Alisha's POV
I rolled my eyes, turning my head away. "I know I don't have a wolf, you needn't remind me again, my honorable Alpha," I retorted. Accepting the reality of being a disabled werewolf was one thing, but hearing it from Archie's mouth reignited my feelings of inadequacy.
"No, no, that's not what I meant," Archie quickly clarified, a genuine excitement in his voice. "Your Gift is incredible, Alisha! I've never seen other werewolf's Gift like this before. Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?"
I sighed, feeling sad. We had been married for two years, but my husband Archie even didn't know what my Gift was. "There's no need. My Gift can only work on me, and only for minor cuts. Its power fades quickly if the wound is too severe. The most important thing is, I can't use it to heal others. So, it's essentially a useless Gift." And sometimes, it failed even in treating my own wounds, like that day when I was preparing a special meal for Archie to celebrate our wedding anniversary while he spent the night with Erma.
As the memories resurfaced, my heart sank, and I realized my Gift was powerless to stop the bleeding from my right arm. I tried desperately, but nothing happened. The blood continued to flow. Such a useless and feeble Gift!
Feeling embarrassed, I didn't want Archie to witness my failure as a disabled werewolf. I clenched my left arm tightly, attempting to staunch the bleeding.
Archie furrowed his brow, and I assumed he must be silently mocking me. I had grown accustomed to being ridiculed for my Gift among the Black Furies, so I resolved not to care about whatever Archie might say.
However, Archie didn't say a word but instead shouted, "Mireya, bring the first aid kit!"
"That's all right, and we've upheld our agreement, right?" I said to Archie, trying to hide my tension by changing the topic. "I can return the money to you as long as the manager give it to me, but remember, you promised to give me one million dollars!"
"All you ever think about is money! You should concentrate on your cut instead of the fucking money!" Archie replied unpleasantly.
In no time, Mireya appeared and hurriedly tended to my wound. An uncomfortable silence settled between Archie and me. Mireya's gaze shifted between us before she finally spoke, "Well, I need to prepare the meal."
Not wanting to be left alone with Archie, I seized the opportunity and said, "Mireya, I can help you!" I struggled to sit up and made my way to the kitchen alongside her.
But before I could stand, Archie moved closer, blocking my path, and lowered his head. "No, just stay here," he insisted.
"Why are you always interfering in my affairs?" I grumbled unhappily.
"You need to rest," Archie replied with determination.
"But I want to cook now!"
Archie sighed, a mix of understanding in his voice. "I know you want to cook for me, but today isn't a good time. You can do it after you've recovered."
I thought there must be something wrong with my ears. "Cook for you? What the hell are you saying?"
"You've been cooking the food I love and making snacks for me every day. But today, you don't have to do that. Just focus on resting," Archie reassured me, his confidence unwavering.
His arrogance almost elicited a laugh from me. "You're right. I was so foolish before, trying to please you by cooking. But you rarely come home for meals, and most of the dishes end up in the trash. So, I won't waste my time and energy cooking for you anymore. And besides, I won't stay here to rest. I'm leaving."
Archie looked at me with his deep eyes, his expression a mix of exasperation and determination. "I know you blame me for not accompanying you and wanting to get my attention. I can..."
I abruptly cut off his words, my frustration and anger boiling over. "No, no, no! Mr. Alpha, don't be so self-rightous. I don't need your attention anymore. I don't care what you think of me. Let me make it clear—I am tired of our shit marriage, and I know you must be too. Why not just end this fucking..."
Before I could finish my sentence, I felt a dangerous vibe emanating from Archie, freezing the words in my throat. In that moment, I gripped my lap tightly, desperately trying to stay composed under the pressure. I locked my gaze with his, refusing to back down.
After a brief silence, Archie spoke unexpectedly, his voice laced with a hint of mischief. "Ten thousand dollars."
I furrowed my brow, taken aback. "What?"
"Go upstairs and have a rest. Follow my instructions, and you will receive ten thousand dollars," Archie replied.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Are you serious?"
"When have I ever cheated you?" Archie retorted impatiently. He seemed to be unhappy with my question.
Inwardly, I thought, "You've lied to me too much, Archie, I won't believe in you." However, for the sake of the money, I decided to confirm with him once more, "So, you mean if I stay here for one night, you'll give me ten thousand dollars, right?"
"I'm delighted that my wife isn't deaf or foolish and can finally comprehend my words. But it's not one day, it's one week," Archie said, a smirk playing on his lips as he crossed his arms.
Ignoring his sarcastic remark, I retorted, "My powers will return tomorrow, and I'll easily heal the cut on my left arm. I'll be fine by tomorrow. There's no need to stay here for a whole week."
Archie shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, I'm the one offering the money. It's your choice whether to listen to me or leave now."
Biting my lip, I tried to negotiate, "How about three days?"
"Ten days," Archie lazily countered.
"No! Why are you adding more days?"
"Now that you've refused the original offer, I think ten days is more fitting," Archie responded, his cunning nature shining through. He was such a sly bastard. But I desperately needed the money. The one million dollars from the sale of the wedding ring was intended to pay Joey for grandma's "care fee," so I couldn't use that. I had to find other ways to earn money. Although I got a job interview, I had no idea if I would pass it or what the salary would be.
"Fine, seven days. But you need to pay earnest money," I reluctantly agreed, reaching my hand before Archie.
Archie raised an eyebrow, slapping my hand and then warned, "Money is life you! Stay home and don't wander around without my permission. Remember that."
"Hey, be polite. I was just meeting a friend. Don't think of me as dirty as you are," I taunted.
"And which friend was that? I called your human friend, but you weren't with her!" Archie interrogated harshly.
"Why can't I have other friends? You look down on me!" I snapped back.
"Really? Give me an example."
I tried to prove him wrong, but after a moment of contemplation, I failed. As a disabled werewolf, both in the Black Furies and the Golden Crest, no werewolf wanted to befriend me. Before Louie came into my life, Nova was my only friend.
Feeling embarrassed by my inability to provide an example, I shouted with frustration, "That's none of your business! Why should I disclose my friend's name to you?"
"Then you're lying. The person you met was not your friend! Who was he?" Archie's temper flared for no apparent reason. I had had enough of his volatile behavior!
Not wanting to waste any more time arguing with him over this trivial matter, I forcefully pulled my arm away from his grip and stood up, ready to leave. But before I could take a step, Archie firmly grasped my arm and threatened, "Answer my question, or I will..."
"You'll punish me?" I interrupted, raising my left arm, still covered in bandages. "If you're not satisfied, go ahead and break it."
For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of regret pass over Archie's face. He spoke in a low, remorseful tone, "I didn't mean that, Alisha. I hate being deceived. You don't have any friends besides Nova. Why are you lying to me?"
Frowning, I retorted, "Why do you care so much about the person I met?"
Archie fixed his gaze on me, and there was something unreadable in his beautiful, captivating eyes—the very eyes that had drawn me to him in the first place. It felt like an eternity before he finally spoke, his voice filled with a mix of concern and authority, "I am the Alpha of the Golden Crest. I suspect that person might pose a danger to my pack. Therefore, you must tell me who he is!"
I couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment with his response. I replied with a smirk, "Actually, I should be thanking you. If you hadn't abandoned me on that rainy day, I wouldn't have met such a wonderful new friend."
Archie's deep frown deepened even further. "What on earth are you talking about? When did I introduce another man to you?"
I snorted with a sense of satisfaction. "Thanks to my dear husband, who drove me out his car, left me stranded and alone on the road, I encountered someone kind enough to lend me a helping hand. Or perhaps you'd prefer to see me in the hospital after being exposed in the rain?"
I was glad to witness the shock on Archie's face as my words hit their mark. I continued, "I will always remember that day when I was insulted by your mom and abandoned by you. But I'm grateful because it led me to a true friend. At least Moon Goodness doesn't abandon me."
With those words, long-held sentiments hidden deep within me were finally released. I turned to leave, my gaze growing dull and my strength waning. Just as I was about to collapse onto the floor, losing consciousness, I heard Archie's urgent and panicked voice calling out.
Moon Goodness, I didn't want to die now! Damn Archie, he still owed me money!