Scarlett (Second Edition) by Karima Saad Usman novel Chapter 45

Scarlett’s POV

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As I opened up to Clay, the words spilled out, the memories raw and painful. “My father never liked me,” I began, my voice barely

above a whisper. “He wanted a son, and when my mother… died, he expected so much from me. When my wolf didn’t come at

sixteen, it was like I’d failed him all over again. He was furious, and after that, he distanced himself even more. Friends were

forbidden; the only person I had was my nanny, Linda. She taught me everything, filled in every gap my father left/”

Clay’s hand traced gentle circles on my back, his warmth grounding me. “Did you have any plans for your future?” he asked, his

voice filled with genuine curiosity.

For a moment, I let myself remember the dream I once held dear. “I wanted to be a healer,” I said, a soft smile ghosting my lips as I

pictured that old aspiration. “I thought I’d be a Valkin, that I’d have my wolf and maybe some magic to heal others. When that

didn’t happen, my dream shifted. I wanted to escape my father, to start a life far away from his control. But he refused to let me go.

He always said he had plans for me, though he never told me what they were. I dreaded them. When he died, I was… conflicted. Sad,

because he was still my father, but also relieved. I thought I’d finally be free.”

Clay’s arms tightened protectively around me as my voice wavered. “But then Beta David stepped in. He humiliated me in

wolf

of

everyone, then sent me here. I thought he’d sold me off, condemned me to a life of slavery. I had no no power, no support or

protection.” I felt my voice crack, the weight of those memories pressing down, and I struggled to hold back the tears that

threatened to fall.

“I used to dream my mate would come one day and take me away,” I continued, my voice barely a whisper. “And then… I found out

that my mates were you, Lucian, and Maxwell. But you all hated me. It felt like the goddess herself had no love for me.” My voice

finally broke, and the tears I’d held back slipped down my cheeks, the memories too raw to contain.

Clay held me, his arms a fortress around me as I sobbed, letting the pain I’d buried for so long finally pour out. He didn’t say

anything, didn’t rush to offer empty words or try to brush away the hurt. Instead, he simply held me tighter, a steady presence amid

the turmoil.

I clung to Clay, the weight of everything I’d held inside pouring out. “You all hated me so much,” I whispered through the tears, the

words choked by years of hurt. “I didn’t know why. I wondered how I could be responsible for so much of your pain. Every day, I

thought one of you would finally end it, and it would all be over. I felt the pull, the bond, but I had to suppress it. I dared not speak, dared not show anything, and Lucian… he would say the most horrible things. The hatred was so strong, it felt like poison.”

I could barely see through the tears, but Clay’s presence was solid, grounding. He shifted his position, moving to kneel before me, his hands resting on my shoulders, his eyes filled with remorse and determination.

“Scarlett, please,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. “Forgive me. Forgive Maxwell and Lucian. We were wrong-

completely, horribly wrong. We

ve no excuse for how we treated you. But please, give us a chance to take away that pain, to be

better for you, to give you the life you deserve.”

I wiped at my tears, looking at him, the raw honesty in his face almost overwhelming. “I’m not angry anymore. I’m just hurt,” I said, feeling the truth of my own words. “It stays with me, that pain, even now. I’m so relieved you’re all kind to me now, but a part of

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Chapter 45

me is terrified that it won’t last.”

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close, his breath warm against my hair. “Scarlett, I swear to you, this isn’t temporary. Until the end of our days, we will love you. I will love you, unconditionally, without fail.” He held my gaze, his own eyes fierce with Until

conviction.

And then he spoke words that resonated with a power I hadn’t known I needed to hear. “Scarlett Vladislav, I, Clay McCain, accept

you as my mate. To love and cherish for the rest of my life.” He leaned forward, capturing my lips in a kiss that was both a promise

and an apology, sealing our bond in a way that spoke louder than any words. His kiss was deep and tender, an affirmation of

everything he felt, of everything he was willing to give.

I felt the bond between us solidify, a warmth flooding through me, healing something deep and broken inside. In that moment,

believed him, believed in us, and I kissed him back, letting that hope take root.

Comments

Tanya Gordon

Awwwwh So Beautiful. I love how soft he is with her.

7 days ago

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