Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 274

Chapter 274

Andrei’s POV

There was a large–scale attack on the western border of Ashmoor. Twenty–three rogues breached the perimeter at dawn. Damon lost four warriors and six civilians were injured.

My brother needed me.

I read the letter twice, then crumpled the paper in my fist. Twenty–three rogues. Four dead warriors. Six injured civilians. And Damon thought more were coming.

“I have to go back,” I said, turning to Natalia. “There’s been an attack on Ashmoor. A big one.”

Natalia’s eyes went wide as saucers. “How big?”

“Twenty–three rogues. Four of my warriors are dead.” I handed her the crumpled letter so she could read it. ” Damon thinks they’re planning another assault.”

Natalia snatched the letter away, her face going pale just like mine has as she read it. When she was finished, she folded it carefully and slipped it into her pocket. She always cared about little things like that even in the worst circumstances, unlike me, who often let my anger and frustration get the best of me.

“Then I’m coming with you.” Natalia said firmly. “I’ll gather the twins and we’ll leave as soon as possible.”

“No,” Alexander said quickly. “Absolutely not. It’s safer here, Natalia-”

“It’s not your decision,” Natalia snapped. “And it’s my pack. I should be there.”

I wanted her to come. After watching that rogue’s hands close around her throat, after seeing how easily someone could hurt her here in supposedly safe Bloodmoon, I didn’t want to leave her anywhere. I wanted her where I could protect her.

“We need to check on the twins first,” I said.

Natalia nodded, and we left Alexander’s study without another word. David followed us, probably as worried about his nephew as we were.

We found Jane sitting in a chair next to Max’s bed in the medical wing. She looked up when we walked in, her eyes still red from crying.

“Mommy,” she whispered. “Max won’t stop shaking.”

I looked at the bed and felt my heart sink. Max was curled up under the blankets, trembling. His face was pale and sweaty, and he was breathing too quickly.

One of the healers approached us. “The attack triggered a severe anxiety response,” she explained quietly. “His body is struggling to cope with the stress. We’ve given him something to help, but…”

“But what?” Natalia demanded. “We have to get back to Ashmoor.”

The healer pulled her head back in surprise. “You’re trying to move him? No, he needs at least another week of treatment, maybe two now due to this, before he’s stable enough to travel.”

1/2

Natalia’s face crumpled. I felt my shoulders sag as the realization hit me. Max and Jane were the most important things right now; we couldn’t traipse Max back through the dangerous, rogue–infested forest now when he was still recovering, and we couldn’t separate him and Jane again.

“I have to go back,” I said quietly.

“I know.” Natalia didn’t look at me when she said it.

“You should stay here with the twins.”

“I know that too.”

Goddess, I hated this. I hated having to choose like this. But there wasn’t really a choice. Max needed his mother, and Natalia wouldn’t leave him. I couldn’t ask her to.

“How long?” she asked.

“I don’t know. Until we deal with the rogues. Until the border is secure again.” I rubbed my face with both hands. “Could be days. Could be weeks.”

Natalia finally looked at me. “I don’t want to do this again.”

“Neither do I.”

Jane climbed down from her chair and wrapped her arms around my waist. “Don’t go, Daddy.”

I knelt down so I was at her eye level. “I have to, sweetheart. But I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

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