Chapter 70\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Kaia\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Z(62)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt eyes on me when I stirred in my sleep. It felt like someone was watching but not in a weird way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I opened my eyes and found Theo already awake, propped on one elbow, staring at me like I might disappear if he blinked too hard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I squinted at him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I groaned. \u201cWhy are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face? Should I be scared?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His lips twitched, then curved into a soft, almost disbelieving smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Nothing\u2019s wrong. I\u2019m happy.\u201d Theo answered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I frowned harder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s suspicious,\u201d I muttered, teasing him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He chuckled, brushing his thumb along my jaw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe my luck.\u201d Theo looked at me with disbelief.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shifted closer, teasing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I chuckled a little. \u201cYou won, Alpha. You survived the night. barely getting any sleep at all\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re impossible,\u201d he said, kissing my hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSays the man who didn\u2019t sleep and is now staring at me like I\u2019m a miracle.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His expression softened again, serious in that way that made my chest tighten.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you are, Kaia,\u201d Theo said, his eyes filled with emotion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look way too serious for someone who spent the whole night very\u2026 distracted.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo chuckled hearing me tease him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s slander against the Alpha!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I laughed, brushing my fingers across his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath my palm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was there, beating strongly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo leaned down, resting his forehead against mine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 70\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia,\u201d his eyes fell on me. \u201cI like waking up like this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The words settled into me quietly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo pulled me close, hugging me tightly against his chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt so safe in his arms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
E55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Suddenly, I felt Theo\u2019s body language change. It was subtle, but I felt that familiar weight returning to his shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sat up slightly. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He hesitated, then exhaled. There\u2019s something I need to tell you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My stomach tightened. I straightened fully now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re scaring me,\u201d I muttered. You look like you\u2019re about to confess to murder. Relax a little, Theo\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m joking. Go on.\u201d I chuckled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been trying to tell you this for weeks now. But, I didn\u2019t get a chance to\u201d Theo began \u201cI extended an alliance to someone\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
That snapped me awake completely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pushed myself upright. \u201cAn alliance? With who?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t look away. \u201cTo Draven.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a second, my mind went blank.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDraven? Why would you- Theo, that\u2019s not a small decision?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo reached for my hand, grounding me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know exactly what it means. Kaia\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen explain it to me.\u201d I urged him, my mind flickering.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His thumb brushed over my knuckles, slow and deliberate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause after everything that\u2019s been done to you\u2026 everything that was taken, twisted, used against you-\u201d His jaw tightened. \u201cI\u2019m not letting it stand. They won\u2019t get away with it\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swallowed. \u201cYou don\u2019t need to start wars for me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not starting one.\u201d He leaned closer, his voice firm. \u201cI\u2019m ending what they started long ago\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 70\u00a0<\/p>\n
I searched his face, he was serious about this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re doing this to avenge me. Aren\u2019t you?\u201d I asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo didn\u2019t deny it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m doing this because no one touches what\u2019s mine and walks away unscarred\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest ached at the word mine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
66\u00a0<\/p>\n
And what if it makes things worse?\u201d I shuddered, thinking of this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo firmly said. \u201cThen I\u2019ll handle that too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He cupped my cheek, forcing me to meet his eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia, I\u2019m going to make everyone who had a hand in hurting you pay dearly. No matter what it takes\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My voice came out quieter than I intended.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to do everything all by yourself, Theo\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He pressed his forehead to mine again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
66\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. That\u2019s why I told you first. I\u2019m not doing this alone, you\u2019ll be informed every step of the way\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled slowly, then nodded.\u201d Then we face whatever comes\u2026 together.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the alliance isn\u2019t sealed yet\u201d Theo said. \u201cNothing\u2019s official. So, I don\u2019t have ties to his pack yet.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I muttered. \u201cOh,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His grip tightened just slightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not doing anything recklessly. I\u2019m doing it deliberately. And I wanted you to know before anything else happens.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart stuttered. I hugged him, taking in his scent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you\u2026 for telling me. For choosing me first.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His shoulders eased, relief flickering across his face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He kissed my forehead. \u201cI will always choose you first, Kaia. Always.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then, he pulled me in for a wet kiss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had barely stepped into the hallway after stepping out of Theo\u2019s room when I saw her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 70\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She was leaning against a pillar, staring directly into my eyes like she was cementing her authority on me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She curled her lips already in disgust with her gaze dragged over me, quietly judging me even before she opened her mouth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell. That didn\u2019t take long.\u201d Cara said, mockingly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stopped walking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara scoffed. \u201cI must admit, I didn\u2019t expect you to climb into the Alpha\u2019s bed so quickly. Or maybe that\u2019s just\u2026 how you are.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw tightened, but I kept my voice calm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning to you too. Queen Cara, is there something I can help you with?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She scoffed. \u201cDon\u2019t play innocent with me. You managed to charm your way into Theo\u2019s bed, and the pack\u2019s hearts. I suppose I should congratulate you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I crossed my arms. \u201cYou seem very invested in where I sleep.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes flashed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI wonder if this is how you behaved in your previous pack. Is that why you ended up packless?\u201d she smirked cunningly.\u201d Surely, because you have no concept of shame and loyalty\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her words hit me in my guts but I refused to let it show.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCareful. You\u2019re making a lot of assumptions for someone who wasn\u2019t there.\u201d I warned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara stepped closer, her voice dropping.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou may have succeeded in fooling the pack members. You may have fooled Theo. But don\u2019t think for a second you can fool me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I met her stare head-on, and we glared at each other for a minute or two.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t need to fool anyone. Least of all you.\u201d I retort.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She laughed coldly. \u201cYou really think you belong here?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know I do.\u201d I answered, \u201cI will become the luna of this pack soon and there is nothing you can do about it\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her smile vanished when she heard this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned to leave but I stopped myself and turned back to look at her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd for the record, Queen Cara\u201d Theo didn\u2019t choose me because of some tricks I played on him. He chose me because he wanted to.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned in just enough to make my point clear. \u201cThat must bother you a lot, unfortunately.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 70\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s face darkened, she gritted. You\u2019re bold for someone who has nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0f23, (62)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I straightened. \u201cI have more than you think. And unlike you, I don\u2019t need to tear others down to feel important.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, she looked like she might strike me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then she smiled, face looking tight and venomous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEnjoy it while it lasts,\u201d Cara said, smiling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I plan to,\u201d I said, \u201cyou should take your own advice, Queen Cara\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped past her without another word.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whatever game she thought she was playing, I wasn\u2019t backing down from playing either.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u5b99\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Comment\u00a0<\/p>\n
Send gift\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 70 Chapter 70\u00a0 \u2013Kaia\u2013\u00a0 :\u00a0 Z(62)\u00a0 55 vouchers\u00a0 I felt eyes on me […]<\/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-27315","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\/27315","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=27315"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27315\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27315"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27315"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27315"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}