Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 263

Chapter 263

“It’s been a while since we sparted like this,” Andrei noted as he lunged for my front leg. I feinted and spun away from him before he could grab me. “You’ve gotten a lot better.”

“Thank you. Training makes me feel… alive.” And it did. I wished I’d spent more time training after my accident five years ago rather than wallowing in my own self–pity. It made me feel powerful and in control. Not weak and scared.

Andrei and I sparred for a good while, trading careful blows. Mostly we just talked, but it was nice to be in the ring together.

Eventually, the spar came to a head when I used my new skills. I ducked just as Andrei was attempting a right hook, slid between his legs, sand spraying everywhere, then popped up behind him and put him in a chokehold. He crumpled to one knee with a gasp of surprise, and while he was discombobulated, I flipped us so I had him pinned to the ground.

“Damn,” he choked out, eyes glimmering with tiny fires as he looked up at me. “You might be better than me now.”

“I wouldn’t say better. Just… smaller. And faster. And more agile.”

Andrei snorted. “So… better.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that. Still smiling, I leaned down to press a kiss to his lips. He responded in kind, although the feel of his fingers wrapping around my throat while I was distracted wasn’t lost on me. In battle, he could have broken my trachea already. But now, he just elicited a soft moan of pleasure from me that rumbled into his mouth.

The sound of slow clapping caused us both to part, breathless, and look up.

Celeste was approaching, dressed in a beautiful blue wraparound gown that brought out the coldness in her eyes. She was smiling, but there was a serpentine glimmer in her gaze that made the hairs on my arms stand on

end.

“So sweet,” she cooed. “You two look good fighting together, and even better kissing. What’s the phrase? All’s fair in love and war?”

Andrei released me and I stood, grabbing his hand to help him to his feet. “Hello, Celeste,” he said.

“Hello.” Celeste tilted her head as she looked between us, then around the sparring ring where only David was sitting on the sidelines. “Funny. I haven’t seen Karl today, and I expected to see him with you.”

I shrugged. “Did you check the library?”

“I did. But he wasn’t there.” Celeste sighed dramatically and checked her nails. “Oh, well. I suspect he ran off to hide when Andrei arrived. After that kiss you two shared, I think he’s a little embarrassed.”

My spine stiffened. Beside me, Andrei drew in a sharp breath.

“You two kissed?” he asked quietly, turning to me.

“I can explain-”

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“She didn’t tell you?” Celeste asked, grinning wickedly now.

“No,” Andrei replied. His face had darkened by several shades. “She didn’t.”

My throat bobbed, heart pounding. I wanted to explain, but before I could, Andrei turned on his heel and walked away. “Andrel, wait!” I called after him.

“I’m just… going to the bathroom,” Andrel lied. He didn’t turn back.

Once he was out of sight, I whirled around, eyes flashing, but Celeste was already gone, too. David didn’t look at me when I turned to him–just suddenly took an interest in the sandy ground around his feet.

Dammit. I should have known Celeste’s sweet act was bullshit.

With a huff, I decided to follow Andrei right away. I wasn’t about to let this misunderstanding drive a wedge between us, which was exactly what my vengeful stepsister was trying to do.

It didn’t take me long to find Andrei. He was sitting by himself in the corridor outside the arena.