Elliott's POV
Tabitha felt like she had been hit on the head. She stumbled back a few steps and leaned on the table for support. Her face had gone ghost white in that instant.
"Tabitha, nothing is absolute. I'm just analyzing from the perspective of an ordinary person based on the situation at hand. With the explosion, the heatwave, and the toxic gases, normally, no one would survive that. But Derek isn't just anyone. He's got Alpha blood. He's been through professional training, and he's faced all kinds of extreme challenges. We have to believe in him. He's going to be okay. He's that glimmer of hope."
I tried to be reasonable with Tabitha, but there was no way she could just relax that easily.
"So what is the situation now?"
"He's temporarily missing. Just like you, I haven't heard anything concrete yet. The blast affected a huge area, and it happened in an abandoned factory zone with no residents. All the surveillance has been out of commission for ages, so we really have no idea what went down at the scene."
Tabitha was on the verge of collapsing.
I knew that since she regained consciousness, she had been adamant that someone was after her, but with no memories of her past, her fears felt baseless. Then, with Derek's disappearance and the strong possibility that he and everyone he went in with didn't make it out of the fire, Tabitha's panic and fear became palpable.
"Grandpa, could you get someone to take me over there? I have been restless at home."
"No, it's not clear if the site is safe or not, and there are hazardous materials involved. We don't have the full picture of what's going on there. The enemy was targeting you. He went after Derek to eliminate those protecting you. The safest place is within the pack. You must not leave."
"But..."
I said sternly, "This is what you have to go through if you choose to be his Luna. Even if he dies today, you can't go. Understand? Don't let his sacrifice be in vain."
The word "die" slipped out of my mouth lightly, but it dealt a heavy blow to Tabitha.
"Before we have any definitive answers, what we need to do is trust him. He'll find a way out," I reassured Tabitha. Then I had the servant escort her back to her room.
As soon as she left, I immediately became worried.
I didn't expect someone would dare to provoke the Black Thorn Pack here.
I put away the calm demeanor I had put on for Tabitha, and my whole presence exuded a cold, commanding aura.
"Kevin."
A person walked out of the darkness. "I'm here."
"Send someone to investigate immediately. Find Derek at all costs. Also, mobilize the pack guards to look into this. I want to know who's behind this."
"Got it." Kevin disappeared into the darkness.
I leaned on the crutch with my hand. My knuckles were prominent with veins. Derek was raised under my guidance, and I cherish him more than anyone else.
He couldn't die, absolutely not!
The butler quickly stepped forward to support me. "Please don't get upset. Your health isn't what it used to be. Derek is a lucky person and will come out of this just fine."
I leaned back in the wicker chair and said calmly, "It's clear they were targeting Tabitha. Why would they go after Derek? Do you think this has something to do with that illegitimate child?"
After I came to my senses, I caught up on everything that had happened over the past few years, and naturally, I was aware of the little maneuvers Zander had been making in Seattle.
The butler poured me a glass of water and said, "It's hard to say for sure, and no one dares to make a hasty conclusion, but I believe in Derek. He must have been fine."
My wolf also sensed my worries and anger in my consciousness.