Chapter 894

　　Tabitha was no longer the naive girl she once was. She had learned that in the rigid hierarchy of the pack, the closer you were to the top, the more resources you controlled. 　　Staying by Algernon's side was dangerous, but it was where the opportunities were. More importantly, by embedding herself in the Lycan's inner circle, she could better position Derek to win this fierce contest for power. 　　Derek woke up before dawn. Feeling the tension in his muscles, Tabitha wrapped her slender arms around his waist and brushed her nose against his bare back, savoring the lingering, comforting scent of him. 　　“Are you leaving now?" she asked in a muffled voice. 　　“Yeah. Things have been hectic with the pack lately. I need to head back now.” 　　“Well, but you still traveled all this way just to mark me?” Tabitha teased, her voice thick with sleep. 　　Derek suddenly flipped over, pinning her into the plush blankets. He nipped at her nape. “It's your fault for making this place smell so tempting.