Chapter 2

We never took the family photo. I took Leo straight home and started packing.

Just as I booked our tickets to the southern Sunstone Pack, Fiona sent me a video.

She was wearing an expensive moonstone necklace, and Bruce was standing behind her, gently fixing her hair.

That necklace had a special meaning. It was meant only for the pack’s Luna.

At the end of the video, Fiona taunted me, as always.

"The Luna's necklace, and the Alpha's love—both can be mine whenever I want."

The old me would have shown her just how sharp a Luna’s claws can be.

But now, watching Leo carefully organizing his little bow and arrows, I only had one thought: How pathetic.

I closed the video and confirmed our flight for the day after tomorrow.

It wasn't long before Bruce came home, carrying a warm moonberry pie.

Leo and I both stared.

He used to hate how sweet moonberry pie was.

Because of that, even though Leo inherited my obsession with moonberries, he always chose Bruce’s favorite foods for his birthday.

Why would he bring one home now?

Leo and I exchanged a look of disbelief.

Bruce walked in slowly. When he saw the open suitcases, his expression changed.

"Tony was crying his eyes out, so I stayed a little longer. On the way back, I remembered you two love moonberry pie, so I picked one up."

He looked at the luggage. "What's all this? Are you going on a trip?"

I shook my head, then nodded.

"Something like that."

With only two days left until the full moon, I didn’t want any surprises.

For some reason, my answer seemed to put him at ease. He continued, "The studio said you never took the photo. I rescheduled. How about tomorrow? I promise I won't be late this time."

He knelt in front of Leo, his voice sincere.

Leo, who was packing his bow, paused. He looked at Bruce, then at me.

He was torn, afraid to believe.

Seeing his hesitation, my heart softened.

"Okay," I said.

It's only for one last time, anyway.

As soon as I agreed, Leo's eyes lit up. He hugged his little bow and scampered into his room.

Once he was gone, I went back to packing. Bruce came and stood beside me, his familiar Alpha scent wrapping around me. He spoke, a hint of his old, practiced affection in his voice, the same tone he always used when he wanted to smooth things over.

"About what Leo called me today… 'Alpha'…"

My heart skipped a beat. I looked up at him.

He knelt down, placing the pie next to my hand. "My moon," he said, his voice a practiced mix of frustration and forced intimacy. "I know what you're thinking. You think I've been paying too much attention to Fiona and ignoring you and Leo."

"But I swear, it's just an Alpha’s duty to protect her. She's a single Omega mother. I just don't want to see her struggle."

He took my hand and placed it over his heart.

"Just give me a little more time. I'll sort things out with Fiona and her son. I won't let you or Leo down again."

I stared at him, trying to remember the last time he’d looked at me with such sincerity.

Maybe at our mating ceremony, when we clasped hands before the Moon Goddess and he swore to protect me for life.

Or maybe the day Leo was born. He held our tiny pup in his arms, his hands trembling, and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

"Avril," he’d said. "I'll never let you or our heir suffer."

I thought about the past and was silent for a long time.

Finally, I decided to tell him the truth.

"Bruce, actually…"