Tabitha's POV
I felt a shiver run through my body as I looked at Derek, somewhat puzzled."What do you mean?" I asked, a sense of foreboding welling up inside me.Derek let out a heavy sigh, sounding all serious as he replied, "What happened last night wasn't an accident. Someone pushed Kyrian down a really high staircase."Shocked by the news, I asked, "Who would do such a thing?""Right now, we don't have enough clues to nail it down. From the build, it doesn't seem like an ordinary person, possibly a professional hitman. That's why I need to get Kyrian and Reid to a safe spot."His words sent chills down my spine.I asked tentatively, "Does this have anything to do with Poison and Wolf Shadow?"As a werewolf, I had a natural sensitivity to these hidden forces."I don't think so. Poison and Wolf Shadow is an organization well-versed in the field of medicine. Their method of killing is mostly through drugs, just like with ... Holly. ButTabitha's POVDad and I left Rose Manor even before dawn. I had no clue where we would be taken.After a long journey, we finally arrived. This place wasn't one of Derek's properties.Instead, it seemed like a chill hideaway tucked away in the city.Obviously, Derek sent us to a place like this to protect us so that we wouldn't be tracked down.The house combined the unique style of Seattle with the beauty of nature and the sophistication of modern architecture.Dad seemed satisfied with it, saying it reminded him of his packhouse back in the Silver Moon Pack.Even though it was way more contemporary, it had a comforting vibe that made us feel at ease.Surprisingly, Dad managed to start walking without the help of a cane.I hurriedly went forward to support him. "Dad, be careful."He smiled with contentment, saying, "Tabitha, I feel so much better.""Well, Dad, no need to rush. Take your time," I comforted him softly, feeling su
Derek's POVWhen I received Joanna's phone call, I was sitting in my office.Even though I hadn't swung by to check on Tabitha during this period, I was well-informed about her situation through various channels.Joanna had no idea what I was planning to do.She probably thought I was just being the perfect ex-mate, silently watching Tabitha from a distance like a guardian angel."Alpha Derek, Ms. Hartley wants to go for a prenatal check-up," Joanna's voice came through the phone.There was a pair of wedding rings on my desk. As I listened, I absentmindedly ran my fingers over the big diamond on one of them."Okay, I'll arrange that," I replied, my tone totally neutral.Joanna sighed in relief upon hearing it, "I knew it! Alpha Derek, you're always looking out for Ms. Hartley. I just don't get why she's so wary of you. She didn't even tell you about her pregnancy!"I smirked, hung up the phone, and put the rings back into the box.Th
Tabitha's POVThe whole phone situation had me super worried, but I never expected that Derek was also blocking my dad from touching a phone every time.After the same conversation happened a few times, Dad definitely sensed something was off.After all, he wasn't born yesterday.I quickly said to him, "Dad, some stuff did happen while you were in a coma. I'll tell you all about it, but it's just not now. When you fully recover, I promise I'll tell you about it bit by bit. "As soon as Dad heard that, he got all fired up, his hands starting to shake. "I knew it! Something's not right. When I came around, your hand was maimed, and you've been giving Derek the cold shoulder. What on earth happened?"Seeing Dad so emotional, I quickly helped him sit down and said, "Dad, look, this is exactly why I didn't tell you. Actually, it's not a big deal. It's just that he and I had a fight over some things. Didn't you see him begging me for forgiveness all day? If i
Tabitha's POVI got butterflies in my stomach.The painful memory of losing my child in the hemorrhage came back to me, making it impossible for me to calm down.Even my voice trembled uncontrollably."What... What is it..." I couldn't help clutching the hem of my clothes. I was prepared for the worst.I was a werewolf, and my senses were sharper than human beings. Right at this moment, my worries about my baby were eating me up.To my surprise, the doctor smiled, "Congratulations, Ms. Hartley. You're carrying twins. I saw two fetal hearts."My eyes became teary at once. I asked with caution, my lips trembling, "Then ... are they developing well?""Well, from what I can see, the answer is yes. You've got nothing to worry about."I stroked my lower abdomen and burst into tears of joy.I wasn't having a baby. I was having two!As Joanna pushed the door and entered, she saw the look on my face, and she figured something bad had hap
Derek's POVKamp looked at me and couldn't help but say, "Alpha Derek, we're talking about two lives here. Women have to go through a lot before finally giving birth. I think..."Obadiah might be slow, but the intense atmosphere made him feel something off. He asked, "What are you talking about?"I had already lost patience and got up to leave. "Prepare for the surgery."Obadiah grabbed Kamp's hand. "Tell me the truth. What surgery?"Kamp sighed and followed me while saying to Obadiah, "It's been a month. You tell me."Obadiah stood in situ with a confused look on his face.Then he caught up with us and asked me, "Alpha Derek, you love Tabitha a lot, right? Why would you want her to have an abortion? It's twins!"I didn't answer him.He continued, "Obviously, Tabitha has no idea. She discreetly texted me last night, asking me to do her a favor. You really think this is a good idea? Can you really bear to see her losing her babies now that
Tabitha's POVAt that moment, my mind was completely blank.I felt like I was dreaming, thinking there must have been something wrong.I knew all of Derek's few good friends. Even if I hadn't met all of them in person, I had at least heard their names.There was no man named Alpha Leopold.I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.Maybe Derek deliberately chose someone unfamiliar because he was afraid of being noticed.I couldn't scare myself. Even if I lived in Alpha Leopold's house, it didn't prove anything.But what Gloria said in the next moment made me lose all reason."I said the house was my boss'. Do you remember the day we met? I was holding the bottle of folic acid to chase after you when he said something. He said that he knew you and that you were someone's crush. I was in a hurry to give you the folic acid and changed the topic to talk about work with him when I came back. I completely forgot about this matter."
Tabitha's POVJust then, the call ended abruptly, and I was out of options.I knew Derek, just like he knew me.During this period, I always thought that I was deceiving him in every possible way.Looking back now, I found that he was actually the one pulling the strings on me.I guessed by now, Alpha Leopold had already informed Derek, so I must escape.Right when I was stressing, Joanna came in looking for me. "Tabitha, what took you so long? The doctors have been waiting.""I'm not doing it. Let's go. We must leave immediately.""Why? Aren't there other tests to do?"I held her hand and pulled her out of the door. "I can't explain it right now, but in short, we can't stay here. It's way too dangerous."Joanna was confused. "The pack guards are here. Where is the danger? I will call Alpha Derek right now and let him handle it.""Fool, he's the biggest danger."I pulled Joanna and ran towards the outside. She insisted, "No
Tabitha's POVDerek stopped right in front of me, reaching out his hand, whispering, "Come on, be a good girl and follow me."He sounded so gentle like he was trying to calm a child, but it sent chills down my spine.Even Joanna sensed that something was wrong and instinctively stood in front of me."Alpha Derek, Ms. Hartley has finished her check-up. Let me take her back," she said.Derek finally shifted his gaze from my face to Joanna's, snapping, "Fuck off."Obviously, he was pissed. I didn't want to drag Joanna into this mess, so I shook my head at her."Just wait for me at the entrance. I need to talk to him."She looked between me and Derek and then waved her hand before leaving.Now that just the two of us remained in the hallway, I hurriedly spoke up, "Derek, let's talk about my pups."He stared at me icily before uttering a chilling sentence, "You're not gonna tell me they are mine, are you?""But that's the truth. Don'
Third person's POVDerek's face contorted with pain as he continued, "After Tabitha faked her death, I suspected what had happened. I was torn at the time, wanting to bring her back, but I also understood that doing so would only repeat past mistakes. So, I protected her within my control and waited silently. Gloria, I swear, I won't hurt her again."A hint of pleading appeared on Derek's face as he went on, "I'm asking for your help not out of selfishness. Tabitha's illness isn't fully healed, her body hasn't recovered, and with two children in tow, she wouldn't be able to protect herself if danger arises."Gloria had never seen Derek so humble.She remembered how Derek had always approached her with a condescending attitude four years ago.Derek continued, "You are Tabitha's friend, and your starting point should be considering her safety, right? If I wanted to harm her, I could just bring her back directly, so why would I go through the trouble
Third person's POVThe two children were a blend of their parents. The girl resembled Derek, while the boy took after Tabitha, which was quite different from their brother, Kyrian.Derek thought to himself that if Kyrian knew he had two younger siblings, he would be thrilled.But when he considered his relationship with Tabitha, he sighed deeply, filled with regret for his past actions.At that moment, Alvin approached swiftly and reported, "Just received news from the island. Noah is taking Ayla away, and Lucian's direction also leads to the island. He plans to take Tabitha away."Derek, with his hands behind his back and a furrowed brow, spoke with a melancholic expression, "Lucian intends to take more than just Ayla—Tabitha as well. She has always sought opportunities to leave me, and this presents her with an excellent chance.""What should we do? Should we stop him now? Otherwise, with his capabilities, if he truly takes Tabitha a
Third person's POVPlans... Tabitha's original goal had been to find her two children and Jasper.The children were found, but Jasper was without a trace.However, she couldn't search aimlessly without a target.Thinking of Derek's anxious appearance last night, it was clear he still had feelings for her.Gloria's text warning Tabitha to be careful of Derek came to Tabitha's mind again.Tabitha felt she had overlooked some subtle details. What exactly had she missed?It seemed a key point was missing, and once found, it would connect all the events."I don't know. I just wanted to find the children, but I didn't expect to court death. And Derek's attitude towards me is ambiguous. Outside this cabin, I don't know what awaits me," Tabitha said, her face full of entanglement.Seeing her struggle, Lucian took a big gulp of mineral water and mustered the courage to say, "Have you severed ties with him?"Tabitha nodded,
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