Derek's POV Elena met my gaze straight on, her eyes reflecting profound fatigue and despair. "Yes, I've had enough of this life, so I escaped, wanting to see the outside world. But back then, I was still naive. I thought everyone else, apart from my mother, was kind..." Then, her voice trailed off. I asked, "Even if your mother hurt you, what grudge do you have against Tabitha? Why did you treat her like that?" "Tabitha." When this name was brought up, Elena's eyes suddenly turned cold. Her emotions surged as she grabbed my collar. "Do you think that I never went to you? However, back then, did you show any concern for me, your childhood sweetheart? You only had her in your mind. I saw you smile at her, dote on her, just like you used to do with me. She smiled so happily..." Tears, which she had fought to hold back, now streamed down her face. Elena cried out, "Do you know what kind of life I have been living all these years? What have I gone through just to see you
Derek's POV "Derek, why do you think I had plastic surgery and ran away?" The scars on her fair skin were horrific. Almost instinctively, I rolled up her sleeve only to see her arm covered with scars. I persistently lifted the sleeve of her other hand, which was also covered in burn marks and twisted scars. It looked really heartbreaking. "What happened to you?" I asked, my voice trembling with shock and concern. Elena suddenly pulled her hand away from mine, and an uneasy expression appeared on her face. "It has nothing to do with you. Like I said, if you don't kill me, I will leave. Whether I live or die in the future has nothing to do with you." Her words revealed a sense of determination and avoidance. I stood still with complex emotions. I wanted to stop her and ask her what she had gone through all these years, but she ran away without even looking back. I didn't even have time to react. My heart was beating rapidly. What had happened behind those scars
Tabitha's POV I kept quiet, not saying a word. It wasn't that I didn't wanna answer him. It was just that I didn't know where to begin. A moment later, Klein spoke again, "You know, everyone might be trapped in darkness sometimes. No matter how dark it gets, as long as you keep moving forward, you'll eventually see the light. "Tabitha, fate's brought us together. I'll be leaving this city soon, but if you ever need anything, you can always call me." "I'm already super grateful for all your help. But there's still no word about your sister, aren't you gonna wait a bit longer?" I wondered. Klein sighed heavily, "No, it's just wasting my time. Honestly, I'm not doing great, and I gotta head back home country for dialysis." Looking at Klein's face, which clearly showed signs of illness, I asked, "Is it kidney failure?" "Yeah," he answered softly. "But don't you have the best doctors there? Can't they cure you?" I asked, puzzled. "Tabitha, they're excellent doctors, true. Maybe t
Tabitha's POV Derek's eyes were full of obvious doubt. I know he was probably wondering why I would sneak out in the middle of the night and avoid being followed by the pack guards if it was just a hospital visit. But at the same time, I could sense the guilt he had because of what Elena had done to me. That made it tough for him to just straight-up grill me like before. He came up to me, looking at me with an unusually gentle gaze, his tone full of concern. "Why did you go out in the middle of the night and shake off the guards? What if danger pops up? Didn't I tell you? It's dangerous out there and you need them with you wherever you go." I chose not to mention anything about Klein. It seemed like Derek picked up on my reluctance and didn't push it. He seemed worried about ticking me off. "I couldn't sleep, so I came out," I replied casually. Derek unconsciously rubbed his thumb, cautiously asking, "I heard that you got in the car with Klein. Are you close with him?" "Not
Derek's POV I clearly felt Tabitha's coldness towards me. If it were in the past, I wouldn't think twice about forcefully taking her away. But after I learned the truth, all I wanted was to make it up to her. I couldn't even muster up a cold stare at her, not to mention scolding her. "Tabitha, I know you're feeling upset because of what you've been through lately. Don't worry, I swear I'll get John back soon. He's gonna be fine," I comforted her. Tabitha just turned her back to me, icily snarling, "Is getting him back gonna solve everything? If we don't find the mastermind behind this, he'll just end up in danger again. You promised me you'd make things right. When is it gonna happen?" Had it been before, I could've given her a solid answer. But right now, I was so overwhelmed by feelings of guilt that I couldn't even look her in the eye. How was I gonna tell Tabitha that it was Elena who hurt her and her family? "We can't keep this from her," Leo kept urging me in my mind. I
Derek's POV Late at night in the car, I had my eyes shut tight, lost in my thoughts, wrestling with a ton of mixed feelings. The truth about Elena was finally out in the open, and since Tabitha was the victim, she technically deserved to know everything. But I had no clue how to drop that bomb. "I can't tell her for the time being. I gotta find out what Elena has been through after she left the pack," I sighed. Alvin shook his head in disapproval. "Alpha Derek, I know I shouldn't say this, but these past two years, Tabitha has gone through hell. I know you feel sorry for Elena, and she's been suffering out there. However, it has nothing to do with Tabitha. And it doesn't justify what she's done. The one who owes Elena an apology is the Black Thorn Pack." I snapped my eyes open and locked gazes with Alvin in the rearview mirror. "So what are you suggesting? Should I just go off and kill Elena to make it right? Even if Elena really died, it wouldn't change anything that's alread
Mark's POVBut instead of replying me, she just cracked a smile, her eyes gleaming with smugness, making me uneasy."Have you ever considered the possibility that I just faked my death?" I was slack-jawed."Why?" My voice came out raspy. "Why would you do such a thing? Where the hell have you been all these years? Why are you involved with Poison and Wolf Shadow?"Megan chuckled lightly, her fingers grazed my cheek. "You're still as gullible as ever. You never learned, huh?""What do you mean?" I panicked.Megan slowly got up, her gaze became deep. "Mark, do you know how long I've waited for today?" Her words confused me even more."I don't understand what you're saying. Tell me, are you the one behind Daphne's car accident? Why would you do that to her? She's your own flesh and blood!" I was practically roaring, unable to wrap my head around how a mother could treat her daughter this way."Flesh and blood?" she scoffed. "Mark, we did have a pup, but she died a long time ago."My eyes
Mark's POVI stood face to face with Megan, her words slicing through me, each one a well-aimed jab at my vulnerable core.Her pain and fury were palpable."You don't love me, and I get it, but I always thought time would heal things. I thought one day, you'd eventually fall for me," Megan confessed, her voice a whisper of despair and sorrow."I could've lived with your coldness. I'd raise our girl, make a home, and you'd love her, no doubt," she said, her words a testament to a stubborn hold on the past and a desperate hope for what could be.But then, her tone turned razor-sharp, laced with venom. "But when I watched our girl slowly slip away, I felt nothing but hatred for you. You're so cruel. You'd rather dump all your love on that skank than share a smidgen with me and the kid. So, I swore to make you live with regret, Mark."My chest tightened, a wave of panic washed over me.Her gaze hardened as she continued, "When Holly was pregnant, I lost my baby girl. Why should she live a
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
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