Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Natalia

As Andrei walked away, Damon reached down and helped me to my feet. His eyes were black as coal as they followed his brother’s retreating form.

“Damon, nothing happened,” I sighed, brushing dirt from the front of my skirt. “I just fell asleep. He found me here.”

“Sure.” Damon’s jaw was set in that familiar stubborn way. “Let’s just go.”

Rolling my eyes, I followed him through the crowd toward the large open area where the tug–of–war was set to take place. A thick, heavy rope had been laid out across the field, with a red ribbon tied around its middle. On either side, someone had dug a shallow trench that stretched about ten feet wide.

I peered closer and saw that the trenches were filled with thick, sticky mud.

Lilith was standing nearby, picking an invisible piece of lint off her shoulder. Once everyone had arrived, she clapped her hands together. “Gather around, everyone!”

Various pack members formed a loose circle around her. I spotted Andrei standing on the opposite side, his expression betraying nothing. He caught my eye for a moment, then looked away.

“As you all know,” Lilith announced, “we’ve planned a little friendly competition between our packs. Ashmoor versus Moonshadow in a classic game of tug–of–war.” She gestured to the rope dramatically. “But what you don’t know is what you’re playing for.”

Murmurs of curiosity rippled through the crowd. I glanced at Damon, who just shrugged.

“The winning pack,” Lilith said with a grin, “will have the honor of hosting this year’s summer solstice ball!” Excited gasps and cheers erupted around us. Even I couldn’t help but lift my eyebrows in surprise. The summer solstice ball was one of the biggest events of the year, but packs usually hosted their own events.

However, given our recent alliance, it only made sense to combine the festivities this year. I had to give Lilith credit: it was a brilliant idea for a prize. The winning team getting to host the event would certainly boost morale and friendly competition.

“Ashmoor pack members on this side,” Lilith called, pointing to our right. “Moonshadow on the left.”

The rope was thick and rough against my palms as I took my position near the front. The Ashmoor team consisted of about twenty wolves, including several of our strongest warriors. But the Moonshadow team looked equally formidable, with Andrei at the front.

Lilith stood off to the side, holding a white handkerchief. “On my mark! Three!”

I dug my heels into the ground, tightening my grip on the rope.

“Two!”

My gaze drifted across to the opposing team. Andrei was directly across from me, his muscles already tensed for the pull. Our eyes locked.

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Chapter 121

+25 Bonus

“One…”

Something passed between us then. The corners of Andrel’s mouth twitched upward.

“GO!” Lilith waved her handkerchief in the air.

The rope went taut instantly as both sides pulled with all their might. The red ribbon marking the center swayed slightly toward the Moonshadow side, then back toward Ashmoor.

“Pull!” Damon shouted from behind me. “PULL!”

I threw my weight backward, my feet sliding on the grass. Around me, the pack members grunted and strained. The cheers from the crowd were deafening, drowning out everything else.

“We’ve got this!” someone yelled from our side. And for a moment, it seemed like we did. The ribbon was inching closer to our side, the front line of Moonshadow wolves edging dangerously close to the mud pit.

Across from me, Andrei’s face was set with determination, but there was a gleam in his eyes that wasn’t entirely serious. He was enjoying this. And strangely, so was I. I found myself smiling back like a fool.

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