Tabitha's POV
If 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
Tabitha's POV"Tabitha, it's been a long time! So nice seeing you here! When did you bob your hair? I missed your flowing locks. You look great either way, though."I turned around, only to find Holly beaming at me, all cheerful.Her words kinda reminded me of the motherly love I yearned for but never possessed as a child.Back then, I even feigned illness just so she could show a bit more care. I spent almost my entire childhood trying to make her love me. Sadly, it ended up in vain.She left me and Dad for Mark still. No matter how I begged her to stay, she wouldn't change her mind.After so many years, I had long grown disillusioned with her, even starting to hate her."Does it matter to you if my hair is long or short?" I piped up, looking her dead in the eye."Mrs. Sutton, you've never texted me after you walked out on me and Dad. And now, here you are, playing the doting mom out of the blue. Don't you think it's a bit late for that? You'
Tabitha's POVI was kinda excited.Tucker was all white when he was born, but his front paws had these black spots. I used to joke that it looked like he was wearing gloves."Never thought I'd go from being scared of dogs to being a dog person. By the way, I have a ton of videos of Tucker. Would you like to watch them?" Jasper asked.I nodded, and we headed over to sit on a circular sofa."I can tell you've taken good care of Tucker. He's not young anymore, but he's still so lively, and his coat looks smooth," I couldn't help exclaiming while watching the video.He was just a puppy when he left the Silver Moon Pack. How time flew!Jasper smiled and said, "Tucker's a good boy. He loves hanging under the cherry tree, like he's waiting for someone. I never knew who it was, but now I guess it's you."I stared at Tucker in the video, feeling a bit teary.My fingers slid across the cold screen, like I was feeling Tucker's soft fur."Maybe
Derek's POVWhen Daphne and I entered the foyer, I immediately noticed Tabitha.She asked me to prepare a gown for her, so I picked out a white dress, but she didn't wear it.Instead, she was wearing a deep blue gown, exactly the same as Daphne's.I knew she saw the style of the dress I had prepared for Daphne and did this on purpose.But I just couldn't take my eyes off her.She prepared more than a dress. Her hair was carefully fixed back with hair gel, and a white veil was on her head.The veil was transparent, dotted with sparkling diamonds on it. It looked dazzling when the light was shed on it.Besides, she wore a pair of diamond earrings, simple yet elegant.She was like a rose in the rain—beautiful but desolate, attracting people to get closer, but threatening them with her thorns.My gaze followed her involuntarily.Just as I was talking to Leo, Daphne walked over.She had a blunt displeasure on her face. "Lo
Tabitha's POVThe hopping dinner party was stifling to me.I noticed that Derek gazed at me and Jasper occasionally and that something was hidden in his eyes.I was worried that Derek might misunderstand and even find fault with Jasper at the sight of our interaction.Feeling a bit uneasy, I turned around, preparing to leave.But Jasper, seemingly sensing my intention, caught up with me."Tabitha, are you hungry? Let's go grab something to eat." Jasper's voice was gentle and concerned.I looked in the direction he pointed, and it was a restaurant.The buffet restaurant offered a wide variety of food and separate private rooms.It could isolate external disturbances, including Derek's surveillance.Considering my situation, it seemed like a good choice.So I nodded in agreement.Soon we arrived at the cafeteria. The abundant viands, ranging from fresh seafood to exquisite desserts, made people drool.I chose some vegeta
Third person's POVDespite the overwhelming sense of shame, Tabitha found herself with little choice in the urgency of the moment.Her only thought was to shield her face, unwilling to let anyone catch a glimpse.The long dress cascaded down like a waterfall, making her appear as a wounded mermaid, pitifully appealing.Derek strode forward with determined steps, swiftly leading her away from the venue.Forrest followed closely behind, carefully holding Ayla and matching their pace."Get the doctor over here right away," Derek commanded urgently."Yes, Alpha Derek," Forrest responded promptly.Derek's mind was a whirlwind of turmoil. His desire for Tabitha was undeniable, but not under the current humiliating and perilous circumstances.Moreover, he was uncertain about the exact nature of the drugs Matilda had administered to Tabitha and the potential harm they might inflict.As the doctor conducted a thorough exam
Third person's POVThe entire venue erupted into an uproar as if a bomb had been detonated, shockwaves rippling through the crowd.Minds raced with speculation—where had this ultra-wealthy individual come from, willing to spend a staggering three hundred million dollars on a woman?Was this person out of his mind?This was Derek's first time bidding, and Matilda, who had been eagerly anticipating a chance to mock him after the auction, was caught off guard by the swift turn of events.Three hundred million dollars—did he even comprehend the magnitude of such a sum?"Sir, we have very strict penalties on this ship for the act of bidding falsely," Matilda warned through gritted teeth, her tone laced with a hint of menace.Derek calmly lowered his head, quickly wrote out a check, and held it between his fingers with an air of composure. "Here's three hundred million dollars."There was a bank on the ship, operating aro
Third person's POVHer words, laced with provocation and temptation, were like adding fuel to the fire, causing the flames of Derek's long-suppressed anger to burn even more fiercely.Matilda seemed to be walking further and further down a dangerous path from which there seemed to be no return.Forrest did his best to hold Derek back, preventing him from acting impulsively, while silently praying for Matilda.His demeanor was akin to lighting a stick of incense that foretold impending misfortune for her.He knew all too well that the higher she climbed, the harder her fall would be.Under Matilda's inflammatory rhetoric, the crowd began a new round of fierce bidding.This round was significantly more intense than before. The starting price was set at ten million dollars, but it doubled rapidly as if by magic, soaring to forty million dollars in the blink of an eye and continuing to rise like a rocket.The giant electronic scree
Third person's POVThe intense spotlight shone directly on Tabitha's face, highlighting her slender figure and accentuating the delicate depth of her features.Derek, who had always known of Tabitha's exceptional beauty, nearly lost his breath at the sight of her under the spotlight, his heart pounding with a mix of awe and admiration.Tabitha's eyes were adorned with silver contacts, a touch that transformed her entire aura, setting her apart from the woman he knew.The subtle shimmer of glitter on her exposed skin conjured images in Derek's mind of a mysterious mermaid stranded on the shore."Damn it, I should have kept bidding," Baxter muttered, his face a mix of annoyance and regret.The person beside him quickly offered consolation, "Mr. Rios, while the woman is indeed stunning, she's not an innocent young girl, as you can see from the age of her daughter. It's just a kiss; what does it matter? Once you have her in your grasp, you can d
Third person's POVIn this social circle, it was well known that Baxter Rios was always keen on various entertainment activities and was notorious for his indulgence in them.The Rios family was wealthy and had a deep foundation that left many in awe. However, when it came to certain matters, Mr. Rios was known to be particularly stubborn.Derek was deeply concerned. He really didn't want to get entangled with the Rios family.He was well aware that once things got out of control, the elder of the Rios family, Spike Rios, would become an extremely troublesome problem.Standing in the corner, his brows furrowed and his eyes filled with worry, he occasionally looked warily towards the direction of the bidding.At this moment, Derek's hands unconsciously clenched and relaxed, his inner unease surging like tidal waves.At this time, only Mr. Rios was still continuously raising the bid, and just for the cost of unmasking, it had soared all
Third person's POVMatilda was eagerly anticipating the sight of Derek's frustration and agony.The conditions she set were deliberately tricky. If Derek didn't pay, there would certainly be other men willing to bid.Thus, the initial unmasking fee was a must for Derek.The ten million was merely the starting price and, in reality, a clever way for Matilda to test the depth of Derek's wealth.She pondered to herself that if Derek could easily come up with the money, it would only buy a kiss, and the subsequent bidding for the right to use would undoubtedly require an astronomical sum. What would he use to continue competing then?On the other hand, if he saved the money for the later bidding, Tabitha would inevitably be kissed by other men.No matter how Derek chose, Matilda was determined to disgust him thoroughly and make him suffer in this cruel game.However, despite all her scheming, Matilda never expected that Derek had b
Third person's POVDerek took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.Tabitha and Ayla, dressed in silver gowns, appeared grand, vintage, and exquisite.With silver chains as accessories, they had a unique beauty.Ayla's face was unobstructed.When her innocent and angelic face appeared on the large screen, many were captivated by her heavenly appearance.She wasn't drugged, her large eyes clear and bright.Adorned with crystal and feather headpieces, she looked like an exotic princess.Her innocent eyes didn't understand what was happening. She didn't cry but stared curiously at everything around her, like a curious fawn that had wandered into a den of wolves.Her tender pink lips were slightly parted, and Derek could read her lips from the screen."Mommy, Wilmot."Derek's fingers had already touched his weapon. At this moment, he wished he could draw it out and shoot Matilda on the spot.The r
Third person's POVDerek's fingers dug tightly into the armrests of his chair. During the time Tabitha had been taken from him, he worried about what might have been done to her and the child.Although he was aware of the rule that "merchandise" must be kept clean before delivery, he couldn't help but feel anxious.When the host announced the first item for auction, his heart raced, and he breathed a sigh of relief when it had nothing to do with Tabitha.It seemed as if he had imagined Matilda would save Tabitha for last.His grip on the armrests tightened.As time ticked by, the audience's enthusiasm for the early items was lackluster, their attention fixed on the finale. They had been promised something special, and they were waiting for it.Forrest passed Derek water a few times, but he didn't take a sip.When it came to the grand finale, Matilda made her personal appearance.She wore a red, form-fitting dress and hig
Third person's POVDerek entered the auction venue with an upright posture and steady steps, blending into the bustling crowd.The auction had not officially begun, but the venue was already filled with noise and excitement, a cacophony of excited and thrilled voices rising and falling."I heard there will be a stunning beauty featured tonight," one voice said."I've heard that too. It's said to be a rare sight," another chimed in."These past few days on the ship have been utterly boring. With the ship about to dock, we must seize the last chance for some real fun," a third voice added.Everyone in the venue wore masks of various kinds, as if they were shields hiding their true selves.However, in Derek's eyes, beneath those masks lay ugly and filthy faces, immersed in this sinful transaction, chasing twisted desires.Derek had barely settled into his seat when a man approached hurriedly, his steps slightly rushe