Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 56

The drive to the border was unbearably silent. Damon’s fingers clenched the steering wheel with a tension that was almost visible, his jaw set so rigidly that I could tell he was holding back something fierce. This was the same tight expression he’d worn far too often over the past few days.

Ever since I had refused his proposal to turn our pretend marriage into a real one, the strain between us had only deepened. Yet, we were both adults, well aware of the necessity to maintain appearances. Outwardly, we still played the part of a happy, smiling couple. No one passing by would have guessed that beneath the surface, the distance between us was stretching thin, like a taut string ready to snap.

At last, the border between our territories appeared ahead—a modest clearing where the dense forest gave way to open space. Andrei was already waiting, leaning casually against his sleek black car, arms crossed over his chest. His Beta and two warriors stood nearby, alert and watchful.

A knot tightened in my stomach as we pulled up. This was the first time I’d see Andrei since we’d signed the alliance, and uncertainty churned inside me. Would he greet me with cold professionalism? Would he be aggressive, or worse, try to isolate me again, using his body to manipulate me into revealing secrets?

Damon gave me a curt nod as he parked the car. I returned the gesture with a small, tentative smile, hoping to soften the atmosphere. To my surprise, it seemed to have some effect; Damon’s rigid posture eased just a bit. I took a deep breath as we stepped out into the morning air.

The chill was sharp but refreshing, and a thin mist clung to the trees, muting the colors and wrapping the forest in a gentle, damp embrace. Andrei pushed off his car and straightened, his gaze immediately locking onto me. I instantly wished I had worn something warmer—the light jacket I’d chosen did little to stave off the goosebumps prickling my skin under his intense green eyes.

“Damon. Natalia,” Andrei greeted us, nodding to each of us with a carefully neutral expression. “Right on time.”

“Let’s get started,” Damon said briskly, shifting into business mode. “I brought maps of the shared territory. We need to set patrol routes, schedule rotations, and pinpoint any vulnerable areas.”

Andrei nodded in agreement, and we spread the maps across the hood of his car. I welcomed the distraction; focusing on the maps helped me push away the awareness of how close Andrei stood, close enough that I could almost catch his scent.

Stop it, I told myself firmly. Concentrate.

So, the three of us set off, tracing the invisible line that divided our lands. The morning mist gradually lifted as the sun rose higher, but the air remained crisp and cool. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold in warmth as I followed behind the two men.

As we walked, I forced myself to focus on the task—watching for signs of intruders, weak points in our defenses, anything that might threaten either pack. But despite my efforts, my eyes kept drifting to Andrei, who strode ahead with confident ease.

His dark hair had grown a bit longer since our last meeting, curling slightly at the nape of his neck where the morning dew caught it. The black leather pants hugged his muscular thighs perfectly, and I couldn’t help but remember how those strong legs had felt beneath my hands years ago.

Damn it. I couldn’t deny the heat that stirred low in my belly whenever I looked at him, nor the way my pulse sped up when those piercing green eyes turned my way.

I swallowed hard and tried to push the memories aside. This was about the alliance, about keeping both our packs safe. Nothing more. Yet, the tangled feelings inside me refused to settle, and the distance between Damon and me felt heavier than ever as we continued our walk along the border.