Derek's POV
Thinking back, Tabitha was always bundled up in thick down jackets, a far cry from her vanity of only wearing wool coats back in the day.
So she wasn't putting on an act.
She really was sick.
I wrapped her up tight, not letting a bit of wind sneak in.
Tabitha's cheeks were burning up, looking all pitiful yet cute.
What had she been through exactly? How come she got so weak?
Holding her, I realized she was way lighter than before. I couldn't help tightening my embrace.
Finally, the car arrived at the pack hospital. Kamp came over with the blood test report, saying, "Alpha Derek, I heard about what had happened from Alvin. Luna's critical. We gotta put her on a drip."
I held Tabitha the whole time, and she seemed delirious from fever, mumbling non-stop.
She instinctively covered her belly with one hand and reached out into the void with another. "Save me. Save our child," she exclaimed.
Her right hand still got the IV needle in, so I stopped her hand quickly to keep it from coming loose.
Finally, she grabbed my hand. Like she had got hold of her last lifeline, her urgent look eased into a smile. "Babe, it's Mommy. I finally found you! Are you mad at me for not protecting you well? Don't worry, baby. We'll soon reunite in heaven."
My frown got tighter as I ordered, "Alvin, go and bring Kyrian here. Tell him I miss him."
"Roger," he replied.
I'd never been one who believed in fate. I always believed that it was my effort that could make a difference.
But hearing those ominous words from Tabitha, I started to panic. Although I had hated her guts, I never wanted her dead!
I immediately ordered a bunch of check-ups for her. They would be done right after her fever subsided.
"Tabitha, you'll be okay. I won't let anything happen to you," I muttered.
But things weren't as simple as I thought. Kamp tried everything, but he just couldn't knock the fever down.
Keep this up, and what awaited her would be…death.
"Useless! Can't even bring down a fever, seriously?!" I snapped, grabbing Kamp by the collar. "If anything bad happens to her, I'll kick y'all out of the Black Thorn Pack."
Kamp spoke up, terrified and aggrieved, "Alpha Derek, it's not that we don't want to save her, but Luna's lost the will..."
"Nonsense." I glared at him fiercely.
How was that even possible?
She was tough as nails; I knew her better than anyone. Plus, John was still alive. She wouldn't just die like this.
Kamp explained helplessly, "Alpha Derek, we are not shirking responsibility. Human functions obey the brain. You ever heard of those medical miracles? Usually, it's because the patients got a strong will. Even at death's door, if your brain holds onto hope, miracles happen. I guess you've experienced it yourself, right? But Luna...she's given up on living. I'm afraid..."
I released Kamp's collar and took a few steps back, Tabitha's words echoing in my head.
'Sorry, Derek.
'If I could turn back the clock, I would definitely warn myself to stay away from you from the start.'
She hated herself so much that she even gave up hope for living.
For the first time, I was afraid. After a long time, I spoke again, my voice hoarse, "I read her blood report. Why are her indexes lower than normal?"
"Typically, this could mean..." Kamp trailed off.
"Could mean what?" I was confused.
"Nothing. Did anything happen to her lately?" he asked.
"She was attacked by a rogue a while back. I guessed that was where she got her abdominal wound."
"I see. She probably has recovered from the injury, and the cold water just made it worse. Even leading to an infection."
His every word was like a punch to my heart.
"Luna's immunity's down. One more illness will put her life at risk. I'll beef up the meds. We gotta bring that fever down first," Kamp added.
I let my hands drop, answering in a whisper, "Got it."
When Alvin brought Kyrian to the ward, Tabitha was still running a soaring temperature.
"Daddy, I want a hug..." Kyrian reached out those chubby arms.
I picked him up and pointed at Tabitha, who was lying in bed with flushed cheeks. "Who's that?" I asked him.
Kyrian's eyes lit up. "Mommy... I want Mommy."
I gently placed him on the bed and said, "Give her a hug and she'll be better."
Kyrian then crawled to Tabitha and buried his head in her arms.
After studying her face for a while, he planted a kiss on her cheek.
I softly wiped a tear from Tabitha's eye, whispering, "Don't cry. Your baby's back."
Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw her finger move.
Her brows furrowed, her eyeballs involuntarily moving.
Finally, she slowly opened her eyes.