Semua Bab Alpha's Wife Hunt: Bab 831 - Bab 840

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 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

She was pretty sure Derek was doing this on purpose. If he had the time and mood to make a double bed, why couldn't he have made it wider?At just four feet wide, the bed was a tight squeeze for two people, especially with Derek's near-six-foot-tall, muscular frame.There was no way around it—Tabitha had to snuggle up to him; otherwise, she'd be hugging the ground.The sleeping bag, now as a blanket, covered them. Beneath it, both of them were completely bare, feeling every detail of each other's skin, warmth, and contours.Truth was, even in their honeymoon days, they hadn't been this close.Back then, Derek had been so restrained, suppressing his nature even in bed.After years of sleeping alone, Derek often thought about going back in time to slap some sense into his past self.Now, there was no restraint.Derek held Tabitha's waist from behind and whispered contentedly, "Tabitha, I'm really happy.""Don't celeb

Derek packed up the fish they caught last night, which would serve as provisions for the next stop.With their gear sorted, Derek stood at the cave entrance, backpack on, casting a glance back as if reluctant to leave.Tabitha, ahead, said coldly, "Aren't we going?"Derek snapped back, "Let's go."He knew he'd never forget this place.On the second night, with no shelter in sight, Derek made do with a vine-woven hammock. The two squeezed into a sleeping bag, gazing up at the star-filled sky—an experience entirely new to both."Tabitha, I've realized this is the life I truly want," Derek said.He was tired of his chaotic past and craved a more intimate, peaceful life.But Tabitha stayed silent; this wasn't what she wanted.For Derek, just being able to hold her was enough.He kissed her forehead. "No more fuss tonight. Sleep, honey."Tabitha was a treasure he'd worked hard to regain, and he vowed never

Tabitha quickly changed in the airport's family restroom. She gripped the hem of her black coat, clenching it over and over.She had specifically chosen this style; it was the most inconspicuous.Once dressed, she pulled the wide-brimmed wool hat extremely low. A surgical mask covered most of her face. Even that small, tell-tale mole near her eye was hidden in shadow.Anyone who glanced at her would just see a typical traveler catching an early flight. No one would guess she was the person Derek was desperate to find.Outside the airport, people had already gathered. There was Derek's security team, media reporters who'd caught wind of the news, and a few business people looking for a partnership.Knowing he was returning, black Lincoln sedans lined half the street. Their headlights glared brightly in the morning fog.Derek stopped before he reached the exit. His knuckles were white where he gripped his suitcase handle. His gaze was glued to Tabitha; he couldn't tear his eyes away."T