Derek's POV
I 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 IDerek'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
Tabitha's POV The atmosphere in the room grew sour as I finished my words. Derek's face darkened under my glower. Kamp, who seemed to pick up on the heavy vibes coming off Derek, blurted out, "Alpha Derek, Alvin just mind-linked me. There's pack stuff that needs your immediate attention." Derek shifted his gaze from me, ready to leave. Before he walked out the door, he suddenly threw over his shoulder, "Tabitha, talking to you's a waste of my time." I cursed inwardly, 'Damn it! I gotta teach him a lesson for insulting me!' Anger got the better of me, and before I knew it, my claws were out, swiping straight at him. Caught off guard in the heat of the moment, he failed to dodge in time. I ripped his shirt open, revealing his skin underneath. He glanced down and then locked eyes with me, rage written all over him. "How dare you!" he snarled. I remained silent, just keeping him in a cold, hard stare, ready to strike again if needed. Derek gave me a sullen glare. "I'm gonna le
Tabitha's POVIt'd been a week since I last saw Derek.And the guards from the Black Thorn Pack didn't show up again.So these days, I got to stay in this public werewolf hospital as an ordinary patient.Apart from Orson and the nurses, plus Gloria dropping by now and then, I got no visitors.No one'd been keeping tabs on me.TBH, I couldn't care less about Derek's absence. It was kinda nice to catch a break and just chill on my own.The wound on my collarbone had all healed up. No one could tell there was ever a mark there.I had checked in with Crystal.Good news was, she had already bounced back from the desolation caused by the complete break of the mate bond.And now, she couldn't sense Leo anymore.But when I was alone, Derek's face would pop out in my head from time to time, and it still stung me.Orson became the one I talked to the most.He would come to my ward during his rounds, keeping me updated with his f
Third person's POVHedwig couldn't speak, but she was wise beyond her years—quiet, helpful, and already versed in basic healing.Derek wished he could play with her, but time was slipping through his fingers. After eating the fruit she'd given him, he picked up his pen again.All night, he didn't rest.He could feel the life Hedwig had breathed into him fading. His senses were dulling again.But the will was done. Now, he only wanted to write letters—to Tabitha, to his kids, Kyrian, Helios and Ayla.The poison was moving faster than it should've. Every letter cost him energy, accelerating the venom's grip.First, he wrote to Kyrian. "Be a good man. Lead the pack with your heart, not just your claws."Derek's chest ached. He'd failed Kyrian, leaving him to shoulder the pack's weight alone.But love? That never faded.Next, his mother.The letter was short—"Take care of Kyrian. If Tabitha ev
Third person's POVAt the mention of the word "will," Rolf's face, which had been tense for days, crumpled. His eyes instantly reddened."Alpha Derek, you don't need a will! You're gonna be fine, you hear me?!"But at this moment, Derek became calm. "I don't have much time left. It took me a lot of effort to get to this camp. Even if I leave, it would take a day. What's the point of leaving if she comes back right after I go? It's better to stay here. If she doesn't come back in the end, I at least need to settle things, I can't just die without any explanation.""Alpha Derek...""Alvin, go get it," Derek said.Alvin's eyes welled up. "Alright."Alban, with red eyes, said, "I'm sorry, kid. I couldn't help you this time.""Dr. Weaver, I'm already grateful to you. You're right, there are some things beyond our control. I guess this is just my fate."In just two days, Derek had gone from a healthy man to someone whose organ
Third person's POVAlma felt a bit awkward. "I'm not sure about that."After all, Hedwig was Derek's spitting image, but she wasn't certain about Hedwig's father."Regardless, he already has other women by his side. He might have forgotten your mother and could build a future with someone else. Even so, do you still want to save him?"Hedwig pursed her lips and didn't respond. Alma stroked her hair, "Poor child, you should know how hard your mother worked to escape him. If he discovers you two are still alive, he'll imprison her again. Do you want that?"Hedwig shook her head gently."Then pretend you don't know him. Your mother and the others aren't in the village. Whether he survives is up to luck," Alma sighed, "Your mother suffered too much. She was barely alive when she gave birth to you. Cherish the life you have now."Hedwig nodded.Strangely, after Derek drank Hedwig's blood, about half an hour later, his vision and hea
Third person's POVThe door swung open.Misha stared at Alma with wide eyes, thinking her sincerity had finally moved her.But the next moment, Alma unhesitatingly lifted a basin of water and splashed it over her, drenching her from head to toe. "Stop making a fuss here! Don't try to coerce me with such theatrics. Whether you stay or do something more extreme, it has nothing to do with me. If you're looking for trouble, take it elsewhere, not here!"Misha stood there, stunned. How could Mrs. Atkinson act so unreasonably?"Why are you staring at me like that? Do you think this is a soap opera?" Alma sneered, "Now leave before you soil my place."As she spoke, she shielded Hedwig's eyes, "Don't look, or it might ruin your mood."Misha returned, drenched and furious, cursing under her breath, "Why is this old woman so difficult? She didn't have to help, but did she have to throw urine at me?"Rolf pinched his nose and stepped back
Third person's POV"Alban, I didn't expect forty years to fly by like that. You're still the same as ever. I did say you wouldn't grow taller, didn't I?"Alma remarked with a smile. Alban's face flushed at her words.It had been decades since he was brought here by his mentor after being poisoned.Back then, he was just a teenager, and Alma, in her early forties, was in her prime, looking much younger than her age.Known for her straightforward nature, she had teased him about his height after treating him. Alban had dutifully drunk milk and played basketball in an effort to grow taller, but his height eventually plateaued at around 5'7", making him appear shorter than his younger counterparts like Alvin."Mrs. Atkinson, you're still the same as ever. It's wonderful to see you again. Could you please help my friend? He's been poisoned with the Nine-Heart Wolfsbane," Alban pleaded.Alma sighed, "You've put me in a difficult spot. The N
Third person's POVIn the misty forest, a massive snake carrying a little girl emerged slowly.A beam of sunlight pierced through the dense canopy overhead, landing squarely on the girl.Her skin was as fair as snow, and her delicate features were strikingly beautiful.Most notably, she had a pair of emerald-green eyes, deep-set and chiseled.Clad in rustic, colorful attire, she was barefoot, with ankle bells woven from threads of five colors, adorned with tiny jingling pendants.This girl was exquisitely beautiful, her features complemented by an aura of ancient mystery.Perched high on the scarlet snake, she lacked the innocence typical of her age, instead bearing a demeanor of superiority, as regal as the Muse herself.The beam of light falling on her shoulder only enhanced her divine presence, making her seem like a saintess from a novel.The girl regarded the group with caution, her gaze inquiring why they had intru
Third person's POVTears streamed down Misha's face as she said, "You're still thinking about her even like this."Alvin turned to Alban and asked, "Dr. Weaver, what do we do now that Alpha Derek is in this state?""Have they identified the specific toxins yet?""Here it is, here it is!" Kamp approached with the freshly analyzed results."Dr. Weaver, can we save Alpha Derek once we know the components?""No, I can't save him. We need to go to Venomhollow," Alban instructed urgently."What kind of place is that?""It's an ancient village on the edge of the primeval forest. Most of the villagers deal with poisons, much like those special groups in the U.S. studying mysterious biological toxins. To save Derek, we need to find them. Perhaps they have a cure."Misha, realizing how severe Derek's poisoning was, asked, "And what about me, Dr. Weaver?""You're coming too. If we need a blood transfusion, we'll still rely o
Third person's POVThe figure was slender, clad in a black tight-fitting combat uniform, with distinct body curves—she was a woman!"Who are you?" Golden Shark asked in horror, hastily pulling out his pistol from his pants.Sweat poured from him as the woman approached from the firelight, her face obscured.As he drew his gun, a loud "bang" echoed—a gunshot shattered his hand, sending his weapon clattering to the ground.Seizing the moment, the driver fired back.A silver flash zipped through the air, and the driver clutched his chest in agony, a dagger protruding from it.He crumpled to the ground, blood gushing from his mouth.Golden Shark, a man of many dangers, was unnerved by today's bizarre events.As he tried to flee with his broken hand, another "bang" rang out, a bullet shattering his knee.Every time he moved, bullets found their mark. Within seconds, he was hit five or six times, collapsing
Third person's POVDerek's camouflage uniform was splattered with blood, most of it not his own, with only a minor wound on his arm.He seemed impervious to the pain.For three years, he had heard nothing of Tabitha and had transformed into a cold and bloodthirsty individual."Golden Shark got away? No problem. I've destroyed all his bases. Now he's just a rat scurrying around—where else can he run?" Derek said with a cruel smile."Alpha Derek, your arm is hurt," Rolf reminded."It's nothing," Derek glanced at the small wound, recalling how it had been slashed by a woman who bore a resemblance to Tabitha.Distracted during the firefight, he had stared into her eyes a moment too long.The sharp pain in his arm had struck like a venomous snake bite.The woman was killed on the spot, and he left without a flicker of emotion.For someone accustomed to danger, injuries were commonplace, and he paid the minor woun