Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 335

Chapter 335

Natalia’s POV

The morning came too soon. I woke to find Andrei already dressed in his leathers, buckling his weapons belt around his waist.

“Time to go already?” I asked, sitting up…

“Yeah.” He turned to look at me, and as he stepped into the early morning sunlight peeking through the curtains,

I could see the pain on his face. “My Beta’s waiting downstairs with the others.”

I climbed out of bed and padded over to him. “How long do you think you’ll be gone?”

“Two days, maybe three. Depends on how bad the situations.” Andrei reached out and pulled me against him. “I don’t want to leave you.”

“Then don’t.”

“You know I have to.”

“I know.” I pressed my face into his chest, breathing in his familiar scent. “Just… be careful, okay? Don’t do anything stupid and heroic.”

“When have I ever done anything stupid?”

I pulled back to give him an arch look. “Do you really want me to answer that?”

“Point taken.” He cupped my face in his hands. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” I stood on my toes to kiss him, trying to memorize the feel of his lips against mine–as if I might never taste him again. “Come back to me.”

“Always.”

After he left, I couldn’t bring myself to go back to bed. Instead, I got dressed and went to check on the twins, who were still sound asleep in their rooms. Max looked healthier than he had in weeks, and it seemed the illness was finally, officially behind us. Jane was curled up with one of her dolls.

The house felt too quiet without Andrei in it. I wandered downstairs and found Grace in the kitchen, making coffee. She was dressed, too, preparing to head back to Ashmoor with Damon in the afternoon.

“You’re up early,” she said, handing me a cup.

“Couldn’t sleep after he left.” I took the coffee gratefully and sat down at the kitchen table. “I hate this.”

Grace sat down across from me with her own cup of coffee. You need something to keep you busy. Something to take your mind off of worrying.”

She was right. Sitting around the house all day thinking about Andrei facing down rogues would drive me insane, and that wasn’t going to be helpful for anyone.

“I need to get my ring resized,” I said, twisting the loose band around my finger. “Maybe I’ll go into town today.”

“Good idea. I’ll watch the twins.”

After breakfast, I made the walk into the village that sat just outside the estate grounds. The metalsmith’s shop was located on the main street, identifiable by the sound of hammering that echoed from within.

A bell tinkled pleasantly overhead when I pushed open the door. The shop was filled with the smell of hot metal and coal smoke, and various weapons and tools hung from the walls. Behind the counter, a burly man with

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graying hair looked up from the sword he was working on.

+25 Bonus

“Luna,” he said, setting down his hammer and wiping his Bands on his apron. “What can I do for you?” “I need a ring resized,” I said, slipping the engagement ring off my finger and handing it to him.

He examined it carefully. “Beautiful work. Is this the one the Alpha just gave you?”

“Word travels fast, I see,” I snorted.

He grinned. “Sure does. Congratulations, by the way. About time you two sorted things out.”

“Thanks.” I watched as he measured my finger, then measured the ring against various sizing tools. “How long will it take?”

“A few hours. The stone will need to be removed and reset, so I want to be careful with it.” He set the ring down on his workbench. “You can pick it up this afternoon.”

I nodded and turned to leave, but something in the display case near the door caught my eye. Among the various pieces of jewelry and small trinkets, there was a single ruby sitting on a bed of black velvet. It was roughly the same size as the stones in the knife Andrei had found, but this one was a little clearer and less rich–looking.