The Apocalyptic Queen's Werewolf Journey (Thora and Darius) novel Chapter 36

**Shadows Hearts by Joseph King**
**Chapter 36: Back from the Dead**

**Thora’s POV:**

As Felix and I navigated the familiar streets on our way home, a heavy sigh escaped my lips, a sound of frustration that seemed to echo in the quiet of the car.

“Felix,” I began, my voice laced with incredulity, “was Grandpa really that blind back in the day? How else could he have orchestrated a marriage between me and someone as petty and small-minded as Caleb? The only thing he knows how to do is throw tantrums like a child.”

In a world turned upside down, where survival was a daily struggle, I often imagined what I would do if I were faced with Caleb in a more dire situation. If this were the apocalypse, I would have dealt with someone like him long before now—he would have been nothing more than a distant memory, a ghost of my past.

The thought of meeting with Marlon loomed over me, urgent and unavoidable. Even if Caleb had no intention of breaking off our engagement, I knew I had to take matters into my own hands and dismantle this ridiculous arrangement myself.

Felix’s voice broke through my thoughts, cautious and hesitant. “Thora, are you still considering going through with the engagement to Caleb? I mean, he and Hazel…”

I cut him off, my irritation flaring. “Whatever’s happening between them is none of my concern.”

The original Thora had been infatuated with Caleb, her heart a captive of his charm. But I was a different person now; all I felt for him was a deep-seated disgust. I would celebrate if he and Hazel were to be locked in their own little world together, far away from me.

“Grrrr…”

Suddenly, a strange noise broke the silence, a sound that made me glance at Felix through the rearview mirror. “Hungry?” I asked, an eyebrow raised.

He nodded, a sheepish look crossing his face.

Up ahead, I spotted a burger joint. Memories flooded back—Felix had always raved about their shrimp burgers. I pulled over, turning to him. “Wait here. I’ll go grab something.”

“Okay,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

After I had placed my order and was waiting for the food, an unsettling scent wafted through the air, sharp and metallic. Blood. I looked up and saw a man and woman rushing out of the fast-food restaurant, their hands clutching bags of food.

But it wasn’t just the food that caught my attention; the bulges at their waists, along with the glint of metal peeking out from beneath their clothing, unmistakably hinted at firearms. I had seen that outline far too many times in the chaos of the apocalypse.

In the Astralis Empire, while gun ownership was legal, the rules were strict—only police and those with concealed carry permits could openly bear arms in public. But I wasn’t about to make a scene over two strangers. My instincts kicked in, and I chose to ignore them, turning back toward the car with the food in hand.

But then I heard it—Felix’s voice, raised and filled with irritation. “Get lost!”

My heart raced as I hurried over, fearing he had found himself in trouble once again. “What’s going on?” I demanded, my eyes scanning the scene.

To my surprise, I found two scruffy homeless individuals clinging desperately to Felix’s legs, their faces drawn and pleading. “Sir, please, we’re in dire need. You can afford a fancy sports car like this—surely you can spare a little change.”

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