Chapter 171

Lucian’s POV

I turned to leave Scarlett’s room, knowing those were likely the last words I’d ever say to her. Back in the apartment, I went straight for the bottle, sinking into the empty comfort it offered. There was no more fight in me, not even a flicker of care about Garland or what he might do. The elders could handle him; they’d wielded enough power over us in our parents’ names, had twisted our lives to fit their expectations. They could clean up the mess they’d created.

As I took a drink, Clay came out of his room, his eyes glassy, filled with questions and worry. “Where did you go, and what did you do?” he asked, his voice low but tense.

“I went to see Scarlett. I went to release her,” I replied simply, feeling the weight of those words settle in my chest.

Clay’s face fell, and he sank down on the couch across from me. “She won’t forgive us, Clay. It’s written in her eyes,” I said, each word tasting like defeat. “She’s been with Keith, and, honestly, she’ll probably go back to him. If that’s what makes her happy, then… I’ll let her go. As for Garland, he can have Redcape. He can take all my territories, for all I care. Let the elders deal with him; Tasha and Timothy have always wanted more control anyway.” I took another swig, feeling the burn of the alcohol trying to fill the empty places inside me.

I looked over at Clay, seeing his own pain, the weight of our shared regret mirrored in his eyes. He held back his own agony, but I knew Scarlett could feel it, even if she chose to ignore it.

“Maybe you and Maxwell should go back to lead your own territories,” I murmured, defeated.