Tabitha's POV
The one walking towards me wasn't Derek. It was Jasper.
He extended his hand towards me, asking, "I saw you on my way by. What happened? You sprained your ankle?"
I waved my hand to politely refuse his kindness and got up on my own.
Smiling helplessly, I said, "I was lost in thought. I didn't even realize I stopped here."
"The Dawn Vanguard Pack is around. If you want to, you may go check on Tucker. He misses you so much."
Of course I wouldn'tsay no to such an offer. So I nodded and followed Jasper into his car.
It was very warm inside, in stark contrast to the outside. Jasper handed me a hot latte.
"I went out to get coffee from this place. It's nice. Give it a go."
I nodded and took the latte. "Thanks."
"You're thanking me? For real? Come on, Tabitha," he smiled and turned the steering wheel with one hand.
I felt a bit strange. All of a sudden, a voice in my head rang out, telling me the latte was meant for me to begin with, and it was no coincidence that he had run into me.
But he looked so natural.
I dispelled the voice, telling myself to stop thinking too much.
"Why are you looking at me like this?" he suddenly asked.
"How time flies, right?"
The baby fat on his face had vanished at some point, and so was his childishness. His jaw was tight and smooth, with a hint of sharpness but no stubble.
As he turned the steering wheel, the watch on his wrist shimmered.
It was fascinating.
He had both the youth of a teenager and the poise of an adult.
There was a world of difference between those two qualities, yet now that they were both in him, they didn't contradict each other at all.
He pulled over and smiled, "Gimme a second."
After that, he rushed into the heavy rain. Ten minutes later, he came back, with several bags in his hands.
There was some fresh fruit as well as a set of women's clothing.
He stuffed the paper bags into my arms and explained with a smile, "I saw that your skirt hem was wet, so I bought some clothes for you. Hope it's the right size. Well, if it isn't, make do, OK?
"Oh, and the fruit here is freshly cut. Have some. Bet you're hungry."
I was stunned.
His face stiffened. "What's wrong? You don't like it?"
Holding the bags, I shook my head. "No. It's just... It's been a while since someone's so good to me."
Jasper fell silent for a second and then smiled again, "Well, no worries. I'm back now. From now on, I'll always be good to you."
As he stopped the car, I found that we arrived at the Dawn Vanguard Pack.
It wasn't far from Hope Ranch.
Before I could enjoy the scenery around us, I heard a familiar dog bark.
A white shadow pounced at my feet.
As I stroked Tucker's furry head, a mix of sadness and joy hit me.
"Sorry that I lost you."
Tucker woofed in response.
Meanwhile, he kept rubbing my cheek with great force.
Scenes of us together flashed across my mind.
I sighed about how easily people could be satisfied sometimes. I actually felt much better after having the fruit brought by Jasper.
"Tabitha, something's bothering you?" Jasper piped up.
"I'm gonna undergo a treatment. When the doctor asked me, I realized there was no one who could sign the confirmation of risk for me. Am I a big failure or what?"
I said, looking casual.
"Everyone defines failure differently. Tabitha, for me, you're perfect. You aren't some failure at all. If every werewolf's mate is perfect, why would the Moon Goddess give us a second chance mate?"
I frowned slightly. "You know about what happened to me?"
"I knew it was you in Alpha Derek's arms. On that day at the hospital, actually, I heard what you were arguing about when I was in the crowd. Sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop."
No wonder it took him so long to buy the food.
"It's fine. It's what happened anyway."
Jasper pushed a dessert he had made in front of me. "If it's OK with you, I'll sign it. What kinda treatment are you gonna undergo?"
I whispered, "Getting rid of the wolfsbane."
"You were poisoned with wolfsbane?" Jasper looked worried.
"I'm OK. It's not as bad as you think. After all, I'm still sitting here chatting with you, aren't I?" I smiled. "It's just... The wolfsbane is smeared on my wound and has been stopping it from healing."
He said, "You'll be fine."
Actually, I was quite a pessimist, yet I ended up the one comforting him.
"Yeah. I think so, too."
Perhaps I was convincing him, or perhaps I was saying that so as to give myself strength.
I spent the next few days resting according to the doctor's orders, almost cutting off all contact with the outside world.
I even temporarily stopped looking into Henry. For now, he didn't matter, and I didn't wanna be bothered by these things.
But I was always worried about Lucian. His phone had been turned off since the day he left till now. I hadn't heard a word from him, and I had no idea whether he was alive or not.
The weather had been very nice recently. And the cherry blossoms downstairs were all in full bloom.
Occasionally, I'd go downstairs for a walk, and everywhere I looked was covered with cherry blossom petals, like one of those scenes in cartoon movies.
Sometimes I'd start imagining Derek and Daphne's engagement party. I bet it'd be extremely luxurious and beautiful.
Derek hadn't come to me since that day. Finally, we went back to our own separate paths.
I spread open my palms and let the petals fall onto them.
The flowers on the island must have bloomed, I figured.