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. StandTabitha'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's POV My brows furrowed as I continued to ask, "Which city?" "Priscilla couldn't remember clearly. Back then, she wandered around from her hometown without any purpose, just following other werewolves and going with the flow. She only said that the city was relatively close to the sea." "At that time, even the names of various places were constantly changing, and it would probably be impossible to find accurately based solely on such clues." "It's okay. Take your time to search. I'm already happy to have met Priscilla. It's like a sign from above. Maybe Priscilla will remember more things one day," Tabitha said. "Tabitha, it is true that there are clues, but you also need to be mentally prepared. Even if Shana, who was served by Priscilla, looks very similar to you, it could just be a coincidence. "It is normal to find similar people in this world, especially considering it was sixty years ago. There is a possibility that she has no connection to
Tabitha's POV After I finished taking a shower, I found Derek leaning on the leather sofa. His head tilted slightly back, his handsome face filled with exhaustion. His eyes were tightly closed. It seemed that he had fallen asleep. I glanced at him and didn't wake him up. Instead, I sat down quietly across from him and casually picked up a programming book. A cool breeze blew in through the window, and Derek woke up slowly. I looked at the desolate scene outside. It seemed like it would snow in a few days. The room was brightly lit, forming a sharp contrast with the dark and gloomy sky outside. On the table were freshly flown-in flowers, trimmed elegantly, with a faint scent of freshness lingering in the air. However, no matter how cozy this place was decorated, it could not change the relationship between me and Derek. The cold used to be outside, but now it was between us. Like before, when I saw him sleeping, I would definitely cov
Tabitha's POVOn the day when the first snowfall arrived, I went out.I thought pushing myself too hard would make my condition worse, but oddly enough, ever since I got pregnant, my abdominal wound had hardly bothered me at all.I didn't know if I had gotten rid of the wolfsbane in my body, but one thing was for sure: my health had stabilized and wasn't getting any worse.For me, that was the best outcome I could ask for.It had been almost a year since I'd really enjoyed a good shopping spree or just soaked in life.Standing in the hottest shopping center, I spotted this woman in work attire walking fast in high heels and a wool coat.As she was glancing around under the billboard, I walked over, calling her name softly, "Gloria."Hearing my voice, she whipped around to look at me, her face lighting up as she recognized me.Today, I wore a black wool coat. My hair had grown quite a bit, so I curled it up in a bun.A pair of simple
Tabitha's POV Gloria grabbed my hand anxiously and asked, "Goodbye? Where are you going?" "Don't worry. I just need a spot to chill for a bit," I tried to soothe her. "Well, I could tell from your outfit today that you're trying to clear your head. I mean, you look like an ice queen. Will it gonna take long?" she asked. "Well. Yes, I guess," I replied softly. "Alright, it might actually be a good choice for you to leave this hell." Gloria had always been lively and cheerful. But now, she didn't know how to comfort me because she knew that the suffering I had gone through couldn't be wiped away with just a few words. To shift my attention, she ordered many expensive dishes. With a smile, she said to me, "Tabitha, just eat whatever you want today. My treat. I'm loaded now, so don't hold back!" I chuckled, "Keep your voice down, or people will think you're a nouveau riche." "What's the big deal? I earned this myself! Tabitha, tell you w
Tabitha's POVThe next morning, I went to check on Dad, who was all skin and bones in bed, for the last time.His muscles had atrophied, and his face appeared aged and gaunt.The room was thick with the smell of medicine.I hadn't had the guts to come in here for days, for I knew that once I made up my mind, I would have to let him go.A heavy snowfall last night blanketed the yard outside.I pulled back the thick blackout curtains and opened the window, letting sunlight and snow swirl into the room.I hadn't sensed Dad's wolf for a long time.Looking at him, I whispered, "Dad, you haven't enjoyed the fresh air for a long time, right? It's winter again, and it's snowing."My right hand wasn't as nimble as my left one yet, but I could manage basic movements just fine now.Thus, before I came in, I scooped up a handful of snow and shaped a little snow bunny.Putting that bunny on the bedside table, I went on chatting with Dad.
Daphne's POVI also attended John's funeral.Sitting in a wheelchair, I watched from a distance as Derek held an umbrella for Tabitha. The scene of them standing together while snow fell all around them looked so dreamlike as if they were the prince and princess in some fairy tale.In the past few days, I asked Derek many times about John's whereabouts, but he never spilled a word.It wasn't until this morning that I heard the news of John, yet, it was about his death.I couldn't even get to say goodbye to him before he died, and he never knew that I was his biological daughter.Derek was ruthless indeed.It was the punishment for my sin, he said.But what did I do wrong?I'd been kept in the dark for so many years. And now, both of my parents tragically died because of me, and I was tormented by guilt every single day.At first, I felt like the luckiest person on earth.I had a venerable father, a loving mother, and a caring fi
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