Chapter 32\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hadn\u2019t slept a wink.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia\u2019s quiet distance had eaten at me more than I cared to admit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She\u2019d barely met my eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She wouldn\u2019t even look at me more than a fleeting second.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The thoughts of her flooded my mind and I was forced to stay awake the entire night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had a meeting with the Lunar delegates.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After the meeting, I stayed back to conclude some matters with the council.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019d just dismissed Zane when the door to the council room opened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Cara walked in\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
regal as always, her scent filled up the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
She never entered without an audience.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCara,\u201d I said carefully. \u201cYou don\u2019t usually come to meetings uninvited. What brings you to Shadowclaw all of a sudden?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She smiled \u2013 soft, practiced, false. \u201cI only come when the pack\u2019s future is being\u2026 mishandled.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She cast a glance to the council and took her seat\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about, Cara?\u201d I asked, feeling suffocated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh nothing for now\u201d she smiled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCara, you can\u2019t be here\u201d I say, clenching my fists.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I can. This is still my pack. Even though your father and I moved to a northern packhouse to live. We still have as much rights over the Shadowclaw Pack\u201d Cara meticulously said, casting glances at the council.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The council murmured among themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With a pretentious smile on her face, Cara said. \u201cCarry on with your meeting. I came to see how things are being run after your father and I left. Nothing much\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw.tightened. \u201cIf this is about \u2014\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha Theo, let\u2019s continue the meeting\u201d one of the councilors called my attention back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The conference room is buzzing with murmurs while Cara sits back and watch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:26 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 32\u00a0<\/p>\n
She doesn\u2019t say anything. Just her watchful eyes glued to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everyone goes silent anytime she moves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The meeting dragged on for an hour. We talked about a lot of things.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And finally, it came to an end.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGentlemen, that\u2019s all for today\u201d I said, trying to stand up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0f3cQ64)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore we conclude,\u201d Cara says, smoothing her blazer like she\u2019s preparing for a photoshoot, \u201cthe king and I have one final matter.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw tightens. I already hates where this is going.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara is always up to no good.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara smiles that soft, calculated smile she uses when she\u2019s about to manipulate the entire room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe king and I have noticed Theo\u2019s\u2026 decline.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A few heads shift. A few eyes widen. Turning to steal a few glance my way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I feels heat crawl up his neck.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIn judgement. In strength. In stability. And we believe..\u201d her gaze sweeps the table \u201cthis is due to the fact that he still has no Luna.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My fingers curl on the table.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara continues, as if she\u2019s announcing a charity event.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She folded her hands on the table, eyes gleaming.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve decided it would be in the pack\u2019s best interest to appoint a Luna of proper birth. One with ties to strong allies.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes narrowed. \u201cAppoint?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara smiled wider. \u201cElara has returned at the perfect time. Her family\u2019s influence still holds weight among our allies and she\u2019s already proven loyal to this pack. The Council agrees she should be the chosen Luna.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silence fell.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a second, I thought he\u2019d misheard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara?\u201d my voice dropped in disbelief. \u201cYou want me to make Elara my luna?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara tilted her head. \u201cIt\u2019s not personal, Theo. It\u2019s for the good of the pack. We need strength not sentiment. You\u2019ve always let your heart rule where your mind should lead.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:26 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 32\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned forward slowly, eyes sharp.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mind says this is wrong. My heart just confirms it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s smile faltered only for a moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
64\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThink carefully, son,\u201d she said, standing. \u201cThe pack doesn\u2019t need another scandal. Nor a Luna who divides it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIm not making Elara my luna. No matter what anyone says\u201d I fired back, seething.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before I knew my councillors chipped in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cQueen Cara is right. The pack\u2019s strength will decline without a luna\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd who can be a better Luna than Elara? She\u2019s everything in one\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI agree with you. Elara should be our Luna\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara stood up and walked to my face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve decided that Elara would be the perfect Luna to support you. A stable force. Someone with history in the pack family\u2026 and someone capable of leading beside you\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I feel the oxygen punch out of mylungs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unable to speak.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I watched the council members agree with Cara, leaving me in a tight spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The room nods. Mutters rise. Someone even says, \u201cIt\u2019s time to get a fitting Luna for the pack\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
What a joke. I\u2019m ruling just fine without a luna.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara beams like she was on top of the moon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She\u2019s up to no good. I\u2019m sure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Holding back, I say. \u201cThe meeting is adjourned. Please leave\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everyone begins to leave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As Cara was about to go out too, I drew her back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWait, Cara\u201d I growled. \u201cYou and I have some unfinished business to talk about\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, that\u2019s new\u201d Cara smirked, irritating me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I storm in front of her the moment the room clears.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you out of your mind?\u201d I snapped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:26 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 32\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara shuts the door calmly. \u201cLower your voice.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. You blindsided me in front of my entire inner circle-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
64\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI did what was necessary,\u201d she says, stepping closer. \u201cYou\u2019re losing grip, Theo. Everyone sees it. You\u2019re unfocused. Irritable. Distracted.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I grits his teeth. \u201cI don\u2019t need a Luna to run my pack.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cActually, you do. And you\u2019re at the age where you should have had one long ago.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She tilts her head, eyes narrowing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOr is this about that stray girl you\u2019ve been sheltering?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I freezes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara watches me carefully-looking for weakness.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw flexes, but I don\u2019t answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought as much,\u201d she murmurs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I inhales sharply. \u201cThis has nothing to do with Kaia.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara laughs softly. \u201cYou didn\u2019t deny it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I step closer, my voice low and furious:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not naming Elara my Luna.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s expression hardens; the sweetness on her face cracking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have a choice. It\u2019s your duty, Theo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turns my face away, muscles tight with rage, trying not to explode.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara taps my shoulder lightly as she walks past me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll see reason soon enough.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment Cara left.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I remained rooted standing there, I feel like I was getting trapped in the walls.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My pulse is a hammer in my ears.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My vision is sharp around the edges.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara? Luna? Over my dead body.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A 664\u00a0<\/p>\n
E55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:26 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 32\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wouldn\u2019t make her my luna even if it\u2019s the last thing I do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shove the conference room door open and walk fast down the hall, needing fresh air, space.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anything that isn\u2019t Cara\u2019s voice echoing in my it head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turn the corner. And almost collides with Kaia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She\u2019s holding a towel around her neck, hair damp from training.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes lit up with confusion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo?\u201d she says, blinking. \u201cAre you- what happened?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swallow. Hard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Because she looks at me like she actually cares.\u00a0<\/p>\n
what\u2019s wrong?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like she sees past the Alpha mask everyone else bows to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And that almost undoes me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepp back, forcing myself to breathe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My voice comes out strained, lower than usual.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing,\u201d I say. \u201cJust\u2026 a meeting.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia tilts her head, reading me too easily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t look like \u2018nothing.\u201d\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her concern punches straight through my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I suddenly hate the idea of Elara more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hates that Kaia has no idea what people are planning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hates how much I wants her close.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before I can stop myself, I say softly. \u201cKaia, can we talk?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes widen slightly. Surprised, maybe hopeful.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She shifts the towel in her hands. \u201cNow?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nod. \u201cYeah. Now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia nods slowly. \u201cOkay.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:26 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 32\u00a0<\/p>\n
164\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
She turned as if to head toward the courtyard; the place she usually goes when she doesn\u2019t want to be overheard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But I stayed rooted for a second, staring at her back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Because the image of her standing where Elara was supposed to stand\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
The thought of Kaia being treated like anything less than worthy\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
It twists something deep in me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia paused and looked over her shoulder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou coming?\u201d she asks gently.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhales, tension bleeding out of me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d I murmured. \u201cI\u2019m coming.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I followed her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The anger and frustration still burning under my ribs but the moment I started walking behind her, I feels grounded again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia always does that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And I\u2019m starting to realise I\u2019m in more danger than I thought.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u66f2\u00a0<\/p>\n
AD\u00a0<\/p>\n
Comment\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 32 Chapter 32\u00a0 \u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0 I hadn\u2019t slept a wink.\u00a0 Kaia\u2019s quiet distance had […]<\/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-27277","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\/27277","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=27277"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27277\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}