Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 56

The drive to the border was unbearably silent. Damon’s fingers clenched the steering wheel with a tension that was almost visible, his jaw set so rigidly that I could tell he was holding back something fierce. This was the same tight expression he’d worn far too often over the past few days.

Ever since I had refused his proposal to turn our pretend marriage into a real one, the strain between us had only deepened. Yet, we were both adults, well aware of the necessity to maintain appearances. Outwardly, we still played the part of a happy, smiling couple. No one passing by would have guessed that beneath the surface, the distance between us was stretching thin, like a taut string ready to snap.

At last, the border between our territories appeared ahead—a modest clearing where the dense forest gave way to open space. Andrei was already waiting, leaning casually against his sleek black car, arms crossed over his chest. His Beta and two warriors stood nearby, alert and watchful.

A knot tightened in my stomach as we pulled up. This was the first time I’d see Andrei since we’d signed the alliance, and uncertainty churned inside me. Would he greet me with cold professionalism? Would he be aggressive, or worse, try to isolate me again, using his body to manipulate me into revealing secrets?

Damon gave me a curt nod as he parked the car. I returned the gesture with a small, tentative smile, hoping to soften the atmosphere. To my surprise, it seemed to have some effect; Damon’s rigid posture eased just a bit. I took a deep breath as we stepped out into the morning air.

The chill was sharp but refreshing, and a thin mist clung to the trees, muting the colors and wrapping the forest in a gentle, damp embrace. Andrei pushed off his car and straightened, his gaze immediately locking onto me. I instantly wished I had worn something warmer—the light jacket I’d chosen did little to stave off the goosebumps prickling my skin under his intense green eyes.

“Damon. Natalia,” Andrei greeted us, nodding to each of us with a carefully neutral expression. “Right on time.”

“Let’s get started,” Damon said briskly, shifting into business mode. “I brought maps of the shared territory. We need to set patrol routes, schedule rotations, and pinpoint any vulnerable areas.”

Andrei nodded in agreement, and we spread the maps across the hood of his car. I welcomed the distraction; focusing on the maps helped me push away the awareness of how close Andrei stood, close enough that I could almost catch his scent.

Stop it, I told myself firmly. Concentrate.

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