Chapter 42\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Kaia\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
The air in the corridor felt colder when I stepped out of my room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Or maybe that was just how people looked at me now; quick glances, tight smiles, heads turning away too fast.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like I\u2019d suddenly become more contagious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tried to ignore it. Maliya said pack moods shift like weather.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But something was wrong.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I reached the infirmary door and entered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I went to my locker, only to find it locked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not allowed in there today,\u201d a doctor said without meeting my eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Why?\u201d I asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She swallowed, still not looking at me. \u201cQueen Cara\u2019s orders. Inventory audit. Come back\u2026 maybe next week.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Next week?\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stared at her, stunned. She flinched-as if my presence was something to recoil from.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I forced myself to walk away calmly, even though heat was crawling up my throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
More wolves avoided my gaze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A pair of low-ranking Omegas whispered, staring at my back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s the same girl. Isn\u2019t she?\u201d One of them pointed at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course! She\u2019s that awful stray who\u2019s seducing the Alpha to climb the ladder\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
By the time I reached the main hall entrance, a guard stepped into my path.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t enter.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I kept my voice icy. I knew better than to sound small.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPack dinner. Alpha\u2019s request for all warrior-ranked members.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He glanced down at my clothes, just a simple shirt and loose pants from work.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:30 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 42\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not on the list.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
A muscle twitched in my jaw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could hear laughter inside, the clinking of glasses\u2026. Theo\u2019s scent wasn\u2019t close by.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Cara\u2019s scent drift faintly from the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course,s he was here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This must be her idea. A plan to show me my place in the pack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I guess it\u2019s working.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Because Elara was here and I wasn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI see,\u201d I said, turning away before the guard saw the rage or the hurt, blazing behind my ribs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maliya found me halfway down the hallway.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes widened. \u201cYou weren\u2019t allowed in?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I barely nodded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh Goddess\u2026\u201d she whispered. \u201cKaia, I-I think someone is doing this on purpose.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone,\u201d I repeated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We both knew exactly who.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Z (63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I joined Shadowclaw pack so my sanity is intact but Cara abd Elara are doing everything in their powers to drive me insane.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I reached my room, I felt it before I saw it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The air shifted. It felt wrong and weird.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I rushed over,my heart thundering.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I opened the door.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My things, what little I owned-were everywhere.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The brand new clothes Theo got me were ripped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The rare herbs I had hidden away were crushed under someone\u2019s bootprints.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then, I saw something else.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My shawl was ripped and soaked in blood.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:30 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 42\u00a0<\/p>\n
Animal blood.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, the room blurred.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not from tears. From fury.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My wolf pushed up inside me, restless and wild, as I crouched to pick up the shawl.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A piece of paper sat neatly on my pillow.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just two words written on it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[STRAYS DON\u2019T STAY.]\u00a0<\/p>\n
My fingers tightened around the note until it crumpled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Someone wanted to humiliate me humiliated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Someone thought they\u2019d break me by doing this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Slowly, I stood.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I whispered to the empty room. \u201cI won\u2019t let you win\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned to the shattered things on the floor,my hands trembling with fury.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whoever dared think they could crush me so easily. They thought wrong.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t break. Not so easily.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
And if Cara wanted a stray to walk away, she should\u2019ve thought twice\u2026 before coming for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Because strays bite.\u00a0<\/p>\n
***\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I barely escaped the training grounds with my dignity intact when another blow showed up in front of me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Standing in the hallway like a queen waiting for a servant to approach.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t deny the aura oozing from her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She\u2019s really worthy of her position as Queen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She has the posture, smile and eyes of a Queen and she flaunts it in front of me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Reminding me of what I once had.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:30 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
www\u00a0<\/p>\n
A\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 42\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. I don\u2019t miss being a Luna but I can\u2019t deny how good it felt to be treated special by my pack member.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And the best part? I worked my ass off from a poor orphan to becoming Luna of Shadowclaw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So,it was a special victory for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And maybe for grandmother.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia,\u201d she said, her voice crisp. \u201cWalk with me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
No courtesy. Just a damn command.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I followed her into one of the side courtyards, where the plants were swaying by the breeze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I soon realised it was the public courtyards.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meaning anything she said would spread \u2013 fast.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She clasped her hands in front of her, sighing dramatically.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to speak with you privately again\u2026 out of respect.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Respect. Right.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard about the rumors,\u201d she began,acting as if she cared. Coating each word sweetly. \u201cSuch ugly, damaging things. About you and my son.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I inhaled slowly. \u201cI didn\u2019t start any of it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh?\u201d Her brows lifted in a pitying arch. \u201cBut surely you understand how\u2026 suspiciously damaging your presence has become.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
There it was. The real dagger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat exactly are you accusing me of?\u201d I asked, my voice steady.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara stepped closer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciate you saving the King\u2019s life. I truly do. But Shadowclaw cannot afford instability. And your presence is causing exactly that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy presence?\u201d My jaw clenched. \u201cOr Elara\u2019s lies?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s gaze frosted over instantly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia,\u201d she said softly, as though speaking to a child, \u201cElara is a well-respected member of this pack. You\u2026 are a stray we opened our doors to. A stray who is now the center of multiple\u2026 scandals.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I held her gaze, unblinking. \u201cAnd?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd,\u201d she continued, her temper finally cracking at the edges, \u201cyou will not interfere with the Luna selection.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:30 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 42\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara will take that role, as she should. As the pack needs. Stay out of the way.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I laughed, quiet, humorless.\u00a0<\/p>\n
,63)\u00a0<\/p>\n
E55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd how is that my business?\u201d I said calmly. \u201cI never asked to be involved. If you think I\u2019m fighting for a title, you truly don\u2019t understand me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s eyes hardened because she wasn\u2019t expecting resistance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re bold,\u201d she spat, \u201cfor someone who bewitched ranked-men to climb up, you shouldn\u2019t wag your tail so much-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have the wrong dea,\u201d I cut sharply, \u201cI don\u2019t bewitch ranked-men. Believing your own lies is pathetic. Even for you,Queen Cara\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes widened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara is evil. How could she sleep at night after everything?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe you didn\u2019t know this,\u201d I stepped closer, slowly. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t have to do anything for men to fight over me,Queen Cara.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you think I\u2019m here to fight over anybody you\u2019re wrong\u201d I whispered. \u201cIf you have a problem with Theo getting close to me,take it up with him\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd if you can\u2019t do that. Sit over it and choke on it. But, I won\u2019t let anyone walk over me for something I didn\u2019t do\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s face resided with rage. \u201cHow dare you say that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She hissed and raised a hand to hit me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cQueen Cara,it wouldn\u2019t look good on you bullying pack members in public. Would it?\u201d I asked, twisting my hair.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped closer. Whispered to her. \u201cStay away from me. Or I\u2019ll do the hitting next time we meet\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The air crackled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara looked at me in shock, her face twisted with fury.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTrust me,Kaia. You\u2019ve bitten more than you can chew\u201d Cara gritted her teeth. \u201cIt\u2019s going to kill you. Mark my words\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara left in anger. I looked at her retreating back,annoyed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo doesn\u2019t need to do anything from now on. I will handle them myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s time, I pay them a quick visit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019m pretty sure, they\u2019ll like this\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:30\u00a0<\/p>\n
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 42 Chapter 42\u00a0 \u2013Kaia\u2013\u00a0 The air in the corridor felt colder when I […]<\/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-27287","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\/27287","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=27287"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27287\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27287"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27287"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}