LOGIN"If only you had... What?" Tabitha asked and sounded a bit confused,Algernon waved his hand at her and shook his head. "Well, it's nothing. Just enjoy this delicious apple pie now."His expression softened completely as he watched her pick up a slice of pie and take a bite of it.At this moment, Algernon wasn't the supreme leader of the pack; he was just a kind old man staring at a little girl who was enjoying her pie.He looked at her, dazed, and his large hand instinctively came to rest gently on her head.For some reason, Tabitha didn't want to recoil. Instead, she caught a scent that felt strangely familiar. Maybe it was just because she had been away from her own family for too long, and somehow, she was also longing for a moment like this.After that, Algernon was about to leave the pack house and head home. Since Tabitha was now his private physician, she would accompany him to his residence.After a short drive, the cars pull
Tabitha's voice was like a cool breeze that instantly swept away the gloom, smoothing the deep furrows between Algernon's brows.He was in a foul mood; normally, no one would dare speak to him at a moment like this. Even his mate, Bonnie, had chosen to keep her mouth shut for the time being. After all, it was better to stay away from an angry Alpha.Bonnie expected him to tell Tabitha to go away and come back later.However, to her absolute shock, Algernon's voice softened almost instantly as he said, “Just come in.”Tabitha pushed the door open, feigning surprise at Derek's presence.“Alpha Derek, I didn't know you were here, too. Would you like to try some of the apple pie I made?” she said softly as she offered a slice to Derek.Walking in at such a critical moment was a blatant move to bail Derek out, and her acting was becoming seamless."Well, the pie smells great. But, actually, I'm about to leave now."
Algernon's thick brows knit together, and a heavy Alpha pressure began to radiate from him.“You think choosing a mate is something you just do on a whim?” Algernon's voice was low, carrying a beast-like tremor. “If you swallow prey you don't like, you might feel sick for a few days. And we are talking about choosing a mate with whom Derek has no feelings!" He paused for a moment to soothe his mood."Derek doesn't love Michelle. You know it, right? Forcing him to mark her is a desecration of the Moon Goddess, and Michelle won't receive any blessings. I never forced him to marry Michelle all these years because I hoped time would ease his obsession with his former mate. But he just won't let go.” He took a deep sigh as he said so.Bonnie sat down indignantly, her eyes rimmed with red. “So, aren't you gonna do something about it? Michelle is the jewel of this entire pack. Her bloodline is noble, and all she wants is to be marked by th
Tabitha caught the sudden wave of pressure radiating from him and immediately pulled back. "Oh, sorry. I shouldn't be prying into military secrets."The golden flash of aggression in Cyrus's eyes flickered, replaced by his usual composure. "No, I've overreacted. It is not safe at the border now, and I don't want you to be caught in the crossfire. So, my apologies."A heavy silence fell between them after that. And they didn't say anything more.After breakfast, Cyrus got up from his chair and headed to the front door.Tabitha took a few more bites and then followed behind him. Meanwhile, she couldn't help but think that this man was as cold as iron, somehow, even more rigid than Derek used to be.Still, for all his ferocity, he didn't seem like a bad person.They got into the car and headed to the pack.When the black SUV pulled up in front of the pack house, Cyrus actually stepped out to open the door for her, even shielding the roof with his hand. "Watch your head. The snow is picki
Tabitha spoke calmly. "Cyrus, please don't get me wrong. But Lycan Algernon is already out of danger, and with proper care, he will recover just fine. My medical skills aren't exactly irreplaceable in the pack, and it's obvious Michelle doesn't want me around. I have no interest in being the reason for your family's conflict."Cyrus didn't travel all this way just to find a private doctor for his father's recovery. He knew perfectly well that a doctor who mastered surgery, pharmacology, and nutrition was a rare asset for any pack. Now that he'd found Tabitha, he wasn't about to let her fall into anyone else's hands."We've already discussed this," Cyrus said, softening his tone with a hint of helplessness. "Michelle has been spoiled since she was a pup, and she has no manners. Her behavior was out of line, and I apologize on behalf of our bloodline. I give you my word, from now on, no one in the Black Thorn Pack will dare snarl at you.""Well, since you're swear
Tabitha was no longer the naive girl she once was. She had learned that in the rigid hierarchy of the pack, the closer you were to the top, the more resources you controlled.Staying by Algernon's side was dangerous, but it was where the opportunities were. More importantly, by embedding herself in the Lycan's inner circle, she could better position Derek to win this fierce contest for power.Derek woke up before dawn. Feeling the tension in his muscles, Tabitha wrapped her slender arms around his waist and brushed her nose against his bare back, savoring the lingering, comforting scent of him.“Are you leaving now?" she asked in a muffled voice.“Yeah. Things have been hectic with the pack lately. I need to head back now.”“Well, but you still traveled all this way just to mark me?” Tabitha teased, her voice thick with sleep.Derek suddenly flipped over, pinning her into the plush blankets. He nipped at her nap







