Chapter 67\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
The council chamber was already tense when I walked in\u00a0<\/p>\n
The seats in the hall were filled up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Elders, Councillors, and the circle of Alphas were present.\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
My father sat at the head of the circle with Cara seated to his right, perfectly composed as she always looked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara stood near the wall, her chin lifted, eyes bright with expectation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I already knew what this meeting was about.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been five days since the full moon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The circle had questions, and even though I hadn\u2019t fully recovered, I had to be at this meeting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the elders cleared his throat and spoke first.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha The,\u201d he said calmly. \u201cAfter what happened on the full moon, the Circle believes it is only right to revisit the matter of your Luna.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded once. \u201cGo on.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bond between you and Kaia did not manifest,\u201d another councillor added. \u201cWhich means she is not your fated mate.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara didn\u2019t waste a second.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly,\u201d she said sharply. \u201cThe signs were clear from the beginning but Alpha Theo here was too stubborn to notice.\u201d Cara looked at me. \u201cThe pack witnessed how things went down. Dragging this out will only create instability.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The councillor continued. \u201cSince the bond between you and Kaia did not manifest, the council believes it is time you take Elara as your Luna.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara didn\u2019t wait for me to respond.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the most logical course,\u201d she said smoothly. \u201cElara is of Alpha blood, well-trained, and already accepted by many. Kaia was never your fated mate. The Full Moon proved that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt something twist painfully in my\u00a0<\/p>\n
chest\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped forward, looking at her sternly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara is not my fated mate either,\u201d I said evenly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 67\u00a0<\/p>\n
:.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara snapped her head toward me. \u201cThat is irrelevant.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not,\u201d I said gently. \u201cIt\u2019s the entire point.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara\u2019s fingers curled in her lap.\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I had with Elara,\u201d I continued, \u201cended years ago. Whatever connection existed between us belongs to the past. I will not revive the past because it\u2019s convenient.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Murmurs rippled through the chamber.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s eyes sharpened. \u201cYou are letting emotion cloud your judgment. The pack needs stability. A Luna chosen by fate or standing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI disagree,\u201d I replied. \u201cThe pack needs someone who strengthens its Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara scoffed. \u201cThis is not you speaking, it\u2019s your bias. You\u2019re choosing sentiment over sense.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I said. \u201cI\u2019m choosing the truth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I met the council\u2019s gaze, one by one.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I took a breath, then said the words I\u2019d already accepted long before this meeting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI have decided to make Kaia my Luna.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chamber erupted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara shot to her feet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely not. She is not your mate,\u201d she snapped. \u201cYou cannot name a Luna who isn\u2019t your mate. The pack witnessed how the mate bond failed-.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know what I felt,\u201d I cut in. \u201cAnd I know what went wrong.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t make Kaia your Luna, Theo\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned to her. \u201cYou don\u2019t get to decide that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She scoffed. \u201cYou are acting blindly. Even now, the bond did not surface. How can you justify this?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I inhaled slowly, steadying myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know Kaia is my mate,\u201d I said. \u201cI felt it. I still feel it. Something interfered with the Full Moon night \u2013 I don\u2019t yet know what. But I know this much.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The elders exchanged glances.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara laughed bitterly. \u201cSo now you\u2019re blaming fate? What next? Will you blame the ancestors too?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m trusting it,\u201d I replied. \u201cAnd I\u2019m trusting myself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 67\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked around the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia completes me,\u201d I said. \u201d She strengthens me in ways fate alone never could.\u201d A smile tugged at my lips. \u201cShe sees me without expecting perfection. I will not choose a Luna who makes me feel less than whole.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara laughed, sharp and dismissive. \u201cThis is reckless. You are risking the pack, ignoring everything for a stray woman with a powerless lineage\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you all going to sit there and allow this?\u201d Cara demanded, turning to the councillors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That was when my father stood.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Father\u2019s voice cut through the chamber sharply.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is enough, Cara!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Every head turned to him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy son has proven himself as Alpha,\u201d he said. \u201cAgain and again. He has earned the right to choose the woman who stands beside him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara turned on him. \u201cYou seriously can\u2019t support this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI can,\u201d father calmly replied. \u201cI am defending my son\u2019s right to choose his future,\u201d he added. \u201cSomething I failed to do before.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked at the council. \u201cTheo\u2019s decision stands unless any of you can claim he has ruled unjustly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The elders exchanged glances,whistling to themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Minutes passed in a twinkle of an eye.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, the Head Councilor cleared his throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Circle respects Alpha Theo\u2019s decision,\u201d he said slowly. \u201cIf he accepts Kaia as his Luna, then we will recognize her as such.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara stared at them in disbelief. \u201cYou can\u2019t be serious.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Alpha has chosen,\u201d another councilor said. \u201cWe agree with him too\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My breath left me slowly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s chair scraped loudly as she stood.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a mistake,\u201d she snapped. \u201cAnd you will regret it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara glared at the council, at my father and me then turned and stormed out, the doors slamming behind her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chamber fell silent again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 67\u00a0<\/p>\n
D\u00a0<\/p>\n
No matter what had gone wrong on the Full Moon, Kaia was my choice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And I would protect that choice with everything I had.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elara rose slowly from her seat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
(62)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re making a choice based on feelings,\u201d she said,controlling her voice. \u201cYou\u2019re gambling the future of your pack.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I met her eyes. \u201cI already have my future.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her jaw clenched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Head Councilor raised a hand. \u201cThis meeting is adjourned.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My father approached me with a proud look as the chamber emptied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou held your ground,\u201d father said quietly. \u201cI\u2019m proud of you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded once. \u201cI meant what I said. I won\u2019t back down.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d He hesitated. \u201cBut be careful. You challenged more than just tradition today.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m aware.\u201d I nodded, \u201cbut I won\u2019t back down\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Zane\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I caught up to Cara just outside the council wing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHaven\u2019t you had enough,Queen Cara? You have let Theo be now\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara stopped but didn\u2019t turn around to look at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t take orders from guards,\u201d she said coolly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped in front of her, forcing her to face me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not giving orders. I\u2019m telling you to stop before you kill him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes narrowed. \u201cMind your place.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy place is beside the Alpha because I\u2019m the pack\u2019s beta. Alpha Theo\u2019s heart isn\u2019t well and you know this,\u201dI replied. \u201cYet you\u2019ve been pushing him harder than any enemy ever has.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara scoffed. \u201cTheo is Alpha. If pressure breaks him, then he is not fit to lead.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw tightened. \u201cYou know that\u2019s not true. You know exactly what his condition is, and you still stood there provoking him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 67\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat \u2018condition\u2019 is precisely the problem,\u201d Cara snapped. \u201cA weak Alpha endangers the pack.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned closer, my voice dropping.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. A mother who uses her son\u2019s weakness as leverage does.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara stiffened. \u201cYou watch your mouth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
(67),\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve watched long enough,\u201d I said. \u201cI watched him bleed for this pack. I watched him nearly collapse today while you kept talking. And I won\u2019t let you pretend this is about duty.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She crossed her arms. \u201cThen what is it about?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cControl,\u201d I said flatly. \u201cYou couldn\u2019t control your husband and make him do as you wanted. At the same time,you couldn\u2019t control Theo. So now you\u2019re trying to stir the narrative the way you want it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s lips thinned. \u201cYou think I\u2019m afraid of you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I shook my head. \u201cBut you should be afraid of what happens if he drops because of you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes flickered, just once.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I straightened my shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Theo\u2019s heart gives out,\u201d he continued, \u201cthe pack won\u2019t remember your intentions. They\u2019ll remember who stood there and kept pushing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara took a step back, composure snapping into place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re overstepping your boundaries.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen stop giving me a reason to,\u201d I replied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I moved past her, leaving one final warning before I left.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia isn\u2019t your enemy. And Theo isn\u2019t your pawn. Push him again\u2026 and I won\u2019t stay silent.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara stood frozen, clenching her fists against her back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow dare you?!\u201d She screeched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t push me,\u201d I menacingly said. \u201cThis is a friendly advice, Queen Cara. Excuse me\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\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 67 Chapter 67\u00a0 \u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0 The council chamber was already tense when I walked […]<\/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-27312","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\/27312","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=27312"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27312\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}