Chapter 2

Tabitha's POV

Derek's words shattered my pride.

I looked at him in shock, unable to maintain my cool anymore.

I fired back, all worked up, "How dare you say that! Ever since I became Luna of the Black Thorn Pack, I've been faithfully fulfilling my duties, taking care of the pack members. I didn't mess around with some sorry rogue and break our mate bond! I'm way more worth my salt than you!"

"Oh really?" Derek was as cool as ice. He stared at me, hatred glinting in his eyes.

"You haven't given Black Thorn Pack an heir, and you have the nerve to claim that you are worth your salt?"

His accusation brought a lump to my throat.

Derek and I weren't fated mates, so having a baby was a tough gig. But we'd been expecting one.

During my pregnancy, I had an accident. Ironically, Derek chose to stay with Daphne and ignored my cries for help.

Failing to get immediate treatment, I miscarried.

It had always been my deepest pain. And he owned a piece of that.

How could he use that to accuse me?

"You're such a letdown, Derek," I gritted my teeth and spat out.

Derek locked eyes with me, about to say something. But Daphne stepped forward before he spoke.

Hand on Derek's shoulder, she cooed, "Forget about those unpleasant things. You still got me and Kyrian. He's cute, too, right? We'll always be with you."

"You're right." Derek softened up.

He bent down and planted a kiss on Daphne's hair right in front of me.

That stabbing pain hit my heart again. Cold sweat oozed down my back as I tried to endure it.

"Alright then. Let's divorce ASAP," I said.

"As you wish," replied Derek. "I'll make Daphne my Luna."

"If you love her that much, let's go straight to the Council of Elders today to complete the rejection ceremony," I suggested.

Cutting my mate bond with Derek would ease the chest pain, but my wolf would be even weaker.

Even so, I didn't wanna wait any longer. I had had enough.

"As I said, you don't get to call the shots. Just wait," Derek snapped.

I replied in a sardonic tone, "Seriously? You wanna keep her labeled 'the homewrecker'? Just show me how deep this love goes."

Daphne piped up, "You don't have to do this for me, Alpha Derek. I can wait."

Her lips said one thing, but her eyes screamed 'I want it'.

Derek glanced at Daphne, then locked eyes on me for a beat, marching over.

As he passed by, he grabbed my arm, pulling me along, not caring if I could keep up or not.

"Don't regret this," he whispered in my ear.

"Never," I promised.

I followed Derek out of Black Thorn Pack, stumbling.

Just as we were about to reach the Council of Elders, my phone buzzed.

As soon as I picked up, the doctor's anxious voice came. "Tabitha, John suddenly gets worse. He has been rushed to the ER."

"What?" I froze.

"He came around just now. But after an emotional blow, he was back in a coma. He's now in emergency care."

"I'll be right there!" I hung up, turning to leave.

Derek's voice came from behind me. "Where are you going?"

"Got something urgent to attend to. Just wait at the Council of Elders. I'll be there in a while," I replied anxiously.

"Are you playing me?" Derek hissed.

"My dad's in the ER now. I gotta go to the hospital," I took a deep breath and said.

"Tabitha, nice try," Derek smiled coldly. "No wonder you've been acting weird today. Your lie is so lame. Do I look like a fool to you?"

"I'm not lying," I explained, trying to stay patient. "I did have fantasies about fixing our relationship, but now, I'm ready to end it. Anyway, my dad's in emergency care now, so let's wait until I get back, okay?"

"He's in emergency care? That means he's not dead. Why the rush?" Derek shrugged.

His words puzzled me. As I recalled, Derek had always respected Dad. Why would he speak like that?

Derek's face read disgust, and it wasn't an act.

Then another thing hit me. Two years ago, Derek ended the partnership with my dad's company all of a sudden.

Since then, Dad's business had been on the wane, leading to Silver Moon Pack's decline.

Now I could finally piece things together.

But why did Derek do such things?

Silver Moon Pack never clashed with Black Thorn Pack.

I couldn't figure it out, nor did I have the time.

"Anyway, I gotta go to the hospital. Wait at the Council of Elders. I will be back soon." With that, I turned around and left in a hurry.