Chapter 29\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I dragged the intruder to an empty room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Furious that Kaia\u2019s Alpha Acceptance ceremony was interrupted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
By the last person I wanted to see.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The door shut behind us\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMissed me?\u201d she asked lightly, walking to pour herself a drink.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My expression didn\u2019t shift. \u201cWhat the hell are you doing here, Elara?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My voice is cold. Unwelcoming.\u00a0<\/p>\n
164\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve changed,\u201d she said, turning slowly. Her eyes drifted down my chest before meeting my eyes. \u201cYou never talked to me like that before. But then again, power looks good on you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled, steadying myself. \u201cWhy are you here, Elara?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was losing my patience.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She pouted slightly. \u201cYou sound so cold. I came to pay respects \u2013 and to see if your pack still had room for old friends.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not my friend.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her smile sharpened. \u201cThat\u2019s not what you said before.\u201d She stepped closer, close enough for me to smell her perfume.\u00a0<\/p>\n
sweet. cloying. invasive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me, Alpha\u2026 is it true? You\u2019ve found yourself a new pet stray?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw flexed. \u201cWatch your\u00a0<\/p>\n
words.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo touching,\u201d She says,her voice dripping with mock empathy. \u201cReally,Theo? I never thought I\u2019d see you worrying about another woman\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My face froze, my expression hardening. \u201cMind your own damn business\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy? Because she\u2019s special?\u201d she purred, tilting her head. \u201cYou never did like the ones who challenged you. You like the broken ones you can fix.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara laughed. \u201cYou haven\u2019t changed at all. Still pretending you don\u2019t feel anything when you do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:25 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 29\u00a0<\/p>\n
:.\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I moved past her, toward the door. \u201cYou\u2019re still a member of this pack, Elara. I won\u2019t send you away without cause. But this \u201d I gestured between us \u201c\u2026whatever game you\u2019re playing, ends now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her smile faltered for just a breath, then returned sharper. \u201cYou can\u2019t order me to forget what we were.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked back, my voice soft but final. \u201cThere is no \u2018we,\u2019 Elara. Not anymore.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She brushed her fingers along my arm as she walked past me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t hide from what you feel, Theo. Not from me. Not from her.\u201d She pointed to her heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood there, watching her leave the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara is the last person I wanted to see.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her arrival not only interrupted something I\u2019m trying to rebuild.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She reminded me of the reason why she left in the first place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My quiet moment was interrupted by Zane.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d I turned to look at him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia\u2026.She\u2019s waiting\u201d Zane reports. \u201cAnd the guests are returning to their homes now\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEscort everyone out. We won\u2019t be doing much anymore\u201d I looked at my watch. \u201cIt\u2019s quite late\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane noticed my unease.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure,you\u2019re okay,Theo?\u201d He asked, worried.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gritting my jaw, I asked. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell me Elara was returning?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,Theo,\u201d he says. \u201cNobody told me she was coming. I would\u2019ve stopped her\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s alright\u201d I sighed. \u201cThis is her pack too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara is very stubborn, she won\u2019t leave unless she wants to\u201d Zane stated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. I don\u2019t plan to make it easy for her\u201d I frowned. \u201cEither she leaves or I\u2019ll make her\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I headed straight to Kaia\u2019s chambers to check on her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She must have been shocked by how everything turned out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t mean to leave her alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Especially on a night like this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:25 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 29\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I got there, her door was closed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Luckily.Maliya was stepping out of the room at that moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is Kaia?\u201d I asked, trying to peek in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia..Lady Kaia\u201d Maliya looked back. \u201cShe told he she was drowsy. She\u2019s sleeping now\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSleeping?\u201d I asked, shocked. \u201cKaia doesn\u2019t sleep so early.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
64\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, Alpha,\u201d Maliya replied. \u201cMaybe she\u2019s tired from the event earlier. Please let her rest\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStay with her\u201d I instructed before leaving.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My mood was messed up by Elara\u2019s arrival.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I returned to my room,feeling annoyed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Getting there, I filled up a glass of liquid and dumped it down my throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The burning sensation filling my stomach.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I can feel my eyes getting piping hot red from everything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The liquor. The anger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next morning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaws tightened when I pushed open the double doors of the council chamber.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara was waiting for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She sat on the Luna\u2019s throne as though it were built for her, one leg crossed, her silk gown flowing like a river.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A glass of wife in her hand, a faint smile playing on her lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy, my,\u201d she drawled, \u201cour Alpha rises late these days. Or perhaps\u2026 he\u2019s been distracted?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes flicked to her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be sitting there, Elara,\u201d I said. \u201cThat\u2019s not your seat\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not?,\u201d she purred. \u201cIt\u2019s just a seat. Moreover, nobody is occupying it right now Atleast\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My fists clenched. \u201cYou\u2019re crossing your boundaries, Elara\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For some reason, seeing her on that seat makes my blood boil.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t mind a few months back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What\u2019s happening to me?\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:25 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 29\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
I calmed myself down. \u201cWhy are you here? You can\u2019t be here\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy can\u2019t I be here?\u201d She stood up,walking to me. \u201cWe used to come here together before\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was before you decided you no longer wanted to be here\u201d I retorted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not true.\u201d Elara gestured to the seat opposite her. \u201cSit, dear. We need to talk about your\u2026 stray.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t move. \u201cHer name is Kaia.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia. Oh that\u2019s right\u201d Elara scratched her head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would you want to talk about Kaia?\u201d I asked. \u201cShe has nothing to do with you. Moreover,you\u2019ve been gone for so long. Tell me,what do you want\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest clenched with anger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pain clouding my judgment of her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara stood in front of me,her breath almost fanning my face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When she turned, her smile was too familiar. The kind that used to melt my anger years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo,\u201d she purred softly, \u201cyou look\u2026 tense. I hope that stray of yours isn\u2019t giving you too much trouble.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clearly, she\u2019s testing the limit of my patience.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you back in Shadowclaw, Elara? Shouldn\u2019t you be having the time of your life elsewhere?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She sighed dramatically, circling me like a predator.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause this is still my home. Because I bled for this pack when you were too busy playing hero beyond its borders.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou left,\u201d he said coldly. \u201cAnd you don\u2019t get to call this home anymore.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her laugh was low, bitter. \u201cLeft? You mean replaced.\u201d She stepped closer, eyes glinting. \u201cTell me, Theo, does she even know? That you once promised me that your mark would be only mine?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw flexed. \u201cThat was before I realized what kind of woman you were.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara tilted her head, feigning innocence. \u201cAnd what kind is that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cA greedy woman who craves to stay in control.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She took another step until her breath brushed my throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cControl? No, my dear Alpha. I just know you. Better than anyone ever will.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:25 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 29\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her finger traced the scar on my jaw \u2013 a touch that once meant something. \u201cYou hide behind honor, but deep down\u2026 you crave someone who understands what you are. She doesn\u2019t. I do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I caught her wrist, not gently this time. \u201cYou understand nothing about me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her smile faltered, but only for a heartbeat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Relax,Alpha\u201d she chuckles. \u201cYou always had a thing for lost causes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t start,\u201d I warned, moving past her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She laughed, soft, taunting. \u201cOh, come on. I\u2019m only saying what everyone\u2019s thinking. You take in a broken little healer with no pack, no past, and expect us to believe it\u2019s charity?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned then, eyes sharp. \u201cYou\u2019re crossing a line.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara stepped closer, eyes gleaming. \u201cI\u2019m not crossing anything that wasn\u2019t already mine once.\u201d Her hand brushed my chest. slow, deliberate. \u201cRemember that night in Dark Hollow? You told me no one could ever make you forget me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I caught her wrist before she could move higher. \u201cAnd I was wrong.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her lips twitched. \u201cWas that before or after she showed up? Tell me, Theo \u2013 does she even know what kind of man she\u2019s fucking? How long before she runs when she realizes what you\u2019ve done to stay Alpha?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw flexed. \u201cYou should leave.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara tilted her head, eyes cold now. \u201cYou always did hate facing the truth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped forward, towering, voice low. \u201cAnd you always loved twisting it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I took her hand, dragging her to the door then I released her with a hard shove forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGet out, Elara. And don\u2019t show your face near Kaia ever.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She paused at the door, eyes narrowing. \u201cBe careful, Theo. Grrraw!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes caught the wine glass Elara left behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stared at it for a long moment, then shattered it against the wall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Breathing heavily, my throat inhaling sharply.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:25 Tue, Jan 20\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 29 Chapter 29\u00a0 \u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0 I dragged the intruder to an empty room.\u00a0 Furious […]<\/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-27274","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\/27274","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=27274"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27274\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}