Chapter 024\u00a0<\/p>\n
~~Theo~\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chamber doors slammed shut behind me. The echo followed like a taunt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane fell into step beside me. \u201cSo? They finally decided?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey did,\u201d I said, jaw tight. \u201cKaia stays. They think she\u2019s harmless.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHarmless?\u201d he snorted. \u201cThat woman drained poison out of your father\u2019s veins. If that\u2019s harmless, then I\u2019m a priest.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t answer. My mind was already elsewhere. Tracing lines on a map no one else could see.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane studied me. \u201cYou\u2019re thinking about that again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stopped in the corridor. \u201cYou don\u2019t find it strange, Zane? The king gets poisoned\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane\u2019s expression hardened. \u201cYou think Lucien did it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I said, too quickly. \u201cIf he had, he\u2019d be playing a different game. But that poison\u2026\u201d I exhaled sharply. \u201cIt came from the pack. I\u2019d bet my title on it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane\u2019s brow furrowed. \u201cThen the mastermind cleaning up loose ends. If she knows too much-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s already a target,\u201d I cut in. \u201cBut if he\u2019s behind this, I want proof. Quietly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He hesitated. \u201cYou want me to send scouts?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNot yet.\u201d My gaze shifted toward the distance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Lucien\u2019s hiding something, he\u2019ll make the first move soon enough.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane crossed his arms. \u201cAnd Kaia?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I paused, then said slowly, \u201cShe\u2019s staying under my protection. The council already accepts her and if even they doubt her all they want \u2013 but until I know what\u2019s going on, she doesn\u2019t leave my sight.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane gave a slow nod. \u201cUnderstood, Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWill Kaia be okay?,\u201d my voice fell.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, she will be fine. She\u2019s very brave. Too bad I didn\u2019t see that before\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you had a change of heart about her? Since when?\u201d I was pleasantly surprised.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSince she saved everyone risking her own life,\u201d Zane begins,\u201d She\u2019s not the enemy. Just an unfortunate soul, betrayed by people she loved and now she has nowhere to go\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad you see what I see now\u201d I patted his shoulder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe. You should really take Kaia to eat out somewhere for a change.\u201d he looks towards Kaia\u2019s chambers. She\u2019s been cramped up in that dark chamber for weeks. She must be bored and probably lonely\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think she wants to go out with me?\u201d I asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIm sure,\u201d Zane says. \u201cShe saved the king, Theo. You should start asking yourself why she\u2019d risk everything to\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFuck, Zane\u201d I grawled.\u201d Stop talking trash. You\u2019re too old for that\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI should be telling you this, Theo. Stop hiding behind concerns for her\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDude, shut up. Just go to your mate, already\u201d I urged.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeaking of mates, Theo,\u201d Zane winked. \u201cGive it a thought. I\u2019m leaving, Justine must be waiting for me\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cruel joke.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane had left me with words I didn\u2019t want to think about.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t supposed to be dinner.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Successfully unlocked!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 024\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just a stupid idea I had after Zane wouldn\u2019t stop talking about how Kaia \u201crisked her life\u201d for my father.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I told him to shut up\u2013then somehow, half an hour later, I found myself waiting outside her door with two takeout bags.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pathetic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When she finally opened the door, her hair was messy from the shower, damp strands sticking to her face. She looked\u2026 normal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Which was weird, because nothing about her felt normal to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She blinked. \u201cYou\u2019re standing in my doorway like a lost delivery man.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I almost smiled. \u201cMaybe I am. Come on, I brought dinner.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWait, I\u2019ll just get dressed\u201d she rushes back in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We ended up outside on the balcony, city lights glimmering in the distance beyond the pack\u2019s territory.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I cleared my throat. \u201cIts\u2026been a while since I did this. Sit down and eat like a civilized Alpha\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia smiled slightly. \u201cI can tell\u275e\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia poked her chopsticks into the noodles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t think Alphas ate regular food. I thought you guys just\u2026 hunted dinner or something.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I raised an eyebrow. \u201cYou think I shift and chase down my lunch?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She shrugged. \u201cWouldn\u2019t surprise me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A laugh escaped before I could stop it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It felt good, lighter than anything I\u2019d allowed myself lately.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We fell silent for a moment before she looked up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then her tone shifted, softer. \u201cYou and your father\u2026 you don\u2019t talk much, huh? You\u2019ve been avoiding him. Isn\u2019t\u00a0<\/p>\n
it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
That hit harder than I expected. I dropped the cutlery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAvoiding means I cared enough to start. He and I -we don\u2019t do family dinners and laughs\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of what happened to your mother?\u201d Kaia\u2019s voice is gentle, not prying.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just aware.\u00a0<\/p>\n
=\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned back against the railing, jaw tightening. \u201cYou could say that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw clenched. \u201cHe and my mother let a rogue into our home. Said everyone deserves mercy. That rogue slit her throat while she slept. So, no, Kaia. I don\u2019t visit him because mercy killed my mother.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She looked at me; not with pity, but understanding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe same mercy that made you take me in,\u201d she said quietly. \u201cYou\u2019re still your mother\u2019s son, Theo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I froze. The words sank deep.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re different, Kaia\u201d I say. \u201cDont think I\u2019m forgiving my father, forgiveness isn\u2019t my strong suit\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her face softened. \u201cThat\u2019s not forgiveness. That\u2019s grief pretending to be anger.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStill. He deserves what he\u2019s going through. I don\u2019t care if he dies\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia\u2019s expression softened. \u201cI don\u2019t think what happened makes him deserving of death, Theo. Whoever hurt her already did enough damage. Don\u2019t let it finish both of you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you still care a lot about him\u201d Kaia says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you analyzing me now?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone should,\u201d she said, half\u2013smiling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t deserve my help.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 024\u00a0<\/p>\n
She looked at me, voice calm but firm. \u201cMaybe not. But you\u2019ll hate yourself if you lose him, too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned toward her. \u201cAre you always this emotionally responsible?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly when someone\u2019s being an idiot,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd right now, that\u2019s you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a second, I didn\u2019t know whether to yell or kiss her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia leaned forward, eyes steady. \u201cYour father isn\u2019t safe. Someone\u2019s after him. If you keep pretending you don\u2018 t care, he\u2019ll die before you ever get the chance to forgive him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her words left a raw lump in my mouth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe deserves it,\u201d I muttered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She shook her head. \u201cNo one deserves to die like that, not with their son hating them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For the first time in years, I didn\u2019t know what to say.\u00a0<\/p>\n
~~Kaia\u2019s POV~~\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo had that quiet look again; the kind that hides how tired someone really is.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a man who commanded entire battalions, he looked like he carried the weight of everyone\u2019s sins on his shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I decided to lighten the mood. \u201cYou know, for an Alpha, you suck at small talk.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He smirked. \u201cIs that so?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. You could\u2019ve asked how my day went.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He leaned forward. \u201cAlright. How was your day, Kaia?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI got acquainted of being a spy. drained venom out of an old man, and then had dinner with his emotionally constipated son. So\u2026 not bad.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo almost choked on his drink. \u201cEmotionally constipated?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t act surprised. You\u2019ve been frowning since I met you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my face.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe fix it,\u201d I teased.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He shook his head, laughing under his breath. \u201cYou\u2019re unbelievable.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I grinned. \u201cTake one to know one.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a while, we just sat there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Two people living in bondage pretending things were normal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He turned to me suddenly. \u201cYou sound like you\u2019ve lost someone too.Family?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy grandmother. She raised me alone. The only family I ever had,\u201d I say. \u201cShe died a few months ago. The only person who ever made me feel like I belonged.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about your parents?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw tightened uncomfortably.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hesitated, fingers curling around my pants.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGome. Or maybe they just didn\u2019t want me. Either way, it\u2019s the same\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo wanted to say something, but I went on, almost to myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2026.They betrayed me\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s voice softened. \u201cWhat happened,Kaia?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI learned people lie. The ones you trust the most can turn on you in a heartbeat.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A faint smile tugged at my lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 024 Tired. Bitter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked at me carefully. \u201cWho hurt you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1 forced a smile that didn\u2019t reach my eyes. \u201cThe people I loved most.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo hesitated. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to tell me-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to,\u201d I cut in. \u201cBecause you\u2019re not the only one with ghosts, Theo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked straight at him, my pulse loud in my ears.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Silvermoon Pack,\u201d I said, voice steady. \u201cThat\u2019s where it all started.\u201d\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 24 Chapter 024\u00a0 ~~Theo~\u2013\u00a0 The chamber doors slammed shut behind me. The echo […]<\/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-27269","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\/27269","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=27269"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27269\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}