Alisha's POV
The intense pain left my body numb, but for some reason, my consciousness remained clear. The next moment, a black wolf broke through the window, biting into half of Louie's body, causing him to collapse to the ground.
I even heard the sound of bones being crushed. Louie's hand was pulled out of my body, and blood spurted out, staining the entire carpet red.
My wolf immediately transitioned from the Bay to reality and began healing me. I heard the sound of blood flowing out of my chest, the angry growls of the black wolf, and people downstairs rushing up upon hearing the commotion.
Watching Louie with his unfamiliar and hollow gaze, covered almost entirely in black flame patterns, I finally understood why Archie attacked him yesterday.
Joey had used his blood connection with Evita to leave a witchcraft imprint on Evita's soul, making her to self-immolate and curse me. However, Louie had intercepted Evita's black flame curse for me. Thus, Evita's curse, along with the witchcraft imprint, transferred to Louie.
This was the reason why Joey could invade Louie's soul from time to time, controlling his actions. Last night, I picked up a knife from the floor and then use it to stab Archie. It turned out that that knife belong to Louie, who was controlled by Joey and had attempted to use the knife to kill me. Archie's arrival disrupted his attack.
Joey, this scoundrel!
Orathe appeared swiftly, witnessing everything with intense anger. She drew a sword from one of her accompanying guards, ready to charge at the black wolf. I wanted to intervene, but my throat was filled with fresh blood, and I couldn't speak. Thankfully, my wolf growled, "Stop! It saved Alisha!"
Orathe halted, looking shocked at me and my wolf. Gray and Faye arrived, and with Faye's assistance, my condition slowly improved.
As I lay on the ground, I suddenly noticed a dark shadow near the window, swiftly moving across the blood-soaked carpet. Soon, the deep red blood started to lighten. I felt weird and wanted to alert others, but early blood loss caused me to slip into unconsciousness.
When I woke up again, Orathe greeted me with stern criticism, "I can't believe I didn't know. You and Gray deceived me, risked your lives for that bastard Louie!"
Seemingly, during my unconsciousness, Orathe had figured out the whole story and formed a bad opinion against Louie. I had to explain, "It is not Louie's fault. He was targeted by Joey because he tried to save me. Look, I am fine now, completely recovered. You don't need to worry about me."
"If your Gift weren't healing, or if the black wolf hadn't appeared, I might... I might never see you again." Orathe's voice, stern at first, ended with a choked sob.
I quickly got up and hugged Orathe. "Mom, this was an accident. We can deal with it, and it won't happen again. So..."
"What do you want to do?"
"I need to let my wolf enter Louie's body as soon as possible, to treat him and dispel the curse and Joey's soul imprint. This is something only my wolf can do. You see, we are destined husband and wife!"
Before Orathe could respond, a furious roar echoed in the room. "No, I absolutely disagree!"
It was Archie's black wolf. How did it get here?
Gray seemed to understand my confusion and explained, "After you passed out, we locked Louie in the confinement room. This wolf refused to leave your side, attacking anyone who tried to drive it away. Normally, I would have killed it instantly, but considering it just saved you, we let it stay in your room."
Upon hearing this, I fell into silence. My wolf had already told me that Erma was deceiving me. There was no affair between Archie and her. Even Archie's favoritism towards Erma was because she used to be my servant. But what did it matter? Archie and I were done, and I married Louie. We could never go back to how things were.
So, I said to the black wolf, "Thank you, I am fine now. You can leave."
"Archie said I must protect you, so I can't leave!" The black wolf walked up to me, its dark eyes fixed on me. It truly was a robust and beautiful creature, and I couldn't resist the urge to touch its fur. Seemingly sensing my thoughts, the black wolf lowered its head, approaching my hand.
Unable to resist, I placed my hand into its thick, smooth fur, shining like black silk. I must say, the feel was truly amazing.
"I never allow anyone to touch me, but you can. So, can you promise me not to let my dear enter Louie's body? I don't want to lose her."
I knew it was referring to my wolf. I shook my head. "Sorry, I can't. I need to save my husband. Besides, nothing will happen to it. It's just like when it stayed in my grandmother Magaly's body; it will return to me once Louie recovers."
"But I can't stand a minute without her! I can't bear it! And what if something goes wrong, and it can't come back?"
I remained silent, offering no response.
"Hmph, as long as I am alive, you won't be able to let my dear enter Louie's body. I will be keeping an eye on you both. If you dare to do such a thing, I will bite Louie again!"
I frowned upon hearing this, about to say something when my wolf suddenly walked in from the door. "Didn't I warn you not to call me dear?"
I watched as the black wolf, previously fierce, instantly changed its expression and happily ran to the white wolf, whispering, "But you are my dear! I only like you, just you. I am nothing like my idiot master Archie. Do you want to go on a date to Moon Lake? I know the perfect spot to watch the moon's reflection on the lake. Let me take you there..."
"Enough!" My wolf impatiently walked aside, flicking its tail. The fluffy tail even brushed across the black wolf's face. Surprisingly, the black wolf, far from getting angry, looked intoxicated and happy. It even wiggled its nose, sniffing a few time. Its tail wagged very fast.
My wolf approached my bedside, saying to me, "We need to treat Louie as soon as possible. We can't delay any longer. I am ready. Alisha, when I am not with you, take care of yourself."
Hearing this, my heart ached. I hugged its neck. "Thank you. I will. You take care of yourself too. I look forward to meeting you again."
Orathe seemed like she wanted to say something but ultimately held back. The black wolf continued to protest, though this time its voice sounded weak and unclear, "No... can't... I disagree... I object..."
I looked at the black wolf stumbling and strangely unsteady, feeling puzzled. My wolf explained, "Faye gave me a potent anesthesia powder. He said it works exceptionally well, at least for a 24-hour sleep. I just sprinkled some on my tail. Otherwise, that stupid wolf would be too troublesome."
As the words fell, the black wolf collapsed on the floor. Its paws were still scratching at the ground, attempting to stand up. Its head kept trying to face my wolf, eyelids drooping, and its voice became pitiful, "Please... please don't..."
My wolf sighed and jumped next to the black wolf, then leaned down and whispered, "Have a sleep. We will meet again in the future, I promise."
The black wolf gave my wolf a deep look before closing its eyes.
Afterward, my wolf and I went to the confinement room where Louie was held. His limbs were bound to a stone bed, eyes shut, face pale, and traces of previous bloodstains still on him. I gently stroked his face, feeling a wave of sadness.
"Louie, I believe in you. You will overcome all of this and return to me." After saying that, I kissed his forehead. Then a stream of clear tears flowed from his tightly closed eyes. But he still didn't wake up. I didn't know if he could hear my words. But it didn't matter.
Not wanting to waste time, I looked at my wolf to tell her to start. Just as I remembered, it leaped into the air, curled into a ball of white light, and merged slowly into Louie's body.I didn't know how long it would take to see it again, but I firmly believed that day would come.
Just as I was leaving the confinement room, I received unfortunate news. Orathe looked at me with a serious expression, saying, "There is a riot in the Dark Forest. Numerous rogues broke through the blockade and started attacking our pack. Gray is leading our pack in the fight."
"What's going on?" I was shocked. Blood Dawn was always responsible for guarding the Dark Forest, and there had never been a problem. How could a riot suddenly occur?
Orathe looked at me, "This attack is unusual because the Lord of Dark has awakened. It was once sealed in the Dark Forest, but after awakening this time, it gave rogues a tremendous boost in strength, easily breaking through our defenses."
The Lord of Dark, a name I have never heard, but just from that name, I sense a bit of horror. "How did it suddenly wake up?" I had a bad feeling.
"A thousand years ago, the ancestors of the Dyess family sealed the Lord of Dark with their own heart's blood. So, it is said that only the heart's blood of our family members can unlock the seal. Some rogues had tried to obtain the heart's blood of Dyess members in history, but they failed to free the Lord of Dark. So, I always thought it was just a legend. I never thought..." Orathe said as she pulled me to walk quickly.
Upon hearing this, I understood. Thinking about the previous attacks, the disappearing blood on the carpet... all of it was a conspiracy! I felt a chill, listening to the sounds of the battle outside, feeling lost.
"I always thought Gray's father Charles kidnapped you simply to secure the Blood Dawn's inheritance. But now it seems he has long been trying to awaken the Lord of Dark with the heart's blood of Dyess members! This bastard! He must be insane, wanting the entire Blood Dawn to perish!" Orathe cursed through gritted teeth and then quickly told me, "Gray and I are going to face the enemy. Alisha, take this opportunity to run."
"Mom? I can join the fight, please don't..."
"No! Pretend you were never found by us. You have no obligation to fight. The responsibility of Blood Dawn, Gray and I will bear. We will stand with every member until the last moment, but you, my dear daughter, leave this place, live on..."
"No, I don't want to leave you and my brother!"
"Please, Alisha, you have just lost your wolf and are very weak. Take this chance and run. It's my only request as a mother." Orathe held me tight, kissed my cheek, then handed me a whip, turning resolutely to face the frontline of the battle.