Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 118

Over the next several days, preparations for the festival consumed my time. I met with local food vendors, coordinated with the wineries, and helped mark out the event grounds. The work was a welcome distraction from the emptiness of the house without the twins.

I didn’t see Andrei much during this time, which meant I didn’t need to take the contraceptive as often. I felt much better when I wasn’t taking it–stronger, more clear–headed. But whenever I knew I’d be around him, I made sure to take a dose, just to be safe.

The contraceptive was a double–edged sword. On one hand, it dampened my physical desire for Andrei to manageable levels. On the other, it left me feeling hollow, as if some vital part of me had been scooped out.

Onyx was unusually quiet when the herbs were in my system, and I couldn’t help but worry about the healer’s warning.

I kept reminding myself that it was for the best. And I was doing this for the twins. For their safety.

But every time I took that spoonful of herbs, I felt a little less like myself. A little more numb. It didn’t help any that I missed the twins more fiercely by the day, and our video calls weren’t getting any better. Max was still refusing to speak to me, and Jane had started following his lead.

Grace kept telling me that they would come around, but what if they didn’t? What if they grew to resent me for sending them away? What if this separation damaged our relationship permanently?

I didn’t even want to hold onto that thought for fear of it becoming a reality.

By the time the day of the festival arrived, my nerves were frayed to breaking point. I hadn’t slept properly in days, torn between missing my children and worrying about Andrei discovering the truth.

As if that wasn’t enough, my wolf was growing more desperate by the hour. The pull of the full moon had amplified her desires. I would have to take a double dose of the contraceptive today, just to be safe.

Taking a deep breath, I uncorked the vial of contraceptive and poured a spoonful into a glass of water.

“Don’t,” Onyx whimpered. “Please, don’t do this again.”

“We have to,” I insisted. “The full moon makes everything worse. We can’t take any chances.”

“You’re killing me. A little bit each time.”

I hesitated with the glass halfway to my lips. Was this really the right choice? I’d only taken the contraceptive a few times so far, carefully spacing out the doses as the healer had warned.

But I’d need to take it twice today–once now, and once just before moonrise–to get through the festival safely.

“Two doses in one day won’t hurt,” I assured her. “Not permanently. And it’s just this once.”

“You promise you won’t do it again after today?”

My fingers tightened around the glass. I couldn’t promise that. Couldn’t promise much of anything lately.

Without answering, I drank the mixture in one gulp, grimacing at the bitter taste. The effect was almost immediate. Onyx’s presence instantly retreated into slumber, leaving me feeling strangely empty and cold. My

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Chapter 18

senses felt duller, and the exhaustion would set in soon.

But anything was better than giving in to temptation tonight.

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