Rebirth Of The Cursed Breeder

Chapter 3: The Evil’s Son

Five years later...

I found myself caring for the child, raising him, despite my initial reluctance. I named him Diavo, meaning "devil child." Strangely, despite my occasional bouts of irritation, Diavo never disobeyed me. He was incredibly diligent, often helping me tend to our crops.

Indeed, after five long years, Iverness Valley had undergone a remarkable transformation. Our economy had begun to thrive, thanks to the improvements in our agricultural practices, which I had taught them, showing them the right way to cultivate the land.

Furthermore, some of the young men remaining in the valley decided to venture into the cave, mining the valuable minerals within. This further boosted Iverness Valley's fortunes, making us more prosperous than ever before. We even started holding festivals and inviting tourists to visit and enjoy the beauty of Iverness Valley.

Like today, we're holding a salsa dance festival on the beach, and there's a decent crowd, so much so that the young women working at the beachside pub are struggling to keep up.

I was carrying a basket of freshly picked berries, a gift for Anastasia, the pub's bartender, when I saw him. He was standing near the entrance, his back to me, his long blond hair catching the sunlight. My heart lurched in my chest, a cold dread seeping through my veins. It was him. The man from the woods. The man who had taken everything from me.

"Mama, what's wrong?" Diavo asked, his innocent eyes mirroring my own growing fear.

"Nothing, sweetheart," I forced a smile, trying to mask the tremor in my voice. "Just a little tired."

I hurried towards Anastasia, my steps quickening with each passing moment. I needed to get Diavo away from him, away from the danger that lurked in those familiar blue eyes.

"Anastasia, darling, I brought you some berries," I said, my voice strained. "I hope you like them."

Anastasia, ever the cheerful soul, accepted the gift with a warm smile. "Thank you, Letitia! These are perfect for my berry crumble."

But as I turned to leave, I saw him. He was staring at me, a predatory gleam in his eyes, his lips curled into a cruel smile. My blood ran cold. He had recognised me.

"Diavo, come on," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "Let's go home."

I grabbed Diavo's hand, pulling him away from the pub, my heart pounding in my chest. I could feel his eyes on my back, burning into me. He was following us.

"Mama, what's wrong?" Diavo asked again, his voice filled with confusion.

"Nothing, sweetheart," I said, my voice tight with fear. "Just a little tired. We should go home and rest."

I quickened my pace, pulling Diavo along with me. The festival's music, once a vibrant backdrop to our day, now seemed to echo with a sinister undertone. Every shadow, every rustle of leaves, sent a shiver down my spine.

"Mama, are we running?" Diavo asked, his small hand gripping mine tighter.

"No, sweetheart," I said, forcing a smile that felt brittle on my lips. "Just a little walk. We'll be home soon."

But I knew, deep down, that we were running. Running from a past I thought I'd left behind, from a nightmare I'd desperately tried to forget.

"Mama, why is that man looking at us?" Diavo asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"He's just... curious," I said, my voice strained. "Don't worry, sweetheart. He won't hurt us."

"You really think you can run from me again after five years, Letitia Astrum?" the mysterious man yelled, his voice laced with anger.

I spun around, my heart hammering in my chest. Diavo was behind me, his small body hidden behind my legs. My eyes met his, and I saw the fear mirrored in his innocent gaze. I had to protect him. I had to keep him safe.

"You monster!" I screamed, my voice shaking with rage. "You think you can just waltz back into my life after what you did? You're nothing but a r****t, a vile, evil creature!"

The man's face hardened, his eyes narrowing.

"I've been watching over you all this time, Letitia," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I left you that day because my right-hand man was almost killed by the Hunter in the woods. I had to take care of him."

His words hung in the air, a twisted justification for his actions. But I didn't believe him. He was a liar, a manipulator, a predator. He hadn't left me out of concern for his friend. He had left me because he knew he couldn't control me, couldn't keep me trapped in his web of deceit.

"Don't try to spin this, you sick bastard!" I spat, my voice filled with venom. "You left me to rot, to deal with the consequences of your actions. You're a coward, a monster!"

He stepped closer, his shadow looming over me. "You're wrong, Letitia," he said, his voice a low purr. "I've been watching over you, protecting you. And now, I'm back to claim what's mine."

"Do you think you can claim something after five years of just disappearing? You—"

"Do you think you can claim something after five years of just disappearing? You—" I started, my voice trembling with anger.

"Letitia, please," he said, his voice softening slightly. "Hear me out. I have an explanation."

I hesitated, my anger battling with a flicker of curiosity. He had never offered an explanation before, never tried to justify his actions. But the fear that had gripped me for the past five years was still strong.

"I left my identity pendants for you that day," he said, his voice low and intense. "I hoped you would trace me, just like I traced you."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "Why? Why would you do that?"

"Because I knew you were my fated mate," he said, his gaze unwavering. "That's why I took you to the woods that day. That's why we did what we did."

His words hit me like a physical blow. Fated mate. The concept was both terrifying and strangely alluring. It explained everything, the inexplicable pull I felt towards him, the way he had haunted my dreams for years.

"But why did you leave?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. "Why did you abandon me?"

He looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of regret and longing.

"I had to," he said. "My right-hand man was almost killed by the Hunter. I had to save him. I had to protect him."

He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to touch my face.

"But now I'm back," he said, his voice a soft caress. "And I'm not leaving again."

"No! You cared more about your right-hand man than you did about me, your so-called fated mate," I scoffed. "Don't ever come near me again!"

With that, I scooped up Diavo and marched towards the cottage, slamming the door shut behind us. Even though I knew he would follow me, I couldn't bring myself to face him again.

We were barely inside, the familiar scent of pine and earth filling my lungs, when a deafening roar shook the ground. A blinding flash of light illuminated the sky, followed by a wave of heat that knocked me off my feet. I shielded Diavo with my body, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Mama!" Diavo cried, his voice filled with terror.

I scrambled to my feet, my mind racing. What was that? Where had it come from?