Tabitha's POV
My dreams were always about a kid.
There was a time when I dreamed every night of a beautiful field of flowers, and a kid with a garland in his hand was coming toward me.
With a smile, he put it on my head.
The dream was so real that I could still feel the gentle touch of the garland when I woke up.
I stopped frowning. "Thank you, sweetie."
"Mommy, pretty." Kyrian was so happy that he kept grinning.
Looking at his smile, I felt an inexplicable warmth and familiarity as if he really was my boy.
He was just a little boy, yet he was already so caring. I bet plenty of women would fall for him in the future.
I gently pecked his cheek while cupping his face and once again sighed silently, wishing he were my kid.
I patted his knee to remove some of the weeds and dirt.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Derek standing far away on the hillside.
He didn't come nearer. Maybe he was worried that if he came over, it would upset me.
Kyrian sat beside me and watched the river flow.
If it were warmer, we could go swimming, but for now, we could only pick up stones by the river.
Kyrian usually played with advanced toys at home, but he also enjoyed this a lot.
The splashes of water caused by throwing pebbles into the water would make him burst into laughter.
Occasionally, a school of small fish would swim by, and he would clap his hands with joy. "Fish! Small fish!"
I smiled, "How about I take you fishing when the weather gets warmer?"
Seemed Kyrian didn't know what fishing meant, but he'd be happy as long as he was with me.
We played by the water for a long time, and then Derek came over and said it was time for breakfast.
I instinctively wanted to pick Kyrian up, but as I crouched down, I remembered my injured hand.
"Let me," Derek said. Then he picked Kyrian up with one hand and grabbed mine with the other.
I struggled but to no avail.
Derek had great strength. He grabbed my hand tightly.
As a werewolf, I was supposed to have extraordinary strength, but at this moment, I couldn't break free from him whatsoever.
I gave it a try and then gave up, letting him lead me away.
Kyrian was happy seeing us together, and he kept babbling, "Daddy, Mommy."
Derek didn't show any discontent when he heard that. He turned his head and kissed Kyrian on the cheek. "Good boy."
I felt that his hand holding mine was burning.
It was as burning as our relationship that had long ended, which made me want to break free and escape.
I didn't know what Derek was up to, but clearly, he wanted me to get close to Kyrian.
Did he think that by doing this, he could make up for the pain he had made me suffer?
He really thought I could forget the pain so easily?
Those memories were like sharp blades cutting my body, and even though they had healed, I could still see the scars.
It was a symbol of my failure, something I'd never forget.
As we approached the tent, I took the opportunity to break free from Derek's grasp and quickened my pace to leave.
Kyrian pleaded with Derek. He came down from Derek's arms and ran towards me. "Mommy, hold my hand."
I remembered who I was. I shouldn't get too involved with Daphne's son.
So, this time, Kyrian's request wasn't met. Seeing that I remained still, Kyrian became anxious and kept calling me.
Then Derek's voice rang out. "Hug him, Tabitha. It's been ages since the last time he saw you. You have no idea how much he loves you. When you weren't around, he missed you so much."
I stopped in my tracks, overwhelmed by complex emotions.
I turned around. Looking into Kyrian's hopeful eyes, I finally reached out and embraced him.
He tightly wrapped his arms around my neck, and at that moment, I felt an indescribable connection.