LOGINThe heater hummed inside the car, a warm sanctuary against the blizzard raging outside.Tabitha blinked, putting on a mask of wide-eyed innocence."Derek, back when I first started at the academy, I watched my mentor perform a silver extraction. There was a world-famous surgeon there. Right as he was suturing the main artery, his hands started jerking like he'd been electrocuted. He almost killed the patient right then. Osbert did his best to save the guy. Wanna know who that 'famous' surgeon was?"Derek frowned. "You mean... Dr. Simmonds?"Tabitha let out a soft laugh, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Bingo."Her smile faded. "It's called 'Silver Tremor.' It's the ultimate taboo for doctors, a neurological breakdown from long-term silver exposure. It's almost impossible to cure. Once the pressure hits and he catches the scent of a High Alpha's blood, he loses all control. Algernon was shot near the heart; any doctor knows how risky that is. The s
Tabitha didn't accept the envelope and spared it a cold glance."That's not necessary, but thank you," Tabitha's voice carried detached arrogance. "If it wasn't for Derek, I wouldn't have set foot on this territory."She paused, her gaze sweeping over Bonnie's pale face. "Leaving now doesn't cost me anything. But if Dr. Simmonds' hand slips even a fraction of an inch...""What did you say?! How dare you curse my dad!" Michelle shrieked, lunging forward. Her nails elongated instantly into lethal claws, shifting into an attack stance."I'm just telling the truth. I hope you haven't bet on the wrong horse. Derek, we should go now."Michelle was shaking with rage, about to unleash another torrent of abuse, but Bonnie slapped her across her face."You said enough!" Bonnie hissed. The sheer weight of her Luna authority made Michelle wilt instantly. "You're the Lycan's daughter, so act like one and stop humiliating us here!""M
Osbert ignored the tension and strode to Tabitha's side."You must be Vanessa. Alban told me all about you. He said that there was a young woman with hands blessed by the Moon Goddess herself."Tabitha's fingertips trembled. She couldn't afford a single slip-up that might let him recognize her.Taking a deep breath, she kept her voice flat."Dr. Fairbank, glad to meet you."Osbert's eyes lingered on her face for a moment, searching for a familiar shadow. "Well, I'm a bit surprised. You're such a young woman. I'm getting a bit old for this. So, would you mind if I act as your second-in-command for the surgery?"The room went dead silent. Before Tabitha could even react, Michelle let out a piercing shriek."Dr. Fairbank, have you lost your mind? Why her?!" Michelle's eyes were bloodshot, her high-born arrogance flaring. "She's a nobody! How can she possibly be compared with Dr. Simmonds? My dad is the Lycan. If anything happens t
Bonnie looked conflicted. Her noble Luna composure was crumbling under the mounting pressure. She glanced at Derek, who was radiating a cold, dark energy, then at Bentley, who wore a practiced smile."But..." Bonnie's voice trembled slightly, "Derek also brought a doctor over."Bentley's gaze flickered toward Tabitha, cold and slithering like a viper's tongue.Tabitha met his stare with icy indifference. She used some shifting potion and a custom perfume to mask her scent. No matter how sharp Bentley's nose was, or how hard he glared with those wolfish eyes, he wouldn't find a trace of the woman he once knew under this stranger's face."You mean... This young woman?" Bentley's voice was much calmer than Michelle's, but his aura was heavy and suffocating.Though deep down he knew that she was the one who had sabotaged his plan before, he kept up his pretentious "gentleman" act.For years, he and Derek had played two opposite roles in t
Tabitha gave Misha's rage-distorted face a cold, dismissive glance before calmly closing the car door. "Since Miss Holmes doesn't trust me, I'll see myself out."She started to pull back into the seat.Derek knew her personality too well. He wasn't about to force her into anything she didn't want to do, so he didn't move to stop her.But Alban panicked. He shoved his hand against the door to keep it from closing. "Dr. Vanessa, don't mind the brat. Lycan Algernon is only alive because of those machines. I'm asking you personally—save him. For me."Tabitha thought back to the help Alban had given her when she first left. He had been a close friend of her late mentor, after all.She took a deep breath and stepped out of the car.The moment she did, every medical professional in the hallway stared at her. Their eyes were full of genuine respect. Whispers rippled through the crowd."Look, that's Dr. Vanessa... she's even younger than
Derek grabbed his ice-cold coat and stepped out into the storm.Tabitha stood under the porch, watching his silhouette fade into the blinding white.He looked lonelier than she'd ever seen him. Where was the arrogant Black Thorn Alpha now?Suddenly, a memory from years ago flashed in her mind. She saw herself in those freezing, dark waters, and felt a pair of strong arms pulling her to the surface. She could almost hear his deep voice in her ear, "Don't be scared. I've got you."That single moment of rescue had turned into a destiny she couldn't escape."Hey, Derek."Derek froze. He spun around instantly.Tabitha was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, a wicked, confident smirk on her face. "I'll drop the custody thing for Kyrian—for now. But don't expect me to be cheap about the rest of my fee."She never really intended to burn everything down with him. She just wanted to see if this man would sell out his own







