Tabitha's POV
I 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 walkedDerek'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
Tabitha's POVI used to think that I had lost my feelings for Derek, but the fact proved me wrong.I'd been madly in love with him for so many years, so a few months wouldn't be enough for me to get over him.I curled up in bed, with images of Derek and Daphne constantly playing in my mind.The heart-wrenching feeling kept me up all night.In the early morning, looking at the cold, empty bed beside me, I couldn't help but scoff at myself.Suddenly, the phone on the bedside table rang, shattering the silence.I reached out to answer it, and Holly's voice came through, a barely noticeable tremble in her tone, "Tabitha, good morning. Are you up?""It's not morning yet," I replied coldly."Oh, dear, I forgot. I must have woken you up, sorry," she quickly changed her tone, trying to hide her embarrassment. "But I've prepared your favorite breakfast. Wanna come over and try it? I got a big surprise for you, by the way."Upon hearing her wo
Tabitha's POV"Tabitha, you are always so stubborn. Can't you grow up a bit?" Holly asked me.Her face was tense, disappointment written all over it.She kept scolding, her tone full of dissatisfaction, "You two had gone through the rejection ceremony already. Now that he's with Daphne, you need to face reality. Stop clinging to the past."I felt a twinge of pain in my abdomen, my temples throbbing.I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Had she ever considered me as her daughter?!Forcing myself to calm down, I looked Holly straight in the eye, asking word by word, "So in your eyes, it's me who's incessantly pestering Derek? Everything's my fault?"She answered without hesitation, "Isn't it? I heard you two are still living together. Tabitha, you're no longer his mate. This isn't right. Show some respect to Daphne."I felt a deep pain as if ants were gnawing at my insides.Holding back my tears, I managed to put on a smile, saying, "So t
Tabitha's POVI took a deep breath, swallowing the blood that surged up my throat again."Mrs. Sutton, from now on, we're done. Just take me as a stranger when you meet me again," I announced word by word.After I finished speaking, Holly slapped me across the face."Tabitha, listen to yourself! Where have all your manners gone?" she shouted.Clutching her chest, she glared at me. "How did you become like this?"Mark hurried over to support her, siding with her without hesitation."Tabitha, she's doing all this for your own good. Don't you know she has a heart problem? How could you anger her like that? Come and apologize to her now."Daphne walked over and held Holly's arm too. "Ms. Hartley, I know you blame me for taking Derek away, but you shouldn't have upset your mother like this! Mom, are you okay?"I was the one who got smacked. How could they accuseme now?!Holly's slap was so strong that it disheveled my hair.Blood dri
Tabitha's POVI was super curious about how Derek was gonna smooth talk his way out of this one with everyone watching.He fixed his gaze on me, but what came out of his mouth was, "I don't the engagement to get called off."Daphne swallowed hard, looking up at him in glee. "Derek, does that mean... you choose me?"Derek gave a nod.Thrilled, Daphne ran over and latched onto his arm."Derek, I know you love me. Dad, Grandpa, you both heard it loud and clear, right?"Alpha Justin's icy demeanor seemed to thaw a bit. "A gentleman always keeps his word. I hope you won't let me down," he said."My daughter will be in your care from now on." Mark patted Derek's shoulder.His answer was within my expectations.Yet even though I knew it from the get-go, when I heard it personally, I still couldn't help feeling devastated.I pulled my hand out of Derek's grip, uttering, "I respect your choice."I then walked away with my head held
Tabitha's POVThe moment I saw Holly, one thought crossed my mind: she was like a bad penny.As I turned to leave, she quickly caught up with me, gasping, "Tabitha, wait. I have something to tell you."I didn't stop, instead, I quickened my pace.A nurse's anxious voice sounded behind me. "Mrs. Sutton, slow down!"I stopped in my tracks, and Holly, who had also managed to catch up with me, panted, "Tabitha, finally."Without makeup, her face was pale and weak, and even her lips were slightly purple.I said in a flat tone, "Mrs. Sutton, haven't I told you we're done?""Tabitha, just five minutes, please," she pleaded.The nurse beside us advised, "Miss, just say yes. Please don't upset her anymore."They had put me in an impossible situation, forcing me to agree."Fine, just five minutes," I sighed.I walked back to my ward, and Holly dashed in behind me.We sat on opposite ends of the sofa. After a moment of awkward si
Tabitha's POVHolly paused for a sec, then she furrowed her brow, wearing a look of disappointment."Tabitha, I get you might be displeased with me. But please don't take it out on Daphne," she pleaded.With that, she bowed to me, rendering me slack-jawed.Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, "I'll spend my whole life making it up to you. Just leave Daphne out of it. Let her be with Derek!"Just when I thought my symptoms had stabilized, Holly's words hit me like a freight train, sending me into a rage.I got so much to say, but the lump in my throat stopped the words from coming out.I gritted my teeth, trembling all over out of fury.With a bang, the door swung open, and a group of people came in.Mark, seeing the scene, immediately flared up and marched over, fixing his glare at me like he wanted to eat me alive."What the heck are you doing, Holly?" Mark sternly helped her up.Before I could get a word in, Mark blurte
Third person's POVAt the sound of the voice, Gloria's pupils dilated sharply, her face filled with terror and confusion. "Am I hallucinating? Why would I receive a call from heaven before I even get there?" Her body involuntarily shrank back, leaning against the bodyguard, her hands clutching his arm tightly."What heaven? Gloria, where are you? It's me. I'm not dead," Tabitha's voice carried a hint of urgency, her words spreading through the cold air with a tremor and ethereal quality.Gloria looked at the bodyguard, her eyes wide. "Did you hear what she said?" Her eyes were filled with anticipation and unease, her lips trembling slightly.The bodyguard, regardless of who was on the other end, noticed the drastic change in Gloria's expression and quickly played along, "She said she's not dead and asked where you are. What heaven?"He raised his voice a bit so that those around could hear.Gloria shot the bodyguard a fierce look, as if her
Third person's POVThe bodyguard moved with the speed and agility of a hunting cheetah, leaping over various obstacles on the rooftop, his hair whipping wildly in the fierce wind, and his clothes flapping loudly.His arms swung forcefully, each stride carrying a powerful impact, and just in the nick of time, he extended his thick, tightly muscled arm and grabbed Gloria's slender wrist with an iron grip."Miss Bennett, please don't make things difficult for us. If anything happens to you, we won't be able to account for it to Alpha Leopold," the bodyguard said anxiously, his forehead veins bulging, and beads of sweat rolling down his cheeks."Pah, as long as I abandon my moral bottom line, you can't bind me with so-called responsibilities. I couldn't fight him while I was alive; when I get to hell, I will pray to Satan to grant me the most terrifying power. I will become the most evil demon and will definitely make Alpha Leopold and you guys pay! Hey, you
Third person's POVAt the top of the Empire Building, a man furiously smashed the coffee utensils in front of him to smithereens."The estimated loss this time is 18.7 billion dollars," his assistant reported, his body trembling with fear.The cost of the massive luxury cruise ship, along with its luxurious decorations, had consumed several billion, and the various weapons, medical equipment, cargo, antiques, and treasures on board were worth nearly 20 billion dollars in fixed assets."In addition to the huge financial loss, we have also lost customers," the assistant continued."Where is Matilda?" the man asked coldly."Matilda's body was not found on the ship. She must have been taken away. Many guests are now demanding compensation, and the amount has reached several billion. Boss, how should we respond?"The man roared in anger, "Ignore them.""But if we don't compensate, won't we anger everyone?" the assistant cautiously i
Third person's POVThe smile on Rolf's face vanished instantly, his expression becoming solemn as he asked, "Alpha Derek, are you worried he will retaliate against you?""He has deduced my identity through Tabitha. I have touched on his core interests this time. Do you think he will tolerate it easily? Just as a snake would strike at the most vulnerable part of its enemy, he will surely seize my weakness," Derek said in a deep tone."Alpha Derek, your weakness is Tabitha. He is very likely to target her," Rolf warned with concern.Derek's eyes were deep and complex, as if containing endless thoughts. He spoke slowly, "When I married her and chose to keep it a secret, it was out of concern that if my identity were ever revealed, it might bring her a lot of trouble and danger. But after so many twists and turns, she was still exposed and seized by others. Now, in addition to her enemies, my identity may become the biggest threat she faces.""What sho
Third person's POVOrson let out a sigh, resignedly saying, "Alright. Alright. I'll send you the account number later, but you must think this through.""I have thought it through. Orson, I truly appreciate all your help over the past year," Tabitha expressed her gratitude.Without him, she would not have been able to reach this point, nor would she have been able to reunite with her daughter.Compared to her previous life, which was hopeless and bleak, she had now gained surprises and happiness.Orson was at a loss for words, not knowing how to explain everything to her, so he accepted her thanks. "You don't need to thank me. I haven't done anything particularly special. In any case, you must be careful in everything you do."After hanging up the phone, Orson realized that his palm was already soaked with sweat.Theodora hurriedly leaned over, her face full of concern as she asked, "How is it? Tabitha didn't suspect you, did she?"
Third person's POVForrest's account seemed flawless at first glance, but Tabitha's heart was filled with doubts.This was not a small sum. It was three hundred million dollars, not three thousand or thirty thousand.Moreover, before the auction, no one could predict the final price, so the amount Wilmot would need to borrow would certainly far exceed three hundred million.Orson, though well-off, could hardly come up with hundreds of millions in liquid funds.Besides, she and he were merely friends, not lovers.And how could he have access to mercenaries?It wasn't that Orson couldn't do these things, but everything seemed unlikely for him.Yet, aside from Orson, who else could have lent a helping hand?It couldn't be Derek... As soon as she thought of him, Tabitha shook her head.Derek was supposedly still in Africa. He couldn't have rushed over so quickly.Even if it were him, he would have taken her awa
Third person's POVTabitha wasn't sure how long she had been asleep, but she gradually woke from her slumber in a daze.She moved her fingers, and the numbness and weakness spread throughout her body as if every muscle was silently protesting the previous ordeal.Before even opening her eyes, her body felt as if it was being pricked by fine needles, with waves of soreness following one after another.However, a strange coolness emanated from a certain part of her body, which instantly brought her back to her senses.She slowly lifted the covers and, upon seeing the unfamiliar yet soft and comfortable pajamas, was taken aback before a blush crept onto her cheeks.She subconsciously clenched her legs, her mind involuntarily recalling the previous ambiguous scenes, thinking to herself, "He was so meticulous..."The bed was filled with a faint scent, a mix of some cleaning products and a masculine aroma, suggesting that the man had meticu
Third person's POVAfter the mercenaries had plundered the ship's wealth, they swaggered away without a care.As dawn approached, Tabitha, still in the throes of sleep, was quietly transferred amidst the chaos.Derek, freshly groomed and composed, gently opened the door to a burst of invigorating sea breeze, the wind's caress gradually dispersing the gloom that had long lingered in his heart.The entire ship, except for the level they occupied, was in disarray. Ninety percent of the passengers had already disembarked, and the remaining ten percent were their own people. Over a hundred enforcers, tightly bound with ropes, huddled on the ground in disarray.Matilda, released from her restraints by Alvin, rushed downstairs with urgency. The restaurant, dance floor, luxury boutiques, and entertainment venues were all reduced to chaotic ruins.Stumbling and falling into the wreckage, Matilda's tears flowed as she lamented, "It's gone. Everything
Third person's POVThe soft sunlight gently bathed the vast ocean, the sea shimmering with a dreamlike radiance.The large ship, after a night of turmoil, finally regained its calm, drifting effortlessly on the sea like a light leaf.For the guests on board, the previous night had been nothing short of a catastrophic disaster.All the ship's infrastructure had been subjected to large-scale, wanton destruction.ATMs were brutally pried open, the casino left in disarray, and all cash looted clean.Items that couldn't be taken were either smashed to pieces or utterly ruined.Wealthy merchants stood naked and disgraced, gamblers with bloodshot eyes, having lost everything, huddled helplessly in corners, too afraid to make a sound.In such a critical moment, they knew that preserving their lives was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. Wealth was but an external possession.Matilda was forcibly dragged to a high place by Alvin