Chapter 56\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Lucien\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I should\u2019ve been pissed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
After all, the Circle had just shoved me into a political marriage with Elara, the she-wolf who spent her entire life pretending I didn\u2019t exist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But when the hall erupted into chaos.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And the second Elara screamed like her lungs were on fire\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
I burst out laughing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not a courteous chuckle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A full, ugly, can\u2019t-breathe, cackle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gods, the look on her face, pure betrayal, it was insane to look at.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had returned to Shadowclaw to watch Theo ruin his life with someone he doesn\u2019t want.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didnt expect to be thrown into the hullabaloo.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wiped tears from the corners of my eyes, still snorting, when a familiar storm of perfume and rage stalked toward me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My mother. Cara.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could unmistakably recognise her walk. Anytime she was seething with rage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mother\u2019s jaw was locked so tight she could\u2019ve bitten through a rod.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien,\u201d she snapped. \u201cYou\u2019re laughing? Really now? After everything? After that\u2026 that girl, Kaia, stole Theo right from under her and threw you into the mess\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She was seething and actually vibrating with rage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, my grin refusing to die.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMother,\u201d I said sweetly, \u201cI\u2019m having the best day of my life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My mother blinked at me, confused.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? What are you talking about? Have you lost your damn mind?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shrugged. \u201cWhat? Were you expecting me to mourn and cry? Throw a fit because Theo and his little stray found each other?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 56\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mother\u2019s eyes narrowed.\u201dLucien, what\u2019s going on with you? Explain yourself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pushed off the wall, walking in a slow circle around her, enjoying every second.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAll my life,\u201d I said, \u201cI\u2019ve watched Theo get everything. The attention. The power. The girl.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara was his,\u201d she snapped. \u201cShe was meant for-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Elara was never meant for him,\u201d I cut in. \u201cShe was in love with what he represented. The perfect Alpha.The crown holder.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smirked. \u201cAnd now? She gets me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mother stared at me, stunned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sound happy about this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I\u2019m more than happy,\u201d I said. \u201cI\u2019m ecstatic.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMother.\u201d I stopped in front of her. \u201cI have wanted Elara Varkon since I was sixteen.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes widened. \u201cYou\u2026 what?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course.\u201d I laughed again. \u201cShe was beautiful. Fierce. Ambitious. Completely out of my league-and too busy trailing behind Theo like a cursed shadow.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mother blinked, struggling to process what I was saying.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now,\u201d I said smugly, \u201cthe Moon or fate, or whoever holds the highest power, has decided to drop her right into my arms.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I saw my mother\u2019s jaw drop. \u201cYou actually want to marry her?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yes.\u201d I flashed a grin sharp enough to cut.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAll my life, Theo had her attention. Now? She\u2019s mine. Not by force. Not by trick. By decree of the damn Alphas Circle.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mother was still glaring at me, confused, furious, but her tone softened just a touch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re serious.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCompletely.\u201d I leaned in. \u201cAnd isn\u2019t it deliciously ironic? The girl who called Theo weak ends up with his stronger and perfectly healthy younger brother.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mother almost smiled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Almost. Because she didnt let it show, but I could guess something was brewing in her mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 56\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Kaia-\u201d she started.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0b28\u0b2c\u0b4d\u0b33 63)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I cut her off. \u201cLet Theo and his little mate be happy for as long as they can. Let him think he outsmarted everyone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned my gaze back to my mother.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMe?\u201d I murmured, wicked satisfaction curling in my chest. \u201cI just won the prize I\u2019ve been starving for. And who knows? I might end up inheriting her father\u2019s pack as well\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mother exhaled, stunned. \u201c\u2026You\u2019re impossible.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you\u2019re welcome,\u201d I said. \u201cAren\u2019t you happy? Your favourite girl gets to be your daughter-in-law.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mother shook her head, glaring at my audacity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI swear to the Moon, Lucien, if you mishandle this opportunity-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I laughed again, already walking away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I won\u2019t mishandle anything,\u201d I said over my shoulder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve waited years for Elara.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I grinned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now she\u2019s finally, finally within reach.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I found my father alone in the packhouse garden, seated on the old stone bench he used to place me on when I was little.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back when we were happy with my mother before she died, things went up in flames between us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Father and I used to be best of friends, but things aren\u2019t the same anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Father wouldn\u2019t be returning to the northern packhouse until Lucien and Elars get married.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I walked into the garden.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I saw him. He looked older today.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Older than the last time I saw him, a few days back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maybe shame is ageing him faster than usual.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo,\u201d he said when he saw me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And there it was in his eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 56\u00a0<\/p>\n
Guilt. Regret. A father who knew he\u2019d failed his son.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHave a seat,\u201d he beckoned to me, moving away to make space for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sat beside him, but the silence between us was thick.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to explain,\u201d I murmured.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But he shook his head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d he whispered. \u201cI owe you that. I owe you more than that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His hands trembled slightly, the way they used to after battles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0b1d\u0b2c 63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe promise I made to Alpha Garrick,\u201d he exhaled shakily. \u201cI should never have agreed to it. I was desperate. We were under attack, and he saved our lives. I thought securing an alliance through marriage would protect our pack.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked at me then, really looked for a good minute.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I didn\u2019t think of what it would do to you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My stomach twisted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFather-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI gambled with your future,\u201d he said, voice breaking. \u201cI took away your freedom before you even became a man. And for what? Because I panicked? Because I wanted to look strong? You were just a boy, Theo. I didn\u2019t even ask if you wanted her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He covered his face with his hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was selfish. Shortsighted. I put you in a cage and called it duty.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The wind carried the faint scent of pine. I swallowed hard; the pressure in my chest was thick and painful.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t know she would leave,\u201d I said quietly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He dropped his hand and met my eyes with a weak smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know a lot of things. But I should have known better than to promise my son\u2019s life away.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He touched my shoulder; his hands were warm and trembling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Theo. Truly sorry. You never deserved this. And watching you suffer for a mistake I made\u2026\u201d His voice cracked. \u201cIt\u2019s the worst punishment I could ever have.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My throat tightened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He wasn\u2019t the mighty Alpha right now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 56\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was just my father-tired, ashamed, and hurting for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
463\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
E55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish I could forgive you,\u201d I said, even though it burned. \u201cBut this wasn\u2019t the hurt you caused me\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He nodded slowly. \u201cI don\u2019t expect you to. I only pray you won\u2019t let my mistake destroy your happiness.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He squeezed my shoulder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFight for the girl you truly want. Don\u2019t let my past dictate your future.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t but,\u201d I raised my head, afraid I would cry. \u201cDid you think of me once? Years, Father, for years did you once think of me?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked at me, getting a hint of what I\u2019m driving at.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t mean to say it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But once the words were out, I couldn\u2019t take them back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you ever think about me? At all?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My father froze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo\u2026 of course I did.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t do that,\u201d I said quietly. \u201cDon\u2019t lie because it sounds better. After Mom died, you disappeared. You buried yourself in the pack and left me alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked like I\u2019d slapped him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He swallowed hard. \u201cI was grieving. I didn\u2019t know how to be a father or carry anything without her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you stopped trying?\u201d My voice cracked. \u201cYou stopped trying with me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My father sighed, rubbing his face. \u201cI thought you were better off without my mess.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I laughed bitterly. \u201cRight. Better off watching you pour every ounce of affection into Cara and Lucien.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI needed you. Even when I pretended I didn\u2019t, I needed you.\u201d I snapped, my hands clenched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He stiffened. \u201cTheo-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I said. \u201cSay it. You didn\u2019t have space for me, but you had space for them. For her. For the son who wasn\u2019t yours. For the wife who wasn\u2019t my mother.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He flinched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pressed harder, because the ache in my chest had lived there for years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou looked at Lucien like he was the best thing that happened to you,\u201d I said. \u201cYou let Cara walk all over you. You let them act like they were the real family, and I was just\u2026 what? A reminder of the woman you lost?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 56\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo, that\u2019s not-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is,\u201d I whispered. \u201cAnd you know it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silence stretched between us, heavy and bruised.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63)\u00a0<\/p>\n
E55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
My father couldn\u2019t say anything. He sat there with his shoulders slumped, and for the first time in father looked small.\u00a0<\/p>\n
life, my my\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time I looked at you, I saw your mother,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cHer eyes. The strength she held and the fire she carried. And it hurt. I couldn\u2019t look at you without breaking down.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blinked, my throat tight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Cara?\u201d I asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was\u2026 easy,\u201d he admitted. \u201cShe didn\u2019t expect anything from me. Lucien didn\u2019t remind me of what I lost.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest felt like it was splitting open. \u201cSo you replaced me with them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d father said firmly. \u201cI ran from my grief. And I let them fill the space I should\u2019ve filled myself. That was my failure, not yours.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry. Every year that passed, the guilt got worse. I should have been there. I should have fought for you instead of drowning in my own pain.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked away, trying to catch my breath despite the burn in my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why didn\u2019t you say anything? Why wait until now?\u201d I asked, my eyes burning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I was a coward. And because I thought you hated me.\u201d He said, lowering his eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t hate you. I just\u2026 stopped expecting anything from you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He stepped closer, almost afraid of me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo\u2026 I was wrong, a coward.\u201d He admitted, sadly. \u201cI thought staying busy would make the pain easier. I didn\u2019t realise it made me lose you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud of you,\u201d he said. \u201cEven if I didn\u2019t raise you the way I should have\u2026. You still became the man your mother wanted you to be without my help.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI-I dont think\u2026\u201d My voice was hoarse. \u201cWe can\u2019t fix this in a day.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t need to,\u201d he said. \u201cJust\u2026 let me try.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I let out a shaky breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 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 56 Chapter 56\u00a0 \u2013Lucien\u2013\u00a0 I should\u2019ve been pissed.\u00a0 :\u00a0 :\u00a0 63\u00a0 55 vouchers\u00a0 […]<\/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-27301","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\/27301","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=27301"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27301\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27301"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}