Tabitha's POV
I looked at Noah in surprise.
I never expected him to make such a speech.
"You cannot hide it if you truly love one. If you don’t love Tabitha, you wouldn't go out of your way to come here for her; neither would you see Lucian as an enemy. Even I as a kidnapper know that if you love someone, you should give her all your affection; if not, you don’t get to hurt her. When you hurt her, don't you feel hurt yourself?"
Derek put Kyrian down and walked towards Noah.
As he approached, Noah did not take a step back.
My heart jumped faster as I felt nervous for Noah.
Derek was tall and slender, standing half a head taller than the skinny Noah. The overwhelming aura of Alpha loomed over young Noah.
"Want me to be at your call?" Derek sneered coldly. The next second, his gun was aimed at Noah's head.
"I can spare him if you insist, but you’ll have to die on his behalf."
"Sure! Go ahead and kill me." Noah agreed readily.
There was no hesitation in his voice.
"Bang."
Everyone closed their eyes at the sound. But it turned out to be Derek’s voice.
Noah's eyebrows furrowed tightly together.
Derek withdrew the gun as a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes. "You’re brave indeed. But no one can die on his behalf."
With that, he walked towards Lucian. At that very moment, Lucian took out of his gun and aimed it at Derek’s forehead.
Crystal’s voice suddenly rang in my mind.
Its tone was not calm any longer, but rather tinged with a hint of worry.
"Tabitha, Leo’s very weak now. He might not be able to take over Derek's body."
I knew what Crystal meant.
And I knew how deadly Lucian’s gun was.
Derek was in his human form now. He was unable to resist the harm from a bullet.
I looked around and found that the members of Black Thorn Pack were everywhere around this small island.
Each one of them was a formidable warrior.
If Lucian pulled the trigger, the consequences would be disastrous.
Everyone on the island, including Aiden, Julia, and Noah, would get implicated.
I would never allow that to happen.
I went forward to Lucian and Derek, taking a deep breath before speaking.
“That’s enough. Stop it.” There was a hint of exhaustion in my voice.
Derek and Lucian both looked at me in surprise.
"Derek, I will go back with you. But you cannot harm anyone on this island."
"Trust me, Tabitha. I can save you," Lucian said immediately.
I was well aware that as long as Lucian pulled the trigger, there would be no escape for him.
I had only known him for less than half a month. How could I possibly risk his life?
I shook my head. "I truly want to go back with him. Don't forget your duty. You need to protect this island."
I turned to Derek and said, "Let's go."
"Do you mean it?" Derek asked in a low voice.
I tugged at his coat and nodded. "Yes."
“Let’s go then.” He gathered the stray strands of hair on my face and tucked them behind my ear with slender fingers. There was a rare touch of tenderness in his eyes.
I looked at him in disbelief, not sure if I heard him correct.
Derek bent down, picked up Kyrian, and then reached out towards me. The sea breeze lifted the hem of his clothes.
The sunlight cast a gentle glow on him.
Did I just see tenderness in Derek's eyes? Was I dreaming?
I dared not question his mind and placed my hand on his palm immediately.
I fell into his arms as he gave me a slight pull.
"Let’s go home."
He uttered coldly, shattering my illusion. I had to take a step and follow him.
As I passed by Aiden and Noah, they both looked at me with reluctance.
I gave them a gentle smile.
Lucian didn’t say anything. He simply kept watching me board the helicopter.
I left the island without saying goodbye. My eyes fell on that small wooden house and that giant cherry tree.
And there stood Julia in front of the house. The children were all there seeing me off.
Lucian had turned to leave. The sunlight cast a glow on his back when he walked into the depth of the forest alone.
Goodbye, island.
I closed my eyes. It was a pity that I hadn’t seen the cherry tree to bloom.
Now that Derek was making such a big deal about it, everyone would know that I was back. My plan would be ruined.
"Regret to leave?" Derek's deep voice sounded in my ears.
I shook my head and didn’t know what to say.
‘If I tell him my true feelings, he would surely get angry; if I lie, he would tell it easily.’
My fear for him had taken root in every cell of my body. I just didn't know what to say.
I trembled out of instinct as Derek leaned towards me.
He reached out and pulled me into his arms. I dared not struggle and remained motionless against his chest, listening to his strong and powerful heartbeat.
I hunched my body, unable to read Derek's mind; nor could I guess how he would torment me after we got home.
As the helicopter landed on the runway of the Black Thorn Pack, I felt inexplicably terrified.
Derek's gaze fell upon me.
I tried to read his expression.
He seemed to be angry. But I didn’t do or say anything. What was he angry about?