99 No-Shows Later, My Son Calls Him Alpha & We Left

When my mate, Benjamin Hayes, abandoned our son and me to rush to Grace Carter's side for the 99th time, I began teaching Gabriel to call him "Alpha Benjamin." At first, Gabriel resisted. He was only 8 years old, and his father was still his hero. The breaking point came on the day of Gabriel's Family Field Day, when Grace called Benjamin in tears yet again. "Benjamin, can you come to Thomas's Family Field Day? He won't stop crying because his dad isn't here." "I'll be there." When the call ended, Benjamin reached for Gabriel's hand, already preparing the same apology he had given countless times before. Gabriel quietly stepped out of reach. "A month ago, you left me at the hospital before my surgery because Thomas needed you. Then a week ago, at my birthday party, you took Thomas's side in front of everyone and called me selfish. That's when I realized maybe I'm not really your son." Gabriel held his gaze. "So there's no need for you to worry about me, Alpha Benjamin." Benjamin stared at him in shock. I was proud of Gabriel, though it hurt that he had been forced to grow up this way. After days of helping him accept the truth, he had finally stopped waiting for Benjamin to change. Gabriel drew himself up and gave Benjamin a stiff, formal nod. "Thank you for bringing me here, Alpha Benjamin. You should go be with the boy you consider your real son. Mom is enough for me today." ****** Lauren's POV: Benjamin's shock hardened into anger as he turned on me. "Lauren, is this how you're raising the Alpha heir?" Gabriel stepped in front of me and lifted his chin. "Alpha, you don't get to criticize my mom." I looked down at the hand Gabriel had hidden behind his back. His fingers trembled despite his brave expression. Gabriel had spent three months looking forward to this day. He got up early every morning to practice for the events because he was determined not to disappoint the father he idolized. Benjamin had repaid that devotion by walking away from him again. I shook my head and took Gabriel's hand. "Do you really have to go to Thomas's event today?" Benjamin opened his mouth to answer, but his phone rang. The moment he picked up, Grace's tearful voice came through the line. "Where are you? Thomas's event is about to start." "I'm on my way." When the call ended, an apologetic look flickered across Benjamin's face. "Lauren, I'm sorry." He had already made his choice. There was nothing left to discuss, so I took Gabriel's hand and walked into the school without another word. At the opening assembly, Benjamin sat onstage in the place of honor reserved for Blackridge Pack's Alpha. Grace sat beside him in the Luna's seat. The sight pulled me back to the hospital a month earlier. That night, one message from Grace had been all it took for Benjamin to abandon Gabriel and me at the hospital. No matter how often I called, he gave me the same answer. "Wait for me. I'll be there soon." Even after Gabriel came out of surgery, Benjamin never showed up. Gabriel tugged at my hand, pulling me back to the present. "Mom, the games are starting." I nodded and led Gabriel toward the field. After taking part in a few events with him, I stepped away to buy water. When I returned, Gabriel stood across from Thomas with red-rimmed eyes and both fists clenched at his sides. Before I could reach them, Benjamin rushed over, pulled Thomas into his arms, and soothed him in a low voice. Then he rounded on Gabriel with a scowl. "Were you bullying Thomas again?" Before Gabriel could explain, several children nearby spoke up. "Alpha, Gabriel said you were his dad." "Is that true?" Grace pulled Benjamin aside and whispered something in his ear. His expression changed immediately. He pointed at Gabriel. "You're too young to be telling lies like that. Thomas is my son." Gabriel's head snapped up. He stared at Benjamin in disbelief, but Benjamin avoided his eyes, put an arm around Thomas, and led him away. Whatever hope I still had for Benjamin died in that moment. I hugged Gabriel and held him until he calmed down, then asked his teacher if we could leave early. As soon as we got home, I began drafting a mate-bond dissolution petition. About three hours later, Benjamin came home as though nothing had happened. He wrapped his arms around me from behind and nuzzled the side of my neck. "As the Alpha, it's my duty to care for everyone in the pack. I hope you and Gabriel will understand." I pulled free without answering and placed the petition on the table. "Sign it. This is best for all of us." The confusion on Benjamin's face turned to panic. "You're my Luna. No one understands me better than you do. Why would you do this? You're joking, aren't you?" I gave him a humorless smile and pushed the petition closer to him. "I don't want to be your Luna anymore." The moment he realized I was serious, Benjamin tore the petition apart. Then his phone chimed. He read the message, pulled his coat back on, and headed for the door. Before the door closed, he called over his shoulder, "We'll talk when I get back. As the Luna, you should understand my responsibilities." My tears splashed onto the torn scraps at my feet. Gabriel came out of his room and wrapped his arms around me. "Don't be sad, Mom." His voice shook, but he sounded certain. "I don't want him to be my dad anymore either."