LOGINDerek's POV
Tabitha was right. I did plan to do so.I could no longer bear the pain of losing her once again. I just wanted her to stay by my side forever so that I could see her anytime I wanted."Tabitha, I've tried to let you go, to let you live a free life. As long as you stayed in Seattle as promised, everything would've been fine. But you went back on your word."I paused, my face screwed up in agony. "I've tried to control my possessiveness, seriously."My rest"Dad, I understand," Misha replied. "Oh, by the way, since Vanessa saved your life twice, I'm thinking about hosting a banquet at the packhouse to thank her.""Didn't you always dislike her?" Algernon asked."That's a separate matter. She saved you, so she deserves our gratitude. And since Derek was the one who brought her here, we owe him thanks too.""Alright. I can't tell you how good it is to hear you say that. If you two can truly get along, I won't have a thing to worry about. Go make the arrangements."Algernon felt a sudden wave of relief—his daughter had truly grown up; she was no longer the willful girl she used to be.Misha invited the Rios family, Derek, and a few others.When Tabitha received the invitation, her first thought was: "What's Misha up to this time?"The last time Misha hosted a banquet, she'd drugged Tabitha and Derek. Surely she wouldn't try the same trick twice.As for the idea that this was ju
Misha sucked in a sharp breath and instinctively gripped the hem of her shirt. "Mom, don't scare me. She can't be an infiltrator planted inside our pack, can she?""I can't say for sure."Bonnie shook her head, her brow furrowing even deeper. "But right now, there's definitely something off about her identity. She's hidden her background awfully well.""Then what should we do?"Misha's voice carried a note of panic. "Could she be after Dad?""Hard to say."Bonnie stood and paced the room. "If she wanted your father dead, she had plenty of chances. She wouldn't have saved him twice. She's after something else.""Then we have to expose her in front of everyone!" Misha shot to her feet.Bonnie stopped and turned to face her, her expression serious. "Listen to me. Your father trusts her completely right now. He's even let her come and go around the Alpha's villa freely. Don't say a word for now. We can't risk tipping her off."
Algernon frowned, digging through the depths of his memory for a long moment before finally shaking his head. "Eastfort Road... It doesn't ring a bell. That was ages ago. How could I still remember something like that?"The tiny spark of hope in Tabitha's eyes flickered out.Had she really been reading too much into it?But the woman in that painting was definitely Shana.Algernon set down his coffee cup, his calm gaze landing on her face. "You're acting strangely today. If there's something you want to ask, just say it. You've saved my life twice. I owe you more than I could ever repay. Whatever you want to know, I'll tell you."Tabitha steeled herself.Even if Shana had once been his enemy, there was no harm in asking.And if he really did know her, she might finally get the answers she'd been searching for."Lycan Algernon, here's the case. Earlier today, while I was having coffee, I accidentally came across a—"
On a snowy day, there was nothing better than brewing a cup of coffee and lighting a scented candle.The media room was pleasantly warm, the heater running at full blast. Wisps of white steam curled from the kettle's spout, filling the room with warmth. Curled up on the sofa, Tabitha felt as though the cozy atmosphere had melted the tension from her bones. After an exhausting day, she finally got to relax.There were no confidential documents in the media room—only an impressive collection of premium coffee beans.Knowing how much she loved coffee, Algernon had told her long ago that she was free to help herself whenever she liked.Lost in thought, Tabitha noticed from the corner of her eye that the scented candle was about to burn out. She rose to fetch a new one from the cabinet.She pulled open a drawer. Instead of candles, several rolled-up paintings lay neatly inside. She accidentally knocked one out, and the scroll hit the floor with a soft, dull thud.She quickly knelt down to
Tabitha couldn't help but roll her eyes.Derek's childish behavior made her both angry and amused—he might as well have written "Tabitha is mine" on his forehead in bold letters.The once domineering and cold alpha now looked no different from a three-year-old child."Let me correct you," Cyrus spoke slowly. "She's your ex-mate."Tabitha's eyes widened slightly.If Derek was acting like a kid, then Cyrus wasn't much better. What was wrong with these two today?Derek scoffed, raising his chin dismissively. "Even if she's my ex, she was mine once. Unlike some people who never even had a chance."He paused and then added, "Besides, we have a few adorable kids—do you know how adorable my daughter is?"Was he really showing off now?Tabitha pressed a hand to her forehead, speechless.Cyrus responded unhurriedly, his tone carrying a faint hint of sarcasm. "It's impressive your kids ended up with green eyes."
Tabitha gripped her sleeve tightly, knowing that any further denial would be pointless.She had hidden for so long and considered every possible outcome, but she never imagined her identity would be exposed like this.She took a deep breath. "Mr. Holmes, I can explain."Cyrus suddenly slammed his fist onto the dressing table, the wood letting out a dull, heavy thud.Tabitha's body trembled uncontrollably."So you never lost your memory at all?" His voice was ground out through his teeth.Tabitha closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, she'd regained her composure. "No.""The child Misha saw—is Derek's daughter?""Yes.""You and Derek—"Tabitha licked her dry lips. "Our relationship is very complicated."Even as she said it, she knew she was avoiding the real answer. She couldn't exactly say, "Derek became my ex-mate with benefits." That would sound ridiculous."So you&mda
Tabitha's POVFrom Poison and Wolf Shadow to Elena, I thought I had already found the answer.It didn't seem like that now.Yet, Dad was unaware of what had happened later."Tabitha, don't you trust your old man? Even if I wanted to find a new Luna for the pack, I would ask fo
Tabitha's POVI meant what I said.My love for him was long gone. And all that was left was hatred.Just then, Crystal groaned in my mind, as if trying to comfort me.I stared at Derek, looking forward to hearing what chicanery he was gonna use this time."I know," he fin
Tabitha's POVI somehow walked in.I remember that this place was used as a guest room for entertaining visitors at Hope Ranch.Now, it had been transformed into a large space, with one half painted a soft pink and the other half a gentle sky blue.The floor was covered in a p
Tabitha's POVDerek stopped right in front of me, reaching out his hand, whispering, "Come on, be a good girl and follow me."He sounded so gentle like he was trying to calm a child, but it sent chills down my spine.Even Joanna sensed that something was wrong and instinctively sto







