Derek's POVWhen Tabitha arrived, I had already been waiting at the entrance of the council chamber for a while.There was no one else there but me.Before she even approached, Leo had already sensed her, and he kept affecting me.As her light footsteps sounded, I opened my eyes and turned my head.Tabitha wrapped herself with a gray coat and a hat on her head.I couldn't help but start reminiscing, wondering if Tabitha used to be like this, not able to handle the cold.As she stopped a few feet away from me, I fixed my gaze on her face.She looked extremely pale, and her lips were slightly cracked. From a distance, she appeared even thinner than I had remembered.My gaze shifted downward, and I couldn't help but look at her belly.I was worried about her wound. She bled a lot last night, and I didn't know if it had healed now.But I knew that I was in no position to ask.A month ago, Tabitha suddenly agreed to be rejected.Yet we didn't have the chance to conduct the ceremony, though
Tabitha's POVThe moment our mate bond was cut off, I, unexpectedly, felt a sense of relief. However, what followed was the pain in the wound.Walking out of the Council of Elders, I almost fell to my knees on the steps.Luckily, my girl Gloria helped me in time. After steadying me, she yelled at Derek, calling him a cheater and stuff.I couldn't help but worry about her.Derek was notorious for his cruelty. Would she be punished for disrespecting him? And how was I gonna stop him, after I was rejected?Yet to my surprise, Derek did nothing more than merely glance at Gloria coldly.I pulled Gloria, trying to get us out of there as soon as possible."Wait."Derek's voice sounded from behind.I turned around, staring at his sullen face."What else do you want from me, Alpha Derek?" I asked with a distant tone.Derek stepped forward and said with a frown, "Without my permission, you cannot accept a second mate. Are we clear?""Why not? You're no longer mates anymore. Who are you to stick
Tabitha's POV"I used to feel the same way. My dad was getting much better and I even thought about taking him home. How could his condition suddenly get critical? And Vilda got killed soon after I visited her. It can't be a coincidence," I replied.With a sigh, I went on, "But then, I feel like I shouldn't deny reality just because I couldn't accept it. I had asked Beta Gary about what had happened the day my dad fell back into a coma. He told me that no one else had visited Dad. Maybe the Silver Moon Pack's incident was the trigger. As for what happened to Vilda, it was probably Daphne's doing. You know, to force Derek to reject me sooner. Now that she got what she wanted, I guess she won't stir up trouble again."Gloria knitted her brow, saying, "I doubt it, Tabitha. Sometimes, what seems like an accident in every way might end up being a scheme. You never know."I hesitated as I looked into the distance."If that really is the case, the mastermind is way too cunning. It's gonna ta
Derek's POVHonestly, I didn't expect Tabitha would be here. Today, she was in a black dress. It would look plain on an average girl, but with Tabitha's curvy body, she looked stunning in it.She slightly tilted her head, revealing her fair, delicate neck, which added to her charm.I couldn't feel any connection between us anymore; nor could I tune into her feelings.I thought it would be like the end of all relationships, and one day she would be a total stranger to me.However, when Alpha Obadiah grabbed her wrist, I realized that I wasn't as composed as I thought. Instinctively, I fixed my gaze on Alpha Obadiah's hand.When he looked over, I immediately turned my head, nodding to those who greeted me.Soon, Alpha Obadiah walked towards me, saying, "I thought you would send someone on your behalf. Oh, by the way, let me introduce you. This is Tabitha, the daughter of the Silver Moon Pack's Alpha."Alpha Obadiah looked at Tabitha and said, "This is Alpha Derek of the Black Thorn Pack,
Derek's POVAs Gloria's sarcastic gaze swept across my face, I couldn't help clenching my fists under the table.To me, the Guaiacwood Pack was just a second-rate pack. If it wasn't for her being Tabitha's friend, no way I'd let her throw this shade in my face.Snapping back to reality, I felt Daphne looking my way.Leo grumbled discontentedly in my mind, and I knew what it meant.He always thought that Daphne was dumb.Well, I couldn't speak up at that moment, so I had to watch Daphne walk right into Gloria's verbal trap."I wasn't angry. I just don't think it's good to talk behind others' backs," explained Daphne."I was simply telling the truth, no judgment. Why do you seem so angry when I talk about it? Could it be that you're..." Gloria fired back, ignoring Daphne's glare."Miss Bennett, seems like we're veering way off the main script of our gathering today," I said coldly."I'm sorry, Alpha Derek, I thought your future Luna would enjoy discussing such topics." Gloria sounded se
Derek's POVInstead of returning to the Black Thorn Pack, I came to one of the hotels that I owned.There was a private suite for me.Sitting on the sofa in the middle of the room, I lit a cigarette.I didn't turn any lights, and only moonlight shone through the French windows.It was dark and quiet. The torment and the pain were eating me up.My craving for Tabitha and my need to claim her didn't reduce after the rejection. It only grew stronger.As I was lost in thought, the door opened, and Alvin brought Tabitha in."Leave us," I said to him.Alvin hesitated, fixing his gaze on me. But he was my Beta, and he gotta obey my orders. So despite his disapproval of my behavior, he had to leave as I said.When the door closed, I got up from the sofa and walked towards Tabitha. She instinctively took a few steps back."You scared of me?" My voice was cold and indifferent. I walked briskly towards her, lifting her chin with my finger. "Where did you and Orson go? What did you do?"Tabitha p
Derek's POVI dropped my gaze to Gloria, my wolf eyeing her through me.As Alpha of one of the oldest packs, I got that natural press vibe on regular werewolves.Gloria's eyes deepened, and I could feel her wolf getting all on edge."What are you talking about? Where's Tabitha? Ain't that my line?" I shot back."I can feel Tabitha's scent's gone from here," Gloria said anxiously."Yeah, I saw her. But she's already left," I calmly replied.'Gotcha. Tabitha's right here on the top floor!' I smirked inwardly."Alright, I gotta keep searching for Tabitha. Bye," Gloria blurted out before spinning around.Seeing her all anxious, I asked, "Why the rush? Let's talk."Gloria cracked an awkward smile. "Well, maybe next time."With that, she ran in the opposite direction. But she was on my turf, and no way she was getting outta here without my permission. So Alvin stopped her immediately. Gloria almost crashed into him out of panic. As I
Derek's POVWhat the hell? Tabitha collapsed right in front of me.Never in my life had I felt so terrified.In my memory, Tabitha'd always been a strong werewolf. She'd got Alpha blood, killer combat skills, and a sharp brain.That was why I was stoked about her being my Luna.I thought getting drenched would give her a little sniffle at worst. I never imagined that she would pass out.Noticing my tie hanging around her body, I immediately released her. Then her limp body fell, her cold, cutting words echoing.How could she hurt herself this badly just trying to break free from a tie? She used to whine for hours over a tiny needle prick.I scooped her up, fixing my gaze on her face. She looked as white as a sheet. With long hair stuck to her cheeks, she was like a lifeless doll, fragile and delicate.Panic seized me. I couldn't help wondering, 'What the hell happened?'She used to be tough enough for winter swims. How could a bit of
Third person's POVMatilda was eagerly anticipating the sight of Derek's frustration and agony.The conditions she set were deliberately tricky. If Derek didn't pay, there would certainly be other men willing to bid.Thus, the initial unmasking fee was a must for Derek.The ten million was merely the starting price and, in reality, a clever way for Matilda to test the depth of Derek's wealth.She pondered to herself that if Derek could easily come up with the money, it would only buy a kiss, and the subsequent bidding for the right to use would undoubtedly require an astronomical sum. What would he use to continue competing then?On the other hand, if he saved the money for the later bidding, Tabitha would inevitably be kissed by other men.No matter how Derek chose, Matilda was determined to disgust him thoroughly and make him suffer in this cruel game.However, despite all her scheming, Matilda never expected that Derek had b
Third person's POVDerek took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.Tabitha and Ayla, dressed in silver gowns, appeared grand, vintage, and exquisite.With silver chains as accessories, they had a unique beauty.Ayla's face was unobstructed.When her innocent and angelic face appeared on the large screen, many were captivated by her heavenly appearance.She wasn't drugged, her large eyes clear and bright.Adorned with crystal and feather headpieces, she looked like an exotic princess.Her innocent eyes didn't understand what was happening. She didn't cry but stared curiously at everything around her, like a curious fawn that had wandered into a den of wolves.Her tender pink lips were slightly parted, and Derek could read her lips from the screen."Mommy, Wilmot."Derek's fingers had already touched his weapon. At this moment, he wished he could draw it out and shoot Matilda on the spot.The r
Third person's POVDerek's fingers dug tightly into the armrests of his chair. During the time Tabitha had been taken from him, he worried about what might have been done to her and the child.Although he was aware of the rule that "merchandise" must be kept clean before delivery, he couldn't help but feel anxious.When the host announced the first item for auction, his heart raced, and he breathed a sigh of relief when it had nothing to do with Tabitha.It seemed as if he had imagined Matilda would save Tabitha for last.His grip on the armrests tightened.As time ticked by, the audience's enthusiasm for the early items was lackluster, their attention fixed on the finale. They had been promised something special, and they were waiting for it.Forrest passed Derek water a few times, but he didn't take a sip.When it came to the grand finale, Matilda made her personal appearance.She wore a red, form-fitting dress and hig
Third person's POVDerek entered the auction venue with an upright posture and steady steps, blending into the bustling crowd.The auction had not officially begun, but the venue was already filled with noise and excitement, a cacophony of excited and thrilled voices rising and falling."I heard there will be a stunning beauty featured tonight," one voice said."I've heard that too. It's said to be a rare sight," another chimed in."These past few days on the ship have been utterly boring. With the ship about to dock, we must seize the last chance for some real fun," a third voice added.Everyone in the venue wore masks of various kinds, as if they were shields hiding their true selves.However, in Derek's eyes, beneath those masks lay ugly and filthy faces, immersed in this sinful transaction, chasing twisted desires.Derek had barely settled into his seat when a man approached hurriedly, his steps slightly rushe
Third person's POVThe Black Thorn Pack had withstood the test of time for centuries, and its resilience was not solely due to its business acumen.Derek's position was underpinned by the support of the royal wolf pack. Without it, his pack would have crumbled long ago.Even with his vast wealth, Derek would be vulnerable without the protection of this powerful backing.Derek's actions now threatened to upset the interests of many factions, which could severely impact his future and provide his rivals with an opportunity to strike.From a rational and strategic perspective, this was far from a wise move.However, what other options did he have?His beloved wife and child were in the clutches of others, and every path to rescue them was fraught with obstacles.In his heart, this was the most direct and only viable way to save Tabitha.Derek's heart was filled with helplessness and determination.He let out a soft s
Third person's POVIn the auction venue for living "merchandise," the atmosphere is always more heated and agitated than in those for inanimate objects.The guests had collected their entry number cards early and stepped into the venue with anticipation, each secretly speculating on what kind of "prey" they might acquire today.Their eyes gleamed with greed, excitement, and curiosity, as if they were about to participate in a grand and thrilling carnival, rather than a sinful transaction.On the eve of the auction's commencement, Matilda suddenly received a message from her subordinates, informing her that someone was attempting to prevent the auction from starting.Matilda immediately guessed who was behind this mischief, a disdainful sneer curling her lips.She whispered, "He arrived quite promptly. Ignore it, proceed with the plan."One of her subordinates, hearing this, showed a worried expression and cautiously advised, "He seems
Third person's POVWhen Tabitha uttered those words, her heart was filled with bitterness and helplessness, as if a dense cloud of gloom shrouded her soul.She could never have imagined that the person she once despised so much, wishing never to see again, would now be the one she invoked to try to escape danger.It was a tragic and absurd reality."If you don't believe me, look it up online. If you let us go, I'll pretend today never happened, and I promise I won't pursue this," Tabitha said, forcing back the humiliation inside and trying to make her voice sound calm.But the slight tremor in her tone betrayed her anxiety and fear.Matilda's henchmen, upon hearing Tabitha's words, began to persuade Matilda cautiously.One of them spoke tentatively, "This woman really seems to have some background. Maybe we shouldn't mess with her. Those rich folks are not to be trifled with. Once you get entangled with them, it's hard to disentangle
Third person's POVAfter being injected with some drug by Matilda, Tabitha felt as if all her strength had been instantly drained.Her body was limp, like a pile of mud, making it extremely difficult to even stand.Overwhelmed by intense drowsiness, she felt groggy, her head unusually heavy, her thoughts mired in a dense fog, and her reactions severely slowed.She could hear Matilda speaking clearly, but her brain, like a rusty machine, took several seconds to respond with effort.In her heart, she was screaming, wanting to escape this terrifying place, but her limbs seemed to be under a spell, refusing to obey.She was deeply worried. If she had been injected with drugs, she didn't know what had happened to Ayla or where she was.Had those perverts done something terrible to her?Tabitha was roughly dressed by several rude individuals in a gorgeous yet humiliating outfit.Then, someone meticulously applied makeup to her
Third person's POVDerek's health had shown a marked improvement over the past two days.With the ship about to dock in Seattle, all matters had reached a critical juncture.Following Derek's instructions, Rolf and Alvin had discreetly disembarked.Their mission was twofold: to swiftly return to the company with the various contracts Derek had meticulously signed aboard the ship and to handle the backlog of internal affairs, ensuring the company's operations proceeded smoothly and efficiently.And secondly, Derek, in his thoroughness, knew arrangements had to be made in advance to prevent Tabitha from suspecting his identity once she disembarked.Everything had to appear natural and reasonable.In the days leading up to this, life had been as calm as a tranquil sea without a ripple.Forrest, as usual, delivered meals to Tabitha on schedule, and the process had gone off without a hitch, with no errors or mishaps.But just