Third person's POV
Derek's brow furrowed, a shadow of worry crossing his face. "Tabitha, things aren't as simple as you think."
There were things he couldn't explain to her, not fully.
"It's too late to back out now. The only way I can protect you and the children is by climbing higher, reaching further."
Tabitha didn't fully understand the intricacies of his world, but she sensed that Derek's family wasn't just some wealthy dynasty.
"But you know how dangerous this path is. How can you bear to put our child in harm's way?"
"Tabitha, I don't have a choice. Kyrian has potential. He's the eldest, born into the Black Thorn Pack. I can't raise him like some sheltered heir. He has a responsibility to protect this family. If not him, then Helios. I won't have children with anyone else."
Tabitha's heart ached. Both boys were her flesh and blood. She'd already missed so much of their lives.
"Is there really no other way?"
"He's a man. He has to protect his family."
Tabitha's chest tightened. She hadn't even had the chance to care for Kyrian properly.
Derek's tone grew serious. "Tabitha, you can only stay with me for a week. After that, you have to leave."
After hearing his explanation, Tabitha understood his reasoning.
"Why now? You've kept your identity hidden for years. Who exposed you?"
"Someone's getting desperate."
"Who?"
Derek suddenly crooked a finger, beckoning her closer. Thinking he was about to reveal something important, Tabitha leaned in, her ear almost touching his lips.
Instead, he reached up and ruffled her hair. "Tabitha, the more you know, the more complicated things get. I didn't keep things from you because I saw you as an outsider. I just wanted you to live a happy, simple life—untouched by my world."
His hand lingered, accidentally dislodging her wig.
A small smile tugged at his lips. "Your real hair was better. Soft and smells good."
There was a wistful look in his eyes, as if he were remembering better days.
Tabitha huffed, pretending to be annoyed. "You're impossible."
But deep down, she felt a strange warmth.
She moved behind him, gently applying ointment to his wounds and carefully bandaging them.
As she worked, her mind raced. She had a strong feeling Derek was planning something big—something that made him so eager to send her away.
Tabitha knew they had departed. He didn't owe her explanations anymore.
While the news about Kyrian had filled her with joy, the pain Derek had caused her was still real.
He'd repaid a debt to someone else by hurting her. That wasn't something she could easily forgive.
She told herself that just because they shared a child didn't mean they could go back to how things were. Their only connection now was as co-parents.
She decided to care for Derek for seven days—to repay him for saving her life.
After that, they'd go their separate ways. Tabitha had her own path to follow.
The next few days were the most peaceful days they had shared in years.
There were no sharp words, no bitter arguments.
Tabitha tended to Derek's needs with patience and care, her every movement deliberate and focused.
During this time, Derek seemed to be giving Rolf and Alvin secret tasks. Tabitha hadn't seen them in days.
But Misha was another story. She kept showing up, and it was exhausting.
[$]
"Derek," Misha cooed, always using his name rather than "Alpha Derek" as if it gave her some special claim to him.
She held out a sliced apple, her smile syrupy sweet. "I sliced this for you. It'll make your throat feel better."
This time, Tabitha had only stepped out for a moment, and Misha had seized the opportunity to slip into the room.
Derek frowned slightly, his tone polite but firm. "I don't like apples. You can have it."
There was a flicker of annoyance in his eyes, but he kept his composure.
"But I sliced it just for you," Misha whined, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
Lately, she'd started speaking in a high-pitched, affected tone that made Derek's skin crawl. It was as if she'd swallowed something sticky, and every word came out coated in saccharine.