Tabitha's POV
I immediately understood why someone tried to drug me.
As I took the Nightshade Grass, I couldn't control my shift.
When the effect wore off, I would return to human form. But by then, my clothes were already destroyed.
It was in Derek's castle, so I had no spare clothes with me. If Jasper and I were seen naked by others, I could explain nothing but get humiliated.
With humans among the guests, I couldn't possibly say that I had just shifted.
Besides, If Derek were to find out, he would definitely hurt Jasper out of anger.
Thinking of this, I quickly said to Jasper, "Try to control your wolf."
He nodded, but his breathing was already heavy. "Tabitha, I... I've tried my best."
Just at that moment, Jasper's body began to change, with his wolf about to take over.
He crawled on the ground, his claws extended, his bones cracking.
Then he let out a painful roar.
His shifting has started!
My heart tightened. If Jasper shifted completely, both of us would be in trouble.
"Jasper, listen to me. You have to stay calm," I urged, my voice tinged with anxiety. "We can't lose control here. We need to find a solution."
But Jasper's wolf could no longer resist. His body began to transform, his clothes torn, and the fabric scattered on the ground.
In the next moment, he had shifted into a huge gray wolf.
Unlike Jasper in his human form, his wolf appeared irritable and aggressive, emitting deep growls, with his eyes gleaming wildly.
I tried my best to dodge his attacks while controlling Crystal took part of my energy at the same time.
Sensing danger, she became even more eager to take control and complete the shift.
Being distracted, I was cornered by Jasper's wolf. Huge and mighty, he left me with nowhere to escape.
I could only press myself against the wall, doing nothing but being tortured by my anxiety.
Just then, the door burst open, and Derek stormed in.
Without hesitation, he stepped into the room, releasing his Alpha's aura.
It was an invisible oppression that weighed down the entire room.
He grabbed the wolf by its scruff and swung it.
Jasper's wolf was then thrown out. After landing on the ground, he emitted angry roars.
I was relieved. As the immediate danger had gone, I could focus on controlling Crystal.
But Jasper's wolf didn't just stop there. He glared at Derek and pounced towards him again.
Derek raised his arm, and his wolf paw extended immediately. With his firm paw, he controlled Jasper's wolf.
Pressing the wolf, he tried to command, his voice deep and powerful, carrying an unquestionable authority. "Stop, and shift back to human now."
The wolf hesitated slightly but quickly resumed his ferocity.
Seeing the situation, Derek quickly approached and grabbed the wolf's neck with both hands, forcefully pushing him down to the ground.
Derek's aura became even stronger, and his eyes revealed determination and control. "I command you to turn back!" His voice echoed in the room, with his Alpha power penetrating Jasper's frenzy.
Jasper's wolf began to tremble, his body gradually shrinking, his fur fading away, revealing human skin.
During the painful transformation, he groaned several times.
But Derek did not relax until Jasper had fully regained his human form.
Seeing Jasper finishing shifting, Derek quickly grabbed a tablecloth and wrapped it around him. Then Derek shouted to the guards outside the door, "Take him out of here, and keep a close eye on him."
Rolf walked in.
He helped Jasper up and led him out of the room quickly.
After they left, Derek walked over to me, leaning closer little by little. As he approached, a chill hit me head-on.
He gritted his teeth, his fingers brushed against my face, his voice devoid of warmth, "What are you doing here with him?"
"What? Can't I have dinner with other people?" I looked up at him and shot back.
Derek grabbed my chin and said, "Tabitha, I told you not to provoke me."
I broke his grip and said, "I'm just here to eat."
Derek didn't continue his inquiry, paused for a moment, and said, "Do you know what would happen if I didn't show up in time?"
I sneered, "I would fail to control Crystal under Jasper's attack, and I would've shifted too."
Derek stared at me, his voice filled with anger. "You knew it, then why didn't you protect yourself?"
"Someone used Nightshade on me at your dinner party, and you blame me? It was you who invited me to the birthday celebration," I retorted.
He took a deep breath, and his voice calmer. "I will investigate."
His words left me with a pang of disappointment.
Only Daphne could target me like this.
Derek must know it.
But his answer only meant that he would arrange for someone to take the blame for Daphne.
Seeing me silent, Derek stepped forward and grabbed my arm, saying, "Let's go. I'll have my people clean up here."
I stumbled, then pretended to lose my balance, and fell into his arms.
I grabbed his collar and said, "I just got sprained. I can't walk now."