Alisha's POV
My heart was racing as Archie's words hung in the air, and I felt a mix of shock and disbelief. How could he ask me to say such a private thing in front of all these people? The embarrassment washed over me like a tidal wave, leaving me flushed and speechless. And I could feel the weight of everyone's eyes on us. It was too humiliating.
Archie, seemingly oblivious to my discomfort, held onto my waist affectionately and suddenly changed his tone, "My dear, you know the truth better than anyone else. Don't you want to help me prove it?"
His words were laced with sweetness, but they made me feel more uneasy.. I couldn't understand what had gotten into Archie. Was he losing his mind due to the rumors? Why was he suddenly speaking so tenderly? It was unsettling, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that crept over me.
I shot him a stern look, trying to have him stop making a scene. Especially with Louie and Gray watching us, I dreaded the weird impression we were leaving on them. If I were Gray, I would be questioning our sanity and regretting inviting such a lunatic to his ceremony. Perhaps Gray was even starting to think that the entire Golden Crest pack was abnormal!
Despite my silent protest, Archie's smile only widened, but there was a blatant threat lurking behind his eyes. Although we couldn't communicate through mindlink, I understood his unspoken meaning all too well. He was warning me that if I didn't comply with his request to help clear his name and restore his reputation, he would withhold my payment. And knowing how mean Archie could be, he might even try to shift the blame onto me and Black Furies for everything
Reluctantly, I acquiesced, nodding subtly to indicate that I would comply with his request. I knew I had to choose my battles wisely, and for now, appeasing him was the best course of action. After all, it was indeed my slip of the tongue that had sparked this rumor, and knowing how manipulative and vengeful Archie could be, I should accept his request.
I couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration and resentment at how easily he manipulated me. But for the sake of maintaining peace and preventing further drama, I decided to swallow my pride to "help" him. As much as I hated to admit it, I needed to protect myself and my pack from Archie's vindictiveness.
With a smile that felt more like a grimace, I managed to muster the words, "You don't need to care about others' words. After all, we all know..." My tense was palpable, and I couldn't bring myself to meet anyone's gaze. My face burned with embarrassment as I hesitated, my voice dropping to a near-whisper, "You... you're a …. a healthy man."
The words hung in the air, and I could almost feel the collective shock ripple through the crowd. A few murmured "wows" reached my ears, intensifying my embarrassment. Despite Archie's often insufferable nature, in that moment, I found myself oddly grateful for his towering stature. It allowed me to hide my flushed face in the shelter of his embrace, seeking refuge from the awkwardness that threatened to engulf me.
Archie's satisfaction was evident in the way his hand slowly traversed from my waist to my neck, rubbing softly. The gentle caress sent shivers down my spine, the warmth of his palm igniting an unexpected spark within me.
His voice, barely above a whisper, continued, "So, babe, do you think I perform well to satisfy you in bed?"
Oh, Moon Goddess, please grant me the ability to vanish into thin air. How on earth could he be so shameless? Who in their right mind would answer such an intimate question in a public setting? If I possessed the Gift of Speed, I would have fled the scene at the speed of light!
Amidst my inner turmoil of embarrassment, an unexpected voice broke through. Evita, of all people, stepped forward, her tone dripping with reverence and affection, "Archie, I believe in you! You must be the best man!"
Archie might be happy to hear this, but a wave of nausea washed over me. However, what truly astonished me was the shift in Archie's vibe when Evita spoke. An unsettling energy emanated from him, rapidly spreading through the banquet hall like a storm front. Even those further away, ignorant of the unfolding drama, felt the tension and unease, stood up and turned their attention to Archie.
Evita, seemingly oblivious to the sudden change in atmosphere, appeared baffled. But amidst my lingering embarrassment, a spark of curiosity ignited within me. Slowly disentangling myself from Archie's embrace. What I found chilled me to the bone – Arche's eyes were ablaze with a chilling intensity. He was fixed on Evita, and when he spoke, his voice was a low, commanding growl, "Alisha is my wife, the sole Luna of Golden Crest. No one can replace her. If anyone harbors ill intentions towards her, I won't hesitate to extract payment in their blood."
Archie's words resonated through the hall like a thunderclap, silencing the room. Almost all werewolves bowing their heads in a mixture of respect and submission. Even Evita, who had moments ago been so confident, now lay prostrate on the floor, trembling in fear.
Stunned, I tried to comprehend the transformation unfolding before me. Archie's unexpected declaration reverberated within me, and my heart raced as if caught in a tempest. A strange heat surged through my veins, my entire being feeling as though it was on the brink of combustion. The room's werewolves either averted their gazes in trepidation or adopted fawning expressions. Only Louie and Gray seemed unaffected, their expressions retaining a calm exterior amidst the tumultuous sea of emotions. I don't know why, but seeing their calm expressions helped to gradually calm my own heart.
Amid the envious glances from other she-wolves, the intensity of Erma's resentment and jealousy was palpable.