Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 66

**He Knows the Door to My Soul**

**Chapter 66**

**Natalia**

“We really don’t have to go, you know,” Damon said, his expression serious as he met my gaze. “You’ve been through a lot lately. If this feels overwhelming—”

I interrupted him, shaking my head firmly. “No. We should go.” The prospect of returning to the house that had once been my sanctuary, the grand mansion I had envisioned as my forever home, filled me not with excitement, but with a heavy dread. Not after all that had transpired.

Yet, the alliance we were forging was still in its infancy, fragile and tentative, and maintaining appearances was crucial.

“I committed to this when I suggested the alliance,” I reminded him, tossing the glossy invitation onto the kitchen counter with a flick of my wrist. “This is how we secure our future—and the twins’. By showing unity and playing nice.”

Damon’s brow furrowed, and I could see the internal conflict warring within him. He hesitated, his skepticism evident, but ultimately, he nodded. “Very well. We’ll go. But if anything strange happens, like at the hunt, we’re out of there immediately.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I replied, giving his shoulder a reassuring pat as I brushed past him. “Now, if you’ll excuse me… I’m utterly exhausted and in desperate need of a shower after today.”

With that, I retreated to my bedroom, and by the following morning, we had sent our acceptance.

As the days ticked by, I found myself increasingly anxious about returning to Moonshadow. The pack house that had once been a source of comfort now felt like a cage. It was the very place where Andrei and Lilith had conspired against me, and where my ex-husband still wielded power.

The morning of the banquet arrived, and I woke before dawn. The sun was just beginning to peek through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. I stretched, mentally bracing myself for the evening that lay ahead.

That’s when I spotted it—a large white box perched on the armchair by the window. A frown creased my forehead; it hadn’t been there when I went to bed.

Curiosity piqued, I slipped out from the covers and padded across the wooden floor, the coolness of the boards sending a shiver up my spine. The box was elegantly wrapped, tied with a silky ribbon, and bore no note or card. With trembling fingers, I untied the ribbon and lifted the lid.

My breath caught in my throat as I beheld the contents.

Inside was perhaps the most exquisite gown I had ever laid eyes on. The deep emerald green fabric reminded me of pine needles glistening with dew in winter, adorned with delicate silver embroidery along the sweetheart neckline and hem. The luxurious silk felt rich and soft against my fingertips, a clear indication of its high price tag.

I lifted the gown from the box, holding it up to the light, and couldn’t help but marvel at its beauty. It was elegant without being flashy, the kind of dress that would make a statement without demanding attention. I could already envision how it would hug my curves perfectly.

Damon must have chosen this for me. The thought brought a smile to my lips. Despite the tension that had recently brewed between us, he still cared enough to ensure I looked and felt my best for this daunting evening.

I gently laid the dress across the bed and headed to the shower, my mood significantly brighter than it had been the night before.

As I scrubbed, shaved, and shampooed, an idea blossomed in my mind: I should do something special to thank him—perhaps prepare a lovely dinner for us and the twins.

A semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos, a simple family dinner… That would be a lovely treat for all of us, I decided.

After my shower, I spent some quality time with the twins, helping them with breakfast while Grace tidied up the kitchen. Max was particularly curious that morning, bombarding me with questions that ranged from why the sky was blue to whether wolves could indulge in ice cream.

“Mommy, are you and Daddy going somewhere tonight?” Jane asked, syrup dribbling down her chin as she took a big bite of her waffle.

“Yes, sweetheart. We have to attend a dinner with some other adults,” I explained, wiping the sticky syrup from her face with a napkin. “Grace will be here with you.”

The twins exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions shifting. “We can’t come?” Jane whimpered, her lower lip quivering as if she were on the verge of tears.

My heart ached as I brushed a stray hair from her syrup-sticky face. “No, darling. It’s for adults only.”

“You’ve been saying that a lot lately,” Max muttered, his fork stabbing a piece of waffle with perhaps more force than necessary.

Yes, I had been. And I knew it wouldn’t change anytime soon. “You’ll both understand when you’re older,” I replied gently.

“But Mommy—”

“No ‘buts,’ little man.” I ruffled Max’s dark curls, so reminiscent of his father’s, and it stung a little. I could pretend he looked more like Damon, but the comparison brought a pang of pain, knowing I could never return the love he held for me in the same way.

Max’s eyes darkened, but Jane let out an exasperated sigh. “Okay… Will you be home to tuck us in?”

My heart squeezed at the hopeful glimmer in her eyes. “I’ll try, sweetheart. But if I’m not back in time, Grace will tuck you in. And I promise to come and kiss you goodnight when I return, even if you’re already asleep.”

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