Fatal Justice

† Chapter Twenty-Three †

If you love them, let them go. 

He had made up his mind. 

Before dawn, he snuck back to the little creek that wasn't far away. Anise was awake and her little brows were furrowed. He knew she was hungry and he knew he couldn't keep her any longer. She needed women to care for her, as they knew all the secrets to raise a newborn. He wouldn't be any use to her any longer. 

After careful observation of the warriors through the night, he had gained a general idea of what this pack was like. They operated with kindness towards each other. He hadn't sensed a single wolf with an Omega status and that spoke volumes to him. Even more so, just witnessing an Alpha cry was enough to persuade him. 

He gently dipped his fingers into the creek and wet Anise's cheeks. It was the only exposed skin that would keep his scent. Her blanket had lost its scent, absorbing the scent of nature as they traveled, and he couldn't risk their trackers finding him after he went. 

He hummed to Anise when she looked like she was about to cry in protest. She instantly became absorbed with the slight rumble in his chest. He hadn't made such noises before but to his wolf, it was natural around the young, so he let his wolf guide him. 

When he was sure Anise was scentless, at least from him, he stood and covered her skin again. Her eyes were wide as they gazed up at him. He gently rocked her and took one last final moment to admire her innocent features. She smiled up at him and reached out to grasp his thumb finger with her entire hand. 

In a way, this was goodbye for them. 

She released his finger and he washed her hand one more time to remove his scent from her skin. Eventually, he shook his head to clear his lingering thoughts before trekking back to the pack before it became too light that he would be spotted. 

After carefully crossing the border once more, he snuck into the packhouses. He observed windows drawn with curtains, no lights on as of yet, and then he sprinted the short distance to the Alpha's house. Or at least, the one he knew the Alpha was in. 

He left her on the doorstep and quickly retreated, as not to be seen and caught in a whole new world of trouble.

For the first time, she cried.

His eyes cut over his shoulder and he saw her watching after him with giant pools of tears in her silver eyes, crying for him not to leave. He had noticed how her eyes lost their slightly blue tint and faded into the glorious silver of Rowan's eyes. His heart clenched as her little hands tried to grab for him as if the distance would magically close between them, but he forced himself to sprint to cover--the place he had safely watched the pack from during the night and he could still see Anise. 

Her cries became wails and it must have alerted those in the Alpha's house because lights illuminated the windows and shortly after, the door swung open. It was the Crystal Peak Alpha and he froze when he saw the infant on his doorstep. Green eyes flashed around, searching for who could have left her before he knelt down and gently read the note.

He knew what it said.

She will bring fortune.

He had written it himself after stealing the materials from a windowsill and pinned it to her blanket. He didn't want her to live a lowly life, in case the pack members her age decided to view her as an outsider, so he tried to ensure her future. Little did he know that his words would turn out to be truer than he ever imagined because the Moon Goddess saw all.

Of course, they knew nothing of the background of this newborn. They didn't know where she came from and he made sure they would never find out so that she could be safe. He had covered enough miles to exceed their searching radius, though he was sure if her parents were found, they would lie to protect her. Right now, she had a safe chance at life. Or so he thought.

Watching from afar, he felt a sense of accomplishment, as the Crytal Peak Alpha was absolutely delighted with Anise. The Alpha scooped her up and Anise's cries stopped. He could only see so much from his cover but he felt relieved that the Alpha was a natural father and Anise responded to him with a musical giggle. 

Out of all that he had done wrong, he had finally done something right. Something worth doing and it wasn't selfish. He had selflessly made sure that this would be a home of comfort and acceptance for Anise. It was even more promising as he watched the Alpha and Anise interact. Slowly, other pack members came out with curiosity, and the mourning he had first felt was somewhat lighter now. 

He had fulfilled his promise to Rowan. 

He wished he could stay and watch her grow up. Tell her the truth when she was old enough to understand. But, he couldn't. By killing Sutton, he had increased the bounty on his head. It would only be a matter of time before Braxton and Russell hunted him down, so he had to stay on the move. He had to live like a true rogue and disappear.

He finally tore his eyes away, silently bidding the innocent child goodbye for the last time. He might never see her again and the reality that he was all alone now made his fists tighten. No, this was what he wanted. Or perhaps he wanted what Anise had--a family. A real family that loved each other. Or even friends that wouldn't stab him in the back. 

Shaking his head, he finally left.

He shifted into his wolf and sprinted across the border. Nobody saw him, he didn't exist and he was never there, that's how the story goes. However, one thought lingered on his mind as he went.

He never knew what she was renamed.

And they never knew what her name was.  

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I need to stop crying. 

Though, now things will begin looking up but pay attention to detail as time jumps will be happening. Joel will still struggle but never at the hand of someone else ever again. He's officially free, physically, and I cannot wait to bring in these other characters for the first time as strangers!