“Later, I took her and ran away from that place. We tried to report it to the police, but they said there was no evidence, and it’s difficult to convict someone of molestation. Even if we did, they could just pay a fine and get away with it. So, I gave up on reporting it and decided to earn money while studying. Fortunately, I wasn’t particularly foolish and managed to secure a scholarship. That scholarship changed the trajectory of our lives.”
Alisa’s story was difficult to tell. She choked up several times, and Aldrich didn’t rush her. In fact, he didn’t know how to interject into this story. He imagined Maggie, her gentle response to his kiss, her calm demeanor. If such a thing had truly happened, would Maggie open up to someone else?
He might not have met Maggie at all. Thinking about it, he shuddered a little, and some of his frustrations toward Alisa began to dissipate.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know how close your relationship was.”
Alisa glanced at him. “Do you think I’m just a materialistic person, drawn to your astonishing background, and that all my actions are designed to separate you and Maggie so I can rise to the top? Is that what you believe?”
Caught off guard, Aldrich was a bit embarrassed. “Otherwise, I can’t explain your actions.”
Alisa laughed lightly. “But I still doubt you.”
Aldrich was somewhat puzzled. “I don’t understand.”
“We exist in different worlds, Aldrich. I’m a human, and I can’t comprehend a race I’ve never seen before, not even humans completely. Maggie is the same. Besides, you’re so, well, dazzling. You’re from a level I could never touch in our old world. How do I know you’re any different from the nobles or mega-corporations who manipulate and exploit people for their own gain?”
Aldrich couldn’t prove it. He couldn’t even be sure Maggie would have a different fate from those commoners persecuted by the nobles. “I only have one true heart,” he replied. “I promise that, as long as it’s beating, I’ll give it my all for Maggie. I guarantee you that this heart will only beat for her.”
A true heart. It was something Alisa had once dismissed as worthless. A true heart couldn’t buy you money, respect, and certainly not another true heart. But this man standing before her now, as he swore, was young, rich, handsome, and one of the highest authorities in this unknown world of the werewolves.
His true heart was equivalent to wealth and power.
“Have you ever thought that werewolf time and human time are different?”
Aldrich was puzzled again. “How are they different?”
Alisa was somewhat speechless. Aldrich, like someone who had just entered human society, couldn’t grasp the most basic logic and metaphors in a conversation. However, she was also a bit pleased for Maggie, her naive little sister, as at least it proved there were no lies in his words. In the subject of conversation, he was still a beginner.
“Human and werewolf time are different. Human time can only be compared with other humans of the same race. In myths, the time of gods spans over millions of years, while humans only have several decades. For this planet, the lifespan of a species, from birth to extinction, is just a flicker of time. Humans have their own time, and so do werewolves. You are evolved beings, a combination of humans and wolves, and you will most likely live longer than ordinary humans. How will you face the centuries of loneliness after your human partner has aged? Will you still feel the same love for Maggie when she ages, and your life far exceeds hers?”
Alisa couldn’t believe that evolved werewolves could escape such inherent selfishness.
“I’ll find a way,” Aldrich replied.
“Such as?”
He hadn’t really thought about it, but in the distant history of the werewolves, there were records of similar situations. Devoted werewolves yearning to end their lives with their partners had begged the gods to equalize their lifespans, and the gods, moved by such devotion, had granted their request, allowing them to share a long life together.
However, that was more like a myth. Some also sought the help of witches to extend their lives to be more similar to humans.
“But I believe I’ll find a solution, no matter the cost. I’ll give her the best,” he said, as if trying to reassure himself.
Lying on the bed, Alisa wanted to laugh at this man’s naiveté. Then she thought about her own childhood promises to Maggie, promising her the best of everything, sending her to a good college, getting her a job at a good company. None of it had come to pass.
“I hope you can really make it happen.”
“I certainly can.” The Wolf King regained his usual haughty demeanor. “If you can stop interfering between us, I think I can protect her more effectively.”
Alisa scoffed, “You should start by keeping your annoying little brother in check.”
“Marvin isn’t doing it on purpose; he’s just a bit reckless.”
“So, you call murder a bit reckless in werewolf society?”
“… I will teach him a lesson; this won’t happen again. I will ensure your safety, Maggie’s safety, and even the future of the boundaries between werewolves and human society. When I become the leader of the North, I’ll resolve these conflicts as soon as possible.”
His promise was sincere, and given Alisa’s years of experience in society, she saw that Aldrich was genuinely committing to this. She decided to temporarily set aside her bias against this species of creatures, at least for Maggie’s sake, and believe him for once.
“In that case, when can I completely leave this cell? It shouldn’t be the way of hospitality for werewolves to keep an injured and defenseless human under surveillance.”
“Are you willing to let down your guard with me?”
“I just don’t want to make things difficult for Maggie.”
Aldrich thought it was progress. If he could resolve Alisa’s hostility towards him, he wouldn’t have to split his focus between keeping an eye on Alisa and comforting Maggie, all while managing his campaign and dealing with Ethan. The only trouble was how to make Marvin and Alisa, two bitter enemies, coexist peacefully.
“When the doctor determines that your injuries are completely healed, I will arrange for you to leave this room and provide you with a new place to stay,” he added quickly, fearing Alisa’s dissatisfaction. “It’ll be a place close to Maggie.”