Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 47

Natalia

I stared at the small glass bottle in my hand in shock. Andrei had pressed it into my palm with no audience this

time – no crowd to impress, no show to put on.

Maybe he wasn’t being as manipulative as I’d thought. Maybe-

No. I shoved the bottle into my pocket and finished helping Damon into the car. I couldn’t afford to think like that, not after everything that had happened. Andrei had chosen Lilith five years ago, and he had chosen her again tonight. Whatever momentary softness he showed me meant nothing compared to that.

“Are you sure you’re okay to drive?” Damon asked as I climbed into the driver’s seat.

“I’m fine. The wine wore off hours ago.” I started the engine and pulled out of the lot, eager to put as much distance as possible between us and that disaster of a hunt. “How are you feeling?”

“Like someone stuffed cotton in my head.” He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. “I can’t believe she drugged me.‘

“I can.” I clenched my jaw.

“Do you think Andrei had a part in it?”

I hesitated at that. “I’m… not sure,” I finally admitted. “Given his reaction, I don’t think so. But letting her go that and pretending she didn’t do it despite having the evidence laid out plain as day is just as bad.”

Damon scoffed. “He might as well have had a hand in the situation if he’s really willing to roll over and let her manipulate him like that.”

We drove in silence for a while, the dark forest flashing by outside. I kept glancing at Damon, watching for any signs that the wolfsbane was still affecting him. But aside from exhaustion, he seemed to be recovering well.

The hotel was a welcome sight after the long drive. I helped Damon up to our room, grateful that most of the other guests were asleep. The last thing we needed was more witnesses to add to the gossip mill.

“Shower, then bed,” I ordered, guiding him toward the bathroom. “The hot water will help flush out any remaining toxins.”

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While Damon showered, I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled out the ointment again. The glass was cool against my palm, the contents glowing faintly in the lamplight. I unscrewed the cap and dabbed a tiny amount on my finger, then carefully applied it to the wounds on my leg.

The relief was immediate. The angry throbbing that had plagued me despite the healer’s work faded to nothing, replaced by a pleasant coolness. I hated the thought of feeling grateful for Andrei, but at least the ointment was one good thing to come out of today.

The next morning came too soon. I woke to Damon shaking my shoulder, and when I opened my eyes, I saw Damon standing over the bed with a grim expression on his face.

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Chapter 47

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“We have a problem.”

I sat up, instantly alert. “What kind of problem?”

He handed me his phone. The screen showed a gossip blog popular among the regional packs, and my stomach dropped as I read the headline: “Ashmoor Luna’s Secret Forest Rendezvous with Brother–in–Law!”

Below were photos of Andrei and me at the feast, him feeding me meat. His hands on my leg as he tended my wounds. And worse, much worse, was a blurry shot from the forest that seemed to capture our kiss.

“Keep reading,” Damon said curtly.

I scrolled down to find an “eyewitness account” from someone claiming to have seen Andrei and me kissing in the woods. They described in heavy detail how he had pressed me against a tree, how I’d responded eagerly, how we’d only broken apart when we heard others approaching.

“This is bullshit,” I said, shoving the phone back at him. “We didn’t–I mean, he did succeed in kissing me against my will, but I pushed him away immediately.”

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