Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Andrei & Natalia

“I’m sorry for how I behaved the other night,” Lilith said quietly as we danced. Her eyes were downcast, her fingers gently gripping my shoulder. “I shouldn’t have thrown that water in your face.”

I stared down at her, surprised by the apology. It wasn’t like Lilith to admit when she was wrong. She usually just pretended nothing had happened, or worse, blamed me for her outbursts.

“It’s fine,” I said, even though it really wasn’t. “But you can’t keep doing things like that, Lilith.”

Her lower lip trembled, and, just on cue, tears began to well up in her eyes. One spilled over, trailing down her cheek. “I know. I just… sometimes I get so scared.”

“Scared?” I frowned. “Of what?”

“Of losing everything again.” Her voice cracked. “Of being taken, tortured, left to die. Of coming back only to find that someone else has taken my place in my own home.”

The pain in her eyes broke me all over again. I couldn’t help the wave of pity that washed over me. What she’d been through during those years of captivity, the torture she’d endured…

I knew it had changed her. Made her harder, more paranoid. More jealous.

“And then I see you looking at her,” Lilith bit out. “Dancing with her. Flirting with her. It’s… it’s unbearable, Andrei.”

I glanced over Lilith’s shoulder, my eyes automatically finding Natalia in the crowd. She was dancing with Damon now, her head resting against his chest, the green dress she was wearing tonight shimmering under the lights.

She looked beautiful.

I remembered how it felt to hold her in my arms just minutes ago, moving across the dance floor together. It had felt right in a way that dancing with Lilith never had. Natural. Like our bodies knew each other, remembered each other, even after all these years.

It was strange, considering we’d never danced together during our marriage. I’d always been too busy, too preoccupied with pack business, too concerned with what other Alphas might think if I showed her too much affection in public.

I forced my attention back to Lilith. “I’m not flirting with her, Lilith. I’m trying to get answers.”

“Answers to what?”

“To what really happened five years ago.” I spun her around, following the rhythm of the music. “Why she left. Why she faked her death. What happened to our child.”

“And you think she’ll just tell you? After all this time?” Lilith’s face hardened.

“No. But I’ll find out one way or another.” I pulled her closer, lowering my voice. “I promise you, Lilith, your home isn’t in jeopardy. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you again.”

1/2

She searched my face for a moment, then nodded, seemingly satisfied with my explanation. “Alright. I believe you.”

Lilith pressed herself closer to me, resting her forehead on my chest. I rubbed a soothing circle across her back, hoping to ease some of her pain, even if I couldn’t ease all of it.

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t help but look toward the place where I had last seen Natalia.

She was no longer there.

Natalia

My head was swimming. The room seemed to tilt and sway around me, the lights from the chandeliers leaving

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