Tabitha's POV
I looked up and glanced at Mark, who had pulled a long face and said nothing.Then I shifted my gaze to Holly. She was still immersed in her own memories without noticing our expressions."I've never paid attention to your performance in school, and I've never cared about what you liked. I was away for years, and I've never called you. Not even once. I left you behind while you were so little. I bet you hate me, right?""I..." I sniffed, hesitating whether to tell her the truth.Mark sighed, "Holly, calm down. What I'm about to say is very important."I wiped away my tears and reached out to dry Holly's face.Holly blinked in confusion. "What is it exactly?"Mark said concisely, "The bad news is that the potion made with Tabitha's blood didn't work.""I see. I was prepared for that," she replied, not looking fazed.Mark continued, "And the good news is, Tabitha isn't your daughter. Your biological daughter is out thereTabitha's POVThe storm had subsided a lot today, and it seemed the clouds were dispersing.I dialed Jasper's number, wanting to ask him about Matthew.In fact, whether John was my dad or not didn't matter. He had been nothing but good to me and given me all the fatherly love I needed.Perhaps even my biological dad wouldn't treat me as well as John did.Sadly, the call wouldn't get through, which made me a bit uneasy.Last night, that woman mentioned something about Matthew wanting to get revenge on Derek, and now I couldn't reach Jasper? It didn't seem like a coincidence.My fingers hovered over Derek's number, but after a long time, I still didn't press the call button.I had no evidence to prove Elena wasn't dead, and I knew him well enough to know he might blow up before I even finished talking.Forget it. I'd go confront him after I snagged solid proof.I ordered a plate of spaghetti. After drinking half a cup of coffee and pay
Tabitha's POVRight after I realized that Derek had woken up, he yanked me hard, and I found myself crashing into his arms.Frowning, I instinctively wanted to push him away, but then I heard him mumble in a hoarse voice, "Don't go."Because of the ray of sunlight, I could vaguely see his tearful puppy eyes, looking incredibly pitiful.I let out a soft sigh, and despite myself, I stayed curled up against him.Crystal woke up in my mind.Seemed she sensed something, too. I could tell she was comfy and pleasant.And it totally messed with my head.A special scent was starting to swirl around my nose.I knew it was mate-exclusive.Derek was overjoyed and held me even tighter.The scorching heat coming from his body enveloped me completely, making me feel quite uneasy.It had been ages since we were this close. Even though we used to be lovers, I was kinda at a loss."Would you mind loosening a bit? I'm suffocating," I whi
Tabitha's POVDerek's kiss gradually became gentle, his lips lightly lingering on mine, expressing his reluctance and affection.I could feel our breaths syncing up, creating a wonderful melody.Crystal was vibing with Derek's scent deep down inside me.Her call was like gentle waves, gradually drowning out my sanity.With Derek's tender moves, I felt wrapped up in this warm current.Our bodies and emotions reached an unprecedented level of harmony.Just like that, we completed our mating.Our bodies were united, and our souls blended.When we both cummed, however, I felt Derek's breathing get faster.His wolf fangs peeked out, showing this primal desire to claim.I knew what he wanted to do—he wanted to mark me on the neck. It was the ultimate declaration of a werewolf to their mate.Although my body craved his touch, I hesitated.Right before Derek's fangs touched my neck, I gently shook my head, blocking him w
Derek's POVAfter taking the last step, I had made up my mind.Even when I hated her back then, I never gave up, so now I wasn't about to back down either.I turned the doorknob carefully and walked slowly into the room.By the light from outside the door, I saw Tabitha sleeping soundly on the bed.Her fair cheeks were blushing, and her body was wriggling restlessly.She mumbled, "No. Don't..."I felt so guilty. She had gone through so much lately, and she felt insecure even in her sleep.I reached out and gently shook her arm, softly saying, "Tabitha, wake up."She stirred, looking all dazed.Then she pressed her lips against mine, and the sudden warmth startled me.I felt like my dream had come true, and I froze, not daring to move at all.The darkness made it difficult for me to tell the difference between a dream and a fantasy.I let Tabitha wrap her arms around my neck, her soft lips brushing against mine.It
Tabitha's POVHearing my words, Derek slammed the knife in his hand hard into the plate. "Go? Where are you going?""That's none of your concern. We've already rejected each other, so I don't think it's appropriate for us to stay in a room alone for too long.""You wanna go to that punk, don't you?" he roared.I was a bit offended by how he addressed Jasper, but I didn't want another conflict, so I explained, trying to be as patient as I could, "I told you already. There is nothing going on between him and me.""You may not have any feelings for him. But are you sure he feels the same as you?""I..."Derek approached me step by step. "Tabitha, why has he been helping you?"He lifted my chin with his slender fingers.He then continued, "He has gone all out to take you away, devoting time, energy, and money. What do you think he's after? Tabitha, there's no free meal in this world. You really think he wants nothing from you?"I didn't
Tabitha's POVDerek put his hands on my shoulders and said, "Tabitha, Jasper approached you with an agenda. Remember that night on the ship when he was drugged? I checked the surveillance footage afterward. You know what? He saw Lyrique spiked the beverage, but he still drank it. Why do you think that was?""So, you knew something was off that night?" I asked."Yeah. I didn't wanna spook him, so I decided to be patient and play the long game. Although he was cautious, I still managed to find something."I discovered Poison and Wolf Shadow's underground base, so I took my men there, wanting to take them all down. He got mad, so he shot me.""Wait,are you saying he's a member of Poison and Wolf Shadow?""Yep."What the woman's assistant said the other night rang out in my mind again: Matthew had left to settle the score with Derek.So, the person I was looking for was right under my nose the whole time. Matthew was Jasper. He had been lurking by
Tabitha's POVDerek piped up again, "He never really cared about helping John. He just wanted to use John to manipulate you. After last night's fight, I bet those weasels have found a new hideout to lay low for a bit."They won't dare to make waves anytime soon, especially him. So you're not gonna see him for the time being."He placed his hand on my shoulder, persuading me, "I'm the only one you can trust, Tabitha. I always look out for you and want nothing in return. Tell me where John is, and I'll help you."Having learned all this stuff all of a sudden, I was at a loss.I didn't get it. How come things became so complicated?I always thought Jasper was a righteous man, yet he turned out to be a bloodthirsty monster.And behind Derek's affectionate façade, he had his own agenda.Who should I trust?Who could I trust anyway?Perhaps noticing my confused expression, Derek whispered, "It's OK if you don't wanna tell me. I just
Tabitha's POVIt was, of course, Daphne. She was the rudest person I'd ever seen.She stormed in like a hurricane and raised her hand, ready to slap me across the face."Bitch! It's you again! You just won't go away, huh?"Mark grabbed her wrist, disappointment in his eyes."You don't need to be perfect or even obedient, but at least, you can't be this mean."Holly almost died in front of you, but you weren't fazed at all and even kicked her!"And now you wanna hurt Tabitha too? I don't get it. What's gotten into you? How come you've turned into such a monster?"Daphne, don't go too far. Didn't I tell you to stay away from the hospital?"Hearing Mark's words, Daphne became even angrier."Like mother like daughter. They're two bitches alright. Don't you forget that I'm your daughter!"A crisp sound rang out as Mark slapped Daphne's face.Caught off guard, Daphne widened her eyes in disbelief."All these years, Holly has
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
Third person's POVLeopold carefully compared the photos. Although the person in the photos was dressed differently and had a different appearance, the body shape and the action of holding things with the left hand were identical.Derek became alert, thinking to himself, "People like us are more sensitive than ordinary people. Such photos wouldn't catch the attention of most, but I've noticed something.""Where's the negative?" Derek asked."I'll have it sent over right away," Leopold replied."And Tabitha?" Derek inquired again."Don't worry, she followed me to the bar. She's in the lobby outside. I have my bodyguards keeping an eye on her," Leopold said.Tabitha had been following Leopold for several days, and Derek, concerned about his own people being exposed, asked Leopold's men to watch her.She maintained a simple daily routine without any issues.However, the photos now revealed to Derek that someone was tracking
The next day, Tabitha began to investigate Leopold's movements meticulously.For several days, she did not dare to slack off. Gloria, who had recently suffered a miscarriage, had been recuperating in Leopold's home, not venturing out.A tight-lipped woman handled the daily tasks of shopping, cooking, and cleaning.Despite Tabitha's attempts to get close to her, she couldn't extract any information.As a week passed, it had been half a month since Gloria's miscarriage, and by her nature, she should soon be able to go out.On the sixth day of tracking Leopold, he called Derek out for drinks.He rubbed his temple, looking troubled, "Your mate, doesn't she think she's disguising herself well?"With that, Leopold threw out a stack of photos, all of which were taken while Tabitha was following him.Tabitha's curious little head appeared adorable in the photos."Or do you think I'm so idle that I play house with her every day?"
Third person's POVAlpha Leopold took out a sapphire necklace from his pocket and placed it around Gloria's neck, his face instantly returning to that tender expression."Look, it suits you so well. Don't worry, whoever harmed our child will never see the sun again. Be good, take care of yourself, and don't think about anything else," he said.Gloria's face was devoid of any color, her back already soaked with cold sweat, chilling her. Cold sweat also beaded on her forehead, trickling down her cheeks.Her body trembled, filled with fear and despair, unsure of how to face this mad and cruel man.As a mother who had experienced the pain of losing a child twice, Tabitha was heartbroken and worried when she learned about what had happened to Gloria.Given Gloria's character, if her relationship with Leopold was normal, she would have informed Tabitha even if she had lost the child.Her silence largely indicated that her relationship with
Third person's POVAt this moment, Gloria finally understood the difficult situation Tabitha had faced before—the helplessness and confusion, as if she were trapped in a dark abyss, unable to find even a glimmer of hope.What puzzled her was that Alpha Leopold must have known about Tabitha's return to the States. Given his relationship with Derek, he couldn't possibly not inform him.If Derek had learned that Tabitha was alive, it should have been a momentous occasion for him. How could he allow Tabitha to drift alone outside?Could it be that he had truly come to terms with it and decided to let go completely?However, Gloria preferred to believe in the saying, "A leopard can't change its spots."She felt that even if Derek seemed inactive now, it was highly likely that he was secretly plotting a larger scheme, merely the calm before the storm.After hanging up the phone, Tabitha's eyes flashed with
Third person's POV"Julia, I need your help," Tabitha said, her eyes filled with sincerity and anticipation."It's my pleasure. Our little island owes its good life to you. Anything I can do, I'm at your service, no matter what," Julia stopped what she was doing, turned to Tabitha, and looked at her with determination.Her heart was full of gratitude towards Tabitha and she was willing to do anything for her.Tabitha instructed Julia, and then settled down on the island with Ayla.She chose to stay here, firstly, because it was safer, and she could avoid exposure for the time being.She was hiding from an enemy who wanted to kill her as much as Derek did.Secondly, the facilities on the island were now quite complete, and living here was not a problem at all.Every day, Noah would accompany Ayla to play around, and Ayla also loved this beautiful and fun-filled island.Tabitha often s
Third person's POV"Alpha Derek has put in a lot of effort. Now, the people on the island can continue their traditional way of life, fishing if they wish. If not, Alpha Derek has also provided a variety of job opportunities, and everyone feels life has become much better than before," Noah said as he walked with Tabitha, introducing the changes on the island.As soon as Tabitha set foot on the island, several women warmly surrounded her, asking about her well-being and offering Ayla candies, expressing their gratitude to Tabitha.They said that without her, they wouldn't have been able to enjoy the good life they had now.The small bungalow where Tabitha used to live, which was originally the largest building on the island, had been renovated to look like a charming guesthouse.An infinity pool had even been built on the rooftop, offering a breathtaking view of the ocean that was captivating."Aiden and I always