Tabitha's POV
"I already gave you plenty of time today." Derek's voice was deep and a bit unfathomable.
I could feel his eyes on me, just like all those countless nights we used to share.
Panicking, I watched him take off his clothes till only a shirt was left.
Slowly and unhurriedly, he unbuttoned his shirt.
The lights of the room lit up, and I saw his bare chest, which was nothing but familiar to me.
His chest once fascinated me. I knew better than anyone how good his figure was.
It had been a long time since I enjoyed such a view, and still, it managed to take my breath away.
Derek used his fingers to brush across my face. "You said yourself. Even if I stand in front of you showing my eight-pack, you still won't give a shit."
Utterly embarrassed, I bit my lip. Sure enough, he heard what I said. I hastily turned my head away, trying not to look at him, yet my body betrayed me. My gaze fell on his chest uncontrollably.
"Don't you wanna touch it?"
Derek's seductive voice rang out. I admitted that in the past, I indeed loved touching his body.
I swallowed, collected myself, and said righteously, "No. I don't want things already tainted by someone else."
In the next second, Derek seemed thoughtful. He used his fingers to trace the contours of my neck gently. "You jealous?" Hearing his words, I said, "Alpha Derek, you must be joking. Who am I to be jealous?"
He bent down and bit my neck.
It caught me off guard.
Meanwhile, he used his teeth to touch my neck tenderly. It was how werewolves sent messages of possession and protection.
My gut was warning me, and Crystal growled in a low voice in my mind.
She seemed very eager.
"Tabitha, he wants to mark us." Crystal's voice was direct and clear, revealing a primal longing.
"No. No way."
"But we need his mark, Tabitha," Crystal tried to convince me.
"I can't get rid of the pain of the last time, Crystal. I can't allow myself to become vulnerable again," I insisted. Though my body longed for his touch, my soul was afraid of experiencing the pain of betrayal again.
Derek seemed to notice my resistance. He stopped, a hint of confusion flashing across his eyes.
He stared at me, searching for an answer in my eyes.
Then suddenly, he lifted my hands to the top of my head and clutched my chin with his fingers. "Guess you know who you are. Then how dare you refuse me?"
I frowned. "Derek, stop. You sound crazy."
He let go of me and began to undo my buttons.
I knew I couldn't and shouldn't resist.
Yet I couldn't accept him just like that.
"Derek, you made a promise to the Amber's Eye Pack's Alpha at Mark's place. You shouldn't be touching me now."
"You're my mistress. So what if I touch you? Or do you really think you're someone important?"
The contempt and mockery in his eyes insulted me totally.
I tightly pulled his sleeve and gradually tightened my grip.
Derek's breathing became more and more rapid, and my clothes were almost torn by him.
"Wait... Wait!"
I said at the last minute. Then I looked up and met his slightly red eyes.
He said, clearly enduring his lust, "What?"
"I don't like the smell of perfume on me. I'm gonna go take a shower."
I came up with a lousy excuse.
Derek let go of me and gave me the ultimatum. "Five minutes."
I almost fled into the bathroom. Then I locked the door and looked at my terrified reflection in the mirror.
I picked the towels, and our matching toothbrushes were arranged neatly next to each other. Everything here reminded me of the fact that we were once in love.
Yet now, I went all out to avoid his touch.
Lying in the bathtub, I looked out at the view. In the distance, the sky was ablaze with lights, and in stark contrast, I was such a lonely soul.
Flee? Where could I possibly flee to?
After a quick shower, I gathered up the courage to leave the bathroom.
Derek was standing on the balcony.
"A penny for your thoughts?" I walked up to him.
He lowered his head, glanced at his wristwatch, and then pulled me into his arms.
"Does us like this remind you of the past?"
In the past, he used to stand here alone for a long time, and I would squeeze into his arms.
"Derek, why do you always like to stay in such high, secluded places? You look so lonely and pitiful."
"I'm pitiful?" He hung his head.
I would smile and tell him, "But from now on, you have me. You'll no longer be alone."
He said word by word, "You said I would have you, and I wouldn't be alone."
I remained expressionless. "Yes, I did say that. But wasn't it you who pushed me away?"
Derek traced my eyebrows and eyes with his fingertips.
"What if I say I want you back?"
I said without hesitation, "Too late."
With my back to Derek, I pointed at the scenery beneath us. "You pushed the old me from here yourself. That me, along with my love for you and my unwillingness, all shattered into pieces."
Derek tightened his grip around my waist, and the next second, I was forcefully pressed against the glass.
He lowered his gaze and stared earnestly at my face, his voice calm, icy, and even threatening.
"I don't care what your heart wants. All I want is you."