Chapter 97\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does she want now?\u201d Maliya entered back once Elara left.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I took the tray away from my side and hissed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe came to see how I was doing,\u201d I answered, wiping my mouth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?,\u201d Maliya looked surprised. \u201cSince when does she care about you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know? She claims we are family now and we should look out for each other\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat a joke,\u201d Maliya looked annoyed. \u201cKaia, don\u2019t listen to her. She\u2019s bad news, who knows what\u2019s running through her mind?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTrust me,\u201d I chuckled. \u201cEven if you didn\u2019t say it, I know Elara doesn\u2019t suddenly see me as family. She\u2019s up to no good, and I won\u2019t let her succeed\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I saw Maliya breathe out, she looked worried for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She\u2019s so sweet, she\u2019s like the sibling I never had growing up. She goes out of her way to look after me beyond the demands of her job.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maliya treats me like a family member not her boss, and I\u2019m thankful for that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This way, we could talk about everything without restraints, and I would be able to help her without poking my nose in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat a relief,\u201d Maliya muttered. \u201cI can\u2019t forget the way she treated everyone when she was going to be the lady of the pack\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I saw disdain in her eyes even though she tried to mask it\u00a0<\/p>\n
I casually asked, \u201cWhat is the most vicious thing she did back then?\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That question seemed to ruffle her emotions, Maliya clenched her fists as veins popped out on her face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOne time, Tiffany, a maid who I used to share a room with accidentally burnt her scalp while curling her hair\u201d Maliya said, clenching her fists to stop her tears. \u201cTo make an example of her, Lady Elara ordered a public scarring, where Tiffany was scarred with a hot iron on her back and face\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat!\u201d I gasped, I couldn\u2019t believe it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, she said she wanted everyone to see what they would get if they disobeyed her or did a sloppy job. Tiffany\u2019s wounds were so severe that she withdrew from service and retired to her family\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did Theo do about this matter?\u201d I asked, feeling my rage rising.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cElara had everyone by their balls, Kaia\u201d Maliya said. \u201cSnitching on her means signing a death sentence so nobody dared to say anything even though it was witnessed by a lot of the women of the pack\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:47 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 97\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe kept getting away with such atrocities and nobody could inform the alpha about it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00d8(61)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always choose survival first before justice, my lady,\u201d Maliya said, and I completely understood her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Liya, it wasn\u2019t your fault. You and the others were just trying to survive at any cost\u201d I cleaned her tears. \u201cAnd I\u2019m glad you did, cheer up, dear\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for understanding, Kaia\u201d she said and I pulled her close, hugging her tightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She needed the reassurance that she did nothing wrong. She and everyone who had to endure Elara\u2019s mean- spirited behaviour.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once we broke the hug, I shifted in my bed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI want chicken manchurian,\u201d I said, and Maliya looked at me bewildered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t make that here, my lady,\u201d Maliya said. \u201cBut I know where to buy it at an Indo-Chinese restaurant downtown. It will take some time though\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t mind waiting,\u201d I replied. \u201cI\u2019m craving that dish, I won\u2019t feel better until I have it. So, do whatever you must but please get me chicken Manchurian\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, I will go out to town and get it. It will take two hours\u201d Maliya informed me. \u201cWhat would you be doing until then?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing,\u201d I said. \u201cMaybe I will sit in the garden to wait for you. What do you think?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a good idea, you need some fresh air too. You\u2019ve been cooked up in this room for too long \u201c. Saying this, Maliya brought me my slippers and helped me put them on.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fresh air. That was all I wanted to calm my empty heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I missed Theo, I wish I could call him but I didn\u2019t want to disturb his work.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Later tonight, I will give him a call and ask when he\u2019s coming back. I don\u2019t think I can live without him for another day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, let me help you down\u201d Maliya stretched her hands to me, helping me get down from the bed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With her help, I got down and we headed out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My legs were still weak, but I pushed through it,\u00a0<\/p>\n
stepping out of the alpha wing and into the quiet hallway. My head felt clearer than yesterday but something inside me still hummed strangely, like a pressure had been silently released.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I took two more steps and crashed straight into Cara.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Perfect.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This is just the person I need to see right now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:47 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 97\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes widened, then narrowed with gleeful venom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, well, look who isn\u2019t dead,\u201d Cara said, looking at me all over.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I inhaled slowly. \u201cGood morning too, Cara.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She folded her arms and leaned in slightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know for a moment, I actually thought you were gone. Truly. I almost opened a bottle of wine to mourn you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blinked. \u201cHow unfortunate for you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her lips curled. \u201cUnfortunate? Oh no, dear. It would\u2019ve been perfect. If you were gone, Theo would finally be freed from whatever spell you\u2019ve wrapped around him. The pack would finally be able to breathe again.\u201d She eyed me up and down. \u201cI should\u2019ve known a little fainting fit wouldn\u2019t kill a parasite.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The insult hit, but after everything from Draven, from the Elders, from the world I lived in before, I was too tired to bleed for her words.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not interested in arguing,\u201d I murmured. \u201cPlease get out of my way\u201d I turned to Maliya, \u201cYou can go, I will go to the garden by myself\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure?\u201d Maliya wasn\u2019t ready to leave me alone with Cara.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, trust me. I can handle myself\u201d I said, and she left.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara barked a laugh.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course you aren\u2019t. Parasites don\u2019t argue, they cling. Honestly, how did you not die? Everyone said you were writhing and screaming.\u201d Her eyes glinted with delight. \u201cI thought the Moon Goddess had finally intervened. That she\u2019d taken pity on Theo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stiffened but didn\u2019t look away. \u201cSorry to disappoint but it seems the moon goddess wasn\u2019t going to answer your evil prayers any time soon\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, she will,\u201d she said coldly. \u201cSooner or later. Girls like you always do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something inside me fragile but solid clicked into place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGirls like me?\u201d I repeated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara lifted her chin. \u201cStrays. Packless rejects. Women who think sleeping with an Alpha qualifies them to sit at the same table as real bloodline wolves.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled through my nose.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf sleeping with Theo made me unworthy, I wonder what Elara sleeping with two brothers makes her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara\u2019s face froze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:47 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 97\u00a0<\/p>\n
She wasn\u2019t expecting me to bite.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t mean it like that,\u201d I said softly. \u201cBut since we\u2019re starting histories\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stepped closer, fury twisting her lips. \u201cYou talk like you belong here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you talk like you\u2019re afraid I might.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her chest rose sharply. \u201cYou-!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before she could finish, footsteps approached from behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKaia,\u201d Juatine\u2019s gentle voice cut through the tension. \u201cThe healer said you shouldn\u2019t be walking alone yet. Let me take you outside.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cara scoffed loudly. \u201cYes, escort her. I wouldn\u2019t want her collapsing again and making my son look bad.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cJustine,\u201d I said quietly, \u201cI\u2019m ready.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Justine shot Cara a polite bow and led me away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But even as we walked, I could feel Cara\u2019s glare stabbing holes in my back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The garden air was cool and soft, a huge difference from the constrained room. I inhaled deeply, feeling my lungs stretch properly for the first time since waking up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was sitting on a bench when Kingsley appeared, worry etched into every line of his face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Justine had gone to get us tea. I was sitting alone now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere you are,\u201d he sighed, walking toward me. \u201cLittle one, what are you doing out of bed? You should still be resting.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled weakly. \u201cI tried. I couldn\u2019t sleep anymore. I needed fresh air.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kingsley sat beside me with the gentleness of a man who loved too deeply and lost too much.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou scared us,\u201d he murmured. \u201cGoddess, Kaia when I saw you unconscious, I thought-\u201d His voice cracked, and he cleared his throat. \u201cTheo would\u2019ve burned this entire pack to the ground if something happened to you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest tightened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m better now,\u201d I whispered. \u201cI promise.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kingsley studied me, his eyes were soft but sharp.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re pale. And something still feels wrong, I don\u2019t think you\u2019re well enough yet.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nothing,\u201d I said quickly. \u201cI will be fine after sleeping it over\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:47 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 97\u00a0<\/p>\n
His brow furrowed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Justine stepped forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
:.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe insisted on walking, my lord. She refused to stay in bed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kingsley sighed again. \u201cYou\u2019re as stubborn as Theo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked funny saying that and I couldn\u2019t help but laugh.\u00a0<\/p>\n
AD\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0e41\u0e25\u00a0<\/p>\n
61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
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18:47 Tue, Jan 20\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 97 Chapter 97\u00a0 \u201cWhat does she want now?\u201d Maliya entered back once Elara […]<\/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-27342","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\/27342","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=27342"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27342\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}