Tabitha's POV
"Who the fuck said you could hurt her?"Before I fell into the sea, I seemed to hear a man's voice amidst the sea breeze.Her? Who was he referring to?Could it be me?I clutched the knife, my only chance to survive.Once I fell into the sea, I easily cut the ropes that bound my wrists and ankles.After what happened today, I was 100% sure that the mastermind was a woman, and the last thing she wanted was to see Derek getting hurt.Daphne was just a disguise, a tool for her to hurt me. I was the one she was really after. She wanted to see me suffer in hell.Who the heck was she? I had never offended anyone! How come someone hated me this much?But no matter who she was, I wouldn't let her off the hook!I swore to myself, 'Tabitha, you gotta survive this, no matter how hard it is.'You gotta find that bitch and let her taste what she's put you through!'All this time, I had been struggling to come to termsTabitha's POVAs the sound of their footsteps faded away, I popped to the surface and gasped wildly for fresh air.There was a lingering smell of the corpse in the air, but it was still better than being underwater.I was supposed to be scared, but I laughed heartily instead.I made it!As long as I was alive, I had a chance to make that bitch go through all the shit I'd suffered!My desire to live was so strong that even the pain from my wound eased.I pressed the switch on my phone watch, and it gave off a faint light.Holly gave me the watch, and I put it on because I still craved her love. Who would have thought my softheartedness actually did me a great favor?In front of me was the body. Apparently, the woman died miserably. And I bet her family had no idea she was dead.Right now, I was so overjoyed to have survived that I couldn't feel scared.So I got ashore, suppressing the churning in my stomach while examining the co
Derek's POVSince that day, I'd had Alvin and Rolf hire a bunch of guys to search for Tabitha's body.I hadn't eaten anything or slept at all, just keeping an eye on the salvage situation 24/7.Yet, they found nothing, not even a piece of her clothes.Day by day, I grew more and more anxious. For more information, I began to spend a lot of time online.Maybe someone would find clues about Tabitha, I thought.But every time, I ended up disappointed.The netizens were all either mocking Daphne or cursing Holly.Daphne had called me more than once to complain about it, but I dismissed it as soon as I saw the caller ID.Afterward, Mark rang me up, asking me to visit Holly at the werewolf hospital.I turned him down at first, yet on second thought, it wouldn't hurt to see how miserable she ended up now.When I arrived, I learned that Holly had been admitted to the hospital since she vomited blood that day.Her wolf had completel
Derek's POVThe realization filled me with excitement."Yeah. Tabitha isn't the revengeful type. It doesn't make any sense she said that. She was definitely implying something," Alvin echoed.As he spoke, I recalled Tabitha's hesitant looks when she was with me as well as her odd behavior for the past few months. Offering to work in my company, giving presents with mini trackers to my secretaries..."What she really wanted me to look into wasn't just the kidnapper but also Elena's death," I concluded.Once again, those cameras in my office popped into my mind. Clearly, someone had been watching my every move all along.And it would've been easy if the person wanted to mess with my investigation, making me believe that John was Elena's murderer so I would hate Tabitha.Maybe Tabitha had felt something fishy, and she knew I wouldn't trust her even if she told me, let alone reinvestigate the whole case.So she chose to find out the truth with her
Derek's POVAs the Alpha of the most powerful wolf pack in Seattle, no one dared accuse me like this carer in front of me.Plus, she was only an Omega.But at that moment, not even a touch of anger rose in me.My wolf whimpered in my mind, his sound hurt and heartbreak.I had been talking to Leo in my mind.I hoped he could help me sense Tabitha.But Leo refused to respond until just now when he finally told me that he couldn't sense Tabitha's wolf."I guess no one has told you those, right? But after seeing how Ms. Hartley has been struggling alone, I found it hard to stand by and say nothing," the carer added.Alvin, who was standing beside, interrupted after a delicate cough, "You need to calm down first.""Humph, you want me to calm down? Do you even know how much Ms. Hartley has suffered in the past two years? But what she got? Although I'm not her family or even friend, I feel sorry for her. I've seen the video and I'm so confu
Tabitha's POVI survived the kidnapping and managed to escape, but it left me drained. I was exhausted, and my wounds worsened more.Luckily, I encountered Jasper, and was currently out of critical condition, so I stayed temporarily in the Dawn Vanguard Pack to recuperate.Unlike the tranquility of the Dawn Vanguard Pack, the outside world was in chaos.During the few days of rest, I could get daily updates about the outside world from people here.It was a nice day.I found a tree by the pack square.Under the vast shade of the tree were numerous chairs. I selected a reclining one, settled in, and savored the gentle breeze.Tucker lazily lay by my feet.A breeze stirred, causing cherry blossom petals to flutter and fall.Several children ran around in the square, their lively movements contrasting with the tranquil surroundings, creating a harmoniously beautiful scene.Yet, I found no solace in this peaceful setting, as my surv
Tabitha's POVI wavered. His offer was so tempting that I found no reason to refuse it."Jasper, I can leave with you, but there's one more thing.""What is it? Go ahead.""I don't want my father to continue bearing an undeserved bad reputation.""As long as I'm alive, I'll hunt down whoever's lurking in the shadows!"Initially, I hadn't
Tabitha's POVIt was getting late at night, but I didn't feel sleepy at all.After staring at the ceiling for a while, I got up, looking out the window to enjoy the night view.Tucker was sprawling lazily under the cherry tree, stretching out and pawing the ground.The cherry blossoms rained down like gentle confetti, blanketing the ground in a soft layer of petals.It was supposed to bring me inner peace, yet I just couldn't shake off the anxiety and uneasiness in my mind.Deep down, I knew Jasper's suggestion was solid for me—leaving was probably the best move.Given Dad's health, the longer I waited, the riskier it'd be for him. And Jasper would have some other doctor to treat me, too. Leaving would only do me good.Yet ever since I agreed to his suggestion, I'd been feeling uneasy. It was like I was stuck in a fog, and I couldn't find my way out of it.Something just felt off.All of a sudden, a piercing scream came from Jasper's room, snapping me back to reality."Stay away from
Tabitha's POVI helped Gloria up and adjusted my voice, speaking in an old lady's tone, "Young lady, it's cold on the ground. Get up. You're so young, and I'm sure the life ahead of you is promising. What are you crying for?""Ma'am, I lost my best friend. I can't find her," Gloria said, looking as sad and stubborn as a girl who had lost her toy.I put the umbrella in her hand and said earnestly, "All things in this world come to an end. Young lady, perhaps you may find it hard to believe, but leaving isn't necessarily a bad thing. Who knows? Perhaps you'll get to see her again someday."While she was still processing it, I winked at her.Then I walked away before she sensed anything.After I made it to the street corner, I hid by a lamppost, watching her from a distance.Just as she took a few steps, the note that I tucked into the ribs of the umbrella fell off. And she caught it just in time.Having read the note, she jumped up and down with excitement.That was when I knew she got
Her long hair cascaded down, and as she leaned over, a strand gently swept across Derek's neck—a feather-light touch that sent a shiver of ticklish sensation through him.The familiar herbal fragrance snapped Derek back to reality. He turned to look at Tabitha.Though he could only see a hazy outline, a wave of familiarity washed over him.He replied, "I've got a splitting headache, feeling nauseous, and no appetite.""Open your mouth and stick out your tongue," Tabitha instructed, her fingers lightly touching Derek's chin.Her cool fingertips pried open his mouth.Derek sensed the blurred figure drawing closer, even feeling Tabitha's breath.She examined his tongue, then released his chin, her expression serious. "I need to check your body," she said.This time, Derek didn't resist.Tabitha's fingers began unbuttoning his shirt, one button at a time.The action, the sensation—it all felt like a trip d
It wasn't until the bamboo flute's melody faded completely that Misha collapsed to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut.She felt as though she'd lost half her life force, every ounce of strength drained from her body.Initially planning to leave the next day, Misha fell ill that very night.Delirious and raving, she was swallowed by confusion.Back at their quarters, Rolf returned with a face flushed with excitement, eager to recount yesterday's events to Alvin in vivid detail.Gesturing wildly, he said, "You should've seen it—spectacular! Those snakes came pouring in from every direction, like something out of a horror movie. It gave me the creeps just watching."Alvin listened, his brow furrowing with each passing word.Recalling Alma's parting words— "See that you behave" —a nagging sense of unease settled in his stomach. Misha's illness felt anything but coincidental."What're you thinking?" Rolf asked, noti
Rolf was so focused on escaping that he barely had time to marvel at the spectacle unfolding before him."If this isn't a nightmare, I don't know what is", he thought, sprinting for his life.He knew if he fell, he'd be bitten to death by the venomous snakes.Never in his life had Rolf run so fast. He sprinted in the direction of the sound, desperation lending him strength.Up ahead, perched in a peach tree like a guardian angel, sat Hedwig.Her tiny fingers danced over a bamboo flute, its melody ringing in the charged air.To Rolf and Misha, however, the "ding-dong" notes felt like a death knell tolling ever closer.Snakes swarmed from all directions like a rising tide. Rolf knew if this kept up, they'd both end up as snake fodder.Panic clawed at his throat. Without a word to Misha, he unceremoniously dumped her onto the ground.Misha was still disoriented when she was roughly thrown to the ground. Before she could rea
"Agreed," Alvin replied. The memory of Hedwig's earlier glare at Misha sent a shiver down his spine.He had a foreboding that Misha might already be in Hedwig's crosshairs.Given that this was Hedwig's home turf, Alvin worried their group might not stand a chance in a confrontation.This added a layer of anxiety to an already tense situation.Meanwhile, Tabitha remained fast asleep, a serene smile playing on her lips.After a short play with the fawn, a pigeon flew in from outside the cave and landed on Hedwig's shoulder, cooing softly. Hedwig paused at the sound, glancing at Tabitha still lost in slumber.With a moment of hesitation, she quietly rose and tiptoed away, not wanting to disturb Tabitha's rest.Misha, who had always sailed through life with ease, had encountered her greatest challenge in the form of unrequited love.Ever since Derek had rescued her, she had vowed to marry him when she grew up.Throughout her
Hedwig nodded understandingly, her face lighting up with innocent joy.She carefully lowered herself onto the lawn and gently pressed a sweet kiss to Tabitha's cheek, her movements as delicate as a butterfly's wings.Her movements were incredibly gentle, for fear of disturbing Tabitha.Then, she sat quietly by the pool, watching butterflies dance around them—a scene so serene it could have been plucked from a masterpiece painting.Tabitha's exhaustion overwhelmed her, her eyelids growing heavier by the second until she drifted into a deep sleep by the pool's edge.Her long, silk-like hair cascaded down, and without her mask, her porcelain skin glowed.Compared to before, she seemed even more beautiful now, like a sleeping fairy, radiating an enchanting charm.Hedwig stayed by her side without disturbing Tabitha, quietly gathering herbs nearby with focused and skillful movements.The forest creatures adored her—a faw
Misha watched Tabitha and Alma walk away, her anger flaring up again.She glared at the back of Tabitha's head and instinctively touched her red cheek.Growing up, she had never been treated like this. The humiliation filled her heart with resentment."Once Derek's poison is neutralized, I'll make them pay", she vowed silently.Alban, seeing the hatred in Misha's eyes, felt a chill.He knew Misha's background—her family's influence was no secret. He'd brought her here out of concern for Derek's blood type.Having watched Misha and Derek grow up, he was well aware of their temperaments.Given Misha's current state, he feared she would cause more trouble.So, he tried to persuade her again, "Look, things are under control here. It's not proper for a young lady like you to stay. I'll have someone escort you out.""I'm not leaving, Dr. Weaver. I'm staying to take care of Derek!" Misha said stubbornly, turning her head
Misha's eyes welled up the moment she saw Derek awake. She lunged toward him, crying, "I've been so worried!"Derek sidestepped her embrace instinctively and said coolly, "I'm fine. I've delayed you long enough. I need to stay for treatment; you should head back."Misha's jaw dropped in shock.Misha had traveled so far and gone through so much, only to hear Derek tell her to leave as soon as he woke up."I need to care for you—your eyesight's impaired. I've already taken leave," she pleaded."You'll be fine. Rolf and Alvin are here. It's not convenient for you, a young woman, to stay," Derek insisted.Misha stamped her foot in frustration. "What's inconvenient about it? You're not married, and neither am I. Remember when we were on missions together? We took care of each other then, didn't we?"Alma happened to pass by and overhear the conversation, finally realizing that Misha had been the one making advances all along.
Derek jolted awake after an hour of sleep.In a daze, sensing someone beside him, he instinctively pulled them into his arms, exclaiming, "Tabitha, you came for me."Alvin sighed, "Alpha Derek, it's me."Derek fumbled blindly in the air, urgency lacing his voice, "Where's Tabitha? Where did she go?""You were dreaming again," Alvin explained patiently."A dream?" Derek frowned, confusion washing over him.But why did the dream feel so real? So real that he could almost feel the give of Tabitha's skin, recall the touch of her body, and even remember the warmth of her flesh. Her voice still seemed to linger in his ears."Tabitha's probably miles away. She couldn't be here," Alvin added.Derek's heart sank, the joy from moments ago replaced by emptiness. It felt as though he'd found his most precious treasure, only to realize it was just a dream.He bowed his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "Right, how could I rea
At Derek's words, Tabitha was suddenly reminded of his words from years ago, when he had said the person in his dreams was her.She couldn't help but wonder what exactly this scoundrel had done to her in his dreams."Tabitha, hold me," Derek pleaded like a petulant child.Tabitha recalled the early days of their marriage. Back then, Derek was reticent and self-absorbed in bed, rarely showing any emotion or expressing his feelings.She often doubted whether he even liked her, if not for the fact that his actions left her bedridden the next day.Derek had locked all his emotions in an airtight box, allowing no one to peek inside.But over the years, their dynamics had done a complete turnaround.Now, Tabitha buried her feelings deep within, becoming cold and distant, while Derek had transformed into someone unrecognizably vulnerable and open.At this moment, Derek was like an overly affectionate, enthusiastic dog, intimately fami