Tabitha's POV
I was tightly embraced by Derek and found that there were several tall and handsome men standing behind him.
Among them were the elegant Carson, Alpha Leopold, and a man wearing a half-mask that concealed his face but exuded an air of cold indifference.
He might be the Beta Gelman Stout from the Grey Stone Pack that Derek had mentioned before.
Kamp and the photographer, Alpha Obadiah, were both smiling.
I swallowed all the words I wanted to say. Even though I was dissatisfied with Derek, I didn't want to make a scene in front of so many people.
Besides making things awkward for Derek, it would also be embarrassing for me.
Gloria, dressed in a white gown, emerged from the crowd with a complex expression on her face.
It was clear that, like me, she had only just grasped what was happening.
I lowered my voice and said, "What are you doing?"
Derek supported me and said, "Tabitha, I owe you a wedding."
Instead of feeling any joy, I was filled with intense anger.
My wolf paced restlessly within me, mirroring my frustration.
"Did he think that a wedding could make up for the wrongs he had committed? He had hurt me so much in the past, and now he wants to regain everything with a wedding. It's simply ridiculous." My heart was burning with anger. "The moment he decided to shoot me, he shattered any bond we once had. He doesn't understand how to respect my feelings or know the pain I have endured. This wedding is nothing more than a selfish attempt to atone, and I will never accept it easily."
What did he think of me in his heart?
"I understand, Tabitha," Crystal sighed.
The day before his wedding with Daphne, he was trying to have a wedding with me—it was truly absurd.
I came here today for Lillian and Elena's matter, not to play house with him.
I was about to lose my temper and forcefully pulled my hand out.
Derek had great strength, and he whispered softly in my ear, "Tabitha, don't make a fuss."
"Derek, I don't have time for it."
"Tabitha, I've waited for this day for a long time, and I'm sincere."
"Am I supposed to accept your sincerity? Let go, or I might just slap you in public."
Carson, with a smile at the corner of his mouth, said, "Tabitha, a sincere apology is enough for you to forgive the one who made mistakes."
Alpha Leopold added, "If one apology isn't enough, he'll offer two. We're here to make sure he shows enough remorse until you're satisfied."
Raised as the daughter of an Alpha, I didn't want to argue with Derek in front of others and felt embarrassed by their teasing remarks.
Outsiders were unaware of the current relationship between Derek and me. Perhaps in their eyes, I was just bickering with Derek.
I didn't know how to explain.
Derek had a perfect grasp of my thoughts.
"Tabitha, come here," Derek said as he led me by the hand towards the inner courtyard.
Since I wanted a private place to talk, I didn't resist and followed him.
In the blazing summer heat, the garden was lush with blooming flowers and plants.
The cicadas chirped loudly as sunlight filtered through the tall trees, casting dappled shadows on us.
The air was filled with a faint scent of flowers and grass.
I glanced back at the glass door, seeing Derek's reflection leading me through the corridor, like a romantic scene from a comic book.
No one knew better than I that this seemingly perfect moment was built on my own sacrifices and suffering.
My greatest regret was not having a wedding with Derek—a simple ceremony with just a few witnesses was all I wanted.
I longed to marry him in front of family and friends, but the day that came wasn't as I had imagined.
Derek led me to the door. When I saw no one around, I forcefully pulled my hand back.
Derek had already pushed open the door before I could even speak.
The view inside took my breath away, and I was left speechless.
Derek smiled and said, "Come in."