Archie's POV
Upon hearing Stephenie's words, this time my wolf, instead of waiting for me to get angry, became furious on its own.
Ever since it heard Shaunda say that Alisha was going to marry Louie, it had been uncharacteristically silent. It curled up in the bay, indifferent to whatever was happening outside.
But this time, Stephenie's words clearly infuriated it. It burst out of the bay on its own, manifested next to me, and roared angrily at Stephenie. Its sharp teeth gleamed, and its claws fiercely dug into the ground, leaving terrifying marks.
Stephenie, startled by the sudden appearance of my wolf, screamed and retreated. My wolf even took two threatening steps forward, its expression fiercely hostile, seemingly intending to tear Stephenie apart and swallow her.
Stephenie fell to the ground in fear, waving her handbag and shouting, "Get away, you monster!"
I knew Stephenie always disliked me and my wolf. This wasn't the first time I heard the word "monster" from her, but I was no longer as sad and hurt as I used to be when I heard it from her.
Over the years, Stephenie had been trying to wear a false mask, playing the role of a mother who loved me very much, but I knew deep down she feared me. Her true love had always been for my deceased brother.
I stared at Stephenie coldly, the woman who gave me a body but was unwilling to give me motherly love. There was no expectation left in my heart.
Stephenie yelled at me, "Archie, what are you doing? Get this monster away! It's gone mad!"
I addressed her, "Apologize to Alisha!"
"What?" Stephenie seemed unable to believe what she heard, sitting on the floor, looking up at me in disbelief.
"Apologize to Alisha, or it won't spare you."
"You are insane! Threatening your mother for a slut! I knew it. You and this beast, cursed demons, you..."
Listening to Stephenie's hysterical insults, I felt no sadness in my heart. I had no intention of stopping my wolf. As expected, my wolf raised its sharp claws, directed at Stephenie, with a hint of ruthlessness in its eyes.
"Apologize, or the monster in your mouth will show you its power," my wolf spoke, its tone icy, like a grim reaper.
"Ah, ah, ah! Madman! You should go to hell! Both of you should die! Why did you survive back then? You must have made a deal with the devil!" Stephenie went crazy when she heard my wolf speak.
Before, to take care of her emotions, I never let my wolf speak in front of others. Indeed, Stephenie was more disgusted and frightened when she heard its voice. She kept cursing us.
But the next second, Shaunda's stern voice echoed in my mind.
"Shut up! Stephenie! How dare you! Archie is your son!" I followed the voice and saw Shaunda, who had actually come to Golden Crest, standing in front of us.
She looked at the crazed Stephenie sitting on the floor with an extremely serious expression and continued through the mindlink, "Without Archie, you would have died on the battlefield long ago. You are his mother, but you have never taken on the responsibilities of a mother. How can you still have the face to accuse your own child?"
Seeing Shaunda appear, Stephenie seemed to see a savior and tried to crawl towards Shaunda. "That monster can talk! It's going to kill me, save me! Archie's soul has been taken over by the devil! He wants..."
"Shut up!" Disappointment flashed in Shaunda's eyes. "Enough, Stephenie. Keep a little bit of your last bit of dignity and decency."
"I am Archie's mother, you..."
"If it weren't for that identity, you would have been a corpse by now! Do you think I don't know your tricks?" Shaunda's icy questioning.
"I... I don't know what you... what you're talking about." Stephenie's gaze shifted between me and Shaunda, full of guilt.
Before Shaunda answered, I asked Stephenie heavily, "Why have you always wanted me to have a child? Are you planning to let my child inherit Golden Crest after I die, right?" I finally decided to tear off the facade of peace and expose the bloody truth by myself.
"Archie?" Stephenie looked at me, trembling, calling my name.
"I have known your plan for a long time. You have always hoped I could leave behind an heir for the Redner family, and then you could unhesitatingly choose to kill me, control that child to inherit everything, and become the hidden ruler of Golden Crest, right? Everyone thinks you care about me, so you urgently want me to have a child. But in fact, all of this is to satisfy yourself!"
"Hahaha, no wonder you have deliberately not wanted children! Archie, you are so cruel! You are indeed a devil!" Stephenie pointed at me, shouting madly, showing no shame for being exposed, but instead appearing angry and indignant.
I didn't want to look at her anymore, waved my hand, and had her taken away.
Shaunda walked in front of me, gently hugged me, "I'm sorry, Archie, my poor Archie. You have to believe that there are other people in the world who truly love and care for you."
"But, I lost her, Grandma. I really regret it..." I hugged Shaunda's frail but warm body. Since Alisha left, I spoke out the pain and regret suppressed in my heart for so many days for the first time. Alisha's departure shattered all my self-esteem and pride.
Shaunda gently patted my back, tenderly comforting, "It's okay, Archie. Every person makes mistakes. We have to learn and grow from our mistakes to become better."
"Shaunda, I want to see Alisha. I really want to see her. I want to apologize to her in person, even if she scolds me..."
"No, Archie, I don't think it's a good idea. You two are not suitable to meet."
"Please, you promised me you would help. If I can't see her, I will never be okay. My whole life is over! Grandma, please help me!"
"Archie!" Shaunda's expression became serious. She looked at me and asked in my mind, "Do you know she is going to marry Louie, right? What do you want to do when you see Alisha at this time?"
I remained silent.
"Give up on your terrible idea, Archie. Don't make another mistake. When Alisha was with you, she embraced everything about you with her love. If you truly love her, you should at least learn how to respect her, instead of forcing her according to your own wishes!"
"Grandma!" I looked at Shaunda helplessly.
"Archie, love is about restraint. If you can give up your own desires for Alisha, respect her wishes, cherish and guard the life she wants, then you have learned how to love a person."
I understood Shaunda's meaning, but letting go of Alisha was like death for me!
However, as Shaunda said, I couldn't force Alisha anymore. I had to learn to love her, to respect her... even if it meant watching her walk into the marriage with another man.
My wolf whimpered and then said to me, "Archie, let go." Then, it disappeared in place, returning to the bay, silent as before.
I clenched my fists, my teeth almost biting through, and finally made a difficult decision. I said to Shaunda, "Take me to see Alisha, Grandma. I will... I will wish her well as… as a friend."
Shaunda raised her hand, touched my face, gently wiped away my tears, and said, "I'm proud of you, Archie."
This was why I'm here at Blood Dawn now.
I exiled my own love, just to witness the happiness of my mate, my beloved.