Chapter 64\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was finally the full moon night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart was racing hard as I looked at my wristwatch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted to tell Kaia the truth before the full moon comes out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But I hadn\u2019t had time to do so.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Right now, she was chatting with Justine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled, looking at her from a distance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She looked so happy, I can\u2019t ruin her night with this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once the ceremony is done, I will tell her the truth, unfailingly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane came up to me, smiling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow are you feeling, Alpha\u201d Zane teased, smiling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBetter than you\u2019ve ever felt,\u201d I retorted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHey that\u2019s not fair,\u201d he protested, looking at me. \u201cI was just trying to cheer you up\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWho told you that I needed cheering up?\u201d I asked, folding my arm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane turned to look at me with an evil grin. He\u2019s so annoying.\u00a0<\/p>\n
. (63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone who has their eyes on you can undoubtedly tell how nervous you look, Theo\u201d Zane muttered, grinning. \u201cDont give yourself too much credit, you\u2019re a nervous wreck\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t Kaia and Justine getting along so well?\u201d I asked, my eyes fixed on Kaia chatting happily away with Justine,\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane\u2019s mate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, they are\u201d Zane replied, looking at them as well. \u201cIf Kaia turned out to be your mate, we should go on double dates. Don\u2019t you agree?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane was grinning hard, and I wondered what was so exciting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we should\u201d I nodded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Soon, the moon appeared in the sky and it slowly formed into a full moon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019d been looking forward to this moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment the moon reached its peak, Kaia and I stood in front of each other.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:35 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 64\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hoping, we\u2019d seal our relationship with the mate bond tonight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart was beating a little too fast. I couldn\u2019t understand what I was feeling at the moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maybe it was hope or I was just terrified of the outcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But I stepped closer, staring into her pretty eyes. She looked nervous as well but she masked it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia,\u201d I whispered. \u201cAre you ready?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She nodded, breath trembling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I reached for her hand. She stepped toward me, breathing unsteadily, her eyes glowing like something was waking in her too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The full moon rose like a spotlight over the two of us, I felt all eyes on us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt the pull immediately, my wolf pacing, restless and hungry to be close to Kaia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And then-\u00a0<\/p>\n
A sudden crack of pain shot through my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My wolf snarled, Kaia\u2019s wolf snarled as well, pulling away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We both stumbled backwards at the same time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2026Kaia, what\u2019s happening?\u201d I whispered, clutching my painful ribs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She shook her head, terrified. \u201cI don\u2019t know. Something feels wrong.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I reached for her again, this time tighter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But my wolf recoiled, pulling away like it had been badly burned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hers did too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She flinched away from me, shaking, her eyes wide with confusion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c-I don\u2019t know,\u201d she whispered. \u201cWhy can\u2019t I get close to you? It feels wrong. Theo, this doesn\u2019t feel right\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The pack gasped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elders stepped forward to see what was happening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Someone whispered, \u201cTheir bond. It\u2019s rejecting.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart dropped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I said. \u201cNo, this can\u2019t be true\u201d I shook my head. \u201cKaia, don\u2019t move. Something\u2019s interfering. Just breathe. Just\u2026.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:35 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 64\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s voice cut through the crowd like a dagger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew it\u201d Cara said, her voice dripping with venom.. \u201cI knew you lied to us. Both of you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My stomach twisted. \u201cLied? What are you talking about?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara stepped forward, and she had a satisfied smile on her lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo, you deceived the Circle, didnt you? Dont even try to deny it\u201d Cara said, seriously. \u201cYou embarrassed this pack. And for what? To run away from your duty? To escape from the responsibility of your father\u2019s promise, you cheated the circle\u2019s decree\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I clenched my fists. \u201cCara, stop. This isn\u2019t what it looks like-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s exactly what it looks like,\u201d she snapped, \u201cYour desperation to avoid marrying Elara made you cling to a girl who was never your mate.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia flinched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt something inside me crack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara kept going. \u201cYou misled the Circle, Theo. You lied to the pack. Do you understand the shame you brought us?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStop,\u201d I managed. \u201cPlease, not in front of Kaia.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara stepped closer. \u201cIf your heart wasn\u2019t so weak, maybe you\u2019d think clearly for once.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest tightened. Harder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It felt like a knife twisting inside of me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then pain ripped down my arm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not now, not in front of the whole pack. More than that, I can\u2019t let Kaia see me in this condition.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I backed away, taking short breaths, but the world looked blurred in front of my eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia whispered, \u201cTheo? You\u2019re pale.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shook my head and turned, walking fast, then running, because if I collapsed in front of them, I would never live it down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I made it to my private practice room before my knees buckled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I threw a punch at the bag hard, anything to drown the thoughts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I threw one more punch then another one.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pain exploded in my chest. I grabbed the wall, choking on air.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:35 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 64\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNot now,\u201d I whispered. \u201cPlease, not now, I can not\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt a stabbing pain rip across my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I dropped to my knees.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clutching my chest, gasping, choking\u2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTHEO!\u201d Zane\u2019s voice cut through the haze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then his arms were around me, dragging me up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re done. I\u2019m taking you to your room. Now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t protest, so I let him take me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everything went black.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Kaia\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Theo ran, I wanted to follow, but my legs wouldn\u2019t move.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My wolf was howling inside me, confused and hurt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We were supposed to be mates. Why did it suddenly feel wrong?\u00a0<\/p>\n
What made our wolves grow distant amd hateful of each other?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Why does it feel like something had been ripped out of place?\u00a0<\/p>\n
People kept staring at me. Whispering.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t breathe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But when I heard Zane shout Theo\u2019s name from the far corridor, instinct hit like lightning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sprinted toward the sound.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I reached the room, Zane was kneeling beside Theo, lifting him from the floor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo\u2026 Theo,\u201d My heart almost gave out. \u201cDamn it, breathe\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo wasn\u2019t responding, and Zane looked shaken.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart fell into my stomach.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d I whispered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane\u2019s jaw tightened. \u201cHis heart again. It gave out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean again?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:36 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 64\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane didn\u2019t answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
My fingers shook as I reached for Theo\u2019s hand. \u201cPlease wake up. Please.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane carried him to his chambers. I followed, mortified and too scared to leave his side.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He laid Theo on the bed and called for the doctor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hours passed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo didn\u2019t wake.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sat beside him, trembling so hard my teeth clattered. Every time his breath hitched, my chest twisted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Why didn\u2019t he tell me he was sick?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Why would he choose to fight this alone?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Did he think I wouldn\u2019t be able to handle the truth?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Eventually, his eyelashes fluttered. His breath shifted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He opened his eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo,\u201d I choked. \u201cYou\u2019re awake.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He blinked slowly, confused. \u201cKaia\u2026? Why are you crying?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI-\u201d My voice cracked. \u201cYou scared me. You collapsed. You didn\u2019t breathe for a moment. Why didn\u2019t you tell me you are sick?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo looked away. \u201cBecause I didn\u2019t want you to worry.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is not a reason,\u201d I snapped, standing. \u201cYou owe me more than that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped closer. \u201cDo you think I\u2019m weak? Do you think I can\u2019t handle the truth? Or do you think I\u2019m temporary, so it doesn\u2019t matter if I lose you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo flinched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia, no,\u201d he whispered, his voice breaking. \u201cI just\u2026 I didn\u2019t want you to look at me the way Elara did.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not Elara,\u201d I shot back. \u201cAnd you don\u2019t get to make decisions for me out of fear.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo swallowed, eyes almost glassy with fear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could have died,\u201d I whispered. \u201cRight in front of me. And I would\u2019ve never known why.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His voice cracked. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I was just scared\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shook my head. \u201cSorry isn\u2019t enough, Theo. Not this time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:36 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 64\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
What is the need to apologise now? Everything wouldn\u2019t be the same for anyone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We don\u2019t have the mate bond; not like it doesn\u2019t matter anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Especially not when Theo doesn\u2019t trust me enough to tell me, he\u2019s been sick for years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo was slipping away from me in too many ways at once.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And I wasn\u2019t sure my heart could handle losing him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
AD\u00a0<\/p>\n
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63\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 64 Chapter 64\u00a0 \u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0 It was finally the full moon night.\u00a0 My heart […]<\/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-27309","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\/27309","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=27309"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27309\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}