Derek's POV
I'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 youTabitha'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
Tabitha's POVMy eyes slowly focused, and the first thing I saw was the collar of a crisp white shirt.My gaze drifted up, settling on a man's strong jawline. Turned out it was Derek.Just like that, any hope I had fizzled out.Well, it made sense. Dad was still out cold in the hospital. How could he possibly show up here?"Why were you bleeding from your nose earlier?" Derek's voice snapped me back to reality.I didn't expect that of all things, he would start with that.Just when I was pondering how to reply, I caught a whiff of some unfamiliar shower gel on him.I couldn't help but think of what might have happened between him and Daphne last night. Feeling a tightness in my chest, I struggled out of his embrace."I bumped my nose before, and Holly hit it right on that old wound," I calmly replied.Derek gazed at me, like he was trying to catch me in a lie.I met his gaze head-on, asking, "What? You don't believe it? Didn't y
Tabitha's POVThanks to the Suttons, I could finally leave Derek's side.Though we were in the same company, as an ordinary employee in the Sales Department, I barely crossed paths with him.The only bummer was, after leaving the Secretary Department, I couldn't get close to those secretaries, which totally went against my reason for joining the company.Now, I had to count on Lucian, hoping his trip turned up more useful dirt.Just as I was deep in thought, a sigh reached my ears. "Damn, why's it always me handing in the planning proposal?"I turned around and found it was Emma, a colleague from Group C where I worked."What's wrong?" I wondered.With a frustrated look, she told me, "It's time to submit the planning proposal. But our group was at the bottom last month. I can't even bring myself to step into the Secretary Department. If I run into Alvin, I'll definitely be scared out of my wits.""Is Alvin that scary?" I asked, all curiou
Third person's POVThough he was just a child and didn't fully understand what had happened between Tabitha and Derek, he knew one thing—he loved Tabitha and wanted her to be happy."If this makes you happy, I don't mind. I'm just scared... scared you'll leave me," Kyrian said, his voice trembling slightly."Silly boy, didn't I tell you? You and your siblings are my most precious treasures. I love you so much, and I'll visit you often," Tabitha said gently.Then, she noticed the cord around Kyrian's neck and gently pulled it out. It was the small lock she'd designed for him years ago."I made this for you. It's engraved with my hopes for you, 'May you grow up happy and healthy every day.'"Kyrian reached out his hand. "Mom, you can't lie to me. You have to come see me again."Their fingers hooked together in a pinky promise, and Tabitha smiled softly."Okay, I promise. When you're a little older, we'll live together, alri
Third person's POVIn such a short time, Kyrian had already figured out his place in Tabitha's heart. He knew exactly where her soft spots were and used his natural childlike tears as a "weapon" to try to keep her from leaving.Though this might not make Tabitha happy, she couldn't bring herself to refuse him.What parent could say no to a child crying for candy?Especially when that child was the one she owed so much to, the one she wanted to give the entire world to.But he didn't want the world. He just wanted Tabitha to stay."I..." Tabitha started to speak, but Kyrian cut her off."Mom, I love you so much, and you love me, and my siblings too. I already don't have a complete family. Do you want my siblings to grow up without a dad, only imagining what he looks like, envying other kids' happy families? Mom, haven't you heard? A happy, complete childhood can heal a person for life, but an incomplete one takes a lifetime to heal."
Third person's POV"Back then was back then. Now is now. But I promise you, no matter what happens, I'll always love you," Tabitha said softly, gently stroking Kyrian's head. Her hand brushed through his soft fur, the warmth of a mother's love flowing through her touch.Kyrian's voice was small, tinged with hope. "Mom, can you spare a little love for Dad? He's actually kind of pitiful."His eyes showed sympathy for Derek. In his heart, both his parents were his greatest loves, and he longed for a complete family."There are plenty of people in this world who love your dad. He doesn't need mine," Tabitha replied, her tone carrying a hint of stubbornness. Despite her lingering feelings for Derek, the pain of the past made it hard for her to forgive."But to Dad, you're like oxygen to a fish. A fish can't live without oxygen," Kyrian said, snuggling closer to Tabitha.He pressed his body against hers, as if clinging to her love would make it st
Third person's POVKyrian obediently climbed over and was immediately pulled into Tabitha's embrace.From here, they could see the beautiful scenery outside. Kyrian realized that the training grounds looked completely different from this angle—probably because his mother was by his side.Tabitha smiled softly, her voice warm. "I chose your name. You were born with all my love.""Mom, you must have loved Dad a lot back then," Kyrian said, looking up with curious eyes."Yes, very much," Tabitha admitted honestly. "No matter how I feel about your dad now, you are my precious child, born after seven months of carrying you. Your dad took you away, and I didn't even know you existed. That's why I missed so many years of your life. But you need to know, I thought about you every single day. There wasn't a moment when I didn't miss you or wonder about you. I love you more than anyone in the world."Kyrian's mood brightened, a happy smile sprea
Third person's POVKyrian watched nervously as Tabitha cleaned and dressed his wounds.He didn't dare breathe too loudly, his eyes glued to her every move. His gaze was filled with dependence and longing.Every now and then, he'd glance quickly at Derek, his eyes questioning, desperate for reassurance that this wasn't a dream."Dad, is Mom really back?" His voice trembled, carrying the fragility and hope unique to a child.Derek reached out and gently tapped his nose. "Silly boy, she's really here."Kyrian's tense body relaxed slightly, and a shy smile crept onto his face.When Tabitha applied the ointment a little too firmly, he winced but stayed silent.His hands gripped the hem of his shirt, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. He was afraid that if he cried out in pain, Tabitha might leave.In his heart, he thought, As long as Mom stays, this pain is nothing.Kyrian had always been well-behaved, but n
Third person's POVAzazel was furious.To be honest, he hadn't planned to take things this far with Kyrian.He showed Kyrian some respect, but deep down, he knew most of the children here were orphans with no one to rely on.He'd been provoking Kyrian because he refused to fall in line. After all this time, Kyrian still wouldn't listen to him.Azazel had wanted to teach him a lesson and assert his dominance in front of the others.But Kyrian was tougher than he'd expected. Instead of backing down, he even fought back with a fierce determination that burned in his eyes.What's wrong with him? Why won't he give up?"You're dead, brat," Azazel snarled, raising his fist to deliver a crushing blow to Kyrian's head."Stop!"Kyrian closed his eyes, bracing for the impact his small body couldn't possibly withstand. But the blow never came.A hand shot out, gripping Azazel's wrist.Everyone turned to see Tabitha, breathless from running.Thankfully, she'd made it in time.What she didn't know
Third person's POVKyrian had barely taken a few bites when a tall boy walked over and flipped his tray onto the floor, sneering, "Go on, eat that."Tabitha's fists clenched in anger. "How can they bully him like this? He's already struggling!"Derek held her back. "Tabitha, don't act rashly. This place isn't just about physical training for him."Tabitha frowned. "Then what else is he here for?"Derek explained, "For people like us, growing up means training alongside peers who'll become your most trusted allies—like Alvin and Rolf. These are the people who'd take a bullet for you on the battlefield. If Kyrian grows up sheltered, handed a team of strangers, do you think they'd truly respect or protect him? One wrong move, and he could end up dead."Tabitha's anger began to fade. "What are you saying?"Derek's tone grew serious. "He's not just training his body. He's learning to lead, to earn the loyalty of these kids. They'll b
Third person's POVThe car slowly emerged from the underground garage, breaking through the darkness into the open air.The streets were adorned with mistletoe trees, people bustling about in preparation for Christmas."It's been years since we celebrated together," Derek said suddenly, his voice tinged with nostalgia."Yeah." In those days when survival was all that mattered, Tabitha hadn't had the luxury of thinking about holidays."It's the last day of the year. Where are you taking me?" Tabitha glanced at Derek."You'll see."The car wound its way out of the city, into the countryside. Snowflakes danced in the air, painting the world in white.The road grew steeper, the landscape wilder. Soon, there were no buildings in sight—just endless trees and snow.Tabitha gripped the armrest as the car jolted over uneven terrain. After what felt like hours, they reached a remote valley deep in the mountains. Even their p
Third person's POVTabitha had been his most promising student. As a freshman, she'd become his assistant, shadowing him in clinics and even observing surgeries.He had placed his highest hopes in her, demanding perfection during her training.To him, Tabitha was a once-in-a-generation talent—he was merely her starting point, not her ceiling.Dr. Fairbanks had been both a mentor and father figure to her. And she had let him down."Is Dr. Fairbanks… doing alright?" Tabitha asked quietly.Alban's voice turned cold. "No. He says he once had a student who made him proud—until she threw away her future for a man."Tears welled up in Tabitha's eyes.She still remembered the day she submitted her withdrawal letter. Dr. Fairbanks rushed to the school, still wearing his surgical scrubs with a scalpel clutched in his hand.At first, he thought something catastrophic had happened—had her family gone bankrup