Derek's POV
Tabitha insisted, so I did not refuse.
"It's a bit far away. You can take a rest first," I told her.
Tabitha had a stern face and said, "No need. I'm not sleepy."
Ten minutes later, she fell asleep and her head was banging against the car window.
I felt helpless. I didn't think I was dangerous, but why did she sit against the window?
I reached out my long arm and took her into my arms.
Tabitha opened her eyes and glanced at me, wanting to struggle, but she couldn't resist the drowsiness and was asleep again.
These days, she got drowsy easily and slept a lot.
I quietly held her in my arms. So much had happened in the past two or three years, and I hadn't had a peaceful moment with Tabitha like this in a long time.
I prayed time would slow down for us.
The car went up the mountain, and it was dark outside. Tabitha slowly woke up from her sleep.
As soon as she found herself leaning on my chest, Tabitha moved away.
This made me sigh resignedly.
Tabitha had just woken up and her voice was still husky. "When will we arrive?"
"Soon, a few minutes," I replied. The car fell into a deadly silence again. I took out mini custard tarts and other snacks that I had prepared earlier.
"You must be hungry after sitting in the car for so long. These were only made at noon. Have some," I said.
Tabitha silently took a tart and started eating.
After she finished it, the car stopped at the vacation resort.
The resort hid deep in the mountains, very quiet and peaceful. As soon as we got off, we heard the sounds of some insects.
There should be a mountain stream not far away, as we heard water flowing and babbling.
This natural environment was really good for our bodies and minds.
I used to come here often, so I knew my way around the place. I led Tabitha to a room after just a few turns.
I knocked on the door, but it didn't open.
The servant guarding the door said, "Elena told us not to disturb her because she had a headache. So she must have fallen asleep."
"Let me in." Tabitha directly opened the door.
She and Elena deserved an end to their feud.
The room was pitch black, with the window open and a cool breeze lifting the curtains. There was a lump on the bed.
Tabitha took a few steps forward and pulled back the blanket, only to find two pillows there.
"Oh no, she ran away." She looked around and found a figure jumping from the third-floor drainage pipe.
"Elena!" Tabitha called out loudly.
The woman on the first floor looked up at her and smirked. "Tabitha, we're not done until one of us dies."
With that, she plunged into the dense forest, followed by pack guards. They shouted, "Elena, stop!"
Tabitha turned to look at me and said, "Elena, she..."
I became alert. I knew that I couldn't let Elena run away like that.
I told my wolf in my mind, "Leo, the situation is urgent now. We must get her. Come on, make me run faster."
My wolf responded, "Let me take control of your legs." Then a powerful force surged through me, my senses became sharper, and my body was filled with explosive strength.
When Tabitha looked at me again, I was already over the wall. I slid down the path that Elena had taken to escape.
I was very agile, and it only took me a few seconds to land. Without even looking back, I chased after her.
I couldn't let Elena get away this time. She had too many secrets I needed to know.
Suddenly, a piercing gunshot rang nearby, startling the birds in the forest.