Chapter 57\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
:.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was still replaying my conversation with Father when a knock came.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not really a knock-more like three angry punches against the door.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Only one person knocked like that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien. Of course.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCome in,\u201d I said, already irritated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
He walked into my study like he owned the place, shutting the door behind him with a soft, mocking click.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t bow his head nor acknowledge me as Alpha. He just walked in grinning, hands in his pockets, his eyes roaming the study with bored disdain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d he said. \u201cLong time no see, big brother.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I crossed my arms. \u201cWhat do you want, Lucien?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He raised a brow. \u201cWow. Straight to business. No warm welcome? No \u2018how have you been?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGet to the point, Lucien,\u201d I muttered, annoyed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou owe me for this,\u201d he said. \u201cBig time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stared at him. \u201cFor what? Existing?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor agreeing to marry Elara,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m taking your place and cleaning up your mess. So you\u2019ll be with that little mate of yours. You should thank me\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw ticked. \u201cThe mess I caused? You mean the one Elara created when she abandoned the engagement?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien waved a hand. \u201cShe had her reasons.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. Elara wanted someone stronger.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien\u2019s smirk widened. \u201cExactly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood, meeting him eye to eye.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then, I chuckled a little.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou should be glad,\u201d I said. \u201cYou finally get to be useful for once in your life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His jaw ticked. \u201cCareful, Theo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 57\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOr what?\u201d I asked. \u201cAre you going to run to Cara and cry about it?\u201d My smile widened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His eyes darkened. \u201cYou think this is funny?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think you barging into my study demanding gratitude is pathetic,\u201d I said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His expression tightened, and he looked like I had crushed his pride.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63 )\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know,\u201d Lucien pinched his chin, chuckling. \u201cYou act so mighty for someone whose life depends on a stable pulse.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien stepped closer, invading my space like he always tried to every chance he got.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019s the weak heart doing these days?\u201d he asked casually.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My body tensed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He saw it and pushed further.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStill skipping every time you train too hard? Still weaker than the average warrior pup?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien,\u201d I warned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, relax. I\u2019m just curious,\u201d he said. \u201cDid you tell Kaia? Does she know the great Alpha Theo is living on borrowed time? String together by luck?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My fingers curled into fists.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes she know,\u201d he continued quietly, \u201cthat she might lose you any day? That she might end up with a dying mate?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s enough!\u201d I snapped. \u201cWhat do you have against Kaia?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien stopped in front of me, staring down at me with pure hatred.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia?\u201d Lucien laughed. \u201cYou think I hate you because of Kaia?\u201d he said. \u201cOr because Elara wanted you first? You think that\u2019s it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t respond.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien leaned forward, voice dropping to a venomous spat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI hate you because even with a failing heart\u2026 even with all your weaknesses\u2026 You still got the Alpha gene.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien never hid his hatred for me. I wasn\u2019t expecting him to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At least someone was honest with me about their feelings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien stepped closer, breath cold.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re a fragile Alpha, Theo. A ticking time bomb with weak blood and a weak body. You have always been\u00a0<\/p>\n
10:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 57\u00a0<\/p>\n
weak\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still the Alpha,\u201d I said flatly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. Only because the goddess made a mistake by choosing to give you the Alpha gene\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that,\u201d I said sofily, \u201cis why you\u2019ll never be more than second.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien paced for a moment and stopped to face me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
355 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you want to know why I hate you so much?\u201d he asked. \u201cYou got father\u2019s approval, the pack and respect. And what did I get?\u201d He scoffed. \u201cMother\u2019s delusions and a name no one takes seriously.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not my fault,\u201d I said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo?\u201d He stopped and glared at me. \u201cYou think I don\u2019t see how the pack worships you? Even when you\u2019re pale, panting, clutching your chest after a fight, they still call you Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He leaned closer. \u201cYou got everything I deserved.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd yet,\u201d I said softly, \u201chere you are, begging to be the replacement husband.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His nostrils flared.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think this marriage scares me?\u201d Lucien hissed. \u201cElara is still in love with you. She doesn\u2019t want me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not my problem.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t it?\u201d Lucien chuckled darkly. \u201cDo you know the first thing she asked me? She said, \u2018Reject me so Theo has to take me back.\u201d\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt my stomach twist. \u201cShe asked you that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yes,\u201d he said. \u201cShe practically begged. And when I refused, she screamed your name like a pathetic child.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t respond.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien studied my face. \u201cSee? Even now, you want her to want you. You always have.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien,\u201d I said coldly, \u201cI moved on.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTo Kaia?\u201d he mocked.\u201d Does Kaia know? That you\u2019ve got a failing heart? That one wrong shock could send you straight to the ancestors?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw locked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien,\u201d I warned again, my voice trembling a little.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t protect her,\u201d he taunted. \u201cYou can\u2019t even protect yourself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes lifted with a cold warning. \u201cLeave Kaia out of this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 57\u00a0<\/p>\n
C63 )\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien smirked. \u201cI can\u2019t do that. She\u2019s the whole reason you\u2019re spiralling. Tell me, does she know she\u2019s mating a man who can\u2019t even shift without risking collapse?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood up, clenching my fists. \u201cYou don\u2019t get to talk about Kaia.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien chuckled. \u201cI get to talk about anything I want, especially when you keep ruining everything that should\u2019ve been mine.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stiffened, noticing my nostrils flare with anger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien\u2019s voice continued dropping.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI trained harder. I fought harder,\u201d he turned his back to me. \u201d I was stronger and faster than you\u2019ll ever be.. Somehow, the title went to the boy who fainted during shifts.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A low growl escaped my lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was supposed to be Alpha.\u201d My mother knew this,\u201d Lucien said. \u201cThe Council knew it, and even half the pack knew it.\u201d Only you and Father had a different opinion\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I clenched my fists.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien ignored me and continued, \u201cBut here\u2019s the part I enjoy most, knowing you\u2019re one heartbreak away from the grave.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I froze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien\u2019s smile sharpened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, yes. One emotional shock or betrayal. And your heart might stop.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He tilted his head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happens to the pack then? Kaia becomes Luna for a day and then a grieving widow the next?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My voice was low, shaking with contained fury. \u201cShut. Up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien stepped even closer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou talk about claiming her. About protecting her. But isn\u2019t it selfish? Truly selfish?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His eyes glinted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you want to ruin her life more than it already is?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My breath hitched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien smirked in satisfaction.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThink about it, brother. You bind yourself to her, and she gets a mate who\u2019s one bad day from death.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 57\u00a0<\/p>\n
He shrugged carelessly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut hey,\u201d he smirked, \u201cif you want to drag her into that coffin with you, be my guest.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My voice came out raw. \u201cGet out. Before I forget, we share blood.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien raised both hands, mocking surrender.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course. Wouldn\u2019t want to overwork that fragile heart of yours.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was shaking with rage. I stood up and grabbed Lucien\u2019s collar, pinning him down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But he wouldn\u2019t stop talking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSay one more word,\u201d I whispered, \u201cand you\u2019ll regret stepping into this room.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He stared at me, but his pulse gave him away; he was scared.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maybe just a little.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once I let him go, he straightened his collar and turned to leave with a smug expression.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He paused at the door, turning back once more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
C 63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOne last thing. If you die, the pack still needs an Alpha.\u201d His smile turned vicious. \u201cAnd I\u2019ll be right here waiting.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He left without another word.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He stormed out, slamming the door so hard the walls shook.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood there for a minute, replaying what Lucien said in my head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was vibrating unintentionally because Lucien had said the truth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The one thing I feared the most.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sank into my chair, struggling to catch my breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien may be a hater, but he was not wrong this time,\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was right; I\u2019m one heart attack away from death.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It would be selfish of me to drag Kaia down with me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Loving Kaia may not kill me but dying prematurely after mating her would haunt me in my death.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 58\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 57 Chapter 57\u00a0 \u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0 :.\u00a0 I was still replaying my conversation with Father […]<\/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-27302","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\/27302","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=27302"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27302\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27302"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}