In \u201cHealing Slowly But Surely,\u201d Leilani experiences a tumultuous encounter with Zevran, an unexpected visitor who stirs a mix of confusion, anger, and curiosity within her. Initially shocked to see him on her porch, Leilani grapples with her emotions, torn between the desire for peace and the chaos Zevran brings into her life. Despite her resolve to ignore him, the relentless ringing of the doorbell and his persistence force her to confront her feelings, leading to a whirlwind of anxiety and frustration as she questions how he found her.<\/p>\n
When Zevran finally confronts her, the tension escalates. His insistence on discussing their past and urging her to return to her family ignites a fierce defensive reaction in Leilani. She feels cornered by his demands, which only amplifies her anger and resentment towards him and her family. The conversation reveals deep-seated issues, including her feelings of jealousy and the pain from past betrayals, which complicate their interaction further. Leilani\u2019s struggle to maintain her composure in the face of his accusations showcases her vulnerability and the emotional scars that still affect her.<\/p>\n
As the dialogue unfolds, Leilani\u2019s anger transforms into a bitter humor as she ridicules Zevran\u2019s attempts to manipulate her feelings. His pleas for forgiveness and reconciliation with her family only serve to deepen her resolve to stand her ground. The tension reaches a peak when she asserts her independence by declaring she belongs to another pack and no longer needs to follow the rituals he insists upon. This moment signifies her growth and determination to break free from the expectations imposed upon her.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the encounter culminates in a surprising twist when Leilani reveals that she has gained a wolf, a significant development that leaves Zevran in shock. This revelation not only changes the dynamics of their relationship but also marks a turning point for Leilani as she asserts her identity and agency. The chapter closes with a sense of unresolved tension, leaving readers eager to see how Leilani will navigate her newfound power and the implications it holds for her future interactions with Zevran and her family.<\/p>\n
**Healing Slowly But Surely**
\n**By R. Joseph**
\n**36 The Uninvited Guest.**<\/p>\n
Leilani. Oh, how my heart sank at the sight of Zevran on my porch. My initial reaction was one of sheer bewilderment.<\/p>\n
Here I was, a perfectly rational person, or at least I liked to think so, grappling with the absurdity of the moment. I tiptoed across my living room, sinking into the plush embrace of my couch, and listened as he continued to hammer on the doorbell, the sound reverberating through my home like a melancholy tune on repeat.<\/p>\n
But there was no way I was going to open that door. Not now, not ever.<\/p>\n
As the initial confusion ebbed away, it was quickly replaced by a surge of anger intertwined with an insatiable curiosity. How on earth had he tracked me down? What was he doing here? Had he followed me? Why couldn\u2019t these people just let me have a moment of peace?<\/p>\n
Minutes dragged on like hours, and finally, the incessant ringing ceased. I peered through the peephole, watching him as he leaned in, squinting in a futile attempt to see me. It was almost comical when he shook his head in frustration and turned away, as if realizing that the peephole was not a magic portal.<\/p>\n
So much for being the smartest triplet!<\/p>\n
Moments later, he climbed into his sleek Porsche and sped off, leaving me in a whirlwind of emotions.<\/p>\n
About forty minutes later, as I was in the kitchen, busily preparing some Chinese noodles, the doorbell rang again. I glanced at the intercom, my heart racing as I braced myself to unleash a torrent of curses if it turned out to be anyone related to my family or the triplets. But when I saw the delivery guy, relief washed over me. I opened the door, my curiosity piqued.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d I asked, trying to keep my tone light.<\/p>\n
Silence hung in the air. He didn\u2019t respond. \u201cHow did you even get here? I didn\u2019t order anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I knew you were in; you just didn\u2019t want to see me.\u201d<\/p>\n
My heart sank. That voice. I recognized it all too well, and it sent a shiver down my spine.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, the delivery guy dropped the carton of milk on the floor, and he began to step closer, his dark sunglasses shielding his eyes from my gaze.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeilani, I only wish to talk to you. Just for a moment. You don\u2019t have to be nice to me; all I ask is that you hear me out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cZevran?\u201d I gasped, a mix of surprise and anger bubbling within me. I couldn\u2019t believe he had returned so quickly, and I was furious that he had managed to pull this trick on me.<\/p>\n
The tremor that shot up my spine was involuntary, and I felt an electric jolt course through my body as he stood too close, our chests nearly touching. My heart raced uncontrollably.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it\u2019s me,\u201d he whispered softly, removing his sunglasses and cap in one fluid motion. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I just really wanted to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
I crossed my arms, trying to project an air of indifference. \u201cWhat now?\u201d I scoffed, rolling my eyes. \u201cAre you here to remind me how much money you\u2019ll make if I let you collaborate with Frostclaw? And how that would magically improve my sister\u2019s life?\u201d<\/p>\n
Zevran gasped, clearly taken aback. \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t\u2026\u201d He paused, glancing around as if the walls had ears. \u201cCan we go inside and talk?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you\u2019re even more foolish than you look if you think I\u2019ll let you into my house after everything that\u2019s happened,\u201d I shot back, my voice cold and biting. Even I was surprised at how icy I sounded.<\/p>\n
He sighed heavily, rubbing his face in frustration until it turned a shade of crimson. A tense silence stretched between us before he finally spoke again. \u201cDon\u2019t you think it\u2019s time you returned to your family?\u201d<\/p>\n
I froze, my mind racing. What the hell was he talking about?<\/p>\n
Remember when I said Zevran was the brightest triplet? Well, I take that back. He was even dumber than Chalice had ever been!<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat gives you the right to come here and demand anything from me? You think I\u2019ll just jump at the chance to do your bidding?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing except the fact that I am still your Alpha,\u201d he replied quickly, the conviction in his voice unwavering. \u201cYou were never branded a rogue; you simply distanced yourself from your family out of jealousy for your sister. And honestly, I can understand that. I\u2019d be furious too if everyone adored Kael and Caelum and left me feeling insignificant.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cZevran\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m telling you that I understand how you felt!\u201d he continued, his tone insistent. \u201cThough you went too far with your theatrics. You lied, hurt your sister time and again, even made rogues attack the pack and killed your own grandmother\u2026 but I don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t think I hold it against you anymore. Your family doesn\u2019t seem to care much these days.\u201d<\/p>\n
A laugh erupted from my throat, dark and bitter. I couldn\u2019t help it; I laughed until tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, gasping for breath as his stupidity became unbearable.<\/p>\n
One look at his self-righteous face made me cringe internally. I shrugged, forcing the laughter down. \u201cSo now that you\u2019ve laid out all my so-called crimes, what do you think I can do to fix this mess?\u201d<\/p>\n
To my surprise, he smiled at me, a genuine look of relief washing over his features. \u201cYou can start by asking for forgiveness. I\u2019m sure your family would welcome you back. I, for one, have forgiven you for everything\u2026 including that one thing you did when we were younger.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now that caught me off guard. I raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on my face. \u201cAnd what exactly did I do back then?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStop pretending you don\u2019t know, Leilani! Like I said, I\u2019ve forgiven you,\u201d he snapped, darting his gaze around once more. I couldn\u2019t help but wonder if he was worried about being seen with me.<\/p>\n
Was that why he wanted to come inside?<\/p>\n
Why he kept glancing around as if he were afraid of being caught?<\/p>\n
Rage surged within me, tightening my chest until I could hardly breathe. And when his hands shot out to grab mine, I flinched, snarling in disgust as sparks ignited between us.<\/p>\n
He must have felt it too because he stiffened, cleared his throat, and released my hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want you to return to the pack,\u201d he murmured after a moment of heavy silence. \u201cAnd I want you to forgive Caelum for what happened earlier today. Don\u2019t hold it against us\u2026 and please, don\u2019t ruin our chance to work with Frostclaw just because of your hatred towards us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aha! Finally!<\/p>\n
Finally, he had uttered the words I had been longing to hear!<\/p>\n
My expression darkened, and a small smile crept onto my lips. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
He paled. \u201cNo, what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I\u2019m not going back to your pack because I belong to one now. No, I\u2019m not apologizing to anyone for something I didn\u2019t do. No, I\u2019m not handing over what you seek from Frostclaw just to be the \u2018bigger person.\u2019 And no, you can take your sorry self and that carton of expired milk off my porch!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStop making this harder than it has to be!\u201d he snapped, desperation lacing his voice. \u201cYou need to return. You need to make amends with your family, especially Chalice, and then we can proceed with the rejection ritual. Don\u2019t be so difficult!\u201d<\/p>\n
The more he spoke, the more foolish he sounded. It was absurd listening to him as if I were to blame for their animosity towards me for not having a wolf at the time.<\/p>\n
Speaking of which\u2014<\/p>\n
Suddenly, it hit me. I muttered, \u201cWe don\u2019t have to do the ritual.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes widened in disbelief. \u201cWhy? Do you realize how badly that will affect Chalice? How can you be so selfish?\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, it was always about Chalice. It had to be.<\/p>\n
I rolled my eyes, irritation bubbling within me as I scrutinized him, wondering what had made my younger self so infatuated with him.<\/p>\n
I scoffed. \u201cI\u2019m not trying to latch onto you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not convincing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019m not trying to convince you!\u201d I snapped. As my voice rose, I glanced up at my neighbor\u2019s veranda, mortified to see a few people standing there, observing our heated exchange.<\/p>\n
They were humans, so they couldn\u2019t hear us, but the embarrassment was already too much to bear.<\/p>\n
I lowered my gaze and spat, \u201cI\u2019m not trying to latch onto you guys\u2026 honestly, there\u2019s nothing to latch onto. I just want us to perform the rejection process without any rituals because I think it\u2019s no longer necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is\u2026 that\u2019s the only way\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI now have a wolf!\u201d I interrupted him, my voice firm. \u201cSo you can get your brothers over\u2014not over here, by the way\u2014and we can wrap this nonsense up!\u201d<\/p>\n
Zevran froze.<\/p>\n
His dark, penetrating eyes roamed over my body, disbelief etched on his face. Then, too quickly for me to react, he grabbed my arm and pulled me inside my house, shutting the door behind us.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou what?\u201d<\/p>\n
As the door clicked shut behind us, the weight of the moment bore down on me. Zevran\u2019s presence, once a source of anger and confusion, now felt like a spark igniting something deep within. I had spent so long running from my past, hiding behind walls I had built to protect myself from hurt and betrayal. Yet here he was, challenging me to confront the very demons I had tried to escape. My heart raced not just from the proximity of his body, but from the realization that perhaps healing was not about retreating into solitude, but about facing the truth head-on. The tension hung thick in the air, and for the first time, I felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, I could reclaim my place in the world I had abandoned.<\/p>\n
Zevran\u2019s insistence that I return to my pack echoed in my mind, stirring a whirlwind of emotions. I had fought so hard to distance myself from them, convinced that my absence would shield me from further pain. But as I stood there, confronted by his unwavering gaze, I understood that the path to healing required more than just isolation. It demanded vulnerability and a willingness to forgive\u2014not only others but also myself. With each heartbeat, I felt the walls I had constructed begin to crumble, leaving room for the possibility of reconciliation. In that moment, as we stood on the threshold of a new chapter, I realized that healing was not a destination, but a journey I was finally ready to embrace, one step at a time.<\/p>\n
In the next chapter, readers can expect a dramatic escalation of tension as Leilani and Zevran find themselves locked in a battle of wills within the confines of her home. With the door now firmly closed, the stakes are higher than ever. As they confront the unresolved emotions and complicated history between them, Leilani will grapple with her feelings of anger and betrayal, while Zevran\u2019s determination to mend their fractured relationship will be put to the test. Will he finally reveal the depths of his true intentions, or will his presence only serve to reignite the flames of resentment that Leilani has fought so hard to extinguish?<\/p>\n
As the conversation unfolds, secrets long buried may surface, leading to revelations that could change everything for both of them. Will Leilani\u2019s newfound strength in claiming her identity as a wolf be enough to withstand Zevran\u2019s insistence on returning to the pack? Readers will be left on the edge of their seats, wondering if Leilani can find a way to navigate her tumultuous feelings while standing her ground against the Alpha\u2019s demands. The emotional and supernatural stakes are about to rise, promising a chapter filled with unexpected twists, heart-pounding confrontations, and the potential for redemption\u2014or ruin.<\/p>\n
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella\u2019s storytelling style is immersive and addictive\u2014perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.<\/p>\n
Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 36 Healing Slowly But Surely By R. Joseph 36 Summary In \u201cHealing Slowly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chosen-by-none-feared-by-all"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23239"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23239\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}