Tabitha's POV
Ever since I came around, Derek had always been super patient with me. But right now, he kept nudging me, saying, "That's someone else's tombstone. Don't waste our time here. Come on, let's go."
I frowned at him and shot back, "Don't say that. It's disrespectful." As I spoke, I couldn't help stealing a couple more glances at that tombstone.
"It's weird," I said slowly. "I don't remember knowing anyone named Lillian at all, but I somehow feel that she must have something to do with our pack."
Then, I mused before murmuring, "Lillian? Why does that sound so familiar? Derek, did I know her before?"
Derek took a deep breath and replied calmly, "Nope."
After a few more glances at the stone, I finally pulled my gaze away. "Guess I was overthinking it. Maybe she just looks like someone I used to know. Let's go."
He draped his cloak over my shoulders with such tenderness that it made my heart flutter. "Yeah. It's snowing hard again. Let's wrap this up and head back."
"Alright then." As we started walking away together, I couldn't resist one last look back.
The plum blossoms were blooming beautifully under a fresh layer of sparkling snow. As the wind blew, the snowflakes and petals fluttered down like confetti onto the gravestone.
I could feel something strange stirring inside me—like an instinctive alertness that all werewolves have when facing the unknown.
"Anything wrong?" Derek asked.
"No," I replied quickly as I turned my head away.
After paying respects to our family, I suggested we hit up that restaurant we'd dined at a few days ago, so Derek had someone make a reservation.
As we strolled through the square, I felt how much I loved hanging out with him like this.
Maybe it was because he used to hardly ever join me for stuff like this before.
Because of our looks, no matter where we went, heads turned our way.
Suddenly, I noticed something off, wondering, "I remember seeing a tree over there that night. Where'd it go?"
The spot where the giant tree once stood had been paved over with concrete and replaced by bricks, looking just like everything else around it. It was still here a few days ago. What happened?
With a calm look, Derek replied, "Maybe they chopped it down because it was blocking the view or something."
"What a pity. That tree must've been over a hundred years old! How could they just chop it down like that?" My heart sank at the thought of losing something so beautiful and ancient.
"Maybe trees have their fate too—just like us," he said casually.
I pouted and fell silent, recalling something.
Yesterday, he had some wooden table and chairs delivered to our house, but we really didn't need any new furniture at all.
When I'd asked why he got them, he casually said something about wanting things fresh.
And I didn't think much of it, just thinking that judging from how big the table was, it must've been made from a huge tree.
That was when I had a wild guess. "Derek," I asked hesitantly, "the table at home isn't made from this tree, right?"
He stroked my hair, replying composedly, "What are you talking about? Do you think I would be so petty as to get angry with a tree and turn it into furniture?"
I gazed at him for a while before shaking my head.
"Yeah. You're too much of an elite guy to hold grudges against a tree." I teased as I took his hand again. "Sorry, I was being paranoid. Let's go dig in."
He patted my hand reassuringly. "It's okay. After we finish eating, I'll take you somewhere special."
"Huh? Where?" My curiosity was piqued instantly as excitement bubbled within me.
"You'll see when you get there," he said mysteriously.
Before half past six, I couldn't help urging him impatiently, "Come on! Let's head to the place you talk about."
With playful affection in his eyes, he tapped the tip of my nose dotingly. "Alright, let's go."
He then took me to a high-end studio that specialized in custom makeup and styling.
I rarely came to places like this, so I felt a bit nervous. "What are we doing here?"
He patted my shoulder softly while reassuring me, "Relax. You don't need to do anything. Just enjoy it."
And just like that, someone guided me straight into the dressing room.