Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 257

Chapter 257

Natalia

The first thing I noticed when I woke was a pounding pain in my skull that was all too familiar. I realized, with a start, that I had felt this way before–months ago, when Lilith had drugged me at that banquet.

This shouldn’t have happened to me again. I should have known better. And yet… I had been foolish enough to get comfortable in a strange place.

My eyes finally cracked open, and I groaned at the sudden sensation of afternoon light flooding into my skull through the tall windows overhead. The light was quickly blotted out by a healer in a cream–colored robe, who leaned over me with a concerned expression on her face.

“Good,” she said. “You’re awake. Here–take this medicine. It will speed up your recovery.”

I eyed the small cup of dark, foul–smelling green liquid warily. After what had happened, I didn’t know if taking drinks from strangers was a good idea. But then a familiar voice said, “It’s okay, Natalia. You’re safe now.”

David. If no one else, then I was pretty certain I could trust my brother. Besides, I felt like absolute shit and couldn’t bear going on like this.

I took the cup and downed its contents in one gulp, grimacing at the flavor. But it began to work its magic quickly, and within a few moments, I started to feel a bit less like I was going to pass out again and a bit more like I just had the worst hangover of my life.

Once I was well enough to move without retching, the healer gently helped me sit up against a mountain of pillows. After getting me settled, David nodded to her and she left. I realized that I was currently in the Bloodmoon infirmary, which was ironic considering the fact that Max was supposed to be the one staying here,

not me.

“What happened?” I asked David. My voice was raspy. “I recall bits and pieces, but…”

David sighed. “We heard your screaming. Showed up to a veritable crime scene.” He shook his head ruefully. “As it turns out, one of the maids is anti–outsider and wanted to get rid of you. She openly confessed to conspiring with your attacker to drug you with an aphrodisiac and kill you while you were under the influence. But it seems you put up a good fight.”

Vaguely, I recalled the intense fight. If it weren’t for David’s training, I might not have survived for Andrei to make it to me in time.

“Where’s Andrei?” I asked. I wanted to see him.

“Andrei?” David furrowed his brow. “What are you talking about?”

“Andrei. He saved me.” I recalled our kiss with intense clarity.

But David shook his head and came to sit on the edge of my cot. “No, Natalia. It was Karl who saved you. You must have been hallucinating from the drug.

“Karl?” I sat bolt upright, which almost made me puke. David gently pushed me back against the pillows. “Karl was the one who saved me?” I repeated.

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David’s lips twitched into a faint smirk. “I know. Surprised me as well. By the time we found you, he had killed your assailant with the toilet back. I guess the one day of training did him more good than we thought.”

“Oh…” I scrubbed my hands over my face, suddenly feeling ashamed. I had kissed Karl, not Andrei. If Celeste didn’t hate my guts before, she certainly would now. I had to explain myself–tell her that I was hallucinating under the effects of the drug. I never would have kissed Karl. I just mistook him for Andrei.

A little while later, once the healers cleared me to leave the medicine they gave me really was magical–I headed out in search of Celeste. David insisted on having a guard escort me around for the rest of the day, which I didn’t argue with. Until Andrei returned, I really didn’t want to be alone.

I found Celeste sitting on the edge of the fountain in the plaza and told my guard to wait a little ways away so I could speak to her in private. She didn’t look up as I approached, just kept trailing her fingers through the water.

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