Chapter 5: The Alpha Who Arrived Too Late

(Bruce's POV)

An hour earlier.

Fiona was a mess of tears, her fingers clutching Bruce's sleeve.

"Bruce, what do I do? Tony fell from a tree! He's bleeding so much, I'm so scared."

Tony was sobbing uncontrollably. Without thinking, Bruce scooped him up and ran for the pack clinic, calling Avril on his way.

"Avril, tell Leo I'm sorry."

"Tony's hurt. I have to get him to the clinic."

"I don't know if I can make it by three. If you can't wait, just head home."

"Tell Leo I'm so sorry!"

He had expected Avril to argue.

He had expected her to ask where he was, why he was choosing Fiona again, or why their son's promised day together could be abandoned so easily.

Instead, she had gone silent.

That silence followed him all the way to the clinic.

The healer examined Tony and quickly assured Bruce that the boy had suffered only a minor injury.

A few scratches, a bruised arm, and a frightened pup were all that remained of the accident.

Bruce finally exhaled.

"Is he going to be alright?"

"He'll be fine," the healer replied. "Keep him resting for the evening."

Bruce nodded, but his eyes had already drifted toward the clock.

2:37.

He still had time.

"I'll be back," he told Fiona.

Fiona grabbed his hand. "You're leaving?"

"I promised Leo I'd take him to the amusement park."

For the first time, guilt flashed across her face.

"But Tony is scared. He needs you."

Bruce looked down at Tony.

The boy's eyes were red and watery, and his small fingers were wrapped around Bruce's sleeve.

"Dad... don't go."

That single word made Bruce freeze.

Dad.

Tony had never called him that before.

A strange warmth spread through his chest, followed immediately by guilt.

Leo had called him Dad countless times.

When Leo was frightened, he called for Dad.

When he learned to shoot his first arrow, he had run to Bruce and shouted, "Dad, look!"

When he woke from nightmares, Bruce had been the first person he searched for.

And now, when Leo needed him, Bruce was once again somewhere else.

He pulled out his phone.

No new messages from Avril.

He frowned.

She always replied, even when she was angry.

He called her.

The phone rang once.

Then twice.

Then went to voicemail.

Bruce's chest tightened.

He called again.

Nothing.

"Maybe she's still upset," Fiona whispered.

Bruce didn't answer.

Something about the silence felt wrong.

He checked the time again.

2:51.

He suddenly remembered Avril's expression at the studio.

The way she had held Leo's hand.

The way Leo had looked at him before saying, "Go on, Alpha. You're busy."

For the first time, Bruce wondered what those words had really meant.

He rushed outside.

"Bruce!" Fiona called after him.

"I have to go."

He got into his truck and drove toward the amusement park.

But halfway there, his phone rang.

It was the studio.

"Mr. Knightley? We're calling about today's family portrait. Your wife and son never arrived."

Bruce gripped the steering wheel.

"What do you mean? They should be there."

"We've been waiting since three. The appointment has already passed."

Bruce glanced at the clock.

3:18.

His stomach dropped.

"They're not there?"

"No, sir."

The call ended.

Bruce immediately turned the truck around.

He drove home as fast as he could.

When he opened the front door, silence greeted him.

The house felt strangely empty.

He walked into the living room.

The suitcases were gone.

Leo's little shoes were gone.

The bow he had carefully packed was gone.

Even the small wooden toys scattered around the house had disappeared.

Bruce stood completely still.

Then he saw the empty shelf beside the fireplace.

The framed photograph of the three of them was missing.

His breathing became uneven.

"Avril?"

No answer.

"Leo?"

Nothing.

He rushed into the bedroom.

Half of Avril's wardrobe was empty.

Leo's room was almost completely cleared out.

Bruce's gaze landed on the bed.

There, beneath the pillow, he found the protective talisman he had taken from Leo.

He had forgotten to bring it back.

His fingers trembled as he picked it up.

For the first time, Bruce understood.

They hadn't gone on a trip.

They had left him.