Derek's POVAfter I punished the Omega who disobeyed my order, Leo gradually calmed down.I turned around, finding Daphne running towards me with teary eyes."Derek, listen, it's all Tabitha's fault," she sobbed.Then, she took my hand, hoping to seek comfort from me. But I just stood there, looking at her coldly.Noticing the aloofness in my eyes, she involuntarily took a step back.My gaze then shifted to Tabitha.She was still lying on the ground, obviously in too much pain to rise on her own.I rushed over, carefully helping her up.Though as cautious as I could, my fingers still accidentally brushed the wound on her back, making her wince.Seeing her in pain broke my heart.I immediately called out to Alvin, "Tabitha's injured. Go get Kamp, hurry."Alvin nodded and went for Kamp right away.I supported Tabitha, letting her lean on me.I could feel her warmth through her clothes. And her breathing sounde
Derek's POV"You! Bring Kyrian to me!" Daphne pointed at Alvin, commanding, like she was his superior.Alvin simply ignored her, not budging an inch.Noticing his reaction, she got frustrated and walked over to me, complaining in an injured tone, "You see that? I'm the future Luna, and he just flouted my order!"I glanced at her, replying, "Well, you ain't Luna yet. So he didn't do anything wrong."She glared at me, her eyes filled with disbelief."Derek, how could you treat me like this?" she cried.Her sharp, resounding voice was like nails on a chalkboard, making the already tense vibe even heavier.Annoyed at her fuss, I watched her with a frown, saying, "Calm down."But she kept shouting like she didn't hear it, "Calm down? Am I supposed to sit and watch that snake use Kyrian for her schemes?!"Unable to tolerate her nonsense, I cut her off with a roar, "Enough!"Just then, a knock at the door eased th
Tabitha's POVI strode out of Daphne's villa as fast as I could.Looking up at the clear blue sky, I took a deep breath.Recalling Kyrian's chubby face, I couldn't help cracking a smile. Then, Daphne's twisted face popped into my head, sending a chill down my spine. How could someone use her own child to win a man's attention?If I didn't lose my baby, I'd definitely pamper him, making him the happiest kid on earth.At the thought of my dead baby, I felt my heart broke into pieces.Taking a few steps ahead, I felt dizzy. My legs buckled, and I nearly fell to my knees."Luna!" Rolf called out, panic-stricken as he rushed to my side, steadying me.With his support, I regained my balance."Luna, you alright? Kamp's still in the villa. How about we go back and have him check you out?" he asked, all concerned.I shook my head, dismissing the suggestion. "It's okay. I'm just worn out. Btw, don't call me Luna anymore. De
Tabitha's POVIf my memory served me right, Derek never mentioned him or anyone from the Black Thorn Pack visiting Dad.I scrutinized the photo, my brow knitting with confusion.Then I spot some tiny digits in the bottom right corner—the timestamp.My breathing hitched immediately, my eyes widening in shock.It was the day when everything changed. A day I'd never forget.On that day, Orson told me my wound was beyond healing. For the first time, I felt the agony of the mate bond breaking.It was when I decided to leave Derek, to go through with the rejection ceremony that would mark the end of us.Right in front of the Council of Elders, I got a call, telling me that my father came to but fell back into a coma because of an emotional blow.At that time, I had asked Gary about it, and he claimed that no one from the Silver Moon Pack knew about Dad coming around.Though something felt off, I chalked it up to a
Derek's POVThe next day, while I was engrossed in work at the packhouse, Alvin approached me with a cheerful look in his eyes.He was a wizard when it came to getting things done. According to him, he headed straight to the Council of Elders right after I gave the order, handing Hope Ranch over to the Silver Moon Pack the very day.To boost credibility, he even had the Council of Elders inform Tabitha about it.I gave him a thumbs-up after he finished his words."Alpha Derek, I'm sure Tabitha'll be grateful about it." His voice was dripping with glee.I remained silent, just tapping my fingers on the desk, the sound crisp and clear.I wasn't sure how I felt, actually. Part of me wanted Tabitha to see I was helping out, yet another part didn't wanna admit I gave a damn about her feelings.Masking the turmoil in my mind, I instructed Alvin, "Fetch me Matthew's report. I needa review the details again."A few days ago, I h
Derek's POV"Alpha Derek, I got a weird vibe from this Matthew guy," he added.After pondering for a while, I figured it out, "We've been played."I thought to myself, 'It all went smooth until I offered to come pick him up. Since he just vanished into thin air, he could've avoided being found in the first place. Maybe he was the one leaking his own whereabouts to us. Guess this is what he wants. Watching us plumb the depths of despair after getting our hope up.'"He dares to mess with us?" Alvin hissed.I mused, 'A rogue gaining benefits from so many packs has to be more than ordinary.'Snapping out of it, I snapped, "Let the Council of Elders inform all packs—whoever tells me about Matthew's whereabouts will be rewarded with ten million dollars.""Copy that. But what about Tabitha?" he asked."Keep her in the dark for now," I replied.Just then, the wound in my shoulder hit me again. I couldn't help grimacing."Alpha, you sho
Tabitha's POVWith every step Derek took forward, I stepped back. Eventually, he had me cornered right up against the sink.Feeling my back pressed against the cold mirror, I realized I got nowhere to run. His scent enveloped me completely.In his deep-set eyes flickered some complex emotion I couldn't quite get a read on.His hand gently caressed my cheek, his thumb rubbing back and forth on my lip, sending my heartbeat into overdrive.Then, he trailed his fingers down the back of my neck. An electrical feeling was left in its wake as the tiny hairs on my arm stand up to attention.My mind was in turmoil.Part of me hated him because of what he had done to Dad, while another couldn't say no to his touch.Suddenly, I felt Crystal whimpering low in the depths of my heart.She seemed to grow a strange desire for Derek—something closely related to our bittersweet love but went beyond our mate bond before.Puzzled, I closed my eyes
Tabitha's POVSeeing me, Rolf said to me all respectfully, "Luna Tabitha, Alpha Derek asked me to lead the way for you. We've laid on a huge spread for the party, and Alpha Derek even got a fireworks show planned."I gave a wry smile upon hearing how he addressed me. I'd corrected him quite a few times, yet he still called me that way. "Derek and I have already rejected each other, so you don't have to call me Luna anymore. Just Tabitha is fine," I told him.Rolf rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward laugh. Then he gestured for me to follow him.As we headed into the manor, he started hyping up how swanky it was. Guessed he was hoping I'd chill and have fun.But he seemed to forget, everything here belonged to Derek and Daphne.I felt sick just standing here, let alone enjoying it.I made small talk with Rolf along the way. Soon, we arrived at the main building's entrance.It was basically a castle, having a total of five floors.Th
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