Chapter 91\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Draven\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t move from my spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n
61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo\u2019s words stuck in my mind. I didn\u2019t expect Theo actually to come down to Silvermoon himself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now that he was here, everything that happened between us at the warrior academy years ago came crashing down on me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back then, I had fallen in love with a girl who made me feel like the best version of myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia. She was everything I ever wanted in a mate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Talented, hardworking, intelligent and the bravest person on the team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back in the Academy, she had been the one bright thing in my life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She was quiet but warm. Gentle but stubborn.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes, gods, those eyes had made me feel seen and safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
#FLASHBACK#\u00a0<\/p>\n
I used to hate early mornings at the Warrior Academy. The air was cold, the training mats, and the instructors who thought yelling built character.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was forced to come here because of my father and his need to build me up to take over.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not to mention, a she-wolf, Kaia had gotten into the academy at the top of my squad.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I have to train harder and take the top spot to make my father proud but beating Kaia is nearly impossible.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I got to the training fields one morning, she was there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia was quiet and focused on striving to become the best.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia and I have known each other since we were kids back in the back but we were not really friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So, when I saw her today, I noticed she wasn\u2019t wearing her black ribbons.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, you\u2019re early,\u201d I said, walking up to her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia turned to look at me, she smiled, breathing heavily under her training gear,\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHey! Yes, I have to come early.\u201d She pointed to the entrance. \u201cThe boys are not very nice to me. You know, it sucks being the only girl at the warrior academy\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked back and saw how some of the boys looked at her scornfully.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:45 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 91\u00a0<\/p>\n
61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their egos must be bruised knowing that the only girl in the academy was beating their asses in every way possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIgnore them, they are just jealous of you\u201d I muttered, trying to encourage her. \u201cGirls run the world, they didn\u2019t know, now they will when you beat their asses again\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s so sweet, thank you,\u201d Kaia beamed at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted to leave before I couldn\u2019t stop myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened to your black ribbon?\u201d I asked, \u201cYou\u2019re wearing a blue one today\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stopped training and chuckled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, that? I lost my black one so I have to make do with the blue one for now\u201d she looked at me with a shocked look. \u201cWait, how did you notice that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d I tried to evade the question, scratching my head. \u201cYou always wear it. Since you didn\u2019t wear it today, I noticed it\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you been stalking me?\u201d She asked, and my heart sank.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo! No, no!\u201d I shook my head vigorously. \u201cI wasn\u2019t stalking you, I swear! I only noticed it since you come in every day wearing it\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh shit, I gave you a big fright. Didn\u2019t I?\u201d She looked remorseful. \u201cI was just pulling your legs, please don\u2019t take it to heart\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh,\u201d I mouthed, feeling a little embarrassed. \u201cI thought you were serious for a second\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, duh!\u201d She nudged my arm, smiling. \u201cYou are quite observant. I lost my black one so I wore the blue one to keep my hair tied up during training\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe blue one looks good on you too,\u201d I complimented. \u201cIt makes your eyes pop\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that so? That\u2019s so sweet\u201d Kaia said. \u201cSee you later, I have to complete my training\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, go ahead\u201d Kaia returned to work and so did I.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But I couldn\u2019t get her out of my mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t know that the girl who tied her hair with a blue ribbon because she lost her black one would become a thought-provoking person in my life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After that day, I couldn\u2019t stop thinking about her. Especially when she smiled at me, she had no idea how much her actions were affecting me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A few days later\u00a0<\/p>\n
I found her outside the training hall, sitting on the steps with her knees hugged to her chest, staring at the dew on the grass.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:45 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 91\u00a0<\/p>\n
She looked at it as if it were the most beautiful thing in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re here early again,\u201d I said, trying to sound casual.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She looked up at me and gods, those eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Blue, bright, soft with emotions. It was as if the ocean was trapped in her eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh. Morning.\u201d She smiled gently. \u201cCouldn\u2019t sleep.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never sleep.\u201d I sat beside her. \u201cThat\u2019s not normal.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She shrugged. \u201cNightmares.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I frowned, my heart tightening. \u201cWhat kind?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026The kind that you can\u2019t do anything about.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She looked away quickly, embarrassed for saying too much.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nudged her shoulder. \u201cYou can tell me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia gave me a small, deflecting smile. \u201cIt\u2019s not interesting.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is to me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes softened and grateful. \u201cAre you always like this?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLike what?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGentle,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I cleared my throat. \u201cDon\u2019t go around telling people that. It\u2019ll ruin my reputation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia couldn\u2019t stop herself from laughing at my Dey ass joke but at least it made her feel better.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We sat in silence for a while, while the morning breeze brushed past us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDraven?\u201d she said suddenly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you ever think\u2026\u201d She hesitated. \u201c\u2026about the future?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I glanced at her side profile. There was a thoughtful frown on her face, while her delicate fingers picked at her sleeve.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the time,\u201d I admitted. \u201cWhy?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI just wonder if there\u2019s more than this. More than training, ranking, fighting\u2026\u201d She exhaled. \u201cDo you think we\u2019ll get to choose who we\u2026 end up with?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:45 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 91\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
I swallowed carefully, not sure, as my throat got dry all of a sudden.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope so,\u201d I said softly. \u201cI really hope so.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Because I wanted to choose her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia smiled at me with the brightest smile I had ever seen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should go in,\u201d she murmured, standing and brushing the dew off her pants.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia?\u201d I called out and stopped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She paused. \u201cYes?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I opened my mouth; I wanted to say that I wanted\u00a0<\/p>\n
I like you. I think about you more than I should.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Please don\u2019t look at anyone else but me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But what came out of my mouth was.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou forgot your ribbon.\u201d I lifted the little blue tie she dropped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kaia stepped closer, her cheeks flushing pink. \u201cOh-thank you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hesitated then reached out and gently tied it back into her hair.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her breath caught when my fingers brushed the nape of her neck.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPerfect,\u201d I whispered before he could stop himself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stared at him, her blue eyes glowing like sunrise.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, everything was simple.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She had her eyes on me, with my heart pounding against my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was just the two of us against the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then Kaia whispered, shy. \u201cI like talking to you\u2026 Draven.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I froze. But she walked inside before I could respond.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I returned to my dormitory after training, I couldn\u2019t stop myself,\u00a0<\/p>\n
My friend, Theo was in the room, and I jumped on him, hugging him tight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo! Theo!\u201d I screamed, hugging him tight. \u201cI\u2019m so happy\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, slow down man\u201d Theo urged, hugging me back. \u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:45 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 91\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know Kaia, right?\u201d I asked, grinning from ear to ear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I know Kaia. What happened to her?\u201d Theo frowned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019m in love with her!\u201d I said, \u201cNo, I love her and she loves me back\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I said this I noticed Theo shifted back a little bit. I was too happy to care about anything else.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? That\u2019s great\u201d Theo muttered. \u201cCongrats, man, so happy for you two\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d I said, overjoyed. \u201cSo, the girl you told me, what\u2019s her name? Blue Luna? Is that what you call her?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s not talk about it anymore\u201d Theo shuffled through his things.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d I noticed he had his things packed. \u201cAre you going somewhere?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe warrior training ends in a few weeks, I\u2019m preparing my things ahead of time. I will leave as soon as the ranking comes out\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo left the room and I engrossed myself in writing letters to Kaia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It didn\u2019t take long before we got together.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We were happy together, and everyone around us thought we were perfect for each other.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They weren\u2019t wrong as we held things down for each other.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After the academy season ended, Theo disappeared and I never heard from him again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Until after he took over as alpha of Shadowclaw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
# FLASHBACK END#\u00a0<\/p>\n
Theo and I are meeting again after five years, he didn\u2019t come to Kaia\u2019s and my ceremony.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As a matter of fact, I never heard or saw him again. I have no idea why he ghosted me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Things between Kaia and me progressed so fast, I didn\u2019t realise how deeply we\u2019ve gotten involved with each other\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Kaia and I returned to Silvermoon after the academy and she came out as second in the warrior ranking, my father suggested a political marriage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I accepted it without fighting, we already loved each other. Even if we weren\u2019t mates, we loved each other so we chose each other.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As fate would have it, we turned out to be mates.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, when Kaia committed treason against my pack when she attempted to kill Liora and our pup, I couldn\u2019t take it anymore and I snapped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0f21\u0f23\u00a0<\/p>\n
61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:45 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 91\u00a0<\/p>\n
So I let her go, maybe too quickly and too stupidly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But now\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
:..\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I heard Theo speak of \u201cblue eyes\u201d with a depth I had never heard from him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hearing him say he wouldn\u2019t let her go even if his fated showed up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A bitter laugh pushed up my throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo that\u2019s what it looks like,\u201d I muttered to myself. \u201cThat\u2019s what it\u2019s like to really fight for someone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I never fought for her. Not the way I should have.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maybe I didn\u2019t deserve her in the first place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
AD\u00a0<\/p>\n
Comment\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 91 Chapter 91\u00a0 \u2013Draven\u2013\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t move from my spot.\u00a0 61\u00a0 55 vouchers\u00a0 […]<\/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-27336","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\/27336","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=27336"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27336\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27336"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27336"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27336"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}