Derek's POV
There was a mounting pile of documents on my desk, waiting for me to handle, but I couldn't focus at all.
The memory of seeing Tabitha last night kept playing on a loop in my head.
Her every look and every word evoked a complex emotion inside me, hard to put into words.
I couldn't help closing my eyes, asking in my head, "Leo, let me know. Is Tabitha...our second chance?"
Leo paused for a moment before saying in frustration, "No idea. Crystal won't talk to me."
I sighed, torn between relief and disappointment.
Part of me wanted Tabitha gone for good, but then, the thought of actually losing her freaked me out.
Suddenly, Leo piped up, "Last night, I caught a unique scent, a blend of cedar and rhododendron that only grow in Seattle. That's gotta be our mate!"
"Nah, that's from Tabitha," I denied.
"But we both know she didn't smell like that before," Leo disagreed.
I was about to retort when Alvin barged into my office, all panicked.
"Alpha Derek, Tabitha went to 32 Seaside Avenue!" he blurted.
Puzzled, I wondered, 'What is she doing there? I've been keeping tabs on Daphne, so I know all the shady stuff she's been up to at Hope Ranch.
'She's busy, obviously planning something. Maybe she baited Tabitha there with the ranch.
'But Tabitha's a powerful Alpha, almost as strong as me. No way that Daphne could hurt her.'
I was about to let Alvin out when a thought hit me—the place was decorated according to Tabitha's design.
Every corner was filled with her longing and love for home.
She would definitely be heartbroken seeing Daphne staying in her dream house.
The thought of that sent a chill down my spine. I gotta stop it!
"Call Rolf. Let's go to 32 Seaside Avenue now!" I immediately stood up and said to Alvin.
With Rolf as the driver, we arrived at Daphne's place at the fastest speed.
Upon reaching the door, I caught the scent of a wolf. It was submissive, nothing like the commanding, powerful scent that an Alpha owned.
So a werewolf had shifted here, and it wasn't Tabitha.
In our world, Omegas had a low status, and they wouldn't dare make a move without the permission of an Alpha.
It must've been Daphne's idea.
How dare she do such a thing on my turf?!
Enraged, I kicked the door open without any hesitation.
Then I saw a grey wolf pinning Tabitha to the ground, its sharp claws aiming at her head.
Kyrian curled up on the couch, shaking with fear. Good thing was, he seemed unharmed.
Leo immediately howled in my mind.
"Stop!" I shouted.
As I rushed into the living room, Daphne stood up in panic.
"Derek, let me explain," she begged.
I dashed directly to that wolf, not sparing her a glance.
I had expected my roar would stop it from attacking Tabitha. But it just cast a glance at me, unmoved.
Then, it held out sharp claws toward Tabitha's face, ready to disfigure her.
Shooting Daphne a glare, I had Leo take over my body, letting out a roar.
I then released my Alpha aura, the air in the room tightening up with it.
Intimidated by my aura, the grey wolf paused, giving me the split second I needed.
I immediately charged, sending it flying.
The grey wolf hit the floor, struggling to get up, but my Alpha aura got it pinned.
"Shift back," Alvin commanded, pressing it with his foot.
Soon, its bones began to shift, making a crackling sound.
The grey fur receded, revealing human skin.
Right after returning to her human form, she picked up a tablecloth and wrapped it around herself, cowering on the floor.
"Help Tabitha to get to her feet," I ordered Alvin.
Then, I stared at that Omega, angrily approaching her step by step, unleashing more Alpha aura on her.
She trembled on the ground.
"I told you to stop. Why did you defy me?" I snapped.
"Tabitha poses a threat to Miss Sutton, so I gotta get rid of her," she stammered. "As long as I scar her face, you'll surely be weary of her, for no man would desire a woman marred by scars."
"Did Daphne instruct you to carry out this act?" I snarled.
"How could that be possible?" Daphne screamed.
The Omega immediately replied, "No, it has nothing to do with Miss Sutton. This was my doing alone."
I stepped closer to her, seizing her arms roughly.
With a swift swipe of my claws, I severed her arms, the sharp nails slicing through her flesh. She let out a cry of agony, and her arms hung limp.
I let go of her, turning to Daphne, saying word by word, "An Omega who cannot follow an Alpha's command doesn't need hands."