Tabitha's POV
The purpose of the person who'd been lurking in the shadows was to tear me and Derek apart.Guessed he or she wouldn't be too thrilled about me and Derek being so close.Shame that I couldn't catch any vibe off the secretary's face to tell if she was the spy working for that mastermind.I piped up, trying to sound casual, "That secretary's got some nerve, barging in without giving you a heads-up."My voice carried a hint of jealousy.Derek wasn't mad, though. He just smiled and said, "Well, I won't fuss over the formalities when swamped with work."I hopped off his lap and wandered over to the huge French window.Staring out at the sea of lights, I couldn't help feeling lonely.Before I noticed it, Derek walked up behind me, asking in a low voice, "What's on your mind?"I said calmly, "Just imagining your engagement party with Daphne. Heard she picked the Magnolia Garden. It's definitely gonna be stunning."I knewTabitha's POV"Daphne probably won't be cool with it," I said.Knowing how Derek used to take her side unconditionally, I worried that she'd mess up my whole plan simply by a word of complaint.Derek ran his hand over my head, his eyes flashing a chill. "Just ignore her. It's not her call. I'm the one calling the shots," he snapped.Feeling reassured by his promise, I snuggled closer into his arms."Can I start work tomorrow?" I piped up."What position are you aiming for?" he wondered."Assistant." I looked up at him with an expectant look.Derek's eyes drilled into mine, like he was trying to read my mind through my face."What are you really after?" he grilled.I knew I was throwing him off by fawning on him today.But we were each other's second chance mate, and I figured he couldn't resist me getting close to him, even though he suspected me.I locked eyes with him, trying to earn his trust. "I've told you, I wanna sta
Tabitha's POV"I just thought your necklace was very beautiful, so I took a few more glances. Where did you buy it?" I had a smile on my face, trying to lighten the mood.Elizabeth's necklace was her only adornment, a small but delicate rose with a sparkling diamond at its center."This was the year-end bonus that Mr. Greenwood had custom-made two years ago," Elizabeth replied calmly."Oh, I see. I will work hard to earn this year's bonus then," I said with a smile.She just glanced at me before leaving with her bag.Charlie, who had been silent until now, spoke up, "Don't take it personally. She has always been like that."I asked, "So you mean Elizabeth has always been this cold?""Well, I haven't seen her smile since she started working here. Although cold, she's efficient at her job," he replied.We chatted for a while, and then I was the last one to leave the office.I didn't go far but waited in the underground parking lot.
Tabitha's POVI opened my mouth, and at that moment, I had the urge to let everything out.The thought flashed through my mind, and soon I remembered Derek's contemptuous face.He had mocked me countless times in the past, playing tricks and manipulating me. If I spoke up now, he might just dismiss it and think I was just exonerating my father.Moreover, before I could uncover the truth, revealing my suspicions too soon could tip them off and make things worse.So I swallowed my words again.Regardless of any mastermind, the relationship between me and Derek wouldn't be affected. His infidelity was a fact.I remained calm and responded with a muffled sound.With his answer, all the things became even clearer to me.I tightened my grip on his clothes, determined to uncover the truth. It became my only purpose for enduring."I knew it," I muttered."There's no need to dwell on things that have already passed, let's go to sleep," h
Tabitha's POVUpon hearing Noah's words, I followed his gaze and looked over.When I saw the painting hanging on the wall, I was stunned.Noah's excited voice still echoed in my ears: "Tabitha, do you know who painted this? The painter must have a broad vision and a beautiful mind."I looked at the painting, which presented a profound forest night scene with a full moon hanging in the night sky.The silver moonlight poured down, penetrating through layers of overlapping leaves, bringing a touch of mysterious brightness to the dark forest.In the forest, some wolves could be faintly seen, as if they were telling ancient legends.In one corner of the picture, there was a stone altar, adorned with delicate patterns, seemingly related to the legend of the Moon Goddess.Several wolves quietly guarded around the altar.Their postures were solemn and dignified as if they were performing some kind of sacred ritual.The eyes of the wolves in
Tabitha's POVDerek's voice was filled with uncontrollable anger. "Even if I married her, it wouldn't affect your position at all."His words seemed like a kind of charity.I laughed with undisguised contempt, "She has already obtained the position of Luna of the Black Thorn Pack. What else can I offer?"Without waiting for Derek's reply, I reached out and straightened his collar. I didn't want to argue too much about this topic.After all, in the end, I would have to spend more effort to please."Alright, go with your fiancée. I know my current status and I won't put you in a difficult position."After saying that, I took a step back and said, "Thank you for not holding any grudges against Aiden and others."Derek opened his mouth, but no words came out.I turned around and left, leaving no chance for him to speak.I found Aiden and Noah. They were attentively appreciating a painting in another exhibition area of the art gall
Tabitha's POVI asked Lucian to pass a message to Aiden and Noah who were watching the band performance.Then I followed Lucian and sneaked out through the back door. And I changed my outfit on purpose.I was amazed at how skilled Lucian was in disguise. He easily changed my facial features by putting something on my face.He applied another layer of dark powder and instantly I aged over ten years.Lucian's face also became that of a middle-aged man, and nobody could tell what he originally looked like.Lucian and I arrived at Bruto Street in the southern district, where many homeless rogues were lurking.These werewolves did not belong to a wolf pack, their lives were marginalized.Sometimes, in order to survive, they would even dare to attack humans, making the security situation here always far from optimistic.Lucian and I came here, hoping to gather information about Vilda from these marginalized werewolves.We cautiously walked
Derek's POVTabitha looked at me in surprise, clearly not expecting me to come pick her up.I scanned her face for a hint of happiness but found zilch.She was all tense after getting into the car, which took me by surprise. I tried to break the silence, asking, "Did you have fun?""It was alright. There is a resident underground band and both Aiden and Noah like it," she replied, her tone calm and her face devoid of much expression.I averted my gaze from her face.I thought that having Tabitha hang out with the two kids would bring back her old bubbly self.However, what was gone wasn't just the vibe between us but Tabitha herself.Back in the day, she'd be all over me, chatting non-stop.But now, she sat upright, her fingers gripping the armrest, her eyes fixed on the window.Talking to her was like pulling teeth. The silence felt like a chasm between us.The atmosphere was suffocating, the tension in the car almost tangible.
Derek's POVI'd faced all sorts of threats, so a sudden noise surely didn't faze me.But Holly and Daphne were startled.Mark, being the son of the Amber's Eye Pack's Alpha, couldn't help but unleash his Alpha aura in a fit of rage.Holly quickly grabbed his arm, trying to smooth things over with a smile. "Calm down. Who do you think you're talking to? He's not some guard from your pack you could randomly scold."After saying that, she said to me apologetically, "Derek, please don't take it to heart. It's just he used to be a Gamma in his pack."Daphne chimed in, "Dad, Derek's Alpha of the Black Thorn Pack. So he might have some business to handle. Show some understanding."Mark glared at me, his face sullen.He used to be friendly to me, but ever since I mobilized a bunch of people to search for Tabitha and Kyrian when they went missing, he'd grown colder.He piped up, cutting to the chase, "Kyrian and Reid are one year old now. But you
Third person's POVTabitha closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as if trying to calm her emotions. After a while, she opened her eyes again and asked, "Were you also involved that night on the boat?""Yes," Derek replied without hesitation."Is Wilmot your man?" Tabitha's voice carried a hint of doubt.Derek paused for a moment, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, before slowly answering, "Yes, I was just too worried about you, so I had him go to protect you.""Then do you know what we..." Tabitha's words were cut short as Derek suddenly slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a stop on the side of the road.He turned to look at Tabitha, his eyes filled with sincerity and urgency, and said, "Tabitha, I am very clear about what happened that night. He was there to help you."Tabitha did not believe Derek's words. Her eyes were filled with anger and disappointment as she shouted, "Wilmot disappeared as soon as he came back. Forrest told me last night that he was dying. Was that y
Third person's POVDerek never expected that as soon as Tabitha returned, he would receive a call from Gloria.On the other end of the line, Gloria's voice came through, "Tabitha wants to see you."Hearing this, Derek's heart sank, and he sighed, thinking to himself, 'I knew it. I couldn't hide it from her.'On an evening with snowflakes drifting down, the sky was shrouded in gloom, and the snow fell gently, covering the entire world in a silver-white veil.Tabitha wrapped her coat tightly and saw Derek again.Since her staged death, Tabitha had only seen Derek through news reports.Now, as she approached him, she was surprised to find that he had become much thinner, his figure appearing particularly frail.Derek was dressed in a black coat, leaning quietly against the car. In just a minute, snowflakes began to fall on his head, accumulating a thin layer of white snow.Tabitha took a deep breath, calming her emotions, and then walked towards Derek.Looking at Derek, her eyes carried
Third person's POVGloria held Helios on her lap, skillfully peeling a grape and feeding it to him, her experience with children evident."Feeling better now that it's out," she said, watching the child play quietly nearby.Tabitha casually inquired, "Why did you hold back on the day we met, only to tell me today?"Gloria had her excuse ready, responding, "You had just returned to the States, and I didn't know your situation. I was afraid it would cause you trouble."Tabitha peeled a few more grapes before setting them aside when Helios indicated he'd had enough.She then looked at Gloria and said slowly, "You weren't afraid of causing me trouble. You were afraid I would leave, weren't you?"Gloria was taken aback, about to argue, but Tabitha saw through her, "Every time you lie, you subconsciously avert your gaze, fearing I'll see through you."Gloria, in a fit of exasperation, covered her face with a blanket, "You two are tru
Third person's POVDerek's face contorted with pain as he continued, "After Tabitha faked her death, I suspected what had happened. I was torn at the time, wanting to bring her back, but I also understood that doing so would only repeat past mistakes. So, I protected her within my control and waited silently. Gloria, I swear, I won't hurt her again."A hint of pleading appeared on Derek's face as he went on, "I'm asking for your help not out of selfishness. Tabitha's illness isn't fully healed, her body hasn't recovered, and with two children in tow, she wouldn't be able to protect herself if danger arises."Gloria had never seen Derek so humble.She remembered how Derek had always approached her with a condescending attitude four years ago.Derek continued, "You are Tabitha's friend, and your starting point should be considering her safety, right? If I wanted to harm her, I could just bring her back directly, so why would I go through the trouble
Third person's POVThe two children were a blend of their parents. The girl resembled Derek, while the boy took after Tabitha, which was quite different from their brother, Kyrian.Derek thought to himself that if Kyrian knew he had two younger siblings, he would be thrilled.But when he considered his relationship with Tabitha, he sighed deeply, filled with regret for his past actions.At that moment, Alvin approached swiftly and reported, "Just received news from the island. Noah is taking Ayla away, and Lucian's direction also leads to the island. He plans to take Tabitha away."Derek, with his hands behind his back and a furrowed brow, spoke with a melancholic expression, "Lucian intends to take more than just Ayla—Tabitha as well. She has always sought opportunities to leave me, and this presents her with an excellent chance.""What should we do? Should we stop him now? Otherwise, with his capabilities, if he truly takes Tabitha a
Third person's POVPlans... Tabitha's original goal had been to find her two children and Jasper.The children were found, but Jasper was without a trace.However, she couldn't search aimlessly without a target.Thinking of Derek's anxious appearance last night, it was clear he still had feelings for her.Gloria's text warning Tabitha to be careful of Derek came to Tabitha's mind again.Tabitha felt she had overlooked some subtle details. What exactly had she missed?It seemed a key point was missing, and once found, it would connect all the events."I don't know. I just wanted to find the children, but I didn't expect to court death. And Derek's attitude towards me is ambiguous. Outside this cabin, I don't know what awaits me," Tabitha said, her face full of entanglement.Seeing her struggle, Lucian took a big gulp of mineral water and mustered the courage to say, "Have you severed ties with him?"Tabitha nodded,
Third person's POVDerek had painstakingly built up Tabitha's trust by posing as Wilmot.He knew that if she ever discovered his true identity, her anger would be immense, and the trust he had spent half a year constructing would crumble entirely.Derek continued, "Send someone to discreetly protect her without revealing themselves. Ayla is still on the island. Tabitha will go to see her."Rolf nodded in agreement, "Understood."Derek added with caution, "Remember, Lucian has a strong ability to detect surveillance, so do not get too close."Rolf responded, "Yes, Alpha Derek. We will handle it immediately."Turning to Alvin, Derek instructed, "Investigate the identities of those deceased men thoroughly."Derek pondered whether Tabitha's survival had been leaked, perhaps when she was seen on the boat.The assailants had been ruthless, and if not for Lucian's timely arrival, Tabitha could have been in grave danger. He had
Third person's POVForrest's voice was laced with worry, "Ms. Hartley, where are you now?"Tabitha had already settled her wages with Forrest before sending the children to the island. She couldn't fathom why he would contact her at this juncture.She couldn't help but feel puzzled.Tabitha inquired, "What's wrong?"Forrest replied, "Wilmot's had an accident. You need to come see him."Tabitha was still trying to make sense of Derek's appearance at the bar when she heard about Wilmot's predicament, and her heart immediately filled with worry.She quickly asked, "What happened to him?"Forrest explained, "Wilmot was already ill recently, and he drank a lot tonight. He's suffered from alcohol poisoning and has been taken to the hospital. He keeps asking to see you, Ms. Hartley. Where are you? Can you come to see him?"Tabitha thought to herself that even if she knew her current location, she couldn't just tell anyone.
Third person's POVTwo more gunshots rang out, the shooter's aim dead on as two more men fell to the ground.Tabitha saw a tall figure standing deep in the alley, shrouded in a cloak, making it impossible to discern who it was.Tabitha's mind raced with questions. Was he a friend or foe?The man removed his hat, revealing the distinctive totem mask beneath.Tabitha stared in disbelief and uttered, "Lucian, why are you here?""Long story. Come with me," Lucian said, grabbing Tabitha's hand and leading her away.They didn't get far before Tabitha glanced back to see Derek and Leopold rushing out of a bar together.Surprise washed over Tabitha. How could Derek be here?Her blood seemed to freeze. 'When did he return?'Lucian pulled Tabitha into a dilapidated black car that passed right in front of Derek.Leaning against the car window, Tabitha gazed at Derek, lost in thought.'If Leopold had arranged to