CHAPTER 209
A knock, then the door opened. Two servants entered with fresh towels, a basin, and warm water. Gandolf instinctively moved to help, carefully positioning Ezekiel on his side while the male servant wet a cloth and handed it to Livius.
The healer continued as he cleaned the wound, each word quiet but unflinching.
"What I'm saying is… Ezekiel has to end the bond by his own choice. If he lets it fade on its own, the damage will settle into his wolf permanently. He'll never have another mate. The rupture would be absolute."
He wrung the cloth out, crimson blooming into the water.
"But if he severs the bond himself… his wolf could be gravely injured, yes. But with time, it can still heal."
Gandolf felt the floor drop out beneath him. To him, both choices were disasters laid in different colors.
"Either way…" he muttered, staring at his king's pale face, "he breaks."
