CHAPTER 189

Shawn’s POV

I helped Lily to pack up the remaining items that belonged to them in the lodge. Clara was already well packed, but I had not seen Martin since Shadowvale left.

“Do you have an idea of where Martin might be?” I asked Clara as I walked up to where she sat.

She sighed. “He is sulking on the balcony,”

“Thank you,” I replied and made for the balcony, but she held my wrist back.

“Shawn, I know I cannot fight yet, but I will do whatever I can to ensure we are all safe,” she said, her voice firm and resolute.

I smiled with whatever strength I had left. “Thank you,” I said again, sincerely.

I patted her palms before gently releasing myself from her grip with a calm smile. But my mind was far from calm. I felt a strange pull towards her, an inexplicable connection that was hard to ignore.

She was beautiful, smart, and hardworking. Traits that would attract any man, but there was something more. She was strong-willed, a quality I admired deeply.

She faced her fears head-on and seeme