Tabitha's POV I hung up the phone and took a taxi to the hospital where Orson was. Sitting in the backseat, I watched as the view outside the window raced past me. For the first time in ages, I was craving to stay alive. Not just for Dad but for the Silver Moon Pack too. Just as I was lost in thought, my phone rang. It was Alvin. "What's up, Alvin?" I asked calmly. "Luna, Alpha Derek wants you to come back to the pack immediately," Alvin said respectfully. "I can't. Got something to do." "But..." He paused for a second. "Alpha Derek needs you back for the rejection ceremony." "He can leave me at will but I gotta go when he needs me? What am I, his pet?" I cut him off. "Tell him that I'll come back after I'm done here. Leave me alone before that." Then I hung up before Alvin could say anything in reply. A few hours ago, I would've returned to Black Thorn Pack in a heartbeat. But now, I had more important things to do. "Orson, I need your help." Orson sat down
Tabitha's POV To my surprise, the person I missed the most till this point was still Derek. Memories came flooding back, overwhelming me. I recalled us running together in the moonlight after we shifted. Back then, we had just confirmed we were each other's mates, all thrilled. Even after all this time, his face that night was etched in my mind. And after he marked me, he was so gentle and considerate, taking care of me like no one else. Our love used to be the envy of all. And we had thought it would last forever. But now, he was with someone else, even having a kid of their own. I had to remind myself again and again of his betrayal and ruthlessness, trying my best to forget about the good old days. In intense pain, I gritted my teeth and told myself that I gotta hang tough. There were truths not yet dug up, so I couldn't just die. The cold moonlight shone on my wound, the skin beneath my fur warming up. As time passed, the pain turned numb. By dawn, I shifted b
Tabitha's POV Stunned, I asked, "What are you talking about?" Derek's face twisted with madness. "I used to think divorce would be the best punishment for you, but I've changed my mind," he hissed, his voice icy and piercing. Had it been half a month back, I'd have been over the moon if Derek refused to divorce me. Yet now, I had already learned the truth, so it only disgusted me even more. "Let go! Derek, I want a divorce. Now!" I yelled. He lifted me up easily, ignoring my request. "Let me down, Derek. Have you lost your damn mind?!" I roared at him, hoping to bring him to his senses. But he remained unmoved. Being weak, I couldn't resist him at all. A deep sense of despair overwhelmed me. He put me in the back seat of his car, and I asked with difficulty, "Derek, what the heck do you want?" "I want you to pay for what John did! So no way am I letting you date another guy at will," Derek hissed with an evil grin. His cruel words shattered my heart into a million p
Tabitha's POV He grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled my head back. "You still haven't answered my question..." His eyes were golden and wild, a sign that he was losing control of the wolf inside him. "What are you gonna do, Derek? Torture me until you get what you want?" I shook my head, even though it stung to do so. He tightened his grip around my hair. "I used to be confused, wondering why you changed all of a sudden. But when I saw that kid who looked just like you, I figured it out—I've been waiting for someone who would never come back. Derek, I'll let you go. Please let me go, too, OK?" I begged. He jerked back as if I had burned him. I could see his arms flexing, his hands balling into fists, his knuckles turning white. He was furious. Then all of a sudden, the study door swung open, and in walked Daphne. Noticing what we were doing, she stepped back, dumbfounded. I struggled to break free from Derek's grip and mocked, "I don't get it. Why wouldn't you
Tabitha's POV I totally pissed Derek off. "When are you gonna reject me?" I asked, looking at him undaunted. It was the only thing on my mind today. "It's up to me!" he growled, and then he left, slamming the door shut. When I was left alone, the pack's Omega immediately came in and tidied up the room. I pulled myself together for a shower. My newly healed wound hurt a bit, and I tended to it carefully. From Derek's reaction just now, I could tell he was still hung up on me. Awesome. By the time he learned that his cruelty killed me, he would definitely be devastated. My death would be my revenge for how he treated me. I'd make him drown in regret forever! Pity that I wouldn't be able to appreciate the look on his face then. It'd been a few days since Derek locked me in this room. Every morning, he asked the same question. "What's your relationship with Orson?" Every morning, I asked the same question. "When is the rejection ceremony?" Then he shut up, lea
Tabitha's POV It'd been forever since I had such a good night's sleep. The injury I got from fighting off the rogue attack at the Silver Moon Pack was killing me. Every night, I'd been tossing and turning from the pain. Finally, I could have a sweet dream tonight. I figured I gotta thank Derek for it, cuz I wouldn't be feeling any pain for a few hours. Derek's familiar scent wrapped around me, his warm hug had me let my guard down. I dreamed of a green lawn. As I walked along, the clean earthy aroma wafted through the air. Soon, a tree rocked up in front of me. And a white wolf was curling underneath. It was my wolf. "Crystal?" I called out softly, moving closer. Her fur was kinda yellowish, but she was breathing fine. Seeing her in pain broke my heart. I knelt and caressed her, trying my best to bond with her. Suddenly, she let out a soft whimper. Though she didn't respond, I could tell she was on the mend. Soon, the scene started going dark, my vision blurring
Tabitha's POV I immediately sat down, my mouth watering as I gazed at the golden pancakes. They even got the sweet scent of vanilla! With expectant eyes, I shove a piece into my mouth with a fork, the sweet taste of maple syrup blowing my mind. Finally, I convinced myself that it wasn't a dream. Lifting my gaze, I saw Derek placing a latte in front of me, his lips pursed up. When he noticed I was eyeing him, he just flicked a glance my way. I was kinda glad that he didn't say anything to kill the vibe. We polished off breakfast in silence just like that. For the next several days, it was the same drill. Derek would be out dealing with the pack biz during the day. And at night, he'd come home to dine with me. We barely talked. But I could feel that he wasn't as hostile and cold to me as before. At some point, I felt like we were back to those good old days when Daphne hadn't shown up. We were still so crazily in love, our mate bond as strong as ever. Then the wou
Tabitha's POV The minute Derek finished speaking, I felt Crystal growling inside me, hysterical and livid. A chill ran down my spine. Turned out he did more than weaken the Silver Moon Pack. He even planned the attack that almost killed me. How impressive! It suddenly dawned on me that the wolfsbane on those rogues' claws was probably part of his scheme, too. Feeling ridiculous, I let out a bitter laugh. "So you want both my dad and I dead, huh?" I muttered under my breath. Derek, all caught up in his emotions, didn't hear a word I was saying. He stood up, looking down at me like I was some ant. "I grew up with Elena, and I liked her as much as Zack. If it weren't for this shit, she could've been my Luna. Even if she wasn't my destined mate, I'd treat her like a family. But look what John's done to her? He not only killed her but got her disfigured to cover his tracks! What kind of monster would do that?!" "He's way too emotional, and so is Leo. I can't communicate
Third person's POVGloria had been in an exceptionally good mood these past two days. She practically floated as she walked, even skipping and greeting the grass by the roadside.Perhaps her joy had irked Leopold, because on the evening of the third day, he suddenly appeared.At the time, Gloria was playing hide-and-seek with the children.When she heard the sound of a helicopter overhead, she didn't think much of it.Over the past few days, she'd learned the routine. Every ten days or so, a boat would leave the island to restock supplies. She assumed it was the servants returning and didn't pay it any mind.She had a blindfold over her eyes and was standing under a tree, counting, "Eight, nine, ten... Are you little ones hiding yet? The big bad wolf is coming to catch the little bunnies!"Since there weren't many people to play with, she usually roped in a few servants to join the game.She took two steps and bumped into someo
Third person's POVDerek didn't mock Leopold's current arrogance because he knew fate was fair. What was meant to happen would happen.Moreover, Derek had noticed that Leopold's feelings for Gloria were special—far more than just a casual lover, despite what he claimed.It didn't matter. Love had a way of humbling even the most stubborn people.As Leopold spoke, he glanced at the surveillance footage again. Gloria was sitting by the sea, staring at the ocean, her emotions much calmer than before.It seemed Derek's suggestion had been right. Gloria needed the company of friends and children to heal her inner wounds."My family situation isn't great right now. Let her stay on the island for three months, and then I'll bring her back."The incident with Gloria's miscarriage had infuriated Leopold. He'd acted impulsively for her sake, and her former fiancé was still in intensive care.The other family was also wealthy
Third person's POVDerek hadn't expected Kyrian to react so strongly. He'd only wanted Tabitha to know about Kyrian's existence, but he'd overlooked the fact that Kyrian was no longer a clueless toddler like his younger siblings.At this age, children understood everything and had developed their own complex emotions."I'm sorry."Derek carried Kyrian step by step back to the house. Kyrian was wrapped tightly in the military coat, while Derek was left exposed to the snow and wind.Although Kyrian had spent more time with Derek growing up, Derek had been chasing after Tabitha these past two years, and Kyrian rarely got to see his father.When Kyrian saw Derek covered in snow, his crying gradually subsided.He wasn't the only one hurting. Derek must have been suffering too.Kyrian sniffled softly, and Derek looked into his eyes, speaking earnestly, "I promise you, one day I'll bring Mom back, okay?"Kyrian's nose was red f
Third person's POVAs soon as Tabitha stepped out of the house, the biting winter wind hit her face like a knife, stinging her skin.Just as Derek had said, everything had been arranged."Tabitha, the helicopter is ready. You can leave now.""Thank you.""However, the helipad is a bit far. You'll need to walk there.""That's fine," Tabitha waved it off.Wrapped in a thick down jacket, she buried her face in the hood. She felt as though someone was watching her, but she didn't dare look back.She was afraid that if she turned around, she wouldn't be able to leave. In her heart, she kept repeating, Don't look back. Just keep walking.Behind the curtains, Derek held Kyrian, who was crying silently. Kyrian reached out toward the empty air, as if trying to grab the hem of Tabitha's coat."Dad, I don't want Mom to leave. Will she abandon me?""No, she loves you. How could she abandon you? She's just leaving for a
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