Third person's POV
Derek swiftly glanced behind him, only to realize that Rolf and Alvin had vanished without a trace.
He had been able to drink without a care in the world because he knew they were there, watching his back.
But now, at this critical moment, they had inexplicably disappeared, leaving Derek to fall into the trap this woman had so meticulously laid.
The woman before him, confident in her enchanting beauty and alluring figure, was certain that all men would be bewitched by her charm and lose their reason to her allure.
However, when Derek turned to look at her, she found no trace of desire in his deep-set eyes.
There was only boundless authority and piercing coldness washing over her like a tidal wave.
Though Derek sat there calmly, with her standing tall and elegantly, the difference in their auras was like a vast chasm separating heaven and hell.
Derek resembled a mighty wolf king sitting majestically on his thr
Third person's POVUsing his height advantage, Derek reached out and covered the wall switch with his hand, preventing Tabitha from turning on the light.He really didn't want her to see him in such an embarrassed state."Tabitha, trust me, I'm fine. Go be with Ayla," he said, trying to reassure her.The more he tried to hide the truth, the more concerned Tabitha became.She was certain he was hurt and just trying to protect her from worrying.With Derek blocking her from turning on the light, Tabitha reached out to touch him, wanting to find out where he was injured.Derek, already on edge, felt like he was about to lose control."Don't touch me," he managed to suppress his voice."Then tell me what's wrong with you," Tabitha insisted."I'm fine," he repeated.But Tabitha didn't believe him. The amount of sweat on his body indicated a serious injury. Otherwise, he wouldn't be in such pain.But where
Third person's POVThe woman must have feared Derek would not comply, so she increased the dosage of the drug.Derek had thought that if he just endured it, the effects would pass.But as time went on, the drug's effects became more intense, and his body felt increasingly strong, as if his brain was floating, losing all sense of balance.His wolf was also affected by the drug.He became manic and irrational.His hot breath sprayed on Tabitha's ear, causing her body to tremble involuntarily, and this sensitive touch left her at a loss.Her expression was stern, and she firmly refused, "No, I... uh..."Tabitha's eyes widened in shock as Wilmot's lips suddenly pressed down on hers without warning.Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.Although she had only loved Derek, and they had rejected each other, she was now free, and even if something happened with someone else, it wouldn't be illegal.But she had no i
Third person's POVSuch a tall and strong man, yet at this moment, he behaved like a petulant puppy, causing Tabitha's body to tremble slightly.She was well aware of the vast difference in strength between them.In this situation, it was crucial not to provoke him excessively. Otherwise, should Wilmot be enraged, his intense possessiveness could erupt, and the situation would be truly irretrievable.Tabitha took a deep breath and, seizing the moment while he still retained a shred of rationality, began to reason with him patiently, "Wilmot, I am willing to help you with other matters, but I truly cannot do this.""Cannot? Is it because you still think of him?"Derek was on the brink of losing his sanity, enduring the surging desires within, seeking to probe the deepest thoughts of Tabitha's heart through this opportunity.Her reluctance to let others approach—did it mean she still harbored love for him?Tabitha frowned t
Third person's POVTabitha couldn't discern his facial expression, but she could palpably sense his physical distress. "Then you..." she began."I'll find a way to handle it myself," he responded.With that, further lingering seemed like an implicit invitation to something more.Like a nimble fish, Tabitha swiftly retreated back into her room and swiftly locked the door.Worried that he might lose control under the influence of the drug and become dangerously irrational, she moved the desk and chair from the room to brace against the door.Exhausted from her efforts, she slumped down onto the carpet.Her fingers gently touched her lips where he had kissed her.Honestly, she was too shocked at the time to have any particular feelings.It was the first time a man other than her husband had kissed her, and the sensation was both unfamiliar and strange.Oddly, when his hands touched her body, she didn't feel a strong
Third person's POVDerek's rationality teetered on the brink of collapse, nearly losing control again and again.His eyes, now bloodshot, struggled against the overwhelming discomfort within him as he spoke with difficulty, "It's not necessary.""Your current state, stimulated by the drug, could lead to more serious issues if not alleviated. My advice is to find a woman. It's the most direct and effective solution without side effects," the doctor insisted.Derek's crimson eyes fixed on the doctor, his thin lips bitten to the point of bleeding, as a deep, husky voice forced its way out of his throat, "I said it's not necessary! Just give me the medication."The doctor sighed in resignation, thinking to himself that he had encountered another stubborn one, unwilling to listen to reason."Alright, but I won't be responsible for any side effects. And given your condition, one dose definitely won't be enough. You'll need two."Derek gritt
Tabitha's POVI barely slept through the long night, constantly on edge and filled with anxiety.I feared Wilmot might burst through the door at any moment, yet I couldn't help but worry about what had happened to him.While the entire ship was immersed in revelry, I guarded this small haven of tranquility alone.I sat weakly on the floor, arms tightly wrapped around my knees, gazing helplessly at the cold, lonely moon outside the window.It felt as if the whole world was left with just me and the moon for company.My heart was a tangled mess, and my thoughts involuntarily drifted back to all the experiences along the way, feeling that my life was both absurd and ridiculous.I continuously questioned in my heart, what did I do wrong to bear the pain of being separated from my children and living a life of constant hiding?If the door were to be pushed open, what could I do?The answer was cruelly helpless. I could do not
Tabitha's POVThe entire morning passed without any sign of Wilmot.Ayla inquired about him several times, and each time I could only come up with excuses to put her off.However, as time slipped away and Wilmot was gone for a day and a night, I couldn't help but worry.No matter how potent the drug, it shouldn't have lasted this long, should it?Early the next morning, as Forrest was about to leave, I quickly stopped him."What happened to Wilmot?" I demanded, resolute in my stance that he would not leave until he explained the situation clearly.Forrest sighed helplessly and slowly revealed, "Wilmot is sick.""Sick?" I hadn't expected this. He always seemed to be in good health."I won't hide it from you. The drug Wilmot took that night was too strong. He was worried it would affect you, so he changed rooms and spent the entire night in an ice bath. You know the temperature difference between day and night is significa
Tabitha's POVAyla pointed to the figures in the drawing and explained in a childish voice, "Mommy, Wilmot, Helios, and me. We're family."I lightly pressed my lips together and opened my mouth but found myself at a loss for words, unsure how to explain the complex relationships to her.This was probably the inevitable challenge that single-parent families face when it comes to their children—a problem that no mother in the world could easily solve, and I was no exception.After a long hesitation, I slowly said, "Sweetheart, Wilmot is just an uncle. You and I are the real family. Wilmot is with us to protect us, like a godfather. He can only accompany us for a while. One day, when we reach our destination, he will leave."The usually well-behaved Ayla became upset at my explanation.She immediately started to cry, "No! Don't leave! I like Wilmot!""I know you like him, sweetheart. But you have to understand that in the future, y
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
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