His Mate, Her Choice novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: The Council

The Council of Alphas sat in the oak hall at noon.

There were five of them, at a long table dragged out under the antlers, and they had not taken off their travelling coats.

The eldest sat in the middle, a stooped woman with white hair cut short and a stick across her knees.

The pack filled the hall behind us, two hundred wolves standing shoulder to shoulder.

I stood at the front, between Dain and Ansel, with my father's letter against my ribs and his ring on my thumb.

Halvard stood on the other side of the floor in his green waistcoat, with Ottilie and Fenn at his back.

Ottilie did not look at me.

Fenn was looking at his boots.

"Ironbark's Alpha has called us," said the eldest. "Say your charge, Halvard Crane."

"Thank you, Elder."

He did not hurry.

"On the Long Night the Alpha King came to my lodge, and in front of my household he named a girl his fated mate. A cellar clerk. A thief."

"A thief of what?" asked the Alpha on her left.

"Of the Crown's own war roll." He lifted a hand. "The King's clerk has it in his case. I will not argue that point. I will argue the bond."

"Go on."

"Moon law is older than any of us. A mate bond binds two wolves." He turned slowly. "This girl has not shifted in eight years."

A murmur ran through the hall.

"Her wolf has not answered since the day she came to my gate. She has no wolf, and a woman without one cannot be anyone's mate."

"Alpha Halvard," said Dain, "your own Luna fed her a draught to stop it."

"Prove it."

"I will."

"Then prove it later, Majesty. Today the Council may ask the only question that matters. Where is her wolf?"

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