Third person's POV
Derek had painstakingly built up Tabitha's trust by posing as Wilmot.
He knew that if she ever discovered his true identity, her anger would be immense, and the trust he had spent half a year constructing would crumble entirely.
Derek continued, "Send someone to discreetly protect her without revealing themselves. Ayla is still on the island. Tabitha will go to see her."
Rolf nodded in agreement, "Understood."
Derek added with caution, "Remember, Lucian has a strong ability to detect surveillance, so do not get too close."
Rolf responded, "Yes, Alpha Derek. We will handle it immediately."
Turning to Alvin, Derek instructed, "Investigate the identities of those deceased men thoroughly."
Derek pondered whether Tabitha's survival had been leaked, perhaps when she was seen on the boat.
The assailants had been ruthless, and if not for Lucian's timely arrival, Tabitha could have been in grave danger. He had to be vigilant.
The facilities in the small cabin were basic—a wooden bed with a thin mattress and a single blanket.
Helios had grown sleepy early on, and after struggling to stay awake, Lucian also stopped talking, saying, "It's getting late. You and Helios should rest. At least here, you are safe."
Tabitha hesitated, "There's only one bed."
Lucian replied, "I'll keep watch. Take a rest. The conditions are bad. You'll have to make do."
Despite his words, Lucian was considerate enough to fetch and boil water for Tabitha to clean up before she settled the bed.
Holding Helios, Tabitha was sleepless. Lucian sat by the door, his back against the wooden planks, resting with his eyes closed.
Feeling guilty for causing trouble for Lucian, Tabitha couldn't help but think she was a burden.
As if sensing her gaze, Lucian spoke, "Don't worry about me. I'm used to this lifestyle. Having a cabin to shelter from the snow is already good fortune. Sleep now, and we'll figure things out tomorrow."
Exhausted from the day's events, Tabitha's body was weary. The room was lit by a single candle, casting a soft, faint glow.
By the dim light, she examined Helios' face, noting how much the boy resembled her, especially the small dimple on the left cheek that made him look sweet and adorable when he smiled.
If dressed in girls' clothes, he would surely be mistaken for a girl.
Gently stroking Helios' back, Tabitha's heart swelled with relief and contentment.
The child she had searched for and longed for was finally in her arms.
Reflecting on the painful days and nights, she felt that all the suffering had been worth it.
She silently vowed to protect her two children and never let them experience the pain of losing their mother again.
Tabitha placed a tender kiss on Helios' forehead and whispered, "Sleep well, my love. I will always love you."
The night passed quickly. The room was chilly, and the single blanket was hardly enough to ward off the cold.
Tabitha had thought she would not sleep, but to her surprise, holding Helios, she felt incredibly at ease and soon drifted off to sleep.
Helios clung to her like a little heater, providing a constant source of warmth.
Tabitha dreamt of herself in a vast grassland, running freely with her two children.
Derek stood at the end of the path, reaching out to her and calling, "Tabitha..."
She jolted awake to find the room bathed in daylight, with Lucian no longer in the room.
The window, unadorned by curtains, revealed that the snow had fallen all night, leaving a blanket of white as far as the eye could see.
Carefully, Tabitha rose and left Helios' side, stepping out of bed.
She opened the door, and a gust of cold air hit her. She had seen many snowscapes, but the sight before her was still breathtaking.
The world seemed wrapped in a thick layer of white, all impurities washed away, leaving only pure snow.
On the thick snow, there were tracks left by small animals.
Two squirrels peeked out from the trees and, upon seeing Tabitha, quickly scampered away.
The air was cold but fresh.
Lucian returned from his patrol and saw Tabitha leaning against the door.
Her hair was short, almost like a buzz cut, which he hadn't noticed the night before.
"Your hair..." Lucian couldn't help but ask.
Tabitha smiled back, "It fell out from chemotherapy, but it's growing back now. It's okay. It will grow out eventually."
She had already put on a wig so as not to frighten Helios, "Doesn't it look better now?"
Tabitha's optimistic smile stirred a wave of pity in Lucian's heart.
What had she gone through in the years they had been apart?
Quickly changing the subject, Lucian said, "There are some compressed biscuits in the room. We had to flee in a hurry and didn't have time to buy food. Have some to tide you over."
Tabitha ate the dry biscuits and drank mineral water, feeling quite content.
"Without you last night, I would have been dead," Tabitha reflected.
"What are your plans for the future?" Lucian inquired.