Chapter 66\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Lucien\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s collapsing again was not shocking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
63\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was inevitable. That guy has a weak heart, I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if he died sooner rather than later.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was standing at the edge of the corridor when the news reached me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zane\u2019s voice rang out, giving out instructions while trying to conceal Theo\u2019s collapse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But it was too late; Theo\u2019s condition was far too serious for him to hide.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The mighty Alpha Theo was down again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t rush forward. I didn\u2019t plan on going around pretending to care about him when I clearly don\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I only smiled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Because, this is my chance. Theo suffering a huge setback would only benefit me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s better to seize the opportunity than pretend to care about a dying, weak-hearted Alpha.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s his karma for becoming Alpha over me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was plotting in my head when my mother found me a few minutes later.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She walked up to me, her face carefully arranged.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Concern was etched on her face for the pack, worrying about her husband and restrained grief for her\u00a0<\/p>\n
stepson.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anyone watching would think she was devastated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I knew better.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis changes things,\u201d she said quietly, stepping beside me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t look at her. \u201cIt confirms the spoken doubts.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She exhaled slowly. \u201cThe Elders will notice. They already question his judgment. Now they\u2019ll question his body too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I finally turned to her. \u201cAnd when Alphas start questioning whether their leader can survive a full season?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mother\u2019s mouth tightened with calculations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey start looking for alternatives,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:36 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 66\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silence stretched between us, heavy with shared understanding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo had always been the problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t because he was cruel or incompetent but because he existed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was because he had been born first and the Alpha gene had chosen him despite his fragile heart, despite everything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite my being stronger and better than him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe girl,\u201d mother said at last, her voice sharpening. \u201cKaia.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I scoffed. \u201cShe\u2019s irrelevant.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s a liability,\u201d she corrected. \u201cAnd liabilities are useful when handled correctly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I raised an eyebrow. \u201cYou plan to blame her?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI plan to use her presence,\u201d mother replied smoothly. \u201cA stray with a powerless wolf. There wasn\u2019t a strong enough bond to hold him steady.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I thought of the way the pack had watched tonight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The murmurs and the way doubt crept like rot.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s collapsing after defying tradition and choosing Kaia was the icing on the cake toppers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo was supposed to be the strongest one, I mean, he has the Alpha gene and everything, yet his heart keeps failing, proving that Alpha genes mean nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Elders won\u2019t need much encouragement,\u201d I said slowly. \u201cThey\u2019ll connect the dots themselves.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mother smiled coldly and was satisfied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t push,\u201d she said. \u201cWe let them see.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd when they finally do?\u201d I asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll demand stability.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I laughed softly. \u201cAnd stability looks like someone who doesn\u2019t drop to the floor clutching his chest.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her gaze flicked to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I straightened, rolling my shoulders, already feeling the shift in the air.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Power doesn\u2019t announce itself. It waits for the right moment to step in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:36 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 66\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo wasn\u2019t dead, not yet at least.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But the pack had seen him fall, not once but multiple times.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And once they saw weakness, they would never unsee it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet them comfort him,\u201d I said calmly. \u201cLet them rally around him. It\u2019ll make the fall harder.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mother placed a hand on my arm, squeezing once.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis time,\u201d she murmured, \u201cwe won\u2019t miss a chance to get him away from the top.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked towards Theo\u2019s room, where he was getting treated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A smile crept onto my lips as I was already imagining myself as Alpha.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even if he doesn\u2019t die, his reign would come to an abrupt end.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I will make sure that\u2019s the case.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Elara\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was still smiling when the door opened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t a polite smile, it was a full-on laugh, a hysterical one.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was over the moon and who wouldn\u2019t be?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo and Kaia were not mates.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bond mate had failed in front of the whole pack and most especially in front of the elders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I watched with my pulse racing as their wolves recoiled from each other like strangers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They were both shocked and confused, especially that dumb stray, Kaia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her face was knitted with pain, as it should be.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I closed my eyes now, replaying it, savouring every moment of it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned back against the cushions, letting the relief wash through me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now the circle had no excuse. They would be forced to correct their mistakes and make Theo choose me as his Luna instead of Kaia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The door opened again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien walked in, his eyes shining brightly, lips curved in a grin that matched my own.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d he said, clapping his hands once, \u201cthat went beautifully. I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever enjoyed a full moon more\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:36 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 66\u00a0<\/p>\n
I laughed softly. \u201cNeither have I.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
He studied me, then tilted his head. \u201cI\u2019m curious though. Bonds don\u2019t just fail. Not like that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t answer immediately.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien stepped closer. \u201cWhat did you do, Elara?\u00a0<\/p>\n
I poured myself a drink before answering. My hands were steady.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what everyone believes,\u201d I said, standing up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien\u2019s gaze followed me. \u201cAnd belief is fragile.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned to him, lifting my glass. \u201cExactly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He pushed off the wall and came closer. \u201cSo tell me,\u201d he said quietly, \u201cwhat did\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, I considered lying. Then I decided he\u2019d earned the truth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I set the glass down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
you do?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo nights ago,\u201d I began, \u201cwhen Theo was tearing the packhouse apart looking for me\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien\u2019s lips twitched. \u201cI wondered where you vanished.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was already deep in the woods,\u201d I said. \u201cWalking way past the old borders, behind where the guards patrol.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His brows rose. \u201cThe Shadow coven territory. What were you doing there?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I rose slowly, meeting his gaze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPaying insurance,\u201d I said. \u201cThe kind that doesn\u2019t leave fingerprints.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His smile widened. \u201cI knew it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The memory surfaced before I could stop it\u00a0<\/p>\n
Two days earlier.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo had been looking for me. I\u2019d made sure of that. Let him notice my absence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted him to worry and come searching for me like the worried guard dog he was when we were still together.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While he searched the packhouse, I was already deep in the woods.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Shadow Coven had been waiting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They are always waiting for people with undying desires to show up and seek their help.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:36 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 66\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you wish to silence?\u201d The leader asked me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They didn\u2019t ask me what and why I was there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bond,\u201d I\u2019d said. \u201cBetween an Alpha and a woman who doesn\u2019t deserve it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien watched my face closely as I spoke now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
462\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey warned me,\u201d I continued. \u201cThat mate bonds are the goddess\u2019s gift to us. That interference comes at a\u00a0<\/p>\n
cost.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He scoffed. \u201cAnd you paid it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d My voice softened. \u201cGladly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019d had me standing inside a circle, my heart pounding, as they chanted words that tasted like ash.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mute the pull, just long enough to let doubt take root.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pain had split through my chest when the magic took hold. I welcomed it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I knew the pain would go away in no time but the power I would get wouldn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien exhaled slowly. \u201cYou didn\u2019t destroy it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I said. \u201cI\u2019m not reckless.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I met his eyes. \u201cI only disrupted it for a while.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His smile returned. \u201cBrilliant. You blocked fate,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s bold.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shrugged. \u201cFate only matters if people believe in it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now?\u201d he asked. \u201cWhat\u2019s next?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I walked past him, stopping at the window.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Council will of course panic,\u201d I said. \u201cTheo will be weakened by his illness and the failed mate bond. And they\u2019ll come crawling back to the safest option.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned, smiling. \u201cYou.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien laughed. \u201cRemind me never to underestimate you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I met his gaze, calm and certain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was only the beginning, Lucien. We still have so much to do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I picked up my glass again. \u201cNow the Council has proof that Theo is unstable and too weak to rule the pack\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Kaia?\u201d he asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:36 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 66\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw tightened, just for a second.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was already deemed a mistake,\u201d I said. \u201cAnd the pack doesn\u2019t forgive mistakes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien laughed. \u201cSo what\u2019s next, mastermind?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I walked to the window, staring out at the packhouse lights below.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Somewhere out there, Theo was probably questioning everything, his weak heart might worsen from overthinking about it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Council will demand stability,\u201d I said. I turned back to him. \u201cAnd they already have a solution already in waiting.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien\u2019s eyes gleamed. \u201cYou.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly, me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He studied me for a long moment, then nodded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know this isn\u2019t over, right? Bonds don\u2019t like being silenced.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled, \u201cNeither do I.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien laughed under his breath. \u201cI\u2019m impressed, Elara.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I lifted my chin. \u201cOh, there\u2019s more for you to see, Lucien. You\u2019ll love it here\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u8272\u00a0<\/p>\n
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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
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Shadows Follow Lonely Minds \u2014 Christopher Harris 66 Chapter 66\u00a0 \u2013Lucien\u2013\u00a0 Theo\u2019s collapsing again was not shocking.\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-27311","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\/27311","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=27311"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27311\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27311"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27311"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}