Derek's POV
As Gloria's sarcastic gaze swept across my face, I couldn't help clenching my fists under the table.
To me, the Guaiacwood Pack was just a second-rate pack. If it wasn't for her being Tabitha's friend, no way I'd let her throw this shade in my face.
Snapping back to reality, I felt Daphne looking my way.
Leo grumbled discontentedly in my mind, and I knew what it meant.
He always thought that Daphne was dumb.
Well, I couldn't speak up at that moment, so I had to watch Daphne walk right into Gloria's verbal trap.
"I wasn't angry. I just don't think it's good to talk behind others' backs," explained Daphne.
"I was simply telling the truth, no judgment. Why do you seem so angry when I talk about it? Could it be that you're..." Gloria fired back, ignoring Daphne's glare.
"Miss Bennett, seems like we're veering way off the main script of our gathering today," I said coldly.
"I'm sorry, Alpha Derek, I thought your future Luna would enjoy discussing such topics." Gloria sounded serious, but her gaze remained disdainful.
I was about to say more when Tabitha beat me to it, "Well, it's all over now. That guy's dead, so, we should let him rest in peace. End of discussion. There's no point in talking about someone who betrays his mate."
"You're right, the Moon Goddess won't forgive him," Gloria said with a smile.
I looked at Tabitha, but she still avoided my gaze. This was the second time she ignored me today.
As I turned around, I saw Daphne shooting glares between Gloria and Tabitha.
I cleared my throat as a warning. Noticing the look in my eyes, Daphne lowered her head right away.
Just then, Alpha Obadiah raised his glass.
He said with a smile, "Attention, everyone. Today we are here to make plans for the hospital. To express our gratitude for Alpha Derek's contribution, let's raise our glasses to bless him and Daphne with happiness."
As soon as he finished speaking, Daphne smiled and lifted her glass.
She uttered, "Thank you, Alpha Obadiah. Tabitha, why don't you raise your glass? Don't you want to give your blessings?"
Tabitha's face looked as white as a sheet.
She raised her glass, forcing a smile, "Of course, best wishes."
I could feel her heartbreak.
"Wait a minute!"
"Wait a minute!"
Orson and I spoke at the same time!
He snatched the half-full wine glass from Tabitha's hand. "Tabitha's got a sensitive stomach, so I'll finish the rest for her," he calmly said to me.
I was boiling with rage as if my most precious thing was taken away from me.
How dare he!
Wrestling with the urge to tear him apart, I snapped, "Who are you to her? What gives you the right to step in for her?"
Orson kept a cool face. "Good question. But, does it have anything to do with you, Alpha Derek?" he retorted.
"How dare you talk to me in this way? You're just a doctor, remember?" I sneered.
I began to release the Alpha aura, and all the werewolves here felt the pressure.
But soon, I felt a force of resistance from Gloria.
I watched Gloria in astonishment. Though her face was turning pale, her spine was straightening up.
After the rejection ceremony, my power took a hit. And it still hadn't bounced back to full strength.
"We need our mate," Leo responded listlessly.
I immediately pulled back my Alpha aura.
I couldn't let anyone sense that my power was dipping. Or my pack would be at risk.
Alpha Obadiah tried smoothing things over, "Alpha Derek, please calm down. Orson and Tabitha were classmates before. I guessed he was just too worried about her. I'm sure he didn't mean to disrespect you."
I sneered coldly as I ran my fingers along the edge of the wine glass, "Orson, you don't get to finish the wine for her! Go back to your seat, and I'll pretend this never happened."
The situation became extremely awkward, and everyone fell silent. No one dared to step on my toes now.
He got my point—I wanted him to stay away from Tabitha.
"Alpha Derek, I'm afraid it's not your decision to make. Your fiancée is right next to you, and she's the one you should be paying attention to. No matter whether Tabitha wants me as her boyfriend or not, I'll protect her. And I definitely won't hurt her like her ex did," he hissed while looking me in the eye.
After saying that, he downed Tabitha's wine. Then he put the glass back on the table with a thud.
"It's getting late. I'll take her home. Please go on with the discussions," he announced, taking Tabitha's hand.
With that, he took her out of the banquet hall.
Finally, I could no longer remain composed, my brain running laps on what Tabitha would do with him.
So, I soon ended the meeting.
After I left the Red Moon Pack, I immediately mind-linked Alvin. "I need you to bring someone over."