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 cryMaureen'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
Tabitha's POV Deep down, I was anything but calm or collected. All I felt was this endless madness and obsession. The Thunderflame Isles were known among werewolves as the Isles of Death. It was a secret training ground for special agents where most who got in didn't come out alive. Those who ended up there were either orphans with no one to turn to or rogues who lost everything in war. All of them were individuals standing alone. Most of them were put into training at a very young age. Sure, there were some like me who weren't exactly kids anymore, but they usually had some kind of background in this field. If I just waltzed in there without a plan, it'd be a one-way ticket to death. It was understandable that Derek flipped out about it. "Tabitha, you can't think like that! Didn't you use to wish to set up a hospital for regular folks? I've built it for you. Although Daphne changed the name, it's already running with top-notch doctors from both domesti
Tabitha's POV The sky was dark and drizzly, with the cold wind making the candlelight flicker, and the white petals dancing in the breeze. I wiped the rain off my face and murmured, "Joanna, is that you?" Two drops of rain landed right under Joanna's eyes in the photo, making it look like she was smiling through tears. It was such a bitter sight. I ran my fingers over the gravestone, murmuring, "Joanna, rest assured. I'll take good care of your family. From now on, they're my family too. You can leave with peace of mind. In the next life... In the next life, I wish you happy." After the funeral, the whole village was enveloped in a dense drizzle. I didn't leave immediately but instead went to Joanna's former residence. Her family had moved to the big city a long time ago, and except for major holidays, this place just sat empty. The house looked pretty run-down, and the apple tree and grapevines in the yard stood lonely in the rain. Stand
Tabitha's POV I stared blankly at the old lady. There was a maze of wrinkles on her face, and her eyes were so cloudy like they were covered in fog. She seemed very excited, her hands feeling like dry tree bark as they gripped mine tightly, rubbing my knuckles raw. She was way older than me. Why did she speak to me in such a respectful tone? Why was she so hyped upon seeing me? We didn't even know each other. "Ma'am, did you mistake me for someone else?" "How could I have mistaken you? Miss, I never thought I'd see you in my lifetime! You look just like you did back then, with no changes at all." She scrutinized me carefully before continuing, "No, you seem to have lost weight, and there's something a bit off about your face." Mrs. Foster quickly spoke up, "Priscilla, you must have mistaken someone else for Tabitha. She has never been here before. This is the first time." "Tabitha?" The old lady named Priscilla circled around me, occ
Derek's POV Priscilla, who had clearly forgotten who she was, still had these things engraved in her bones. "Priscilla, just consider this place as your own home. Please go inside first." Tabitha also came to this house for the first time and casually looked around. I pointed to the nearby guest room and said, "I have had an Omega tidy it up. Priscilla can stay here for now, living with you every day. Maybe she can remember some things faster." "Okay." "Let her settle in first and get used to this place, then I will have someone give her a thorough examination." "Thank you." Tabitha's attitude towards me was always lukewarm as if I were the neighbor next door. I sighed helplessly, knowing that there was no way we could change things for the time being. "Tabitha, you still need to have a good rest. You haven't fully recovered. Starting today, I will arrange for someone to come and treat your hand. As for John, the medical team will pr
Derek clung to Tabitha like a koala to a tree trunk, refusing to let go.His voice was urgent and filled with longing as he declared, "Tabitha, you have no idea how long I've been searching for you! Every day, every night, your image haunted my thoughts. I was such a fool. If I had known you would vanish completely, I never would have let you go."Tabitha's heart skipped a beat at his words.Recalling her departure, she realized how strange it had been—how smoothly she had left.Back then, Tabitha had barely left when someone came chasing after her. Had Derek known of her plan from the start?If he had wanted to stop her, he could have nipped her plan in the bud."Why did you let me go, then?" she asked.Derek, lost in the joy of their reunion, poured out his feelings unreservedly. "I've always felt guilty for the wrongs I did you. I wanted to make amends."Tabitha gazed into Derek's eyes, noticing the red marks on his face.Despite his usual handsomeness, these marks added an air of
Third person's POVThis was why Tabitha had chosen Alvin over Rolf.She adjusted her waterlogged mask, now nearly peeling off, and swiftly exited the scene.Rolf muttered behind her, "Alpha Derek, don't go around hugging people. What if she gets clingy? Tabitha's still out there—what if she sees this and makes you wait another decade?"Derek remained silent."But seriously," Rolf continued, "the doctor's build and height are identical to Tabitha's. Just the face is different."Derek seized on this. "What did you say?""I said she looks like Tabitha, except for the face. Alpha Derek, don't get carried away—it's not like Tabitha to pop up just because you're poisoned. You've looked for her for three and a half years with no luck."Derek rubbed his temples, chalking it up to longing-induced hallucinations.Tabitha retreated to her room, exhausted from the sleepless night of brewing and changing medicines.
Third person's POVDerek loosened his grip slightly, allowing her to breathe. "Sorry, I can't see. No idea what's going on," he muttered."You're in a tub. No dialysis here—just using heat to sweat out the wolfsbane. I was checking your condition," Tabitha explained, her tone flat.Derek realized his mistake. "Apologies.""Now that you're more lucid, let's do a quick check-up. How do you feel?""Body's burning. Blind as a bat. Hearing's there but muffled, ringing in the ears. Headache, chest tightness, shortness of breath, weak limbs...""Your entire body's under toxin attack. Recovery will take time. Don't stress. You're in good shape—should bounce back faster. Can you stand? Let me see your condition."The tub's dark liquid hid Derek's nudity, so Tabitha didn't push him to move.Derek suddenly realized something. "Wait, I'm naked?""Yep."Silence.His face twisted in discomfort."I'm a
Third person's POV"Are you serious?" Tabitha frowned. "This is life or death. Do you want him to die?""You don't get it," Alvin said quickly. "That woman isn't really Alpha Derek's fiancée. She made it up to convince Mrs. Atkinson to help. Derek's got someone else—someone he loves. If he finds out she fed him the medicine, he'll lose it.""So what? It's just medicine. I can't exactly summon his 'someone else' here," Tabitha muttered."Everything else is negotiable, but Alpha Derek's stubborn about this. He's loved Tabitha his whole life. He won't let another woman touch him intimately. I can't make that call for him. Any other ideas?"Tabitha froze. Tabitha? She hadn't heard that name in years."Since he loves Tabitha so much, where is she? Why isn't she here?""Tabitha left over three years ago. Derek's searched everywhere but couldn't find her. This time, he got distracted because someone hired a Tabitha look-alike. T
Third person's POVAlvin froze, panic rising. "Sorry, Alpha Derek's delirious," he blurted, terrified of offending Doctor Venessa."Get his clothes off and put him in the tub," Tabitha instructed, turning away to sort herbs."Fully?" Alvin asked, unsure."Fully," Tabitha confirmed, her voice flat.Alvin hesitated, then stripped Derek bare.Tabitha's mind flashed with memories of Derek's body—the same one she'd once known intimately.Compared to when she'd left, Derek's physique was more muscular.When she'd gripped his waist earlier, she'd distinctly felt the elasticity and definition of his muscles.Now, with his clothes removed, several new scars were visible across his chest.She'd watched him from afar over the years, always avoiding contact, always ensuring she remained invisible to him.Several times over the years, Derek had nearly crossed paths with Tabitha during missions. Each time, she deli
Third person's POVTabitha was used to Alvin calling her by name. Hearing him call her "doctor" made her wince."Use a different name," she said."May I know your name, Doctor?""Vanessa."Wait, what?Alvin nearly choked. "You're Vanessa? The all-around physician?"An "all-around physician" was a rarity—doctors usually specialized.But Vanessa wasn't just rare. She was legendary.Alvin had first heard her name last year when she became one of the few surgeons capable of performing interdental artificial cornea surgery.The procedure was so complex it required collaboration across dental, ophthalmological, and radiological fields.Yet Vanessa, a twenty-something newcomer, pulled it off.Media swarmed, patients flocked—but she vanished.Then came a high-risk heart surgery, again under her name.Another worldwide sensation.Reporters chased shadows. She remained elusive,
Third person's POVA cold female voice cut through the tension, "One more tear and you're out. You're deafening."Misha's open mouth froze mid-sob, the comical expression plastered on her face.She glanced around, finally noticing the unfamiliar woman in the room. "Who is she?" she demanded."This is the miracle doctor who can save Alpha Derek. Show some respect," Rolf warned, wary of Misha's infamous temper flaring up again.Despite her pride, Misha's love for Derek was genuine.She quickly composed herself. "Of course, Doctor. I entrust my Derek to you," she said, the possessive words slipping out before she could catch them.Rolf's eyebrow twitched. Since when was Derek "hers"?Alma appeared in the doorway. "You're back.""Yes," the woman replied, her tone neutral."Let me introduce everyone. These folks are here for treatment. The young man's poisoned—Nine-Heart Wolfsbane, nearly dead. The hysterical one
Third person's POVRolf's eyes were red and puffy from crying. "What's Alpha Derek trying to do?" he blubbered."Let him have this one last moment of freedom," Alvin said, holding Rolf back.The mountain wind chilled their tears, but Derek couldn't feel it anymore.His knees shook with every movement, each step draining what little strength he had left.Still, he didn't give up, gritting his teeth and forcing one foot in front of the other.The child stood bathed in sunlight—just a few steps away, and he could hold her.What should've been a quick stride took dozens of seconds, maybe longer.Hedwig stood with her back to him, pigeons swirling around her. A speckled one landed on her finger, cooing.Hedwig's eyes lit up—her mom was back!She spun around to see Derek lurching toward her, unsteady and lifeless yet driven by sheer will.He reached out, fingers trembling, when his body swayed dangero
Third person's POVWhy did it have to be Derek?Alvin's fists tightened as he stared at the horizon. Derek had lived with a clear conscience—except for Tabitha. He didn't deserve this end.But Alvin wasn't a healer. All he could do was watch as Derek's breaths grew shallower, his skin paler.The bell tinkled again—Hedwig had followed them here.When they finally stopped, Alvin eased Derek against a gnarled pine, its needles pricking Derek's back like needles of ice."This spot's good," Alvin said, voice cracking. "You'll see the sunrise."Derek nodded weakly. "Good."The mountain wind bit through Derek's coat, but it cleared his head a little."Alvin... my biggest regret was letting Daphne's demands tear Tabitha and me apart. If I hadn't blamed her for Silver Moon Pack's problems... none of this would've happened.""Alpha Derek, you had your reasons," Alvin said, though the words felt hollow."R