Chapter 71\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Kaia\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara hosted a pack dinner.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
She claimed it was tradition to host the elders to celebrate after every full moon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wasn\u2019t familiar with Shadowclaw\u2019s traditions yet. So, I had no idea what to do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even though I was going to become Luna, I let Cara handle the arrangement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And she was great with it too, I have to give her that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The gathering wasn\u2019t anything special.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0f40\u0f91(6? )\u00a0<\/p>\n
E55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just dinner and small talk. Something I didn\u2019t find fun at all but I had to be there as the future luna.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood beside Theo, trying not to think about how many eyes were on me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
How many of them still hadn\u2019t decided what I was to this pack?\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the elders cleared his throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha Theo,\u201d he said calmly, \u201cThere\u2019s something I\u2019m worried about. This concerns the pack\u2019s future.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo stiffened beside me. I felt it before I saw it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Luna is more than a title,\u201d the elder continued. \u201cShe anchors the pack strength, spiritually, and balance. She guides and supports the Alpha in growing the pack. Protects it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
We fell silent looking at the white-haired elder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then his gaze shifted to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur concern,\u201d he said carefully, \u201cis that Kaia does not have a powerful wolf.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A murmur rippled through the laid-out table\u00a0<\/p>\n
They all nodded, silently agreeing with what he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It occurred to me that they weren\u2019t being malicious at all, it was genuine concern for the pack and Theo.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s hand tightened at my side. I knew he was about to speak.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped forward, holding him back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I muttered softly, stopping him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo frowned. \u201cBut Kaia-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18.37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chepres 71\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI said no\u201d\u201d I repeated, shaking my head to discourage him. \u201cYou don\u2019t need to defend on\u00a0<\/p>\n
I raised my head back up to look at the elder. However, I saw Cara\u2019s lips curse digfarby the the\u2019d been wanting for this\u00a0<\/p>\n
The elder studied me for more than three seconds\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis in an attack on you, child The elder continued. \u201cIt\u2019s responsibility A Luna witout a gerential west is unprecedemed\u00a0<\/p>\n
I know what I am I said evenly. \u201cAnd I know what I\u2019m not\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo took a step toward me. \u201cKaita, you don\u2019t have to-\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at him then. Really looked, he stared into my eyes and or the determination banking\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I can\u2019t stand here alone.\u201d I said quietly, then I don\u2019t deserve to stand here at all\u00a0<\/p>\n
The stopped him, he didn\u2019t say anything else.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cars chose that moment to speak\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPertaps,\u201d the said sooty, \u201cthere\u2019s a compromise to be made\u00a0<\/p>\n
I arched my brows, turning to face her\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKats has strength Cara continued \u201cWe\u2019ve all seen that. But strength doesn\u2019t replace experience\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She tilted her head almost kindly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Late training would beneft her. Guidance, structure, and preparation for what this role truly dematos\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her words sounded reasonable, and the elders at the table nodded in agreement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara has a way with words and that was the dangerous part.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s jaw clenched. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t need\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I raised a hand again. \u201cIll do in\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His head snapped toward me. \u201cKaia\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I met his eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the pack needs reassurance,\u201d I said, \u201cthen I\u2019ll give it to them. I\u2019m capable of being a good lama to you and this pack. Undergoing training isn\u2019t so bad\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The elder nodded slowly. \u201cVery well. Luna training it is.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The murmurs returned, everyone chiming in within themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 71\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s satisfaction was subtle. She locked eyes with me, smirking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She thought she\u2019d backed me into a corner.\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I knew this was some scheme to get me removed, but what she failed to understand was that doing this wouldn\u2019t hurt me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This test is nothing short of a tease for me. I have experience being Luna once. So, I was being unleashed to do something I used to love.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wish Cara would understand that doing this wouldn\u2019t stop Theo from making me his luna.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His mind is already made up and as far as I know Theo, he doesn\u2019t allow others to choose his Luna for him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I would crush whatever conspiracies Cara has up her sleeves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Neither she nor her son will get away with setting me up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo took my hand, leading me away from the table.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCome, Kaia, let\u2019s get you something to drink\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Kingley\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the middle of the dinner, Cara escorted some pack elders out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t follow them at first.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I told myself that Cara was only escorting the elders out of courtesy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After decades as Luna, Cara still understood protocol better than most lunas I\u2019ve come across.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I decided to take a walk outside the dining hall when I heard laughter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It sounded relaxed and pleased at first then it became chatters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I paused at the corridor bend, where the voices came from.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It led me right towards Cara\u2019s room, where she was sitting with the elders chatting and the door wasn\u2019t properly locked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou handle the situation beautifully, Queen Cara,\u201d one elder said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara laughed softly. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t difficult, was it?. The girl is proud. Pride is easy to steer.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My hand curled into a fist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another voice spoke. \u201cShe agreed to the training without resistance. Exactly as you predicted.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara poured wine. I could hear it and smell it from outside the door.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 71\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was never going to refuse,\u201d Cara said calmly. \u201cShe wants to belong. That makes her predictable.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest tightened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
An elder hesitated. \u201cStill, she has done a lot for the pack. Let\u2019s not forget how she saved the children. The pack respects her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara scoffed. \u201cRespect fades easily, dear Elder but doubts? Doubt doesn\u2019t fade as quickly as it comes\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
They all murmured in agreement with her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce the training exposes her limits,\u201d Cara continued, \u201cthe pack will question Theo\u2019s judgment on their own. We won\u2019t need to push.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Push, so that was it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She hadn\u2019t challenged Kaia openly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She\u2019d arranged the dagger and let the girl walk into it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t hold back anymore, I pushed the door and walked in, fuming.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment I walked in, the room went dead silent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s back stiffened in her seat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKingsley,\u201d she said smoothly, turning with practiced calm. \u201cYou\u2019re finished early.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t finished,\u201d I said. \u201cI was listening.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
One elder stood abruptly. \u201cAlpha Kingsley, this was merely a private discussion\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were drinking to a decision you manipulated,\u201d I snapped. \u201cIn my pack.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s eyes flashed. \u201cYou\u2019re overreacting, honey\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I laughed shaking my head in disgust.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou used the elders,\u201d I said. \u201cYou used tradition to force my son\u2019s bride into taking a training that she clearly doesn\u2019t need. And you did it behind my son\u2019s back.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her voice hardened. \u201cI did it to protect this pack.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I said quietly. \u201cYou did for your own selfish reasons, Cara not for this pack\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The elders shifted in their seats uncomfortably.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara stepped closer. \u201cKaia is a risk. You know that. A Luna like her will bring ruin to the pack-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia is way braver than any of you in this room,\u201d I cut in. \u201cAnd she doesn\u2019t deserve to be treated like prey because you didn\u2019t get the bride you wanted\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 71\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s composure cracked. Just slightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou arranged this,\u201d I said. \u201cYou orchestrated that questioning to ruin her image\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I saw Cara\u2019s jaw tighten, clenching her fists angrily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what if I did?\u201d she snapped. \u201cSomeone had to challenge the mistake your son is making.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
(62),\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou will not undermine my son again.\u201d The elders froze. \u201cYou will not use council procedures as weapons.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s breath quickened. \u201cYou can\u2019t silence me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI can strip you of influence,\u201d I said. \u201cAnd if you push further\u2026\u201d I let the threat hang.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The elders bowed stiffly and excused themselves one by one, suddenly eager to leave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When we were alone, Cara turned on me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou chose her over me,\u201d she said bitterly. \u201cYou don\u2019t even know her\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI chose honesty,\u201d I replied. \u201cSomething you seem to have forgotten.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes burned. \u201cThis isn\u2019t over.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I met her stare without blinking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor your sake,\u201d I said, \u201cI hope it is.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Because if she touched Kaia again, she\u2019d be facing me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
AD\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
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shadows Follow Lonely Minds \u2014 Christopher Harris 71 Chapter 71\u00a0 \u2013Kaia\u2013\u00a0 Cara hosted a pack dinner.\u00a0 :\u00a0 She claimed it […]<\/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-27316","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\/27316","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=27316"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27316\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}