(Split into two given the character length restrictions)

Simon's POV

"Alright kiddo, the snow cleared, time to get you home," I nudged Sally from her slumber. She groaned, turning to get comfortable again, but I kept pushing her to stay awake. It had been a few weeks I've reckoned living with Sally in the cave, and I had gotten to know her quite well. She was a lot more intelligent than I had assumed for someone her age, but then again her parents were probably rich and able to afford top-notch education for her. Surprisingly, she was also very keen with her senses and had pretty balanced hunting skills. She was able to track down a few vermin when I had lost their scent trail from the snow. Whoever her parents were, they had taught her the necessary hunting skills needed to survive on top of her basic schooling.

For the most part, they had done a great job of raising her, sans taking care of her emotional needs. But who was I to judge, when I couldn't even reign my own emotions.

Sally yawned before looking up at me with her puppy dog eyes. "I don't wanna."

"I promised I'd walk you back there once the snow cleared. Your parents are probably worried sick. It's been weeks, Sally."

"Can't I just stay with you?" She pouted before snuggling next to my side. For a second I wondered what it would be like to stay with Sally here. Living in a cave was far from ideal, but the idea of having someone who understands me despite being more than half my age didn't seem like such a bad idea at first.

Short-term, it had worked out, but there was no way I could raise a child long-term. I couldn't even handle unruly Cedar on my own for more than a few hours by myself. And just the thought of what had happened to my siblings because I couldn't listen to simple instructions qualmed any hope or desire to take care of Sally any longer. I couldn't bear the thought of the repercussions for putting her in any danger.

"You have a home there," I reminded her. "A pack to call home. Not some silly cave with me."

She stretched her legs out before replying, "and it could be your home too. You could get a real house, with doors and a bed!"

I smiled at that before walking towards the mouth of the cave before looking back at her. "This cave is quite cozy if you ask me. Now let's go before it starts snowing again."

She hesitated before following me out of the cave and towards the forest. Luckily, not many rogues were on site, and if they were, they minded their own business, either hunting a scent or merely strolling along. My old pack didn't have any hunters out today, which was a good sign, considering I had been chased by them on multiple occasions for simply disrupting their scent trails. Despite being deep in rogue territory, the pack had no issues with accusing us rogues of interrupting or ruining their hunting or scouting. Luckily for us, the recent snow probably deterred them from hunting.

The cave wasn't necessarily too far from the New Moon pack, maybe a little over a mile, but the trek through the dense woods and the occasional valleys and cliffs made the journey a bit tiresome. Although I knew these woods like the back of my hand, I made sure to rest for Sally and take easier paths even if it took twice as long. She didn't seem to mind, given her reluctance to head back.

"You know," she said during a short break. "When we get to my pack, I'll make sure to tell them to take you in!"

She seemed to hop towards me as we continued walking alongside a small stream. I smiled half-heartedly as I watched her prance about. "I'm not sure they'll allow that. It's been a long time since I've been a pack member, Sally."

"How long?"

"Longer than you've been alive. Ten years."

Sally had stopped dead in her tracks, and the look on her face was adorable. Her face scrunched up, trying to comprehend what I had said. She had opened and closed her mouth like a fish gasping for breath before settling on returning to her jovial self by walking past, jumping on rocks or logs. Every now and then I reminded her to be careful, and had to brace her when part of a fallen tree had cracked.

Despite the dread and nerves of approaching my old pack heightening as I started to recognize the clearings that surrounded the pack, just seeing the liveliness and joy that exuded off Sally like the sunset glow made the trek serene and almost feel normal.

"There it is!" She beamed, running in circles like a dog with the zoomies before sprinting ahead. I thought I lost her at first before she returned, looking at me expectantly. "Let's go, let's go!"

I almost sprinted after her, as if it was a normal thing to do until I spotted multiple betas from the shrub line that separated the rogue territories with the neutral territory. She waited with me, despite her enthusiasm from earlier, and looked up at me expectantly. I think deep down, I was afraid of this from the start, but Sally had been a distraction enough during a journey here, that it hadn't truly set in quite yet. My old pack, my old home was merely 50 feet away from where we were standing.

And suddenly all the dread and anxiety were starting to kick in again.

"What's wrong?" Sally nudged me, and when I looked down I noticed I had been shaking so uncontrollably that I was surprised I was still standing. I didn't answer her, didn't trust myself to answer her, before watching the betas that stood guard patrolling the pack border. I had seen a few of them before during their hunting parties and from the few times, I had the courage to observe the border in hopes of seeing my mate when I had been younger and naive to believe he'd forgive and allow me back in.

They were talking amongst them from what I could tell from the shrub line, and I risked poking my head out from the bushes to get a better look. They didn't seem to notice, but I kept my body low to the ground just in case. Sally crouched down with me, her head brushed against my shoulder as she looked up at me.

"What are we waiting for?" She asked. I stepped back, turning around toward a more hidden area. "The pack's that way, Simon. Let's go."

"I can't," I muttered.

She frowned, letting out a low whine. "Why not?"

"I just can't," I said. "You go ahead. Your parents are waiting."

"But you're coming with me, right?" She pouted. "Right?"

I looked past her, seeing the betas patrol the pack border, and then down at her. As much as I wanted to please her and tell her I'd gladly walk in there, it was a total ruse. Walking back there was a death wish, Vince would never allow it even if I showed up twenty years from now. He had made his point very clear, and I wasn't about to chance it now.

"I'm sorry," I told her. "I can't go back there, Sally. The pack... the pack doesn't like me. It would be impossible for me to join."

She looked disappointed, and it took a lot out of me to not blurt the entire truth in order for her to understand. I wanted her to understand, but this was her home, and realistically it was unfair to make these crazy claims to a child when it's all she's known.

Sally didn't say anything, but instead looked back at her home, observing the betas that were starting to gather near the RCPP, a telltale sign that they were either going for a hunting or training session. I didn't want to rush her, but I didn't want to be this close to them when they started. For the most part, they were ruthless, attacked on a whim, and if you make even the slightest indication that you'll hinder them, they'll make sure to let you know. I knew a lot of rogues, including myself, that had way too many close calls and wounds to prove it.

Sally perked up next to me, as she stared at the group of New Moon betas. "There, I see my dad!"

I poked my head through the shrub, spotting about fifteen pack members talking or stretching, some in wolf form, others in their human forms. None of them really stood out to me, until I saw three of them leaving the RCPP and headed toward the group. There in the flesh was my mate, Vince, flanked by his younger brother, Xavier, and his right-hand man, Lucas. I could feel my body shaking at the mere sight of them, especially with having seen Vince in so long.

Despite ten years since the rejection, the bond made every fiber of my being want to move toward him like a magnet; yet the memories and pain of it all had me frozen in place. Like the last time I had seen him, he looked unfazed, healthy, and even stronger than before. Yet when I look in the mirror, it was the complete opposite.

Looking over at Xavier and Lucas made me think about the time they had dropped by before I found Sally. Xavier had once been my friend before I left, and the way he had opened up and apologized led me to believe that maybe he didn't see me as the traitor Vince made me out to be. Lucas, on the other hand, was still as terrifying even in human form. Like Xavier and Vince, he carried himself so tall and authoritative, as one of the top betas, he had to be.

"Simon, see," she nudged me. "There he is, with the black and red shirt."

I scanned the crowd, only to realize, to my dismay, she was pointing at the second most terrifying person of them all, Lucas. Not wishing it to be true, I clarified with her, only for the fear to spike up. Of course, the sweetest, most well-mannered pup is the daughter of the scariest wolf aside from Vince. The wolf that took part in murdering my family. I wanted to vomit. And to think she now has my scent on her from being cuddled up in the cave was terrifying. It was best I sprint out of here before they can track me down. I didn't even want to think of what he'd do if he caught me.

I gulped, before clearing my throat, "It's time to go home, Sally. This is as far as I'll go."

She looked at me with sad eyes, before replying, "I wish you'd come with me."

"I can't join you, Sally. I'm sorry."

"I'll miss you, Simon. I hope you find a pack of your own," she said. "Even if it's not this one. Thanks for everything."

She hesitated for a moment, just staring at me with the same sincerity as Monica did, before walking out of the safety of the brush and toward the clearing dividing the pack and rogue territory. I watched selfishly as the pack members took notice of her and approached her. The way Lucas had scooped her up in his arms as if she was the most precious thing in the world left a bittersweet feeling in my chest. Despite knowing I needed to get out of here as soon as possible, I took a long last look at Vince. He seemed happy, watching Lucas and Sally reunite, and despite wishing to despise him and hate him after all these years, the warm feeling from the bond was starting to grow, and I wanted to soak up every second of watching him from the shrub line. Even if it was all in vain, just seeing him gave me the same butterflies when I had seen him for the first time as a mate, and not just the son of the alpha.