Archie's POV
After I woke up, I saw Shaunda's concerned expression. "How do you feel, Archie?"
"I'm okay. Where am I?" I tried to lift my hand to rub my forehead but felt a sharp pain in my arm. The memories of what happened earlier flooded back, and my expression darkened.
"Don't move. Your wounds are deep; you need rest," Shaunda quickly stopped my actions. "We were planning to go back to Golden Crest, but your injuries were too severe. We had to find a place to treat your wounds temporarily. You had a high fever and were talking nonsense all night. It scared me. If your condition hadn't improved, I was considering contacting Brad to send a healer."
"Sorry, Grandma. I didn't mean to worry you." But as soon as Brad's name came up, I remembered something. I hurriedly contacted him through the mindlink. "I told you to capture Erma, break her limbs, throw her in the dungeon, and let me torture her when I returned. How is she now?"
"Sorry, Alpha. I wanted to inform you earlier, but you blocked the mindlink. Erma escaped."
"Escaped? What happened?"
"Her Gift is Shadow Stealth. Even though we decided to arrest her immediately after getting your notice, but she managed to escape silently on night. We failed to find her."
"Damn! That sneaky rat!" I had overlooked Erma's Gift. Although not combat-oriented, it was perfect for escaping or lurking. She could hide in the shadows during the night, making it nearly impossible for anyone to detect her. Unexpectedly, this seemingly useless Gift helped her escape successfully. I pounded the bed in frustration, causing my wounds to flare up. Shaunda gave me a stern look.
I continued patiently, asking Brad, "And what about Joey?" After Louie informed me about Joey, I had asked Brad to capture him.
"Sorry, Alpha. I have informed the pack members, but there is no news yet. However..."
"What?"
"During the investigation, I found that Erma had collaborated with Joey before. At least during the island attack, Erma was the mole who betrayed information to the rogues. According to the captured rogues, Erma has been in contact with Dark Forest. She wanted to kill Shaunda because she supported Alisha becoming the Luna of Golden Crest. But after the attack failed, Erma contacted Joey. Joey didn't want Alisha to be Luna either, so he fabricated a lie, using Magaly to lure Luna back and planned to take advantage of the situation to kill Alisha."
Hearing this, I couldn't contain my anger and roared, "Those two bastards! I will tear them apart!"
Shaunda seemed alarmed by my reaction and warned, "Archie, your recent state is not good. You need to compose yourself!"
"Grandma! Do you know that Erma has been secretly sabotaging the relationship between Alisha and me? She is so malicious!"
"Erma? That rogue you brought in from outside when you were a child?"
"I regret it so much. How could I believe that snake? She has been colluding with the rogues of Dark Forest, attempting to harm you and Alisha. I will dismember her! Let her soul never find peace! If not for her, Alisha and I..."
Shaunda interrupted me, "Archie, Erma is indeed guilty, but you and Alisha have your own issues. You didn't cherish her, and she didn't trust you. Your marriage could only end in failure. Let it go. I have heard that you attacked Louie on Alisha and Louie's wedding night. You have disappointed me! You promised not to interfere with them before you came here!"
Hearing Shaunda's words, I raised my head and argued, "I admit jealousy consumed me. But I only wanted to secretly check on Alisha; I didn't intend to do anything else. However, Louie... Louie deserved it!"
Shaunda sternly reprimanded, "Archie!"
"I'm not wrong! He was planning to attack Alisha! I saw it from the window; he had a knife in his hand, raised it to rush towards Alisha! They must have been quarreling, but how dare Louie treat Alisha like that? I just gave him a lesson!"
Alisha's POV
I heard Louie's words and paused for a moment, then asked hesitantly, "I don’t understand what you are saying."
Louie looked at me with understanding, his eyes filled with a hint of sorrow. "Alisha, our marriage was just a means for you to heal me. You don't have to hide it anymore."
My eyes widened, and for a moment, I didn't know what to say. After a while, I managed to retort dryly, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Alisha, I'm sorry. I overheard your conversation with Gray earlier. I found out that the curse of the Black Flame on me hasn't been completely cleaned. Soon, I might turn into ashes. And you, to heal me, chose to marry me. Even though we don't share blood, the bond we established allows your wolf to enter my body, aiding in my recovery, similar to how you treated Magaly before, right?"
I stood there, listening to Louie's words, unsure of how to respond. He knew everything...
"I'm sorry..." I apologized awkwardly.
Louie reached out to me, and I sat on the edge of the bed. He gently stroked my hair. "Why are you apologizing? You saved me, sacrificing your marriage and happiness. If anyone should apologize, it should be me."
"No! You are one of the most important people to me. I should have told you earlier. But... no matter what, I did it willingly! You have to believe me!" I said anxiously, not wanting Archie to feel any burden because of this revelation.
"Alisha, you are a good girl. I thank you for everything you have done for me. Meeting you makes me incredibly happy. But I don't want to be the reason you sacrifice your marriage."
I didn't know why, but hearing Louie's words made my heart ache. Suddenly, something crossed my mind. "So, did you intentionally agree to have Archie attend our wedding?"
"Yes, actually, I asked Shaunda to bring Archie along, if he was willing. I don't want you to sacrifice your love just to save me. I know Archie has done many wrong things, but for you, he holds a special place. So, I want to give you another chance to choose, even if it means losing you."
Upon hearing Archie's words, I couldn't hold back any longer and hugged him tightly. Tears soaked his shirt. "Louie, why are you so good to me? You are too kind!"
Archie gently patted my back and said, "To me, you are more important than anything. You don't know how happy I am that you chose to be with me instead of leaving with Archie."
I sobbed softly, "I won't leave you, Louie."
"But I don’t become your burden. I have felt the growing impact of curse on me. I am even experiencing memory loss. I have a terrible feeling about this. If I continue like this, I might end up hurting you. Perhaps, I won't be able to spend the rest of my life with you. I should let you go."
"No, believe me, my wolf will heal you! Trust me, I cured Magaly, and I can cure you too! Let's start the treatment tomorrow!" I held onto Louie, making a sincere promise. Originally, I had planned to tell Louie after our wedding and find the right time. But since he already knew about his condition, there was no need to delay. And Louie was right; I felt the curse's increasing impact on his body. We couldn't wait any longer.
"Alisha, I initially thought the influence of curse was minimal. But now I realize I underestimated it. It seems to grow like a demonic seed, sapping my life force. And even... I'm afraid it might pose a significant danger to you if I continue. So..."
"Louie, you are my husband, and I am your wife. We should face everything together. Promise me, don't think too much, and seriously accept the treatment, okay? We still have a long, long way to go!"
In the end, Louie showed a compromised smile. "Fine, I will try to live longer and accompany you. After all, I still hope to sign Theresa to my company and witness the rise of the new generation of stars."
Hearing Louie's words, I couldn't help but feel shy. But I nodded, "Yes, let's work together. We can do it."
"Gray probably won't be happy. He boasted to me before, saying you signed with his company."
"Let's not care about him! I changed my mind; I will sign with DM Company!"
Louie laughed, "My pleasure. And I promise to help my wife become one of the most famous singers." After saying that, a weariness appeared on his face. I knew he might be feeling exhausted. Before I could say anything, I noticed his eyes slowly closing. Shadows fell over his face from his hair. I gently helped him lie down and stood up, ready to leave the room.
But before I reached the door, I heard an angry wolf howl outside the window. At the same time, I felt an ominous premonition. Turning slightly, I tried to look out the window.
The next moment, I felt a tremendous pain in my chest, freezing my entire body. I looked down and saw a familiar hand, covered in black flame patterns, piercing through my chest from behind. That hand, just a minute ago, had gently patted my back.