Chapter 98\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt a sharp pain in my ribs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It lasted for a minute but I really felt it. It was biting like something was snapping in place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t understand what was happening but it was gone before I could place my hand on it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
(61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once I calmed down, I tried to call Kaia but I couldn\u2019t get through. It\u2019s been like this since I got to Silvermoon, and I couldn\u2019t understand why a big pack like this was suffering from coverage issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had to extend my stay in Silvermoon as something unexpected came up and I needed to attend to it alongside Draven.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I clenched my chest trying to breathe it all away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just then Draven came up to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you ready to go?\u201d He asked, smoothing his jacket.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sure, let\u2019s go,\u201d I replied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We got ready to leave. We are heading to the accident site in town.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The flood swept the houses in town, rendering a lot of the pack members homeless.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t leave them without offering a helping hand, especially after I signed an agreement with Draven. I\u2019m now his ally.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And as his ally, it\u2019s my duty to help them in times of need, I couldn\u2019t reach Kaia to tell her but I\u2019m sure she would understand if I told her what happened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We got into Draven\u2019s jeep and headed out while his men drove in another car, trailing behind us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was a quiet ride as Draven was consumed with his own thoughts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could guess what he was thinking about, it had to do with the disaster that happened while I was here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maybe he thought I would call off our agreement because of it. Obviously, no alpha wants to burden themselves with a disaster-plagued pack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you okay?\u201d I asked, breaking the cold quietness.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?,\u201d Draven jerked back to his senses. \u201cAh yes, I\u2019m fine. Just worried about the victims\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, you are doing the best you can to get them the help they need\u201d I patted his shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m sure they appreciate it. Take it easy on yourself\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:47 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 98\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciate that, Theo,\u201d Draven said, half-smiling at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s okay, these things happen. It\u2019s not anyone\u2019s fault that nature wanted to revolt against us\u201d I said, comforting him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are right, the moon goddess is strange, isn\u2019t she?\u201d Draven asked, glancing at me for a second.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded, but I couldn\u2019t get what he was hinting at. I decided not to probe into it and let him be.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know? When I took over as alpha years ago, I thought I would bring this pack to its peak in power and influence but I couldn\u2019t do anything tangible for it until now \u201d Draven\u2019s voice tinged with pain. \u201cBack then, we were able to do something for the people; housing, agricultural development toolsets, commercial and business loans, security but this was initiated and done by Kaia-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Draven uttered but the moment he realised he said Kaia\u2019s name, he stopped talking and looked away, watching the greenery as the car drove by.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe point is, now that we are officially allies, I don\u2019t have to keep any from you. This pack is important to me, it\u2019s the only thing I have a claim to. I want to make it grow stronger and bigger with this new alliance\u201d Draven said, and I nodded in agreement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even I want the best for the pack after all revenge is best served hot and sweet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Help them to their feet and kick them down viciously.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One thing about betrayal is that it hurts more when it comes from people you least expect it from.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m here to lend a helping hand, don\u2019t hesitate to ask for my help. Moreover, I stayed back for a reason, right?\u201d I said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTrue, I\u2019m so stupid\u201d Draven scolded him, looking away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just then, the driver came to a stop.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlphas, we are here\u201d He said, unclenching his seatbelt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked out the rolled-down window and saw the significant damage the flood had done to a large area of the\u00a0<\/p>\n
town.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was bad, I wonder how many people lost their lives to this disaster.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We got out of the car, with Draven leading the way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was his pack, he was familiar with the place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We had to walk a distance to get to the place as the flood had covered half of the road leading to the area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a twenty-minute walk, we finally arrived.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When we arrived at the flood site, the first thing that hit me was the smell of wet mud and the sound of people crying.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:47 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 98\u00a0<\/p>\n
The water had receded slightly, but the devastation was clear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Homes were ruined, belongings scattered, and the people were terrified.\u00a0<\/p>\n
42 61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some clung to each other, shaking, while others just sat on the ground, staring at nothing, their faces pale and wet with tears.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One woman, her clothes soaked through, ran to me, her little boy clinging to her leg.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha please,\u201d she knelt in front of me. \u201cEverything is gone, everything we owned is gone. My home, my child\u2019s toys, my memories. everything!\u201d Her voice broke, and she collapsed to her knees. The little boy buried his face in her shoulder, sobbing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped forward, trying to keep my own voice calm, though my chest felt tight seeing their despair.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be okay,\u201d I said, lowering myself to her level. \u201cWe\u2019re here now. We\u2019ll help you get back everything you lost. If we had to rebuild everything from scratch, we would do it. You\u2019re not alone, we are here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another man approached, dragging a soaked blanket around him, he must have been crying his eyes out as they were swollen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve lost everything. What are we supposed to do now, Alpha?\u201d His hands shook as he pointed to the ruins of what used to be his home.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I put a hand on his shoulder. \u201cYou start with what you have, and we\u2019ll handle the rest. Alpha Draven and I\u2014 we\u2019ll make sure you\u2019re safe, and that you have help to put things back together.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Draven moved beside me, his presence steady.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He knelt and spoke gently to a little girl who was clutching a broken doll.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll get your doll fixed, okay? And then we\u2019ll find you some new clothes, food, and everything you need. Just trust us, please.\u201d He said, pulling her close and hugging her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The girl sniffled and nodded, her tears still falling, but a little hope flickering in her eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could see more people gathering their scattered belongings, some screaming in frustration when they realised their furniture or keepsakes were ruined.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I motioned to Draven, and we organised groups to start clearing debris, rescuing items that could be salvaged.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWork together,\u201d I told them. \u201cHelp your neighbours. We are here to guide you, but don\u2019t give up on each other.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even though Draven was technically the pack leader for this region, I could feel him stepping back at times.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could understand his frustration. So, I did what I thought was right.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I took charge of helping the people gather courage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When one man broke down again, crying because a family heirloom was gone, I knelt beside him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:47 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 98\u00a0<\/p>\n
61\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know it hurts,\u201d I said softly. \u201cI know what it feels like to lose something that you hold dear to your heart but it\u2019s not the end of it all. We will help you get back everything that you lost in the flood. Who knows? We might find it once the debris is cleared up\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After much encouragement, the victims slowly began to respond, they realised wallowing in self-pity wouldn\u2019t help their situation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Soon, they joined the workers in carrying what they could, stacking broken items that might still be useful.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Others shared blankets and food with those too overwhelmed to move.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Draven and I moved through the crowd, offering hands, support, and a firm presence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We spent the next couple of hours working with the people and pack workers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I felt myself getting overly tired, I stopped working.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With mud streaking my face and my clothes soaked to the bone, I finally allowed myself to take a breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted to keep working to put a smile on the victims\u2019 faces but I know my heart better, getting overworked wasn\u2019t good for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I walked away from the site and went outside to catch my breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just then, I felt Draven come after me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at Draven, who gave me a tired but approving nod.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou handled this well,\u201d I said quietly. \u201cYou showed up for your people when they needed you the most. You are a good alpha\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He shook his head, his eyes scanning the crowd.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we handled this together. If you weren\u2019t here today, I would have been overwhelmed with everything happening here today. They\u2019re scared, but they\u2019re strong, and thanks to you, they are trying to get back on their feet. Thank you, Alpha Theo, I owe you one\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Draven might not be a good person but he was a good alpha.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He knew what it meant to be an alpha; Not just to command power but to show up and protect your people when everything seemed lost.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, in the evening it was time to return to the packhouse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When we returned, dinner was ready and plated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was very hungry and ate as much as my stomach could take without shame.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha Theo, your appetite has impeccably improved\u201d Liora teased, smiling at me cheekily,\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess working hard has its cons, right?\u201d I asked, sipping my wine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:47 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 98\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRight!\u201d She agreed, nodding. \u201cYou worked so hard today\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe really did,\u201d Draven chimed in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The couple kept chatting and buttering me up but I just wanted to eat and head to sleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I planned to return home tomorrow, so I need to wake up early.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After dinner, I was heading to my room when Draven stopped me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
61\u00a0<\/p>\n
EL 55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTheo,\u201d he called out and I stopped. \u201cI didn\u2019t get to thank you properly earlier. Thank you for what back there, it means a lot\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nothing to be grateful for. They are my people as well\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStill, thank you,\u201d Draven insisted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo problem,\u201d I muttered and headed to my room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I settled in bed and tried to call Kaia again, surprisingly it went through this time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHello blue eyes,\u201d I said, my excitement betraying me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI miss you, big wolf, so much\u201d Kaia said, and I smiled, my cheeks hurting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI miss you more, I will see you soon\u201d I said. \u201cGet some rest, alright? I love you\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you too, big bad wolf. I can\u2019t wait to have your tongue torturing me in many places\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou spoiled blue-eyed Luna, I\u2019m going to fulfil your wishes, you can bet on it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh you better do, otherwise. I won\u2019t let you sleep\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou got me so excited. I can\u2019t wait to come home to you, my love\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t wait to have you back here with me. Come soon, okay?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI will. I love you. Missed you so terribly\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI missed you terribly too\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
you\u00a0<\/p>\n
did\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 98 Chapter 98\u00a0 \u2013Theo\u2013\u00a0 I felt a sharp pain in my ribs.\u00a0 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-27343","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\/27343","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=27343"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27343\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}