Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 243

pter 243

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“That’s…” I didn’t know how to finish the sentence.

“I know it’s a lot to process. But you have to understand, arranged marriages aren’t about romance in our world. They’re about creating the next generation of gifted children, ensuring the survival of our abilities.”

I thought about Karl’s genuine smile, his curiosity about my life. Had he known? When we’d talked in the hallway, had he been thinking about what might have been?

“Does he know?” I asked.

“About the original arrangement? I’m sure he does. Everyone knew.” David started walking again, and I followed automatically. “But he seems happy with Celeste. They’ve been together most of their lives now.”

I glanced across the cavern and spotted Karl and Celeste near what looked like a fountain now, having stopped their walking. They were now standing close together, but something about their body language seemed tense now that I was closer.

As I watched, Celeste was gesturing sharply. Karl said something back, shoulders curled inward.

Whatever they were discussing, it wasn’t going well. Celeste threw her hands up, said something that made Karl flinch, then turned and stalked away, leaving him standing alone by the fountain.

That was… not at all like the intimate kiss I’d seen earlier.

Celeste must have known, too. No wonder she had been so adamant about keeping him away from me.

The last thing I wanted was to step on anyone’s toes. Or to make an enemy here.

Before I could think too much about it, David touched my arm. “Come on, let me show you the training grounds.”

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Natalia

“And this,” David said, stretching his arms out wide, “is the Bloodmoon training arena.

I couldn’t help the small gasp of surprise that escaped me as we stepped into the vast room. It was the same as the others–inside, deep beneath the mountain, carved out of a large chamber of shimmering lichen and glittering rocks that stretched high above.

But the training arena was different. It was positively enormous, consisting of multiple sparring rings and various stations with balconies built into the mountain wall overhead for observation. The warriors had access to a myriad of equipment, everything from spears and shields and pikes to weapons I’d never even seen before.

The warriors themselves moved across the grounds with ease. Two fighters, a male and a female, were locked i hand–to–hand combat in one of the rings–the female was winning, the male caught in a headlock belly–down in the dirt and refusing to tap out.

Across the way, four warriors were practicing archery. Some others were sword training. And on the sidelines, another group was playing a rowdy game of cards over cups of what smelled like mulled wine as I passed.

“Impressed?” David asked, glancing at me as we wove our way through the grounds.

I nodded. “It’s unlike anything I’ve seen before. Ashmoor and Moonshadow both have impressive militaries, bu … nothing like this.”

And it was true. Moonshadow had one of the larger militaries in the territories, but there were more warriors in this room alone than I had seen even in battle. There were some very young warriors too, perhaps no older than seventeen, and they were battling viciously on one of the mats with a ferocity that even Ashmoor’s most seasoned fighters didn’t possess.

It was impressive. And a little frightening, if I was being honest. “Don’t take this the wrong way,” I admitted, but I didn’t expect a pack in hiding to have such well–trained warriors.”

David’s mouth lifted at one corner. “How do you think we’ve stayed so well hidden for over a century?” But then his face turned grim. “With the rogues‘ recent movements, we’ve also had to recruit more warriors than ever.”

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