Archie's POV
A wave of astonishment, anger, and hurt crashed over me, threatening to drown my senses. How could Alisha, my wife, possibly entertain the thought of seducing another man? I struggled to comprehend the reality before me, knowing deep down that she was lost in a haze, mistaking me for a stranger.
Unable to suppress my tumultuous emotions, I confronted her, my voice laced with a mix of disbelief and vulnerability. "You... you want to sleep with me? Are you not afraid of the consequences if your husband were to find out?"
My heart raced as I awaited her response, the air thick with tension. Alisha, her arms wrapped around my neck, offered a disarming smile in return. "Haha, he doesn't care about me at all! Don't mind him. But... I have no money for you..."
Her words struck me like a bolt of lightning. Money? What was she even talking about? Confusion mingled with my anger as I struggled to comprehend her train of thought. "Money? What on earth are you insinuating?"
Alisha's voice carried a touch of bitterness as she continued, "Yeah, my damn husband froze my cards, so I couldn't pay you. He's the most despicable man alive, and he..."
"That's enough!" I interrupted her, my voice trembling with frustration. "Do you think I am a money boy? Is that what you believe?" My teeth clenched together, my patience wearing thin.
Her words cut through the air, mocking my integrity. "Or what? You're so handsome, with a great figure. You must be the darling of all the women..."
I couldn't bear to listen any longer. The rage within me surged like a tidal wave, threatening to consume us both. "If you dare utter another word, I will leave you on the street!" I seethed, my voice strained with a mix of anger and disappointment.
Alisha, sensing the intensity of my fury, lowered her head and hunched her shoulders, her puppy-like eyes pleading for forgiveness. A sigh escaped my lips as I attempted to reason with this audacious woman. "Listen, I am NOT a money boy. I am..." I began, but she interrupted me abruptly.
"I get it!" Alisha's hand shot up, her eyes wide with comprehension. "You're a bodyguard! I saw you kick that wrench's ass and save me! Thank you so much! You're a good man!" Her face lit up with a brilliant smile, her words washing away the tension between us, if only for a moment.
I stared at her, a mix of exasperation and amusement playing on my features. "Yes, no one can harm you," I relented, my voice softening. Alisha's eyes sparkled under the glow of the streetlights, her trust in me evident.
Suddenly, she made an unexpected request, her voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "Could I hire you as my personal bodyguard?"
I was taken aback, perplexed by her sudden desire for protection. After all, the Golden Crest was renowned for its formidable warriors, unmatched in their bravery and skill on the battlefield. I couldn't fathom why Alisha would feel unsafe in such a powerful pack.
"Are you suggesting that you don't feel safe in the Golden Crest?" I questioned, a mixture of disbelief and frustration coloring my words. The idea seemed preposterous, and I felt a pang of annoyance at the thought of wasting my time on this insane woman. Why hadn't Brad arrived yet?
However, before I could voice my doubts, Alisha interjected eagerly.
"If you became my bodyguard, you could kick my damn husband's ass the next time he upsets me!" Her words hung in the air, the audacity of her request echoing in my mind.
Anger surged within me once more. How dare she try to manipulate me in such a way! The temptation to teach her a lesson in that very moment threatened to overpower my restraint. But I took a deep breath, reminding myself that she was lost, confused, and vulnerable. I had to find a way to navigate this situation with both logic and compassion. After all, she was my wife, a bold and annoying girl.
As my anger surged, I found myself unable to resist the impulse to slap Alisha's bottom, a small release of my frustration. She yelped in pain, her face contorted with both surprise and anger. "Ouch! What the hell are you doing? As my bodyguard, you're supposed to obey my commands!" she shouted, her voice laced with indignation.
I scoffed, a mixture of amusement and disbelief coloring my response. "You just claimed you had no money. How do you expect to hire me?"
A mischievous grin played on Alisha's lips as she leaned closer, whispering as if sharing a secret. "Well, let me tell you something. Despite my husband being a despicable man, he's incredibly wealthy. If you help me get a divorce, I'll make sure you receive a generous cut from my alimony payments."
I couldn't help but mock at her audacity. "You're dreaming," I retorted, shaking my head with rage.
Alisha's expression fell, a tinge of sadness creeping into her voice. "Yeah, that jerk wouldn't be so generous to me," she muttered, lowering her gaze. But then her eyes flickered back up, a glimmer of hope shining through. "But I do have a valuable wedding ring. It's worth a fortune. I can sell it to..."
Her voice trailed off under my furious gaze. I clenched my teeth, casting a quick glance at her ring finger, confirming what I already suspected—it was bare. "Are you planning to sell your wedding ring?" I asked through gritted teeth, my anger simmering just beneath the surface.
"I need the money... after all, that ring wasn't prepared for me at first," Alisha replied, her voice barely a whisper.
"Enough!" I growled, my frustration reaching its peak. Alisha recoiled, tears welling up in her eyes, a mixture of fear and regret etched on her face.
In that moment, I couldn't help but feel a pang of remorse. Despite her bullshit, it was evident that her mind was in complete disarray. I shouldn't be so harsh with her. I lightly slapped her back, a small gesture of comfort amidst the chaos.
Just as the tension reached its peak, Brad arrived in a car finally. I placed Alisha in the passenger seat, but she attempted to escape, her hand fumbling with the door handle. Acting swiftly, I locked the door, leaving her no choice but to stay put. I turned to Brad and issued orders. "Alisha's human friend is inside, who might be attacked by a rogue. Take her to the hospital for a check-up. Also, ask her to find out where Alisha sold her ring!"
Brad nodded, acknowledging my instructions. "Yes, Alpha."
As the car pulled away, Alisha glaring at me from the corner of my eye. Her arms were folded protectively across her chest, defiance etched on her face. "Let me go! My husband is the Alpha of the Golden Crest. If you dare to harm me, he will tear you into pieces!"
A foxy girl. You just said that you wanted to divorce me! Only on this occasion, would you recognized that I was your husband?
I replied coldly, "You've left the Golden Crest, and no one can save you now." It was a deliberate attempt to instill fear, to ensure she understood the gravity of her actions and wouldn't attempt to run away again.
Alisha's expression shifted from defiance to pure terror. She bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes, curling up into a ball on the seat. Knowing she was terrified and finally turned quiet, I mindlinked the witch doctor, requesting immediate treatment for Alisha upon our return.
"I will prepare the antidote immediately. Luna will be fine after the medicated bath," came the reassuring reply.
"Excellent. Give the antidote to Mireya. I'll be back soon," I replied as gunning the car.
As soon as arriving the Golden Crest, I get Alisha out of the car, carried her all the way into the bathroom. Her hands kept hitting and patting me, with the strength of a newborn kitten. Just after I set her down, she quickly squeezed herself under the bathroom shelf, looking at me with a vigilant expression.
"What the hell are you planning to do to me?" she exclaimed.
Because Mireya had already filled the bathtub with hot water, mixed with the antidote agents, the bathroom was extremely steamy. Watching Alisha's mouse-like movements, I loosened my tie and unbuttoned the top buttons of my shirt, replying, "This is the bathroom, as you can clearly see. I intend to strip you naked and throw your clothes into the bathtub."