The Apocalyptic Queen's Werewolf Journey (Thora and Darius) novel Chapter 29

**Shadows Hearts by Joseph King**
**Chapter 29: You Shouldn’t Attend the Party**

Felix stepped through the door, his presence met with an almost rehearsed warmth. “Felix, you’re back! Come have dinner with us,” Laurel called out, her tone dripping with a saccharine sweetness that barely masked her true feelings.

Hazel, ever the dutiful daughter, added in a chirpy voice, “Felix, sit down! I was just asking Mom why you weren’t home yet.”

It was painfully clear that the dynamics between Felix and the rest of the Greens were fraught with tension, a rift that could be traced back to Norman’s rigid expectations.

Norman was a man of the old guard, steeped in the traditions of military life. He held a near-fanatical reverence for the Greens’ identity as a military family, where ranks and honors were not just accolades but the very essence of their existence.

Since Marlon’s retirement, the family had lost its once-proud standing. With no one left to carry the torch of their legacy, the Greens had seen their influence wane. Norman himself had only achieved the rank of colonel, and with that limitation, the family’s status had begun to crumble. The Silverleaf Pack, too, found itself slipping down the ranks, further compounding Norman’s frustration.

In his eyes, the weight of the family’s legacy rested squarely on the shoulders of a man. Only a male heir could restore the Greens to their former glory, and Norman had pinned all his hopes on Felix.

Despite Felix’s mixed heritage, Norman poured resources and attention into him, far more than he ever did for Hazel, who was of pure blood. This favoritism was a source of resentment for both Laurel and Hazel, forcing them to play the part of supportive family members, even when their hearts brimmed with disdain.

Laurel had always yearned for a son, a dream that had eluded her grasp.

Thora, however, was not invited to join the table, prompting her to drag over a chair and settle in as if she belonged there. Felix observed her with a mix of amusement and empathy, following her lead and taking a seat with a smile that masked his own discomfort.

Setting her utensils down with a definitive clink, Laurel wasted no time getting to the heart of the matter. “By the way, there’s a party this weekend. All the top pack representatives in Starlance City will be there—including the Greens. Your father will be back for it, too.”

Starlance City, the beating heart of the Astralis Empire, loomed large in their minds, a symbol of power and prestige.

As she spoke, Laurel’s gaze bore into Thora with barely concealed contempt as the girl ate, her thoughts dripping with disdain. *Mixed-bloods simply lack the refinement and decorum that we expect.*

“You all need to prepare for the party. We cannot afford to embarrass the Greens,” she continued, her voice laced with a thinly veiled threat.

Then, with a chilling laugh, she turned her attention to Thora. “Honestly, you shouldn’t even bother coming. You have a knack for turning the Greens into a laughingstock. It’s just so humiliating.”

Felix frowned, irritation bubbling beneath the surface.

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