Third person's POV
Derek returned to the main bedroom and casually turned on the shower. Before the water could heat up, he stepped in.
The cold water splashed on his body, but it was not as cold as the chill in his heart.
He recalled the night two years ago when Tabitha was tied up in the bathroom by him, soaked by the cold water.
The water was so cold. She must have been utterly desperate at that time.
Thinking of Tabitha's current state, Derek was filled with regret. The harshness he had shown Tabitha in the past had all turned into blades stabbing himself.
The more he loved Tabitha, the more he blamed himself now.
His wolf whimpered in pain within his mind, "I can't sense Tabitha's wolf. They are very weak."
Derek did not respond. He was aware.
He would definitely agree to exchange his own life for Tabitha's now.
Alvin hurriedly arrived and walked to the bathroom door. It was pitch black inside. But with the light from outside, he vaguely saw Derek sitting against the wall.
He was leaning his head back, allowing the shower water to splash on his face. His blood-stained shirt clung to him, the man exuding sadness and desolation.
Alvin quietly closed the door, giving him space to heal alone.
He went to the terrace and lit a cigarette. As onlookers, they couldn't help but feel heartache, let alone how desperate Derek must have felt at that moment.
"Alvin, do you think Luna Tabitha might..." Rolf asked in a low voice.
Both knew the importance of Tabitha to Derek. What would happen to Derek if Tabitha died?
Alvin extinguished his cigarette end and sighed silently. Making sure Derek was not around, he then said, "It's hard to say. If it's early stage, or even mid-stage, the survival rate is quite high. Generally, once it's advanced and has begun to metastasize, the prognosis is grim."
"What can we do then? If Tabitha dies, Alpha Derek will lose half his life."
"Don't give up until the last moment. Since Poison and Wolf Shadow could develop drugs that make people lose their memory, maybe they also have a way."
Although Alvin was encouraging, they both knew in their hearts that Tabitha's situation was as bad as it could get.
For her to survive, it seemed they could only wait for a miracle.
When Derek came downstairs again, he was refreshed. Aside from his red eyes, his expression was as cold as usual.
"Alpha Derek, we got some good news. We just found out about Jasper. It's said that he has been conducting cancer research for the last year. He might have known about Tabitha's illness early on."
"Where is he?" Derek asked urgently.
"A month ago, he left Poison and Wolf Shadow and went to the Western Pamir Plateau alone. There are reliable reports that his anti-cancer drug has entered its final stage. He needs to find a rare medicinal material."
"Do we have a specific location?"
Alvin shook his head, "No."
The light in Derek's eyes dimmed, "Western Pamir Plateau. The mountain range is about 2,500 kilometers long, with a total area of more than 500,000 square kilometers. Many places are designated as forbidden zones where no one can survive and come out. Where do we look for him?"
Alvin comforted, "At least there's hope. Jasper has been there for a month. Maybe he has already found the medicinal materials he needs?"
"Alvin, it's on yours. Send more people to search for Jasper."
"Alpha Derek, rest assured, I have already arranged for people to go."
"Not enough. Even werewolves struggle with the high-altitude reactions on the plateau. Offer a high reward for locals to go into the mountains under the guise of searching for someone lost. With a large enough reward, there will be brave volunteers."
"Understood, Alpha Derek."
Derek asked again, "Any news from Klein?"
"Nothing yet."
"Contact other Hartley family members if you can't reach him. Their family still owes Tabitha a favor."
"Alright, Alpha Derek." Alvin quickly left.
Rolf stood by Derek's side, "Alpha Derek, what should we do with Zander?"
Derek flexed his wrist. Right, he also needed to deal with Zander.