Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 232

Chapter 232

That did make me laugh, actually laugh, and the sound felt foreign in my throat. When was the last time I’d laughed? Yesterday? A week ago? The days had started blurring together. It could have been years and I wouldn’t

have known.

“See?” Andrei said softly. “There’s my girl.”

My laughter turned into blushing after that.

As the evening wore on, Grace reported that Max’s condition remained stable. Not better, but not worse either. It wasn’t much, but it was something to hold onto.

Eventually, Damon declared himself too tired to lose any more rounds and announced he was going to bed. Grace had volunteered to take the first watch, monitoring Max through the night, which left Andrei and me alone by the dying campfire.

“Come on,” he said, standing and offering me his hand. “You need to sleep too.”

The tent we were sharing was small, barely large enough for two sleeping bags placed side by side. Andrei had already laid everything out, and there was something intimate about the close quarters, about knowing we’d be sleeping inches apart.

I crawled into my sleeping bag and listened to the sounds of Andrei settling in beside me. The fabric rustled as he moved, and as he turned toward me, I could feel his warm breath fanning across my face.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Andrei simply reached out and brushed his hand over my hair, green eyes locked on mine in the dim light.

“Max is going to be okay,” he finally whispered.

I thought I was going to be sick. His words were meant to be comforting, but comfort felt miles away right now. How can you be so certain?”

“Because he has to be.” Andrei’s hand stilled on the side of my face. “Because I refuse to accept any other outcome.”

“But what if-”

“No what ifs.” His thumb brushed across my cheekbone. “We’re going to find the Bloodmoon pack, they’re going to cure Max, and we’re all going home together.”

I wanted to believe him. Goddess, I wanted to believe him so badly it hurt.

“I’m scared,” I whispered.

“I know.” Andrei shifted closer, and suddenly his face was inches from mine. “But you don’t have to be scared alone.”

His lips found mine in the darkness, soft and gentle at first. I kissed him back, instinctively needing the comfort, needing to feel connected to something other than fear and desperation.

”

The kiss deepened, and I found myself moving closer, my body immediately seeking the warmth and strength of

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Chapter 232

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his. His hand moved down toward my neck, across my shoulder, then over my arm and into the dip of my waist.

His fingers dug into my hip and drew me closer. I responded in kind, deepening the kiss as my hands fisted in his shirt. Maybe now wasn’t the best time, but deep down, I knew I needed this–needed him.

Needed to feel alive and hopeful and like we might actually have the future I’d dreamed of.

Andrei seemed to understand, because his arms tightened around me, pulling me against him. I could feel the hard planes of his chest, the rapid beating of his heart even through our clothes..

Fingers trembling, my hands found the hem of his shirt and slipped underneath so I could explore the familiar landscape of his skin. He groaned softly, his own hands beginning to wander, tracing patterns along my spine, then down until his palms cupped my ass.

I let him draw me on top of him so I was straddling him, hips grinding against his. The soft moan of pleasure into my mouth gave me a second wind, and I dug my knees down hard into the bottom of the tent, twisting on top of him until he groaned again.

When his mouth moved to my neck, I tilted my head to give him better access, my fingers tangling in his dark hair. Each nip and lap against my skin was ecstasy.

We were just beginning to lose ourselves completely when a sharp crack echoed through the forest.

We both froze, Andrei’s mouth going still against my throat.

Another crack came, followed by the unmistakable sound of footsteps moving through the underbrush.

“Rogues,” Andrei breathed, and my blood turned to ice.