Memories.

"How would you like to proceed?" The man in uniform asked, his resolution already set in stone, eager to shackle the perpetrator but the one he knew was the victim was silent, a shell of a person, ever since Saint had come back from death, he only interacted with one person, Kyro the wolf who saved him, all those who attended to him knew what it was, PTSD, imbalance, anxiety, depression, they all had an opinion and a diagnosis but what he truly was, was tired.

"Officer Beckett, please give hi-" Kyro tried to intervene but was cut off. "He can't seriously be considering letting them off the hook, all five of them, what about justice, what about no death without cause, what about the victim." Beckett violently lashed out making everyone except Kyro flinch away. "I'm not a victim." The small and frail but equally convicted voice spoke, he was tired of other people having a say in what was his life, since when did he take a back seat in his own life. "What?" His saviour asked gently. "I'm not a victim, I'm a survivor of cruelty, and I will not press any kind of charges on alpha Hunt's son or his lackies, its my choice, what good does trying to justify my death through horrible means, if you find victory in ruining someone else's life then none is as ruined as you, what good will it bring to me or anyone else, I will just be dragged back into the storm of agony and turmoil." Saint finally spoke his heart and mind, what he truly felt.

He was tired, he just needed to rest then find his way away from the Bay, to somewhere peaceful. "But- you can't-" The officer tried to argue but Kyro's gaze cut him off. "I hope you reconsider, we'll be in touch." Beckett the frustrated, bid his goodbyes and left. "Are you sure?" The alpha asked as he held Saint's hand, and the man nodded in return, Saint was sure this was what he wanted, he could only go up after falling so far down and if they thought he was dead then he would never be bothered, he could finally live, rogue or not. "Your mother and you are supposed getting buried today." Kyro mumbled quietly but his words weren't lost on his friend. "I want to say goodbye, and go with- you." Saint hesitated, he wasn't sure the offer from Kyro still remained.

"I will get your discharge papers, you can say goodbye one last time and then we leave." Kyro comforted before leaving the room, he was indeed not alone, and whatever or whoever blessed him with Kyro, he would be eternally grateful to them, one day his scars would heal, because he was going to take his time, live his life,

Saint Drake Dante.

Safe to say I ditched the tea for wine the night of the wonderful family dinner, it numbed away the thoughts that came due to what my mate told me, I guess I had to face my past one last time to get rid of it, I truly couldn't escape it, I was also a little tired of running from it, it was time, time to face them, finally free myself of them, and get justice for what they did to me, I knew it was unlike me to want revenge, but this wasn't death I was going to give them, I was just going to make them wish they rejected their own lives, and finally feel how their victims felt.

As I got up from my office chair I was satisfied with the report I had gotten, the buildings that were meant for my foundation in Sandton were complete, the unveiling was on schedule, that was also the reason why I was going back, so that I could leave a place where those who have been broken by the people they loved even if it wasn't their lovers could go to and heal, survive to fight another day or choose to live life, like I did. Now I had something to fight for and that gave me purpose, the will to push forward, stronger than before, because I knew that this time the tables were turned.

Having devised my plan I placed it out of sight, I had other things to worry about, what my family was going to wear was at the top of that list, the last time we went to the festival, Emory's bag was forgotten behind, lucky for me there was someone who helped me, so this time I didn't want to rely on luck, just had to be crazy prepared. As I got into my car I waved at the people I worked with, aside from the company, Senior had helped me open my own firm, we specialized in architecture, which I had studied when I had gotten the opportunity, it was my passion, my dream and I had Senior to thank for it. So even if the family fortune was lost today, we would be alright, driving toward Deniz's school a smile tugged at my lips, I knew he would cheer and be merry at what I was about to suggest we do, he loved clothes, next to food ofcourse.

My phone rang and I switched it to bluetooth in the car, for a moment I thought the person had butt dialed until. "Dada." The gummy words came through. "Hello baby, how are you." I exaggerated my voice, it always made Emory laugh, we had non sensible conversation for a few more minutes until his voice flooded the car, deep, sexy and commanding.

"Love of my life." He asserted making my lips widen with a smile. "Yes papi." I replied knowing it got to him. "Naughty mister Dante, naughty." He teased making both of us laugh. "I'm on my way to get Deniz from school, we are going shopping afterward, do you need anything?" I asked my mate who pondered the question for a moment. "It's actually why I was calling, I need an update on my casual wear, since you won't let me buy things for myself, I thought I should tell you." He grumbled out parts of his statement, I knew why, because he for the life of him he didn't know anything about clothes beyond his designer suits. "Don't be bitter papi, I know best." I teased and the grumble of incoherent words came again, he was getting my ass for this, I just knew it.

"Ofcourse querida, have fun shopping, tell me when you're done so I can get ready, you are picking us up, your boys, from work right." He added innocently making me roll my eyes, even if he didn't do it with so much subtlety, I would still go pick them up. "Yes love." I sweetly replied and the faintest sound of our child giggling got to me, I was glad he was having fun with his papa. "No sugar, he'll have sugar rush." I reminded and I knew he was nodding even if he couldn't see him. "Yes dear." He replied, those were words to live by.

After the call ended I arrived at Deniz's school, I knew he was already waiting, because he was by the marble stairs waiting impatiently, what gave that away, was the continuous foot tapping, a habit he picked up from me. "You're late." He whined and I rolled my eyes, I'm always late, he should be used to it by now. "Sorry, sorry, I'm here now aren't I." I consoled as I drove off toward the city, he grumbled like his older brother, another family trait that they share. "Wait why are we going into the city?" He asked after noticing I hadn't taken him in the direction of home. "The festival starts the day after tomorrow, and lasts for one and half weeks, are you really sure you want to go to another pack without sufficient supplies, I mean we can always head back." I strategically laid my trap and I counted down to the precise moment he would protest, three, two. "No, why didn't you tell me, goddess what will I wear, I need shoes, wait and a few hats, I definitely need several bags." He rambled off as I laughed and kept driving, I knew that would get to him, we were alike in so many ways.

Shopping, a delight, therapy, it was joy in cloth form, I was sure I had broken my husband's credit card but he would never complain, the alpha would and could do anything to please me, it was in his nature, and in mine. "Are you sure you want to go back?" Deniz finally asked the one question my husband asked everyday ever since he told me the festival was being held by my former pack. "I'm not honestly but I can't keep running from my past, one way or the other, it will catch up to me, and not facing my demons means I'm letting them win, I don't want that, plus you know a resource centre for the Saint Foundation is being built there, I have to be there to unveil it, but most importantly, its a family tradition that we attend the festival, and I'm not going to take away that from you or my family, that would be selfish." I asserted and Deniz moved to hug me after placing the duffle bag he was holding, down.

"What's wrong sweetie?" I asked gently and he came out of hiding sniffling. "You're just so strong, you've been through a lot but you keep giving with an open heart, its people with your empathy, kindness and warmth that keep the world revolving, one day I want to be like you, and I will strive for it." He declared and announced with more conviction than I had ever seen on his face, I chuckled lowly as I held him in my embrace. "I'm going to be by your side kiddo, and I'm going to watch you reach those dreams, I promise, and no one will ever hurt you, if they do, they will have a saint's fury to deal with." I soothed and comforted my little brother, he deserved all the love he could get, he deserved it.

As we got back to buying more stuff I realized something I had forgotten in the chaos of thoughts about going back, "

+++

The past chapters, I wrote them wanting you guys, the people who read my works more specifically reading this book to experience what life is like for Saint and his family before we do a deep head dive into the drama that's about to come. Also to shed light on how much the family adores Saint and him in return.

Vote + Follow + Share + Comment

LMJ