Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 313

I looked back toward the shelter where Max and Jane were still sleeping, then at the three people who had risked their lives to find us. “We need to get back to Bloodmoon. We need to tell my father-”

“No.” Celeste shook her head. “You can’t go back there. My mother will try again, and next time she won’t fail. She has a lot more supporters in the pack than you realize, people who are loyal to her and who would do anything for her. You have to leave Bloodmoon. Tonight. Before she realizes you’re still alive.”

David was already nodding, “I can escort you safely back to Moonshadow. I can’t stay–I have to get back to our father before something awful happens—but I can get you there.”

“What about you?” I asked Celeste. “Come with us. You’ll be safe in Moonshadow.”

Celeste’s face went white. “I… I can’t. I haven’t been outside Bloodmoon territory since I was too young to even remember. I don’t know anything about the other packs, and if my mother finds out I helped you…”

“She’s already hurt you,” Karl said, reaching out to touch one of the bruises on her cheek. “Look what she’s done to you.”

Celeste flinched away from his touch. “It doesn’t matter. If I disappear, she’ll know I betrayed her. And then who knows what she’ll do?”

“You can’t go back to that,” I said. “Celeste, she’s going to kill you eventually. You know that, right?”

“Maybe. But I have to try.” Celeste turned to Karl, and there was something heartbreaking in her expression. You have to go with them.”

Karl shook his head immediately. “I’m not leaving you.”

“Yes, you are.” Celeste’s voice was firm. “Karl, I hurt you. For months, I was cruel and manipulative and abusive. You don’t owe me anything.”

“But I love you,” Karl said simply.

“And I love you.” Tears were streaming openly down Celeste’s face now. “Which is why I’m telling you to go. You’re not safe here, not with my mother and her supporters. And Natalia needs your help.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

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Karl bit his lip and turned to me. “I’ve managed to pick up a few of the healers‘ skills over the years thanks to my ability. I could ensure Max stays healthy, using their methods.”

My throat bobbed. Max–of course. In all the chaos, I’d nearly forgotten about his condition. I couldn’t traipse him all the way back to Moonshadow with no way to ensure he didn’t get sick again.

“You’re sure you can help?” I asked. Karl nodded, although he still looked uncertain about leaving her.

“Please,” Celeste whispered to Karl. “Let me do this one good thing. Let me set you free from the woman who hurt you.”

Karl’s shoulders sagged in defeat. “Alright. But Celeste, promise me you’ll be careful. Promise me nothing bad will happen to you. I want to come back to you.”

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“You know I can’t make that promise.” Celeste reached out and took his hand briefly, then let it go. “Now go wake the children. We need to get you out of here before dawn.”

I went back to the shelter and gently shook Max and Jane awake. They were groggy and confused, but they didn’t complain when I told them we were going on another adventure. When I emerged with the twins, Celeste was standing apart from the others, hugging herself like she was trying to hold herself together.

“Celeste,” I said, approaching her carefully. “Thank you. For everything.”

“I only did it for the children,” she muttered, already turning away.

David had already started leading Karl and the twins toward the edge of the clearing. “We need to move,” he called softly. “It’s a long way to Moonshadow, and we want to be well clear of Bloodmoon territory before Helena realizes you’re gone.”

I took one last look at Celeste, standing alone in the moonlight with tears on her cheeks and bruises on her face. She looked so young, so lost. Like the child who had been brought here with no memory of her past and no knowledge of her purpose other than a singular order.

The journey back to Moonshadow took two full days. We traveled mostly at night, sleeping in hidden spots during the day. Rogues were everywhere, seemingly crawling out of the woodworks. It was so much worse than I expected, but we managed to make it back to Moonshadow territory unscathed.

By the time we reached the borders of the Moonshadow estate, I was exhausted and starving. But we’d made it. We were almost home.

David led us up the final hill that overlooked the Moonshadow estate, and we froze.

Smoke was staining the morning sky black.

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