LOGINDerek discreetly sniffed the liquid in his glass. It was a top-shelf single malt, the heavy peat and alcohol masking any subtle inconsistencies.He caught Tabitha's eye, and they downed their drinks at the same time.Across the room, Misha saw Derek empty his glass, and a smile bloomed on her face like a opening flower."Misha, what's got you looking so happy?" Bentley asked, sliding over like a piece of gum you can't kick off your shoe.The smile vanished instantly. Misha turned stone-cold. "Nothing. None of your business."To be honest, Misha wasn't even Bentley's type. But to gain a foothold in the Holmes family, he had to force himself to suck up to this arrogant brat.After being rejected over and over, his patience was hitting a breaking point. A dark, predatory glint flashed in his eyes."Misha, why won't you just look at what's right in front of you?"Bentley lowered his voice, his tone suggestive. "You've chased him fo
Under the cover of the ballroom music, a faint, hidden blush crept onto Tabitha's cheeks.It felt strange. In all the time they'd known each other, this was probably their first time actually dancing together in a formal setting.Derek didn't hide his intentions, wrapping his arm firmly around her waist and pulling her close, while her hand naturally found its place against his solid chest.They were parents to several children, yet in this moment, their hearts were racing like two teenagers in over their heads.Tabitha could feel a light sweat on Derek's broad palm—the most honest sign of a werewolf's physical arousal when facing his true mate.Misha, meanwhile, was standing on the sidelines, literally shaking with rage as her carefully laid plans turned to dust.Bentley saw his opening and moved in, trying to sound like a gentleman. "Misha, may I have this dance?""No," Misha snapped, not even bothering to look at him.
Cyrus pulled a cigarette from his pocket but didn't light it. He just flipped it irritably between his fingers, a look of pure, untamable frustration on his face. "I'm not looking to get married," he snapped."You're in your thirties, Cyrus. When exactly were you planning on starting?"Bonnie shot him a look. "Look at Derek. He already had—well, regardless, you're trying a girl out tonight. No excuses.""Women are nothing but trouble," Cyrus scoffed. Yet, for some reason, Tabitha's cold, stubborn face flashed in his mind."What trouble? Just go! These ladies have the bloodlines and the degrees to match yours. This is an order from your father. When the dancing starts, you pick a partner."Cyrus tossed the unlit cigarette, his eyes dark. "This sucks."He scanned the room. Every socialite in high-fashion silk felt her heart skip a beat when his gaze passed over her.Being the heir to the Holmes family meant he had the kind of powe
Cyrus could feel how tense Tabitha was. He pulled his hand back quickly. "Sorry. It just seemed like a mob back there."Tabitha stepped away, putting some distance between them. "It's fine. I get it. You should go take care of your guests, Mr. Holmes. Don't worry about me.""Just be careful. If you need anything, find me," Cyrus said, giving her one last look before heading off.He rubbed his thumb and index finger together, still feeling the sensation of her skin. "Are all women that soft?"A strange, restless energy started to stir inside him, like a slow-burning fire he couldn't quite place.The dinner kicked off with about thirty guests. Everyone was talking in low, polite voices.A few people stopped to pay their respects to Lycan Algernon before taking their seats.Bonnie was glued to Algernon's side, wearing that perfect, graceful smile she always showed the world.If it weren't for the whole Truman disaster, Tabitha never would have seen the dark side behind that mask.Cyrus w
Bently's pursuit of power was nothing but blunt. His fawning over Michelle was a mirror image of Michelle's obsession with Derek. But a lowly "clinger" would never catch the eye of the proud.Michelle gave Bentley a dismissive glance, letting out a half-hearted "Thanks" that barely counted as a response.The word had barely left her mouth before she was hiking up her skirt and scurrying toward Derek.Bentley froze, his fists clenching until his knuckles popped beneath his sleeves.Derek stood there in a sharp, pitch-black suit, his face partially obscured by his signature silver mask. He looked like a high-ranking Alpha who had just stepped out of the abyss—mysterious, cold, and utterly unattainable. He drew the repressed, burning stares of every female in the room."Derek!" Michelle called out gleefully, fluttering toward him like a butterfly desperate for attention.From not far, Tabitha swirled her champagne, a mocking smile playing
As night fell, the entire place went into high alert. Armored vehicles cleared the way, and top-tiered chefs were busy preparing food in the kitchen. The air was thick with the rich, smoky aroma of high-end ingredients hitting the grill.Tabitha stood under the gallery, reaching out to catch a single, shimmering snowflake. She never imagined that in this remote territory, she'd experience such an event of this magnitude again.Looking back at the girl from seven years ago, who had just received devastating news and thought she wouldn't survive the winter, and then at the woman standing here now, breathing freely in the snow... It felt like a dream woven from ice.She hadn't just survived; she had flourished. She had lovely pups now, all carrying the blood of a great Alpha.Tonight, she intended to be a quiet observer. But the moment she stepped into the ballroom, the bustling crowd fell into a sudden, collective hush.Michelle was dressed to the ni
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
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
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
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 b







