Tabitha's POV
With a slight pull, Derek took me into his arms.As he had just finished his shower, I could smell the scent of body wash on him.When I pressed my palm against his chest, his body heat felt like it was burning me up.Leaning his head towards mine, he cooed in my ear, "You've got a mole on your inner thigh."His breath, together with the refreshing scent of mint, brushed against my skin, making my cheeks flush red.I couldn't help asking my wolf inwardly, 'He actually knows such a secret of mine!'So he's really my mate?'Sadly, my wolf wasn't responding to me at all, and I couldn't sense the mate bond between me and him.Just then, I noticed Derek's expression soften as if he had thought of something.He playfully tapped the tip of my nose, saying, "Alright, let's have breakfast now. After that, I'll tell you everything, okay?"With that, he took my hand and led me out of the bedroom. The hallway was lined with maTabitha's POVJust then, my gut told me not to go in.My hand froze on the doorknob. But the next second, Derek's hand covered mine, and he whispered softly in my ear, "Don't be afraid. I'm here with you."Together, we opened the door. Inside, there were no sealed-up monsters or bloody scenes.It was just a pink room stripped bare of all its furniture, leaving just a carpet.Judging from a few baby toys in the corner, I guessed this used to be a nursery.The moment I came in, a heavy feeling settled over me, and I felt like crying.I walked through the vacant space until I stopped at a spot.Slowly, I crouched down. Even though I couldn't remember anything, my body seemed to know where to go."What used to be here?"Derek, who looked surprised by my behavior, sat down next to me and answered, "A crib."I surveyed the empty room, and a thought popped into my head."So we used to have kids?" I asked."Yes."I stamme
Tabitha's POVDerek kept reminiscing about how we met, got to know each other, and fell in love.I couldn't remember much, but I could still pick up on some hints from his words."I must've been crazy about you, right?" I asked.Derek looked at me with gentle eyes and chuckled in agreement, "Yeah. Do you remember something now?"I shook my head. "I just feel that since I was willing to give up my studies when I had a bright future ahead of me back then, I must've been head over heels for you."Derek paused, a complex expression on his face.Then, he stared out at the swirling snow and murmured, "Yeah. If it weren't because of love, why would you give up your dream? Tabitha, I swear I'll love you forever. I'd bet my life on it."He tightened his embrace, making it hard for me to breathe. I had to push him away with all my strength.Just then, I noticed my right wrist felt kinda stiff, and there was a scar on it. "My hand..."Derek let
Third person's POVDerek walked briskly out of the door, deliberately lowering his voice. "Hey.""Alpha Derek, has Tabitha come around? How is she now?" Kamp pressed on.Tabitha had been out cold for three whole days since she was injected with M-1, and she should have come around by now.Derek provided a brief update on Tabitha's condition, and Kamp let out a sigh of relief."That's good to hear. I was worried..."Kamp had been feeling uneasy lately, recalling a year ago when Tabitha had a high fever and dangerously low white and red blood cell counts.Usually, such low levels could mean she had undergone treatment to get wolfsbane out of the body, but later Tabitha's medical examination report showed no problems, so Kamp didn't ask about it.M-1 was quite unusual. Besides affecting pregnant women, the elderly, and children with weak immune systems, it could also be lethal for werewolves poisoned with wolfsbane.Every now and then, Kamp
Tabitha's POVIt was late at night, and the Omega had already gone home.The villa was left with just Derek and me, and we had nothing to do."Are you sleepy?" he asked.I shook my head quickly. "No, not at all. I'll watch TV for a while."My awkwardness was palpable. Despite being married for a long time, I still felt like a stranger to Derek. The idea of being intimate with him felt as awkward as meeting someone from an online relationship in person.Noticing my discomfort, Derek calmly said, "Okay, I'll be here with you."As I watched soap operas, Derek typed rapidly on his laptop.Occasionally, I glanced at him. With his gold-framed glasses and the soft yellow light above, he looked more warm than usual, his cold features softened by the glow.He seemed to sense my gaze and looked up.Wearing a black silk pajama with a high-quality sheen, the satin fabric glowed softly under the lamp. He adjusted his glasses with his slender midd
Tabitha's POVI blushed and looked away, "The baked lobsters look good. I'll give them a try."Before I could even pick one up, Derek quickly fed the shelled lobster into my mouth."Is it tasty?"As I bit into it, a burst of spiciness, freshness, and fragrance exploded in my taste buds.The familiar taste flowed from my tongue to my stomach. It had been so long since I'd tasted this. It was so spicy that I stuck out my tongue and guzzled lemonade."Too spicy?" Derek asked."A bit, but very delicious." I wasn't used to spicy food, but I enjoyed the challenge. Despite my burning ears, I couldn't resist taking another bite.Derek shelled lobsters quickly, but not as fast as I ate."Slow down.""It's a pity you're not a night market chef specializing in lobsters with skills like yours."I drank water and turned back to praise him.Derek smiled indulgently and said, "Do you really think anyone else in this world deserves to taste the food I make?"It had been a long time since I ate lobste
Derek's POVThe recent Tabitha reminded me of the time when we never had any disagreements.Back then, she was innocent and full of passion every day.Her smile was a great morale booster for me whenever I felt troubled or down.My unintentional love confession instantly flustered Tabitha.With her so close, her charm nearly made me lose my composure.Tabitha quickly averted her gaze and said, "These cherries are really big, and they're so sweet."I replied, "I'm glad you like them."It took me quite a while to prepare these foods, but I didn't eat much.After finishing shelling the lobster for Tabitha, I immediately turned to my laptop to handle some business matters.Seeing this, Tabitha couldn't help but ask, "By the way, I still don't know what you do besides being the Alpha of the Black Thorn Pack. What's your other work?"I answered succinctly, "Something related to management."Little did she know I was using work to distract myself. After all, she was so adorable, and I reall
Tabitha's POVThat comment instantly brought me to my senses.Indeed, all the information I'd gathered since I came around pointed to one thing: Derek and I were totally in love.Everything looked like a perfect gift box, flawless and incredibly beautiful on the outside.Even though Derek explained to me that I lost my pups by accident, what about my right hand?While showering, I noticed a bunch of cuts and scars on my body. They were not fatal injuries but rather seemed like scratches, grazes, or bruises.Apart from that, there was an unhealed cut on my abdomen.And it looked kinda dark around the edges.My palms were covered in calluses, and my figure looked nice but not in a fragile way.Most of those injuries seemed fresh, which didn't match up with Derek's claim that I was just a housewife. I must've been hitting the gym hard to get this body and all the injuries.Suddenly, I remembered that there were only Derek and a couple of pack guards on my contact list.Plus, my phone loo
Tabitha's POVIn the early morning, I woke up in the dazzling sunlight. I slowly opened my eyes. There was a moment of confusion.I blinked and was in a daze at that moment.I wondered if I looked a bit silly now.No matter what, I took a look around first.My vision gradually became clear as I glanced blearily about me."Did you sleep well last night?"I looked at the man beside me with a faint smile on his face.His handsome face made me feel as if he were the most powerful leader in the werewolf tribe, irresistible in his charm.It took my breath away to look at him from such a close distance. His facial features had no flaws whatsoever, no matter from which angle I looked at them.When he didn't smile, he was as cold as ice, but when he smiled, his whole demeanor became gentle.I parted my lips slightly and said, "Well, it's not bad."From what he said, it seemed that I always had poor sleep in the past.But yesterday, I slept through the night.Perhaps it was because of the faint
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
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