Derek's POV
I dropped my gaze to Gloria, my wolf eyeing her through me.
As Alpha of one of the oldest packs, I got that natural press vibe on regular werewolves.
Gloria's eyes deepened, and I could feel her wolf getting all on edge.
"What are you talking about? Where's Tabitha? Ain't that my line?" I shot back.
"I can feel Tabitha's scent's gone from here," Gloria said anxiously.
"Yeah, I saw her. But she's already left," I calmly replied.
'Gotcha. Tabitha's right here on the top floor!' I smirked inwardly.
"Alright, I gotta keep searching for Tabitha. Bye," Gloria blurted out before spinning around.
Seeing her all anxious, I asked, "Why the rush? Let's talk."
Gloria cracked an awkward smile. "Well, maybe next time."
With that, she ran in the opposite direction. But she was on my turf, and no way she was getting outta here without my permission. So Alvin stopped her immediately. Gloria almost crashed into him out of panic. As I watched them staring at each other, I recalled something funny. She used to call Alvin my henchman. Kinda right, I gotta admit.
"Miss Bennett, please."
Gloria took her seat again before glaring at me.
"Tell me about Tabitha and Orson," I commanded, putting down my mug.
Gloria sneered, "Well, Orson seems to have a crush on Tabitha, but she's not into him. Like at all. Why do you ask? You still got feelings for her?"
That question hit a nerve, so I didn't feel like answering.
"How far they've gotten?" I probed while tapping my index finger on the table.
"They're not a thing, yet. Tabitha's caught up with the affairs of the Silver Moon Pack," she told me.
I stared at her quietly, trying to figure out if she was lying.
Finally, Leo confirmed, "She's telling the truth."
"Alright, you can go now." My boiling rage cooled, so I didn't wanna waste any more time chatting with her.
Gloria stood up, ready to bolt.
Seeing her panicked look, I couldn't help but ask, "Hang on! Why are you so pressed to find her?"
"I'm worried about her health."
"What's up with her?" I wondered, feeling weird.
"She..." Gloria's face went tense. Clearly, she was hiding something.
Before I pressed on, Leo suddenly roared in my mind, "Tabitha's in danger!"
Tabitha's POV
That jerk tied me up in the bathroom, my hands behind my back.
It was pitch dark in here, so I couldn't see a thing.
My drenched clothes grew cold and heavy. I felt like they were dragging me down, taking away every bit of warmth in me.
A deep sense of helplessness overwhelmed me.
Soon, I was numb from the cold, my voice getting fainter.
"Help, anyone, please!"
The door looked forever shut. I was plunged into the abyss of despair just like the day I lost my kid. Nobody came to my rescue even when I screamed till my throat burst.
Crystal wailed in agony in my mind, too weak to shift.
The only thing I could do was encourage her. "Please, I need you, Crystal. It's the only way I can break free."
"Sorry, I just can't." Crystal curled up.
"C'mon, I'm sure you can do it. We gotta leave here."
As strength drained from my body, Crystal let out a pained howl.
My bones began to move.
Crystal was taking over, helping me shift.
First my arms. As they swelled, power filled me. Finally, the tie broke.
I lay on the ground, gasping for air.
Just shifting my arms wiped out all my energy.
All of a sudden, the door opened.
I lifted my head, terror written all over my face. Through the dazzling lights, I saw Derek.
"Stop the shift!" he roared with a panicked look.
He moved closer, and Crystal immediately howled.
She didn't wanna be anywhere near him, so she sped up my shift.
Pain ripped through my abdomen. The shift just tore open my wound.
"Stay away from me!" I shouted with all my might.
To my surprise, Derek started to shift, too. Leo whimpered, calling for Crystal. But she just let out a roar, forcing him back.
Derek's claws found my shoulder, and he began to release his Alpha aura, pressing Crystal to stop shifting.
My bones made noises again, my arms' hair fading.
I tried to feel Crystal, but she was gone.
The previous shift seemed to have drained her.
I whispered inwardly in despair, 'Is my wolf leaving me too?'
"Tabitha, didn't I tell you to behave yourself? How dare you shift?! Say you're sorry, now," Derek yelled, gripping my shoulder.
How ridiculous.
I felt so absurd that I almost laughed. My stomach had long been numb from pain, my hands stiff, my body ice-cold.
He always knew how to torture me.
"Sorry, Derek," I murmured. "If I could turn back the clock, I would definitely warn myself to stay away from you from the start."
Then I saw Alvin come in, turning on the light as he stepped closer.
When the light flooded the room, Derek saw the blood on my wrist.
My vision was getting blurry, my mind in a fog.
Before I fainted, I saw fear in Derek's eyes.