Chapter 29
Chapter 29
–Theo–
I dragged the intruder to an empty room.
Furious that Kaia’s Alpha Acceptance ceremony was interrupted.
By the last person I wanted to see.
The door shut behind us
“Missed me?” she asked lightly, walking to pour herself a drink.
My expression didn’t shift. “What the hell are you doing here, Elara p>
My voice is cold. Unwelcoming.
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“You’ve changed,” she said, turning slowly. Her eyes drifted down my chest before meeting my eyes. “You never talked to me like that before. But then again, power looks good on you p>
I exhaled, steadying myself. “Why are you here, Elara p>
I was losing my patience.
She pouted slightly. “You sound so cold. I came to pay respects – and to see if your pack still had room for old friends p>
“You’re not my friend p>
Her smile sharpened. “That’s not what you said before.” She stepped closer, close enough for me to smell her perfume.
sweet. cloying. invasive.
“Tell me, Alpha… is it true? You’ve found yourself a new pet stray p>
My jaw flexed. “Watch your
words p>
“So touching,” She says,her voice dripping with mock empathy. “Really,Theo? I never thought I’d see you worrying about another woman”
My face froze, my expression hardening. “Mind your own damn business”
“Why? Because she’s special?” she purred, tilting her head. “You never did like the ones who challenged you. You like the broken ones you can fix p>
“Enough p>
Elara laughed. “You haven’t changed at all. Still pretending you don’t feel anything when you do p>
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Chapter 29
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I moved past her, toward the door. “You’re still a member of this pack, Elara. I won’t send you away without cause. But this ” I gestured between us “…whatever game you’re playing, ends now p>
Her smile faltered for just a breath, then returned sharper. “You can’t order me to forget what we were p>
I looked back, my voice soft but final. “There is no ‘we,’ Elara. Not anymore p>
She brushed her fingers along my arm as she walked past me.
“You can’t hide from what you feel, Theo. Not from me. Not from her.” She pointed to her heart.
I stood there, watching her leave the room.
Elara is the last person I wanted to see.
Her arrival not only interrupted something I’m trying to rebuild.
She reminded me of the reason why she left in the first place.
“Alpha p>
My quiet moment was interrupted by Zane.
“What’s going on?” I turned to look at him.
“Kaia….She’s waiting” Zane reports. “And the guests are returning to their homes now”
“Escort everyone out. We won’t be doing much anymore” I looked at my watch. “It’s quite late”
Zane noticed my unease.
“Are you sure,you’re okay,Theo?” He asked, worried.
Gritting my jaw, I asked. “Why didn’t you tell me Elara was returning p>
“I’m sorry,Theo,” he says. “Nobody told me she was coming. I would’ve stopped her”
“That’s alright” I sighed. “This is her pack too p>
“Elara is very stubborn, she won’t leave unless she wants to” Zane stated.
“I know. I don’t plan to make it easy for her” I frowned. “Either she leaves or I’ll make her”
I headed straight to Kaia’s chambers to check on her.
She must have been shocked by how everything turned out.
I didn’t mean to leave her alone.
Especially on a night like this.
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Chapter 29
When I got there, her door was closed.
Luckily.Maliya was stepping out of the room at that moment.
“Where is Kaia?” I asked, trying to peek in.
“Kaia..Lady Kaia” Maliya looked back. “She told he she was drowsy. She’s sleeping now”
“Sleeping?” I asked, shocked. “Kaia doesn’t sleep so early p>
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“I don’t know, Alpha,” Maliya replied. “Maybe she’s tired from the event earlier. Please let her rest”
“Stay with her” I instructed before leaving.
My mood was messed up by Elara’s arrival.
I returned to my room,feeling annoyed.
Getting there, I filled up a glass of liquid and dumped it down my throat.
The burning sensation filling my stomach.
I can feel my eyes getting piping hot red from everything.
The liquor. The anger.
The next morning.
My jaws tightened when I pushed open the double doors of the council chamber.
Elara was waiting for me.
She sat on the Luna’s throne as though it were built for her, one leg crossed, her silk gown flowing like a river.
A glass of wife in her hand, a faint smile playing on her lips.
“My, my,” she drawled, “our Alpha rises late these days. Or perhaps… he’s been distracted p>
My eyes flicked to her.
“You shouldn’t be sitting there, Elara,” I said. “That’s not your seat”
“Why not?,” she purred. “It’s just a seat. Moreover, nobody is occupying it right now Atleast”
My fists clenched. “You’re crossing your boundaries, Elara”
For some reason, seeing her on that seat makes my blood boil.
I didn’t mind a few months back.
What’s happening to me?
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Chapter 29
I calmed myself down. “Why are you here? You can’t be here”
“Why can’t I be here?” She stood up,walking to me. “We used to come here together before”
“That was before you decided you no longer wanted to be here” I retorted.
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“That’s not true.” Elara gestured to the seat opposite her. “Sit, dear. We need to talk about your… stray p>
I didn’t move. “Her name is Kaia p>
“Kaia. Oh that’s right” Elara scratched her head.
“Why would you want to talk about Kaia?” I asked. “She has nothing to do with you. Moreover,you’ve been gone for so long. Tell me,what do you want”
My chest clenched with anger.
Pain clouding my judgment of her.
Elara stood in front of me,her breath almost fanning my face.
When she turned, her smile was too familiar. The kind that used to melt my anger years ago.
“Theo,” she purred softly, “you look… tense. I hope that stray of yours isn’t giving you too much trouble p>
I didn’t answer.
Clearly, she’s testing the limit of my patience.
“Why are you back in Shadowclaw, Elara? Shouldn’t you be having the time of your life elsewhere p>
She sighed dramatically, circling me like a predator.
“Because this is still my home. Because I bled for this pack when you were too busy playing hero beyond its borders p>
“You left,” he said coldly. “And you don’t get to call this home anymore p>
Her laugh was low, bitter. “Left? You mean replaced.” She stepped closer, eyes glinting. “Tell me, Theo, does she even know? That you once promised me that your mark would be only mine p>
My jaw flexed. “That was before I realized what kind of woman you were p>
Elara tilted her head, feigning innocence. “And what kind is that p>
“A greedy woman who craves to stay in control p>
She took another step until her breath brushed my throat.
“Control? No, my dear Alpha. I just know you. Better than anyone ever will p>
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Chapter 29
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Her finger traced the scar on my jaw – a touch that once meant something. “You hide behind honor, but deep down… you crave someone who understands what you are. She doesn’t. I do p>
I caught her wrist, not gently this time. “You understand nothing about me p>
Her smile faltered, but only for a heartbeat.
Relax,Alpha” she chuckles. “You always had a thing for lost causes p>
“Don’t start,” I warned, moving past her.
She laughed, soft, taunting. “Oh, come on. I’m only saying what everyone’s thinking. You take in a broken little healer with no pack, no past, and expect us to believe it’s charity p>
I turned then, eyes sharp. “You’re crossing a line p>
Elara stepped closer, eyes gleaming. “I’m not crossing anything that wasn’t already mine once.” Her hand brushed my chest. slow, deliberate. “Remember that night in Dark Hollow? You told me no one could ever make you forget me p>
I caught her wrist before she could move higher. “And I was wrong p>
Her lips twitched. “Was that before or after she showed up? Tell me, Theo – does she even know what kind of man she’s fucking? How long before she runs when she realizes what you’ve done to stay Alpha p>
My jaw flexed. “You should leave p>
Elara tilted her head, eyes cold now. “You always did hate facing the truth p>
I stepped forward, towering, voice low. “And you always loved twisting it p>
I took her hand, dragging her to the door then I released her with a hard shove forward.
“Get out, Elara. And don’t show your face near Kaia ever p>
She paused at the door, eyes narrowing. “Be careful, Theo. Grrraw p>
My eyes caught the wine glass Elara left behind.
I stared at it for a long moment, then shattered it against the wall.
Breathing heavily, my throat inhaling sharply.
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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.