Chapter 15: The Border Was Falling Apart

The sirens continued to howl through Tidewatch.

Every conversation in the council chamber stopped.

Julian turned toward the messenger.

How many territories?

Three so far.

The messenger swallowed.

And two more have stopped answering our calls.

Julian's expression hardened.

Get the patrols ready.

He turned to the elders.

I'll handle this.

His grandmother shook her head.

No.

Julian froze.

You will not handle this alone.

The Stonebridge pack is already unstable.

The messenger suddenly stepped forward again.

There's more.

A scout from the southern border arrived an hour ago.

They say Red Mesa wolves have been seen near the old trade route.

Julian's gaze snapped toward Wyatt.

Wyatt didn't react.

The Calloways aren't attacking you.

Then why are they there?

Because they have every right to protect their territory.

Julian's fists tightened.

He looked at me.

Clara, tell your brother to stand down.

I almost laughed.

You still don't understand.

I'm not the one giving orders anymore.

His eyes darkened.

You're still my wife.

The words echoed through the chamber.

I slowly removed the Hawthorne signet ring I'd kept hidden in my pocket.

I placed it on the council table.

Not anymore.

Julian stared at the ring as though I'd struck him.

The elders watched in silence.

His grandmother finally spoke.

The marriage contract can be dissolved at the next council hearing.

Julian looked at her.

Grandmother.

Enough.

She pointed toward the door.

Go deal with the border.

And if you return without an agreement, you will answer to the council.

Julian turned to leave.

At the doorway, he stopped.

For one moment, he looked back at me.

I thought he might say something cruel.

Instead, he whispered my name.

Clara.

I didn't answer.

He left.

The doors closed behind him.

Wyatt exhaled slowly.

That went better than expected.

I looked at him.

Did it?

He smiled faintly.

You finally stopped protecting him.

I looked down at the ring on the table.

For five years, I had believed giving up this marriage would destroy my life.

Now, watching Julian walk away without me, I felt something completely different.

Freedom.

Then the council doors opened again.

A young Stonebridge officer rushed inside.

Matriarch Hawthorne.

We just received another message.

The southern territories aren't only withdrawing their support.

They're asking Red Mesa to replace Stonebridge as the primary trade partner.

The room erupted in whispers.

Wyatt looked at me.

I slowly raised my eyes.

And for the first time, I realized Julian's downfall wasn't beginning because I left him.

It had started years ago.

I was simply the first person brave enough to walk away.