Alisha's POV
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as I stepped into the bustling café, seeking solace in its cozy atmosphere. It had been a tumultuous week, and I needed a moment to gather my thoughts. As I scanned the room, my eyes settled on a familiar face—Louie.
I made my way towards his table, clutching a garment bag tightly in my hand. Louie looked up from his book, happiness illuminating his hazel eyes as he recognized me.
"Theresa!" he exclaimed, a smile spreading across his face.
I returned his smile, a sense of comfort settling over me as I took a seat opposite him. "Louie, sorry to have you wait for me."
He closed his book, his gaze filled with kindness. "Never mind. I just arrived. What would you like to drink?"
"After you, don't forget, it's on me today."
Louie smiled and nodded, signaling to the waiter for our orders. As we waited for our drinks, I reached into the garment bag, retrieving Louie's clothes.
"Here is your coat. Thank you for lending it to me," I said, handing it to him. Memories of that terrible rainy day flooded my mind—the day I was driven out of Archie's car and left to fend for myself in the downpour.
A mixture of concern and curiosity crossed Louie's face. "You're welcome. But why do you look upset? Did I offend you?"
I forced a smile, not wanting to burden him with my troubles. "No, no! It's not you. I just... I thought of someone who annoyed me."
Louie leaned forward, his eyes filled with genuine care. "Theresa, if you're unhappy, there's no need to force a smile. If you need to talk or if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know. Your eyes betray a sadness and anger that can't be hidden."
My shoulders drooped at his understanding words. I took a deep breath, the weight of my crumbling marriage heavy on my heart.
"I can't go home. I have no home now," I confessed, a mix of frustration and vulnerability in my voice. Going back to the Black Furies was not an option. As for the Golden Crest, it was not my home anymore!
Louie's concern deepened. "If you trust me, you're welcome to stay at my place. You need rest, Theresa."
"I'm fine. I... I just picked up the wrong drinks, and I'm tired..." I was tired, not only on my body, but also for my souls.
"What can I do for you?" Louie asked gently, his eyes locked on mine.
"Louie, when you love someone deeply and put all your efforts into pursuing that love, but all you get in return is disappointment and sadness, is it right to give up?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. The admission hung in the air, mingling with the aroma of coffee.
Louie didn't answer immediately. After a long silence, empathy shone through his eyes as he finally spoke. "Theresa, you are right. Sometimes, we have to make difficult choices for our own happiness. Love shouldn't be one-sided. It's important to find a balance where both partners feel fulfilled and loved."
I couldn't tell if Louie had sensed the true depth of my words. Curiosity took over, and I asked, "I thought you might encourage me to continue, just like in the movies. The characters work hard and, in the end, their dreams come true."
Louie's expression softened, and he reached out to place his hand over mine. "You've said it yourself, Theresa, it's just a movie, not real life. You deserve to be happy. Life is too short to be trapped in a loveless relationship. When you have the strength to move on, you can discover a whole new world of possibilities."
"I don't know if I can do it," I confessed, feeling the weight of my insecurities pressing down on me. "As a werewolf, I'm a complete failure. I can't fight, and my Gift is useless. I couldn't even take care of my grandmother. My life is a mess..."
A soft smile played on Louie's lips, and his voice was filled with reassurance. "Don't be afraid. I can share a secret with you. When my mother was pregnant with me, she received a prophecy from the Moon Goddess Temple in our pack. It said that the baby would be destined to be single for his entire life, unable to find his true mate."
"I'm so sorry to hear that," I replied, genuinely empathizing with his situation.
Louie shook his head. "Don't worry. When I knew that I couldn't find my soulmate, I was initially sad and disappointed. I thought I was doomed to be alone in the world. But gradually, I discovered that there was still so much to enjoy in life. I started traveling, exploring new places, and expressing myself through art. I would draw, paint, and compose music to capture my emotions. And one day, despite not being my destined mate, I met a special girl who touched my heart in ways I never expected…"
Louie paused, his eyes sparkling with a hint of something more. "Theresa, you have the strength within you to overcome this. If you ever need a friend to lean on during this difficult time, I'm here for you."
His words touched my wounded heart, and I found solace in his unwavering support. "Thank you, Louie," I whispered, my voice laced with gratitude. "Your presence alone brings me solace. Maybe it will be hard to let go of my past emotions, but I'm willing to try."
In this moment of vulnerability, Louie's presence was a lifeline, a glimmer of hope in a world that had seemed bleak.
Before I could say anything more, my phone suddenly rang, startling me. I retrieved it from my pocket and saw the caller ID—Archie! My heart sank at the sight of his name.
Without hesitation, I declined the call. "Louie, I believe the girl you meet will..." I couldn't finish my sentence as my phone vibrated with a new text message. "Alisha, come back now!" it read. I ignored it, unwilling to give Archie any response.
"I'm sorry, Louie," I said, apologizing for the interruption. "You are such a kind person, and even though that girl may not be your destined mate, I have no doubt she will..." My words trailed off as my phone vibrated once again, demanding my attention. The phone kept vibrating and I could even imagine how mad Archie was on the other end.
I apologized to Louie and decided to turn off my phone. This time, the message at the top of the screen caught my eye: "I am going to call Joey to talk about his good niece!"
My heart froze as I read those words. This bastard was threatening me!
If Joey knew this thing, grandma would be… No! The realization sent a shiver down my spine, and fear mingled with the anger brewing within me.
With trembling fingers, I quickly typed a reply, "Wait! I am coming back!"
The response came swiftly, chilling my already frayed nerves, "30 minutes. Or you need to go to the Black Furies with me."
Fuck!
My heart pounded in my chest as panic threatened to consume me. I glanced at Louie, guilt washing over me like a tidal wave.
"I'm so sorry, Louie," I stammered, my voice filled with regret. "Something urgent has come up. I have to go."
Louie's brows furrowed with concern as he stood up, his worry etched across his face. "Is everything okay? Do you need help?"
I shook my head, my voice strained. "I wish I could explain, but there's no time. Just know that your friendship means the world to me."
With a nod, Louie replied, "Stay safe, Theresa. Call me if you need anything."
Without another word, I turned and hurried out of the café. As I rushed through the crowded streets, my thoughts were consumed by the looming threat. Every passing second felt like an eternity.
When I finally reached my doorstep, my heart pounded in my chest. I knew that stepping inside would mean facing a storm, but I couldn't let fear paralyze me. I had to be strong—for myself and for my grandmother.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door, steeling myself for what lay ahead. The house felt eerily silent, yet an undercurrent of tension hung in the air. I cautiously moved through the rooms, my senses on high alert.
And then I found him—Archie, standing in the dimly lit living room, with a sullen face.
"Where do you fool around? Who allows you to go out! You should stay at home!"