The Apocalyptic Queen's Werewolf Journey (Thora and Darius) novel Chapter 38

**Shadows Hearts by Joseph King**
**Chapter 38: Felix’s Shield**

**Thora’s POV:**

Crack!

The sharp sound of a slap reverberated through the vast expanse of the hall, a stark interruption to the tense atmosphere that hung in the air like a storm cloud.

I stood there, my eyes wide with disbelief, as Felix stepped in front of me, intercepting the wolf-fueled blow that was meant for me. I had never anticipated that he would actually put himself in harm’s way for my sake.

“Felix?” Norman’s voice was laced with shock, his anger palpable. He quickly retracted his hand, his face contorting with fury as he demanded, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Felix met his father’s gaze with a chilling calmness that belied the chaos around us. “Dad, you shouldn’t hit Thora.” His voice was steady, unwavering.

“I’m her father! If I say she deserves it, then she does. Now, get out of my way!” Norman’s tone was authoritative, filled with a rage that felt suffocating.

Laurel, ever the peacemaker, tried to intervene. “Felix, you can’t defy your father like this. You never used to talk back. Did you learn this from Thora? You’re still so young. You can’t let her corrupt you.” Her words dripped with concern, but they felt more like a cage than guidance.

Felix shot her a frosty look, his resolve hardening as he reached out to draw me closer to him.

Once we were safely ensconced in my room, the echoes of Norman’s furious roar still resonated in my ears, despite the villa’s impressive soundproofing. My enhanced hearing, a skill honed during the apocalypse, picked up every word, every inflection of his rage.

“This is outrageous! First one, then the other, both going against me!”

“Thora must have corrupted Felix! Honey, she’s not even officially the heiress yet, and she already dares to openly defy you. If she actually inherits Silverleaf Pack, won’t she kick us all out?”

“She wouldn’t dare! But you’re right. Thora’s rebellious by nature. I have to find a way to take the inheritance rights back from her!”

Their words were like a distant storm, threatening but ultimately irrelevant to me. Even if they plotted to strip me of my rights, they needed the power to do so first, and I was not about to let them take that from me without a fight.

What truly astonished me was Felix’s unexpected bravery.

“Why did you take that slap for me?” I asked, my voice steady, though my heart raced with a mix of gratitude and confusion.

Felix found a spot on my bed, his posture proud yet stubborn, as if he had just accomplished a great feat. “It’s not like I did it on purpose…” His words trailed off, the bravado fading slightly.

“If I had dared to stand there, I could guarantee he wouldn’t have hurt me,” I replied calmly, my mind racing with the implications of his actions. “But you shouldn’t have rushed out like that. It only causes unnecessary trouble for both of us.”

Felix looked at me, his expression a mixture of disbelief and confusion, as if my words were foreign to him.

In the past, I had always discouraged impulsive actions among my subordinates; it was a sure path to failure.

Felix’s behavior felt entirely unnecessary to me. Instead of protecting me, he had merely taken a blow that could have been avoided.

Noticing the angry red mark swelling on his cheek, I moved to the cabinet to retrieve the first aid kit.

“Thora.”

“What is it?” I responded, focusing on my task.

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