All Chapters of Exchanging Vows: The Swapped Wife Is a Top Shaman: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Ivy's Point of ViewA servant appeared at the door. "Beta Edwin, the Luna requests everyone's presence for the midday meal."My mother quickly dried her eyes and smoothed down her hair. My father straightened his clothes, tugging at his collar like it was choking him. We all knew better than to keep Alpha Roland waiting. Even a few minutes of tardiness would be seen as disrespect.The walk to the dining hall felt longer than I remembered. Every corridor brought back memories. Some good. Most painful. The corner where Seraphina had once tripped me in front of visiting dignitaries. The staircase where her friends had "accidentally" spilled ink on my dress before an important ceremony.This place had never been kind to me.The dining hall was already full when we arrived.Alpha Roland sat at the head of the long table, looking every bit the powerful leader he believed himself to be. His robes were made of the finest silk, embroidered with the Crescent Moon Pack's crest in silver thread.

Ivy's Point of ViewAlpha Roland's eyes locked onto mine.For a long moment, neither of us moved. Neither of us spoke. The tension between us was thick enough to cut with a knife.I could see him calculating. Weighing his options. Trying to figure out if I was bluffing.I wasn't.Finally, he let out a slow breath through his nose. His jaw unclenched slightly. The crimson faded from his eyes, replaced by something colder. More dangerous.Calculation."Everyone out," he said.His voice wasn't loud. But it carried the weight of absolute authority.Luna Camilla rose from her seat, confusion written across her face. "Husband, what's going on? Surely you don't believe this girl's—""I said out.""Father, she's lying!" Seraphina rushed forward, grabbing Alpha Roland's arm. "Whatever she told you, it's not true! She's just jealous because I married Bastian and she got stuck with a dying man!""Don't listen to her nonsense," Bastian added smoothly. "She's clearly unstable. The stress of her si

Ivy's Point of ViewI woke with the sunrise.For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling. Dominic's steady breathing filled the silence beside me. Warm sunlight crept through the curtains, painting golden stripes across the bed.Another day. Another step forward.I dressed quickly and made my way to Luna Helena's residence. The morning air was crisp and fresh, carrying the scent of blooming flowers from the gardens.Luna Helena was already awake when I arrived. She sat in her private sitting room, a cup of tea steaming in her hands. She looked tired. The worry lines around her eyes seemed deeper than before."Ivy." She smiled when she saw me. "Come, sit. Have some tea with me."I settled into the chair across from her. A servant poured me a cup without being asked."How was your trip home yesterday?" Luna Helena asked. "I heard you returned quite late.""It was... eventful.""Oh?" She raised an eyebrow. "Tell me."So I did.I told her about the locked gates. About being for

Ivy's Point of ViewThe maid froze mid-step.Her eyes darted to Luna Helena. Then to Alpha Alaric. Then back to me.I could see the calculation happening behind her eyes. The fear slowly overtaking the obedience.Margot was powerful. But she wasn't the Alpha. She wasn't the Luna. And I was still the wife of the heir. The future Luna of the Silvermoon Pack.Striking me would be an act of war.The maid's legs buckled. She dropped to her knees, trembling."Forgive me, Young Madam." Her voice shook. "I cannot... I cannot do this."Margot's face went crimson with humiliation. Her own servant had defied her. In front of everyone. In front of the Alpha himself."You worthless—""Enough, Margot."Alpha Alaric's voice cut through the room like a blade.Margot fell silent instantly."I have tolerated your interference out of respect for your position in this family." Alpha Alaric stepped forward, his presence filling every corner of the room. "But you have overstepped. Again and again. My decis

Ivy's Point of ViewThe ceremony was over.I lay on the altar, trembling and weak. But as the initial shock faded, I realized something surprising.The pain was manageable.My preparations had worked. The moonroot powder had protected my soul from shattering. The silverleaf had kept my mind anchored. The nightbloom had cushioned the worst of the spiritual trauma.I was hurt. Exhausted. Burned in places where the wolfsbane chains had touched my skin.But I was intact.The same could not be said for Bastian.Across the temple, he lay crumpled on his own altar. His face was ashen gray. Sweat poured down his forehead. His whole body convulsed with violent tremors.He had no shaman's protection. No secret preparations. He had endured the full force of the bond-breaking with nothing but his own strength.And it had nearly destroyed him."Bastian!" Seraphina rushed to his side, tears streaming down her face. "Bastian, can you hear me?"He groaned. A weak, pitiful sound.Margot and Vivienne p