Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 182

Damon looked up at the sound of my approach. His face was pale and sweaty, and he looked like hell “Nec I’m so sorry. I don’t think I can- #

Another wave of nausea hit him and he doubled over the trash can again before he could finish.

“Shit,” I muttered. The fashion show was supposed to start soon. If Damon couldn’t walk, and I went out there alone with the twins, it would only fuel more speculation about our fake marriage.

I turned toward Catherine, who looked positively ill by now–and not from food poisoning, but from worry.” Natalia,” she breathed, “what are we going to do? If Damon doesn’t walk with you-”

“I know,” I cut her off, my mind racing, “It could hurt the show’s image even more. I need to walk with him, but …” My voice trailed off as I looked over at Damon, who was still vomiting into the trash can.

“Daddy could do it!”

The small voice came from behind us. I turned to see Jane and Max standing in the doorway, already dressed in their outfits for the show.

“What?” I asked.

“Daddy looks just like Uncle Damon,” Jane said matter–of–factly. “If he wears a mask, no one will know the difference.”

Max nodded in agreement. “They have the same hair and everything”

I looked between Andrei and Damon. It was true–they were brothers, with similar builds and coloring From a distance, with the right clothes and a mask…

“That’s actually not a terrible idea,” Damon said weakly from his position by the trash can. “We’re about the same size. My suit should fit him.”

“Are you insane?” I asked. “This is supposed to be a family charity event. Not some elaborate deception.”

“It’s not a deception if it helps the charity,” Catherine said suddenly, not commenting on the fact that the children called Andrei “daddy” and Damon “uncle“. “I mean, from a practical standpoint, we need someone to walk with you and the children. If Alpha Andrei is willing…”

“I’ll do it,” Andrei said without hesitation.

Of course he would. This was exactly what he’d wanted all along–a chance to play father to the twins in public. And now everyone was handing it to him on a silver platter.

Before I could react, Catherine beamed and said, “Perfect. I’ll see if I can find some masks. We’ll have the models randomly wear them so it doesn’t look out of place.”

And just like that, she was gone.

“This is too convenient,” I said in a low voice, storming up to Andrei. “Too perfect. You expect me to believe Damon just happened to get food poisoning right before the show?”

Andrei’s green eyes flashed. “Blame me all you want,” he growled, “But the truth is, you’re out of options. The

Chapter 182

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show has to go on and you can’t walk alone.” He tilted his head. “Unless you want another scandal.”

My jaw worked silently for a moment. This incident had Andrei written all over it, but… He was right.

Dammit.

The next few hours passed in a blur. The stylists rushed to alter Damon’s suit to fit Andrei’s broader form properly, while others worked on finding several intricate masks for the models to wear.

All the while, the twins were practically vibrating with excitement.

“I’m so happy we’re going to walk with Daddy!” Jane said, grabbing my hand with a smile as the models gathered backstage. The show was about to begin; even from behind the curtains, I could hear the hum of conversation as the crowd settled in their seats.

I squeezed her hand back, forcing a smile even though my heart was pounding. Beside me, Andrei was adjusting his mask—an intricate piece depicting the face of a red fox.

How fitting, considering how cunning he was.

But it was time to start the show, leaving no time to second–guess my decision to let him walk with us.

P

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