Tabitha's POV Derek walked into the room. He released the Alpha aura on me, and I immediately felt suffocating as if an invisible wall was pressing against me. I lifted my head defiantly, only to see him looking at Daphne with gentle eyes. "Are you OK?" he asked her. Daphne glanced my way, smirking with victory written all over her face. I clenched my fists in fury. Daphne leaned closer to Derek with a smile and said, "Derek, thank God you're here. When I walked past the Financial Office, I heard someone arguing, so I came in to see what was going on. I didn't expect to come across Tabitha trying to take money." "Miss Sutton, do you hear yourself? You're nothing but a mistress. Do you really think you're Black Thorn Pack's Luna?" I sneered. "You tryna take money?" Derek turned his head and asked me slowly. "No!" I said, biting my lip. "Tabitha's lying," Tiffany chimed in. "A minute ago, she ordered me to withdraw money for her, and I said no. Then she tried to force
Tabitha's POV I fixed Holly with pleading eyes, hoping that she would agree. But before she said anything, a voice I knew too well filled the doorway. "Seriously? You came begging at my house?" I stood up in disbelief and watched as Daphne and Derek walked in. Then I whipped around back at Holly. Holly smiled at Daphne dotingly. Then she told me, "Daphne is Mark's daughter. I was about to introduce her to you just now. You're about the same age, and I'm sure you can be friends." Talk about a cruel twist of fate. Daphne's father stole my dad's mate. And now, she stole mine. Like that was not enough, they saw me in such a sorry state. I was literally a clown in their ritzy life. Of course, Daphne wouldn't miss such a perfect chance to humiliate me. She walked over and said to Holly in an ironic tone, "Friends with her? Not gonna happen. She's a thief. You'd better go check if anything is missing." Hearing Daphne's words, Holly started to scrutinize me. "What's g
Derek's POV Holly actually slapped Tabitha right before me! While I stood there in silence, my wolf Leo roared in my mind, "Damn it, Derek! What were you thinking? How could you let her insult our mate like that?" Recently, I'd been forcing myself to spend more time with Daphne, which brought Leo's wrath upon me. Now, I could hardly contain his fury. I used to believe that all I left for Tabitha was hatred. I thought I had gotten over her. Yet I was wrong. The moment I saw her stubborn expression and reddened cheek, my heart ached. Yet before I could even speak, Holly raised her arm again. She wanted to give Tabitha a second slap?! The nerve of her! Enraged, I immediately grabbed her arm. "Alpha Derek?" Holly looked at me in disbelief. I took a deep breath, suppressing Leo's anger, and said, "Tabitha's still Luna of the Black Thorn Pack. How dare you slap her in front of me?" "C'mon, Derek. Why so serious? Holly was just punishing her for disrespecting me. B
Tabitha's POV Watching Derek ham it up, trying to stick it up for me with all his bullshit, I felt ridiculous. Just when I thought my day couldn't be any worse, I heard a baby's cry. The kiddo was literally a mini version of Derek, with big eyes, a prominent nose, and all the stuff. I felt like my heart broke into pieces. And my last bit of hope was shattered. I used to believe that Derek loved me, especially when we first tied the knot. I remembered once he gently caressed my cheek and told me that he would take me as his destined mate even if I wasn't. He promised we'd have a baby of our own, and he would go the extra mile to make it happen. Then when I really got pregnant, he killed our baby with his indifference. I used to be puzzled, wondering why he became a totally different person all of a sudden. Now seeing the baby boy before me, I finally realized that all the good old days I had spent with Derek were nothing but an illusion. No wonder he was so eager t
Tabitha's POV Shortly after I hung up the phone, a black car rolled up next to me. Two tall, strong men got out. One was Beta Alvin, and the other was Gamma Rolf. Both were members of the Black Thorn Pack. "Luna Tabitha." Alvin nodded at me, as politely as he always did. It had been quite some time since I was addressed as Luna. Lump in my throat, I asked, "Beta Alvin, I just came out from a friend's place. Can you take me back to the Black Thorn Pack?" They looked puzzled as if wondering why I didn't turn to Derek. "I guess you've heard that Alpha Derek and I are about to have the rejection ceremony soon. I wanna stay in peace with him until then," I quickly added. When I reigned the Black Thorn Pack as Luna, I got along well with Alvin and Rolf. So after hearing my explanation, Alvin immediately agreed. "Let's go then." "Can we swing by 32 Seaside Avenue first? I've left something there, and I wanna take it back." That was where Derek put Daphne, and it used to be
Tabitha's POV "That's right." I went straight to the point, and he was faster at it. "You jerk!" I felt desperate, tears streaming down my face. "How could you treat me like this? And how on earth did the werewolves of the Silver Moon Pack offend you?" Derek remarked, his tone icy, "Tabitha, if you wanna know the answer, go ask your dear father what he's done." "What did he do? Just fucking tell me!" I shouted hysterically. Derek stood there, looking nonchalant. "Go ask him yourself." "So, marrying me was never about love?" I asked, sobbing. I tried to find some trace of warmth in his eyes but I failed. "That's right. I plotted to get close to you from the very beginning. It's all about revenge." "You hate me?" "Exactly. Tabitha, it's what you gotta go through for being John's daughter. I want y'all to live in agony forever to atone for your sins!" With that, I heard a painful whimper from Crystal. She was trembling, getting even weaker. And my wound started h
Tabitha's POV 200,000 dollars was a small fortune. Now that I had it, I didn't have to worry about Dad's medical bills for quite some time. According to the werewolf's agreement, after Derek rejected me, he would have to pay me alimony, which could be used to repay the money. After paying the bills, I finally felt relieved. Stepping outta the hospital, I barely took two steps before my world started spinning. It seemed that there had been too much to take in on a single night. And the running just now drained my last bit of energy. After taking two wobbly steps, I blacked out. When I woke up again, I found myself in a ward. I was put on a drip, the cold liquid slowly seeping into my blue veins. And my wound had also been bandaged. The clock showed that it was already the next afternoon. Before I could say anything, Orson's gentle voice sounded. "As soon as I got here this morning, someone told me you fainted at the entrance last night. If I had known this, I wouldn'
Derek's POV The moon's round orb shone high in the sky, casting its velvety light on the Black Thorn Pack's turf. It was bedtime, but I couldn't sleep, my mind in turmoil. As long as I closed my eyes, Tabitha's face would haunt me. Her stubborn look, the agony in her eyes... Every detail was etched in my mind. I gotta admit, restoring her rights as Luna was quite a relief, even if it was just to chill Leo out. After staying up all night, I got up early the next morning, spending the whole day dealing with pack biz. Hopefully, it'd distract myself from all the mess inside my head. My phone kept ringing, but the sight of Daphne's name killed my urge to pick up. After a while, I heard a knock at the door. "Come in," I grunted, rubbing at my forehead. Then the door swung open and in walked Daphne. Not expecting her presence, I asked with a frown, "What are you doing here?" She walked over, grumbling, "I rang you up a few times, but you didn't answer. Got a bit worri
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
Third person's POVAlvin's expression turned grave. "Alpha Derek's identity has been exposed. Every faction that ever held a grudge against him will come at him like starving wolves. What happened last night—those attackers were core members from Wintertown ten years ago. They sent suicide squads. Those people aren't afraid to die. They just want to drag Alpha Derek down with them."Tabitha's heart raced with fear. Her eyes filled with worry as she asked urgently, "So he's in even more danger now?""He's safe here in the military zone, but stepping outside means walking into a minefield. I also found an anonymous bounty on the dark web—$15 million for Alpha Derek's head. That kind of money will lure private assassins and mercenaries. Greed makes people reckless," Alvin explained.Despite the danger, Derek remained calm. He looked at Tabitha. "I kept you by my side before because I could protect you. But now, staying near me is the most dangero
Third person's POVTabitha wasn't longing to rekindle the intimacy she once shared with Derek. She just couldn't help feeling that her past self had been foolish.She had loved him so deeply, given up everything for him, and stayed by his side. He knew everything about her, yet she knew almost nothing about him."Tabitha, some things are better left unknown. I'm doing this for your own good," Derek said, his voice tinged with helplessness and concern.But his words only made Tabitha's expression darken.Her eyes widened, filled with anger and disappointment, as she stared at him."How long are you going to keep hiding behind the excuse of doing what's 'best for me' while being utterly selfish?" Tabitha couldn't hold back her frustration any longer. All the emotions she'd bottled up came pouring out."I loved you so much back then. I gave up everything for you. Your work was always so mysterious, and I never asked questions. Wherever y