Exchanging Vows: The Swapped Wife Is a Top Shaman

Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Ivy’s Point of View

Alpha Roland stood in silence.

His jaw was tight. His hands clenched at his sides. I could see the war raging behind his eyes. Pride versus survival. Arrogance versus fear.

He wanted to refuse. Wanted to put me in my place. Wanted to remind me that he was the Alpha and I was nothing but a Beta’s daughter who had gotten too bold for her own good.

But he couldn’t.

Because I had his daughter’s secrets. And secrets, in the right hands, were more dangerous than any weapon.

"Well?" I pressed. "Do you agree to let my father participate in the kingdom examination or not?"

The silence stretched. Luna Camilla wrung her hands nervously. Seraphina clung to her father’s arm, her face still flushed with humiliation. Bastian had retreated to the shadows, trying to make himself invisible.

Finally, Alpha Roland spoke.

"Fine."

One word. Spat out like poison.

"Say it clearly," I said. "I want everyone in this room to hear it."

His eyes flashed with fury. But he swallowed his pride and forced the words out.

"I agree to let Edwin participate in this year’s kingdom examination. He has my permission to register and compete."

Relief flooded through me, but I kept my expression neutral. Showing weakness now would be a mistake.

"Thank you, Alpha Roland." I bowed my head slightly. Just enough to be polite. Not enough to be submissive. "I’m glad we could come to an understanding."

Having his formal permission would make everything easier. The registration process required an Alpha’s approval for any pack member to participate. Without it, my father would have been blocked at every turn.

And now Alpha Roland couldn’t take it back. Not with the leverage I held over him. Unless I died, that permission would stand.

I turned to my family. "We’re leaving."

My father looked stunned. My mother was still processing what had just happened. Finn was practically bouncing with excitement, his eyes shining with admiration.

We walked out of the great hall together. I didn’t look back. Didn’t give Alpha Roland or his family the satisfaction of seeing any uncertainty on my face.

The moment we were outside, Finn grabbed my arm.

"Sister, that was incredible!" He was grinning from ear to ear. "How did you do that? The voice thing? You sounded exactly like them! It was amazing!"

"It’s just a talent I have." I allowed myself a small smile. "I’ve always been able to mimic voices. I just never had a reason to use it before."

"You have to teach me! Can you do anyone? Can you do Father? Can you do me?"

"Finn, calm down." But I was laughing now. His enthusiasm was infectious.

My father caught up to us, his expression serious. "Ivy, what you did in there was incredibly dangerous. You threatened an Alpha in his own hall. If he had decided to attack you instead of negotiate..."

"But he didn’t."

"He could have!" Father ran a hand through his hair. "I thought you were going to wait. Use Alpha Alaric’s connections to help me register quietly. That was the plan."

"Plans change." I stopped walking and turned to face him. "Father, did you see what he did in there? He ordered you to pour wine like a servant. In front of everyone. He threw a cup at your feet and screamed at you like you were a dog."

Father’s jaw tightened. The humiliation was still fresh.

"Relying on others takes time," I continued. "And I realized today that we don’t have time. Alpha Roland will keep pushing. Keep humiliating you. Keep grinding you down until there’s nothing left." I took his hands in mine. "I couldn’t watch that happen anymore."

"But going against him directly—"

"Was necessary." I squeezed his hands. "He needed to feel what it’s like to lose for once. To have someone stand up to him and refuse to back down. Even if it was just his worthless niece."

Father was quiet for a long moment. Then he pulled me into a tight embrace.

"You’re not worthless," he murmured into my hair. "You never were. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you better."

"You did your best." I hugged him back. "And now it’s my turn to protect this family."

We walked back to my parents’ residence together. The afternoon sun was beginning to fade, casting long shadows across the path.

"The examination is in three months," I said as we entered the house. "That should give you plenty of time to prepare."

Father nodded slowly. "It’s been years since I studied for anything like this."

"You’ll do fine. You’re the smartest person I know." I turned to Finn. "And you, little brother. Next year, when you turn sixteen, you’ll be old enough to take the examination too."

Finn’s eyes went wide. "Really?"

"Really. So I want you to study hard this year. Learn everything Father teaches you. If both of you can secure positions in the royal court..." I smiled at the thought. "Our family will never have to bow to Alpha Roland again."

"I’ll study every day!" Finn declared. "I’ll be the best student Father has ever had!"

"That’s the spirit."

My mother emerged from the kitchen with tea and snacks. Her eyes were still red from earlier, but she was smiling now. A real smile, not the forced one she wore in public.

"Stay for dinner at least," she pleaded. "It’s been so long since we’ve eaten together as a family."

I glanced out the window. The sun was getting lower.

"I can’t, Mother. I need to return to the Silvermoon Pack before dark. But I promise I’ll visit again soon."

She looked disappointed but nodded. "Take care of yourself, my darling. And be careful around those people."

"I will."

I hugged each of them one more time. Held on a little longer than necessary. Then I gathered my guards and Nell and headed for the carriage.

The journey back to the Silvermoon Pack took several hours. By the time we arrived, the sky had turned deep purple and the first stars were beginning to appear.

I was exhausted. The confrontation with Alpha Roland had drained me more than I wanted to admit. All I wanted was to collapse into bed and sleep for a week.

Nell helped me change into my nightclothes while I went through the motions mechanically. Brush hair. Wash face. Remove jewelry. Each action automatic, requiring no thought.

Finally, I dismissed her for the night and entered the master bedroom.

Dominic lay exactly where I had left him. Still as always. Peaceful as always.

But something was different tonight.

Marcus and Theo had recently bathed him. His dark hair was still slightly damp, brushed back from his face. His skin looked clean and fresh. And there was a faint scent clinging to him. Something herbal. Pleasant.

I climbed into bed beside him and pulled the covers over us both.

"You missed quite a day," I murmured, settling into the pillows.

No response. Of course.

"I went back to my pack for the return banquet. Seraphina tried to humiliate me by locking me outside the gates. Can you believe that?" I laughed softly. "But I got the last laugh. I made her mother give me the Moonfire Pendant. You should have seen Luna Camilla’s face."

Silence. Just his steady breathing beside me.

"Then Alpha Roland tried to humiliate my father in front of everyone. Made him pour wine like a servant." My voice hardened at the memory. "So I threatened him. Used some evidence I had against Seraphina. Now my father can finally take the kingdom examination."

I turned on my side to face Dominic’s profile.

"I know you can’t hear me. But it feels nice to talk to someone." I reached out and touched his hand. His skin was warm. Alive. "Everyone else wants something from me. But you... you just listen."

His chest rose and fell in that slow, mechanical rhythm.

"Three months," I whispered. "That’s how long before I can heal you completely. Just hold on until then. Please."

No response.

But somehow, the silence felt less lonely than before.

I closed my eyes, still holding his hand.

And drifted off to sleep.

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