Chapter 63\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
I came out for an early morning endurance drill with a few warriors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was supposed to be a normal morning run.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019d done it a thousand times before.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But today\u2026 Today my chest felt tighter than usual.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt a dull ache behind my ribs, tingling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was a warning, but I tried to ignore it, pushing it to the back of my mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t collapse. Not in front of them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not when Kaia would find out what my truth was.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pushed harder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And suddenly, the world tilted and my knees buckled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart skipped once. Then twice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then stuttered violently like it had lost its grip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt Air disappearing from my lungs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I bit down a groan, my fingers digging into the dirt as the forest spun around me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTHEO!\u201d Zane\u2019s voice tore through the trees.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was at my side in seconds, grabbing my shoulders before I could hit the ground face down\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStay with me,\u201d Zane said, breathily. \u201cHey, hey, try to take a little breath-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His voice was sharp, panicked, but strong enough to anchor me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest clenched again, this time harder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I grimaced. \u201cZane\u2026I\u2019m fine-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFine?!\u201d Zane barked. \u201cTheo, your heart just stopped. I felt it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He pressed his palm against my sternum, sensing the erratic beat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heartbeat thudded unevenly, fast\u2026 slow\u2026 fast again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:35 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 63\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane\u2019s face twisted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not with fear, with anger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He yelled over his shoulder, \u201cSOMEONE GET KAIA!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes snapped open wide. \u201cNo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I grabbed his wrist, grip trembling. \u201cDon\u2019t-don\u2019t call her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane froze. \u201cWhy not?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swallowed hard, my throat burning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The truth felt like glass. And I\u2019m the one living in a glass house.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m scared, Zane.\u201d The words cracked out of me. \u201cI\u2019m scared I might die and leave her in pain.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His expression shifted, shock first. Then fury.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think hiding this will protect her?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I squeezed my eyes shut.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Remembering Kaia\u2019s laugh.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her stubbornness, and the trauma from her past.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The way she still looks at me like I\u2019m safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s been through enough,\u201d I whispered. \u201cLosing me\u2026\u201d My voice broke. \u201cI can\u2019t be the thing that destroys her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane exhaled sharply. \u201cTheo\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what if she doesn\u2019t accept me?\u201d I was forced to spell it out. \u201cWhat if she looks at me differently after this? What if she realises she deserves someone stronger? Someone with a whole heart\u2026 not one that\u2019s failing him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane shook his head bitterly. \u201cKaia is not Elara.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest tightened again, this time from shame, not pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou used that excuse to not tell Kaia?\u201d Zane demanded. \u201cElara lied to you. Manipulated you. Broke you carefully, slowly. Kaia loves genuinely. Don\u2019t you dare put them in the same sentence.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned away, my voice sounded a little raspy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want her to pity me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you think lying is better?\u201d Zane snapped. He leaned closer, eyes burning. \u201cTell me the truth, Theo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:35 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 63\u00a0<\/p>\n
His voice dropped. Dangerous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWere you really planning to take Kaia as your Luna without telling her you might not survive your next shift?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My stomach twisted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane waited, looking at me with suspicion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t say anything. My silence was the answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane swore under his breath and punched the earth beside us, dirt flying.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI swear to the Goddess-you\u2019re unbelievable,\u201d he growled. \u201cKaia would walk into fire for you. And you think she would leave because your heart is fragile?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swallowed, tears burning behind my eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe it\u2019s better\u2026 if I just stay unmated.\u201d My voice cracked. \u201cIt\u2019s better for everyone this way.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane grabbed my jaw, forcing me to meet his glare.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think dying alone will hurt her less?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I choked on air.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe deserves a mate who can live long enough to love her!\u201d I yelled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you deserve a mate who knows the truth!\u201d Zane shot back. \u201cStop deciding for her!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart fluttered painfully again, the beat stuttering, weaker this time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane\u2019s voice broke, not with anger now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was desperation, I heard his voice choking up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe needs to know, Theo. And I\u2019m done helping you hide this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He stood, shouting again for help.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKAIA NEEDS TO KNOW THE TRUTH!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My vision blurred. My forehead was covered with cold sweat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With shaky hands. I felt desperation crawling into my bones.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cZane please, don\u2019t tell her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He turned back, eyes softening with pity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not doing this to betray you,\u201d he murmured. \u201cI\u2019m doing this because Kaia deserves a chance to fight for\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:35 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 63\u00a0<\/p>\n
you. To choose you. Weak heart and all.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
:.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest tightened, then loosened, and I finally let myself crumble.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For the first time\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
I let out a tear. It came from my heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The terror of losing the one thing I never thought I\u2019d have was killing me inside.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane knelt beside me again, pulling me upright.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t the end, Theo,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cBut lying to her? That would be.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at him, I knew he was right and I needed to do the right thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGive me some time, Zane\u201d I said. \u201cI need to think things through\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
(63)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTake your time but be fast with it, Theo\u201d Zane responded. \u201cThe full moon is in two days. You can\u2019t lie to her\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded, agreeing with him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For the first time\u2026 I truly saw how selfish I\u2019ve been.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thinking of only myself, pushing Kaia outside.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I will let Kaia know about my illness on the night of the full moon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCome, let\u2019s get you checked at the doctor\u201d Zane suggested, helping me get on my feet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIs it really necessary now? I feel better\u201d I groaned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s necessary, I don\u2019t want you dying while fucking Kaia\u201d Zane said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou horny bastard,\u201d I shrieked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCareful Alpha, you\u2019re not strong enough for this\u201d Zane held me close.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI wonder how Justine deals with your horny ass,\u201d I said. \u201cIf it were me, I would have kicked you to the curb a long time ago\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cJustine can\u2019t live without me,\u201d Zane said. \u201cSame way, I can\u2019t live without her. The mate bond is strong\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u00a0<\/p>\n
Does the mate bond feel like?\u201d I asked, I have no idea why I asked that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But it was too late, it left my mouth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll know when you feel it, trust me\u201d Zane muttered gleefully. \u201cStop talking, Theo. You are not well\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:35 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 63\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy heart is not well, not my mouth, smarty pants\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up or I\u2019ll head-bump you into the trees\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I rolled my eyes, laughing. \u201cYeah, fine. Whatever\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Lucien\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t even remember walking back to my room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All I felt was the rage flickering inside of me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The rage tasted like poison on my tongue.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hearing my father tear into my mother, telling her she had no authority, no power, had snapped something in me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A line I\u2019d held steady for years finally ruptured.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo Always Theo.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite their estranged relationship, he still saw Theo as the perfect son and Alpha.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The golden heart everyone protected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And me? The one they kept outside the gates like a threat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fine. If they want darkness, I\u2019ll become it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
By the time Elara slipped into the corridor, chin high, eyes sharp with curiosity, I was already spiralling too far to come back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is wrong with you?\u201d she whispered, scanning my face. \u201cYou look like you\u2019re\u2026 unravelling.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am,\u201d I said simply.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes widened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Good. Let her see what she\u2019s dealing with.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I took a step closer. \u201cAbout your proposal.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara straightened, tension flickering in her jaw. \u201cYou\u2019re considering it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m accepting it,\u201d I said coldly. \u201cAll of it. Whatever you want to do, whatever mess you want to create-I\u2019m in.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She blinked. Once. Then a slow smile curved over her lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The dangerous type of smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien\u2026 you\u2019re smarter than I thought.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:35 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 63\u00a0<\/p>\n
I ignored that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me what\u2019s next,\u201d I said. \u201cWhat\u2019s the plan?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She tilted her head, studying me with a predatory calm. \u201cWhat are you preparing for?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not the truth, or the thought that had taken root and begun to bloom like poison.\u00a0<\/p>\n
663\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Theo dies, I will take his place. His position. His power and everything he held dear to his sickly heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Including Kaia, that stupid little stray.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And no one, absolutely no one, would dare push me aside again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want to be ready,\u201d I said instead, my heart voice sounding flat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her smile widened. \u201cOh, Lucien\u2026 men like you don\u2019t want to be ready.\u201d She stepped closer, her lips brushing my ear. \u201cYou want to be crowned.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t deny it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She circled me, fingers trailing along my shoulder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAs for what comes next\u2026\u201d she purred.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I waited eagerly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She met my eyes, and for the first time, I saw it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t see petty jealousy, heartbreak and desperation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I saw immense hunger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A hunger which mirrored my own.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLeave that,\u201d she whispered, \u201cto me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her smile sharpened into something wicked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Almost gleeful.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI will set the stage,\u201d she said softly. \u201cAnd when everything begins to fall apart\u2026 you\u2019ll be standing right where you need to be.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled slowly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something inside me settled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I found a purpose. A dark, quiet and deadly purpose with someone I\u2019m being arranged to mate with.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:35 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 63\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFine,\u201d I said. \u201cDo it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara\u2019s grin turned feral. \u201cOh, I intend to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
39\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 63 Chapter 63\u00a0 \u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0 :\u00a0 :\u00a0 I came out for an early morning […]<\/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-27308","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\/27308","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=27308"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27308\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27308"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27308"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27308"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}