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
Mark's POVI just couldn't wrap my head around this sudden truth. Anger was swelling inside me like a bomb ready to blow.My wolf inside me howled, desperate to be unleashed, to shred the web of lies that Megan had spun."How could you sink so low?" I bellowed, my teeth clenched so tight they could shatter. My rationality was a thin thread, frayed by the hurricane of my fury."Low? This is just the beginning. I've got a second big surprise lined up for you—just enjoy the show," Megan taunted, her voice a chilling melody of madness. Her smile was a cold blade that pierced my soul."You know how long I've waited for this day? Every night you and Holly were lovey-dovey, I felt like I was being eaten alive!" Her pain pierced through her words, leaving me with this deep sense of helplessness.Suddenly, pain shot through me as Megan kicked me hard in the gut and slipped right out of my grip.I doubled over, clutching my stomach, struggling to stand up. She had backed off a few paces."Mark,
Tabitha's POVStanding at the door, I witnessed it all, and a wave of indescribable sarcasm surged within me.What a cold, unfeeling family had Holly married into?In this pack, it seemed only Mark held true care for her well-being.She had poured her heart into caring for Justin, yet he didn't appreciate it at all.But the weight of pain bore heaviest on Mark.If Daphne were to sacrifice her life to save Holly, even if Holly survived, she would never forgive Mark.He had embraced Daphne as his own, and the thought of such a sacrifice was definitely a torment that gnawed at his soul.I wondered what choice would he make.But no matter whom he picked, it felt like a loss, dragging him into an endless pit.A young nurse rushed over, her voice urgent. "Mrs. Sutton has awakened. She's asking for you." Mark spun on his heel, following the nurse with haste, and I trailed closely behind.The attending doctor stood sentry at the door, his tone somber. "Mrs. Sutton desires to leave the ICU and
Tabitha's POVI stood quietly there, watching Mark handle Holly's discharge papers.Then I followed them back to their villa, where I cooked a few dishes. Derek came, too.Holly sat in the wheelchair, looking super fragile.She kept dialing Daphne's number, clearly missing her like crazy.To avoid upsetting her, Mark didn't tell her the truth. And I got that. Holly had been a solid mom for Daphne her whole life. He didn't want her to die with regrets."Just let her be. You know she's a willful girl. I bet she'll come home in a few days," Mark said with a hint of resignation."Yeah, you're right," Holly murmured softly.Perhaps thinking Daphne still hated her, she stopped trying to ring her up.While we were eating, Holly kept nagging Derek to take good care of Daphne and never hurt her.I gave a wry smile. She never showed me such motherly love.Derek, despite pulling a long face, agreed to all her requests.Although Daphne wasn't here, Holly seemed to be having a good time, guzzling
Tabitha's POVDaphne lost both her parents overnight, and I could feel her pain.She was unable to attend their funeral due to her poor physical condition.Seattle seemed shrouded in a perpetual, sorrowful fog, with even the sunlight losing its warmth.When Alpha Justin learned of the deaths of his son and daughter-in-law, he was overcome with grief and was urgently taken to the hospital.Mark's funeral had to be arranged hastily.Under the gloomy sky, I saw a woman in black, holding a black umbrella, standing in front of his tombstone for a long time.Her face was contorted in a grimace, revealing her anger and deep resentment toward Mark's decision to die with Holly.I learned about her identity from Klein.I also discovered the story of that day from Mark.Megan had always been scheming but gained nothing in the end. She never expected that Mark would demonstrate his love for Holly in such a way.I walked up to her and asked softly, "Is this the ending you wanted?"Megan turned aro
Derek's POVIn the pouring rain, I watched as Tabitha stood in front of the tombstone holding an umbrella, looking so lonely and crushed.Noticing the rain gradually wetting the hem of her clothes, I finally softly spoke up, "Let's go back. It's getting late."She just quietly stood there as if she could vanish into the wind at any moment.Losing another loved one once again dealt a heavy blow to her, making her appear even lonelier, which broke my heart.I stretched out my arms, wanting to pull her in for a warm hug.She just looked at me from under the black umbrella, her icy gaze sending a chill down my spine."Tabitha, it's okay. You've still got me." I tried to comfort her.She still said nothing. The look in her eyes seemed to be telling me that my very existence, perhaps, was the very source of her pain.As the wind howled, Tabitha showed even more determination.She left straight away, as if she had nothing left to lose.Her silence made me feel uneasy.I murmured to myself, '
Tabitha's POVI quietly stood behind the door, soaking in every word Derek was saying.So, this was his so-called solution. He wanted to have both me and Elena back.I couldn't help sneering. What made him think that I would still let him have his way after everything that had happened?I remained composed, still being all friendly with Kyrian.Busy with the matters of Poison and Wolf Shadow, Derek rarely came home.Other than my loss of appetite, I appeared perfectly normal. So those who were ordered to keep an eye on me lowered their guard.One day, I got a call."Hello, Klein," I greeted after picking up."Tabitha, I've had everything arranged.""Thanks."I slid into the car Klein had sent to pick me up, and sitting there was none other than Jasper, someone I hadn't seen in ages.He must've guessed that I had known he was Matthew, as I saw a glimmer of guilt in his eyes."Tabitha," he broke the silence."Jasper, long time no see," I kicked off with a greeting to ease the awkward vi
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