Third person's POV
"Back then was back then. Now is now. But I promise you, no matter what happens, I'll always love you," Tabitha said softly, gently stroking Kyrian's head. Her hand brushed through his soft fur, the warmth of a mother's love flowing through her touch.
Kyrian's voice was small, tinged with hope. "Mom, can you spare a little love for Dad? He's actually kind of pitiful."
His eyes showed sympathy for Derek. In his heart, both his parents were his greatest loves, and he longed for a complete family.
"There are plenty of people in this world who love your dad. He doesn't need mine," Tabitha replied, her tone carrying a hint of stubbornness. Despite her lingering feelings for Derek, the pain of the past made it hard for her to forgive.
"But to Dad, you're like oxygen to a fish. A fish can't live without oxygen," Kyrian said, snuggling closer to Tabitha.
He pressed his body against hers, as if clinging to her love would make it stay.
"I love Dad, and I love you. I want you both to be together. Other kids have both parents loving them. Didn't you say you love me? Since you're single now, can you forgive Dad for his past mistakes, for my sake? I think my siblings feel the same. None of us want you and Dad to be apart."
Kyrian, being older, could articulate his thoughts clearly, unlike his younger siblings.
His words were filled with a longing for a complete family, a longing that echoed like a wolf's howl in the quiet night, striking Tabitha's heart.
Tabitha hesitated, unsure how to respond without hurting Kyrian's innocent heart.
A child's world was simple and pure, unable to grasp the complexities of her and Derek's past.
"Mom, if you're worried about getting hurt again, I'll keep an eye on Dad for you. I won't let him hurt you again, okay? If he dares to bully you, I'll be the first to stand up to him. I'm strong now—I can even teach him a lesson. Dad really knows he was wrong. Please, Mom, forgive him." Kyrian's words warmed Tabitha's heart but also left her conflicted.
Of all her children, it was Kyrian, the one who tugged at her heartstrings the most, who made this request.
Kyrian radiated determination, resolved to protect his mother like a brave little wolf guarding his territory.
"Mom, I don't want anything else. I just want you and Dad to be together. When there's a parent-teacher meeting, you can come. When there's a family event at school, you and Dad can come together. I'll be so good, so well-behaved. Please, Mom, I'm begging you, okay?" Kyrian buried his face in Tabitha's chest, tears streaming down his face.
He knew this might be his only chance to keep his mother.
Tabitha's heart ached as she gently stroked his head.
Looking at Kyrian's face, Tabitha saw a reflection of her younger self.
That year, she had come home from school, excited, only to see Mark picking up Holly.
Holly walked up to her with a suitcase, coldly telling her to listen to her father—she was leaving.
Tabitha panicked, clinging to Holly's leg, begging, "Mom, I'll be good. I won't make you angry anymore. Please don't go. Stay with me, okay?"
As a young wolf abandoned by her mother, Tabitha had been filled with fear and despair.
Holly pushed her away, and Tabitha fell to the ground.
Even then, she limped after the car, chasing it and screaming for Holly to come back.
At that time, she had only one thought: Even if Holly was usually cold, as long as her mother was there, she had a mother. If Holly left, she'd have no one. Even if Holly stayed and remained distant, just seeing her every day would have been enough.
After Holly left, Tabitha spent every day hoping her mother would return. Every afternoon, seeing other mothers pick up their kids, bring them snacks, join them in family activities, hold their hands at the playground, and comfort them when they fell—it all felt like needles piercing her heart.
She had tasted the bitterness of growing up without a mother, and she had vowed to give her own children a happy, complete family.
But now, how was she any different from Holly?
She was still about to abandon her child, leaving them with an imperfect childhood.
"Kyrian," Tabitha held him tightly, unsure how to respond, only able to repeat, "I'm sorry."
"Mom, I don't want to hear 'I'm sorry.' I want you to promise me. You said you didn't know I existed before, but now you do. Are you still going to leave me?" Kyrian, true to being Derek's child, knew exactly how to tug at her heartstrings.