Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Natalia

By the time Damon and I finally pulled back into the familiar grounds of Ashinoor, the sun was dipping low, casting a warm, golden glow over the moss-covered stone walls that marked our pack’s territory. The sight of home after yet another exhausting journey—one that had stretched over several days—was a deep comfort. I silently hoped that we wouldn’t have to leave again anytime soon.

Waiting patiently on the front steps were the twins, their faces lighting up the moment they spotted us climbing out of the car. Without hesitation, both of them rushed forward eagerly.

Damon lifted Jane into his arms, his smile broad as she babbled excitedly about the fun she and Grace had shared while we were away. At the same time, Max wrapped his small arms tightly around my leg, holding on as if afraid I might disappear again.

“Ooh, and guess what? We even made paper snowflakes!” Jane exclaimed, breathless from her excitement. “We put them up in the window—look!” She pointed toward the bay window at the front of the house, where a collection of delicate paper shapes hung, fluttering slightly in the evening breeze.

“I see them,” Damon said, planting a gentle kiss on Jane’s cheek. “You’ll have to teach us how to make those sometime.”

“They did really well,” Grace called from the doorway. She stood there, holding the door open wider for us to enter. Though she barely met my eyes, a small smile played on her lips.

“It sounds like you all had a wonderful time,” I said, shrugging off my coat and hanging it neatly by the door. “Thank you for looking after them, Grace.”

Grace nodded, glancing at me briefly. “It was no trouble at all. I love spending time with the twins.”

That’s when I became aware that Max was still clutching my leg, his gaze fixed on me with an unsettling intensity. His nose wrinkled slightly as he sniffed the air around me.

A cold shiver ran down my spine as I realized immediately what he’d sensed—Andrei’s scent. Again.

“That scent?” Damon chuckled softly. “Your mom and I just had a meeting. That’s all. Let me clear that up for you.”

Before I could respond, Damon lifted my chin with one hand, tilting my face toward his. Time seemed to slow as his green eyes flicked down to my lips. I caught the quick flash of his tongue moistening his mouth, and for a heartbeat, I thought he was about to kiss me—truly kiss me—for real this time.

But then, instead of pressing his lips to mine, he turned my face slightly to the side and planted a firm kiss on my cheek.

My face flushed at the unexpected contact, though the warmth wasn’t from attraction but from the surprise of his gesture. Grace, standing nearby, stiffened noticeably at the sight and quickly spun around, hurrying out of the room. I heard her muttering something about taking dinner out of the oven as she left.

“Oh,” Max murmured, twisting his hands nervously and tilting his head. His eyes flicked back and forth between Damon and me, searching, analyzing, as if trying to detect the truth behind the lie.