Tabitha's POV
The hopping dinner party was stifling to me.
I noticed that Derek gazed at me and Jasper occasionally and that something was hidden in his eyes.
I was worried that Derek might misunderstand and even find fault with Jasper at the sight of our interaction.
Feeling a bit uneasy, I turned around, preparing to leave.
But Jasper, seemingly sensing my intention, caught up with me.
"Tabitha, are you hungry? Let's go grab something to eat." Jasper's voice was gentle and concerned.
I looked in the direction he pointed, and it was a restaurant.
The buffet restaurant offered a wide variety of food and separate private rooms.
It could isolate external disturbances, including Derek's surveillance.
Considering my situation, it seemed like a good choice.
So I nodded in agreement.
Soon we arrived at the cafeteria. The abundant viands, ranging from fresh seafood to exquisite desserts, made people drool.
I chose some vegetable salad and grilled chicken breast, while Jasper took some grilled meat and spaghetti.
After selecting the food, we found a private room.
Though not big, it was decorated with certain flavors.
Several Impressionist paintings hung on the wall. There were four tables in the entire compartment, each with a bouquet of fresh lilies on it, emitting a faint fragrance.
By the time we went there, no one was dining.
Seated, we started eating and chatting.
"By the way, how come you attend the dinner alone? Where's John?" Jasper suddenly asked, his eyes revealing a hint of curiosity.
The fork in my hand paused slightly, and I signed gently, "John... has recently encountered some health issues, so he couldn't come."
Jasper's face immediately turned serious.
He asked with concern, "Is it serious? Can I do anything to help?"
I shook my head slightly. "It was an accident. A rogue broke into the Silver Moon Pack. John got injured in defending against the rogue and is still unconscious. The doctors have done their best, but it takes time to recover."
"Sorry to hear that." Jasper frowned. "The Silver Moon Pack can't be without him. You must have endured a lot of pressure."
"That's true," I admitted. "But as his daughter, I had to be strong since the Silver Moon Pack needed me too."
Jasper reached out to gently grasp my wrist as a sign of support. "If you need any help, be it resources or information, my pack is ready to assist any time."
I gave him a grateful smile and said, "Thank you. I'm so lucky to have a friend like you."
Our topic shifted from the Silver Moon Pack to the Dawn Vanguard Pack. Jasper talked about some anecdotes about his father and his pack.
However, just as we were happily chatting, a waiter knocked on the door.
Holding two carefully decorated beverages, he said, "These are our exclusive drinks. Have a taste."
We didn't order the drinks, so I expressed my confusion. Then the waiter explained smilingly, "This is a special complimentary offer for every guest dining here."
After the waiter left, Jasper and I exchanged glances.
He picked up the cup and took a sip. Then he exclaimed, "It tastes so good. You should it."
His words prompted me to lift the cup and have a careful sip.
Its taste was soft, with a slight fruity sweetness, but I did taste a subtle and barely noticeable herbal flavor on my tongue.
This made me alert.
"Jasper, don't you feel a bit of herbal taste in this drink?" I asked, frowning.
Jasper paused for a sec and then nodded after taking another sip, "Now that you mention it, it does have a subtle herbal taste. But it's not easy to notice unless you taste it carefully."
I put down the cup, musing on this in my mind.
In our world, certain herbs could have specific effects on us. But now I didn't want to be disturbed by any external influences.
"I didn't quite like the taste. Jasper, you better not drink it," I said softly.
Noticing my concern, Jasper nodded in agreement, "Alright, we should remain cautious."
We put the drinks aside and continued our dinner.
However, I felt something off before long.
Some abnormal reactions occurred. My heart raced faster and my body temperature slightly increased.
My wolf Crystal became irritated and clamored to take over my body in my mind.
I tried to communicate with Crystal, hoping she would calm down. But she was restless, which affected my emotions.
"Crystal, we need to stay calm," I said to her in my mind.
Her voice carried a hint of anxiety. "Tabitha, let me take over the body."
"No. I can't shift here," I responded firmly, attempting to control the situation with my willpower.
I sniffed the drink again, suspecting it was Nightshade Grass that would make wolves lose control and shift.
I glanced at Jasper, who was also struggling with his wolf.
The golden gleam in his eyes indicated that his wolf was struggling to take control.
Crystal's struggle became so intense that I could feel her rage and unease.