Archie's POV
When I arrived at Blood Dawn, I dared not reflect on how I had spent this period. Every minute, every second, for me, was torture.
Since I learned from Shuanda that Alisha was going to marry Louie, I have been in constant pain and agony. I even decided to break into Blood Dawn directly, snatch Alisha back to my side, and keep her with me forever. Other than that, I didn't know what else I could do. The pain of losing a mate filled every cell in my body.
But Shuanda stopped me. She completely disagreed with my plan. "Archie, you have made mistakes in the past. You can't continue on this wrong path!"
"I don't care about any mistakes. As long as I can have Alisha back, no mistake matters!"
"No! Using force will only push Alisha further away from you! Make her more distant! Is that what you expect?"
Under Shuanda's stern questioning, I couldn't find any words to say.
Yes, I had hurt her before, pushed Alisha away, and she left me with hatred. Did I want to hurt her more?
In agony, I held my head against the wall, helpless, and murmured, "Grandma, help me, please, help me bring Alisha back to me."
"Get some sleep first, okay? Brad told me you haven't rested for several days."
"No, Grandma, I dare not sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see Alisha's back when she left. I don't want to see that scene again."
"Archie," Shaunda seemed to sigh, then said softly, "If you promise me to get some good rest, maybe when you wake up, I will be in Golden Crest and can help you. So, rest well, okay? You are too tired right now."
"Grandma, will you really help me?" I asked hopefully.
"Sleep, Archie. Some things I didn't teach you properly when you were little. I hope it is not too late now."
Perhaps my brain was dulled due to exhaustion, sadness, or some other reason, and I seemed not to fully understand the meaning of Shaunda's words. But it didn't matter; I knew she was coming to be with me, to help me, and that was enough. So, I convinced myself to climb into bed and get some sleep.
Perhaps, upon waking up, I would find that this terrible ordeal was just a nightmare, that nothing had happened, and Alisha hadn't left. She was still by my side...
I didn't know how long I slept. It was not restful. Alisha, Louie, Erma, and many others appeared in my dreams. Alisha's tears caught me off guard, filled with remorse. But no matter what I said, she ignored me, turning and throwing herself into Louie's arms. Just as I was burning with anger, a sharp voice pierced my ears.
I instantly opened my eyes and realized that everything before was just a dream. I felt a moment of relief, but then that sharp voice sounded again outside the door, even closer to me.
"Get away! Archie is my son. Why can't I see him?" The voice was my mother, Stephenie. How did she end up here?
"Sorry, Alpha is resting. Luna said before that no one should disturb Alpha's rest," Mireya's trembling voice responded, and my heart trembled with her answer.
A crisp slap echoed outside my door. "You are just an Omega. How dare you stop me? And Luna? What does that slut Alisha count as Luna? She is just a shameless bitch! She is not worthy to be..."
Before Stephenie could finish, I jumped out of bed, kicked the door open, and stared coldly at Stephenie. "Shut up!"
Seeing me appear, Mireya immediately knelt down to apologize. "Sorry, Alpha. I didn't mean to wake you up." Stephenie, on the other hand, frowned at me. "Archie, what's this attitude? How can you talk to me like this?"
I ignored Stephenie's questioning and asked Mireya, who was kneeling on the ground, "What did Alisha say before? Tell me now!"
Mireya cautiously looked up at me, then quickly lowered her head again and respectfully replied, "Luna..." She had just said this word when she seemed to remember something and looked fearfully at Stephenie. Indeed, Stephenie's eyes widened angrily. "Didn't I tell you just now not to call her..."
I angrily interrupted Stephenie, "Alisha is the Luna of Golden Crest. No one can deny that. If anyone dares to oppose, they can come directly to me!"
Stephenie did not expect my anger to be so great. She opened her mouth but ultimately didn't say anything more, just quieted down.
I looked again at the trembling Mireya. "Continue!"
"Yes, Alpha. Luna instructed me. She said your health is the most important. Daily work is already tiring for you. If you rest and fall asleep, try not to let others disturb you. Usually, she would handle some visitors to let you rest well. Sometimes, she would go to the kitchen to prepare snacks you like, so at that time, she would instruct me not to let others disturb you."
Hearing Mireya's words, my heart seemed to be tightly clenched. Alisha... In her heart, I was once so important, and she had taken care of me so meticulously. Why didn't you say, tell me everything you have done, Alisha? Since I was so important to you, why did you choose to abandon me?
Just as I was immersed in loss, Stephenie's voice rang out again, "Enough already. There is no need to praise her so much. She is just trying to show off, using the title of Luna to deliberately make everyone see her face, just wanting to show her authority!"
"If you are here just to criticize Alisha, then I think you can leave." I couldn't stand Stephenie's sarcastic words anymore and said to her without hesitation.
Upon hearing my words, Stephenie was furious. "Archie, what are you saying? Are you really throwing a tantrum at me for that woman? She is just a slut without even her own wolf! "
If I could tolerate Stephenie's insulting words before because of her identity-my mom, now I was like a powder keg. I was ignited by her words in an instant and sternly said, "Shut up! She is my wife! If you dare to insult her again! Even if you are my mother, I won't let you off!"
"Your wife? She has cheated on you! What does she count as..."