Page 44 of Rogue’s Reckoning

As the meeting wraps up, Ghost calls me over. "Rogue, I need you to keep an ear to the ground. If there's any dissent brewing, I want to know about it."

I nod, understanding the gravity of what he's asking. "You got it, Prez. I've got your back."

As I leave the chapel, my mind is racing. The club is at a turning point, and I know the decisions we make in the coming days will shape our future. But beneath it all, a familiar ache pulses in my chest.

Willow...

Even now, in the midst of all this chaos, she's never far from my thoughts. I wonder where she is, if she's safe. If she ever thinks of me. The guilt and regret threaten to overwhelm me, but I push it down. I can't afford to be distracted now. The club needs me focused and ready for whatever comes our way.

THIRTEEN

WILLOW

FOUR YEARS LATER

"Mama, look! I drew our family!"

I smile as Wren holds up her drawing, her face beaming with pride. The stick figures are barely recognizable, but I can make out myself, Wren, and Aunt Natalia.

"It's beautiful, sweetheart," I say, kneeling down to her level. "Why don't we hang it on the fridge?"

Wren nods enthusiastically, her dark curls bouncing. As I pin the drawing to the refrigerator, I can't help but feel amazed by how much she's grown. At four years old, she's a ball of energy, always laughing, always curious. Her eyes, so like her father's, sparkle with mischief and intelligence.

"Mama, can we go to the park today?" Wren asks, tugging on my hand.

I glance at the clock. It's Saturday, and I have a pile of papers to grade for my first-grade class. But one look at Wren's hopeful face, and I know the papers can wait.

"Of course we can, Little Bird," I say, using the nickname that's stuck since she was born. "Let's get you ready."

As I help Wren put on her shoes, I think about how much our lives have changed over the past five months. Moving backto Boston was a difficult decision, but the teaching position was too good to pass up. Plus, I couldn't keep running forever. I had to face my fears for Wren's sake.

Natalia, bless her, insisted on coming with us. "We're family," she had said simply when I tried to protest. Her parents' deaths two years ago had been devastating, but it also brought us even closer. She's as much Wren's aunt as if we were related by blood.

The park is busy, but thankfully, not so much that it’s uncomfortable. Wren immediately runs to the swings. Her favorite. As I push her, listening to her squeals of happiness, I scan the area out of habit. Even after all this time, I can't shake the fear that someone from my past might recognize me.

"Higher, Mama!" Wren calls out, and I oblige, pushing her a little harder.

"Be careful, Little Bird," I caution, but I'm smiling. Her fearlessness both thrills and terrifies me.

She’s so much like Ezra, it’s uncanny how much she resembles him, and not just in looks but personality. She’s larger than life. At first, it was hard seeing those eyes of hers. It was a constant reminder of him and what happened. But the love I have for my daughter outweighed the hurt.

Once she’s finished on the swing, I take a seat on the bench and watch my little girl play. I never thought I could have so much love in my heart for someone, but the moment my daughter was born, I realized just how much I loved her.

As I watch Wren play, my mind drifts to Ezra, as it often does when I look at our daughter. The pain has dulled over the years, but it's never fully gone away. Sometimes I wonder if he ever thinks about me, if he regrets what happened. But then I remember the cold look in his eyes as he stood by and watched me suffer, and I push those thoughts away.

"Mama, can I go on the slide?" Wren asks, pulling me from my reverie.

"Of course, sweetie. I'll be right here watching you."

Five months back in Boston, and so far, we've managed to avoid any reminders of my past. But I can't shake the feeling that it's only a matter of time before something happens.

It’s been five years since I’ve seen my family. My mom called not long after I left for Portland, demanding to talk to Ivy. When I told her I hadn’t seen my sister, she was angry that I didn’t seem to care that Ivy was missing. She told me I needed to get over what Lochlann did to me as Ivy was hurting. I hung up. I won’t ever allow my parents to treat me the way they did while I was growing up.

I haven't dated since Ezra. Between raising Wren and my career, I haven't had the time or inclination. And if I'm honest with myself, I'm scared to let anyone get that close again.

"Mama, look at me!" Wren calls from the top of the slide. I wave and give her a thumbs up, my heart swelling with love. Both Wren and Natalia are my shining lights. When things get tough, they’re both loving me unconditionally and showing me just how far I’ve come.

"Time to go home, Little Bird," I say a while later.

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