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140 He Chose Me
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2025-02-15 00:05:52
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Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   141 I Wonât Run
Adasha "PleaseâĶ" Kaiâs voice was low, roughened by an emotion he rarely let me seeâvulnerability. "Donât run from me." His hands tightened around mine, his warmth bleeding into my skin as if he could bind me to him through touch alone. "Not in some desperate attempt to protect me." His thumb brushed against my knuckles, slow and pleading. "Because if you doâĶ" His voice broke, his breath shallowâ"I will search for you, Adasha." His eyes burned into mine, fierce and unyielding. "I will find you." The rawness in his voiceâthe desperationâhit me square in the chest. "We are in this together. And thereâs no getting away from that. No getting away from us." His forehead dipped, his lips brushing my hair. "So, pleaseâ" His voice softened to a whisper, the ache in it unmistakableâ"let me carry this burden with you." His sighâlong, heavy, and full of a weariness he was trying to hideâbrushed warm against my skin. "I wanted to wait until after the summit to tell you." His fingers
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-02-15Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   142 Ready For The Summit
KaiTelling Adasha about her family was one of the hardest things I had ever done. The weight of it pressed against my chest, a quiet but insistent dread whispering that she might run.The fear was a shadow in my mind, relentless and unshakable. But I had to trust herâI had to believe in the promise she gave me.Locking her away with guards while I left for the summit would make me no better than Randy, and that thought alone made my stomach twist.She deserved more than that. She deserved freedom. I could only hope she would choose to stay.The day of my departure arrived too soon. As I adjusted the sleeves of my shirt, preparing to leave, I felt Adashaâs arms wrap around me from behind, her warmth pressing against my back.The morning had been passionate, filled with lingering touches and whispered words neither of us wanted to end.Breakfast had been good, but even as we sat together, I could sense the unspoken between usâthe quiet ache of impending separation.She was already missi
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-02-16Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   143 Where Your Loyalty Lies
Kai"We have set it all in motion," Darius said cryptically, his tone carrying the weight of the task I had entrusted to them.I gave a slow nod, my mind already moving past the confirmation and onto something more pressing.My gaze shifted to Magnus."Where does your loyalty lie?" I asked, my voice steady but edged with an unspoken warning.Magnus frowned, clearly caught off guard by the question.A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face before he straightened, standing astride like the soldier he was trained to be."With you, Alpha," he replied, his voice firm, unwavering.I chuckled, but there was no humor in itâjust the hollow sound of disbelief."Is that so?" I tilted my head slightly. "Because it didnât seem that way when I ordered Laura to be locked up, yet you left your superiors to handle the task."I took a measured step toward him, my eyes narrowing."Not only that, Magnusâyou went as far as sympathizing with her right in front of me.That makes me wonderâĶ If it ev
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-02-16Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   144 I am Loyal
Kai"I never gave away classified information. I swear on my wolf, Alpha," Magnus insisted, his voice unwavering, his desperation palpable."I have been loyal. I am not an informant or a traitor. You can have me investigated if you must."I studied him carefully, listening not just to his words but to the sincerity in his voice.He believed what he was saying. He wanted to believe it. And yetâĶ my aunt wasnât lying either."So telling Ingrid how we found Adasha in the woods and locked her upâthat wasnât classified information?" I asked, my voice sharp as a blade.Magnus froze, his expression shifting from defensiveness to raw shock. He hadn't expected that."Did I authorise you to share that with anyone?" I continued, stepping closer, my presence looming."Did it not occur to you that if she wanted to know, she should have come to me? Instead, you volunteered that information. You handed it to her on a silver platter."Silence. He couldnât deny it."By doing that, you placed her above
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-02-16Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   145 Arriving At The Summit
KaiWe finally arrived in Bridewood County, the tension in my chest tightening as we approached the venue.But the moment I stepped out, I realized Abraham had turned this into a spectacle.A grand one.Red carpets stretched out, cameras flashed, and alphas paraded in with their Lunas orâwell, their mistresses.It was hard to tell the difference sometimes. The whole scene had the air of a gala rather than a serious gathering.I was one of the few who arrived with just my officers. And Randy, of courseâhe came with his Beta and Gamma, no one else.A stark contrast to Draco, who had brought his sister along with his officers.It felt like we were walking into a lavish party instead of a summit meant for governance and strategy.Sure, there would be wine, food, and dancingâbut there would also be speeches, debates, and decisions that could shape the future of our kind.Somehow, the importance of that seemed lost on most.Not that I blamed them.The summit was one of the rare events where
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-02-17Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   146 A Subtle Warning
Kai Draco walked away, leaving me with Gabriel, who remained silently at my side like the ever-present shadow he was. Then, from the corner of my eye, I spotted Edmond BruceâVice Chairman of the council and an old friendâmaking his way toward me. "Alpha Malachi, good to see you," he greeted warmly, extending his hand. I clasped it firmly, nodding. Edmondâs presence here wasnât surprising, though he wasnât part of the Nine. His family didnât hold that kind of power, but his influence was undeniable. "Were you thinking I wouldnât come?" I asked, arching a brow. He chuckled. "You donât always show up for these things. And when you do, you tend to break in and out as you please." I smirked, because he wasnât wrong. As we spoke, his gaze flickered nervously to Gabriel, as if unsure whether he should be privy to our conversation. The sight nearly made me laugh. Gabriel and Darius had that effect on peopleâsilent, observant, and always carrying an air of restrained dan
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-02-17Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   147 Good News?
KaiI forced myself to remain composed, watching as my aunt strode into the venue, her head held high, exuding confidence. Pride laced her every step, her broad smile sweeping across the room as if she owned it.Then her gaze met mine.But there was no time for questionsâno time for confrontations. The ushers were already directing us to our seats, forcing me to momentarily push my frustration aside.And then I saw it.Not only had my section been arranged to include the Westwoods, but Ingrid was seated with us as well.Abraham had invited her as an Alpha.I clenched my jaw, irritation simmering beneath my skin. This was more than just coincidenceâthis was intentional."Ingrid," Austin greeted smoothly, a smile curling on his lips as he stood to pull out her chair for her.She returned the gesture with an easy smile, sliding into her seat like she belonged there.Tamara, however, wasnât nearly as pleased. Though she masked it well, I saw the tension in her shoulders, the subtle tightn
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-02-18Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   148 Friends Or Foes
KaiIngrid was simmering. I could see it in the way her shoulders tensed, the way her hands curled into fists at her sides. But more than that, I could see something elseâsomething deeper.She was hurt.And she had more to say."I stood by the three of you through everything," she said, her voice sharp with emotion. "I was always looking out for Laura, always prioritizing her best interests. And in doing so, I made an enemy of my own nephew."Her voice cracked slightly, but she pushed through, her eyes burning with frustration."He is my only family, and because of you, we werenât even on speaking terms." She gestured toward me briefly."He doesnât trust me anymore. Do you have any idea what thatâs like?"Tamara and Austin remained silent, their expressions unreadable, but I could feel the weight of Ingridâs words pressing down on them."I sat in your corner during the last summon like the perfect picture of a treacherous bitch," she spat, her voice shaking with fury. "Do you think I
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-02-18
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Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   Your Input Is Needed
I'm so glad you all enjoyed this story! ð As an adventurous writer, I'm excited to try something newâand Iâd love your input! âĻ I have two stories in the works, but I can only write one at a time: Vampire Book A WEREWOLF BOOK These stories donât follow the usual popular tropes, but I truly believe youâll enjoy them just as much (if not more!). Please let me know which one you'd love to read first. Your feedback means everything to me! ðïļððŽ
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   246 Happy Birthday, Redwolfs
AdashaThe sun was already high when the first cars pulled up the drive, tires crunching against the gravel.I stood near the front steps, Michelle balanced on my hip, Ethan clinging to Kaiâs hand beside me.The soft hum of laughter and voices rolled in from the yard where balloons bobbed in the breeze and long tables were set with food, drinks, and gifts wrapped in all colors of the rainbow.One by one, they stepped out of the vehiclesâand my heart swelled with something I couldnât quite name. Gratitude, maybe. Or just the deep, overwhelming warmth of seeing people you love all in one place, safe and smiling.Randy was the first to appear, looking more relaxed than Iâd ever seen him.Olivia walked beside him, glowing in a flowing dress that barely disguised her growing belly. He had one hand protectively resting on her lower back, the other carrying a stuffed bear nearly the size of Ethan.âDonât say anything,â Randy said with a mock glare as he saw me smirking.âI wasnât going to say
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   245 Two Years Later
AdashaTwo Years LaterThe war with Tamara and Edmond felt like a lifetime ago.Now, the only battles Kai and I fought were over who had diaper duty or who could make the twins laugh harder.Our twins were turning one, and the house buzzed with energy as we prepared for their birthday celebration.Weâd been wrapped in a bubble the past yearâbusy, blessed, and exhausted. Life had shifted. Priorities changed. And in that quiet, weâd drifted from everyone we once fought beside.This party was more than just a celebration for the twins. It was a reunion. A chance to gather everyone who meant something to us. To laugh. To remember. To feel like a family again.So much had changed.Randy had ended up fated to OliviaâUncle Jamesâ daughter.They were mated now, and from what I heard, completely inseparable.They were expecting their first child, and I couldnât wait to meet the little one when the time came.Randy had softened, grown into himself, and it showed. I was genuinely happy for him.
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   244 I Accept
RandyâWell, are you just going to stand there?â Her voice snapped me out of the trance.I blinked. She was staring right at me, arms crossed, like Iâd kept her waiting too long.âIâĶ I thought you wereâ I was justââ I stammered, completely unprepared.She laughed. Soft, amused, but laced with something that curled in my gut.âNow that my familyâs free, you thought Iâd leave?â she asked, eyes locked on mine like she was reading every thought Iâd tried to bury.I couldnât answer. Because yeahâĶ part of me had.She saw it. Smirked. And then, without a word, grabbed my hand and pulled me into the room.Before I knew it, I was sitting on the edge of her bed, heart pounding like Iâd just run ten miles.She stood in front of me, the wickedest smile tugging at her lips. Then she slid the sheer robe from her shoulders and let it fall.I forgot how to breathe.The lingerie underneath was designed to kill. Lace. Skin. Confidence. Everything about her said mine, and she wasnât asking for permissio
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   243 Homecoming
RandyI didnât stick around in Bridewood after the council hearing. There was no point. My business wasnât hereâit was back home.And after everything weâd seen, everything weâd nearly lost, I wasnât about to waste another second.The universe had given us a rare gift: survival. A second chance. That kind of mercy doesnât come often, and it sure as hell doesnât come twice.I had someone waiting for me. A sharp-tongued, stubborn woman who challenged me at every turn and still somehow made my world make sense. Olivia.Sheâd crashed into my life like a storm, and Iâd spent too long pretending I didnât want to get caught in it.No more second-guessing. No more keeping her at armâs length because I thought it was the ârightâ thing to do.I was done holding back.Adasha was smiling again.That look in her eyesâthat lightâI hadnât seen it in years. And if she could forgive me, then maybe it was time I started forgiving myself too.So we packed up. Jacob, Thompson, and I hit the road back to
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   242 A Fight For Balance
Kai"So what are you trying to suggest, Alpha Bouras, Alpha Olsen?" William asked.Draco didnât blink. âI say we abolish the law against the Moonchildsâand give them a seat among the Twelve. Itâs rightfully theirs.âThe room froze. Then exploded.Voices rose like a storm, clashing over one another. Some shouted in disbelief, others in anger. No one talked about making the Twelve into Thirteen. That was the part that made them really uncomfortable.Draco stood steady, calm in the storm.He didn't care.And neither did Randy.âI strongly support Alpha Bouras,â Randy said, rising to his feet. âWhen Edmond crossed the line, it wasnât the Twelve that stopped him. It was a Moonchild. When everyone else fell, she stood. Itâs time we stop punishing a bloodline and start honouring it. This is what justice looks like.âThe murmuring dropped, volume shifting as some heads nodded reluctantly.I stood next.And I didnât sugarcoat it.âI agree,â I said. âI donât care what anyone in this room thinks
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   241  The Sentencing
KaiIt explained everything.Adashaâs blood would have completed the serum. Stabilised Edmondâs mutation. Kept his eyes from bleeding, his mind from fracturing, his body from falling apart.Without it, he looked like something from a nightmareâa shell of a man, straining to contain power not meant for him.But what I still didnât understand was why. Why go this far?Why betray the very council he sat on? His family had power. He had influence.So why?And still, Edmond refused to speak. Sat silent in his silver cage, eyes dull with defeat. Or delusion.Tamara wasnât much betterâexcept she wouldnât stop crying.But not for her victims.Not for her daughter.Not even for the madness she helped unleash.No.She kept looking at Austin, pleading, weeping like the betrayal hadnât even happened.âI never cheated on you, Austin,â she said, loud enough for the entire hall to hear. âI justâĶ I wanted more for us. For our daughter. The Redwolfs were going to cheat our family. I couldnât stand by
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   240 Still In The Hall
Kai"You have a big heart, Malachi," Abraham said, his voice low but warm.It pulled me back from watching Adasha and Austinâthe quiet reconciliation unfolding in a single conversation.I gave him a faint smile. âA foolish one, too.âHe shook his head. âNo. You acted based on what you had. I must say, you three are wise. I had no proofâonly suspicion. And yet you gave me the benefit of the doubt.âHe looked around the council hall, his expression sobering.âItâs all in the past now,â he added. âAnd know thisâI bear no grudge.âI nodded, and for once, I felt the weight ease a little.Thatâs when the room shifted.The side doors opened, and Gregory walked in, flanking a man I didnât need to be introduced to.Tall, weathered, lean from hardship but still standing with dignity.The resemblance to Gregory was uncanny. But it was the eyes that told me who he truly was.James Moonchild.Adashaâs uncle.Michelleâs brother.One of the most hunted, most whispered-about survivors in our entire w
Trapped In The Alpha's Shadow   239 The Next Big Moment
KaiWe talked over the final details of our trip to the council, and thatâs when I learned Austin had insisted on joining usâeven though he hadnât fully recovered.But I understood.He needed to be there.Not just as a witness, but as a man with something to put right. His presence was required, and maybeâĶ so was his redemption.As for Lauraâshe was out of danger, physicallyâbut her path was clearer than ever.She would be returning to Rivercreek.Did Tamara ever tell her the real plan? Or was she just another pawn? Another disposable piece to be sacrificed for her motherâs social climb?I couldnât say.And maybe it didnât matter.I didnât feel sorry for her.I hoped sheâd be better. That sheâd choose better. But deep down, I knew Iâd dodged a bullet.If fate hadnât intervenedâif Adasha hadnât come into my lifeâI couldâve ended up just like Austin. Bound to someone who wore the name but none of the heart.There was no way Laura didnât carry some of Tamaraâs venom. It was in the way sh
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