Chapter 32
Chapter 32
–Theo–
I hadn’t slept a wink.
Kaia’s quiet distance had eaten at me more than I cared to admit.
She’d barely met my eyes.
She wouldn’t even look at me more than a fleeting second.
The thoughts of her flooded my mind and I was forced to stay awake the entire night.
I had a meeting with the Lunar delegates.
After the meeting, I stayed back to conclude some matters with the council.
I’d just dismissed Zane when the door to the council room opened.
When Cara walked in
regal as always, her scent filled up the room.
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She never entered without an audience.
“Cara,” I said carefully. “You don’t usually come to meetings uninvited. What brings you to Shadowclaw all of a sudden p>
She smiled – soft, practiced, false. “I only come when the pack’s future is being… mishandled p>
She cast a glance to the council and took her seat
“What are you talking about, Cara?” I asked, feeling suffocated.
“Oh nothing for now” she smiled.
“Cara, you can’t be here” I say, clenching my fists.
“Of course I can. This is still my pack. Even though your father and I moved to a northern packhouse to live. We still have as much rights over the Shadowclaw Pack” Cara meticulously said, casting glances at the council.
The council murmured among themselves.
With a pretentious smile on her face, Cara said. “Carry on with your meeting. I came to see how things are being run after your father and I left. Nothing much”
My jaw.tightened. “If this is about —
“Alpha Theo, let’s continue the meeting” one of the councilors called my attention back.
The conference room is buzzing with murmurs while Cara sits back and watch.
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Chapter 32
She doesn’t say anything. Just her watchful eyes glued to me.
Everyone goes silent anytime she moves.
The meeting dragged on for an hour. We talked about a lot of things.
And finally, it came to an end.
“Gentlemen, that’s all for today” I said, trying to stand up.
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“Before we conclude,” Cara says, smoothing her blazer like she’s preparing for a photoshoot, “the king and I have one final matter p>
My jaw tightens. I already hates where this is going.
Cara is always up to no good.
Cara smiles that soft, calculated smile she uses when she’s about to manipulate the entire room.
“The king and I have noticed Theo’s… decline p>
A few heads shift. A few eyes widen. Turning to steal a few glance my way.
I feels heat crawl up his neck.
“In judgement. In strength. In stability. And we believe..” her gaze sweeps the table “this is due to the fact that he still has no Luna p>
My fingers curl on the table.
Cara continues, as if she’s announcing a charity event.
She folded her hands on the table, eyes gleaming.
“We’ve decided it would be in the pack’s best interest to appoint a Luna of proper birth. One with ties to strong allies p>
My eyes narrowed. “Appoint p>
Cara smiled wider. “Elara has returned at the perfect time. Her family’s influence still holds weight among our allies and she’s already proven loyal to this pack. The Council agrees she should be the chosen Luna p>
Silence fell.
For a second, I thought he’d misheard.
“Elara?” my voice dropped in disbelief. “You want me to make Elara my luna p>
Cara tilted her head. “It’s not personal, Theo. It’s for the good of the pack. We need strength not sentiment. You’ve always let your heart rule where your mind should lead p>
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Chapter 32
I leaned forward slowly, eyes sharp.
“My mind says this is wrong. My heart just confirms it p>
Cara’s smile faltered only for a moment.
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“Think carefully, son,” she said, standing. “The pack doesn’t need another scandal. Nor a Luna who divides it p>
“Im not making Elara my luna. No matter what anyone says” I fired back, seething.
Before I knew my councillors chipped in.
“Queen Cara is right. The pack’s strength will decline without a luna”
“And who can be a better Luna than Elara? She’s everything in one”
“I agree with you. Elara should be our Luna”
Cara stood up and walked to my face.
“We’ve decided that Elara would be the perfect Luna to support you. A stable force. Someone with history in the pack family… and someone capable of leading beside you”
I feel the oxygen punch out of mylungs.
Unable to speak.
I watched the council members agree with Cara, leaving me in a tight spot.
The room nods. Mutters rise. Someone even says, “It’s time to get a fitting Luna for the pack”
What a joke. I’m ruling just fine without a luna.
Cara beams like she was on top of the moon.
She’s up to no good. I’m sure.
Holding back, I say. “The meeting is adjourned. Please leave”
Everyone begins to leave.
As Cara was about to go out too, I drew her back.
“Wait, Cara” I growled. “You and I have some unfinished business to talk about”
“Oh, that’s new” Cara smirked, irritating me.
I storm in front of her the moment the room clears.
“Are you out of your mind?” I snapped.
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Chapter 32
Cara shuts the door calmly. “Lower your voice p>
“No. You blindsided me in front of my entire inner circle p>
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“I did what was necessary,” she says, stepping closer. “You’re losing grip, Theo. Everyone sees it. You’re unfocused. Irritable. Distracted p>
I grits his teeth. “I don’t need a Luna to run my pack p>
“Actually, you do. And you’re at the age where you should have had one long ago p>
She tilts her head, eyes narrowing.
“Or is this about that stray girl you’ve been sheltering p>
I freezes.
Cara watches me carefully-looking for weakness.
My jaw flexes, but I don’t answer.
“I thought as much,” she murmurs.
I inhales sharply. “This has nothing to do with Kaia p>
Cara laughs softly. “You didn’t deny it p>
I step closer, my voice low and furious:
“I am not naming Elara my Luna p>
Cara’s expression hardens; the sweetness on her face cracking.
“You don’t have a choice. It’s your duty, Theo p>
I turns my face away, muscles tight with rage, trying not to explode.
Cara taps my shoulder lightly as she walks past me.
“You’ll see reason soon enough p>
The moment Cara left.
I remained rooted standing there, I feel like I was getting trapped in the walls.
My pulse is a hammer in my ears.
My vision is sharp around the edges.
Elara? Luna? Over my dead body.
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Chapter 32
I wouldn’t make her my luna even if it’s the last thing I do.
I shove the conference room door open and walk fast down the hall, needing fresh air, space.
Anything that isn’t Cara’s voice echoing in my it head.
I turn the corner. And almost collides with Kaia.
She’s holding a towel around her neck, hair damp from training.
Her eyes lit up with confusion.
“Theo?” she says, blinking. “Are you- what happened p>
I swallow. Hard.
Because she looks at me like she actually cares.
what’s wrong?
Like she sees past the Alpha mask everyone else bows to.
And that almost undoes me.
I stepp back, forcing myself to breathe.
My voice comes out strained, lower than usual.
“Nothing,” I say. “Just… a meeting p>
Kaia tilts her head, reading me too easily.
“It doesn’t look like ‘nothing p>
Her concern punches straight through my chest.
I suddenly hate the idea of Elara more.
Hates that Kaia has no idea what people are planning.
Hates how much I wants her close.
Before I can stop myself, I say softly. “Kaia, can we talk p>
Her eyes widen slightly. Surprised, maybe hopeful.
She shifts the towel in her hands. “Now p>
I nod. “Yeah. Now p>
Kaia nods slowly. “Okay p>
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Chapter 32
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She turned as if to head toward the courtyard; the place she usually goes when she doesn’t want to be overheard.
But I stayed rooted for a second, staring at her back.
Because the image of her standing where Elara was supposed to stand…
The thought of Kaia being treated like anything less than worthy…
It twists something deep in me.
Kaia paused and looked over her shoulder.
“You coming?” she asks gently.
I exhales, tension bleeding out of me.
“Yeah,” I murmured. “I’m coming p>
I followed her.
The anger and frustration still burning under my ribs but the moment I started walking behind her, I feels grounded again.
Kaia always does that.
And I’m starting to realise I’m in more danger than I thought.
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Cedella
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’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.