Chapter 69\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I returned to my chamber after the meetings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then Kaia walked in with Maliya, carrying a bowl of herbal soup.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia has been taking care of me since my last accident.\u00a0<\/p>\n
(62)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, you\u2019re back?\u201d Kaia\u2019s face lit up when she saw me. \u201cLook, I brought you hot herbal soup, you need to drink it now\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Kaia.\u201d I collected it. \u201cYou didn\u2019t have to take the trouble\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, it\u2019s no trouble at all,\u201d Kaia said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia turned to Maliya and asked her to leave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSp, how did the meeting go?\u201d she asked, pouring me some water.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t have asked for a better ending,\u201d I said, sipping the soup. \u201cThe circle has\u2026..\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I told her the verdict slowly, watching her face as the weight of it settled in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth the circle and the council have agreed. Kaia, you would be my Luna.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a heartbeat, she didn\u2019t move.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then her eyes softened, polished with emotion, and she stepped closer like she needed to be sure I was telling the truth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s done,\u201d she whispered. \u201cThey can\u2019t take this back?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I said. \u201cNot without tearing the pack apart.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She exhaled shakily and pressed her forehead to my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The contact alone made my heart stutter, not painfully this time, but with something dangerously hot.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was so scared,\u201d she admitted. \u201cWhen everything went wrong\u2026 I thought I\u2019d lose you forever.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I cupped her face, forcing her to look at me. \u201cYou won\u2019t,\u201d I said, more firmly than I felt. \u201cNot in this lifetime and even if I die, I will die fighting for you\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her fingers curled into my shirt as if anchoring herself to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYour heart,\u201d she said softly. \u201cIt\u2019s beating fast. You\u2019ve been pushing yourself again. Dont get too worked up\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt always beats fast when you\u2019re near,\u201d I said, the truth slipping out before I could stop it. \u201cDont worry, I\u2019m\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 69\u00a0<\/p>\n
fine\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t believe me. I could see it in her eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou always say that, Theo\u201d she muttered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I brushed my thumb over her cheek. \u201cBecause I don\u2019t want you afraid every time you look at me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her voice dropped. \u201cI\u2019m afraid anyway. But I still want you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
That honesty hit harder than anything I ever felt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before I could answer, she rose on her toes and kissed me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t cautious and gentle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was desperate, relieved, full of everything we\u2019d been holding back. I kissed her back without thinking, my hands finding her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her warmth soaked into me. Her scent wrapped around my senses, grounding me, claiming me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She broke the kiss just long enough to whisper, \u201cIf you need to stop-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t,\u201d I said, leaning my forehead against hers. \u201cJust\u2026 stay with me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her answer was another kiss, slower this time, deeper.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart raced, but I didn\u2019t pull away. I refused to. If this were greed, then I\u2019d live with it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She laughed softly against my mouth. \u201cYou\u2019re stubborn.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m Alpha,\u201d I murmured. \u201cIt\u2019s a requirement.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her hands slid up my chest, and for a moment, the world narrowed to her breath, her touch, the way she fit against me like she always belonged there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I knew I should be careful because I knew my body had limits.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But standing there with her, feeling chosen, feeling wanted despite everything\u2026 I couldn\u2019t bring myself to regret a single second.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If my heart was racing, I wanted it racing for her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Kaia\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Theo told me the Council\u2019s decision, my chest felt too tight to breathe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Luna.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The word echoed in my head like it was strange.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 69\u00a0<\/p>\n
If I said it out loud it would shatter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Z(62)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked into Theo\u2019s eyes, searching for doubt, for that careful distance he used when he was trying to protect me from disappointment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was nothing there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey agreed,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cThey can\u2019t force Elara on me anymore.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My hands trembled before I could stop them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pressed them flat against his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath my palm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Strong. Fast, a little too fast.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t have to fight them so hard,\u201d I whispered. \u201cNot for me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His hand covered mine. \u201cThere is no not for you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something inside me broke open at that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned into him, resting my forehead against his collarbone, breathing him in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The pack, the Council, Elara and everything else faded until it was just us standing there, holding onto each other as we had almost lost something precious to us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was scared,\u201d I admitted. \u201cWhen everything went wrong on the full moon\u2026 I thought maybe the pack was right. Maybe I didn\u2019t belong here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s fingers tilted my chin up gently. \u201cDon\u2019t ever think that again.\u201d His voice was rough, like it cost him something to say. \u201cYou belong here, with me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swallowed, looking at his handsome face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYour heart,\u201d I said softly. \u201cYou keep pretending it doesn\u2019t matter. Don\u2019t overwork yourself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His jaw tightened, but he didn\u2019t pull away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want you looking at me like I\u2019m fragile,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t,\u201d I replied immediately. \u201cI look at you like you\u2019re alive. And that scares me more. I need you\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then I kissed him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t planned. It was relief spilling over, all the fear and longing I\u2019d swallowed finally demanding space.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He kissed me back just as fiercely, his hands steady on my waist as if he was grounding himself.through me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When we broke apart, our foreheads stayed together.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you need to stop,\u201d I whispered, repeating the words I\u2019d rehearsed a thousand times in my head, \u201cyou tell\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 69\u00a0<\/p>\n
me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His breath brushed my lips. \u201cI don\u2019t want to stop.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled softly. \u201cThen don\u2019t disappear on me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t,\u201d he promised. \u201cNot tonight, if my heart gives out, I won\u2019t disappear on you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I knew his heart was racing. I could feel it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maybe I shouldn\u2019t worry so much but I can\u2019t risk his life for anything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
But standing there with his hands cupping my breasts, chosen and wanted despite everything, all I could think was about him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But if loving him meant risk, then I would still choose him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tiptoed and kissed him hungrily, moaning into his mouth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could smell my arousal when his hand brushed against my nipple.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He leaned close and nibbled on my ear, making me shudder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are so beautiful, Kaia,\u201d Theo breathily said into my ear, his breath fanning my neck.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He licked my ear. Gosh, this is torture.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo, I can\u2019t take this teasing anymore\u201d I said, my eyes reaching my ears. \u201cI want you now. Please!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright, darling. I will ease your wet pussy now\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u7530\u00a0<\/p>\n
AD\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 69 Chapter 69\u00a0 \u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0 I returned to my chamber after the meetings.\u00a0 Then […]<\/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-27314","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\/27314","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=27314"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27314\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27314"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}