Chapter 41\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Draven\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure it\u2019s ready?\u201d Liora whispered into the phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I heard Liora slid out of bed, careful not to disturb the creaking floorboards.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She had her phone in her as she went a little distant to make a call.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSoon,\u201d came the reply. \u201cJust follow the plan, Liora. Don\u2019t make a mistake.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Liora had no idea she woke me up when she slid out of bed. She thought I was fast asleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She nodded. \u201cI won\u2019t. Not this time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bed creaked. My heart skipped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHoney?\u201d Liora called out to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLiora?\u201d I groaned, waking up. \u201cWhy are you still awake?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She froze, phone pressed to her ear. \u201cI\u2026 I couldn\u2019t sleep.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re up\u00a0<\/p>\n
64\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
late. Making calls at this hour?\u201d I stood up approaching her. \u201cWho are you talking to so late?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She swallowed, heart hammering. \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026 nothing. Just someone from the council checking in. About\u2026 arrangements.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes narrowed, and she knew I didn\u2019t buy it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I can almost tell when she isn\u2019t telling the truth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never call the council at midnight,\u201d I said, stepping closer. \u201cSomething\u2019s wrong.Tell me if something happened\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She forced a laugh, soft and airy. \u201cYou worry too much.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe,\u201d I said, my tone dangerously quiet. \u201cBut if you\u2019re hiding anything from me, Liora\u2026\u201d my gaze stayed glued to her. \u201c\u2026I will find out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She quickly ended the call, slipping the phone under her pillow. \u201cThere. Nothing to find out, Draven.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t leave. Instead, she turned her back to me, staring out the window.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you doubting me,Draven?\u201d Liora asked,her voice cracking. \u201cIf you have something against me. Why don\u2019t you ask me directly?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Liora looked at me, hurt in her eyes. \u201cSuspecting me is hurting my feelings. If you have questions, just ask me. Stop doubting my intentions\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:30 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 41\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tears streaked Liora\u2019s face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Great. I managed to upset her too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI-I didn\u2019t mean it that way,\u201d I stuttered. \u201cI was just worried something happened to you\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I moved closer and pulled her into my arms, hugging her face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShh,\u201d I patted her back. \u201cDon\u2019t cry,it\u2019s not good for you and the pup\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a while, Liora calmed down and went back to sleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n
64\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted to forget what I heard but I couldn\u2019t shake off the thought that Liora might be hiding something from me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I covered Liora with a duvet and left our bedroom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Walking out, I mindlink my beta.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once the mindlink connected, I felt conflicted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a long pause, I muttered, \u201cRowan.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Alpha?\u201d Beta Rowan replied, quiet and alert.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think she\u2019s hiding something,\u201d I said, turning to look at our bedroom door.\u201dKeep an eye on her. From tonight\u2026.I want to know what she\u2019s up to.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Alpha.\u201d Rowan replied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After that, I cut the mindlink and tried to calm myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t speak again, but I could feel my gaze lingering, like a storm waiting to break.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maybe Liora is not in danger. It can\u2019t be.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She\u2019s the Luna of Silvermoon. Who would dare to go after her?\u00a0<\/p>\n
I climbed back into bed, feigning sleep, heart hammering.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I knew I\u2019d have to be more careful if I wanted to find out the truth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Because if Liora discovered I was looking into her, she would be worried.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And I don\u2019t want that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
***\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sat behind the wheel, driving out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan, my Beta, sat beside me, quiet but alert.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:30 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 41\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
64\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think she\u2019s hiding something,\u201d I said, voice clipped. \u201cI saw it last night. The way she slipped out of bed\u2026 the phone call. I don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on but I\u2019m sure she isn\u2019t telling me the whole truth\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan shifted uneasily. \u201cAlpha\u2026 She\u2019s been compliant. She hasn\u2019t given us reason to doubt her loyalty publicly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My lips pressed into a thin line. \u201cLoyalty isn\u2019t just obedience, Rowan. It\u2019s transparent. And transparency? Liora hasn\u2019t shown me\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat if it isn\u2019t what you\u2019re thinking, Alpha?\u201d Rowan asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThinking? I don\u2019t have anything in mind\u201d I replied. I stopped the car abruptly. \u201cI want someone on her.Follow her discreetly and watch her every movements.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan nodded, hesitant. \u201cYou want me to assign a spy to shadow her?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. But subtle. She mustn\u2019t know.\u201d My gaze was sharp. \u201cNo one should suspect me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I started the car again,looking out the window.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one should suspect Silvermoon\u2019s Alpha is watching his Luna\u2026. I don\u2019t want any scandal. I just want to get to the bottom of this\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan\u2019s voice was low. \u201cYou\u2019re asking for secrecy from the spy as well?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smirked coldly. \u201cOf course. Only you and I. If she senses she\u2019s being monitored\u2026 we lose control.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
We finally arrived at our destination.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I parked the car. Just as we were about to step out. I look at Rowan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Rowan\u2026 report anything unusual immediately. No matter how small it may be\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Alpha,\u201d Rowan said, bowing slightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Two days later\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan entered, silent as ever, bowing slightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I lifted my eyesfrom the papers I was studying.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell? What did you find?\u201d I asked,my eyes sharp.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan hesitated, choosing his words carefully.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI kept a close watch on Luna Liora but there wasn\u2019t anything out of the blue\u201d Rowan said. \u201cI\u2019m sure she had nothing suspicious going on\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My narrowed his eyes. \u201cNothing? Are you sure? That phone call\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:30 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 41\u00a0<\/p>\n
C63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan\u2019s voice was calm, almost reassuring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Alpha. I checked. It seems the call was from the Organization she\u2019s working with for the pack\u2019s benefit. They\u2019re coordinating resources for an upcoming event\u2026nothing malicious.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned back, feeling skeptical but listening. \u201cThe Organization\u2026 you\u2019re saying she\u2019s actually doing this for us?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan nodded. \u201cPrecisely. She\u2019s using her contacts to strengthen Silvermoon. She\u2019s loyal\u2026 at least from what I can tell.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My fingers drummed against the table. \u201cI don\u2019t like surprises, Rowan. You understand that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI do, Alpha,\u201d Rowan said smoothly. \u201cBut I also know she\u2019s careful. She\u2019s not the kind to take reckless risks. If she\u2019s truly loyal, then this Organization is exactly the tool we need, quietly, without drawing attention.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw losened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFine. I\u2019m glad, she isn\u2019t in any danger and she\u2019s not hiding anything from me,\u201d I sighed. \u201cFor a moment, I thought she was keeping things from me\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a misunderstanding, Alpha\u201d Rowan said. \u201cLuna Liora wants the best for the Pack, she won\u2019t do anything to jeopardize it\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI forgot that for a second. What was I thinking?\u201d I beat myself up in my head. \u201cGet her some roses from me. Don\u2019t tell her why\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan bowed again. \u201cYes, Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Liora is my wife now. My Luna.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I should never doubt her intentions. Not for any reason.\u00a0<\/p>\n
AD\u00a0<\/p>\n
Comment\u00a0<\/p>\n
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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 41 Chapter 41\u00a0 \u2013Draven\u2013\u00a0 \u201cAre you sure it\u2019s ready?\u201d Liora whispered into the […]<\/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-27286","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\/27286","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=27286"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27286\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}