Chapter 015\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment Kaia was escorted from the Council chamber, the atmosphere changed \u2013 colder, sharper.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Almost biting like silver chains.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNow,\u201d said Elder Rowan, leaning forward, \u201clet\u2019s speak plainly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood there motionless, though my jaw flexed once.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is a stranger,\u201d Rowan continued. \u201cA stray you brought into our Packlands. You vouch for her\u2013fine. Then let her prove she deserves your trust.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I kept my expression still. \u201cShe saved one of our scouts today. That should speak for something.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh speak of coincidence,\u201d another snapped. \u201cOr convenience.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A third leaned forward. \u201cYou claim she can be trusted? Then let her prove it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes narrowed. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elder Rowan smiled the kind of smile I had learned to distrust.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cA test. If the girl\u2019s loyalty lies with you and our pack, she will not fail. And if it lies elsewhere-\u201d He spread his hands. \u201cWe\u2019ll have our answer without bloodshed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My gut tightened. \u201cYou\u2019re talking about sending her into the field.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly to observe,\u201d another said mildly. \u201cWe have rogue movements near the ridge again \u2013 minor patrols, nothing your guards can\u2019t control. Let her assist the medics. Let her be seen. Let the pack decide whether she\u2018 s one of us or a threat.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled through my teeth. \u201cYou want to parade her like bait.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan\u2019s gaze didn\u2019t waver. \u201cI want the people to see what their Alpha defends.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped closer to the table. \u201cAnd if she\u2019s hurt?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen perhaps she isn\u2019t fit to be one of us. And this is the goddess giving a chance to see things clearly, Alpha Theo,\u201d Rowan murmured.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I let out a low growl. \u201cShe\u2019s barely recovered. You want her to bleed for your paranoia?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Marcus smirked. \u201cWe want to see what she does when loyalty is tested. Call it\u2026 observation. There\u2019s a patrol scheduled near the western ridge \u2013 minor rogue sightings. Assign her there. Let her assist your soldiers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes narrowed. \u201cYou want her watched.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly,\u201d said another elder smoothly. \u201cIf she\u2019s clean, your people will see it. If not\u2026\u201d He shrugged. \u201cThe truth\u00a0<\/p>\n
reveals itself in fire.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt my head spinning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
How could they be so callous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia has suffered enough yet they are hellbent on making her suffer more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And somehow, I\u2019m helpless to stop them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t say anything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then Elder Corwin said,his voice sharp as flint. \u201cThe people are talking and the council doubts your judgment already. In no time, it might become a chaos. You wouldn\u2019t want that, Would you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I clenched my fists. They\u2019re setting her up to fail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And they\u2019re baiting me too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd she mustn\u2019t know,\u201d Rowan added. \u201cIf you tell her, it taints the result. She should believe it\u2019s just a routine\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/5\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 015\u00a0<\/p>\n
patrol.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Great.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2015\u00a0<\/p>\n
My hand curled at my side. They\u2019re not testing her they\u2019re testing me too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They want a chance to rid of me of my position.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t the first time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And might not be the last time too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The silence thickened until I finally spoke, voice low and dangerous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned around from their gazes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Exhausted. Annoyed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFine. I\u2019ll allow it. She goes under my command. No one touches her,and no one undermines her\u201d I look at the council\u2019s faces. \u201cBut if anything happens to her, I\u2019ll consider it treason \u2013 from whoever ordered it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you wish, Alpha.\u201d Rowan\u2019s smile didn\u2019t fade. \u201cOf course, Alpha. We all serve the pack\u2019s best interests.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned and walked out the doors before I let out the anger clawing at my throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everyone of them is pretentious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pretending to be concerned about the pack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When all they really want is to see me fail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A chance for them to clamor for my brother,Lucien to takeover.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something they\u2019ve dreamt off all along.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Lucien couldn\u2019t keep up until now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I breathed her name.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You won\u2019t be doing this alone. I will be your shadow.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lurking. Helping. Every step of the way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia stood outside, waiting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The cold stone of the corridor pressing against her back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The guards wouldn\u2019t meet her eyes. Atleast,less something to worry about.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I finally emerged, I\u2019m sure she noticed how I looked. Like I\u2019d aged an hour inside that room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell?\u201d Kaia asked quietly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled. \u201cThe Council agreed to let you stay.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her brows rose in disbelief. \u201cThat\u2019s it? Just like that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it wasn\u2019t an easy task convincing them but still here we are,\u201d I said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t look at her face. I hope she doesn\u2019t notice I was hiding something.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do I have to do?\u201d Kaia asked, prying a little.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I forced a faint smile. \u201cThey\u2019ve decided to assign you to a small field team. A patrol near the western ridge. Nothing dangerous \u2013 standard procedure for new arrivals.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She tilted my head. \u201cYou\u2019re serious?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll help them see you\u2019re not a threat,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019ll have guards with you. I trust them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something flickered in my expression \u2013 disappointment, wariness, maybe both.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia muttere. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you just let me go? It\u2019s way easier\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNot a chance,Kaia. I don\u2019t do easy. Remember\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/5\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 015\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf that\u2019s what it takes to stop the whispers,\u201d Kaia said finally, \u201cthen I\u2019ll do it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded once, masking a flickering twist in my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As she turned away, I said quietly, \u201cKaia\u2013be careful.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia looked back at me, eyes soft but steady. \u201cI always am.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood there watching her leave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With Maliya, her assistant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Kaia disappeared down the hall, I lingered by the Council doors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elder Rowan\u2019s voice drifted out, calm and cutting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t grow attached, Theo. If she fails this test\u2026 the next order won\u2019t be exile\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw tightened. \u201cThen she won\u2019t fail.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
But as I walked away, the unease in my chest told me I might be lying\u2013to them, or to myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
~~KAIA~~\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was summoned early in the morning, still bruised and exhausted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I arrived, I saw Theo\u2019s Beta Zane,waiting for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beta Zane looked at me. Coldly. With blames.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMiss Kaia, you have been given a chance to help the Pack. Deliver the herbs and medicines to the western ridge. This is a chance for you to prove yourself. Prove yourself and save Theo\u2019s reputation\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cReally?,\u201d I raised my head.\u201cTell me Beta Zane. This isn\u2019t just delivering herbs to the patrol, right? What\u2019s going on?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d Beta Zane glances at me.\u201cIt\u2019s exactly as it is. Nothing harmful\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFunny,\u201d I said quietly,meeting Beta Zane\u2019s gaze.\u201d You never trusted me with anything harmless before\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t test your luck,girl,\u201d He slammed,annoyed.\u201cThe Alpha\u2019s watching\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBeta Zane doesn\u2019t seem very fond of me,l see\u201d I smirked.\u201cBut even at that, you can\u2019t hide your feelings. Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019m going,just wanted to make sure\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t argue anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I took the bag of herbs and spices from Beta Zane and headed out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alpha Theo has refused to let me go.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t let him down. If this is the only way to earn their trust,I will gladly accept it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The patrol moves through forest terrain \u2013 two soldiers ahead, one behind me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Every stare felt like they were looking into my soul.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To extract my secret. My loyalty.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tried to help any way I could but they didn\u2019t need my help.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They were scared of what I\u2019m hiding beneath my skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On our way, a shredded scout was suddenly found in a twisted position, his ankle shattered and slammed to the ground still breathing, barely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
Blood everywhere.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Wincing in pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStay still,don\u2019t move,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I rushed forward to help him, even as the others drew weapons.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHey stray, stay away from him. Don\u2019t even try to hurt him\u201d one of the soldiers screamed, stopping me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not trying to help him. He\u2019s going to die\u201d I yelled in frustration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/5\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 015\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gradually, one of them, Samson stepped in front of me, shielding me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s just trying to help. If she doesn\u2019t attend to him soon, he might die.\u201d Samson tried to convince them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But the others remain cold.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you want? For the scout to die? Do you realise how furious the Alpha would be?\u201d Samson asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe council doesn\u2019t trust her. We can\u2019t let her act on her own\u201d one of the soldiers replied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Alpha\u2019s getting soft. So is everyone\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf she turns on us, we\u2019ll say we saw it coming\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I heard them whisper to each other. The tension is thick, foreboding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While they murmured to themselves,I attempted to help again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStay back,\u201d One snarls.\u201cYou\u2019ll finish what you started last time\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s dying!\u201d I snapped, ripping her sleeves to bind the wound. \u201cDo something useful or shut up!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Samson said, looking at me with admiration\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not what they say you are,healer\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tried stabilising the scout \u2013 just enough to get him breathing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But then, he murmurs something delirious:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026She\u2026 Helped them..\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everyone freezes. The soldiers look at me like I\u2019ve been caught red\u2013handed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stand surrounded, the men\u2019s blades drawn.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Samson tries to defend me, saying, \u201cShe saved him! How could she have helped them? She was with us!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
But the others don\u2019t listen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at the unconscious scout, then at the sky, whispering,\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t win,can you,Kaia?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t get to decide that,Samson. The Alpha will be here soon. The Alpha and the council will decide the\u00a0<\/p>\n
truth\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
This was the last thing I heard. Before their voices grew distant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s coming \u2013 and I have no idea whether he\u2019s coming to save me\u2026 or to condemn me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
-Theo\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stand in the Council chamber, furious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe agreed on the western ridge. How could you send her to the outpost? That\u2019s close to the rogue territory\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A few minutes ago. I found out what the council decided behind my back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia wasn\u2019t supposed to go to the outpost. It wasn\u2019t what we agreed on.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were being soft and lenient with her. Moreover, this is the council\u2019s decision. We can choose the loyalty test without the Alpha\u2019s approval\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf she truly means no harm,\u201d Councilor Daren says,\u201d She will survive and return.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd if she doesn\u2019t?\u201d I asked,coldly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen your mercy won\u2019t have cost us our lives\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I clenched my jaw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t openly protect Kaia \u2013 it would expose my bias and endanger Kaia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They\u2019ve already approved the \u2018test\u2018 and I was outnumbered politically, even by my own advisors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I know why they are doing this. It\u2019s a bait.\u00a0<\/p>\n
4\/5\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 015\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hope Kaia doesn\u2019t fall into their trap.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While in the chambers, I mindlink my most trusted warrior, Calder, to shadow the mission unseen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf anything happens, bring Kaia back,\u201d I warned. \u201cAlive\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A messenger bursts into the Council chamber \u2013 \u201cBlood at the border, Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart drops.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I strides out immediately, ignoring their protests.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As I rushed out, Calder\u2019s mindlink hits.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the scout\u2019s blood,not hers. She saved him. But,they think she\u2019s the reason he was attacked.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled, half in relief, half in fury.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I knew this was the Council\u2019s goal to turn suspicion into proof.\u00a0<\/p>\n
How can they be so callous and shameless?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStay behind her there,\u201d I ordered. \u201cI\u2019m coming\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFu\u00a0<\/p>\n
5\/5\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u56e1\u00a0<\/p>\n
Subscribe\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 15 Chapter 015\u00a0 \u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0 The moment Kaia was escorted from the Council chamber, […]<\/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-27260","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\/27260","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=27260"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27260\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}