Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 184

Chapter 184

What if someone recognized Andrei despite the mask? What if the twins said something they shouldn’t? What if I tripped and made a fool of myself and ruined the entire charity event?

“Hey,”

Andrei’s quiet voice made me look up. He’d stepped closer, close enough that I could smell his familiar scent even through the thick layer of perfume and cologne and hairspray hanging in the air. His green eyes were visible through the eye holes of the mask, and they were focused entirely on me.

“You’re shaking,” he said softly.

I looked down at my hands. He was right. They were trembling.

“I’m fine,” I lied, clasping them behind my back.

“No, you’re not.” He moved even closer, his broad shoulders nearly blocking out the entire background. Breathe, Natalia. Just breathe.”

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Before I could answer, his hand came up to touch my cheek, thumb stroking along my cheekbone. “Breathe. You look beautiful, and you’re going to be amazing out there.”

My throat bobbed, eyes unwillingly flicking to his lips. Goddess, how I wanted to kiss him. How I wanted to finish what we’d started yesterday, even if I knew that every moment between us—even this one–was just a tactic to get me comfortable so he could swoop in and take the twins from me.

Just then, the stage director appeared beside us with his clipboard and headset.

“Ashmoor family, you’re up! I need everyone to hold hands before you walk out. Big smiles, everyone!”

I started to reach for Jane’s hand, positioning myself so the twins would be between us and we’d be on opposite sides, but the director shook his head.

“No, no, parents on the inside and kids on the outside. It ensures the audience gets a better view of the kids as you pass.‘

“”

My pulse spiked as Andrei’s fingers intertwined with mine. The contact sent a jolt of electricity straight through me, the same overwhelming awareness I’d felt every time he touched me. His hand was warm and strong, and holding it felt like coming home and jumping off a cliff at the same time.

Jane grabbed my other hand while Max took Andrei’s, and suddenly we were connected. A chain of four people about to walk out and pretend to be something we weren’t.

Except it didn’t feel like pretending anymore.

“Ready?” the stage director asked.

I looked at Andrei, then down at the twins. Jane was practically glowing with a radiant smile, and even Max looked proud and happy. We were about to walk out there together, in front of hundreds of people, as a family.

For the first time all day, my smile felt completely genuine.

“Ready,” I said.

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The lights hit us as we stepped onto the runway, bright and warm and blinding. The audience applauded, cameras flashed, and I could hear the announcer describing our outfits and the charity we were supporting

But all I could focus on was the feeling of Andrei’s hand in mine and the twins between us, the four of us moving in perfect sync down the polished runway.

Jane waved at the crowd with her free hand, making people laugh and clap louder. Max walked with his chin up and chest puffed out, pretending that he was too cool to look at the crowd when everyone knew that he was soaking up the attention like a sponge.

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