Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98

“I can’t do this,” I whispered once we were in the hallway. “I can’t fucking do this.”

Damon wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close.. “It won’t be forever,” he promised, just like we’d promised the twins. “Just until the warriors leave.”

“But their little faces were filled with such hurt,” I choked out, my voice muffled by his chest. “They looked at me like I was betraying them.”

“They’ll understand someday.”

But would they? Would they ever understand why I’d had to lie to them about who they were, why I’d had to hide them away every time their real father came near? Would they forgive me for the web of deceit I’d spun around their entire lives?

The lie had seemed so simple five years ago. Fake my death, hide away with Damon, raise my children in peace. But now, with each passing day, the lie grew more complicated.

And my children were the ones who were really paying the price.

“I wish…” I began, then stopped. What did I wish? That I’d never left Andrei? That I’d faced whatever fate had been waiting for me five years ago? That I’d told the truth from the beginning?

But wishing couldn’t change the past. And I’d made my choices. Now I had to live with them, no matter how much they hurt.

I slept fitfully that night, waking up every few hours with a start. By the time morning came, I was exhausted and irritable, my eyes puffy from crying. Grace would be packing the twins‘ things today and taking them away. I wasn’t ready for it.

At precisely seven o’clock, the warriors arrived at the barracks on the edge of the pack house grounds. Andrei was with them, and of course Lilith was trailing behind him, too.

My body instantly tensed upon seeing them set foot on our property for the first time, even if they wouldn’t be anywhere near the twins, who were currently in the house with Grace and multiple Ashmoor guards as they prepared for their departure.

“Alpha Damon,” Andrei said formally, extending his hand. Damon shook it with obvious reluctance.” Luna Natalia.” His eyes met mine and there was a flicker of something there, but I didn’t have the energy to decipher it this time.

I nodded in acknowledgment but didn’t speak. As for Lilith, I didn’t even deign to look at her. I told myself that I didn’t even care that they’d allegedly had sex the night after the banquet.

They’d probably been doing it for years, so why should I give a shit? The night Andrei and I had shared had been nothing but a manipulation for him and a drug–induced mistake for me.

“Allow me to introduce my best warriors,” Andrei continued, gesturing to the three men beside him. ” Viktor, Nikolai, and Alina. My elite guards.”

The three warriors bowed slightly. They all looked like siblings, with the same blonde hair and sharp

1/2

features. Alina was just as tall as her brothers, and perhaps even more imposing–looking with the jagged scar that cut across her left brow.

I tried not to stare at the black eye patch that covered her damaged socket, although the way she looked at me with her right eye indicated that her sight wasn’t impaired in the slightest.

“Welcome to Ashmoor,” Damon said with a nod. “We appreciate your assistance in training our guards.”

“We’re honored to serve,” Viktor replied.

Damon nodded, then turned to Andrei. “I’d like to see their skills firsthand before we begin the training. Perhaps a sparring match?”

“An excellent idea,” Andrei agreed.

“I’ll fight them myself,” Damon said. “To assess their abilities.”

I knew Damon was an exceptional warrior. He was quick and cunning, with a natural talent for fighting that had earned him respect amongst the neighboring packs.

But Andrei shook his head. “With all due respect, brother, I should be the one to test them. I know their capabilities better than anyone, and I can push them to their limits.”

Damon’s jaw tightened. “This is my territory. My guards they’ll be training. It makes sense for me to evaluate them.”

“You want to see if they’re worthy,” Andrei said coolly. “I’m telling you, they are. But if you need proof, let me demonstrate their skills. I’ve always been the stronger fighter between the two of us, after all.”

“You’re not the stronger fighter,” Damon growled. “You never were.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify