Derek's POV
Watching Tabitha cry in my arms, I felt sorry for her.
I knew she was still weak and she was supposed to avoid violent mood swings. But she had so much pent-up negativity inside her.
I feared that if she kept bottling it all up, something worse would happen. Thus, I figured it was better to let her vent.
She cried for what felt like forever until her voice turned hoarse and her tears ran dry.
Right now, she was just sobbing softly in my arms.
I remained silent the whole time, just gently patting her back, trying to be as soothing as possible.
After a while, I noticed her emotions starting to settle down, so I helped her up.
"You're right," she said.
"I shouldn't be wishing for death. That would just make the mastermind behind it all crow about his or her victory. I have to live well and make that bastard pay for all this pain."
Tabitha wiped away the last trace of tears from the corner of her eyes, and when she looked at Joanna's body again, her gaze had become much more resolute.
She pulled the white sheet down a bit, revealing Joanna's hand.
Joanna was still wearing that bracelet on her wrist, which she cherished like it was gold.
"I never thought this bracelet would end up costing her life," Tabitha piped up.
"Take it and have the technicians dismantle it to see if they can find anything inside."
"Okay." I nodded.
With a quiet resolve, Tabitha spoke, "Joanna, I won't let your death be in vain. I swear that as long as I'm alive, I'll use Austin's blood to mourn you. Don't worry. I'll take good care of your family and ensure that no one harms them."
I asked, "Should we tell her family about her death?"
Joanna wasn't a member of the Black Thorn Pack.
"We can't keep this secret forever. I don't want Joanna to die without her family knowing."
Yeah, we might be able to hide for a few days or a few months, but sooner or later, they would find something off.
Joanna had been so devoted to her family, so her disappearance for a month or two would definitely deeply worry them.
It was better to face the harsh truth now than drag it out longer.
At least after we told them, they could come and say goodbye to Joanna properly instead of regretting not seeing their daughter one last time later on.
"I'll handle it," I promised Tabitha.
With that, I was about to take her away from here, but she didn't move, just standing there staring at me.
Her teary eyes were filled with sorrow, her lips moving, like she was trying to say something.
I knew her well enough to understand what she wanted to say next.
"Our pups..."
My voice came out rough and raspy like sandpaper.
Tabitha quickly looked up at me and asked, "W-where are they?"
We had to confront this brutal truth eventually.
"I personally led a search near that cliff, but we didn't see their bodies. Perhaps ... they were taken away by someone, or perhaps they were tossed into the sea."
"W-what?"
"The chaos that night was insane. Maybe those killers disposed of their bodies to complete the mission. I had people searching for three days straight but found nothing."
Hearing my words, Tabitha clutched at her chest. She struggled to speak but failed to utter a single word, her already pale face growing even more haggard.
Her whole body shook violently. I couldn't tell whether it was from sadness or rage.
Seeing her like this, I felt very uneasy.
"Tabitha, calm down. The pups were only six and a half months old, and they were twins. Even if they were alive, there's no guarantee they'd survive anyway! Your health is what matters most right now. You gotta take good care of yourself. We will have more kids in the future."
Leo sighed within me, hoping she'd find some strength again.
But right after I said so, she collapsed back into my arms again.