Rolf's POV
I was baffled and couldn't understand why this perfectly ordinary tree had become an eyesore for Alpha Derek.
Had he somehow bumped into it while shopping?
Derek wasn't the careless type, nor was he particularly finicky.
Even kids wouldn't have problems with trees, let alone adults.
This was so unlike him.
People can be harsh with others, but I've never heard of anyone being unreasonable with trees.
Alvin pulled me aside and whispered, "Just follow orders. Can't you see Alpha Derek is in a foul mood? Everyone's steering clear of him. Why bother him now?"
"I'm just curious. With Tabitha back, Derek should be in a better mood. It doesn't make sense for him to be upset with a tree in the middle of the night."
"Just do your job and talk less."
"Alright, let's start working. I want to see if this tree is really as magical as they say."
I carried a shovel and directed the excavator, "Here, move forward."
As the excavator neared the tree, it suddenly stopped. Despite the driver's efforts, it wouldn't restart.
"That's weird. This is a new excavator. It worked perfectly fine before. Why is it malfunctioning now?"
"Damn! Is this tree really something special?"
Startled, I hurried to inform Derek about the situation.
As I looked up, I saw Derek standing under the streetlights, holding a chainsaw. His slender figure was silhouetted against the dim light.
I shuddered—was he really going to cut down the tree in the middle of the night?
"Al... Alpha Derek, are you serious?"
Derek approached the tree steadily, a calm expression on his face and the chainsaw in his hands.
He ignored me, focusing instead on the tree. "As I said, if you're supposed to have a spirit, you should do your job. Since you failed to make sure Tabitha and I would live happily ever after, why should I keep you?"
I stood behind him with my eyes widened. "Alpha Derek, are you talking to the tree?"
Derek started the chainsaw, its high-pitched whine piercing the air.
" If you mess with my love life, I'll take you down," he declared.
The clouds above churned ominously as snow began falling harder around us.
I grabbed Alvin's hand, my voice trembling. "Alvin! I don't know if Alpha Derek has lost it or what, but this weather is creepy! Were there always so many dark clouds when we got here?"
Despite the streetlights around the square, the encroaching dark clouds cast an eerie chill.
In our world of werewolves, the Moon Goddess rules over our fates and romances.
Legends said some ancient spirit trees had mysterious ties to her and could bless lovers.
And apparently, this tree was one of those spirit trees.
But didn't seem keen on blessing Alpha Derek and Tabitha at all.
"Alpha Derek, let it go. It's just a tree..."
My voice was drowned out by the roar of the chainsaw as Derek lifted it. At that moment, a thunderclap erupted from the clear sky above us.
"Oh, Moon Goddess!" I cried out in terror.
Thunder and lightning are common in spring and summer, but rare in winter.
There had been no warning, and the sudden storm in the empty square at three in the morning was unsettling.
Even Alvin, normally calm, spoke up, "Alpha Derek, just forget it. It's dangerous—what if we get struck by lightning?"
Derek said nothing. Without hesitation, he put the chainsaw onto the trunk. The piercing sound echoed in the square for a long time.
Derek's eyes were bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth as he said, "Since the Moon Goddess won't bless us, then I'll fight back and cut this tree!
"Even if it means falling into the depths of hell, I'll never be separated from Tabitha, and no one can stop me."