Third person's POV
Gloria shrugged and grumbled, "That joke isn't funny at all, Tabitha. What do we do now? He's here. Our plan…"
Before she could finish, Leopold's voice cut in from behind. "What plan? Gloria, what are you scheming behind my back?"
Gloria's heart sank. "Almost blew it."
Tabitha, ever calm, set down her tools, removed her surgical gown, and stepped out of the room.
"Nothing major. Who knows what Gloria's talking about—maybe stabbing you in your sleep or weakening you with wolfsbane. She comes up with a hundred wild ideas a day."
Gloria exhaled in relief, shooting Tabitha a grateful glance. 'Thank the stars for you.'
Their personalities balanced each other—Tabitha steady and composed, Gloria fiery and impulsive.
Leopold chuckled lightly. "How mischievous. You're the sensible one, Luna Tabitha."
Tabitha replied flatly, "You should know by now, Alpha Leopold, we've rejected that dynamic. The title doesn't suit."
"My mistake, Miss Hartley."
Leopold now understood Derek a little better.
When Gloria raged, she'd bite back fiercely.
Tabitha, though, simply fixed you with a cold stare, silent yet unnerving.
"Why are you here, Alpha Leopold?" Tabitha pressed. "Gloria's barely started recovering. I doubt she wants to see you."
Gloria instinctively feared Leopold.
When angry, she'd scream and shout, but when calm, she avoided him entirely, let alone argued.
Tabitha's bluntness made Gloria want to applaud. 'That's my girl!'
Leopold's smile stiffened. Tabitha was a tough opponent.
"I came to check on Gloria," he said.
Tabitha gestured to the surveillance cameras overhead. "This island is covered in monitors. Surely you've watched her every move already. Why bother showing up in person? Let's be frank—you can't give Gloria a future. Why waste everyone's time? You're making yourself miserable and dragging others down."
Gloria cheered internally, 'My hero! You're officially my spokesperson now!'
She gazed at Tabitha with admiration.
Tabitha shot her a sidelong glance.
'Pathetic. Where's your usual fire?'
"Miss Hartley, you're mistaken," Leopold countered. "It's like charity work. Can you guarantee every donation saves a life? If not, why do people still rush to donate? My feelings for Gloria don't require your approval."
Tabitha crossed her arms. Though shorter, her presence matched his.
"So, is Gloria your charity case or a pet project?"
Leopold smirked. "My feelings for Gloria are none of your concern."
"I'm not your parent, so no, you don't owe me explanations. But as Gloria's best friend, I won't let anyone who hurts her stay here. Leave, Alpha Leopold. She doesn't want to see you."
"Even her best friend can't dictate her choices. Gloria, we need to talk."
"I have nothing to say to you," Gloria snapped.
Leopold's eyes narrowed, his smile vanishing—a sign of impending fury.
When unhappy, he made others suffer. He knew Gloria's weaknesses.
Gloria's defiance lasted three seconds before crumbling.
"Tabitha, I'll just… talk to him briefly."
Tabitha sighed at her friend's lack of spine.
'Two days until our escape. Did he figure it out?'
Washing her hands, Tabitha left the lab. The children trailed her. "Mommy, Uncle…"
"I know. Go play."
Unease gnawed at her. Leopold's arrival felt deliberate.
Since her departure, Derek had vanished without a trace.
As their escape date neared, Tabitha's anxiety grew.
Derek's "freedom" was an illusion—she was still under his control on this island.
If he discovered her plans, he'd never let her go.
Her gaze drifted to Gloria's closed door.
If Leopold took Gloria back, her fate would be worse than Tabitha's own past.
Derek had loved her, but to Leopold, Gloria was just a plaything—never to be acknowledged, even as the mother of his child.
Once he tired of her, she'd be discarded.
Tabitha had suffered enough. She wouldn't let Gloria tread the same path. 'This time, I'm getting her out.'