Derek's POV
I vaguely felt that something was off. These days, Tabitha had become a lot grumpier.Perhaps it was because of my upcoming wedding with Daphne.I sighed and decided to go to John. Perhaps he could share with me some insights.He had a rough idea of what was going on when he saw how dejected I was. "She kicked you out again, didn't she? Tell me. What exactly did you do to upset her? It's been so long, but she still pulls a long face whenever she sees you.""There's been ... some misunderstandings," I said, knowing deep down that it was a lot more than that."Well then. All you have to do is clear things up with her. After all, you're a couple, right?" John comforted me.I smiled helplessly, "She won't give me a chance to clear things up at all." Several times, I wanted to tell Tabitha about my relationship with Daphne, but she wouldn't even let me speak."Derek, you're not getting younger. I know you were heartbroken when you lostTabitha's POVI suddenly came up with a new strategy. I was all set to continually upset Derek.He restricted my freedom? Well then. I might as well be a pain in the ass for him."Instead of picking out a dress, maybe I should think about which wheelchair will work better for Daphne. Of course, I have to be thoroughly prepared. If she doesn't recover well enough to sit up, we may have to get her a stretcher," I sarcastically said, secretly pleased.Derek fell silent. He showed no displeasure in the face of my sarcasm at all. Instead, he looked at me with distress in his eyes.I could tell how he felt, but I no longer cared."Tabitha, does saying this make you happy? Really?" he asked softly.I sneered, "Of course. You all used to make me endure the pain and suffer. I get it now. I'm much happier when I let someone else suffer."He did not argue. He simply said, "As long as you are happy."His attitude surprised me, but I didn't get soft-h
Tabitha's POVGloria gently patted my shoulder, her tone full of empathy. "Dear, I feel for you. We all used to be young and naive, thinking love was everything. But we've grown up, right? Look at me. My life is so much better now that I'm making my own money." We smiled at each other. As we reminisced about those sentimental old days, we were in a much better mood.She licked her lips and smiled at me, "Tabitha, I want an apple. Could you peel one for me?"She then continued to reminisce, "I remember when we first met, you didn't even know how to peel an apple. That time we went to visit our teacher, you peeled the apple core out, and we laughed at how 'wasteful' you were. Later, for Derek, you..."She stopped suddenly as I held out my right hand, my palm hanging limp.The ward fell silent for a second. Then she grabbed my hand, her eyes instantly turning red. "Who did this to you?""It's a long story..." I tried not to bring it up, but Gloria's concer
Tabitha's POVGloria sniffed and looked at me blankly."Good news is," I whispered, gently placing my hand on my belly. As I looked down, a feeling of tenderness surged within me."I'm pregnant," I went on.The moment I finished speaking, Gloria was so stunned that she almost choked. "What?"She just sat there in silence, her mouth gaping open. After quite a while, she finally got her voice back. "And what's the bad news?""Derek is the father," I confessed.Gloria widened her eyes in disbelief. Obviously, she needed time to process this wild truth.After taking a minute to calm herself, she asked, "So, he chooses to marry Daphne while you're pregnant? Is he insane? Why does he have to marry her?"I shook my head. "He doesn't know I'm pregnant. To be specific, he didn't even remember we had sex," I calmly added."What? Then how did you get pregnant? IVF?" Gloria blinked, looking puzzled. "He may have good looks, but he's not the only
Tabitha's POVWith Gloria covering my back, I nervously steered into the ultrasound room.On the surface, it looked like I accompanied her for the examination, but in reality, it was me lying on the bed, unbuttoning my clothes.The female doctor was very gentle. While checking on the baby, she reassured us, "Don't worry, the baby is in safe hands."Gloria chuckled from the side, "I owe Alpha Obadiah one more favor now."I felt grateful knowing how much effort she put into helping me.As the cold probe slid over my lower abdomen, I felt both nervous and anxious.I hadn't been very well for the past six months, and I even underwent a treatment six months ago. I was kinda worried that might have an impact on the baby."Doctor, how is my baby?" I asked, anxiety creeping in.The doctor chuckled and replied, "At this early stage, it's hard to tell much, but from what I can see now, the gestational sac is of normal size, and there is no sign of
Leopold's POVIf these words were coming from Gloria, I'd probably think she was just spouting nonsense.After all, she always did such things, and I could hardly believe her.But when Tabitha stood there with her refined elegance and charm, every word she spoke sounded so credible.She was completely different from Gloria. She was a well-educated lady while Gloria...Well, I'd just keep that thought to myself."Ms. Hartley, you are flattering me. I've heard Gloria mention you before, too. Finally, I have the honor to meet you today. Your elegance and virtuousness really stand out," I smiled.Then I teased Gloria, "It's hard to imagine how you became friends with such a rude woman like Gloria."Gloria glared at me, seemingly displeased with my backhanded compliment.I then walked up to Tabitha and extended my hand, saying, "My name is Leopold Sowell. Nice to meet you."Tabitha shot me an embarrassed glance."Alpha Leopold, I'm s
Tabitha's POVGloria came rushing over, breathing heavily, and shoved the folic acid into my hands. "Don't forget to put this into the vitamin bottle."I gratefully accepted it, feeling touched by her thoughtfulness. "Thanks," I murmured."C'mon, we're BFF. You better deliver a healthy baby." She patted my shoulder, her voice bubbling with excitement for the new life on the way.I nodded, yet suddenly felt a bit worried. "Did anyone see it?" I asked."Chill, I'm quick on my feet. This packaging is colorful and misleading. Alpha Leopold hasn't even found his mate yet. I guess he has no idea what this is," she confidently replied.I didn't have much of an impression of that guy, so I guessed he didn't know Derek. Finally, I breathed a sigh of relief."Good. Don't always work overtime. Remember to have some rest," I reminded her."Sure, you gotta take good care of yourself too. Once I'm on break, I'll swing by to see you. If you need anything, ju
Derek's POVTabitha instinctively rested her hand on her belly, but then she quickly pulled it back, as if fearing that I would notice something.She had no idea that this move just made it all the more suspicious.As an Alpha, my observation skills were sharper than most, especially when it came to my mate, even though she was my ex-mate.I walked closer to her, sensing her nerves.I could tell her heartbeat was racing and her breath hitched, as these were the physiological responses she couldn't hide.When my hand brushed her back, she tensed up like a deer caught in headlights."Something's off with her emotions," Leo chimed in my mind.As my wolf, he was always able to perceive subtle emotional changes.But even without his reminder, I could feel Tabitha wasn't her usual self.After all, we were once mates, and such a profound connection couldn't be easily severed."What are you doing?" Tabitha shot out, her voice dripping w
Derek's POVI threw in a bit of Alpha aura in my words.Joanna's knees buckled, and she dropped to the floor with a thud. "Yes, Alpha Derek, I'll tell you everything!" Her reaction caught me off guard. I hadn't even started putting any real pressure on her yet."Speak," I ordered sharply."I felt it was a pity to throw away the trimmed roses from the garden, so I sold them for 2 dollars each in the evening. I didn't mean to do it, I've been strapped for cash and my grandma's sick. I'm sorry, Alpha Derek, I won't do it again."Joanna confessed incoherently, tears streaming down her face.I frowned, surprised that she actually confessed so soon.But this trivial matter wasn't what I really wanted to know. "Is that all you want to say?"My tone revealed obvious impatience.Joanna wiped away her tears, adding, "No, there's more. I have to confess. Last time when I was trimming, my hands were shaking, and I accidentally cut the heart-shaped on
Third person's POVOrson felt a chill down his spine as the current Derek seemed like a wild beast about to break free from its chains.Tabitha was the last chain that could hold him. Once something happened to her, who knew what he would become?Orson's wolf had already sensed a strong danger and kept reminding Orson in his mind to stay away from Derek."Don't you think you're being too arbitrary? At least you should ask Tabitha herself for her opinion about this."
Third person's POVTabitha's test results came out overnight. She did have cancer.What was worse, her cancer had metastasized to her head. Now she had an early malignant tumor in her brain.The oncologists gathered for a consultation, and their conclusion was consistent with Orson's. Treatment wasn't recommended.Derek's gaze was extremely cold. Suppressing his anger, he said, "You haven't even tried. And you're already giving up?"
Derek's POVShe even tried moonlight therapy once!I had no idea. I felt a lump in my throat, and with difficulty, I said slowly, "Was it those days you took care of her?""Yes. She was wasting away as she spent her days in and out of the hospital, working several jobs to support John. Later, because her wound still wouldn't heal after a long time, she came to the hospital for examination. She conducted moonlight therapy by herself deep in the forest. I simply brought her food and water.
Third person's POVTabitha was taken to the emergency room that night.Kamp was at the Black Thorn Pack in Seattle. When he heard the news, he felt he was gonna lose it.His premonition that had been haunting him came true. He flew overnight.Derek stood outside the emergency room. His shirt was stained with Tabitha's blood, but he wasn't bothered at all.His eyes were bloodshot.
Third person's POVDerek was stupefied. Andrea's face turned pale, and even Alpha Elliott found it unbelievable."No way! Tabitha is so healthy. How could she have been poisoned by wolfsbane?"Orson took Derek's hand away and continued to explain with a hint of sadness and anger in his eyes."Two years ago, when you and she rejected each other, she had a check-up at the Werewolf Hospital. At that time, the wolfsbane had already caused her body to deteriorate. Judging from th
Derek's POVI rushed over to Tabitha at once and prevented her from falling down.But I couldn't stop the blood from pouring out of her mouth.Leo howled frantically in my mind.He seemed to sense Tabitha's weakness.Everyone in the banquet hall was in a panic, rushing around anxiously. "Doctor! Why hasn't the doctor arrived yet?"
Third person's POVThe ongoing drama was no longer the center of attention. Instead, the woman at the door caught everyone's eye.The expressions of Alpha Elliott and Andrea changed drastically.How did Daphne manage to be here?They had already taken measures, not giving Daphne a chance to come near Tabitha.Who helped Daphne?
Tabitha's POVPhoebe was still trying to defend herself, but her voice was so weak in the face of solid evidence.She could only tell Ambrose over and over again how much she loved him.Ambrose held her hand, a hint of disgust appearing in his eyes for the first time. "Stop talking. Let's just go."No matter what kind of person Phoebe really was, what she did today was against everything Ambrose thought she was and also embarrassed him.
Ambrose's POVI frowned as I recalled. Back then, I was swamped with work every day.Phoebe would always come to me for money every few days.She used all kinds of excuses, such as her father getting sick, her mother losing her job to take care of her father, or something happening to her younger brother.She claimed that her father was in the intensive care unit, which alone would cost a huge amount of money in just one day, not to mention all the various expenses.