Chapter 9 Change A Wife

Alisha’s POV No matter how reluctant I was to see Archie, I knew I had no choice but to accompany him to the Black Furies. If I declined, Joey would undoubtedly question the nature of our relationship. Thankfully, Moon Goodness smiled upon me, and Archie had a change of heart, offering to pick me up. I reminded myself to tread carefully as I entered the car, determined not to provoke him. But the moment I settled into the seat, he cast a disapproving glance at me, from head to toe, which instantly fueled my irritation. Today, this wretch must have lost his mind entirely. I closed my eyes, hoping to shield myself from his vexing stare. However, Archie wasn't ready to let me off the hook. He interrogated me, "Why are you dressed so shabbily?" My eyes snapped open, filled with anger. "What's your problem?" "You look like a beggar in that outfit. It barely covers you." "You idiot! This is currently the most popular fashion style." "A fishnet that barely covers your body? Are you planning to go fishing?" Archie was an insufferable jerk! I rolled my eyes and snapped impatiently, "Just drive. I don't want to be late." Finally, Archie started the car but persisted in his criticism, "If you want to change your clothes, I can wait for you." "You don't get to dictate what I wear!" I retorted sharply. "You are my wife! And I'll be standing beside you in public. I don't want people mocking me for not being able to afford a decent dress for my wife." The truth was, this was the first time Archie had agreed to bring me to a party since we got married. He had never attended any social events with me before, nor did he allow me to accept invitations. I knew it was a source of shame for him to be married to a disabled werewolf like me, so I understood his reluctance to go out with me. "I apologize for bringing disgrace upon you. But rest assured, you won't have to endure this shame much longer. Once we get divorced, you'll never have to bear the burden of my presence again." The car screeched to an abrupt halt, nearly throwing me off balance in my seat. "If you dare mention divorce again, I'll turn this car around, and you can attend that damn party alone!" Taking a deep breath, I turned my head away, struggling to contain my anger. I made every effort to tame the turmoil brewing within me. An excruciatingly long silence enveloped us, and we didn't exchange another word until we arrived at the Black Furies' gathering. Just as I was about to step out of the car, Archie unexpectedly asked, "How do you like the flowers on the back seat?" I caught a whiff of their fragrance, realizing they were there when I entered the car. It was evident that they weren't meant for me, as Archie had never sent me flowers since we got married. The red rose happened to be Erma's favorite. On Valentine's Day, she had posted a picture on Twitter with a red rose, captioned, "Thanks to the person I love most for giving me my favorite flowers." Now, it was crystal clear who held that special place in her heart. Why did Archie pose this question to me? Was he deliberately showcasing his affection for Erma in my presence? I slammed the car door shut and retorted in a cold tone, "Shit!" Marching forward in a fit of anger, Archie caught up to me, grabbing my arm and demanding, "What's wrong with you?" Before I could retort, I noticed my uncle Joey approaching to welcome us. Quickly, I adjusted my expression, mustered a bright smile, and tightly gripped Archie's arm, feigning a harmonious relationship. "Archie, I'm thrilled that you decided to join us at the Black Furies' gathering to celebrate my birthday. Your mother, Mrs. Redner, arrived half an hour ago. It's a tremendous honor for our pack! I hope you'll continue to support us in the future. The Black Furies are the most loyal allies of the Golden Crest!" Joey flattered Archie as he led us into his house. My heart sank at the realization that my mother-in-law, Stephenie, was in attendance. My cousin Evita brushed past me, her eyes gleaming with joy. "Archie, I've always admired your ability to successfully lead such a formidable pack. Are you available today to share with me the story of how you defeated the rogue from the Dark Forest last time? I'm dying to hear it." Left behind, I watched as Archie moved farther away from me, enveloped by a crowd of people. We were indeed two people from different worlds. He was like a radiant star in the sky, while I remained nothing more than the mud on the ground. I had once believed that marrying him made me the luckiest girl alive, but now I understood it was all merely a distant and cruel dream. My aunt commanded me, "Alisha, stop standing there like a fool. Go to the kitchen right now and prepare the meal!" Despite having several Omega servants in my uncle's house, my aunt insisted on bossing me around and making me do the chores. I might have resisted her in the past, but now I didn't want to confront Archie's mother, so I saw this as an opportunity to leave. However, I couldn't hide in the kitchen for long. An Omega maid entered soon after and said, "Alisha, your husband is looking for you." I frowned and reluctantly replied, "Alright, I understand. I'll go meet him in a moment." "Hurry up! He looks unhappy, with a clouded expression on his face." I sighed and made my way slowly to the dining room. As I approached, I could hear Archie's voice. "There's no need for further discussion. Let's be straightforward. Regardless of your relationship with Alisha, I won't agree to your earlier plan. She may be my wife, coming from the Black Furies, but if I'm dissatisfied, I can choose another she-werewolf to be my wife. Do you understand?" My mind went blank upon hearing those words. They struck my heart like a hammer. Archie had finally revealed the tragic truth behind our marriage with his own words, in front of my uncle and aunt. To the Alpha of the Golden Crest, I, a disabled werewolf, meant nothing. Evita's cheerful voice shattered the silence, "Archie, if you don't want to be with my cousin, you can reject her, and I would be more than willing to become your new wife!" "You're dreaming! I will never allow another lowly she-werewolf from the Black Furies to disgrace my son!" Stephenie's furious voice resounded. It was an embarrassing situation for me, but I felt numb. I entered the dining room under the pitiful gaze of the Omega. When I appeared, the people inside had various expressions on their faces. I greeted Stephenie and silently took a seat next to Archie. Archie frowned and asked me, "Why did you leave me just now?"