Tabitha's POV
My whole mental world just crashed down, and the loss of my pups was the last straw that broke me.I was so hyped for the baby to come, and now I was just crushed beyond belief.Tears and blood mixed together as I squatted on the bed, yanking at my hair. "Derek, you shouldn't have saved me! Living is just too damn hard!"I couldn't even figure out why I was still breathing.I felt like a walking disaster, bringing nothing but bad luck to everyone around me.Derek once again dragged me into his arms. "Do you want to know why I saved you? Well, I'll tell you now."He knelt down to help put my shoes and socks on before scooping me up in his arms."Where are you taking me?""You will know soon," Derek said as he carried me into one of the wards. It was a room for three, with patients wrapped in bandages, and some even in casts.Spike probably needed to use the bathroom. With his leg injured, he could only get around with crTabitha's POVLevel B3. The elevator doors slid open, and a blast of cold air hit me right in the face.Derek removed his coat and draped it over me; it was colder here than it had been above.This was my first time in a place like this, and it was unlike anything I'd seen in films or on TV.The corridor lights were very bright, but as the excessively bright incandescent light shone on the walls, this place appeared even more desolate.An elderly man stood by the entrance to the morgue, having been instructed by his superior to wait for our arrival."Alpha Derek, Tabitha, the body's been prepped for viewing, but it's still a corpse—so brace yourselves."I said in a hoarse voice, "Open the door."As soon as it swung open, I saw a body covered with a white sheet.Derek explained quietly, "I've kept this under wraps for now; her family doesn't know yet."I walked towards the body step by step. I had been asleep for three days.
Derek's POVWatching Tabitha cry in my arms, I felt sorry for her.I knew she was still weak and she was supposed to avoid violent mood swings. But she had so much pent-up negativity inside her.I feared that if she kept bottling it all up, something worse would happen. Thus, I figured it was better to let her vent.She cried for what felt like forever until her voice turned hoarse and her tears ran dry.Right now, she was just sobbing softly in my arms.I remained silent the whole time, just gently patting her back, trying to be as soothing as possible.After a while, I noticed her emotions starting to settle down, so I helped her up."You're right," she said."I shouldn't be wishing for death. That would just make the mastermind behind it all crow about his or her victory. I have to live well and make that bastard pay for all this pain."Tabitha wiped away the last trace of tears from the corner of her eyes, and when she looked at
Tabitha's POVWhen I finally came around, it was already evening, and I could hear crying coming from the hallway.I groggily opened my eyes, not moving at all, just staring blankly at the ceiling in a daze.Everything felt surreal, like some kind of twisted dream.Derek's eyes were bloodshot as he looked at me, his voice hoarse. "Tabitha, finally, you're awake."Seeing him looking so worn out, I knew he must've been pulling all-nighters for days just to take care of me.Right now, my lips were so dry that I couldn't even part them.Derek told me, "For the past few days, you have only been getting nutrients through IVs and haven't eaten any solid food. I've been using cotton swabs dipped in water to keep your lips moist. It's normal that you feel them dry."What do you want? Are you thirsty or hungry? Just let me know.""I'm thirsty..."The moment Derek heard me speak up, his face lit up with relief as he jumped to his feet.But
Third person's POV However reluctant Tabitha was to accept the harsh truth, she had to do it. Things had already happened, and there was nothing she could do to turn back the clock. So many were injured or died just to save her, and now she wasn't just living for herself anymore. "You don't have to worry about me doing anything foolish again. Just go home, take a shower, and get some rest. Trust me, I won't run away again," she promised. Derek didn't expect she would say so. After she came around, she seemed like a whole new person. In the past, she was like a delicate magnolia, standing tall and elegant but completely harmless. Now, however, she was like a thorny rose, beautiful yet ready to hurt anyone who got too close. "Tabitha, I'm not tired..." Derek wasn't sure how she was holding up, so he wanted to stick around and keep an eye on her. Tabitha didn't insist. Instead, she looked towards the closed door, asking, "I heard someone cry
Maureen's POVSeeing Tabitha like this, I couldn't bear to argue with her.I knew that her mom had walked out on her a long time ago, her father had become a vegetable, and her marriage was a disaster too. She had been through enough pain.When she bowed down before me, I immediately panicked."Ms. Hartley, you're unwell. Please stop it."At my age, I knew she must've gone into early labor as soon as I caught sight of her flat belly. Turned out she was hurt, too.Just then, a guy hobbled over with a cane, limping on one leg."Mrs. Foster, Joanna volunteered to protect Tabitha. It's not Tabitha's fault. It's all on me. I failed to protect her. Blame me if you want."I remembered he was called Spike. He had come to visit my son, and at first glance, I could tell he was a decent guy."Kid, your leg..."Behind Spike, a bunch of tall guys started coming out of the ward one after another, some with injured hands and some with injured legs.
Tabitha's POVI looked up and saw a tall, lanky young man limping towards me. His facial features reminded me of Joanna.They had similar faces but different vibes. Joanna was lively and cheerful, while he was cold and brooding.Noticing my gaze, he nodded at me, saying, "Ms. Hartley, I'm sorry if my mother has disturbed you. She had no idea what was going on."Alvin leaned in close to Derek and whispered, "I already filled him in on everything. He asked me not to tell Mrs. Foster about it, worrying it might upset her. I guess he didn't expect she would come here."I looked at the young man and said softly, "You must be Joanna's brother. She often mentioned you to me."He looked haggard, the corners of his eyes a bit red from crying. Hearing my words, he limped over. Guessed he hadn't fully recovered from the car accident.Before I knew it, he suddenly bowed to me. His head hung low like he was confessing some big sin."I know what happened, M
Derek's POVI took a shower and changed my clothes. Feeling fresh, I headed back to the hospital."How is she?" I asked Rolf before entering Tabitha's ward.He immediately replied, "Strange. She isn't making a fuss at all. And she even asked for an extra meal.""Did she say anything?""She asked about our men's injuries, how many were caught, and if Austin was among them. She stayed calm throughout," replied Rolf."What did you tell her?""I answered truthfully, saying that Austin got away and the rest were all being held and tortured. Tabitha didn't say much. Just told me she was tired and needed to rest." Rolf scratched his head and added, "Alpha Derek, what is going on with her? She's too calm. It gives me the creeps.""Looks like she wasn't lying to me," I concluded.I had been worried that Tabitha was trying to send me away so she could kill herself or something, but fortunately, she really came to her senses now.I tiptoed into
Tabitha's POV "Tabitha, I'm not taking anyone's side. But this isn't the style of Poison and Wolf Shadow. If she really wanted to kill you, she could've easily found a way to poison you. Why go through all this trouble? "You know that Megan's the leader. After Mark's death, she left Seattle with her crew, and Elena also left a few months ago." Derek took my hand gently, his expression softening. "To hire Black Wolf Guild takes serious cash and connections. This person is straightforward and ruthless. Tabitha, think carefully. Have you offended anyone?" I shook my head, replying, "You know my past. To become your mate, I dropped out of college. Who could I possibly offend? Not to mention a tycoon who can casually spend 15 million dollars to take me out." Derek frowned. "I suspect it has something to do with your biological family. To help Holly, you accidentally had a DNA test and found out you're not her daughter. Someone wanted to stop you from digging deep
Third person's POVGloria held Helios on her lap, skillfully peeling a grape and feeding it to him, her experience with children evident."Feeling better now that it's out," she said, watching the child play quietly nearby.Tabitha casually inquired, "Why did you hold back on the day we met, only to tell me today?"Gloria had her excuse ready, responding, "You had just returned to the States, and I didn't know your situation. I was afraid it would cause you trouble."Tabitha peeled a few more grapes before setting them aside when Helios indicated he'd had enough.She then looked at Gloria and said slowly, "You weren't afraid of causing me trouble. You were afraid I would leave, weren't you?"Gloria was taken aback, about to argue, but Tabitha saw through her, "Every time you lie, you subconsciously avert your gaze, fearing I'll see through you."Gloria, in a fit of exasperation, covered her face with a blanket, "You two are tru
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?"