Chapter 014\u00a0<\/p>\n
I walked back to my study in silence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everything was eerily quiet for some reason.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The silence was eating at my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something felt wrong.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sat up, every instinct in me alert.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bond between Alpha and territory thrummed uneasily my wolves were restless. Whispering. Searching.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It felt like I was losing my mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And then I realised why.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her scent was gone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Faint traces lingered \u2013 crushed herbs, exile, and something softly human. But the air was already losing her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was on my feet before I\u2019d finished the thought.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her room was as she\u2019d left it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bed untouched, window open, the morning light spilling over an empty chair.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The shawl she\u2019d wrapped around her shoulders last night fluttered in the wind \u2013 caught on the ledge like it didn\u2019t want to let go either.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I picked it up, the fabric still faintly warm. It smelt of her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I held it closely,like it was my last straw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn it, Kaia\u2026\u201d I whispered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My Gamma, Ronan, appeared at the doorway, his expression guarded. \u201cShe\u2019s gone, Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI can see that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe must\u2019ve left before dawn. No one saw her at the gates, but the patrols found tracks heading toward the\u00a0<\/p>\n
river trail.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Council\u2019s words echoed in my head \u2013 You should\u2019ve never brought her here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She\u2019s a liability.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Test her loyalty before it costs you your crown.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And yet, the only thing I could think of was the look in her eyes when she said, I\u2019m not your enemy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSend two trackers,\u201d I ordered, my voice sharper than I intended. \u201cNo one harms her. No one frightens her. Just find her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ronan hesitated. \u201cAlpha Theo, with respect\u2026 if she left willingly, it means she didn\u2019t trust you. Moreover,this is good for the Pack and the people\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t care what it means.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He lowered his head. \u201cThe Council will. They already doubt your judgment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI said find her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ronan bowed slightly, then left, leaving me alone in that echoing room \u2013 her scent, her absence, and the faint tremor in my hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My hands trembled with her shawl as I clutched it tighter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart is pounding in my chest. With a dull ache.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something I didn\u2019t understand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Successfully unlocked!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 014\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned to leave and that\u2019s when I saw it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
A folded scrap of parchment left on the windowsill.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I knew her handwriting before I even opened it \u2013 clean, precise, with a healer\u2019s steadiness.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alpha Theo,\u00a0<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve shown me more kindness than I deserve. But I\u2019ve brought nothing but trouble since the day we met. I can\u2019t repay your debt by ruining your place here. I will be fine. Please, don\u2019t look for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
-Kaia\u00a0<\/p>\n
I clenched the paper until it crumpled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cToo late,\u201d I muttered. \u201cYou already ruined me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
By the time the sun had climbed above the Pack\u2019s walls, my wolves were already running through the forest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Every breath I took was thick with her dying scent, fading fast.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ronan\u2019s voice came through the mind\u2013link, tense:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alpha. We found blood by the riverbank.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My pulse stopped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Human?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yes. And Alpha\u2026 There are some rogue tracks too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t wait for more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bond snapped taut \u2013 the Alpha within me rising like a storm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep the trail alive,\u201d I ordered, my voice dropping into that lethal calm only Alphas carried. \u201cI\u2019m coming for her myself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
And for the first time in years, I didn\u2019t care about the Council.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Didn\u2019t care about the rules.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I just knew one thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If Kaia was hurt \u2013 I would burn the entire forest to the ground to get her back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia\u2019s POV\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alone. Again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The forest whispered my name as though it pitied me. Each step bled into the next \u2013 breath, ache, the pulse of regret against my ribs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I told myself I wouldn\u2019t look back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not at the Pack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not at Theo.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not at the only place that had ever felt almost safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBetter he hates me than lose his crown,\u201d I muttered under my breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The trees didn\u2019t answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They didn\u2019t have any answers for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Or they don\u2019t care enough.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hours passed before I caught the metallic scent blood. Fresh. Wolf.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Instinct pulled me toward it before my senses could argue. I found him half\u2013buried in leaves, armor shredded,\u00a0<\/p>\n
a dark stain pooling beneath his side.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I recognised him from the trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 014\u00a0<\/p>\n
From the camp to the Packlands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of Theo\u2019s scouts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d I whispered, dropping to my knees. \u201cStay with me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His eyes fluttered open, pupils blown wide with pain. \u201cYou-\u201d he rasped. \u201cYou\u2019re her. The outsider.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d I said, already tearing at his shirt. \u201cAnd the only one here who can stop you from dying, so shut up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2015\u00a0<\/p>\n
The wound was deep but clean a blade, not claws. Human\u2013made.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pressed my palm to it, muttering every healer\u2019s prayer I knew, even the ones I didn\u2019t believe in anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He groaned. \u201cYou\u2019ll poison me-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNot before I save you.\u201d I crushed willow bark and feverleaf from my satchel, fingers trembling. \u201cHold still.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
When the bleeding slowed, I pressed my ear to his chest. Heartbeat weak, but there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Relief flooded me so hard I almost laughed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then a growl sliced through the forest behind me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2015\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s scent hit first \u2013 cedar and smoke and something that always made\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStep away from him,\u201d his voice thundered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
my chest hurt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned slowly. Theo stood there with three of his men, jaw tight, eyes locked on the blood covering my hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI can explain,\u201d I said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His gaze flicked to the scout. \u201cIs he alive?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d I said. \u201cBarely. He was ambushed. If I hadn\u2019t found him-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo was beside me in an instant, crouching, checking the man\u2019s pulse. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly. \u201cGo get me the healers,\u201d he ordered his men. \u201cNow.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
They obeyed, vanishing into the trees. Only then did he look at me properly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou ran,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cWhy?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I met his eyes. \u201cBecause I don\u2019t want to be the reason you\u2019re ruined\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo asked, his eyes searching for answers in mine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about,Kaia? You saved my life. How could you be the reason for my ruins\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t mean to tell the truth but it came out anyway.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard what they said. That I\u2019d ruin you. That your Council would use me to break you.\u201d My voice shook. \u201cAnd they\u2019re right. You have everything to lose-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen let me decide what\u2019s worth losing,\u201d he cut in, sharper than I expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blinked, stunned silent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a heartbeat, we both forgot to breathe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The weight of his gaze softened \u2013 not forgiveness, but something dangerously close.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Behind us, the scout stirred and mumbled Theo\u2019s name.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Alpha exhaled, steady again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou saved him,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shrugged, swallowing the lump in my throat. \u201cIt would\u2019ve been easier to keep walking.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s mouth twitched. \u201cBut you didn\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d she whispered. \u201cI never can. That\u2019s a problem of mine. Something I hope would kill not me in the future\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo took my bloodied hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTrust me, Kaia. Nothing of that sort will happen. I will not let anything happen to you\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 014\u00a0<\/p>\n
I snatched my hand away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Afraid, his action might weaken me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha Theo,I can\u2019t stay. Not when it can be a problem for you\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo smirked. \u201cThat\u2019s too bad because I\u2019m not letting you go anywhere,Kaia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t understand, Theo. I can\u2019t \u2013\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand. But, I don\u2019t care what anyone thinks. You\u2019re coming with me or I won\u2019t return to the Pack at all\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be so stubborn. Theo please\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Later that night, the Council chambers flared with tension.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo stood before them, I at his side, the scout alive but weak in the infirmary.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe claims she found him by chance,\u201d one elder sneered. \u201cYet she bears his blood on her hands. What if she\u00a0<\/p>\n
caused it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s jaw clenched. \u201cYou\u2019re grasping.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOr perhaps she\u2019s clever enough to save the very man she harmed,\u201d another said. \u201cWe still know nothing of her, Alpha. You risk too much.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My stomach twisted, but I kept my chin high. \u201cIf saving a life is a crime, then yes\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chamber erupted in murmurs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2014\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s gaze cut through the noise, landing on me \u2013 unreadable, proud, furious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something shifted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019m guilty.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He took a slow step closer to me, shoulders squared, his voice calm and dangerous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf guilt means saving my men,\u201d I said. \u201cThen,perhaps you should pray to the moon goddess for more criminals like her\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha Theo, you have no idea what you\u2019re talking about,\u201d Elder Marcus slammed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I replied. Firmly. \u201cI do. Perhaps, you have something else in mind\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Councilor Corwin chimed in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe this is a private meeting. Strays shouldn\u2019t be here. Please escort her out\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted to argue. To press further.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Kaia nodded at me. Urging me to stop.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I breathed deeply.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then,one of my men led Kaia out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It hurts me to see this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To see Kaia being treated like a stray.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something she\u2019s not.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u56de\u00a0<\/p>\n
Subscribe\u00a0<\/p>\n
3 Likes\u00a0<\/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
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shadows Follow Lonely Minds \u2014 Christopher Harris 14 Chapter 014\u00a0 I walked back to my study in silence.\u00a0 Everything was […]<\/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":[80],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27259","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-nightshade-heir-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27259","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=27259"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27259\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27259"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27259"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27259"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}