Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 451

Chapter 451

Andrei’s POV

“We’re going into the caves,” I announced to the gathered warriors. “Natalia may have survived the fall. If she’s in there somewhere, we’re going to find her.”

The warriors exchanged glances. A few of them murmured to one another, and there were a few scattered coughs. They stared at the scrap of fabric in my hand like it was a sign of my growing madness.

“Alpha,” my Beta said carefully, stepping close and lowering his voice, “are you sure she survived? She must have fallen at least a hundred feet, maybe more…”

No. I wasn’t sure. Of course I fucking wasn’t.

But Max had said he had heard her voice, and now the fabric… I couldn’t just sit idly by if she had truly survived. I had to search for her. I had to try.

And if I found nothing more than a body, then at least I would have something to bring home. She wouldn’t have to call this mountain her final resting place. I would bury her behind our home, beneath a beautiful tree, and the twins and I would lay flowers on her grave and visit her every day.

It had to be better than leaving her here.

“We’re going in ten minutes,” I said curtly, ignoring my

Beta.

My Beta blinked. “But Alpha, the caves could be dangerous-”

“Ten minutes.” I turned away before he could argue further. “I was twenty warriors ready to go by then. And that’s an order.”

The warriors dispersed, some of them still muttering to each other and shaking their heads like they thought I was going insane. I ignored them. They could think whatever they wanted. I had to find out for certain if Natalia was in those caves.

With that settled, I went to my tent to grab my pack. Max was resting, still weakened from his sickness. Jane was sitting on the cot next to him, playing with a small wooden doll that Catherine’s husband had carved for her last night when the camp was bleak and exhausted. She looked up when I entered.

“Are you going to find Mommy?” she asked.

“I’m going to look for her.” I knelt down beside her. “But I might not be able to find her. And if I do, she might… She might not be alive, Jane. I need you to be prepared for that.”

The hope in Jane’s eyes guttered like a tiny flame blowing out on the wind. I felt a pang in my chest at the sight- no child should ever have to have this conversation, let alone at just six years old. But after a moment, she nodded.

“Okay. If Mommy is really dead, then I’ll be ready,” she whispered.

I pulled her close and held her for a moment, breathing in her scent, trying to memorize it like I might not return. Then I pulled back and kissed her forehead, brushing her dark hair out of the way.

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+25 Bonus

“Stay with your brother, okay? I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

I kissed Max’s sleeping face, then stood and grabbed my pack, slinging it over my shoulder. As I turned to leave, I nearly ran into Grace. She was standing in the entrance to the tent, her face pale and her hands shaking.

Her hands were covered in blood.

“Andrei,” she said breathlessly. “You need to come. Now.”

My stomach dropped. “What happened?”

“It’s Damon. He’s–there are complications with his injuries. Internal bleeding. I don’t know if I can-” Her voice cracked. “You need to come now.”

I dropped my pack and ran.

The medical tent was chaotic when I entered. Damon was laying on the cot, his skin pale and slick with sweat. Blood had soaked through the bandages on his chest, spreading across the white sheets beneath him. His breathing was shallow and labored. I flew to his side and grabbed his hand. It was cold. Too cold.

“Damon,” I said. “Hey. Stay with me, brother.”

His eyes fluttered open. They were unfocused, glazed over with pain. “Andrei?” My name came out like a croak.

“I’m here.” I squeezed his hand. “I’m right here. You’re gonna be okay.”

Chapter an