Chapter 75\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Kaia\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
I walked into the breakfast hall with Theo, my stomach knotting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When we walked in, all eyes turned toward us instantly, and I felt the weight of the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The room was thick with tension.\u00a0<\/p>\n
6?)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t want to have breakfast with the alpha family. I was used to eating in my room with Maliya or the general dining hall with the others.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But today, Theo wanted me to eat with him at the family dining hall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I knew it wasn\u2019t a good idea but he insisted I needed to claim my position as Luna.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And the first step was eating together as a couple.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted to back out, afraid Cara and Lucien would cause a scene but Theo refused to take no for an answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What kind of a Luna would I be if I can\u2019t even face these little obstructions?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s eyes narrowed the second she saw our joined hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy is she here?\u201d Lucien asked loudly, dropping his fork with a clang. \u201cSince when do strays join the Alpha family table?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara folded her arms, her chin lifted. \u201cTheo, must you drag her everywhere now? This is a private breakfast.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo didn\u2019t even flinch; he held my hand and led me to a seat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe same reason Elara was always here,\u201d he replied coolly. \u201cIf she was welcome, then Kaia is too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien scoffed. \u201cYou know it\u2019s not the same, Elara has always been a part of us. Moreover, Elara had class. This one looks like she crawled in from the street.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A sharp sting shot through my chest, but Theo\u2019s hand on mine stayed steady, until Kingsley slammed a palm on the table.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien,\u201d Kingley barked out, trembling with rage. \u201cApologise to Kaia at this instant.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien smirked, unbothered. \u201cWhy should I? She doesn\u2019t belong here, it\u2019s the truth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s jaw twitched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien grinned and kept going. \u201cYou really downgraded, brother. Nameless, packless\u2026 maybe she used those legs last night to earn breakfast at this table-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something inside Theo snapped. His eyes darkened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:40 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 75\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
(62)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
One heartbeat I was sitting beside him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next, his chair scraped back and he got up and before I could think, he lunged forward, fists flying.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien barely had time to react before he was on the floor, groaning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The table shook as Theo tackled Lucien to the ground.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo punched Lucien in the face, beating him mercilessly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The punches were brutal, fast, fueled by rage. Lucien\u2019s head bounced against the floor; blood splattered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStop it, Theo!\u201d Cara\u2019s voice rang sharp, but he didn\u2019t even listen. \u201cWhat do you think you are doing? Let him go!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo! Enough!\u201d Kingsley shouted, rushing forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m warning you, stop right now!!\u201d Cara screamed hysterically.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo didn\u2019t listen to their pleas, his wolf, Stash, was pushing through his skin, trying to take control of the beating but Theo resisted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He pinned Lucien with one hand and kept smashing him with the other.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien tried to defend himself, but he was no match for Theo.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDad! Mom, save me from this lunatic\u201d Lucien choked on blood, crying out, but Theo didn\u2019t slow down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara suddenly turned to me, sobbing, \u201cKaia! Stop him! Please, stop him before he kills my baby!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My stomach twisted. Theo wasn\u2019t listening to reason. His vision had gone dark, he was consumed by rage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I forced myself forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo,\u201d I whispered, then louder, \u201cTheo, look at me!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He froze for a heartbeat, his fist inches away from Lucien\u2019s face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve made your point,\u201d I murmured. \u201cCome back to me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s gaze stayed glued on me then slowly released Lucien, who scrambled away, clutching his bruised ribs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo turned to me, his chest still heaving with rage. \u201cDon\u2019t ever let him disrespect you again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swallowed hard, my own fear mingling with pride. \u201cI know\u2026 I won\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t spare Lucien a single look. He just grabbed my hand and led me away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re leaving,\u201d he muttered, announcing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We were almost at the door when Kingsley\u2019s voice came after us\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:40 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 75\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo, wait! Son, please.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo stopped, his jaw tightening. I could feel the anger still radiating off him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kingsley slowly stood from his chair, pleading with his eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou haven\u2019t spent time with me in years. Stay, at least today. I\u2019ll make sure Lucien keeps his mouth shut. He won\u2019t say a single word to Kaia ever again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara shot up from her seat, eyes blazing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re unbelievable! After what he just did to my son, you still think Theo isn\u2019t the problem in this house?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo didn\u2019t answer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kingsley\u2019s eyes shifted to me, almost pleading.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia\u2026 I\u2019ll make sure Lucien keeps his mouth shut. You have my word. Please stay. I want you here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara stormed up behind him, she puckered her lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat boy almost killed my son, and this is what you\u2019re concerned about? Kingsley, are you blind?! Theo is the problem here!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kingsley spun on her with a fury I\u2019d never seen from him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShut your mouth, Cara.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her jaw dropped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLucien turned out this way because of you,\u201d Kingsley snapped. \u201cYou raised him to disrespect everyone, his brother, his Alpha, and the woman who will be his Luna. You filled him with entitlement and hate.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara trembled with rage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo isn\u2019t just his brother,\u201d Kingsley continued sharply. \u201cHe is the Alpha. And Kaia\u2026\u201d he nodded toward me\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia will be Luna. He should have bowed to her the moment she walked in.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
66\u00a0<\/p>\n
My throat tightened. Hearing that from an Elder, Theo\u2019s father himself felt unreal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I took a breath and stepped forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s better for the family,\u201d I said quietly, \u201cI can leave the breakfast table. I don\u2019t want to cause trouble for everyone\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then, I felt Theo\u2019s hand clasping my hand tightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf she leaves, I leave. I\u2019m not sitting at a table where they treat my future Luna like a stray dog.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara gasped almost elated by my decision to leave. While Lucien kept groaning like a wounded fighter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:40 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 75\u00a0<\/p>\n
(62 )\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kingsley\u2019s face broke with exhaustion. \u201cKaia, please stay. Don\u2019t go. I truly want you here, you belong here. Theo please\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kingsley reached for my hand as if trying to keep me there physically.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo shook his head. \u201cThere\u2019s no point staying where my Luna is insulted.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He lifted his chin, addressing the entire table.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I will say this one last time,\u201d Theo said, locking eyes with Lucien and then Cara. \u201cIf anyone here calls her names again or disrespects her in any type of way, I won\u2019t hesitate to teach them respect.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He tugged me gently but firmly toward the door.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re done here,\u201d he said to no one and everyone at once, then walked me out of the hall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Elara\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once Theo left with Kaia, the table was dropped in silence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then Cara exploded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy son!\u201d she shrieked, fanning over Lucien. \u201cLook at what he did to my baby! Gods, Lucien, Lucien, speak to me!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien groaned dramatically, blood dripping from his nose and split lip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c-I\u2019m fine,\u201d he rasped. \u201cHe just\u2026 lost control\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara rounded on Kingsley like a feral wolf.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is your fault!\u201d she spat. \u201cYou let him treat Lucien like trash! You let that girl, that stray, poison your mind against Lucien and me\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCara,\u201d he said, \u201cenough.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you listen to me!\u201d she screamed. \u201cTheo is unstable and dangerous. And you\u2019re encouraging him-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kingsley snapped. \u201cI said ENOUGH!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you want to know why your son got beaten?\u201d Kingsley asked, pointing at Lucien\u2019s bloodied face. \u201cBecause you raised a disrespectful brat who thinks he\u2019s above the Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s mouth dropped open.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never disciplined him. You never held him accountable. Now, look at him, squirming with an entitled and disgraceful attitude\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien\u2019s eyes burned in humiliation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDad-\u201d he croaked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:40 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 75\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Kingsley cut him off. \u201cYou brought this on yourself. You insulted the future Luna in front of your Alpha. Did you think there wouldn\u2019t be consequences?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara trembled with fury. \u201cSo now she matters more than your own family?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Kingsley said sharply. \u201cRespect and loyalty matter. And you raised a son who has none of those things.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara staggered back as if slapped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd listen very carefully,\u201d Kingsley added. \u201cIf you and your son continue sabotaging Theo\u2019s rule, insulting Kaia, or stirring conflict, I will remove you both from pack affairs entirely.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien\u2019s breath hitched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t dare,\u201d Cara whispered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kingsley leaned in. \u201cTry me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Saying that, Kingley left the breakfast table.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara fanned over Lucien but got up and left, too ashamed to face anyone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But I caught up with him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLook at you,\u201d I shot him a dirty look.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked pathetic staggering in front of me, I was ashamed that he was going to be my mate over Theo.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite Theo\u2019s illness, he was still as gallant as ever.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara,\u201d he breathed, wiping blood from his chin, \u201cyou saw what he did -\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou looked stupid as fuck, Lucien.\u201d I interrupted him, raising a brow.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He stopped, looking shocked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow could you allow yourself to get beaten up like that and you call yourself an Alpha heir?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cH-he caught me off guard-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I said. \u201cYou provoked the Alpha and got whipped. If you can\u2019t handle a few hits, how do you expect to stand against Theo for the pack?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien clenched his fists, the humiliation he suffered morphing into anger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t mock me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not mocking you,\u201d I said calmly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m reconsidering our partnership.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:41 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 75\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien stiffened. \u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want power, you cannot afford to get caught off guard\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucien swallowed hard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned away and stopped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHeal yourself, and stop bleeding on me. We have work to do.\u201d\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 75 Chapter 75\u00a0 \u2013Kaia\u2013\u00a0 :\u00a0 I walked into the breakfast hall with Theo, […]<\/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-27320","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\/27320","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=27320"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27320\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}