Derek's POVMy grandfather was very strict with me, but he also always protected me well.My grandfather never revealed the whole truth to me. He simply said that my father couldn't fully assume the role of Alpha due to some critical issues, so he concentrated on preparing me for the position instead.Back then, I innocently believed my father was genuinely occupied with the pack's matters.I had no idea that he had another family and other lovers outside.I always assumed that everyone was as loyal to their mate as the werewolf world I was familiar with dictated, where mates shared a profound and unbreakable bond.When I was still oblivious to many things, that little boy Zander seemed to know me inside out.That time, Zander and the other kids smeared cake on me.My face, arms, neck, and body, none of them were spared.Their mocking laughter filled my ears, but I turned a deaf ear and just stared at Ambrose.I thought he would pick me up tenderly or stop other kids from teasing me.
Derek's POVThe vote hadn't even started yet, but there was already a tense undercurrent between Zander and me.The senior executives around us seemed to have made a pact, dividing into two groups and taking their respective sides.Although Zander was a bastard, he had all of Ambrose's love.After my father founded a new enterprise and joined a new pack, Zander was also a legitimate potential successor to the Alpha of the Black Thorn Pack.Unfortunately, my grandfather, Alpha Elliott, did not acknowledge this grandson and even rejected his own son.He even went so far as to erase Ambrose's name from the family tree.Of course, the grudge between Zander and me was a matter of the Greenwood family, so naturally, others wouldn't want to get involved.But now that it concerned the future of the Greenwood Group, these executives were starting to take sides.As for this power struggle between the illegitimate and legitimate heirs, everyone else was keeping their distance, afraid that the fa
Derek's POVTabitha was different from usual. She had deliberately put on light makeup and tied up her hair.She was wearing a lake-blue wool coat paired with sapphire earrings.Her fair neck was both elegant and noble.She walked towards me gracefully in high heels. Although not as glamorous as at an awards dinner, she looked fresher and more elegant.In terms of looks, she was unmatched even among the stars in showbiz. And when it came to her temperament, she was truly one of a kind.I was also completely captivated when I saw her in person for the first time, let alone Zander.This woman exuded charisma as if she were a statue of a deity, sacred and inviolable. It was the first time I felt a woman could be described as divine.I got up and walked toward her, extending my hand to her. "Why didn't you tell me before coming?"Tabitha also naturally placed her hand in mine, and our hands, both wearing wedding rings, held together.Tabitha had grown comfortable with me now, a far cry fr
Tabitha's POVA loud noise suddenly echoed in the conference room.I saw Derek instantly furious, as he kicked Zander's chair.His strength was like a ferocious beast on the attack, and with the help of the pulleys below, he moved so fast that he left a blur.By the time I realized what happened, Zander had already been kicked against the wall and ended up sprawled on the floor, looking utterly embarrassed.The onlookers hurriedly helped him up in a flustered manner, "Zander, are you okay?"It was clear that Derek was really furious. He had smashed the chair to pieces.If it weren't for the chair bearing too much force, it would have been Zander who was shattered to pieces."I'm fine," Zander said with a strained smile that didn't quite reach his eyes like it usually did.Barclay's face turned pale, and he snapped, "I didn't expect you two to be so ruthless!"He didn't dare to vent his anger directly at Derek, so he turned to me. "Ms. Hartley, today is the shareholders' voting meeting
Zander's POVI had tried every and had already gained the support of almost half of the shareholders.Derek was supposed to fall today!How did it become like this?I asked to see the voting results, only to find out that the people I had won over, especially those major shareholders, were all standing on Derek's side!Those who had promised to support me had all turned their backs on me.And some of them even transferred their shares to Tabitha.Now, Tabitha held almost ten percent of the Greenwood Group's shares!All my efforts over the years had ended in vain.This was a huge blow to me, and I couldn't figure out what went wrong exactly!I had known those people for a long time.And I knew they were Derek's trusted followers. Thus, I showed my utmost sincerity just to win them over.They also clearly indicated that they were willing to defect. But afraid of letting Derek find their betrayal, we only reached a verbal agreement.Originally, we had agreed that once Derek was removed,
Derek's POVAfter going back to my office, I explained the situation to Tabitha.Actually, I had known for a long time that Zander was secretly bribing my men, so I decided to turn his trick to my own use.I let my men find a time to "betray" me, gaining Zander's trust.Zander fell into the trap, and I took the chance to find the moles.When listening, Tabitha kept her mouth open in shock.She said, "Just a few days ago, I read a post about the real business wars. They said the worst thing they've done was to secretly unplug their rival company's internet cables or something."Hearing this, I reached out and scratched her nose dotingly, "Don't be too surprised."Tabitha stammered, "Well, actually, you can tell me more about your business. I feel like a useless person in this matter."Seeing her being so considerate and adorable, I couldn't help but smile, "I don't really want you to get involved in all of this mess."Tabitha pouted and asked, "The Greenwood Group's problem has been so
Third person's POVStanding in the underground garage, Zander looked at his phone with a sullen face, as he got a call from an unknown number.He answered the call, his voice cold, "If it's some trifle, I advise you to keep your mouth shut.""I'm calling to offer you a deal.""Oh?""I know you've lost a lot of money over the years. I can offer you a deal worth a billion dollars. What do you say?""Enlighten me."The person on the other end of the line said slowly, "Help me kill Tabitha, and I'll give you a billion."Tabitha's POVIn Derek's office.I looked at Derek and asked, "What's wrong? Did you find anything?"Not long after Derek left, someone called me here.Derek replied with a faint smile, "Not yet. But this farce is about to end. Would you wanna go watch a good show?"I blinked, asking, "Can I?""Of course. The person who should apologize is not you, but them."Later, after taking care of the company's affairs, Derek personally drove me to the seaside.It was dusk now, and I
Sally's POVI was Sally.Seeing that face, somewhat similar to my own, I knew it was Tabitha.She was the true love of Derek's life.It was not until now that I realized Derek wasn't disinterested in women. He had been waiting for Tabitha to appear for the past decade.He never explained this to me because I had never caught his eye, and there was no need or obligation for him to do so.I had been delusional, striving alone out of his sight, even fantasizing daily about what it would be like to stand by his side.After being rejected by him, I was so devastated that I cried my heart out and did many extreme things.Looking back, I felt like a clown, while the woman by his side was both elegant and noble.What I lost to her was not just appearance but also demeanor.Seeing her legs, unharmed and perfect, only fueled my anger. Why was fate so cruel to let me meet Derek?I roared inside, filled with jealousy and frustration."You're awake?" Derek asked lazily from his seat. "Tell me, who
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