Chapter 49\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Elara\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara and I stood behind the crowd.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s jaw was tight from annoyance, she couldn\u2019t help but dig into her palms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everyone was cheering and praising Kaia right in front of us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
E55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I watched from the shadows, feeling the pang of jealousy burn hotter every time someone called Kaia a hero.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara leaned close, whispering, \u201cShe\u2019s making herself too visible. People are starting to like her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t need to be told twice. I could see everything happening right in front of me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My blood boiled with hatred for Kaia. She\u2019s a nobody and she had the nerve to compete with me?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cA stray,\u201d I hissed. \u201cA bloody nobody. And they\u2019re looking at her like she\u2019s some savior.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s lip curled. \u201cFrom what I\u2019ve seen Theo is falling for her.\u201d Cara muttered. \u201cAnd if that happens, she\u2019ll be a big problem\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even if I wanted to deny it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I know that look like the back of my hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The way Theo looks at her. I\u2019ve seen it before and it was the same way he looked at me back then.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Could Theo have really fallen in love with Kaia?\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood there with my head tilted, watching Theo kneel in front of Kaia, brushing soot off her arms with trembling hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, she already has him wrapped around her fingers,\u201d Cara said softly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watching Theo and Kaia, a smile crept on my lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut lucky for us\u2026 I came prepared.\u201d I muttered, looking at them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara glanced at me. \u201cWhat are you planning?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped forward, still glancing at Theo and Kaia before turning to face Cara.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething my father has been waiting for years to use.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so curious to know what that is,\u201d Cara said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, coming here, I had my own move.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:32 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 49\u00a0<\/p>\n
A hidden trump card.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My Father.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s father owed my father a debt-My father saved Alpha Kingsley Ashford during an attack years ago. And I intend to cash in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s say it pays to be an Alpha\u2019s daughter\u201d I muttered, smirking. \u201cMy father did some good deeds and I the daughter will cash in on it\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you planning to do?\u201d Cara curiously asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s just say in going to remind Theo and his father the debt they owe to my father\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are really twisted, aren\u2019t you, Elara? Haha\u201d Cara and I burst into laughter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you can say that. I\u2019ll have my way,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I murmured, glancing back at the girl everyone was cheering for. Kaia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing personal,\u201d I whispered to Cara. \u201cBut she can\u2019t stand in my path. Not now. Not ever. And I don\u2019t mind who I have to get rid of but Theo is mine\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s grin matched mine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have my full support, Elara\u201d Cara patted my back. \u201cLet\u2019s do this\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cWe should.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara and I looked at each other, our plans already in motion in our mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And soon\u2026 everything would bend to our will.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I slammed the door to my room behind me, still seething from the day\u2019s chaos.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia\u2019s carelessness almost caused my heart to rip out of my chest in fear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I left her to rest in her room. Trying not to stay with her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Because I was angry and if I stayed a little longer, I would hurt her with my words.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was about to take a shower when I heard a knock.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara walked in without waiting for me to usher her in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara,\u201d I said, trying to keep my voice gentle, \u201cwhat are you doing here? Go back. I don\u2019t have time for-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t flinch. Didn\u2019t move an inch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:32 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 49\u00a0<\/p>\n
Instead, she smiled that irritating, calm smile, like she already knew she\u2019d won.\u00a0<\/p>\n
EL 55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t start,\u201d she said smoothly. \u201cI know you think you can push me away, but let\u2019s not pretend either of us is blind to reality.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pinched the bridge of my nose. \u201cReality? You mean your obsession with with being my Luna?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her smile widened. \u201cOh, don\u2019t be dramatic. I\u2019m just reminding you of something you can\u2019t ignore. My father\u2026..\u201d She paused, letting the weight of the words settle in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about your father?\u201d I asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be quick,\u201d she said sweetly. \u201cMy father wants an answer.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I froze. \u201cAnswer to what?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara smiled. \u201cTo the alliance he and your father made.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes narrowed. \u201cYour father hasn\u2019t spoken to me in years.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s because he didn\u2019t have a reason,\u201d she said, stepping closer. \u201cBut now he does.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She leaned in, her voice purring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe wants our packs united. Permanently. Through me. As your Luna\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I scanned her face to see if she was joking but she wasn\u2019t\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d I remarked. \u201cWhat makes you think I\u2019ll agree to this?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have a choice,\u201d Elara said. \u201cMy father, Alpha Richardson, helped your father. During the attack. Saved him. Risked everything. And your father promised to pay him back. That favour\u2026 is due.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I froze. Every muscle in me wanted to explode, but I forced the rage down into a controlled growl.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re saying\u2026\u2026.. because of some debt your father claims, I should bow to your demands? And make you my\u00a0<\/p>\n
Luna?*\u00a0<\/p>\n
She shrugged delicately, like it was the most natural thing in the world to do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not asking. I\u2019m\u2026\u2026\u2026 informing. Your choice isn\u2019t just about you anymore. Think carefully. Theo. The pack. your father\u2026 all of it could be affected if you continue to resist.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I took a step forward, fury burning in my chest. \u201cAnd what if I don\u2019t play your game? What if I decide I don\u2019t care about your father\u2019s favours or your threats?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes sparkled with that maddening confidence\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then you\u2019ll see how persuasive my father can be. And believe me, he\u2019s very persuasive.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I clenched my fists, swallowing hard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:32 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 49\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted to tear through this whole charade, to shove her out and tell her to leave me alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But the truth, damn it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The truth gnawed at the back of my mind. I couldn\u2019t ignore the leverage she had.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And yet\u2026 I wouldn\u2019t let her win.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped back, letting her go for now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYoull only be my Luna in your dreams, Elara\u201d I muttered. I don\u2019t even believe my own words.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara turned back and shrugged prettily at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy father has already spoken to your father.\u201d Elara revealed. \u201cAnd Cara thinks it\u2019s perfect timing. A strong alliance. A Luna with powerful blood. Or a potential war\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then she stepped so close I could see her lips parting in mockery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I think it\u2019s time you stop pretending you don\u2019t need me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I clenched my jaw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swallowed hard. \u201cThis-this isn\u2019t happening.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, but it is,\u201d Elara whispered. \u201cMy father gave you until tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then she smiled-sharp enough to cut.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s see if you\u2019re willing to sacrifice your entire pack for that stray\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara walked back to me. Gently and calculated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stood on her toes and planted a kiss on my cheek.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t move away. I was rooted in my spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She whispered. \u201cGood night from your future Luna, Alpha Theo\u201d\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 49 Chapter 49\u00a0 \u2013Elara\u2013\u00a0 Cara and I stood behind the crowd.\u00a0 :\u00a0 Cara\u2019s […]<\/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-27294","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\/27294","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=27294"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27294\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}