Third person's POV
Kyrian obediently climbed over and was immediately pulled into Tabitha's embrace.
From here, they could see the beautiful scenery outside. Kyrian realized that the training grounds looked completely different from this angle—probably because his mother was by his side.
Tabitha smiled softly, her voice warm. "I chose your name. You were born with all my love."
"Mom, you must have loved Dad a lot back then," Kyrian said, looking up with curious eyes.
"Yes, very much," Tabitha admitted honestly. "No matter how I feel about your dad now, you are my precious child, born after seven months of carrying you. Your dad took you away, and I didn't even know you existed. That's why I missed so many years of your life. But you need to know, I thought about you every single day. There wasn't a moment when I didn't miss you or wonder about you. I love you more than anyone in the world."
Kyrian's mood brightened, a happy smile spreading across his face. "Mom, I love you too. So, so much."
"Good boy," Tabitha said, resting her chin gently on his forehead. "I can't interfere with your dad's decisions, but you have to be careful here. If you're ever in danger, call for help immediately, okay? You're still just a child. Protecting yourself is the most important thing. Nothing else matters as much."
"Don't worry, Mom. Dad assigned people to help me. They've saved me a few times when I couldn't go on. But Dad says a man has to be strong, to endure without crying."
"Ugh, don't listen to that nonsense. The most important thing for a child is to be happy and healthy. Cry if you need to, laugh if you want to. That's a special right children have. Your dad just has issues. He didn't have a happy childhood, and he doesn't want you to have one either. Don't follow his example."
Derek, who had been quietly approaching to eavesdrop, froze when he heard Tabitha calling him a psychological mess. He awkwardly rubbed his nose.
Kyrian, however, burst into laughter, a small dimple appearing on his left cheek. For the first time, it was clear that he was just a little boy.
But Tabitha found it strange. She didn't have dimples, and neither did Derek. None of the Black Thorn Pack members she'd met had them either.
Yet Kyrian had one—a single dimple on his left cheek.
Could it be a genetic trait from her real family?
Unfortunately, the trail had gone cold. Her grandmother had passed away two years ago, never recalling any useful clues before her death.
"Look at you, smiling like a little prince from a fairy tale. Did your dad tell you not to smile?"
Kyrian nodded. "How did you know, Mom? Dad says I shouldn't show too much emotion, so people can't guess what I'm thinking."
Tabitha snorted. "I knew it. That serious-faced man probably drilled that into you."
As Tabitha's child, Kyrian had an instinctive attachment to her scent—a deep, soul-level connection.
He loved hearing Tabitha tease Derek. No one in the world understood Derek better than Tabitha.
Unlike when he was with Daphne, who constantly nagged him to please Derek so he'd spend more time with him, Kyrian had his own doubts about his father's behavior.
Tabitha's teasing felt like the key to unlocking those mysteries.
"But if Dad's so bad, why did you fall for him in the first place?" Kyrian asked, his young voice echoing in the room.
His eyes sparkled with curiosity, so much like Tabitha's when she was younger.
Tabitha chuckled, her tone playful. "I was foolish back then, sweetheart. Do you know how many people were after me? Too many to count. But your dad's handsome face just swept me off my feet."
As a once highly sought-after she-wolf, Tabitha's memories of the past were bittersweet.
"If you'd married someone else, there'd be no me or my siblings," Kyrian mumbled, his ears drooping as a faint sadness emanated from him.
Tabitha's heart tightened. She could feel her son's sorrow.
Quickly, she changed her tone, soothing him gently. "Your dad wasn't all bad. He had his moments. When I was pregnant with you, I was so happy, eagerly waiting for you to arrive."
"And now? Dad still treats you well. I know he's done a lot to protect you," Kyrian said, tilting his head, his voice clear and earnest.