He Scorned My Love, Now He Watches My Rise novel · Chapter 21 of 24

Chapter 21: Upheld

Cade's POV

The petition still had to be voted on.

That is the rule of the Hollow Moon council. Once a seat is challenged, it is put to the room, even if the man who challenged it has handed in his ring.

So the hall emptied for the noon recess, and I went out to the porch alone.

The mesa was already hot. I stood at the rail with my hat in my hand and counted.

Three Alphas had stood for Cedar Pass. Eleven sat on the council.

Eight would not look at me this morning. That is how many had gone quiet when the Beta said bed.

I had run Crimson Sand for nine years and never once lost a vote.

I had never needed one so badly.

Vittorio Santoro came out through the side door and stopped beside me.

He looked ten years older than he had at breakfast yesterday.

"Alpha Merrick," he said.

"Alpha Santoro."

"My son says he has given up the seat."

"I heard."

"He means it." The old man looked at the horizon. "He has never meant anything in his life until this week. It came a little late."

I said nothing.

"I'll vote for you when we sit again," he said. "Nightfall will not abstain."

"Why?"

"Because I'm tired of being the man in that letter."

My jaw tightened.

"Cedar Pass is free. I owe the girl an apology I don't know how to write."

← Chapter 20 · All chapters · Chapter 22 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend