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
Derek's POVThinking back, Tabitha was always bundled up in thick down jackets, a far cry from her vanity of only wearing wool coats back in the day.So she wasn't putting on an act.She really was sick.I wrapped her up tight, not letting a bit of wind sneak in.Tabitha's cheeks were burning up, looking all pitiful yet cute.What had she been through exactly? How come she got so weak?Holding her, I realized she was way lighter than before. I couldn't help tightening my embrace.Finally, the car arrived at the pack hospital. Kamp came over with the blood test report, saying, "Alpha Derek, I heard about what had happened from Alvin. Luna's critical. We gotta put her on a drip."I held Tabitha the whole time, and she seemed delirious from fever, mumbling non-stop.She instinctively covered her belly with one hand and reached out into the void with another. "Save me. Save our child," she exclaimed.Her right hand still got the IV
Tabitha's POVI felt I had sunk into a deep ocean, my mind bobbing in and out of the water.This surreal feeling got me confused. I didn't even know if I was in a dream or reality.I lost the remote to my own body—caught up in the chilly seawater one sec, the next basking in some cozy sunbeams.Amidst this chaos, I caught sight of a blurry figure. It was my wolf, Crystal, treading all slow and heavy like she was trying to lead me somewhere.Sensing her weariness and pain, I was devastated.I wanted to catch up, to comfort her a bit, but no matter how hard I tried, I could only stagger on, my legs feeling like lead."Crystal," I called out in my heart.But she didn't even turn her head.Just as I was about to drop to my knees in this never-ending dream, a soft glow lit up before me.Then, a beautiful lady in a white dress walked out.She looked so kind, her eyes brimming with empathy and wisdom.Though I had never seen her, I knew she was the Moon Goddess, the guardian of werewolves.S
Tabitha's POV He knitted his brows but gave no reply. Instead, he poured me a glass of water, cooing, "Here, have some water." This side of him took me back to the days we were madly in love. How he treated me like I was the love of his life. Just then, my abdominal wound started aching, reminding me how he had treated me after he confirmed that my dad murdered Elena. I scoffed, disgust overwhelming me. Derek, though, wasn't discouraged. Seeing that I wouldn't take the water, he came closer, wanting to feel my forehead. That was when those memories of being tied up in the bathroom came flooding back. Startled, I jumped off the bed, keeping as much distance as I could to avoid getting hurt again. "What do you want?" I looked at him warily and asked. "I just wanna check if you're still running a temperature," Derek explained. He looked very hurt, but that wouldn't stir up any guilt in me. Served him right. As I stared at him, I called out in my mind, "Crystal, you there?" She
Derek's POVTabitha's words freaked me out. I widened my eyes, staring at her in disbelief.Right now, tears were trickling down her cheeks as she stared out the window, making her look gorgeous yet fragile.Inside my head, Leo was losing his mind, howling like crazy, giving me a splitting headache. I knew he didn't want me to do this to her, but I couldn't help it.I thought she was just bluffing. As someone who would cry over a simple scratch, she could never hurt herself that way. That was what I told myself. However, I was so damn wrong.She showed her claw, going straight for her collarbone before I could even stop it.Desperate, I rushed over, reaching out my arm to stop her. But clearly, I underestimated her resolve to cut ties with me.Her claw gouged a wound in her skin as well as my arm.Blood poured out of our wounds, dying our clothes red.I frowned in pain, yet I didn't flinch."Tabitha, have you lost your damn mind?!" I
Tabitha's POVI slowly opened my eyes, my mind shifting from fuzzy to clear.Looking around, I realized I was moved to another ward, a far cry from the one before.The walls here were slapped with plain white paint, not a single decor in sight. Some parts were even peeling off, showing the grey concrete underneath.The light was utterly dim. The only tiny window was covered by rough, faded curtains.The bed was hard and thin. And when I touched the sheets and covers, they were so rough that I felt they were gonna cut my fingers. Guessed they must've been washed countless times.In the corner was a simple metal cabinet, topped with a plastic cup and a box of tissues.And that was all.The air was filled with the pungent smell of disinfectant as well as a hint of dampness, which made me uncomfortable.I knew it must be Derek's doing. It was so typical.Ruining the mark was like challenging his authority. As a domineering man, he defini
Third person's POVAfter muttering to herself, she returned to the bathroom to freshen up. When she came out, she felt that Derek was in an unusually good mood, as if he was surrounded by pink bubbles.Derek looked at her with a beaming smile. "Tabitha, it's getting late. We should sleep now. Good night."Hearing the word "sleep," Tabitha's face turned red again."I promise. It's just sleep.""I'll take the sofa."After what had just happened, there was no way Tabitha could feel comfortable sharing a bed with Derek.She even suspected that everything had been premeditated by him.Tabitha lay down on the sofa with another blanket in her arms.Derek sat on the bed, looking aggrieved. "Tabitha, there are only four days left. Can't you stay with me a bit longer?""No, go to sleep," Tabitha replied irritably, turning over and facing away from him, even covering her head with the blanket.But the strange sensatio
Third person's POV"You're lying!" Tabitha tried to deny it, but her voice trembled slightly.Her hands instinctively pushed at Derek, only to be tightly held by him, immobilized."Tabitha, you can say that I've hurt you deeply, but my love for you hasn't changed in ten years. I love you, and that's a fact," Derek's voice was deep and resolute. As a werewolf, once he chose his mate, it was a lifelong bond.His eyes revealed deep love and regret, as if he were confessing his years of longing and remorse to Tabitha.Tabitha coldly turned her face away and said, "I didn't come here to hear this! You should know that we can never go back. Don't even think about getting back together. I'm not that naive girl who can be swayed by your sweet words anymore."Her voice carried a hint of determination and indifference, yet inside, she was trembling. Those past memories and emotions surged in her mind like waves.Derek's magnetic voice chuckled
Third person's POVIn the dimly lit room, an atmosphere of intimacy hung in the air like an invisible net, tightly entwining Derek and Tabitha.Outside the window, the hustle and bustle of the city was shut out, leaving only the two of them, their rapid breathing and pounding heartbeats as if trying to break through the silent night.Derek's tall frame pressed tightly against Tabitha, their body heat blending together, scorching like a burning flame.As werewolves, their keen senses could clearly detect every subtle change in each other's bodies. This close and intimate contact intensified their emotions, as if they were about to consume each other.Tabitha's mind went blank in an instant, filled with disbelief. The coincidence was so extreme that even the most absurd novels wouldn't dare to write it this way!"How are you? Did your wound split open?" Tabitha asked anxiously, her voice tinged with undeniable concern.She was worried f
Third person's POVHer fingers trembled as she undid one, two, three buttons. More and more of Derek's well-defined chest was revealed.Scattered across his pectorals were a few old scars, which, far from detracting from his beauty, added a unique masculine charm to him.Gently, she helped Derek remove his clothing, until his entire upper body was exposed.Derek's Adam's apple rolled slightly. His voice became a bit husky, "And the pants."Tabitha's face flushed instantly. She stammered, "You, you do it yourself.""I can't bend down. Don't think the wrong way," Derek said, pulling Tabitha's hand and placing it on his waistband.Tabitha's face turned as red as a ripe apple.Although she and Derek had been more intimate in the past, this was the first time she was unbuttoning his pants, especially since they were already divorced.Derek, however, remained calm and waited for her without any hurry.Not knowing what k
Third person's POVDrip.A drop of red liquid fell onto the white bedsheet. Tabitha's face paled. Had Derek's wound reopened?No, if it had, the blood would've come from his back, not the front.She looked up and saw a trail of red under Derek's nose."Why are you bleeding?"She quickly grabbed tissues to wipe it away. Derek cleared his throat. "It's… dry in here.""I'll ask Rolf to bring a humidifier later.""Mm." Derek avoided her gaze, his ears turning red.Tabitha efficiently changed his bandages. As the sky darkened, she grabbed her change of clothes. "I'm going to shower. Call me if you need anything."She took a quick shower, rushing through it out of concern for Derek. She didn't even dry off completely, water droplets still clinging to her skin.When she opened the bathroom door, she found Derek staring at her. "Tabitha, I want to shower too."It suddenly hit her: Derek hadn't showere
Third person's POVMisha's looks were average at best. She had a larger frame.At 168 centimeters and 120 pounds, her figure wasn't bad, but standing next to Tabitha, she paled in comparison.Tabitha was slender, her skin as pale as snow. After losing weight, her delicate features stood out even more, making her look like a doll.Misha, on the other hand, applied thick layers of foundation.Unfortunately, she wasn't skilled at makeup. The heavy application left her face caked and uneven, creating a stark contrast between her face and neck.It looked… odd.Derek knew Misha didn't have bad intentions.She was just straightforward, and he had a good relationship with her father, so he tolerated her.Still, her daily appearances were hard to stomach.Letting her leave would've been the kindest thing he could do for her.But Misha didn't get the hint.She batted her heavily mascaraed eyelashes at h
Third person's POVDerek's brow furrowed, a shadow of worry crossing his face. "Tabitha, things aren't as simple as you think."There were things he couldn't explain to her, not fully."It's too late to back out now. The only way I can protect you and the children is by climbing higher, reaching further."Tabitha didn't fully understand the intricacies of his world, but she sensed that Derek's family wasn't just some wealthy dynasty."But you know how dangerous this path is. How can you bear to put our child in harm's way?""Tabitha, I don't have a choice. Kyrian has potential. He's the eldest, born into the Black Thorn Pack. I can't raise him like some sheltered heir. He has a responsibility to protect this family. If not him, then Helios. I won't have children with anyone else."Tabitha's heart ached. Both boys were her flesh and blood. She'd already missed so much of their lives."Is there really no other way?""He's
Third person's POVDerek kept talking, his voice low. "Daphne begged me to give her a family, saying she didn't want her child to grow up without a father. She asked if I could give her a home."Hearing this, Tabitha felt a sourness welling up inside her. Her eyes reddened slightly as she asked, "So you gave her one?""She used Randall's life as leverage. I couldn't refuse. That's why I asked for a divorce. But later, I realized her ambitions went far beyond that. The hospital, the gown, 32 Seaside Avenue—everything I prepared for you, she tried to steal." Derek's voice hardened with anger and regret.Memories of that agonizing time flooded back.Tabitha bit her lip, fighting tears. "So you knew… when she pushed me into the sea?""From the beginning, I knew both of your personalities well. How could I not guess what she had done? When you both fell into the water, my instinct was to save you. But thinking of Randall's death and
Third person's POVDerek lay face down, unable to see Tabitha's expression.His heart was a mess of anxiety, unsure of what she was thinking.He wrestled with himself—part of him desperately wanted to tell her the truth, while another part feared it would only hurt her more.But he knew he couldn't keep hiding it."Tabitha, I think it's time I explain everything about Daphne and me. There's no point in keeping secrets now," Derek said, taking a deep breath.Tabitha was cleaning Derek's wounds, her hands steady but slow.When Derek brought up the topic, she felt no relief—only a deep, gnawing fear.She was terrified he'd say something dismissive, like it was a moment of weakness or that he'd been drugged.Her hands trembled slightly, each movement deliberate, as if she were bracing herself for what was coming.Derek didn't wait for her reaction. "I've wanted to tell you the truth for a long time. But ba