Archie‘s POV
Shaunda sprang into action, her expression immediately turning grave. Without a moment's hesitation, she picked up the Moon Stone from the nearby table and hurried towards me.
"Archie, place Alisha on the couch. Louie, rush to find Samuel, fetch the doctor, and gather herbs, bandages, alcohol, and anything else we might need!" Shaunda's voice commanded with urgency.
With the utmost care, I gently laid the lifeless form of Alisha upon the couch. She was like a broken doll, and my hand had always been putting on her neck to stem the flow of blood from her wound. It was a pain unlike any other, one that gnawed at my soul. Although I hadn't yet Marked Alisha, hadn't formed that sacred bond, seeing her injured filled me with an anguish I had never experienced before.
Louie dashed out of the room, surely on his way to seek Samuel's assistance.
I couldn’t do anything but stare at Alisha hopelessly.
Shaunda's voice cut through the tension, "First, with the aid of the Moon Stone, we must protect Alisha's heart."
Then, Shaunda placed the Moon Stone upon Alisha's chest, then put both her hands on it, silently chanting. The Moon Stone began to emit a soft, soothing glow, enshrouding Alisha's chest.
Although I knew this might be great sign, but I couldn't bring myself to relax. My hand remained pressed against Alisha's neck wound, staunchly holding back the crimson tide. The footfalls of a hurried arrival echoed from the corridor. Louie was bringing the doctor.
The witch doctor knelt beside Alisha, conducting a thorough examination. A frown creased his forehead, and he hesitated. "Alpha, it doesn't look good. Alisha has lost a considerable amount of blood, and her heart appears to have ceased its beating. I'm afraid..."
Before he could conclude, I erupted in anger, my voice cutting through his words. "No! You're wrong! Alisha is alive! There must be a way to save her! You have to save her!"
"Alpha, I'm truly sorry, but the blood loss is extensive. There's scarcely any chance left to..."
"Then take my blood! I have more than enough. Use it to save her!"
The doctor's bewildered gaze shifted between me and Shaunda. "Alpha's emotions seem to be out of control..."
Shaunda regarded me with profound sadness. "Archie, you must calm yourself."
"No! I refuse to accept it! Grandma, please, help her! Use my blood to save Alisha. I am her husband and I was supposed to protect her. It's my fault she's been hurt like this. I can't let her die!" It was only in that moment that I realized how much I couldn't bear the pain of losing Alisha. I wouldn't allow her to leave me, no matter the cost.
But then, I saw the Moon Stone's glow wane. Despair began to well up within me. I shouted at the Moon Stone desperately, "No! Keep shining to save Alisha!" Moon Goddess, please, don't take Alisha from me.
I cried out in anguish. Just when I thought all hope was lost, Shaunda's voice resounded. "Archie, there's one final option. Neither the Moon Stone nor I have sufficient power to revive Alisha, I need use your power."
At this time, Louie said urgently in a trembling voice, "Grandma, you can also use mine! As much as you want!"
Shaunda shook her head. "Your power can't be accepted by Alisha." Then Shaunda looked at me, "Archie, you are Alisha's husband, which is recognized by the Moon Goddess. So, your power can go through the Moon Stone to move in Alisha's body. Now, you must contribute your strength to help her. Try to channel your power into the Moon Stone, and I will guide and regulate your power."
With Shaunda's words, a flicker of hope ignited within me. Before I could even nod, Shaunda issued a solemn warning. "But you must understand, you are not a wizard, so during this process, you must listen to my words. Besides, this may demand an immense amount of energy and inflict tremendous pain upon you."
I nodded with no hesitation. "It doesn't matter, Granma. If it means saving Alisha, I would endure any pain."
Shuanda said to the witch doctor, "Listen, Archie need to contact the Moon Stone to transfer his power, so as long as his hand left Alisha's cut, you must press it as soon as you can, understand?"
Then witch doctor replied, "Fine. But this process is too dangerous. Alpha may even get hurt."
"Shut up! Just follow Shaunda's order!" I growled and then, I moved my hands from Alisha and soon put my hand against the Moon Stone, following Shaunda's instructions to infuse my own power into the precious stone.
The Moon Stone seemed like a boundless void, greedily consuming my energy. I felt an agonizing tug in my body and soul, as if it were tearing me apart.
But thankfully, I noticed the almost faded Moon Stone suddenly brightening up again.
I gritted my teeth and persevered. I wouldn't give up, couldn't relinquish even the slightest glimmer of hope.
I didn't know how long I had been persisting, for I seem to cannot measure the passage of time now, but it felt like I had been wandering through a desert for an eternity. Because of the loss of power, my body felt like it was about explode.
Finally, Shaunda released her hold, and her voice, laden with sorrow, reached my ears. "That's enough, Archie. Do not push yourself any further. Alisha has no chance."
I couldn't believe what I had heard. My vision blurred, and I was unwilling to concede. I continued to channel energy into the Moon Stone, pushing my body to the limit. I exhausted every ounce of strength, determined not to release even a sliver of hope.
"Archie, if you persist, you might lose your own life! Cease this now!"
"No, just a little longer. Alisha could wake up at any moment!"
The witch doctor seized the opportunity to say, attempting to reason with me. "It's impossible. Luna has lost an extensive amount of blood, and her heart has been still for a considerable time. Even if she is a strong werewolf with extraordinary power, she cannot endure in this state. Alpha, you must come to terms with reality."
If my hands had been free from the Moon Stone, I would have been tempted to lash out at the damn doctor to silence him. But now, I could only glare at him and snapped, "Shut up! If you dare move your hand off her cut, I will tear you into pieces."
The next second, as I turned to look back at Alisha, a miracle unfolded before my eyes. Alisha's chest began to rise and fall.
At first, I thought it was a trick of exhaustion, perhaps a hallucination. I blinked repeatedly, watching carefully. Moon Goddess, it was real!
In sheer disbelief, I called out to Shaunda, "Granny, look! Is Alisha breathing?"