Archie's POV
Ever since the moment when my bond with Alisha was established in one instant and shattered the next, causing me to black out, I locked myself in the room, lying on Alisha's bed, immersed in sorrow.
I realized I had committed a serious and irreparable mistake. All this time, due to Alisha not having a wolf, we couldn't establish a true bond, and I failed to recognize her as the mate I had been searching for.
When she regained her strength and got her wolf back, the delayed bond between us finally emerged, deeply connecting our hearts. But before I could fully experience that wondrous and magical feeling, our bond ruptured in an instant because Alisha had previously rejected me.
The sense of spiritual connection and happiness seemed as if it had never existed, leaving me with endless pain and regret.
I picked up the ring that Alisha had discarded on the bedside table. The gem on it had lost its luster, fractured into two halves, much like our marriage. I once again painfully realized that Alisha had completely moved away from me, both physically and emotionally.
But I couldn't accept this fact. She was so good to me before, focusing her life around me, preparing all the food I liked, smiling sweetly whenever she saw me, constantly sharing all sorts of mundane life stories with me, keeping the lights on waiting for me no matter how late I returned... Why did such a good girl suddenly disappear?
I held the broken ring close to my heart, curled up on the bed, desperately trying to recollect the scent and warmth of Alisha, but…
"Archie, you are a totally damn coward! How did I end up with a trashy master like you!" My wolf cursed at me. Since waking up, sensing the presence of Alisha's wolf, it went mad trying to find them. But I no longer had the face to meet Alisha; I had ruined everything. So, I forcefully kept my wolf confined in the Bay.
"You don't want a wife for yourself, but I do! Let me out now!" My wolf either cursed me every day or yelled at me. I had grown accustomed to this. Alisha must hate me to the core; she wouldn't want to see me anymore. After doing such wrongs and hurting her, how could I have the face to appear in front of her? I couldn't, and neither could my wolf.
"Damn it! You deserve to be rejected by Alisha!" My wolf continued its furious insults.
At that moment, my mindlink suddenly received a message from Shaunda.
"Archie, are you okay?"
Hearing her voice, a bitter and speechless feeling welled up inside me. Shaunda had chosen Alisha as my wife, how perfect a match it was supposed to be, yet I had disappointed both her and Alisha.
I wasn't sure if Shaunda knew anything, but I didn't want to make her worry more about me. I pretended to calmly tell her, "I'm fine, Grandma."
"Archie, I know Alisha has left. You are a good boy. Unfortunately, Moon Goodness has given you a great test. Because of your wolf, you have endured so much criticism and pain, even your mother disappointed you. We are sorry, as your family, for not providing enough care when you needed it as a child, for not teaching you how to love someone and express your love."
"No, Grandma, you have always been good to me. I am very grateful for your care, especially... especially for bringing Alisha to me." Though I failed to cherish her. After all these days, when I mentioned her name again, my throat still choked up.
"Ah, I know Alisha's grandmother, Magaly. She is an exceptional female Alpha. I owe her a favor, so I once promised her that if something happened to her, I would take care of her granddaughter, Alisha. When Magaly fell into a coma, Alisha lost her protection. Additionally, without a wolf, life became very difficult for her. Later, Joey even intended to offer the just-of-age Alisha as a gift to other packs for personal gain. So, I decided to take care of her by my side."
Hearing this, I felt sorry for Alisha's past hardships. "Why didn't I take better care of her, provide her warmth before?" I scolded myself in my heart.
"Alisha is a very good girl; she has a brave and kind heart. Archie, I understand that for these years, your heart has been a cold snowfield, closed off to everyone. I didn't intend to meddle in your marriage, but I hoped Alisha's warmth would brighten your cold world. So, when I noticed that Alisha silently had a liking for you, I took the liberty of asking you to marry her. Perhaps that was a wrong decision..."
Hearing this, I quickly apologized, "No, it is not your fault; it's all my fault for not appreciating her. I messed everything up. I don't know how to make her forgive me..."
"Archie, some things, once they happen, no matter how regretful or remorseful you are, cannot be changed. We should learn to look forward, alright?"
Listening to Shaunda's words, I felt powerless. "But, grandma, after losing her, I find I have no motivation to move forward... She took away my soul..."
"No, Archie, believe in yourself. You are the Alpha of Golden Crest, and you have responsibilities on your shoulders. The future of the entire pack rests in your hands. You have to learn to adapt to life without Alisha."
"But it is too hard, grandma. I really can't adapt. Every moment after she left, I am tormented by pain. But I don't even have the courage to see her. She must hate me completely."
"Archie, there is something, I think... I think you should know." Suddenly, Shaunda's tone became a bit serious, but it held a touch of compassion.
"What?" Apart from Alisha's matters, I had no interest in anything else now.
"Archie, promise me, no matter what you hear next, you must remain calm, okay?"
I felt a bit strange and uneasy, but I agreed.
"I just received a message from Louie's mother, your aunt Taria. Louie is getting married."
Hearing this, I had a nasty feeling. My heart started racing, my throat dried up. I said in a trembling voice, "How could this happen, he..." I couldn't continue, then I clung to a glimmer of hope and asked, "So, the bride..."
"Archie, Louie's bride is Alisha."
It felt like I was hallucinating. My ears buzzed, and I couldn't hear anything Shaunda said next. It was as if my heart was split by a sharp knife, every vein's blood seemed about to burst. My strength began to go out of control, a destructive urge to break free, to destroy everything.
"Archie! Archie!!!" In a critical moment, Shaunda desperately called out to me, trying to pull back my sanity. "If you want to learn to love, you must first learn to let go!"
"No! I will never let go! She is my mate! Whether in life or death, she can only be mine!" My angry lament, resolute and declared.