Derek's POV
"Alpha Derek, I got a weird vibe from this Matthew guy," he added.
After pondering for a while, I figured it out, "We've been played."
I thought to myself, 'It all went smooth until I offered to come pick him up. Since he just vanished into thin air, he could've avoided being found in the first place. Maybe he was the one leaking his own whereabouts to us. Guess this is what he wants. Watching us plumb the depths of despair after getting our hope up.'
"He dares to mess with us?" Alvin hissed.
I mused, 'A rogue gaining benefits from so many packs has to be more than ordinary.'
Snapping out of it, I snapped, "Let the Council of Elders inform all packs—whoever tells me about Matthew's whereabouts will be rewarded with ten million dollars."
"Copy that. But what about Tabitha?" he asked.
"Keep her in the dark for now," I replied.
Just then, the wound in my shoulder hit me again. I couldn't help grimacing.
"Alpha, you should have your wound treated," suggested Alvin.
I pondered for a moment and said, "Tell Tabitha to come take care of me."
"Roger," he answered.
Dusk was setting in, so I cleaned up the blood around the wound and left the packhouse.
When I strode near the border, I saw Tabitha waiting by my car.
The streetlight shone on her, casting shadows under her eyes.
Since she fixed her eyes on the ground, I couldn't see the look on her face. But I sensed something off in her demeanor.
Before I could ponder about it, Leo stirred in my mind, urging me to approach her.
So I yanked the door open with one hand and dragged her in with the other. Then, I got in myself, pulling her into my arms. To my surprise, she didn't resist at all.
Instead, she nestled quietly against my chest, her warmth seeping through.
"Where have you been? I smell blood," she murmured, breaking the silence.
"Just dealt with some rogues," I gave a short reply.
I had intended to talk about Matthew, but it felt like a mood killer right now.
Feeling her in my embrace ignited my desire. I couldn't help looking down, fixing my gaze on her.
My fingers trailed up her chin, stirring more heat before finally pausing at her brow.
As I carefully examined her face, I softened my tone, "Are your wounds healed?"
The light outside the window showed a tiny scar on her brow, barely visible unless watching closely.
My rough fingers gently caressed it as I whispered, "Thanks for what you did that day."
I didn't expect her to care so much about Kyrian. Even more than Daphne, his so-called mother.
"It's just my instinctive reaction. After all, I used to be a mother, too," she replied in a flat voice.
Her words brought a lump to my throat. I tightened my arm around her waist instinctively, like I was afraid she'd leave me.
"Any word on Matthew?" she piped up again.
I knitted my brows, not sure whether to tell her or not. After a moment of consideration, I finally chose to recount the whole thing.
"Don't worry. I've put a bounty on him. We'll locate him in no time," I promised to her at the end.
She just bowed her head, remaining silent.
I knew she must be disappointed, so I reassured her again, "I'll definitely find him, I swear."
"Thanks," she murmured.
Not feeling like keep on talking about this, I switched the topic. "Kyrian's birthday is in two days. Alvin told me you'd be there at his party, is that true?"
"You told him to invite me, didn't you? What's the point of asking?" she looked up at me, questioning with heavy sarcasm.
Realizing that I was staring at her, she froze before lowering her head again. "It's been a year. Time to move on."
I gazed at her for a while. Then, I grunted, "You're right."
Soon, we arrived at my new villa. The minute I got out of the car, an icy wind swept through the streets, nipping at my face.
Instead of rushing off like before, I stopped not far away, waiting.
Not until Tabitha got out did I start walking again, with her trailing behind at a leisurely pace.
We remained silent the whole time. When I stepped into the villa, Tabitha showed reluctance for the first time today. After standing at the doorway for a few minutes, she finally shuffled after me.
As soon as she stepped into my room, I pressed her against the wall.
Then, I slammed my lips onto hers, shoving my tongue in before she even got the chance to speak.
It was what I wanted, and Leo, too. We always desired her.
Tabitha placed both hands on my chest, pushing me away. "Easy, tiger."
I whispered into her ear in a husky voice, "Tabitha, I got all night."
Even if she were an onion, I got time to peel her layer by layer.
"At least let me go take a shower first. I spent the whole day at the hospital," she said.
"I don't mind," I cooed, nibbling her ear.
She turned away and ran toward the bathroom. Before she could shut the door, I squeezed in after her.
"Let's do it together," I smirked.
Then I casually took off my suit jacket, revealing the white shirt underneath.
Noticing the frown on Tabitha's face, I couldn't help chuckling.
"Got a problem with me?" I asked.
"As if I'd dare, I..." Before she could finish her sentence, I yanked her into my arms.
My abrupt move threw her off balance. She had to cling to my shirt to stop herself from falling while I steadied her waist.
When she was firm on her feet, she instinctively stepped back, but I kept her cornered right up against the sink.