LOGINA sickly but breathtaking smile bloomed across Daphne's pale face, her eyes filled with a manic hope for the future. "Grandfather... do you think that once my legs are completely healed, and I become the most stunning she-wolf on the West Coast... Derek will finally turn around and notice me?"Tabitha's hands didn't pause for a split second. Her needles were still clean, quick, and surgically precise.She just marvelled in her head—the hold this Alpha had on women was honestly ridiculous.It was one thing for Misha to be completely obsessed with him, but Daphne had literally looked death in the eye and still had nothing but marrying Derek on her mind.Alpha Elliott gently stroked his granddaughter's hair, his tone turning heavy with a warning. "Daphne, the Amber Eye Pack is going to be relying on the Black Thorns for protection from now on. Things aren't like they used to be. You absolutely cannot push Alpha Derek's boundaries ever again."A flash of darkness crossed Daphne's eyes, bu
"Thank you for the offer, Mr. Holmes, but don't trouble yourself. I can manage a cab on my own." Before she even finished speaking, Tabitha pulled the door open without a second thought.In an instant, a freezing gust of wind whipped into the car, sending flakes of snow swirling and blowing her long hair across her face.Just as she was about to step out into the storm, Cyrus spoke up again. His voice sounded tight, fighting against the howl of the wind. "I heard... your daughter is almost three. You've been drifting on your own with amnesia for years. Have you never thought about... finding a partner to look after the two of you?"He had spent way too long in the military and had absolutely zero game.The attempt at testing the waters was so blunt it lacked any sort of tact—it was just stiff and awkward.Tabitha froze.Derek's petty, veiled warning from a few days ago flashed through her mind.At the time, she had brushed it off as the jealous rambling of a controlling Alpha.But rig
Listening to the old man's breathing steady out, Tabitha slowly stopped her massaging.She looked down at Algernon lying there, completely defenseless, and felt a tiny jolt in her chest. It hit her all at once—Algernon had developed an almost instinctive trust and reliance on her.If she actually were the assassin behind the scenes, or if she wanted to strike right now, she could take this Lycan's life without anyone ever knowing.But she didn't move. She had zero reason to hurt him.Tabitha pushed the complicated thoughts from her mind, grabbed a wool blanket to carefully cover him up, and quietly stepped out of the room.At the door, she explicitly gave the omega guards a cold order: no one was to go in and disturb his rest.She threw on a wind-resistant black wool coat and hurried out of the main estate.The Holmes' private ride was already
By the time the wild storm finally cleared, Tabitha felt completely wrecked. Forget getting out of bed—she could barely lift a finger without her bones feeling like they were snapping."Lycan Algernon is going to be stuck dealing with those old Rios foxes all day," Derek said, his voice husky and mesmerizing as his massive frame pressed down over her again. "Which is perfect. You can stay right here and focus on me."Tabitha panted, resting limply against his chest, which felt as solid as a shield. Her body was soft and trembling, still coming down from the waves of intense pleasure that had just hit her over and over.She used what little strength she had left to poke his hard chest, muttering irritably, "I remember you used to be so controlled. Back in the pack, you were famous for being this cold, abstinent Alpha. Since when did you become so completely insatiable?"Back t
"You two just aren't meant to be, Misha. I let you run wild for too long, always thinking that since he hadn't found a new Luna and stayed single, maybe you still had a shot. But looking at it now, you're not a kid anymore. It's time to grow up and look at the bigger picture.""But Mom... I've lived all these years and he's the only one who has ever been in my heart!"Bonnie let out a bittersweet sigh and pulled Misha into a tight hug. "Silley girl, this world is full of things we can't have. Especially when it comes to love and fate—you can't buy or force a bond with money and power. And if there are two things the Black Thorns has never run out of, it's those two."Misha buried her face in her mother's shoulder and sobbed, crying like a child who had lost her favorite toy.Derek... he was her only dream throughout her entire youth.She had followed him around like a shadow for so many years.To prove she was worthy of the Black Thorn
Misha bit her lip and looked down, completely defeated. "I get it, Dad."You had to give it to Lycan Algernon—the guy just put on a masterclass in damage control. He saved face for the Rios family while locking in his image as a loving father and an open-minded leader. It was a flawless move; nobody could call him out on it.Talk about playing chess, not checkers.In a cutthroat city like L.A., three months was a lifetime; anything could happen.Algernon called the shots on the West Coast, and even if the Rios were political thugs, they wouldn't dare push him too hard without a guaranteed win.So, no matter how pissed off and suffocated Bentley felt inside, he had to swallow his pride and take the deal.Three months... A dark, nasty plan formed in his head. All he needed to do over the next ninety days was play his cards right and get her knocked up. Onc
Tabitha's POVI stood quietly there, watching Mark handle Holly's discharge papers.Then I followed them back to their villa, where I cooked a few dishes. Derek came, too.Holly sat in the wheelchair, looking super fragile.She kept dialing Daphne's number, clearly missing her like crazy.To avoid upsett
Derek's POVAfter pausing for a while, I piped up again, "What did you say? Kidney transplant?"My voice echoed in the hospital corridor."Yeah, why would Ms. Hartley go through all these tests if she didn't wanna be his donor?" the nurse replied while watching me with confusion, as if not understandin
Derek's POV I clearly felt Tabitha's coldness towards me. If it were in the past, I wouldn't think twice about forcefully taking her away. But after I learned the truth, all I wanted was to make it up to her. I couldn't even muster up a cold stare at her, not to mention scolding her. "Tabitha, I kno
Mark's POV I repressed my anger, fully aware that those from Poison and Wolf Shadow were all ruthless. I couldn't afford to provoke her. Seeing the woman move to make room for me, I sat beside her. I was so anxious, but I had to stay calm. I knew how to play the piano, but not







