Chapter 44\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Zane\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0b2e\u0b42\u0b24\u0b4d\u0b28 63)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Z\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I knew Theo was in trouble the second my phone buzzed at midnight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not from him- \u2013 of course not.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo never called when he was spiraling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was the bartender.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBeta Zane? Your Alpha is here\u2026 He\u2019s not okay.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
This told me everything I needed to know.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Great.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just what I needed after a fourteen-hour shift.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I groaned, grabbed my jacket, and headed straight to the bar, already preparing myself for whatever disaster he\u2019d created.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I walked in, I spotted him immediately.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And sure enough, there he was \u2013 the mighty Alpha of Shadowclaw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo was sitting in a corner, one hand in his hair, the other wrapped around a half-empty glass, staring at nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A few women hovered around him. Giggling, and touching his shoulder like he was a snack on display.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swore under my breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody back up,\u201d I snapped as I approached. \u201cShow\u2019s over.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cZane,\u201d he slurred, blinking too slowly. \u201cWhy\u2019re there\u2026 two of you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere aren\u2019t,\u201d I muttered. \u201cUnless you hit your head. Which would explain a lot.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo looked up at me with the most pathetic drunk frown I\u2019d ever seen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cZane,\u201d he muttered. \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSure,\u201d I said dryly. \u201cAnd I\u2019m the Moon Goddess.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He glared. Or tried to. It looked more like he was squinting at a blurry menu.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he repeated, raising the glass again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
.63)\u00a0<\/p>\n
E55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:30 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 44\u00a0<\/p>\n
I snatched it away before he could drink.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He blinked. \u201cHey-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve had enough,\u201d I said. \u201cLet\u2019s get you home.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He laughed. Then immediately it looked like he wanted to cry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh fantastic. He was in that stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNot now\u201d Theo shook his head. \u201cI need more drinks\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t stop him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then I noticed his phone lying on the table.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unlocked. His call log was open.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I saw Kaia\u2019s name at the top.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Six attempts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I whistled low. \u201cDamn. You really are gone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo groaned and rubbed his face. \u201cI needed to tell her something.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? That you\u2019re an idiot? I\u2019m sure she already knows.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He kicked my shin under the table. I dodged and he missed completely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I dragged him out of the booth. \u201cCome on.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo stumbled against me, mumbling. \u201cKaia\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, yeah. You\u2019ll see her soon\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d he slurred. \u201cI don\u2019t think I will. She hates me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou hate you,\u201d I corrected. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He stopped walking and grabbed my arm, eyes suddenly sharp even through the haze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cZane \u2026 she\u2019s\u2026 she\u2019s different.\u201d His voice cracked. \u201cShe feels like something I can\u2019t lose.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sighed deeply. Here we go.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Elara showing up just-\u201d He choked out a bitter laugh. \u201cIt messed everything up. Again.\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what she does,\u201d I said, tugging him forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want her,\u201d Theo said suddenly, loudly, hands balling at his sides.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:30 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 44\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want Elara. I haven\u2019t wanted her for a long damn time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
People were staring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Great.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Kaia?\u201d I asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo stared at the ground. At his feet and fists.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anywhere but me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe got under my skin,\u201d he whispered. \u201cBefore I even noticed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest tightened a little \u2013 not that I\u2019d ever admit it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo only got like this when he was hurting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen tell her,\u201d I said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI tried!\u201d he snapped. \u201cShe didn\u2019t answer.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you\u2019re drunk,\u201d I deadpanned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His eyes widened. \u201cOh. Then I should call her again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNope.\u201d I grabbed his phone before he could. \u201cUnless you want to wake up tomorrow and find out you confessed your undying love through slurred voice notes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo looked genuinely horrified. \u201cZane\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026.did I already do that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I checked the screen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One unsent voice note. Five seconds long.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pressed play. Theo\u2019s voice came out broken, desperate:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia\u2026 please.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I locked the phone immediately.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo exhaled shakily. \u201cI\u2019m screwed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d I agreed. \u201cNow shut up and walk before I drag you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He had one more drink before he let me drag him out of the bar.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:31 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 44\u00a0<\/p>\n
He huffed but followed, leaning heavily on me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I strapped the seatbelt around him. Theo couldn\u2019t stop sulking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia has my heart,\u201d he confessed, broken, honest in a way he\u2019d never admit sober. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean for it to happen. I swear I didn\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He laughed a little, shaking his head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe just\u2026 got in. Even when I told myself she wouldn\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t say anything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t need to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then he grabbed my arm \u2013 surprisingly strong for someone who could barely see straight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to tell her,\u201d he said. \u201cTonight. Call Kaia. Give me my phone. I have to. I have to tell her everything before she thinks I\u2019m choosing Elara.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh mahn.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou should absolutely not call her,\u201d I countered immediately. \u201cYou\u2019re drunk, and dramatic.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not dramatic,\u201d he argued.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I passed him the phone because honestly, trying to argue with a drunk Theo is a waste of time. He wouldn\u2019t listen anyways.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He tried to unlock the phone several times. Keying on the wrong passcode.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It finally worked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then he hit call.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I dragged my hand over my face. Exhausted. \u201cTheo. You\u2019re too much\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The phone rang once. Twice. Three times.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s heart beat harder with each one.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on\u2026\u201d hw whispered. \u201cPick up. Just pick up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t pick up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then the call dropped to voicemail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He stared at his screen, the rejection sharper than it should\u2019ve been.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I look at him not knowing what to say.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:31 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 44\u00a0<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t say exactly what he wants to hear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI hurt her,\u201d he muttered. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to. I should\u2019ve told her everything. I should\u2019ve told her-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTold her what?\u201d I asked carefully.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I saw his eyes burned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He blinked repeatedly \u201cThat she\u2026 that she\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The words stuck in his throat. He stuttered, trying to get it out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I grip his shoulder tighten. \u201cTheo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026that she\u2019s the only damn thing that makes sense to me anymore.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure she hates me,\u201d he murmured.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Kaia is asleep,\u201d I corrected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He ignored me and kept dialing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Soon, he stopped dialing, his head fell back against the seat, eyes slipping shut.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOne more,\u201d he whispered. \u201cI\u2019ll tell her in the morning\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
But he didn\u2019t finish his sentence before he slip out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was out cold.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stared at him for a moment, the great Alpha, reduced to a heartbroken mess.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled. I know that feeling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d I muttered. \u201cTomorrow. Good luck with that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u7530\u00a0<\/p>\n
AD\u00a0<\/p>\n
Comment\u00a0<\/p>\n
Send gift\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 44 Chapter 44\u00a0 \u2013Zane\u2013\u00a0 \u0b2e\u0b42\u0b24\u0b4d\u0b28 63)\u00a0 Z\u00a0 55 vouchers\u00a0 I knew Theo was […]<\/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-27289","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\/27289","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=27289"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27289\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}