Chapter 23: Both

Valerie's POV

The Redfern lodge was packed to the beams.

Crowe wolves stood along one wall and Redfern families filled the benches.

The eldest sat in my father's chair with his stick across his knees.

Mathias stood in the middle of the hall, alone, in a clean shirt.

I sat on the dais beside the founder's stone with the red scarf tied round my wrist, over the mark.

"Alpha Crowe," the eldest said. "You asked for the floor."

"I did."

He turned and faced the benches.

"I'm not here for her land," Mathias said. "I told her that in private, and I'll tell it to you."

"I came to your border seven years ago for a girl I'd never seen, and I got sent away four times."

"I don't ask you to trust me. I ask for her."

He turned to me.

"Valerie Redfern. Take the Redfern seat. Keep the ridge, and the mill, and the name."

"I'll keep mine. And I'll stand at your side on the same council, on whichever bank you like, for as long as I live."

I stood up.

My legs were not quite steady, and my voice was.

"Yes," I said.

A murmur went down the benches.

I did not wait for it to end.

"Yes to him," I said. "And yes to the seat. I'll take both, and I won't be asked to give up either."

The eldest tapped his stick.

"The law."

"The law says a mate puts a Crowe hand on Redfern ground. So put a Redfern hand on Crowe ground."

I came down the steps.

Keep reading free with an account. Start The Body-Swapped Heiress Returns as the Alpha's Mate from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.