Third person's POV
Days slipped by quietly, and Wilmot had been out of sight for three whole days.
Not only did Ayla start to miss him, but Tabitha was also growing restless.
She cornered Forrest again, her voice filled with worry and urgency, "How is his condition? It's been so many days, hasn't there been any improvement at all?"
Forrest quickly responded, "Please don't worry. He's much better. It's just that Wilmot is concerned that he might still carry the virus and is afraid of infecting you all."
Tabitha was skeptical. She wasn't sure if Wilmot was genuinely avoiding her out of such consideration or if his condition had deteriorated to the point where he couldn't be seen.
After all, Wilmot had always been kind to her, and she felt she should visit him to ease her mind.
So, Tabitha said, "I want to see him. Which room is he in?"
"No need. Wilmot definitely wouldn't want you to come."
"I'll just take a look and leave
Third person's POVDerek knew Tabitha's character like the back of his hand. He was well aware that after what had happened, she would never allow him to stay by her side any longer.He had foreseen this day would come, and his deliberate avoidance in recent days was nothing more than a small struggle deep within, hoping to delay that moment for just a little longer.Tabitha poured him a glass of water first, then slowly sat down on the chair beside him."Speaking of which, you've taken care of us for so long, and this is the first time I've poured water for you."Derek used his fist to press against his lips, coughed slightly, and said softly, "Thank you.""Do you want some medicine?" Tabitha asked with concern."No, I just have a bit of a cough. It's much better than before.""Throughout this journey, I've been very grateful to you. You're a very good person, hardworking and capable. It's a waste to have you take care of the
Third person's POVBefore Tabitha could figure out how to respond, Derek seemed to fear causing her too much distress.He hastily added, "Ms. Hartley, you really don't need to be too troubled by this matter. I like you, and that's ultimately my own affair. I will, as before, try to make myself as unobtrusive as possible and not interfere too much in your life. However..."Pausing for a moment, Derek's eyes betrayed a hint of stubbornness.His tone became even more resolute, "Liking you is also my freedom. Even if you grow tired of me because of it, even if you feel burdened by my feelings, you couldn't stop me from continuing to like you, not even if you took my life."Tabitha listened to his straightforward and fervent words, feeling her ears burn and her heart race like a rabbit kicking inside her chest.She couldn't help but wonder to herself, how had the once seemingly honest and simple him changed so completely?His unreserved ho
Third person's POVDerek still coughed intermittently. After escorting Tabitha to her door, he stopped in his tracks.With a slight bend in his waist, his gaze was tender and concerned as he looked at Tabitha, his voice hoarse with a hint of a rasp, "Ms. Hartley, once you're back, you must rest well. Remember to cover yourself with a blanket when you sleep. Don't catch a cold. The wind on this ship is strong. Both you and Ayla need to take care of your health."After speaking, he looked at Tabitha deeply one more time, as if to etch her appearance into his heart, before turning around and slowly leaving.Derek was well aware that Tabitha's constitution was much weaker than that of an average person.His illness hadn't fully recovered, and in this poorly ventilated environment, germs could spread easily. If he were to infect the child and Tabitha, the consequences would be unimaginable.For the sake of their health, he decided to return to th
Third person's POVAlya was gone! She had slipped away stealthily during the gap in her exercise routine!Immense terror gripped Tabitha's heart.Ayla had always been so well-behaved. Tabitha never imagined Alya would venture out alone to find Wilmot.She was well aware that this ship was no ordinary place, harboring far too many hidden dangers and darkness.Her mind conjured up various dreadful thoughts.How many psychologically twisted perverts lurked on this ship?Ayla was so young and adorable, like a budding flower. If targeted by ill-intentioned individuals, what kind of misfortune might she encounter?There were far too many wealthy individuals with twisted psyches committing heinous acts, and the consequences were often more terrifying than mere threats.For instance, some perverts were obsessed with specific parts of a woman's body, such as legs or hair.They would post nefarious tasks on the dark web, an
Third person's POVTabitha felt a bomb about to detonate in her head, a sense of extreme foreboding spreading rapidly within her like a torrential tide."Have you seen her? Where is she?" Tabitha's voice trembled with anxiety.Her eyes were fixed on Mathilda, her gaze a complex mixture of despair and hope.Mathilda crooked her finger slightly, beckoning Tabitha with a smirk on her face. "Follow me. I'll take you to her."However, in Tabitha's mind, her words were like the devil's tempting yet deadly lure.She knew that if Ayla was truly in her possession, she wouldn't go through such trouble to say she'd lead her there.She would just hand the child over.Instantly, Tabitha realized a terrible fact: besides Alya, she herself was likely one of the targets.Could it be the one who had been hiding behind the scenes?No, probably not. If it was that, they wouldn't use such an indirect approach. They would be more dire
Third person's POVIt was a beauty that commanded awe, with Tabitha wearing no makeup to enhance her skin, no contouring to sculpt her features, and no lipstick or eyebrow pencil to embellish.Her skin was as pure and delicate as snow, and her soft lips seemed to possess an innately delicate hue, naturally red without any color.Her eyebrows were thick and natural, as dark as ink, without any need for grooming.Her nose was high and straight, and her facial features, under the meticulous carving of nature, presented a profound and three-dimensional beauty, as if she were God's most prideful masterpiece.Even as Tabitha stared at her with cold hostility, Matilda, being a woman herself, couldn't help but be struck by Tabitha's beauty.She inwardly marveled at how outrageously beautiful she was.Matilda considered herself to have seen countless beauties. In her perception, she couldn't think of anyone who could compare to Tabitha in a ba
Third person's POVDerek's health had shown a marked improvement over the past two days.With the ship about to dock in Seattle, all matters had reached a critical juncture.Following Derek's instructions, Rolf and Alvin had discreetly disembarked.Their mission was twofold: to swiftly return to the company with the various contracts Derek had meticulously signed aboard the ship and to handle the backlog of internal affairs, ensuring the company's operations proceeded smoothly and efficiently.And secondly, Derek, in his thoroughness, knew arrangements had to be made in advance to prevent Tabitha from suspecting his identity once she disembarked.Everything had to appear natural and reasonable.In the days leading up to this, life had been as calm as a tranquil sea without a ripple.Forrest, as usual, delivered meals to Tabitha on schedule, and the process had gone off without a hitch, with no errors or mishaps.But just
Third person's POVAfter being injected with some drug by Matilda, Tabitha felt as if all her strength had been instantly drained.Her body was limp, like a pile of mud, making it extremely difficult to even stand.Overwhelmed by intense drowsiness, she felt groggy, her head unusually heavy, her thoughts mired in a dense fog, and her reactions severely slowed.She could hear Matilda speaking clearly, but her brain, like a rusty machine, took several seconds to respond with effort.In her heart, she was screaming, wanting to escape this terrifying place, but her limbs seemed to be under a spell, refusing to obey.She was deeply worried. If she had been injected with drugs, she didn't know what had happened to Ayla or where she was.Had those perverts done something terrible to her?Tabitha was roughly dressed by several rude individuals in a gorgeous yet humiliating outfit.Then, someone meticulously applied makeup to her
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
Third person's POVAlma felt a bit awkward. "I'm not sure about that."After all, Hedwig was Derek's spitting image, but she wasn't certain about Hedwig's father."Regardless, he already has other women by his side. He might have forgotten your mother and could build a future with someone else. Even so, do you still want to save him?"Hedwig pursed her lips and didn't respond. Alma stroked her hair, "Poor child, you should know how hard your mother worked to escape him. If he discovers you two are still alive, he'll imprison her again. Do you want that?"Hedwig shook her head gently."Then pretend you don't know him. Your mother and the others aren't in the village. Whether he survives is up to luck," Alma sighed, "Your mother suffered too much. She was barely alive when she gave birth to you. Cherish the life you have now."Hedwig nodded.Strangely, after Derek drank Hedwig's blood, about half an hour later, his vision and hea
Third person's POVThe door swung open.Misha stared at Alma with wide eyes, thinking her sincerity had finally moved her.But the next moment, Alma unhesitatingly lifted a basin of water and splashed it over her, drenching her from head to toe. "Stop making a fuss here! Don't try to coerce me with such theatrics. Whether you stay or do something more extreme, it has nothing to do with me. If you're looking for trouble, take it elsewhere, not here!"Misha stood there, stunned. How could Mrs. Atkinson act so unreasonably?"Why are you staring at me like that? Do you think this is a soap opera?" Alma sneered, "Now leave before you soil my place."As she spoke, she shielded Hedwig's eyes, "Don't look, or it might ruin your mood."Misha returned, drenched and furious, cursing under her breath, "Why is this old woman so difficult? She didn't have to help, but did she have to throw urine at me?"Rolf pinched his nose and stepped back