Tabitha's POV
Shortly after I hung up the phone, a black car rolled up next to me.
Two tall, strong men got out.
One was Beta Alvin, and the other was Gamma Rolf. Both were members of the Black Thorn Pack.
"Luna Tabitha." Alvin nodded at me, as politely as he always did.
It had been quite some time since I was addressed as Luna. Lump in my throat, I asked, "Beta Alvin, I just came out from a friend's place. Can you take me back to the Black Thorn Pack?"
They looked puzzled as if wondering why I didn't turn to Derek.
"I guess you've heard that Alpha Derek and I are about to have the rejection ceremony soon. I wanna stay in peace with him until then," I quickly added.
When I reigned the Black Thorn Pack as Luna, I got along well with Alvin and Rolf.
So after hearing my explanation, Alvin immediately agreed. "Let's go then."
"Can we swing by 32 Seaside Avenue first? I've left something there, and I wanna take it back." That was where Derek put Daphne, and it used to be my storage room. "If Alpha Derek's there, then forget it."
"He doesn't live there," Alvin paused for a moment and continued. "It has been assigned to someone else, so all your belongings have already been sent to the packhouse."
I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
I thought Derek and Daphne had already moved in together.
Alvin was the mature one while Rolf was much more vivacious. "Why do you wanna go there all of a sudden, Luna Tabitha? Heard there was just some old furniture stashed there."
Alvin shot him a glare, and Rolf immediately clammed up.
I remained silent for a while, ashamed of myself for wondering if Derek and Daphne had been living together.
Finally, I responded, "I had always thought that he dumped me because of Daphne, but now I realize that there's more behind it. You two stay with him all the time, so you gotta know something."
Rolf hit the brake, and the tires squealed.
Then he moved his hand away from the steering wheel and waved them before me. "Luna Tabitha, please stop."
Alvin calmly replied, "You know we don't pry into Alpha Derek's private stuff. And even if we knew what happened, we wouldn't dare to tell you. Please don't take it personally."
I covered my face with both hands, tears streaming through my fingers. "I know it's putting you in a difficult position, but I have no other choice. Alpha Derek apparently loathes my dad, yet he wouldn't tell me why. My dad's fresh out of surgery and still out cold. At the same time, the Silver Moon Pack has fallen apart. All leads are gone. Please, I just wanna know the truth."
"We ain't got much on it," replied Alvin.
"But for old times' sake, I could give you a hint. Maybe you wanna visit the Werewolf Cemetery."
The Werewolf cemetery? I was puzzled.
Had anyone passed away? But what did that have to do with my dad?
He had never hurt any werewolves.
Rolf remarked, "Before Alvin became Beta, Black Thorn Pack had another. As far as I know, he got a daughter called Elena. Alpha Derek grew up with her. So they are basically childhood sweethearts."
"She's Derek's fated mate?" I couldn't help but cut in.
Rolf shook his head and went on, "I dunno. She disappeared before Alpha Derek shifted. Later, the old Beta left 'cause everything in the pack reminded him of Elena. It was a shattering blow to Alpha Derek. By the time he found Elena, she was already dead."
"But what does this have to do with my dad?" I wondered.
Rolf and Alvin both fell into silence.
I knew that neither of them would tell me why, so I didn't go on pushing them.
We remained quiet along the way until the car arrived at the entrance of the Black Thorn Pack.
Returning to the familiar place once again, I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
Alvin politely asked, "Luna Tabitha, do you want us to take you to the packhouse?"
"That won't be necessary. I'll just walk there," I replied, getting out of the car.
Derek would soon divorce me, and the last thing I needed was more trouble.
Plus, everything here was a reminder of my good old days with Derek. I didn't wanna upset myself.
Back then, Derek treated me as if I were the most precious gem in the world.
Because of that, even though he was colder to me each time we met, I couldn't drop the hammer.
Just as I was about to pass by the packhouse, the door opened. Derek decked out in his slick, black suit.
It was like he'd been waiting for me, knowing I'd stroll by.
I watched as he came my way. Our past memories flashed across my mind.
But as he walked nearer, the indifference in his eyes snapped me right back to reality.
I fired off, fixing my eyes on him, "My dad's company's gone bust, and the Silver Moon Pack got attacked by rogues. Are you the one behind them?"
"Yeah," he answered very frankly.
"Is that baby yours?" I asked again.