Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 325

Chapter 325

+25 Bonus

Natalia’s POV

The banquet hall had mostly emptied out after dinner, leaving just a few pack members lingering over their wine and quiet conversations. I was sitting beside Andrei at the head table with my feet up on the neighboring chair. Jane was sitting under the table, playing quietly with some dolls with another one of the pack girls while her brother slept upstairs.

My entire body was aching from another long day. After the morning patrol, Andrei and I had gotten right to work on another day of repairing the damage from the battle. It was grueling, and there was more structural damage to the walls than we initially thought.

But we had managed to finish most of the outer wall repairs, and the damaged sections of the estate were starting to look whole again. It was hard, exhausting work, but it was worth it to see Moonshadow return to its former glory.

Andrei leaned back in his chair, studying me over the rim of his wine cup as I rolled my neck and rested my eyes. ” You look exhausted, Natalia. Are you sure you don’t want to head upstairs yet?”

I shook my head and took a sip of my tea–an herbal blend that soothed my nausea. “I’m fine. If I go to bed now, I’ll be up in the middle of the night. Besides, I’m not really tired yet.”

“Hm.” Andrei made an incoherent sound and looked away.

“What is it?” I asked, turning to look at him. “You’ve been giving me weird looks all day. If you’re still lamenting about the pregnancy-‘

“}

“No, it’s not that. I’m just… Impressed, that’s all. When we were married before, you were a good Luna. Don’t get me wrong. But you weren’t quite like this.”

“Gee,” I laughed, leaning back in my chair again. “Thanks.”

“Wait, I didn’t mean it like that.” He set his cup aside and sat up a little straighter. “You were just impressive today at the outpost, not to mention all of the work you’ve been doing to help rebuild everything. And you’re so attentive with the twins whenever you have a spare moment. Plus you do all of this while you’re clearly nauseous from an early pregnancy.”

I shrugged. “Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I can’t perform my duties.”

“Your duties,” Andrei repeated, tilting his head. “So you do see yourself as a leader of this pack again.”

My cheeks flushed. “I think the pack sees me as its leader whether I do or not,” I muttered, recalling the way the guards deferred to me and called me their “Luna“, even when I technically no longer held that title–and hadn’t for six years. “But lately, I do find myself settling into the role without even meaning to.”

“It suits you,” Andre pointed out.

I hesitated, stirring my tea. “It’s strange, you know,” I said after a moment. “How they seem to view me as more of a Luna now without the official title than they did when I was actually the Luna of Moonshadow.”

Andrei’s face softened. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you were less hands–on then. You cared about the pack, of course, and you did your duties. But you were… quieter about it. More behind–the–scenes. You’d organize charity drives and settle disputes, but you never inserted yourself directly into big things like this.” “Not that I’m not at least partially to blame,” he added after a moment, giving me a sheepish look.

1/3

Chapter 325

+25 Bonus

He wasn’t wrong. When we’d been married, I was more worried about gaining Andrei’s love and respect than the love and respect of my people. That had been back when Andrei and I were… distant. When we didn’t fully trust each other, or know each other except on a physical level, for that matter.

My entire life had been trying to please him. I’d been so focused on my own personal affairs that I hadn’t been truly present for my role as Luna. Sure, I performed my duties, but I didn’t feel nearly as connected to the role as I did now.

“But now,” Andrei said, “you carry yourself differently. You seem more attentive, more enthusiastic. The pack sees it. I see it.”

”

“It’s been six years. I’ve changed.” I pressed my lips together and considered for a moment before I continued, When I was living in Ashmoor, I was hands–off as well. I had the official title of Damon’s Luna, but I focused solely on the twins and kept myself locked up in the house all the time. I convinced myself that I preferred it that way.”

Andrei didn’t interrupt. I paused, dragging my lower lip through my teeth, then went on, “But over the past year, I feel like I came out of my shell. I realized how fulfilling it is to grow and become stronger, to care about my people and put aside my fears for the good of those who I’ve sworn to protect.”

There was a brief silence. I pressed my hand to my belly. “And lately, after finding out that I’ll be a mother for a third time… I can’t help but feel that even more intensely.”

When I finished speaking, Andrei’s face was soft. He reached over and squeezed my hand.

“I’m sorry if I act like you’re made of glass because of your pregnancy. I just worry about you, that’s all.”

I managed a faint smile. “I don’t blame you. I would feel the same way, if I were in your position. Especially with everything going on lately.”

Andrei nodded. “Well, I realize now that the pack is stronger when you’re engaged with everything. You’ve enhanced our security, our rebuilding efforts, and the morale of our people just in these past few days. It’s no wonder they view you as their Luna again–as do I.”

My chest warmed at his praise, but I couldn’t help but mention, “So… About that conversation we had in Bloodmoon…”

Andrei’s brows lifted at that. “Which one?”

“You know which one.” I smacked his arm playfully.

Andrei grinned and shrugged. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Is that so?” I smirked, recalling the conversation we’d had about marking each other–about doing things right this time. A ring. A real wedding. A mating ceremony. All of the things we didn’t truly have the first time around. We both knew precisely what I was referring to.

Andrei parted his lips as if to respond, and for a moment, there was that tender look in his eyes again. My heart fluttered as his fingers moved toward his pocket, just as they had in the kitchen.

For a moment, just a moment, I thought that he was going to do it. Propose. Ask me to marry him again–ask me to be his Luna in all the ways that mattered.

I would have said yes.

But just then, approaching footsteps made us both turn. Karl was striding toward us looking tired. He had been in the middle of another healing session with Max, who had regressed into a sleepy state over the past couple of days

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify