Welcome Home, Doctor Zack

Chapter 5

Amy

That's it. I looked at the behemoth before me.

After a night of debating, I finally decided to enroll Zim here—the same school I went to in elementary school. I hadn’t slept much, replaying every possible outcome, every possible way this could hurt or help him.

Zim stood beside me, a somber expression on his face. Close enough that I could feel his warmth.

His lips pressed into a thin line, the stubborn set of his jaw telling me this was going to be a battle. I knew that look, it was the same one he gave when I told him to eat his vegetables. Or when he was scared but didn’t want to admit it.

It was clear he absolutely hated school, thanks to the school we'd run away from.

“Come on, boy. This place is cool,” I told him, trying to sound casual. I crouched just slightly so I was closer to his eye level. I caught the quick flicker of his eyes toward me, “The kid’s here are friendly and trust me, you’ll make a lot of friends soon.”

“It’s okay mommy,” he mumbled, but his tone was flat. He gave a reluctant nod, and I could almost feel the walls he’d built around himself. Walls I hated that life had forced him to build so young.

“Don’t act that way baby, you’ll be fine, you’ll get along, see it looks lively here.” I said and kissed his cheeks.

He was still not very happy, but obediently let me hold his hand and walk into the school gate. I didn’t let go.

The schoolyard stretched out in front of me, and for a moment, I wasn’t twenty-four with a son who just refused to walk in. I was ten years old again, clutching my own dad’s hand, wearing a backpack too big for my shoulders.

The faded red bricks, the peeling white paint around the windows. I could almost hear the laughter that used to echo here, the sound of sneakers squeaking on pavement during recess. But now it looked a bit different and well maintained. Only the same chipped paint on the windowsills, same hum of kids’ laughter and shouting from the playground.

I tightened my grip on Zim’s hand, pushing away the ghosts of those days. This was about him now, not me. I needed the best for him. Even if it meant swallowing my own unease. At least I can afford this for him if I work my shifts right.

I sighed as we walked inside, the air smelled faintly of floor polish and crayons. Nostalgic, yet strange. I checked Zim’s posture without thinking, making sure he wasn’t shrinking into himself. I walked straight to the principals office taking not of a few changes in the school.

The principal’s office door was open. I knocked lightly and pushed the door open.

I walked inside and we were greeted by the principal or so I thought. A young man who introduced himself as Ben was younger than I expected, definitely not the gray-haired man I remembered. With a confident smile that seemed almost too easy for a man running a school,

He stood when we entered, smiling, his eyes seeming to brighten. “Good morning.” He said. “Can I help you?”

“Yes,” I said, guiding Zim forward. My hand rested between his shoulder blades. “I’m Amy, and this is my son, Zim. We’re here about enrollment.”

“And you ..are?” I asked in confusion, guiding Zim forward.

“I’m Ben,” he said warmly, offering his hand. “Actually, I’m the acting principal. The head’s away handling other business, so I’m filling in for now.”

Acting principal? That explained it, but something in his tone… I couldn’t place it. Like he was too eager to convince me it was normal. Something about the way his gaze lingered on us… measuring. Not unfriendly, but like he was reading more than he let on. I shifted slightly, instinctively placing myself between him and Zim.

“So,” he continued, leaning forward, “we’ll just get a few details for Zim’s enrollment. Age, prior schooling, any health concerns…” I gave him the basics while Zim slouched in the chair, clearly counting the seconds until he could get out of here. I answered carefully, aware of how much of my child I was handing over to strangers. We went through all the procedures and acquired everything that Zim needed.

“I think we’re good to go.” He finally said. He then looked at Zim. He sat with his head down and said nothing.

“He’s a good kid. Just a little shy.” I said smiling and trying to save some points for him. I squeezed his shoulder gently.

“That's okay. Or I can have someone take him around so he can get familiar with the place beforehand.” Ben suggested, “so you and I can have a quick chat.”

Zim’s eyes flicked to mine, silently asking if it was necessary. I hesitated for half a second before agreeing. That half second felt like a war inside my chest. It would give Zim a head start at figuring out the place without me hovering, and maybe I could get a better sense of this acting principal.

“Go on,” I said, forcing my voice to stay calm, and he slid off the chair with a muttered “Fine.”

I watched my son follow another kid down the hall. I memorized the way he walked, the way his shoulders hunched slightly. I caught a flicker of unease in his eyes. I knew he’d be fine… but that didn’t stop the little twist in my stomach. It never did.

I turned to Ben who was on his phone. He looked at me and assured me this was the best school for him. I nodded, but my eyes kept drifting toward the hallway.

Zack.

I pushed the school gate open, that scent—light, warm, threaded with something wild—hit me like a punch to the gut. My wolf reacted instantly, pushing forward in my chest, urging me closer to our pup. It didn’t take long to spot him. I didn’t need to see his face to know it was him. Zim.

I had no idea they were coming. But Ben contacted me. He's my Beta, and he's helping my dad manage the school while he's away on business. We have no secrets, including meeting Amy at the bar and meeting my son, Zim. It was obvious he knew who they were the moment they met. He messaged me, offering to help me delay Amy so Zim and I could chat.

Back in the hospital I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were connected and I only wished I could meet him privately and here he was, not with Amy. I had to make it quick.

He sat on a swing, small hands wrapped around the chains, scuffing his shoe in the dirt. No smile. No spark. Just that faraway look kids get when the world feels heavier than it should. Just… Lost in his thoughts.

I slowed my steps, forcing myself to breathe evenly. This had to look casual. Coincidental. If Amy found out I was here on purpose… No. I couldn’t risk it. I look left and right just to make sure no one was looking .

“Hey there,” I said, stopping just short of him, keeping my voice light. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

His eyes flicked up, sharp, more guarded than a kid his age should be. “You didn’t expect it?”

That tone. My chest tightened. “I come by sometimes,” I said with a shrug I didn’t feel. “Didn’t know you went to this school.”

"I'm not. Mom brought me here. She wants me to go to school here."

"Okay. Where is she?" I asked deliberately.

He shrugged. "She's talking to the principal."

"Leaving you here alone?" I asked deliberately again. I had no choice but to ask.

"Isn't this what you'd like to see?" Zim looked at me, a sly smile suddenly flashing across his face. "You want to talk to me, right? Stop pretending. Sit down."

Didn't see that coming. But why not?

I smiled and sat down next to him.

“So, what’s your relationship with mommy?”He tilted his head, studying me. Too perceptive. “You smell… familiar,”

The words landed heavier than he could possibly understand, but my wolf caught every ounce of meaning. My pulse kicked hard, and I had to keep my smile from faltering.

“Familiar, huh? Maybe that’s because I’ve been around you guys several times, she’s just a classmate like she told you.” I said taking a sit next to him. I kept my eyes on my surroundings and my senses alert for Amy.

"No, it's more than that." He waved his finger.

I smiled, trying not to let anything else show on my face. "Why do you think that?"

"Because Mommy scolded you, that means something happened between you. And you and Mommy smell so much alike, you..." He had just finished speaking when, as if remembering something, his expression darkened.

I noticed the shift in his expression and caught onto it. "What? Why aren't you going on?"

He sighed. "Mommy won't let me bring it up. I shouldn't bring up the smell thing anymore."

"Why?" I leaned against the swing’s frame, lowering my voice. “Maybe you’ve got a good nose. Better than most.”

His eyes widened, just slightly, but it was enough to send a rush of heat through me.

He looked confused at first, but the way his eyes narrowed told me he was thinking hard. Good. He should. The more aware he became, the sooner I’d know where his Instincts truly lay.

I asked him again,“You don’t seem to forget how people smell?”

“Yeah,” he muttered. “It’s like I notice stuff nobody else does. Makes me feel… different. And not in a good way.”

My heartbeat picked up. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, a primal recognition threading through me. It wasn’t just the things he noticed, it was the way he noticed them. The focus, the precision. Most kids wouldn’t think twice about it. But this wasn’t normal. This was instinct.

I wanted to tell him that difference wasn’t bad — that sometimes it was exactly what made someone strong. But I kept my voice even. “Maybe it’s not a bad thing. Maybe it’s just part of who you are.”

I forced a smile. “Not like that. Seems you’ve got a gift.”

He tilted his head, studying me like he was trying to figure out if I was teasing him. “Mom says it’s weird.”

I leaned forward, my elbows on my knees, hiding the way my wolf reacted to every word. “That bother you?”

“Yeah, a lot.” he muttered. “I can taste things too. Like… way stronger than before. But it’s not just that. In my previous school, I argued with a kid in my class. Everyone said the cafeteria soup was fine, but I told them it tasted like metal. No one else believed. They called me a liar, they called me a freak.It’s like I notice stuff nobody else does. Makes me feel… different. And it sucks so bad.”

No, it wasn't bad at all. On the contrary, it was fantastic. I couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

Zim didn't know it, but I did. He was a werewolf, a hybrid, and every one of his bodily functions and senses were heightened, in the direction of a werewolf.

A reckless thought began to build in my chest. Maybe… maybe it was time to tell him. Not all of it, not yet—but enough for him to know I wasn’t just another man passing through his life.

But how should I say it, in a way that won't scare him?

"Okay, enough about me." He patted his thigh, pulled himself together, and looked at me. "Let's get back to your relationship with Mommy.Just tell me, I know how to keep a secret because I don’t wanna get mummy worried."

His gaze narrowed slightly, curious but still guarded. “So… if you’re not just her classmate, then what are you? ”

At this moment, it occurred to me. I smiled faintly, careful. “Someone who might understand you better than you think.”

"What?" He frowned.

“You’re a smart kid Zim, I like you, you’ve a sharp brain like a smart wolf, ever heard of them?” I asked him as his face lit up.

Zim’s posture shifted, his wariness melting just enough to let something else through — interest. Real interest. For the first time since we started talking, his gaze met mine fully.

“Do you believe in them?” he asked. “More than you think,” I said, my voice low.

“Mom says they’re just… fairy tales.”

I held his stare, my wolf stirring just beneath my skin, aching to tell him everything.

It was a dangerous thing — this conversation. But it felt right. He didn’t pull away. In fact, he leaned in slightly, as if the words I spoke were pulling him closer. I wanted to tell him. I wanted him to know exactly who — what — I was.

But before I could take that step, I received a message from Ben, , Amy’s on her way to the playground.

I swallowed the frustration rising in my chest. “Actually, I remembered I had something to do. How about we talk next time?” I said, forcing a smile.

“Sure,” Zim replied. I could tell he was in high spirits, and interrupting the conversation was a bit painful for him.

I started to feel uncomfortable too, wanting to hug him. I knew I couldn’t tell him everything — not now — but I could leave a door open.

"How about we reschedule a time, you know, to chat," I suggested, shrugging. "Of course, when your mom won't find out."

He got the idea, smiled, and nodded. "Okay. How do I find you?"

"You find Ben. Just tell him you need help with Zack. He'll find a way." After a moment's hesitation, I reached out and ruffled his hair, saying goodbye gently. "Bye, my boy. See you next time."

"Bye, Zack." He smiled at me.

As I walked away, a rare warmth spread through me. I hadn’t just talked to him — I’d connected with him.

Amy and I don't have a better way to fix it for the time being. But fate had it that Amy had sent Zim to this school. She didn't know I'd bought it, and now all the students there were werewolves, including Zim. I felt a bit relieved from the assurance that Zim was an hybrid. We had a good conversation and maybe this was one of the many times I was going to reconnect with my boy. And now, more than ever, I was looking forward to the next time.