Chapter 58\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Elara\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was pacing, still shaking with rage, when the door opened without a knock.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned around, my chest still burning with the humiliation I suffered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien walked in with a slow, smug smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He leaned on the doorframe, watching me like a hawk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stopped pacing and turned to face him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d I spun towards him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien closed the door behind him, ignoring my rage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look worse than I expected. Did the guards drag you out or something?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I glared at him. \u201cSay one more word, Lucien, and I\u2019ll claw your face off.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien smirked. \u201cYou could try. But you and I both know your nails only work on weaker men.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes went feral, burning with uncontrollable rage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hissed, \u201cGet out of here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d Lucien muttered, smirking a little. \u201cCan\u2019t I check on my fianc\u00e9e?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t call me that!\u201d I snapped. \u201cThis isn\u2019t happening. I want you to reject me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien blinked once.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien, reject me. Tell the circle you don\u2019t want to take Theo\u2019s place\u201d. I hissed, \u201cDo it now, don\u2019t accept the engagement. I don\u2019t want you, I never wanted you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien looked at me, and a glimmer of hurt flashed in his eyes for a second.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then he laughed softly, cruelly and probably delighted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He took one slow step toward me. He blinked once and laughed hysterically.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cReject you?\u201d he echoed. \u201cWhy in the goddess\u2019 name would I ever do that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara flinched, humiliation burning her skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause this isn\u2019t what I want!\u201d I snapped. \u201cI love Theo, I\u2019m supposed to be his Luna\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien tilted his head, eyes glinting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 58\u00a0<\/p>\n
(63)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Theo doesn\u2019t want you,\u201d Lucien muttered. \u201cThe circle had rejected you as well. Even your father is not fighting for you anymore\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His smile widened. \u201cAnd now, you\u2019re mine. Stuck with me\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I forgot my pride and marched in front of Lucien. I feel both desperate and furious at the same time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want this!\u201d I yelled, running a hand through my hair. \u201cTheo was supposed to choose me. Not her. And now you expect me to stand beside you as if nothing happened?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien\u2019s smile widened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. I do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I froze, stunned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien walked closer, lowering his voice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve wanted you since we were kids, Elara. You know that. I never hid it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked away, jaw clenching. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t matter. I don\u2019t want-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt matters to me,\u201d he cut in. \u201cI\u2019m not rejecting you. Not now. Not ever.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My breath trembled, fury mixing with desperation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien, please\u2026. Dont do this\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien leaned in, his voice dropping to a mocking whisper.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve wanted you for years,\u201d Lucien breathed loudly. \u201cI always wanted everything Theo had, you, included\u201d A thin smile crept to his lips. \u201cAnd now the circle just handed you to me\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt my heart searing with anger. I wanted to claw his face and gouge his eyes out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But I had to control myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My breath stuttered, but I held back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien, this engagement is humiliating. I can\u2019t tie myself to you like this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien winked at me, laughing dryly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think I care why the council chose me? Elara, I\u2019ve waited years for any reason to stand beside you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swallowed, taken aback by the intensity in his eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien stepped even closer, voice dipping.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou finally became mine. I\u2019m not letting that go.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 58\u00a0<\/p>\n
My lips parted, but no words came out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien tilted his head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd why would you want to reject me? You think Theo will come back? You think Kaia will disappear? Elara\u2026 that fantasy is gone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes burned, rage and shame swirling together.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to be stuck with you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien walked to me and stroked a tear off my cheek with cruel satisfaction.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy should I reject the one thing I\u2019ve always wanted?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shoved his hand away, shaking with hatred.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien only smirked, straightening his jacket.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien\u2019s jaw ticked, but his voice stayed calm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to want me today. I\u2019m patient. I\u2019ve always been patient with you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara, when you\u2019re done crying over Theo, you\u2019ll remember I\u2019m the one who stayed. I always stayed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He moved to the door, glancing back with a quiet, deadly promise.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I glared daggers at him, but he only smiled. He looked satisfied and victorious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t hide it. I don\u2019t think he planned to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien opened the door.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd don\u2019t ask me to reject you again,\u201d he said softly. \u201cI\u2019ve waited too long for you. I\u2019m not letting go of this chance\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw locked, trembling with controlled rage. Lucien is pushing my buttons.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether you cry, scream and throw a tantrum\u2026 The answer is still no\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He turned, walking away with a victorious swagger\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGet used to it, fianc\u00e9e\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once Lucien left, I realised I\u2019m not getting out of this easily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That son of a btch thinks he has a chance with me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But after a quick thought, I realised I was trapped. And I wasn\u2019t escaping.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not easily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 58\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood there, frozen, for a full second.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then I snapped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
I grabbed a vase from the table and hurled it at the wall. It shattered with a sharp crack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNO!,no, no! This is not happening,\u201d I screamed, pulling my hair.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I kicked the side table, sending it skidding across the floor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest heaved with a broken breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt my hands trembling violently.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not happening. I\u2019m not marrying that good-for-nothing\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I clutched my hair, sinking to my knees.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe stole everything from me,\u201d I whispered, with a breath broken. \u201cEverything.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A sob tore from my throat, bitter and furious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I crawled to the edge of my bed and punched the mattress until my knuckles bruised.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe chose her? That pathetic little\u2026 Nobody? Over ME?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My breathing spiralled-too fast, too uneven.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of my attendants burst in, shocked at my condition.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy lady-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGET OUT!\u201d I shrieked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The girl froze, but she didn\u2019t leave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I snatched her mirror off the vanity and slammed it onto the floor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
(63)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did this!\u201d I shrieked. \u201cTheo did this to me! And now I\u2019m stuck with his useless brother, who thinks this is some dream come true!\u201d I said, spiralling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can\u2019t do this to me,\u201d she whispered, shaking my head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The attendant rushed over, trying to hold me, but I shoved her away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara, please-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDON\u2019T SAY MY NAME!\u201d I screamed at her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I paced back and forth, fingers clawing at my hair.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 58\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was supposed to be mine,\u201d I said, shaking. \u201cI was supposed to be Luna!\u201d I screamed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was supposed to stand beside Theo. Not\u2026 not Lucien!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My knees buckled, and I caught myself on the edge of the mattress.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow could he choose her?\u201d she whispered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow could he humiliate me like this?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy lady, please get a hold of yourself\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
(63)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSHUT UP!\u201d I snapped, my eyes raging wild. \u201cIf any of you speak again, I swear I\u2019ll rip your tongues out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The attendants flinched back, terrified.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sucked in a shaky breath, tears streaking her cheeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe thinks he can just\u2026. hand me off to Lucien?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A sharp and bitter laughter escaped my lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien. Fucking, annoying Lucien.\u201d My voice dripped with disgust. \u201cI will NOT marry him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The attendants exchanged nervous glances.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One whispered, \u201cBut the Circle already made their decision\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My head whipped toward her. \u201cI don\u2019t CARE about the Circle.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u201dI will not be pushed aside. Kaia will not replace me.\u201d I stood up straighter, trembling with fury. Kaia really thinks she\u2019s safe just because he said her name?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My hands curled into fists. \u201cI\u2019ll tear that bond apart before it ever solidifies.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy lady, please calm down\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo! I will not calm down,\u201d I hissed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The attendant reached for me. This time, I let her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She\u2019s been working for me for years; she\u2019s practically my friend now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My attendant hugged me tightly, patting my back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara, sweetheart\u2026 maybe this is for the best-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I snapped her head up, eyes blazing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best?\u201d I hissed. \u201cYou think this is the best? I am not marrying Lucien. I won\u2019t. I refuse.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:34 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 58\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara, please listen to me\u201d, my attendant pleaded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll ruin them,\u201d I said, ignoring her. My voice came out cold and deadly. \u201cBoth of them\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I walked to the door, my hands curled into fists.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia thinks she can take what\u2019s mine?\u201d I gritted. \u201cShe thinks she can stand beside Theo where I was supposed to be?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned forward, trembling with rage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe has no idea who she\u2019s dealing with.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My attendant swallowed nervously.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara\u2026please\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wiped tears with a shaking hand, my smearing all over, but I didn\u2019t care.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia won\u2019t get a happy ending,\u201d I gritted with rage. \u201cNot with my Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My attendant lips parted in alarm. \u201cElara\u2026 what are you planning?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked away with my jaw locked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever it takes to get rid of Kaia.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A.D\u00a0<\/p>\n
Comment\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 58 Chapter 58\u00a0 \u2013Elara\u2013\u00a0 :\u00a0 I was pacing, still shaking with rage, when […]<\/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-27303","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\/27303","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=27303"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27303\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27303"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}