Chapter 173

Scarlett’s POV

A silence settled between us again, but it felt different this time, as if something had shifted, a mutual understanding neither of us had expected.

“I’m sure we’ll manage, Scarlett,” Maxwell said, his tone steady yet weighted with resignation.

“None of us ever expected you would get your wolf, much less become a Valkin with magic. We never intended for you to face Garland for us. Going to the West was about asking Keith for aid and bringing you home. He’s sent us the help we need, and that’s enough. This mess is ours to fix, and we don’t want to drag you back into it.”

He paused, his voice softening. “Elsa will return tonight, and she’ll help sever the bond. I hope… I hope you find the happiness you deserve wherever you go.” There was a calm acceptance in his voice, a kind of peace he seemed to have made within himself.

I bit my lip, unable to ignore the ache in his words. “What about Clay? Is he… is he okay with it too?” I asked.

Maxwell sighed, nodding slowly. “He is. We all are, Scarlett. Let’s face it-we know you won’t be able to forgive what happened here. Asking you to simply let go… that would be too much. Not all losses can be salvaged, and I guess this is one of them.”