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
Tabitha's POV "Are you outta your fucking mind?! That was your flesh and blood, too!" I grabbed his collar with both hands, feeling my wolf's fangs punch through my gums, sprouting out. Sensing my rage, Crystal roared inside me. Derek's words tore my heart into pieces. Losing the baby had always been the biggest regret and trauma. And he was the one behind it? How could he do this to me? Faced with my anger, Derek unleashed his full Alpha aura, forcing Crystal to curl up. But I wasn't scared at all. Trying my best to resist, I snarled, looking him in the eye, "I'll never forgive you!" "Same." With that, he took his Alpha aura back and strode out. Once his scent was gone, I collapsed onto the ground, completely drained. It clicked why Derek'd been capricious for the past year. And why he sometimes looked at me as if I was a stranger. All these reports scattered on the ground were the result of Derek's efforts this whole year. I bet his initiative motive was to prov
Third person's POV"You're lying!" Tabitha tried to deny it, but her voice trembled slightly.Her hands instinctively pushed at Derek, only to be tightly held by him, immobilized."Tabitha, you can say that I've hurt you deeply, but my love for you hasn't changed in ten years. I love you, and that's a fact," Derek's voice was deep and resolute. As a werewolf, once he chose his mate, it was a lifelong bond.His eyes revealed deep love and regret, as if he were confessing his years of longing and remorse to Tabitha.Tabitha coldly turned her face away and said, "I didn't come here to hear this! You should know that we can never go back. Don't even think about getting back together. I'm not that naive girl who can be swayed by your sweet words anymore."Her voice carried a hint of determination and indifference, yet inside, she was trembling. Those past memories and emotions surged in her mind like waves.Derek's magnetic voice chuckled
Third person's POVIn the dimly lit room, an atmosphere of intimacy hung in the air like an invisible net, tightly entwining Derek and Tabitha.Outside the window, the hustle and bustle of the city was shut out, leaving only the two of them, their rapid breathing and pounding heartbeats as if trying to break through the silent night.Derek's tall frame pressed tightly against Tabitha, their body heat blending together, scorching like a burning flame.As werewolves, their keen senses could clearly detect every subtle change in each other's bodies. This close and intimate contact intensified their emotions, as if they were about to consume each other.Tabitha's mind went blank in an instant, filled with disbelief. The coincidence was so extreme that even the most absurd novels wouldn't dare to write it this way!"How are you? Did your wound split open?" Tabitha asked anxiously, her voice tinged with undeniable concern.She was worried f
Third person's POVHer fingers trembled as she undid one, two, three buttons. More and more of Derek's well-defined chest was revealed.Scattered across his pectorals were a few old scars, which, far from detracting from his beauty, added a unique masculine charm to him.Gently, she helped Derek remove his clothing, until his entire upper body was exposed.Derek's Adam's apple rolled slightly. His voice became a bit husky, "And the pants."Tabitha's face flushed instantly. She stammered, "You, you do it yourself.""I can't bend down. Don't think the wrong way," Derek said, pulling Tabitha's hand and placing it on his waistband.Tabitha's face turned as red as a ripe apple.Although she and Derek had been more intimate in the past, this was the first time she was unbuttoning his pants, especially since they were already divorced.Derek, however, remained calm and waited for her without any hurry.Not knowing what k
Third person's POVDrip.A drop of red liquid fell onto the white bedsheet. Tabitha's face paled. Had Derek's wound reopened?No, if it had, the blood would've come from his back, not the front.She looked up and saw a trail of red under Derek's nose."Why are you bleeding?"She quickly grabbed tissues to wipe it away. Derek cleared his throat. "It's… dry in here.""I'll ask Rolf to bring a humidifier later.""Mm." Derek avoided her gaze, his ears turning red.Tabitha efficiently changed his bandages. As the sky darkened, she grabbed her change of clothes. "I'm going to shower. Call me if you need anything."She took a quick shower, rushing through it out of concern for Derek. She didn't even dry off completely, water droplets still clinging to her skin.When she opened the bathroom door, she found Derek staring at her. "Tabitha, I want to shower too."It suddenly hit her: Derek hadn't showere
Third person's POVMisha's looks were average at best. She had a larger frame.At 168 centimeters and 120 pounds, her figure wasn't bad, but standing next to Tabitha, she paled in comparison.Tabitha was slender, her skin as pale as snow. After losing weight, her delicate features stood out even more, making her look like a doll.Misha, on the other hand, applied thick layers of foundation.Unfortunately, she wasn't skilled at makeup. The heavy application left her face caked and uneven, creating a stark contrast between her face and neck.It looked… odd.Derek knew Misha didn't have bad intentions.She was just straightforward, and he had a good relationship with her father, so he tolerated her.Still, her daily appearances were hard to stomach.Letting her leave would've been the kindest thing he could do for her.But Misha didn't get the hint.She batted her heavily mascaraed eyelashes at h
Third person's POVDerek's brow furrowed, a shadow of worry crossing his face. "Tabitha, things aren't as simple as you think."There were things he couldn't explain to her, not fully."It's too late to back out now. The only way I can protect you and the children is by climbing higher, reaching further."Tabitha didn't fully understand the intricacies of his world, but she sensed that Derek's family wasn't just some wealthy dynasty."But you know how dangerous this path is. How can you bear to put our child in harm's way?""Tabitha, I don't have a choice. Kyrian has potential. He's the eldest, born into the Black Thorn Pack. I can't raise him like some sheltered heir. He has a responsibility to protect this family. If not him, then Helios. I won't have children with anyone else."Tabitha's heart ached. Both boys were her flesh and blood. She'd already missed so much of their lives."Is there really no other way?""He's
Third person's POVDerek kept talking, his voice low. "Daphne begged me to give her a family, saying she didn't want her child to grow up without a father. She asked if I could give her a home."Hearing this, Tabitha felt a sourness welling up inside her. Her eyes reddened slightly as she asked, "So you gave her one?""She used Randall's life as leverage. I couldn't refuse. That's why I asked for a divorce. But later, I realized her ambitions went far beyond that. The hospital, the gown, 32 Seaside Avenue—everything I prepared for you, she tried to steal." Derek's voice hardened with anger and regret.Memories of that agonizing time flooded back.Tabitha bit her lip, fighting tears. "So you knew… when she pushed me into the sea?""From the beginning, I knew both of your personalities well. How could I not guess what she had done? When you both fell into the water, my instinct was to save you. But thinking of Randall's death and
Third person's POVDerek lay face down, unable to see Tabitha's expression.His heart was a mess of anxiety, unsure of what she was thinking.He wrestled with himself—part of him desperately wanted to tell her the truth, while another part feared it would only hurt her more.But he knew he couldn't keep hiding it."Tabitha, I think it's time I explain everything about Daphne and me. There's no point in keeping secrets now," Derek said, taking a deep breath.Tabitha was cleaning Derek's wounds, her hands steady but slow.When Derek brought up the topic, she felt no relief—only a deep, gnawing fear.She was terrified he'd say something dismissive, like it was a moment of weakness or that he'd been drugged.Her hands trembled slightly, each movement deliberate, as if she were bracing herself for what was coming.Derek didn't wait for her reaction. "I've wanted to tell you the truth for a long time. But ba
Third person's POVAlvin's expression turned grave. "Alpha Derek's identity has been exposed. Every faction that ever held a grudge against him will come at him like starving wolves. What happened last night—those attackers were core members from Wintertown ten years ago. They sent suicide squads. Those people aren't afraid to die. They just want to drag Alpha Derek down with them."Tabitha's heart raced with fear. Her eyes filled with worry as she asked urgently, "So he's in even more danger now?""He's safe here in the military zone, but stepping outside means walking into a minefield. I also found an anonymous bounty on the dark web—$15 million for Alpha Derek's head. That kind of money will lure private assassins and mercenaries. Greed makes people reckless," Alvin explained.Despite the danger, Derek remained calm. He looked at Tabitha. "I kept you by my side before because I could protect you. But now, staying near me is the most dangero