joey shouted anxiously, "No, Mrs. Redner! You can't do that! Alisha is the Luna of the Golden Crest!" Then Joey turned to me and snapped, "Alisha, say something! This is all your fault! Apologize and beg Mrs. Redner for forgiveness!"
Forced to wear a smile, I pretended to shed tears of sadness. "I am deeply sorry for letting you down. I don't know what I should do to satisfy you." I truly wanted to inform Stephenie that I was willing to divorce that wretched Archie, but now was not the right time.
Out of nowhere, Brad appeared and announced, "Luan, the Alpha asked me to take you home. He has an urgent matter to attend to."
I secretly rolled my eyes. Urgent matter? It must involve someone important!
Damn you, Archie. You abandon your wife here to endure insults while you accompany your mistress. I despise you!
Regardless, I had no desire to stay and deal with Joey and Stephenie, so I stood up and followed Brad, ready to leave.
But Stephenie yelled behind me, "Who allows you to leave now, bitch!"
I frowned but daren't say one more word.
Brad answered in a flat voice, "Madam, I have said, it's Alpha's order. Alisha is our Luna, so when Alpha is absent, it's my duty to protect and serve her."
I looked at Brad thankfully and then followed him to go out.
It was so ironic that when I faced difficulties, Beta Brad stood out to help me, while my husband left me to accompany another woman with those shit red roses.