Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 21

I frowned. “Why didn’t you mention it sooner?”

“Because I wasn’t planning on going.” He passed me the folder. “But now I think you should.”

I opened it.

Maps. Lists. Names. Schedules.

“I’m not stepping into a summit pretending to be your Luna,” I said quietly.

“You wouldn’t be pretending.” His tone was gentle. “They already assume you are. And you’re the one they trust more than me.”

“That’s not true.‘

“It is. You’re the reason we’ve held this pack together. You’re the one they listen to.”

I rubbed my temples. “You know who might show up at these things.”

He didn’t flinch. “Andrei.”

I nodded.

Damon leaned forward. “He’s the Alpha of a major territory. But this isn’t a high–level summit. It’s minor diplomacy. He wouldn’t waste his time.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I could use your help,” he said. “And you’ve been tucked away for years, raising your children. It wouldn’t hurt to get out for a while.”

I didn’t respond.

He sat back. “Think about it.”

***

The next morning, Max found me folding laundry while Jane played nearby with a stuffed fox. Damon always reminded me that the Omegas could do menial tasks like this for me, but I found the activity to be zen–like and calming. It was when I did my best thinking.

“Mom,” he said quietly.

I glanced up. “Yeah?”

“Are we really going to the big wolf party?”

“No,” I said. “We are not.”

“But Jane said-”

Chapter

“Jane says a lot of things.”

He hesitated. “I want to go too.”

“You can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s a meeting for Alphas and Lunas. Not for children. And anyway, I’m not going, why would you think you get to go?”

I bopped him on the end of the nose with my finger.

He stood up straight, thrust his chin in the air. “Because I’m going to be an Alpha someday.

He looked so much like Andrei in that moment, it brought tears to my eyes. I had to shake my head to clear it.

“Well, little Alpha,” I said, smiling at him. “You’re still not going.”

I handed him a basket of perfectly folded shirts. “Now go put these away.

***

“I’d like you to reconsider going to the meeting at Green Ridge,” Damon said from behind me.

I didn’t turn around. The late afternoon light stretched long shadows across the study floor, and I focused on the subtle patterns in the rug instead of answering right away.

“You already have lieutenants who can represent you,” I said.

“I don’t need a lieutenant,” he replied. “I need you.‘”

I turned, slowly. “You mean you need Mira.”

His gaze held mine. “I need the woman who’s held this pack together from behind the scenes for the last five years. The one who negotiates better than half the Alphas at that table. The one who’s already earned their respect

even if she doesn’t want to admit it.”

I shook my head. “You’re asking me to put myself on display.”

“No,” Damon said. “I’m asking you to take your place.”

“Andrei could be there.”

“He won’t be,” he said evenly. “This isn’t a high–profile summit. Green Ridge is small, local. It’s meant for building cross–border trade, not political posturing. I already told you that.”

I looked away again. “It’s not just about safety.”

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