Third person's POV
This 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.
Derek's physique was a world apart from those gym-sculpted bodies, and the scars he bore added a touch of primal intensity.Before Tabitha knew it, he was right in front of her, his hands braced on either side of her.She was seated, and he stood, slightly bent, his shadow enveloping her."What're you lookin' at?" he asked.Tabitha averted her gaze like a caught kid.If Derek knew her thoughts, he'd surely tease her endlessly."Uh, nothing," she said.Derek inched closer, trapping her in his space.The water droplets on his skin glistened in the firelight.Sensing her fluster, he let out a low, magnetic chuckle.Then, in a husky whisper by her ear, he said, "I'm yours and yours alone. You can look and touch anytime you like."Recalling her past boldness, he guided her hand to his abdomen. "Remember how you used to love this?"Tabitha's face flushed crimson. In the early days of their marriage, she'd
Derek glanced down at the view within Tabitha's shirt.This pose was incredibly inviting.His Adam's apple bobbed. "I want to kiss you. May I?" he asked, his gaze intense.Tabitha was taken aback.Derek had always been bold and direct, taking what he wanted. This sudden politeness threw her."I'm hungry," she said, turning him down.Derek let out a soft sigh. He didn't push her. Instead, he patted her head gently."Eat up then," he said, before returning to his makeshift bed.As Tabitha chewed on the wild boar meat, she touched her face—it was hot and red. Must be the cave's warmth, she thought.Looking at Derek's muscular back, she admitted to herself that no one could truly dislike such a man.Last night's passionate encounter had ignited something in her.Setting aside feelings of resentment, being with Derek was undeniably exhilarating.Yet, humans were defined by emotions. The past weighed
One was scared of messing up again and getting scolded. The other was all tangled up inside, unsure what to do.Yet, their hearts were drawing closer. Like back in middle school, when you had a crush on your deskmate. If your eraser accidentally crossed into their territory and they handed it back, brushing fingers in the process, your heart would shudder uncontrollably.Derek didn't find any spare pants, so he wrapped a bath towel around himself.Beyond the rain, the only sound was the occasional "crackle" from the fire.Their soaked clothes, being dried by the fire, emitted wisps of white smoke.After eating some compressed biscuits to fill her stomach, Tabitha curled up in her sleeping bag and fell asleep.When she woke up again, the air was filled with a delicious aroma.It made Tabitha's mouth water before she even opened her eyes. Then she heard Derek's deep voice by her ear, "Are you awake?"Tabitha's head was still fuzz
Derek was way more well-behaved than last night. "Alright, I won't look. I've got some clean clothes in my backpack. You can borrow them."He got up and headed out. "I'll go spread some insect-repelling powder."His figure paused at the cave entrance. There was a flash of worry in his eyes before he slowly disappeared into the rain.Tabitha found a big shirt of his. After changing, she quickly snuggled into the sleeping bag.Derek returned soon. Tabitha poked out her head, reminding Derek of their honeymoon days.Though his clothes were waterproof, they'd still gotten pretty wet.He took off his jacket and hung it on the rack, revealing a white T-shirt underneath.It was a bit damp too, clinging to his body and showing off his muscles."Tabitha... can I take my shirt off?" Derek asked softly.After last night, he didn't want to upset her.Tabitha turned her head away. "Mm-hmm."Derek took off his shirt and
Derek snapped back to reality. He'd let excitement and desire cloud his judgment.Tabitha had come down the cliff in the pouring rain—she must be hurt.Guilt and worry hit him like a tidal wave. How could he have overlooked this?"Tabitha, where are you hurt?"His voice was urgent, his eyes scanning her body as if he could find every injury with just his gaze.Tabitha was still in a daze. She'd chased after him without a second thought, but now that she was here, embarrassment filled her face.Her mind was a storm of conflicting emotions.Just last night, she'd made harsh vows to hate Derek.How quickly things had turned."I'm fine," she lied, her voice trembling as she avoided Derek's eyes, as if fleeing from the truth within herself.The cave was pitch-black, no tools to light the way, and the outside light was fading fast.Though it was daytime, it was nearly as dark as night.Tabitha frowne
If Derek headed north in this downpour, he'd surely look for shelter first.So finding him wouldn't be hard. As long as he's still alive.With that thought, she picked up her pace.A distant animal call echoed—sounded like a wild boar.It was breeding season, and boars with piglets were especially fierce. Could it be Derek...?Tabitha sprinted forward.Up close, she saw a wild boar battling a python. The snake had coiled around the boar, which, with immense strength, was thrashing about trying to throw it off.Tabitha, caught in the crossfire, became a target. The boar charged her way.Quick on her feet, she drew her gun and fired at the boar, hoping to scare it off."Bang!" The bullet hit not the boar, but the python on its back.The boar, startled, charged straight at Tabitha."Look out!"Before Tabitha could react, several shots rang out, striking the boar's legs.With its legs broken