Derek's POV
What the hell? Tabitha collapsed right in front of me.
Never in my life had I felt so terrified.
In my memory, Tabitha'd always been a strong werewolf. She'd got Alpha blood, killer combat skills, and a sharp brain.
That was why I was stoked about her being my Luna.
I thought getting drenched would give her a little sniffle at worst. I never imagined that she would pass out.
Noticing my tie hanging around her body, I immediately released her. Then her limp body fell, her cold, cutting words echoing.
How could she hurt herself this badly just trying to break free from a tie? She used to whine for hours over a tiny needle prick.
I scooped her up, fixing my gaze on her face. She looked as white as a sheet. With long hair stuck to her cheeks, she was like a lifeless doll, fragile and delicate.
Panic seized me. I couldn't help wondering, 'What the hell happened?'
She used to be tough enough for winter swims. How could a bit of water make her this weak?
"Tabitha, drop the act."
I tried to pinch her cheek, but the coldness sent a chill down my spine.
My hands started shaking. "Call the pack doc!" I roared.
Alvin, who looked as freaked out as I did, immediately mind-linked Kamp.
I thought I knew Tabitha well enough. And leaving her here for just half an hour wouldn't be too big a deal. She should be able to learn her lessons. But I was so terribly wrong.
The weight in my arms reminded me what was the most important thing right now. I gotta do everything I could to save her! So I carefully put her on the ground, trying to feel her breath.
Good news was, she still had a faint pulse.
Since she was shifting just now, her clothes were torn up.
When I looked down, I spotted a wound on her abdomen.
It should be a new one, for I had never seen it before.
I heard she got hurt in a rogue attack on the Silver Moon Pack, but I didn't expect the wound would be so big.
And how come it was still unhealed? It didn't make sense.
She was so afraid of pain. How could she never complain about it?
I pursed my lips, my guilt almost devouring me. The words she said before passing out broke my heart into pieces.
Although we were no longer mates, Leo was still impacted by her coma.
I thought I had the world in my control, but now I realized I was just an arrogant fool.
With a sigh, I dressed her in soft pajamas, cranked up the room's heat, and held her tight.
Alvin quickly returned with Kamp, the doctor of my pack. Well, more like my private doctor.
Seeing me holding Tabitha, they spun around instantly, ready to step out of the room.
"Come here and check her!" I ordered.
"Yes, Alpha Derek," replied Kamp.
I remembered Kamp once told me that Tabitha was lively.
But now, that lively girl lay there unconscious, her face drained of color.
Kamp made a simple diagnosis. "Alpha Derek, based on my preliminary assessment, Luna fainted from extreme weakness."
"Weakness?" Unless starved, werewolves were always strong. Weakness was not our thing. What was going on?
"Yeah. Her heart rate and pulse show that she's in poor health. You should take her to the hospital for a thorough examination," Kamp replied.
Then he took out a needle. "I'll draw her blood and check if it's a bacterial infection or a viral infection. Then I'll prescribe accordingly."
"OK." I nodded.
I shifted my gaze to Tabitha again. She was knitting her brows, muttering, "My baby! Derek, I want my baby back!
"Derek, just kill me.
"Derek, please let me go.
"Derek..."
I grabbed her hand, whispering, "Tabitha, sorry, but I can't let you go."
I worried that once I did, we would become total strangers. I didn't want us to end up like that.
As I held her hand, I could feel the heat in her palm. She was having a fever, something extremely rare for werewolves.
We almost never got sick. And even if we were injured, our self-healing kicked in super quick.
So Kamp was right. Tabitha was weak indeed.
I fetched a cooling patch, slapped it on her forehead, and got some fever meds ready.
Just then, Alvin burst in without knocking, all panicked. "Alpha Derek, Luna's blood test results are out. Her vitals are way below normal. Kamp said a fever could kill her!"
"What did you just say?!" The meds fell from my hand.
Tabitha had always been the symbol of vitality in my eyes. How could a fever kill her?
Seeing the stunned look on my face, Alvin hurried over, shoving the report at me.
Recalling her tearing cries when I left, I murmured inwardly, 'What have I done?'
"But she's having a fever now," I replied in a desperate tone.
"Damn it. She needs immediate medical attention," Alvin shouted.
"Get a car," I commanded.