Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Scarlett’s POV

Lucian cleared his throat, wiping his tears. “We’ll have to put you in the seclusion cell and bring you out for trial in the evening,” he said, his tone hollow. “The Elders of the North will demand to know the truth. We can’t overturn their judgment.”

I frowned, confusion breaking through my sadness. “The Elders? Who are they?” I asked, feeling lost in this world that seemed to grow darker by the minute.

Maxwell sighed heavily. “The North has a council of Elders,” he explained. “Even though Valkin alphas rule because of their strength, the Elders judge matters of law, family, and justice. This situation falls under their authority. They reside in Tealberg, and with the witnesses who saw what happened…. they’ve likely been informed already. We have no way of hiding this from them, Scarlett.”

The realization hit me with brutal clarity. My future with them was hanging by a thread, my innocence in question, and nothing seemed certain anymore. The love we’d shared, the life we’d started to build-it all seemed like it might be taken away before it had truly begun.

Numbly, I dressed myself in something warm, knowing the seclusion cell would be cold. Clay and Maxwell insisted on walking me there, their faces expressionless, yet I could feel the turmoil in their hearts. When we reached the pack house door, a few guards stepped forward, eyes cold as they moved to take over from Clay and Maxwell.