Chapter 016\u00a0<\/p>\n
~~Kaia~~\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moon goddess must be mocking me by now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chaos every turn I take.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I bring drama and trouble along with me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The forest is damp. Wet from rain. Now, it smells like blood and rain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood in the middle of it\u2013mud mixed with the scout\u2019s blood on my hands, my pulse pumping too loud in my\u00a0<\/p>\n
ears.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While the patrol circled me like wolves ready to bite. Their blades glinted wetly in the dawn light.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Somewhere behind them, the scout I\u2019d saved was still breathing. Barely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGuys,think about it, why would she save him if she led them to attack him? She\u2019s not who you think she is\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Samson said,trying to defend me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was the only one who thinks I\u2019m not evil. . Dangerous. Cursed like everyone else seemed to believe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe has managed to get into your head, Samson. Stay out of this otherwise I will be forced to hurt you\u201d One of the soldiers said,threatening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t bother defending myself anymore. Not with words. Words never saved me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It has never saved me. So,why bother anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was the first to spot him. She jumped over his body claiming to save him. Isn\u2019t that suspicious?\u201d One of the patrol soldiers asked, glaring at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With doubts. Suspicion and hate in his eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNone of us saw the attackers but somehow, she saw him buried in his own pool of blood. He was half\u2013dead, and didn\u2019t scream for help. Yet,she knew where to find him\u201d one of them snapped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I met his eyes.\u201cIt\u2019s not my fault I had good eyesight and healing instincts\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The man sneered. \u201cEasy to say, stray.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before I could answer, the forest stirred\u2013branches cracking, hoofbeats pounding through the mist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The air shifted, thickened. Every wolf in the clearing straightened, scenting the Alpha before he appeared.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo Ashford rode in like thunder, dark coat spattered with mud, eyes burning with restrained fury.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He dismounted without a word. The tension in the patrol fractured like glass.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhats going on here?,\u201d Theo asked as soon as he saw us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His aura Alpha rolling off of him like striking thunderstorms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No one answered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, she spotted the injured scout before any of us did. She might be in cohorts with the attackers\u201d one of them managed to say, holding his breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, you drew swords on a healer who saved a man\u2019s life? Your man\u2019s life?\u201d Theo questioned, his voice dangerously low.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo moved past them and knelt beside the scout, checking the wound. His gloved hand brushed over the bandages I\u2019d tied\u2013tight, efficient.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I watched his expression flicker, almost imperceptibly, as if he hated how much that impressed him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s alive,\u201d Theo muttered, softly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s because of her, Alpha Theo,\u201d Samson said before I could stop him.\u201d She saved him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s gaze lifted to mine\u2013steady, unreadable, too intense.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 016\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, the forest disappeared, and it was just us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lost in each other\u2019s eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then he rose, his authority filling the air again. \u201cYou\u2019ll all return to the Packhouse with me. No one touches her. That\u2019s an order.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Alpha Theo, the council-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The soldiers hesitated, caught between obedience and resentment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But they obeyed. No one disobeyed Alpha Theo Ashford twice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The journey back was silent. I walked beside Theo\u2019s horse, refusing his offer to ride.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pride, stubbornness\u2013call it whatever. I just couldn\u2019t stand to sit close to him, afraid of the outcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Or maybe I didn\u2019t want to feel his breath fanning my throat and arousing something in me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something that shouldn\u2019t exist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When we reached the Pack fortress gates, the guards didn\u2019t bow. They only stared. Whispers rippled through the courtyard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The traitor returns.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo didn\u2019t look at them. \u201cGet her cleaned up,\u201d he ordered curtly. \u201cThen bring her to the Council Hall.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My stomach sank.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another judgment. Another room full of wolves deciding what I was worth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Council chamber smelled of polished stone and incense, but nothing could hide the conspiracies beneath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood in the center while six elders sat around the long crescent table, their robes trimmed with silver threads. Their eyes cut sharper than any blade.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They glared at me. With doubts. Suspicion and anger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo stood near the head of the table, hands clasped behind his back, expression carved from stone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sent her there to die,\u201d Theo says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd she didn\u2019t. That\u2019s your real problem\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe tested loyalty,\u201d Daren sneers. \u201cnot luck.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe sent her on this mission,\u201d One of them echoed,\u201cAnd now we found her in the middle of another\u00a0<\/p>\n
bloodstained trail. How rather convenient\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thor\u2019s jaw tensed. \u201cConvenient? She saved the scout\u2019s life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOr staged it,\u201d Councilor Daren sneered.\u201cShe might\u2019ve drawn the attackers in and pretended to save him too\u2026. To save face\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I almost laughed. Almost.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I wanted your scout dead,\u201d I said quietly, \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have stopped the bleeding.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chamber went still. My voice sounded too calm even to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019m done. Done being preyed and trampled upon by everyone. Everywhere I went.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The councilors and Elders looked at each other in shock.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019m sure they weren\u2019t expecting me to reply. Especially not like that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They turned to each other, murmuring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was near the body,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRogues attacked again after she arrived.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough!,\u201d Theo said finally, his voice slicing through the noise. \u201cYou tested her. She helped. She lived. You wanted proof -There it is\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 016\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cProof?,\u201d Daren murmured, \u201cOr performance\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha Theo, the council has decided \u2013\u201d before the leader of the council, Elder Corwin could finish,l\u00a0<\/p>\n
interrupted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, councilors but I have something to say. Please give me a chance to speak\u201d I pleaded, avoiding Theo\u2018 s gaze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve had enough. Enough of putting him in the spotlight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something that\u2019s causing chaos in the Pack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Giving his pack members a chance to question his authority.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If I can\u2019t go away from this pack without confirming their doubts about me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I might as well, make them see Alpha Theo didn\u2019t make a mistake bringing me here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To Shadowclaw Pack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m willing to do anything to show you that Alpha Theo didn\u2019t make a mistake bringing me here. I\u2019m not a stray who will bring diseases and deaths to the pack.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The silence that followed was worse than screaming. Something I\u2019m used to by now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When the decision came, it was swift and cold.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe council has decided that you\u2019ll remain in Shadowclaw territory but under supervision.\u201d Councilor Daren began,\u201d You will work in the healer\u2019s hall where your talents could be evaluated. If you failed to meet our expectations, not even the Alpha can save you then\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I feel the same hatred from the Silvermoon trial \u2013 the looks, the whispers, the sense that justice is a lie.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But this turned out so much better than Silvermoon\u2019s judgement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo didn\u2019t speak again. He looked at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But when the guards approached, he gave them a look that made them step back instantly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI will take her myself,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While walking me to the Healer\u2019s Hall he couldn\u2019t stop himself from asking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could\u2019ve run. You didn\u2019t. Why?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause he would\u2019ve died. I\u2019ve seen enough death to last a lifetime\u201d I exhaled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My answer seems to shake him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStill. You should put yourself first. Sometimes,Kaia. Please\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not guilty,\u201d I said. \u201cSo,I don\u2019t have to run from helping because of judgement\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The healer\u2019s hall was all white stone and polished floors, too clean, too quiet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It smelled like herbs and distrust.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mistress Amelia met us at the entrance\u2013a tall woman with silver streaks in her hair and sharp eyes that saw everything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the one?,\u201d She asked,glancing at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo nodded. \u201cYes. She will stay here until further notice.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amelia\u2019s tone was calm.\u201d I run this place by rules,Alpha. If she breaks them \u2013\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen I will deal with it\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo turned to leave, but paused. For just a heartbeat, his gaze softened. \u201cYou saved a life today. Remember that, even if they don\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He left before I could answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amelia\u2019s sigh broke the silence. \u201cYou\u2019ve made quite the entrance, healer. You\u2019ll find no sympathy here\u2013only work. The wounded don\u2019t care who you are, only if you can keep them breathing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 016\u00a0<\/p>\n
That, at least, I could do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I threw myself into the work immediately.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Binding wounds, grinding herbs, ignoring whispers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The other healers watched me like I was a ghost that hadn\u2019t realized it was dead.\u00a0<\/p>\n
By nightfall, my hands were stained with blood again. I scrubbed them raw in the basin until the water turned pink.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Through the window, I could see the moon rising over the fortress walls.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The world felt both impossibly small and endlessly wide.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Endlessly wide for those who get to see it and small for people like me, locked away by exile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe trust isn\u2019t given. You earn it one heartbeat at a time\u201d I muttered under my breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo returned hours later.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo looked around. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be here alone\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia replied, not meeting his gaze. \u201cI\u2019ve always been alone\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo clasped my hand.\u201cNot anymore\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt shivers running down my spine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His touch aroused something in my core.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And his breath so close to me, made me hold my own breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Somehow,we both raised our heads to look at the moon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With his hand still clasping mine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI have something to ask, Theo, do you mind?\u201d I asked, loading my head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t mind. Go ahead\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you think of me?\u201d I asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maybe, this isn\u2019t the question I wanted to ask.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But I can\u2019t bring myself to ask.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not like this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not when I\u2019m nothing but an outcast Luna with a dormant wolf.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia. You\u2019re perfect. Absolutely perfect\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could swear my stomach did a flip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a long moment, neither looked away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u56de\u00a0<\/p>\n
4\/4\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 16 Chapter 016\u00a0 ~~Kaia~~\u00a0 The moon goddess must be mocking me by now.\u00a0 […]<\/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-27261","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\/27261","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=27261"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27261\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}