Chapter 13: I Returned to Tidewatch

The next morning, Wyatt and I flew back to Grayhaven.

I hadn't been there for only a few days, but the city already felt strangely unfamiliar.

Maybe because I was no longer returning as Julian's wife.

I was returning as a Calloway.

The moment we arrived at Tidewatch, the atmosphere changed.

Stonebridge guards lined the entrance to the Hawthorne estate.

Several elder families had already gathered inside.

Every conversation stopped when I walked through the doors.

I could feel their eyes following me.

Five years ago, I would have lowered my head.

Today, I simply kept walking.

Julian was waiting at the end of the hall.

He looked exhausted.

His usually perfect suit was wrinkled, and dark shadows rested beneath his eyes.

When his gaze met mine, something flickered across his face.

Relief.

Then guilt.

Then something dangerously close to regret.

Wyatt stopped beside me.

We're here for the council meeting.

Julian's eyes remained on me.

I know.

He took one step forward.

Clara...

I raised a hand.

Don't.

His jaw tightened.

I didn't come here to argue.

Good.

Then we shouldn't have a problem.

Before he could answer, the great doors at the end of the hall opened.

Julian's grandmother entered with several elders behind her.

The entire room fell silent.

Her gaze moved from Julian to me.

Then she looked at Wyatt.

Clara Calloway.

She spoke my name slowly.

The last time I saw you, you were standing outside this house in the snow.

I remembered that night immediately.

I had waited outside for hours while Julian brought another woman into Tidewatch.

I had been freezing.

Humiliated.

Desperate to be chosen.

That girl was gone now.

Yes, I said.

That was five years ago.

Her eyes softened for the briefest moment.

And now you've returned to end the alliance.

I nodded.

The elders exchanged uneasy looks.

Then Felicity entered.

She was wearing a stunning white gown.

The antique lunar watch still glittered on her wrist.

She walked directly toward Julian and slipped her arm through his.

Her smile was confident.

Until she saw Wyatt standing beside me.

Her expression changed.

You actually came back?

She asked me.

I looked at her calmly.

You seemed surprised.

Felicity's fingers tightened around Julian's arm.

This is my ceremony.

I'm the one Julian chose.

I smiled faintly.

I know.

That's why I'm here.

Her smile faltered.

Julian finally pulled his arm away from her.

Felicity looked at him in shock.

The room went silent again.

Julian stared at me.

Clara, I need to tell you the truth.

I folded my hands in front of me.

Then tell me.

He swallowed.

The five years were never supposed to be a punishment.

They were supposed to prove that you could become Luna material.

I looked straight into his eyes.

No, Julian.

They proved something else.

That I could survive without you.

His face went pale.

And before he could say another word, his grandmother stood.

Then perhaps it's time we stop pretending this was ever about Clara's behavior.

Every elder in the room turned toward her.

She looked directly at Julian.

The problem was never the woman you married.

The problem was the Alpha who kept humiliating her.