Chapter 55\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Elara\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
DOD\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
My legs buckled, and I slammed to the floor the moment my father left the hall with Alpha Kingsley.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Eventually, the hall emptied, leaving me alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I saw Theo walking out with Kaia. My heart jumped with pangs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My father\u2019s command still echoes in my head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018You will marry Lucien\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
For the first time in years, a tear dropped from my eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
How could my own father do this to me?\u00a0<\/p>\n
My mother gasped and rushed forward to hold me. Holding me close to her chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara! My baby,\u201d Mother pulled me close, cradling my face. \u201cWhat did they do to you? How dare they embarrass you like this?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
But I couldn\u2019t hear anything she was saying.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My body was shaking. Violently.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could barely hold a breath. The humiliation ate deeply into my heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe chose her\u2026 he chose her. A girl with no powerless wolf. A fucking nobody. He chose her over me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My mother stroked my hair, whispering soothing things to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But nothing can soothe what I\u2019m feeling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I let out a sound, half sob, half snarl.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMother\u2026\u201d My fingers dug into my mother\u2019s arm hard enough to bruise. \u201cMother, I swear\u2026.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t finish my words before tears choked my voice, stopping me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI will ruin them for this,\u201d I said, my voice dripping with venom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mother stiffened, but she didn\u2019t say anything. She just hugged me tighter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI will take everything from Theo,\u201d I swore, my eyes blazing. \u201cHis pack. His ailing heart. And that damned little mutt he calls a mate\u2026\u201d My lip curls, trembling with rage. \u201cShe won\u2019t last long.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara\u2026\u201d Mother whispers, frightened now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:33 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 55\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes glisten with tears, but I refuse to let them fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI will burn everything they love,\u201d I whispered, shaking. \u201cThey think they\u2019ve humiliated me? They think this is over?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I clutched my mother\u2019s dress bitterly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not over. I don\u2019t care what the Circle said or what Father\u2019s decision was. I will get Theo back.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that girl, Kaia\u2026\u201d My voice dropped, filled with venom. \u201cWill regret ever breathing the same air as me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy darling, just calm down,\u201d mother said, hugging me and patting my back. \u201cDont do anything reckless, you might regret\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGo, Mother,\u201d I muttered. She stopped hugging me and looked at my face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, Elara\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI say go, I want to be alone!\u201d I half-yelled. \u201cGo to your husband. Thank him for ruining my life\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pushed her away. Mother stood up and left.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sat in the hall for a little while longer until a guard came up to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha Princess, you\u2019ll have to come with us,\u201d the guard said. \u201cWe have an order from the Alpha to escort you out of the hall. Please understand\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
They escorted me out like I was some criminal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I am the rightful Luna of the Shadowclaw pack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The woman promised Theo before we both shifted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The door slammed behind me, and something in me snapped so violently I could hear it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could hear it shattering like glass inside my ribs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I dashed to my room, hoping to avoid everyone\u2019s gazes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t let them enjoy seeing me humiliated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I was about to lock my door, Cara rushed over, stopping me in my tracks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be alone. Cara, go away!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara, breathe-\u201d Cara urged me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDON\u2019T TELL ME TO BREATHE!\u201d I screamed, pushing past her so hard she staggered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:33 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 55\u00a0<\/p>\n
www\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could barely see where I was going. Everything was red from my rage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt heat under my skin, boiling, bubbling, and clawing up my throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia, that pathetic, weak nobody.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A mistake Theo should never have even looked at.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stole everything from me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She took Theo and my position as Luna from me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I punched the wall hard, trying to vent my annoyance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Again. Until my knuckles split and blood spilt on the wall\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara gasped, reaching for me, but I twisted away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u3001 63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe humiliated me in front of everyone!\u201d I shrieked, my voice breaking. \u201cHe chose that stray girl over ME!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My father\u2019s guards stood at the far end of the corridor, pretending not to stare.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hated them for it. Hate everyone involved in making my life miserable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara tried to touch me again. \u201cElara, please, stop-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo!\u201d My chest heaved. \u201cHe was promised to me! He belonged to me! That half-dead Alpha and his pathetic son owe me everything!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The tears came out hot and furious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now he stood\u2026.\u201d My breath hitched. \u201c\u2026he stood there and took her name? In front of everyone?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My nails dug into my palms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI should be Luna.\u201d I yelled. \u201cIt should be me, not Kaia\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara finally caught me, wrapping her arms around me even as I writhed against her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s unfair,\u201d she whispered. \u201cYou dont deserve this\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more than unfair,\u201d I spat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey think they can pass me off to Lucien,\u201d I hissed. \u201cThey think I\u2019ll just smile and accept being second-hand -\u201cMy laugh was bittersweet. \u201cThey\u2019re insane.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara stiffened. \u201cElara\u2026 what are you thinking?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
What am I thinking?\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stopped shaking. Completely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 55\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m thinking,\u201d I whispered, \u201cthat no one steals what\u2019s mine and walks away with it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes widened. \u201cElara-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
(63 )\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to make them all regret this,\u201d I swore bitterly. \u201cI\u2019ll make Theo regret embarrassing me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll make that pathetic girl regret ever stepping into this pack.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I\u2019ll make every single person who applauded that decision pay.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara swallowed. \u201cElara\u2026 please. Don\u2019t do anything rash.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRash?\u201d I smiled scornfully. \u201cNo, Cara. I won\u2019t make a rash decision.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTrust me, Elara, I want nothing more than justice for you\u201d, Cara began, \u201cBut we can\u2019t get revenge if you do something rash. Please calm down\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCara, I\u2019m not stupid,\u201d I said, turning to her. \u201cOf course, I\u2019m not going to ruin it once again\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, what\u2019s your plan now?\u201d Cara asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have anything planned yet\u201d, I say. \u201cBut believe me, I won\u2019t let Theo and Kaia get away with this\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Lucien?\u201d Cara asked. \u201cWhat are you going to do with him?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, she would ask. Lucien is her son after all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is between him and me for now. I will handle it my own way,\u201d I replied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright. Do what you must. I will see you later,\u201d Cara said, before leaving.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once Cara was gone, I turned to the mirror.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Looking at my pathetic reflection, I was livid once more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t over yet, Theo,\u201d I muttered. \u201cI hope your weak, pathetic heart can handle what I\u2019m going to do to you\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned, a smirk plastered on my lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTrust me, I won\u2019t go easy on you or Kaia\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
After leaving the chaotic hall, I walked Kaia to her door.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She kept her hands folded tightly in front of her, her breath shaky, her mind obviously racing\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
When we reached her door, Kaia turned to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her lashes trembled. Her fingers twisted as she dug it into her dress.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 55\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia stopped and turned to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo\u2026..Am I really your mate?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I froze. I wasn\u2019t shocked. I expected this after all; I dropped a bomb on her a while ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s obvious she deserves clarification from me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia wasn\u2019t angry. She wasn\u2019t even suspicious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She just looked fragile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like someone who had been told her entire life that she wasn\u2019t enough.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And now she was terrified that this was some mistake or pity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped closer, slowly, giving her time to pull back. But she didn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone says people like me don\u2019t get mates\u2026 Especially not a second chance, mates,\u201d Kaia said with a broken smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw clenched, my anger flaring at the people who made her believe that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He lifted a hand cautiously, letting my finger brush away a tear from her eye.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia, I would never lie about something like this,\u201d I muttered. \u201cAlthough it\u2019s not confirmed yet\u2026.. Let\u2019s wait until the full moon in two days\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She swallowed, eyes searching my face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut why me\u2026 Of all people, why me? Why would the Moon Goddess choose me?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo exhaled shakily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause, Kaia, you\u2019re meant for me.\u201d I said, \u201cThe moon goddess doesn\u2019t make mistakes\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped closer and took her hand. \u201cThe moment you walked into my life, everything in me recognised you, and when I look at you, my heart doesn\u2019t hurt.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia\u2019s breath hitched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped even closer, close enough that she could feel my warm breath on her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Kaia. You are my mate.\u201d I nodded, almost teary-eyed. \u201cThe only one I\u2019ve ever wanted\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re an Alpha. I\u2019m\u2026 nothing.\u201d Kaia worriedly said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t say that. You\u2019re nothing. You are everything I\u2019ve ever wanted.\u201d I said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her knees wobbled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 55\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
She whispered, \u201cI thought I wasn\u2019t worthy\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
463\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I gently cupped her cheek with both hands, lifting her face so she had no choice but to meet my eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are the only one who ever saw me as more than just an alpha,\u201d I said. \u201cSo don\u2019t ever question your worth again\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, neither of us breathed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then Kaia whispered, soft, almost breaking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo\u2026.I\u2019m scared\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I rested my forehead against hers, whispering, voice soft enough to shatter her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. But you don\u2019t have to be scared alone anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes fluttered shut, tears slipping down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wiped her tears with my finger, urging her not to cry anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t cry, Kaia. Please\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
With Kaia in my arms, I felt alive.\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 55 Chapter 55\u00a0 \u2013Elara\u2013\u00a0 DOD\u00a0 63\u00a0 55 vouchers\u00a0 My legs buckled, and 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-27300","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\/27300","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=27300"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27300\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}