Page 47 of Rogue’s Reckoning

"Mama, are you okay?" Wren asks as I brush her hair, her big eyes full of concern in the mirror.

I force a smile. "Of course, Little Bird. Just a bit tired. Are you excited for school today?"

She nods enthusiastically, launching into a story about her friends and their plans for recess. I listen, trying to push away the fear that's been my constant companion these past few days.

After dropping Wren off at school, I head to work, grateful for the distraction teaching provides. But as the day wears on, my anxiety about tonight's conversation with Natalia grows.

By the time I pick Wren up from her after-school program, I'm a bundle of nerves. We go through our usual evening routine—dinner, bath time, story time—but my mind is elsewhere, rehearsing what I'm going to say to Natalia.

As I tuck Wren into bed, she grabs my hand. "Mama, you look sad. Did I do something wrong?"

My heart breaks at her words. I sit on the edge of her bed, pulling her into a tight hug. "No, Little Bird. You haven't done anything wrong. You're perfect, and I love you so much."

Wren hugs me back fiercely. "I love you too, Mama. Don't be sad, okay?"

I kiss the top of her head, blinking back tears. "I'll try, sweetheart. Now get some sleep. Sweet dreams."

As I close her door, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation to come. At 8 o'clock sharp, there's a knock at the door. I open it to find Natalia standing there, concern etched on her face. Natalia immediately pulls me into a tight hug.

"Willow, what's going on?" she asks softly as she pulls back. "I've been so worried about you."

I take a shaky breath, gesturing for her to come inside. We settle on the couch, and for a moment, I'm at a loss for words. How do I even begin to explain the turmoil I've been going through?

"Nat," I start, my voice barely above a whisper, "I'm scared."

Her brow furrows with concern. "Scared of what, honey?" She knows what they did to me and how much it’s affected me.

“Them hurting me again, or you, or Wren. They don’t know about her. What’s going to happen if they do find out about my daughter? What if they try to take her away?”

Natalia's eyeswiden with understanding. "Oh, Willow," she says softly, reaching out to take my hand. "Is this about Ghost? About him being in the Saints Outlaws?"

I nod, tears welling up in my eyes. "I'm so happy that you've found someone, Nat. I really am. But all the fear I thought I overcame has just come rushing back."

Natalia squeezes my hand. "I'm so sorry. I should have realized how difficult this would be for you. I promise, we’ll do whatever it takes to ensure that you or Wren won’t be hurt. I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could do to help you.”

I nod, wiping my eyes. "Me too, but there’s nothing we can do. Is there?"

"What do you want to do?" she asks gently. "Do you want to leave Boston?"

I hesitate, torn between my fear and my desire for stability for Wren. "I don't know," I admit. "Part of me wants to run again, but Wren's happy here. She's settled in school, she has friends. Is it fair to uproot her again because of my past?"

“She is really happy here, but she could be happy anywhere,” Nat say softly. “You’ve just got your dream job, Will,” she sighs. “God, this is all fucked up. I really am sorry.”

“It’s not your fault,” I whisper. “You can’t help who you fall in love with. But he’s treating you right?”

The smile on her face tells me everything. “He really is.”

She’s so madly in love, and I’m happy for her. I just wish her being in love didn’t bring so much fear and anxiety to me, but there’s nothing I can do. I'll always support Natalia, just as she’s always supported me, and take it one day at a time.

We sit down and she tells me everything that Ghost’s told her since finding out that she’s my best friend. He’s turned the club around and put it onto a path it wasn’t on before. He’s sorry for what happened to me and said it wasn’t something he wanted to happen, but he couldn’t go against his father—against the president. She assures me that what happened to me would never happen again.

It takes a while for me to calm down, for me to truly understand her words and hear what she’s saying. Maybe there’s nothing for me to be upset about. Storm is dead, and with Ghost as president, maybe things are changing. Maybe I am safe.

“Promise me that no one will hurt Wren, that Rogue will not find out about her—at least until I’m ready.”

“Never,” she vows. “I’ll never allow you or Wren to be harmed. You’re my sister, Will, not by blood, but by life. I won’t ever let you be hurt.”

I nod, feeling slightly less overwhelmed and fearful. I guess time will tell what happens, but I know that this time I’m not alone.

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