Tabitha's POV
It'd been a week since I last saw Derek.And the guards from the Black Thorn Pack didn't show up again.So these days, I got to stay in this public werewolf hospital as an ordinary patient.Apart from Orson and the nurses, plus Gloria dropping by now and then, I got no visitors.No one'd been keeping tabs on me.TBH, I couldn't care less about Derek's absence. It was kinda nice to catch a break and just chill on my own.The wound on my collarbone had all healed up. No one could tell there was ever a mark there.I had checked in with Crystal.Good news was, she had already bounced back from the desolation caused by the complete break of the mate bond.And now, she couldn't sense Leo anymore.But when I was alone, Derek's face would pop out in my head from time to time, and it still stung me.Orson became the one I talked to the most.He would come to my ward during his rounds, keeping me updated with his fTabitha's POV "Dad!" I called out in a panic but got no response. With tears in my eyes, I followed the nurse back to the ward. After placing Dad on the bed, she left. Then, I immediately walked up to him. Fixing my gaze on his face, I noticed he'd changed a lot—his cheeks had hollowed out, and he got heavy dark circles under his eyes. "Dad..." I whispered again, even though I knew he wouldn't answer me. My gaze drifted down to his left hand. It looked thin and aged, a stark contrast from the strong one that used to hold mine on our way home. On the back of his hand was an indwelling needle, and the skin was loose and sagging. In just a couple of years, he'd aged so much... As I looked at him, memories of the past came flooding back. Back then, he was so exuberant and robust. As the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack, he was incredibly kind to every pack member. So even the lowest-ranking omegas felt blessed to be part of the pack. No matter if Dad was the killer of Elena or not,
Tabitha's POVFacing Derek's probing, I cringed with embarrassment.Begging him for help was the last thing I wanted to do, yet Dad's life was hanging by a thread. I had no choice but to swallow my pride.So I bowed even deeper, my voice soaked in humility as I pleaded, "Sorry for my arrogance. I'm begging you, please tell me where to find Matthew."Derek lounged back and asked coldly with a raised brow, "Why should I?"Biting my lip, I murmured, "I'll do anything, please."A sardonic smile curved his lips.Then I watched as he gestured for a nearby Omega from the Black Thorn Pack.Noticing his action, the Omega immediately walked up to him and bowed respectfully, asking, "Alpha Derek, what can I do for you?""You're done for the day. Now pack up and go back to the pack," he ordered.The Omega nodded and left the grove.When I was gazing at her receding figure, I heard Derek commanding, "Didn't you say you'd do anything? Well, n
Derek's POVWhen I finished my words, a look of disbelief flashed across Tabitha's face. I knew all this was tough for her to swallow.Going from being the daughter of the Silver Moon Pack's Alpha to becoming my Luna, she'd always been privileged. I bet she'd never face such humiliation.Just when I was expecting her to say no, she nodded in agreement.Well, that was quite a surprise.Since Kamp told me she used wolfsbane to stop her wound from healing, I'd been suspecting she was up to something.I thought she quit because of my warning, but she came to me again just a few days later.So I found fault with her, trying to make her lose her temper. Yet she complied in stride every time.I expected seeing her swallow her pride would make me feel good. But the truth was, it didn't cheer me up at all."Well then, let's get going." I stood up and pulled Tabitha with me.I wanted her to fight back, to bicker with me, to curse me. Anything
Derek's POV"Shut up, Leo! Can't you see I'm having fun here," I shot back at him.But Leo just howling nonstop, even trying to take over my body.Feeling something off, I regained my self-control.I let go of Tabitha, snapping, "Off you go. But remember, you're pretty much my slave now. Next time I call, you gotta show up immediately.""Got it." Tabitha adjusted her clothes with a panicked look. Then, she bit her lip and asked, "What about Matthew?""I'll let you know once I find him," I replied.She nodded, spinning around to leave.Then something occurred to me, so I called out, "Wait. Did that Orson guy visit you again while you were in the hospital?"Tabitha exclaimed in surprise, "You're spying on me? But there are no members of the Black Thorn Pack in the hospital."I impatiently waved my hand, ordering, "Just answer my question."Tabitha hesitated before finally admitting, "Yep, Orson used to be my attending. So I turned
Tabitha's POV Dad's even breaths were like a background track to my ramble. Leaning in, I continued in a whisper, "Dad, after Derek rejected me, he coughed up a hefty alimony. I'm putting that cash to work, helping the Silver Moon Pack get stronger. Look how much I've grown." I placed his hand next to my cheek. "When Mom walked out, you told me regrets were necessary in life. And it's the only way we can learn to cherish everything and everyone around us. Since then, I've been treasuring every single thing, yet it turns out my efforts are all in vain." I let out a sigh, heavy as the weight of my heart. "I don't know who on earth is targeting me. Just when I thought I was getting better, someone applied wolfsbane on my wound when I was in a coma. Now Orson's going abroad, and my treatment's gonna be put on hold again. I don't know if I'll still be alive when you come around." I mumbled on all afternoon until the sunlight began to fade. No sign of Dad waking, I couldn't help but ch
Tabitha's POV I felt really relieved that shifters from the Black Thorn Pack were as respectful to me as before. Not everyone was as cruel as Derek, after all. I gave Alvin a smile, replying, "Thank you. But I'm gonna wait for my friend." Right after finishing my words, I saw Gloria walking towards me in a flamboyant red dress. She even wore sunglasses! Stopping before Alvin in her high heels, she took off her sunglasses and glared at him, "Are you messing with Tabitha again?" Alvin hesitated before speaking, "Why are you dressed up like this? This is the Moonshadow Fair, not a mating gathering!" I couldn't help but chuckle at Alvin's words. It turned out that Gloria went to get changed in the parking lot. No wonder it took her so long to return. "Even if it were a mating gathering, my mate would be an Alpha, not a Beta like you. Just go and mind your own business!" Gloria was always candid. Alvin shook his head resignedly. "Fine. Just come with me." "Thank you. But we've got
Tabitha's POVI gave Gloria a tug.Just as Gloria was about to leave with me, Daphne threatened in a low voice, "Gloria, don't push your luck.""You sure I'm pushing my luck? I haven't even made it public that you broke the marriage between Derek and Tabitha."Daphne's face looked particularly pale under the dim light.Gloria was glad to see Daphne's reaction. "I got evidence for everything you did. If you ever mess with me or Tabitha again, I'd consider making them public."Daphne gave Gloria a hard glare, but didn't say anything else.We didn't talk much any more.Because the auction started soon.As the only recipient of the golden full moon invitation, I sat near Derek.I didn't expect to meet Derek again so soon after we parted ways.It was just that we didn't talk at all, just like two strangers.I showed no interest in the auction at first.Until Lysander announced the auction of Hope Ranch.According to Ly
Derek's POVAs the hammer went down, the bidding for Hope Ranch came to an end. I got the ranch, but the joy of victory didn't last in my heart.My gaze followed Tabitha, her figure appearing lonely and desolate.Her sad look made me heartbroken.Although our mate bond had been severed, I could somehow sense her pain.Standing in the venue, I wanted to walk towards her out of impulse.My wolf Leo growled in my mind, telling me that Tabitha's pain had much to do with me."What did you feel?" I talked to my wolf in my mind."I can feel her pain. Go over to her. I need to know if she's our second chance mate." Leo's voice was deep and powerful, his words direct and honest.I furrowed my brow. "We lost her. She's no longer our mate. And I don't think there's a chance she's our second chance mate.""I need to confirm that!" Leo roared out his displeasure.I couldn't ignore Leo.So I went to chase after Tabitha immediately. When
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
Tabitha was deeply focused on listening to Derek's heartbeat. Irritated by his question, she simply hushed him with a "Shh" and said, "Don't talk." Her attention was entirely on his heart rate. She had no intention of being distracted by others.After finishing with his heartbeat, Tabitha gently pried open Derek's eyelids for a closer look.His pupils were dull and lifeless, making it impossible to assess the internal damage with the naked eye.It seemed that only after administering the antidote and conducting a professional examination outside could they determine the extent of the eye damage.Tabitha silently resolved that if they could just detoxify him, there would be hope for the gradual recovery of his other organs.At Tabitha's "Shh," Derek obediently fell silent.Despite feeling as though he were in a dream, he cherished this fleeting moment, thinking that even an extra minute with Tabitha would give him more memories to hold onto i
Derek clung to Tabitha like a koala to a tree trunk, refusing to let go.His voice was urgent and filled with longing as he declared, "Tabitha, you have no idea how long I've been searching for you! Every day, every night, your image haunted my thoughts. I was such a fool. If I had known you would vanish completely, I never would have let you go."Tabitha's heart skipped a beat at his words.Recalling her departure, she realized how strange it had been—how smoothly she had left.Back then, Tabitha had barely left when someone came chasing after her. Had Derek known of her plan from the start?If he had wanted to stop her, he could have nipped her plan in the bud."Why did you let me go, then?" she asked.Derek, lost in the joy of their reunion, poured out his feelings unreservedly. "I've always felt guilty for the wrongs I did you. I wanted to make amends."Tabitha gazed into Derek's eyes, noticing the red marks on his face.Despite his usual handsomeness, these marks added an air of
Third person's POVThis was why Tabitha had chosen Alvin over Rolf.She adjusted her waterlogged mask, now nearly peeling off, and swiftly exited the scene.Rolf muttered behind her, "Alpha Derek, don't go around hugging people. What if she gets clingy? Tabitha's still out there—what if she sees this and makes you wait another decade?"Derek remained silent."But seriously," Rolf continued, "the doctor's build and height are identical to Tabitha's. Just the face is different."Derek seized on this. "What did you say?""I said she looks like Tabitha, except for the face. Alpha Derek, don't get carried away—it's not like Tabitha to pop up just because you're poisoned. You've looked for her for three and a half years with no luck."Derek rubbed his temples, chalking it up to longing-induced hallucinations.Tabitha retreated to her room, exhausted from the sleepless night of brewing and changing medicines.
Third person's POVDerek loosened his grip slightly, allowing her to breathe. "Sorry, I can't see. No idea what's going on," he muttered."You're in a tub. No dialysis here—just using heat to sweat out the wolfsbane. I was checking your condition," Tabitha explained, her tone flat.Derek realized his mistake. "Apologies.""Now that you're more lucid, let's do a quick check-up. How do you feel?""Body's burning. Blind as a bat. Hearing's there but muffled, ringing in the ears. Headache, chest tightness, shortness of breath, weak limbs...""Your entire body's under toxin attack. Recovery will take time. Don't stress. You're in good shape—should bounce back faster. Can you stand? Let me see your condition."The tub's dark liquid hid Derek's nudity, so Tabitha didn't push him to move.Derek suddenly realized something. "Wait, I'm naked?""Yep."Silence.His face twisted in discomfort."I'm a