Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 473

Chapter 473

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Natalia’s POV

My father’s funeral was held the next morning. We carried his body to the plaza, where a pyre had been built from oak and pine. The entire pack gathered in a circle around it.

Andrei stood beside me with Hope in his arms. The twins flanked my other side, Jane clutching my hand while Max stood with his arms crossed, staring at the pyre with a knowing, solemn look on his face that no mother ever wanted to see.

David stepped forward and lit the fire. The flames caught quickly, spreading across the wood with a crackling roar. I watched my father’s body disappear into the smoke and forced myself not to look away. He deserved that much from me, at least.

The fire burned for hours. Bloodmoon funerals were different; there was no structure. People came forward at will to share stories about my father–his strength, his wisdom, the way he’d led the pack through impossible times, all stories that I had never gotten to hear before. David spoke once, and we all pretended that we didn’t notice the way his voice broke or the fact that he had to stop several times.

When it was my turn, I couldn’t speak. The words stuck in my throat, lodged there like a shard of glass. Andrei squeezed my shoulder, but I shook my head. I had nothing to say that would do him justice, so I just bowed my head, leading a silent prayer, then returned to my place.

By the time the pyre had burned down to embers, the sun was setting. The pack dispersed slowly, people drifting back toward their homes. But there was still work to be done.

We gathered in the meeting hall–me, Andrei, Karl, David, Celeste, and several others. Everyone looked exhausted.

David was the first to speak. “The Thornwood has more rogues now than ever before. With the King dead, his supporters are scattering, and many of them are heading back this way. Our borders aren’t secure enough to hold them off indefinitely.”

“Relocation might be a good call,” one of the elders pointed out. “The pack should be moved somewhere safer, somewhere with better defenses. There are territories to the north that would be more defensible.”

Murmurs rippled through the room. Some nodded in agreement. Others looked uncertain.

“No.” Celeste’s voice cut through the discussion. She was sitting in the corner, hunched over in her chair. She looked even more twisted and frail than the last time I’d seen her. “We’re not leaving.”

Karl turned to her. “Celeste, we can’t stay here. It’s not safe.”

“It’s safer here than anywhere else.” Her voice was sharp. “We know this land. We have defenses. Moving would leave us vulnerable during the transition.”

“We’re already vulnerable,” Karl argued. “Staying here is suicide.‘

“Then let those who want to leave, leave. But I’m staying. This is my home.”

The room fell silent. I studied Celeste’s face and saw what she wasn’t saying out loud. She was ashamed. Afraid. She didn’t want anyone outside the pack to see what had been done to her. She wanted to hide here, in the one place she had ever truly known as a real home.

I understood that. I wished I could help her, wished there was some way to reverse what Helena had done. But there wasn’t. The King’s rubies had stolen decades from both her and my father, and there was no getting them back.

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Choster 473

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“Natalia and I are leaving in the morning,” Andrei finally said. Everyone turned to look at him. “If anyone wishes to join us, they’re welcome to. We can provide shelter until they find their footing.”

Damon nodded. “Ashmoor will do the same,” he said. He was seated at the far end of the table, still pale and weak More traveling probably wasn’t good for him, but he had insisted on returning home with Grace, and there was no stopping him when that stubborn streak that ran in the family came out.

Karl turned to Celeste. “We should go with them.”

She didn’t respond. Just looked away and stared at the wall.

The meeting ended shortly after that. People filed out, muttering to each other about whether to stay or go. By the end of the evening, nearly half the pack had decided to leave with us. The other half would remain with Celeste, Karl, and David.

It wasn’t the outcome I’d wanted, but it was the best we could do.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the King’s face. Felt his hands on me. Heard my baby crying as he dangled her over the poisoned water.

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Chapter 474

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Chapter 474