Tabitha's POV
Upon hearing Derek's words, I fell silent, and my mind became filled with uncertainty about the future.I felt like a nun in the church, seemingly devoid of desires for the earthly world, without love, or hatred.Derek told me to study medicine, and I agreed.I didn't have any particular preference. Whether it was studying medicine or studying business, both were fine.Derek didn't get upset when he didn't receive a response from me. He held onto my earlobe and said earnestly, "Tabitha, I am different from you. In my eyes and my heart, the past and the future are all about you."After a passionate moment, Derek planted a kiss on my forehead and then left gracefully.I watched him leave with Tucker in silence. My mind was peaceful, too.I didn't hate Derek, but I didn't have much affection for him either.I was getting ready to leave Seattle. There didn't seem to be anything worth lingering here.For the remaining days,Tabitha's POVAfter more than ten hours of long flight time, the plane finally landed smoothly at Sydney Airport.I took off the eye mask, stretched, and moved my stiff hands and feet.The temperature in Sydney is completely different from Seattle. It is currently snowing heavily in Seattle, while Sydney is warm like spring, with a warm and fresh scent in the air.As soon as I got off the plane, I felt a completely different atmosphere.There had already been a person in a black uniform at the VIP gate, welcoming the arriving guests. "Alpha Derek, I hope it has been a pleasant trip."His gaze fell on me, and he first looked me up and down before slowly speaking, "Miss Hartley, I hope you've enjoyed your trip, too."I did not miss the middle-aged man's gaze as he scrutinized me. A woman's innate sixth sense told me that he did not like me.Of course, I didn't want to prove anything either. I just nodded at him as a way of greeting and then left
Third person's POVA while ago, when Tabitha just woke up, she asked such questions. At that time, Tabitha was like a lost little lamb, speaking in a delicate and weak manner.Unlike now, she exuded confidence all over her body in the past. She pursed her lips and added, "It doesn't matter if you don't like her. Anyway, I wasn't planning on marrying her."After saying that, Tabitha walked out of the restaurant with big strides, and Derek watched her carefree figure and fell into deep thought.Without the constraints of children and family, she was surprisingly free.She had plenty of sleep on the plane, and when she arrived at the new place, she was in a good mood, so even her footsteps became much lighter.She hopped and skipped in front, just like a little girl, without any trace of the dullness from the previous year.As they passed by some shops selling local specialties, she would even instruct Derek to go and buy some delicious local products
Tabitha's POVDerek's mother, Andrea, also had an Alpha bloodline. Her family's Thunder Pack was situated on the outskirts of the southern city.Here the mountains were beautiful and the waters were clear. Everywhere I walked was covered with various vegetation.Not long ago, there should have been a light rain. The water vapor on the road surface had already evaporated, but the air was filled with the refreshing scent emitted by the vegetation after the rain.The lanterns of this pack were also very unique. Some were like strings of stars falling from tall plants, and among them were also many lanterns shaped like mushrooms, pumpkins, or various small animals and fairies.Rather than a pack of wolves, it was more like humans stumbling into another fantastical world.When we arrived at the Thunder Pack, it was already 8 o'clock in the evening.The Thunder Pack was large, surrounded by estates. It was difficult to see clearly at night, but one could
Tabitha's POVI had already prepared for the worst. Anyway, I was just here to say hello. If she didn't like me, then I would just turn around and leave.However, before Andrea could speak, a familiar voice rang out first. "Mrs. Greenwood, has Derek returned?"A familiar figure appeared at the corner of the second floor. It was Kelsey, whom I had recently seen in my home country.Derek heard the sound, exuding an aura of Alpha, with a layer of coldness enveloping his face."What did you come here for?"Kelsey hurriedly walked up to Andrea and affectionately took hold of Andrea's arm, saying, "Derek, I have been accompanying Mrs. Greenwood for the past two years."Now I finally understood where her confidence came from. It turned out she was waiting for me here.Kelsey was playing the most important card, Mrs. Greenwood.It seemed that Mrs. Greenwood only asked to meet Derek this time to match Kelsey with him.Now I understood where t
Third person's POVBefore Tabitha could even comprehend, Andrea had already left, leaving behind a graceful figure for Tabitha.Tabitha blinked at Derek and lowered her voice as she asked, "What exactly is your mother's attitude?""Try the authentic cuisine. Let's go," Derek didn't answer her question and led her to the restaurant.Andrea had already taken a seat, her gaze fixed on the intertwined fingers of Derek and Tabitha, freezing for a moment.Kelsey came over with a bowl of soup and saw Derek pulling out a chair for Tabitha. He sat down only after Tabitha had sat down.He placed the appetizers in front of Tabitha, who was sitting far away.If he indulged Tabitha outside, it was highly likely that it was just a facade to please his wife. But today, there is no one else here, so who is he putting on a show for?There was only one explanation, and that was the way they interacted, just like an ordinary couple.Taking a closer look at
Derek's POVTabitha's behavior was somewhat peculiar as she slightly lowered her head.I noticed that her ears seemed to have turned red.After all, her recent demeanor suggested a hint of shyness or emotional unrest.She ordered a bunch of dishes, but she just picked at them and didn't really eat much.She had a small appetite and got full quickly.
Derek's POVI glanced at her with some surprise and said, "I thought you weren't interested in us, but I didn't expect you to be well-informed."Andrea had to tilt her head up slightly to meet my gaze, and after hearing my words, she seemed to have a lot on her mind.In my memory, she was still an unfamiliar presence to me, but I never expected that so many years would pass in the blink of an eye.She lifted her hand as if to touch my face, but stopped just short of making contact.Her feelings toward me seemed to have always been complicated.I knew from the start that she had hoped my birth would make that man change his mind, but instead, she received his heartlessness, which in turn made Andrea harbor resentment toward me.She had never fulfilled the responsibilities of being a mother, to the extent that now, standing in front of her, I felt like she was a stranger.Andrea reluctantly withdrew her hand, her expression somewhat crestfallen. "I suppose Elena and you must have a low
Derek's POVIf this statement were spoken by someone else, it might seem a bit heartless, but for a heartless mother who once threw a three-year-old child from upstairs, it was all too typical.She didn't even care about her own child, let alone other people's children.From a certain perspective, Andrea and Ambrose were the same kind of people.They were both extreme egoists. In their world, there was no existence of others except for love.Andrea elegantly brushed a strand of hair away from her ear."She's been coming around here since two years ago, sometimes to keep me company, sometimes to give me a leg massage. I didn't stop her because I saw she was bored."I said helplessly, "I think it was because you were bored."My mom was never known for being the epitome of a virtuous wife and mother. Instead, she was more like an antagonist straight out of a story.In order to make Ambrose change his mind, she did a lot of things that hurt his crush back then.In the end, she pushed Ambr
Third person's POVAs soon as Tabitha stepped out of the house, the biting winter wind hit her face like a knife, stinging her skin.Just as Derek had said, everything had been arranged."Tabitha, the helicopter is ready. You can leave now.""Thank you.""However, the helipad is a bit far. You'll need to walk there.""That's fine," Tabitha waved it off.Wrapped in a thick down jacket, she buried her face in the hood. She felt as though someone was watching her, but she didn't dare look back.She was afraid that if she turned around, she wouldn't be able to leave. In her heart, she kept repeating, Don't look back. Just keep walking.Behind the curtains, Derek held Kyrian, who was crying silently. Kyrian reached out toward the empty air, as if trying to grab the hem of Tabitha's coat."Dad, I don't want Mom to leave. Will she abandon me?""No, she loves you. How could she abandon you? She's just leaving for a
Third person's POVThough he was just a child and didn't fully understand what had happened between Tabitha and Derek, he knew one thing—he loved Tabitha and wanted her to be happy."If this makes you happy, I don't mind. I'm just scared... scared you'll leave me," Kyrian said, his voice trembling slightly."Silly boy, didn't I tell you? You and your siblings are my most precious treasures. I love you so much, and I'll visit you often," Tabitha said gently.Then, she noticed the cord around Kyrian's neck and gently pulled it out. It was the small lock she'd designed for him years ago."I made this for you. It's engraved with my hopes for you, 'May you grow up happy and healthy every day.'"Kyrian reached out his hand. "Mom, you can't lie to me. You have to come see me again."Their fingers hooked together in a pinky promise, and Tabitha smiled softly."Okay, I promise. When you're a little older, we'll live together, alri
Third person's POVIn such a short time, Kyrian had already figured out his place in Tabitha's heart. He knew exactly where her soft spots were and used his natural childlike tears as a "weapon" to try to keep her from leaving.Though this might not make Tabitha happy, she couldn't bring herself to refuse him.What parent could say no to a child crying for candy?Especially when that child was the one she owed so much to, the one she wanted to give the entire world to.But he didn't want the world. He just wanted Tabitha to stay."I..." Tabitha started to speak, but Kyrian cut her off."Mom, I love you so much, and you love me, and my siblings too. I already don't have a complete family. Do you want my siblings to grow up without a dad, only imagining what he looks like, envying other kids' happy families? Mom, haven't you heard? A happy, complete childhood can heal a person for life, but an incomplete one takes a lifetime to heal."
Third person's POV"Back then was back then. Now is now. But I promise you, no matter what happens, I'll always love you," Tabitha said softly, gently stroking Kyrian's head. Her hand brushed through his soft fur, the warmth of a mother's love flowing through her touch.Kyrian's voice was small, tinged with hope. "Mom, can you spare a little love for Dad? He's actually kind of pitiful."His eyes showed sympathy for Derek. In his heart, both his parents were his greatest loves, and he longed for a complete family."There are plenty of people in this world who love your dad. He doesn't need mine," Tabitha replied, her tone carrying a hint of stubbornness. Despite her lingering feelings for Derek, the pain of the past made it hard for her to forgive."But to Dad, you're like oxygen to a fish. A fish can't live without oxygen," Kyrian said, snuggling closer to Tabitha.He pressed his body against hers, as if clinging to her love would make it st
Third person's POVKyrian obediently climbed over and was immediately pulled into Tabitha's embrace.From here, they could see the beautiful scenery outside. Kyrian realized that the training grounds looked completely different from this angle—probably because his mother was by his side.Tabitha smiled softly, her voice warm. "I chose your name. You were born with all my love.""Mom, you must have loved Dad a lot back then," Kyrian said, looking up with curious eyes."Yes, very much," Tabitha admitted honestly. "No matter how I feel about your dad now, you are my precious child, born after seven months of carrying you. Your dad took you away, and I didn't even know you existed. That's why I missed so many years of your life. But you need to know, I thought about you every single day. There wasn't a moment when I didn't miss you or wonder about you. I love you more than anyone in the world."Kyrian's mood brightened, a happy smile sprea
Third person's POVKyrian watched nervously as Tabitha cleaned and dressed his wounds.He didn't dare breathe too loudly, his eyes glued to her every move. His gaze was filled with dependence and longing.Every now and then, he'd glance quickly at Derek, his eyes questioning, desperate for reassurance that this wasn't a dream."Dad, is Mom really back?" His voice trembled, carrying the fragility and hope unique to a child.Derek reached out and gently tapped his nose. "Silly boy, she's really here."Kyrian's tense body relaxed slightly, and a shy smile crept onto his face.When Tabitha applied the ointment a little too firmly, he winced but stayed silent.His hands gripped the hem of his shirt, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. He was afraid that if he cried out in pain, Tabitha might leave.In his heart, he thought, As long as Mom stays, this pain is nothing.Kyrian had always been well-behaved, but n
Third person's POVAzazel was furious.To be honest, he hadn't planned to take things this far with Kyrian.He showed Kyrian some respect, but deep down, he knew most of the children here were orphans with no one to rely on.He'd been provoking Kyrian because he refused to fall in line. After all this time, Kyrian still wouldn't listen to him.Azazel had wanted to teach him a lesson and assert his dominance in front of the others.But Kyrian was tougher than he'd expected. Instead of backing down, he even fought back with a fierce determination that burned in his eyes.What's wrong with him? Why won't he give up?"You're dead, brat," Azazel snarled, raising his fist to deliver a crushing blow to Kyrian's head."Stop!"Kyrian closed his eyes, bracing for the impact his small body couldn't possibly withstand. But the blow never came.A hand shot out, gripping Azazel's wrist.Everyone turned to see Tabitha, breathless from running.Thankfully, she'd made it in time.What she didn't know
Third person's POVKyrian had barely taken a few bites when a tall boy walked over and flipped his tray onto the floor, sneering, "Go on, eat that."Tabitha's fists clenched in anger. "How can they bully him like this? He's already struggling!"Derek held her back. "Tabitha, don't act rashly. This place isn't just about physical training for him."Tabitha frowned. "Then what else is he here for?"Derek explained, "For people like us, growing up means training alongside peers who'll become your most trusted allies—like Alvin and Rolf. These are the people who'd take a bullet for you on the battlefield. If Kyrian grows up sheltered, handed a team of strangers, do you think they'd truly respect or protect him? One wrong move, and he could end up dead."Tabitha's anger began to fade. "What are you saying?"Derek's tone grew serious. "He's not just training his body. He's learning to lead, to earn the loyalty of these kids. They'll b
Third person's POVThe car slowly emerged from the underground garage, breaking through the darkness into the open air.The streets were adorned with mistletoe trees, people bustling about in preparation for Christmas."It's been years since we celebrated together," Derek said suddenly, his voice tinged with nostalgia."Yeah." In those days when survival was all that mattered, Tabitha hadn't had the luxury of thinking about holidays."It's the last day of the year. Where are you taking me?" Tabitha glanced at Derek."You'll see."The car wound its way out of the city, into the countryside. Snowflakes danced in the air, painting the world in white.The road grew steeper, the landscape wilder. Soon, there were no buildings in sight—just endless trees and snow.Tabitha gripped the armrest as the car jolted over uneven terrain. After what felt like hours, they reached a remote valley deep in the mountains. Even their p