Alisha’s POVBefore I could say anything, an unexpected and rather dramatic intervention took me by surprise. Shaunda's swift rise from her seat carried with it an air of palpable irritation. Without hesitation, Shaunda directly grasped Archie's tie and pulled hardly, making him lower his head, and angrily slapped his arm with her other hand, each tap like the measured beat of a stern reprimand. It was obvious that Shaunda was very unsatisfied with Archie’s words. Archie moved to struggle, but his resistance, futile against her resolve, forced him to lower his head, a gesture of submission to her silent authority. My gaze shifted between the two, capturing the dynamic of their interaction. I was so happy to see Archie got punishment from Shaunda.Amidst this display, Shaunda's eyes flicked toward me, an apologetic smile gracing her lips. In that fleeting moment, a shared understanding passed between us. Her gesture spoke volumes—she was well aware of Archie's temperament, so she was a
Alisha’s POVLouie's admission was a thunderclap to my comprehension, leaving me utterly dumbfounded, grappling with the weight of this newfound message. I needed affirmation, my words escaping in a mix of disbelief and curiosity, "Your grandmother... Shaunda is your grandmother? And, your connection to... Archie?"Louie's gaze, steady and composed, met mine as he responded in a matter-of-fact tone, "Yeah, Shaunda is my grandma, and Archie is my cousin. My mother is the Luna of Deep Moon, and she is Shaunda's daughter. Archie's father is Shaunda’s son, so I am Archie’s cousin."I sat on the chair, the puzzle pieces of their intertwined family web falling into place, leaving me speechless in the face of this revelation. I had never imagined that Archie and Louie were actually cousins!Gray's voice, tinted with curiosity, brought me back, "You had no inkling of their relationship? I thought you have already known that."My head shook in
Alisha’s POVHearing Louie's words, I froze for a moment, blinked, and then couldn't help but look over at Gray. I never expected that Louie would also invite me to work in his company, but I has already promised Gray, so I couldn’t help glancing over Gray. Louie noticed my gaze and looked at Gray in return.Before I could utter a word, Gray's boisterous laughter rippled through the garden, "Louie, you're too late, Alisha has already agreed to come to my company!"Louie's surprise was evident as he queried, "Really? When did this happen?"I returned with embarrassment, "Just before coming here, Gray called me, we talked a bit, and then I agreed to go to his company." I knew Louie was trying to help me. He was a very kind and reliable friend, whose presence had woven a tapestry of comfort and familiarity around me.A tinge of bitter amusement laced Louie's laugh, his voice tinged with self-deprecation, "I was going to contact you as well, but I hesitated, fearing.... Well, Gray is righ
Archie’s POVIn the dimly lit study room, the weight of Shaunda's gaze bore into me like a relentless interrogation. Seated across from her, I couldn't suppress my grumbling frustration, the discontent bubbling forth like a tempestuous current. "Grandma, please! Don’t treat me like a child in front of Alisha and Louie. We've all grown. It's embarrassing."Shaunda's words reverberated in my mind through the channels of our mindlink. "Archie! How can you let your bad temper influence your relationship with Alisha? She's your wife! Remember the vows you exchanged at your wedding? I had wished for you both to find mutual respect and support. Yet, here you are, displaying this mean words and action towards her. I understand you may not have been enthusiastic about this marriage, for there is another girl hidden in your heart. But, Archie, if you had any dissatisfaction, you could have told me instead of taking it out on Alisha!"Swallowing a hint of remorse, I
Alisha’s POVAs Archie's words hung in the air, a flicker of surprise coursed through me. I instinctively lifted my gaze, meeting Shaunda's eyes that held a watchful intent. She was indeed observing every nuance between Archie and me, seeking solace in the harmony she wished for her grandson and me. In that fleeting moment, I hurried to pretend to have a good relationship with Archie in front of her, offering a smile to reassure her. Shaunda also smiled behind the desk. On her desk, I saw a glowing red stone covered with strange patterns and inscriptions. I recognized it immediately, a moonstone, to be precise. It possessed magical powers and, when combined with the incantations inscribed on the walls of the study, could allow Shaunda's thoughts and words from her mind to be vocalized in the real world.Then Archie held me close, his grip was purposeful, a choreographed display of affection meant to soothe Shaunda's concerns. I also wore a smile, intentionally showing affection as we
Alisha’s POVAs my bite delivered a hint of retribution through Archie's lips, a flicker of pain traced his features. It was a triumph that surged within me, a small victory amidst this scripted performance. I anticipated loosening my grip, disentangling myself from this farcical embrace. But somehow, Archie's eyes locked onto mine, with something I was unable to tell. Then regardless of the pain from my bite, he closed his eyes and intensified the kiss even more. The kiss mixed with pain and insistence pierced through my senses, casting a veil over the complexities that defined us. A mingling taste of blood painted our lips. I forgot where I was, forgot all the complications between Archie and me, and got lost in the kiss. In that suspended moment, the world retreated, leaving just him and me, caught in the undertow of our shared memories-Archie kissed me on our wedding ceremony for the first time. It was a kiss on the precipice, at the crossroads of bitterness and forgo
Alisha’s POVAs Archie's words resounded with unequivocal rejection, a heavy weight settled within my chest. It was a stark reminder of his unwavering stance, one he had never been secretive about. Archie's refusal to entertain the notion of bearing a child with me was like a cold gust of wind, extinguishing any latent hopes I might have harbored.He refused to Mark me, unwilling to let me bear his child, because in his heart, his love was reserved solely for Erma. The truth had always been there, an open secret to me. Even though I had was clear that Archie didn't love me, for some reason, a tinge of sadness and heartache still managed to creep in.Amidst the somber atmosphere, Shaunda's discerning gaze captured our unspoken turmoil. Her contemplative expression hinted at a deeper understanding, an insight that surpassed the surface of our conversation. She furrowed her brows slightly. In her subsequent words, there was a kind of empathy that radiat
Archie’s POVUpon hearing Alisha's question, my thoughts involuntarily froze for a moment. It was indeed a fact that I rarely indulged in these sweet pastries. There was a phase when Alisha used to craft a lot of desserts, a habit that admittedly annoyed me. Luckily, her enthusiasm for creating sweet treats eventually waned, allowing me to escape the inundation of confectionery creations that might have otherwise cluttered my life.What’s more, Alisha's question showed that she still cared about my preferences. Yet, witnessing Gray's unabashed enjoyment of Alisha’s apple pie beside me stirred an unexpected pang of anger. While I had no interest on Alisha’s apple pie, Gray was relishing every bite, all while garnering Alisha’s undivided attention. In response, I addressed Alisha, "Today, I want to try a different flavor. Give me a slice of the apple pie."Alisha glanced at me from top to bottom, her brows slightly furrowing, and then she replied in a tone that carried an edge of detach
Alisha's POVI saw under the night sky, my pack was covered in flames everywhere, and the air was filled with the constant cries of pain. My warriors were being attacked by rogues, their blood staining the ground, but they remained fearless, bravely picking up their weapons to continue the fight.However, the rogues seemed to possess an undead-like ability. They were shrouded in an ominous black mist, making them seemingly impervious to attacks. Even when bleeding, they felt no pain or avoidance. These rogues had become pure fighting machines.Gray and Orathe activated the Dyess fam
Alisha's POVThe intense pain left my body numb, but for some reason, my consciousness remained clear. The next moment, a black wolf broke through the window, biting into half of Louie's body, causing him to collapse to the ground.I even heard the sound of bones being crushed. Louie's hand was pulled out of my body, and blood spurted out, staining the entire carpet red.My wolf immediately transitioned from the Bay to reality and began healing me. I heard the sound of blood flowing out of my chest, the angry growls of the black wolf, and people downstairs rushing up upon hearing th
Archie's POVAfter I woke up, I saw Shaunda's concerned expression. "How do you feel, Archie?""I'm okay. Where am I?" I tried to lift my hand to rub my forehead but felt a sharp pain in my arm. The memories of what happened earlier flooded back, and my expression darkened."Don't move. Your wounds are deep; you need rest," Shaunda quickly stopped my actions. "We were planning to go back to Golden Crest, but your injuries were too severe. We had to find a place to treat your wounds temporarily. You had a high fever and were talking nonsense all night. It scared me. If your condition
Archie's POVI was carried away from Blood Dawn by my wolf, blood oozing from my wounds. Yet, the physical pain couldn't compare to the agony in my heart. My heart was dead; how could my body still feel?Alisha's determined face as she stabbed me haunted me. The piercing coldness seeped through every pore when I recalled that moment. She was willing to kill me for another man—her husband, as she emphasized. Husband, a title I once scoffed at, now tore me apart.My wolf seemed distraught too, incessantly muttering and complaining in my mind. "What have you done this time?" "I a
Alisha's POVAfter the wedding ceremony, considering Louie's health, I chose not to attend the evening party. With Nova's assistance, I changed out of my wedding gown and took Louie back to the room to rest.Tonight was the first night of our marriage, and as we entered the room, I felt a hint of nervousness. On the night I married Archie, he didn't sleep with me; instead, he slept in a guest room. Now, looking at our bridal chamber, I felt a bit lost.Louie seemed to sense my nervousness. He comfortingly smiled at me and said, "Sorry, because of me, you can't join the evening gathe
Archie's POVI had fantasized countless times about what my mate had described as her wolf. I wondered what it would look like. Now I knew. It was the most wonderful creature in the world, a gift from Moon Goodness to this world. Moonlight fell on its pure white fur, making it shimmer as if it had walked out of a fairy tale.I opened my mouth, staring motionlessly at the white wolf not far ahead. Its eyes, as clear and beautiful as jewels, met mine, and a breeze carried a delightful scent from its fur. It was the light in this dark world.With just one glance, I knew it must be Alis
Alisha's POVI never thought Archie would appear at my wedding. Why is he here? My palms were instantly soaked with cold sweat.Louie kept staring at me, noticing my tension and unease. He took my hand, holding it firmly as if trying to warm me. In a soft whisper, he reassured me, "I'm here. Don't worry."I tried to ignore the piercing glances behind me, following Gray's guidance with a stiff body, step by step, until I stood opposite him.Before me was Louie's face, but in my mind, Archie's face flas
Archie's POVI looked at the person in disbelief, and it turned out to be Louie! He was dressed in a suit, and although he looked a bit pale, he seemed lively, radiating joy. Yes, today he was going to marry Alisha, how could he not be happy?What were my feelings when I was going to marry Alisha before? I seemed to have forgotten, and back then, Alisha was just a command from Shaunda to me. I didn't care at that time, and I don't even have memories of our wedding.Thinking about it now, it fills me with profound bitterness. If there were a time machine, I would definitely go back and tell my indifferent self: you will fall in love with your bride; please treat her well from now on.Unfortunately, time doesn't rewind. Now, I could only, in regret, watch Louie in a groom's suit approach me step by step. I felt like a defeated person, trying to maintain pride and dignity in front of the winner.Upon hearing Louie's words, Gray frowned and said to Louie, "Why are you here? Go back and pr
Archie's POVHowever, as I was about to enter Blood Dawn, a shout suddenly came, "Stop!"I followed the voice and found Gray. I frowned and then calmly explained, "I'm here to attend... to attend the wedding." It was really hard for me to speak out this answer.Gray hurried over, shook his head at me, and said, "Today is an important day for Alisha. I don't want to fight with you at this moment. So be sensible and leave on your own."His voice was cold and full of hostility. I knew about his relationship with Alisha, so from his perspective, he had a reason not to like me. But regardless, today I must see Alisha, and no one, not even her brother, can stop me."I mean no harm. I know my actions hurt Alisha, and I just want to see her and apologize.""Put away that disgusting face of yours. Alisha is about to start her new life, and she doesn't need your apology or to see you again. Leave immediately!"Though I was prepared, hearing this response was