Tabitha's POV
The sky was dark and drizzly, with the cold wind making the candlelight flicker, and the white petals dancing in the breeze.
I wiped the rain off my face and murmured, "Joanna, is that you?"
Two drops of rain landed right under Joanna's eyes in the photo, making it look like she was smiling through tears. It was such a bitter sight.
I ran my fingers over the gravestone, murmuring, "Joanna, rest assured. I'll take good care of your family. From now on, they're my family too. You can leave with peace of mind. In the next life... In the next life, I wish you happy."
After the funeral, the whole village was enveloped in a dense drizzle.
I didn't leave immediately but instead went to Joanna's former residence.
Her family had moved to the big city a long time ago, and except for major holidays, this place just sat empty.
The house looked pretty run-down, and the apple tree and grapevines in the yard stood lonely in the rain.
Standing under the grapevines, I seemed to see a cute little girl flash before me. On hot summer evenings, she would stay here eating fruits and fanning herself while listening to elders tell mythological stories.
"Joanna loved these grapes. Sadly, she'll never be able to eat them again," Joanna's brother stood by my side, sharing stories about her past.
I listened attentively, occasionally cracking a smile. "Joanna was such a little troublemaker."
"Yeah, in this area, she was the naughtiest girl, but despite that, she managed to ace her studies, which was why we moved to the city. Mom and Dad worked their butts off to support us. We thought we'd be joining a pack in town, but little did we know..."
I looked into his red-rimmed eyes and patted his shoulder gently. "Don't cry. From now on, I'll be your sister. You must study hard and not disappoint her."
"Okay."
In the mysterious moonlight, I stood in the middle of the yard and let out a deep howl toward the moon.
This was my commitment to them. From now on, they would be under my protection, just like the folks in my pack.
In my heart, our fates were intertwined.
Joanna's death made me cherish this new bond even more—I'd use all my strength to keep them safe.
As it was getting late, I decided to spend the night here and leave the next day.
I slept in Joanna's room. Even the bed sheets carried traces of time.
Listening to the sound of rain outside, I felt Derek's warm chest behind me.
He was practically glued to me these days, but I couldn't care less.
When I was deeply in love with him, he was like the world to me. When I had gotten over him, however, he was just a bodyguard in my eyes.
I habitually turned my back to him. The soft old-fashioned chandelier cast a soft yellow light, but it couldn't warm up how icy I felt inside.
The silence hung heavy in that damp room.
Finally, Derek broke the tension.
"Joanna's brother talked to me earlier. He said he wanted to join the Black Thorn Pack as a pack guard."
I quickly turned around, my brows knitted. "Wasn't he aiming for med school?"
Joanna used to brag about her younger brother in front of me all the time, so I knew him well.
Derek's gaze flickered slightly as he replied, "Just like you, he thinks that studying medicine won't be enough to save his loved ones."
I sighed, "Well, let him do what he wants."
As dawn broke, Derek and I planned to leave when a gray-haired elderly lady entered through the front gate.
She looked pretty frail, struggling along with a beautifully woven wool shawl clutched tightly in her hand.
"Mrs. Foster, I have finished knitting the woolen shawl that Joanna asked me to make earlier. Do you still want it?" she asked.
Mrs. Foster hesitated and said, "Tabitha, the shawl was originally meant for you, but now..."
I suppressed my grief, replying firmly, "I'll take it. It'll be a keepsake. Ma'am, please give it to me."
"Alright then. You know what? Joanna kept telling me to use quality wool yarns only and knit it carefully. I picked each strand myself. It's super soft and warm. You..."
When the old lady saw my face, she looked shocked. "Miss, y-you're back..."
Crystal wondered inside me, "Why did she react like that?
"Did she smell our scent and guess our identity?"