Alisha's POV
Orathe glanced at Gray and me with a somewhat serious expression and asked, "Can someone explain to me why you both went to Black Furies seeking revenge, and after returning, Alisha suddenly decided to be with that... Lo...Lo'
Gray interjected, "Louie, Louie Blancato, from Deep Moon."
Orathe shot Gray a look, then continued, "Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Dyess. However, I am curious. Why do you remember some insignificant people's names but forget the instructions from your mother? I asked you to take care of Alisha, my little princess. Yet, after going out with you this time, she was deceived by another man and suddenly decided to marry him!"
Gray pursed his lips, giving me a helpless look.
I apologetically smiled at Gray and then explained to Orathe, "Mom, Gray took excellent care of me all along. He is the best brother in the world, just like you are the best mother. Both of you are the ones who love me the most in this world."
"Sweetheart, if it were a different time and place, I would be happier to hear those words." Orathe raised her eyebrows, the seriousness fading from her expression.
"I'm sorry for not discussing my decision to marry with you earlier."
"I am very glad that you realize that. Please, consider my feelings, okay? I have just finally found my precious gem back, who escaped an unhappy marriage, but now she wants to be with some random man. As a mother, I can't bear to see my little girl being misled by a gigolo's sweet words again."
Hearing Orathe's words, I was at a loss. Then I explained, "Mom, Louie isn't a gigolo. Gray has already introduced, he comes from Deep Moon, the youngest son of its Alpha. And Louie isn't a deceiver. I should have found a more suitable time to introduce Louie to you, but... please believe me. I'm not acting impulsively. Louie loves me just like you both do. He is incredibly gentle, kind, and strong. If you are willing to try and know him, I'm sure you will be captivated by his charming personality."
"Upon hearing you say that, it only confirms my suspicion that you have been seduced and deceived by him."
"No, quite the contrary. I know him too well, understand his true self. Mom, you know, my previous marriage... was a complete failure. I lost not only my love but also my dignity. I always felt distant from Archie. No matter how I called or chased after him, he never stayed for me or appeared when I needed him. That marriage brought me nothing but pain and despair. But Louie, on the contrary, patiently helped me every time I faced difficulties or setbacks, guiding me out of misery and suffering. He made me feel what it's like to be cared for. After the incident at Black Furies, I realized this more."
"So, something happened at Black Furies?"
I glanced at Orathe, lowered my head, and remained silent. The matter had been resolved, and I didn't want Orathe to worry further, moreover, if she knew the truth, she would never allow me marry Louie. Gray and I had agreed not to tell Orathe about what happened at Black Furies, which could also spare Gray from Orathe's scolding.
However, unexpectedly, Gray sighed and said, "Well, Alisha, tell Orathe. Even if we don't say it now, she will find out later. If we tell her now, she might scold me a bit. If she finds out I intentionally hid it from her later, trust me, she will banish me to the Dark Forest for a whole month. I might not even be able to attend your wedding."
I opened my mouth when I noticed that he wanted to speak out the truth. I wanted to stop Gray, but apparently, Orathe didn't give me that chance. "Very well, Gray. I trust you have made the right decision. As for you, sweetheart, you can either stay here for now but maintain silence or go upstairs to see the room prepared for you these past days. If there is anything unsatisfactory, you can let the servants know for adjustments."
I took a deep breath, forced a reluctant smile, "I choose to stay, Mom. I will obediently follow your instructions." I desperately tried to signal Gray, but he didn't look at me and instead complained to Orathe, "Mom, look at her. Alisha is threatening me with her eyes. I can't say anything with her looking at me like that."
Hearing this, I bit my lip, looking at Gray incredulously. If Orathe weren't there, I would have twisted his arm harshly! How dare he complain to Orathe about me!
Orathe glanced at me and then spoke in response to my hopeful, pleading eyes, "Alright, Alisha, go upstairs and see the room or stroll around the garden."
"Mom, I..." I tried to change Orathe's mind. However...
"Go, dear. You wouldn't want me to order some werewolf from Blue Moon to be driven out of Blood Dawn now, would you?" Orathe's voice remained gentle, but there was no room for negotiation in her answer.
Reluctantly, I left the room. But instead of going to the garden or checking my new bedroom upstairs, I waited outside the study, hoping to hear the outcome of Orathe and Gray's conversation as soon as possible.
Gray's POV
Once Alisha left, the entire room fell silent. Orathe and I looked at each other, momentarily speechless. In fact, more than the relaxed atmosphere when Alisha was around, I was more familiar with this silence between Orathe and me.
Ever since Alisha went missing, both Orathe and I had been trapped in sadness and self-blame. Even sitting together, we often found ourselves with nothing to say. Perhaps we still cared about each other, but the sorrow from losing Alisha had made us too powerless to express much. I hadn't seen a smile on Orathe's face until Alisha returned.
Orathe had always been dominant, even dictatorial. If it wasn't for her focus on finding Alisha, I wouldn't have gotten the title of Alpha so soon. Only when facing Alisha would Orathe reveal her tender side. Alisha was undoubtedly our most precious little princess.
After a while, Orathe looked at me and softly asked, "Alisha isn't here now. Can you tell me what happened?"
Staring into Orathe's seemingly all-knowing eyes, recalling Alisha's pleading expression, which she desperately asked me to hide, I couldn't help but shake my head, thinking, "My dear girl, do you even think anyone dares to lie in front of the Carnage Queen?"
I forced a bitter smile. "Alisha will be angry with me, but before I answer your question, may I ask another?"
"Well, you are my son; you have that privilege. Go on, what do you want to know?"
"Even if that wretched Erma drugged Alisha, she couldn't have easily taken her out of Blood Dawn. There must have been others involved when Alisha was abducted. Alisha knows, but for some reason, she seems unwilling to reveal that person. I believe you must know the truth."
Orathe's gaze turned piercing. She narrowed her eyes. "Why do you want to know this?"
"Because whoever hurt my family, I want them to pay!"
Orathe looked at me without saying a word. Just when I thought she would refuse, she sighed suddenly. "Fine, I have hidden this from you because I didn't want you to get hurt. But now, as the Alpha of Blood Dawn, you deserve to know everything. But I want you to remember, I have always loved you. Both you and Alisha are my beloved children."
Hearing Orathe's words, a foreboding feeling surged within me. A name surfaced in my mind suddenly, sending chills down my spine.