Fatal Justice

† Chapter Eighteen †

Sometimes it's those who feel unworthy who are the most worthy.

"What's your name?" 

The guard stood, after sliding another loaded plate of food into the cell, and paused in thought. For a moment, he thought the man would just leave. Slowly, they were speaking more and more with each encounter as the days passed painfully sluggishly. 

"Rowan," the man answered, "Rowan Arrlan. Yours?" 

"Joel." He settled, leaning against the wall, and the man met his gaze on the other side. 

"No last name?" Rowan looked suspicious.

He exhaled, "No." 

"You truly are a rogue, then?" 

He nodded. 

"I will give it to you," Rowan rubbed his jaw, that guarded look raising in his eyes, "You almost got me to believe that. I suppose I should have expected it from someone in the Laehn family." 

So, Rowan knew all along. He should have expected that.

Still, his reaction was a half-snarl, "I am nothing like them." 

"Are you now?" Rowan stepped up to the bars, eyes glowing, "It seems to me that you are a highly valued member of Conquistador. I saw the brand." 

His hand instinctively went behind his left ear and he felt the letter permanently branded into his skin. He had forgotten about it but the memory of how he had received it was still painful. He still remembered being pressed into the dirt while a glowing iron was burnt into his flesh, he remembered his own screams as a nine-year-old boy, and he wanted to dig his own claws through his flesh to get rid of the brand. 

"I am not a member anymore." 

"So you abandoned your title?" 

His teeth clenched, "Yes." 

"Fair enough," Rowan leaned back on his heels, "I will respect that. Your twisted family is looking for you." 

"What?" His blood froze beneath his skin. 

"A bounty has been placed on your head," Rowan continued, "I think your sister has been visiting packs nearby, picking off a few lives each time." 

Figures, he thought, Sutton was a traitor. A dead one, too, if he got his hands on her again. Still, the news that despite everything that had happened, his family was tracking him. He wondered how long he could stay hidden or if he could outrun them. But where would he go? 

"My mate is pregnant," Rowan stated and then paused. 

His thoughts slammed to a standstill and his eyes flickered to Rowan. For the first time since they had known each other, Rowan almost looked worried. Creases lined his forehead and his normally vibrant silver eyes were dull, and he knew exactly why, but he stayed silent. 

Rowan sighed heavily, almost in complete exhaustion, "I cannot watch another innocent life get stolen," he broke off again and paced a few steps before continuing, "She is due any day now. The full moon is coming up and the Alpha will lose all control, I am sure." 

"Leave then." He offered, quietly. 

"I cannot," Rowan's nostrils flared. 

Mates cannot be separated for long periods of time, he knew that. Even though he hadn't had one very long, he knew the mate bond would tug dangerously between them. He was beginning to see the heaviness of the situation that Rowan was trapped within. He couldn't leave nor could his mate. So what of the newborn? To be slaughtered by a psychotic Alpha? 

Even he flinched at the thought. 

"You said you had a plan," He accused lightly. 

Rowan inhaled deeply, "I did. But after the Alpha discovered I have a son, my plan fell through. I cannot trust the other pack members, they will do anything to survive." 

"How does this involve me?" 

Suddenly, Rowan's eyes cut to his with ferocity, "I believe we can help each other. I will help you escape from this prison... on one condition." 

"I'm listening," He inclined his head. 

"You have to take my newborn child and carry them to safety," Rowan's expression was stoic, "I do not care where, I just need them to be safe. I know you are capable enough, that is why I chose you." 

He was stunned for a moment. He had not expected this. Especially something that involved a child. He had never laid hands on a newborn, he had no idea how to care for one. How long would he have it? Where would he go? Was he worthy enough to protect this fragile being that had not yet been born into the world? He doubted himself immensely so. 

The last time he tried to protect someone, she had died a gruesome death, and those thoughts flooded his mind like a tsunami of pain. 

"I can't," He shrunk back into the shadows. 

Rowan frowned, "What do you mean? You have fight, it is in your blood." 

"I can't protect anyone," He admitted. Suddenly, he felt like a small boy again. Hiding from the demons around him. 

"So that is it?" Rowan's tone became harsh, "You think you cannot, so you just do not try? Is that what you do, you give up?" 

Give up, it triggered him. Braxton was sinisterly laughing above him as his blood seeped from his wounds in rivers. Give up, Braxton would taunt, you're too weak. He had always listened, keeping his head down to avoid another harsh blow, and that was when he had become a coward. Something twisted in his gut and it drew heat from his blood. 

That wasn't who he was anymore. 

His fists clenched. 

Braxton couldn't control him anymore. Fuck him, he snarled in his mind. He would do something that would have Braxton rolling in his damned grave. He would do something so drastically against everything he had been taught, Braxton wouldn't even recognize him. He had to stop living in the past, he needed to be his own person. 

Rowan's voice broke through his thoughts, "So, what is your choice?" 

His eyes connected with silver ones, and his heart thrummed strong, "Alright, I'll do it." 

 ※       ※      ※

I think you already know who...

*wiggles eyebrows* 

 But listen, you guys are kinda scaring me. It's so dead quiet...I feel like I'm all alone in this dark little corner of the world... *pokes at someone* Is you ded?