Exchanging Vows: The Swapped Wife Is a Top Shaman novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Ivy’s Point of View

Alpha Roland’s eyes locked onto mine.

For a long moment, neither of us moved. Neither of us spoke. The tension between us was thick enough to cut with a knife.

I could see him calculating. Weighing his options. Trying to figure out if I was bluffing.

I wasn’t.

Finally, he let out a slow breath through his nose. His jaw unclenched slightly. The crimson faded from his eyes, replaced by something colder. More dangerous.

Calculation.

"Everyone out," he said.

His voice wasn’t loud. But it carried the weight of absolute authority.

Luna Camilla rose from her seat, confusion written across her face. "Husband, what’s going on? Surely you don’t believe this girl’s—"

"I said out."

"Father, she’s lying!" Seraphina rushed forward, grabbing Alpha Roland’s arm. "Whatever she told you, it’s not true! She’s just jealous because I married Bastian and she got stuck with a dying man!"

"Don’t listen to her nonsense," Bastian added smoothly. "She’s clearly unstable. The stress of her situation has affected her mind."

Alpha Roland’s hand slammed down on the table.

"SHUT UP!"

The roar echoed through the hall. Seraphina flinched back. Bastian went pale. Even Luna Camilla took a step away from her husband.

"When I give an order," Alpha Roland said through gritted teeth, "I expect it to be followed. Now get out. All of you. Guests, elders, servants. Everyone except the Calloway family."

The hall erupted into confused murmurs. People exchanged uncertain glances. No one wanted to leave. Everyone wanted to know what was happening.

But no one dared disobey the Alpha when he used that tone.

Slowly, reluctantly, the guests began filing out. Elders shuffled past with curious looks. Servants scurried away with their heads down. The whispers followed them out the door like a swarm of insects.

Within minutes, the great hall was nearly empty.

Only two families remained.

Alpha Roland and his wife and daughter on one side. My parents, my brother, and me on the other. Bastian lingered near the door, clearly uncertain whether the order applied to him.

"You too," Alpha Roland said without looking at him.

"But Father—" Seraphina started.

"He’s not family yet. Out."

Bastian’s jaw tightened, but he bowed and left. The heavy doors closed behind him with a boom that seemed to seal our fate.

Now it was just us.

Alpha Roland turned to face me fully. His expression had shifted from rage to something more controlled. More calculating.

"Speak," he commanded. "What do you want?"

I released his wrist and took a step back. "I want you to allow my father to participate in this year’s kingdom examination."

Silence.

Then Alpha Roland laughed. It was not a pleasant sound.

"That’s what this is about? You’re trying to help your pathetic father escape his duties to the pack?"

"I’m trying to help my father live a life free from your tyranny."

"Watch your tongue, girl."

"Or what?" I met his glare without flinching. "You’ll humiliate me? Insult me? Treat me like garbage? You’ve been doing that my entire life. It doesn’t scare me anymore."

"Ivy." My father’s voice was tight with worry. "Please, don’t—"

"Stay out of this, Father." I didn’t look away from Alpha Roland. "This is between me and him."

"You have no leverage here," Alpha Roland sneered. "Whatever lies you’re planning to spread, no one will believe you over my daughter."

"Then let me make myself clear." I stepped closer to him. "Either you agree to let my father take the examination, or I will tell everyone what really happened on my wedding night. Every detail. Every word. Every disgusting thing your daughter did to steal my husband."

"SHE’S LYING!"

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify