Tabitha's POV
I strode out of Daphne's villa as fast as I could.
Looking up at the clear blue sky, I took a deep breath.
Recalling Kyrian's chubby face, I couldn't help cracking a smile. Then, Daphne's twisted face popped into my head, sending a chill down my spine. How could someone use her own child to win a man's attention?
If I didn't lose my baby, I'd definitely pamper him, making him the happiest kid on earth.
At the thought of my dead baby, I felt my heart broke into pieces.
Taking a few steps ahead, I felt dizzy. My legs buckled, and I nearly fell to my knees.
"Luna!" Rolf called out, panic-stricken as he rushed to my side, steadying me.
With his support, I regained my balance.
"Luna, you alright? Kamp's still in the villa. How about we go back and have him check you out?" he asked, all concerned.
I shook my head, dismissing the suggestion. "It's okay. I'm just worn out. Btw, don't call me Luna anymore. Derek and I have divorced already."
Guessed the chores assigned by Daphne and the fight with the Omega just drained my energy.
I tried calling Crystal in my head, but she had fallen asleep. Perhaps she was exhausted too.
"But you look awful." Rolf's worried voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"I'm really okay. Just take me home," I whispered.
Rolf let out a sigh. Instead of keeping persuading me, he just rushed to the car and opened the door for me.
After dropping me at the Silver Moon Pack, he headed back to his pack.
Dragging my feet, I made my way back to the packhouse, struggling to keep my eyes open.
The physical toll was so overwhelming, and even climbing the stairs seemed like torture.
So, I just crashed on the couch in the living room on the first floor.
When I woke up, the night had already fallen.
I sat up from bed, rubbing my sleepy eyes, trying to shake off the grogginess.
I called out to Crystal in my mind again, but she remained unresponsive, sleeping like a baby.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. "Please come in," I said, wondering who it was at this hour.
Then, Gary and the manager of Hope Ranch hurried in, their faces lit up with excitement.
Looking into my eyes, Gary exclaimed, his voice quivering, "Tabitha, guess what? Someone from the Council of Elders just told us that Derek's gifting Hope Ranch to us!"
The news left me slack-jawed. I gaped in amazement, my mind in turmoil.
On one hand, I was elated to reclaim Hope Ranch—it was more than a property; it was Dad's dream.
On the other hand, it was making it harder for me to hate Derek.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm within.
"That's wonderful news. But it's late now, you can stay here for the night and go back there tomorrow," I told the manager.
But he insisted, sounding excited, "No, I gotta go back now. Lots of kids there need looking after. They're like my family."
His words brought a smile to my face.
Even though Derek might've done it because I protected Kyrian today, I felt grateful still. After all, those kids were now my responsibility.
After Gary and the manager bid me farewell, I decided to leave the packhouse as well.
Though I got a room here, my current apartment was closer to the public werewolf hospital, making it easier for me to visit Dad.
When I got home, I was greeted by the aroma of food.
Turned out Gloria had cooked dinner.
With worry in her eyes, she asked, "Got some free time today, so I came to check on you. Why didn't you reply to my messages?"
I was so hungry that my stomach was rumbling, so I forked a piece of chicken instead of answering right away.
Then, I started recounting everything that happened today to Gloria.
As I spoke, I continued to wolf down the dishes she had prepared.
Gloria, on the other hand, was too stunned to dig in. I knew it was a lot for her to take in.
"How dare that bitch treat you like that? I gotta teach her a lesson when I see her again! It's kinda surprising that Derek didn't side with her, though. You sure he gave Hope Ranch back to you? I mean, he spent dozens of millions bidding for it!" she piped up after digesting it for a while.
"Yeah. The news's from the Council of Elders," I replied.
"But even so, you can't just forgive him," she reminded me.
Amused by her reaction, I laughed and gave a nod.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
"Hold on. Got an anonymous email," I told Gloria.
I put down my cutlery and clicked to check the details—it was just one photo.
As I enlarged it, the image on the screen left me dumbfounded—it was Rolf leaving Dad's ward!