Third person's POV
Tabitha couldn't help but wonder why she had ever associated this honest and straightforward man with Derek.
"Do you like dogs?" she asked.
"I do. When I was a kid back home, I had a dog. But we didn't raise dogs as meticulously as you. we fed them whatever leftovers we had," Wilmot replied.
For the first time in days, a faint smile appeared on Tabitha's face.
"If you like it, you can spend more time with it. Puppies are full of energy. My health isn't great, so I can't play with him for too long."
Her legs were still not agile. She couldn't squat down. Any significant physical movement would leave her feeling dizzy.
Fortunately, Tucker was always well-behaved around her, snuggling up on her lap and keeping her company.
Wilmot scratched his head again and said, "If you don't mind, I can take care of Tucker."
"I appreciate that," Tabitha responded.
"It's my pleasure. Will you be sitting here for
Third person's POV"Have you ever seen a cave brimming with fireflies? It's breathtakingly beautiful inside, with fireflies twinkling like a starry sky. There's this place called the Earth's Eye, a colossal pool of vibrant colors that looks like an eye from above. Have you heard of the Valley of Death? In Antarctica, glaciers on the mountains flow down into the valley, forming ice waterfalls. When these waterfalls reach the sides of the valley, they vanish, creating a spectacular sight," Wilmot described, his voice painting vivid pictures.Tabitha's eyes sparkled with longing."I'd love to see those with my own eyes. Don't laugh, but I've been to so few places in my life," she admitted."It's okay, Ms. Hartley, you'll be safe. I've seen many terminally ill patients make astonishing recoveries. Once you're better, if you're willing to pay me, I'll take you to see those places. How does that sound?" Wilmot offered, his tone earnest.A night breeze bl
Tabitha's POVI gently traced my fingertips over the glass of lime water, feeling its cool chill.Tiny beads of ice clung to the packaging, the cold seeping through my palm.Instead of answering Wilmot's question directly, I threw the question back at him, "What about you? You're not young anymore, there must be someone in your heart, right?"Wilmot's face lit up with a simple, honest smile."Well, a long time ago, I met a little girl. I was dirt poor and badly injured, but she didn't look down on me at all. She even saved me. I was deeply attracted to her from the first moment I saw her. It was love at first sight.""What happened next?" I pressed on.Other people's stories always carried a sense of beauty. Listening to them didn't make my heart ache."There was no 'next.' She was born into a great family, while I was just a poor kid willing to do anything for money. How could I be worthy of her? She was like the moon hanging
Tabitha's POVWilmot quickly responded, "The 22nd, why do you ask?"I almost forgot about it. In a few days, it would be John's anniversary of passing.Having been here recuperating for so long, my sense of time had become blurred."Could you help me prepare some mourning items, like flowers and candles?" I said softly.In the U.S., people often use flowers and candles to remember the deceased. Flowers symbolize the beauty and continuation of life, while candles represent the enduring light of remembrance for the departed."Sure, Ms. Hartley."I couldn't go back to Seattle. This was the first year since John's departure. I wanted to pay my respects.Wilmot was not only obedient but also very efficient.He not only prepared the offerings but even brought back a small toy for the dog.I noticed that every time he went out, he would bring me a little trinket—sometimes a glass of lemon water, sometimes a donut,
Tabitha's POV"Boom! Boom!"As the fireworks burst in the sky one after another, the splendid spectacle reminded me of the last grand and beautiful firework display, which was at Kyrian's birthday party. Daphne had spared no expense to hire a professional team to create it.But I wasn't in the mood to appreciate it back then.In my memory, the most beautiful fireworks in my life date back to when I was fifteen. John had specially prepared a fireworks evening for me.Fifteen, an age of carefree innocence. I was like a princess, untouched by any pain, full of longing and fantasy for the future.John was elegant and gentle, the man who doted on me the most.I still remember that many guests from the Silver Moon Pack came that day, all there to celebrate for me.Tucker was lazily lying under the cherry blossom tree, looking up at the fireworks.John said softly, "If you like it, I will hold it for you every year."But
Tabitha's POVI whipped my head towards the door and called out, "What's up?"Wilmot's always been the picture of propriety. Why would he barge in on my rest time?"Uh... Ms. Hartley, did you already hit the hay? Sorry to bug you."I figured I hadn't dozed off yet, so I got up, threw on a jacket, and shuffled to the door in my slippers.I yanked the door open and started, "I..."But my words died in my throat when I saw what was in front of me.There was Wilmot, holding a cake with candles sticking out.The candlelight bathed his honest face, the flame twinkling in his eyes."Ms. Hartley, it's a bit late, I know, but birthdays? They're pretty darn important. Can't let 'em slip by."It was exactly eleven fifty-nine.The cake looked like it was made by him.There was still flour and cream smeared on his face and clothes, not quite cleaned up yet."Thanks," I said, feeling a warmth in my chest th
Tabitha's POVI looked at him, my face etched with confusion, and asked, "Is there more?"Wilmot fidgeted a bit, pulling something from his pocket with a hint of shyness. "A birthday without a gift? That's not right. I found this in an ancient church when I was wandering around. There's a mysterious vein of ore nearby the church, and this moonstone was mined from there. It was then blessed with holy water in the church, considered a sacred item that brings peace and good fortune. I've had several close calls with death, yet I survived as if reborn from the brink. So, I thought I'd give it to you, Ms. Hartley."In his dark palm rested a crescent moon pendant.The pendant was hollowed out, with a moonstone inside that emitted a soft glow, dreamlike and enchanting under the light."No, this is your lucky charm. How could I accept it?" I quickly declined.But Wilmot insisted, shoving it into my hand. "Take it. I'm not doing those dangerous thing
Tabitha's POVOrson agreed to my request and promised to take care of all the arrangements.I was deeply grateful to him.On this day, I asked the housekeeper to cook a full table of delicious dishes and made an exception to invite Wilmot to the dining table.Wilmot stood there, looking extremely uneasy, clearly sensing something was off.I said to him softly, "Sit down and eat with us."He responded with some hesitation, "But Ms. Hartley, you had set certain rules..."I spoke again, "Just sit."So Wilmot stopped insisting, sat up straight, and held himself rigid.However, he didn't immediately pick up his knife and fork. Instead, he asked first, "Ms. Hartley, do you no longer need me to serve you?"In the past week or so, I've been able to move around on my own, no longer needing a wheelchair.Each time I go out, he only follows me at a certain distance and helps carry things.In fact, I've noticed
Tabitha's POVI had half-hoped Wilmot would bring Tucker back to me, but as night fell, there was no sign of him.Oh well, I had already planned to leave Tucker in Theodora's care before my departure.My own life has been one of constant wandering, unable to provide long-term care for him.Moreover, I always felt like a harbinger of misfortune, with those around me often suffering because of me. It was better for everyone to keep their distance.That was also why I wanted to distance myself from Orson and Theodora as soon as possible.I truly didn't want anyone else to get hurt because of me.John, Joanna, and Tucker were all clear examples, weren't they?The housekeeper had to leave early due to a family matter.Now, I was left alone in the vast yard.The solar-powered lights in the yard turned on automatically, casting light on my face. Inside the house, the lights were off, and I sat at the boundary of the ligh
Third person's POVDerek's rationality teetered on the brink of collapse, nearly losing control again and again.His eyes, now bloodshot, struggled against the overwhelming discomfort within him as he spoke with difficulty, "It's not necessary.""Your current state, stimulated by the drug, could lead to more serious issues if not alleviated. My advice is to find a woman. It's the most direct and effective solution without side effects," the doctor insisted.Derek's crimson eyes fixed on the doctor, his thin lips bitten to the point of bleeding, as a deep, husky voice forced its way out of his throat, "I said it's not necessary! Just give me the medication."The doctor sighed in resignation, thinking to himself that he had encountered another stubborn one, unwilling to listen to reason."Alright, but I won't be responsible for any side effects. And given your condition, one dose definitely won't be enough. You'll need two."Derek gritt
Third person's POVTabitha couldn't discern his facial expression, but she could palpably sense his physical distress. "Then you..." she began."I'll find a way to handle it myself," he responded.With that, further lingering seemed like an implicit invitation to something more.Like a nimble fish, Tabitha swiftly retreated back into her room and swiftly locked the door.Worried that he might lose control under the influence of the drug and become dangerously irrational, she moved the desk and chair from the room to brace against the door.Exhausted from her efforts, she slumped down onto the carpet.Her fingers gently touched her lips where he had kissed her.Honestly, she was too shocked at the time to have any particular feelings.It was the first time a man other than her husband had kissed her, and the sensation was both unfamiliar and strange.Oddly, when his hands touched her body, she didn't feel a strong
Third person's POVSuch a tall and strong man, yet at this moment, he behaved like a petulant puppy, causing Tabitha's body to tremble slightly.She was well aware of the vast difference in strength between them.In this situation, it was crucial not to provoke him excessively. Otherwise, should Wilmot be enraged, his intense possessiveness could erupt, and the situation would be truly irretrievable.Tabitha took a deep breath and, seizing the moment while he still retained a shred of rationality, began to reason with him patiently, "Wilmot, I am willing to help you with other matters, but I truly cannot do this.""Cannot? Is it because you still think of him?"Derek was on the brink of losing his sanity, enduring the surging desires within, seeking to probe the deepest thoughts of Tabitha's heart through this opportunity.Her reluctance to let others approach—did it mean she still harbored love for him?Tabitha frowned t
Third person's POVThe woman must have feared Derek would not comply, so she increased the dosage of the drug.Derek had thought that if he just endured it, the effects would pass.But as time went on, the drug's effects became more intense, and his body felt increasingly strong, as if his brain was floating, losing all sense of balance.His wolf was also affected by the drug.He became manic and irrational.His hot breath sprayed on Tabitha's ear, causing her body to tremble involuntarily, and this sensitive touch left her at a loss.Her expression was stern, and she firmly refused, "No, I... uh..."Tabitha's eyes widened in shock as Wilmot's lips suddenly pressed down on hers without warning.Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.Although she had only loved Derek, and they had rejected each other, she was now free, and even if something happened with someone else, it wouldn't be illegal.But she had no i
Third person's POVUsing his height advantage, Derek reached out and covered the wall switch with his hand, preventing Tabitha from turning on the light.He really didn't want her to see him in such an embarrassed state."Tabitha, trust me, I'm fine. Go be with Ayla," he said, trying to reassure her.The more he tried to hide the truth, the more concerned Tabitha became.She was certain he was hurt and just trying to protect her from worrying.With Derek blocking her from turning on the light, Tabitha reached out to touch him, wanting to find out where he was injured.Derek, already on edge, felt like he was about to lose control."Don't touch me," he managed to suppress his voice."Then tell me what's wrong with you," Tabitha insisted."I'm fine," he repeated.But Tabitha didn't believe him. The amount of sweat on his body indicated a serious injury. Otherwise, he wouldn't be in such pain.But where
Third person's POVDerek swiftly glanced behind him, only to realize that Rolf and Alvin had vanished without a trace.He had been able to drink without a care in the world because he knew they were there, watching his back.But now, at this critical moment, they had inexplicably disappeared, leaving Derek to fall into the trap this woman had so meticulously laid.The woman before him, confident in her enchanting beauty and alluring figure, was certain that all men would be bewitched by her charm and lose their reason to her allure.However, when Derek turned to look at her, she found no trace of desire in his deep-set eyes.There was only boundless authority and piercing coldness washing over her like a tidal wave.Though Derek sat there calmly, with her standing tall and elegantly, the difference in their auras was like a vast chasm separating heaven and hell.Derek resembled a mighty wolf king sitting majestically on his thr
Third person's POVRolf stared at Derek's back, a wave of concern rising in his heart.He was well aware of Derek's past, how Derek had promised Randall to make Daphne the mate of the Black Thorn, yet his heart and soul never strayed from his true love—Tabitha.In the world of werewolves, emotional fidelity is of utmost importance, and Derek's commitment was like an ancient vow, etched in his heart.Unlike himself, Rolf, though without a mate, would occasionally indulge his primal desires at specific gatherings of the werewolf community as a subordinate of an Alpha.However, Derek had poured all his emotions into Tabitha alone.Rolf pondered that if they never reconciled, Derek's inner world would likely plunge into endless loneliness and darkness, like a werewolf bereft of the moonlight, wandering alone in the dark, silently enduring the torment of unrequited love."Alvin, look at Alpha Derek lately, he's always gloomy. This ca
Third person's POVRolf was as excited as a hungry man seeing food, clamoring, "Alpha Derek, just look at these. They're incredibly cool for close combat.""Alpha Derek, I want this one and that one," he added, pointing at various items.Alvin shook his head at Rolf with a sense of helplessness.Derek picked up a compact ladies' pistol, and the shopkeeper enthusiastically described it, "You have a great taste. This is the latest model with minimal recoil, perfect for ladies.""I'll take this one and this," Derek said.Then, he pointed to a small, portable dagger that was ideal for concealment.After browsing for a while, he headed towards the medicinal area.The place was bustling with people, each acting as if they were in a second-hand store.In the United States, many drugs are regulated, but on this ship, there were no constraints—only transactions driven by money and desire.As long as you had enough mo
Third person's POVDerek reached out and gently patted Ayla on the head.Over time, Ayla had grown increasingly close to him, their relationship indistinguishable from that of a father and daughter, except for the absence of the word "Dad.""Here's a freshly baked cake. Enjoy," he said.Tabitha shook her head with a hint of helplessness. "Don't spoil her too much. Too many sweets can lead to cavities.""It's just a small piece," Derek replied, his tender demeanor a stark contrast to how he treated strangers.Tabitha was puzzled, wondering if she was mistaken, feeling that Wilmot seemed different from when they first met.But upon reflection, it made sense. Who would reveal their true self without reservation upon first meeting?"Have all the arrangements outside been taken care of?" she asked."Yes, everything is handled," Derek responded.He added, "By the way, here's the layout of the cruise ship. Take a look."