Given to an Alpha Who Saw Through Every Lie novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: Midwinter Eve

Midwinter eve came in with sleet on the pack hall roof and every folding chair taken by noon.

The bite on Dane's shoulder had healed to a dark crescent. Everyone in the room could see it above his collar.

Nobody said a word about it. They all looked.

The three elders sat at the head table. Ernest sat below them in his gray cardigan, and he was not alone.

Regan sat at his elbow in a black dress, thin and pale, with her curls pinned flat.

Somebody had unlocked her cold room door since Dane shut it on her, and I could guess whose hand it was.

"The Council rules today on one question," the eldest elder said. "Is the Alpha mated in law?"

"He is not," Ernest said gently. "Article nine is plain. A ward cannot be claimed without her guardian's word."

"She's not claimed," Dane said. "She bit me."

A ripple went around the hall.

"A mark is not a claim, Alpha. One bite from one side is a wound." Ernest turned his palms up. "I'm sorry, my dear. That is the law."

"Regan Rycroft will speak," the second elder said. "She was at the Merrow lodge that night."

Regan stood.

Her voice was small and clear, and it carried well.

"Nan's confused," she said. "She was poisoned. She can't know her own mind. The Alpha has taken advantage of her, and everyone knows it, and I'm only saying what others are too afraid to."

"Her heart's racing," Dane said.

"It's racing because I'm frightened of you!"

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