Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 67

**He Knows the Door to My Soul and Who Forgot to Novel**

**Chapter 67**

**Natalia**

As we crossed the threshold of Moonshadow’s grand ballroom, an electric pulse raced through my veins, and my heart felt as if it were about to burst from my chest.

Five years.

Five long years had passed since I had last set foot in this house, and now, here I was, stepping back inside as a mere guest, no longer the Luna I had once proudly embodied.

I inhaled deeply, and the familiar scent enveloped me—a heady mix of polished wood, fresh blooms, and the unmistakable allure of high-end perfume. It was a fragrance that had been my constant companion for years, a scent that had once felt like a suffocating blanket draped over my shoulders. No matter how hard I had tried to rid my home of it, it had lingered, a stubborn reminder of everything I had tried to escape.

Five years later, and the aroma still clung to the air, tugging at the edges of my mind and threatening to drag me back into a past I desperately wished to forget. I felt as though I were drowning in it.

Damon’s hand found mine, warm and reassuring. “You okay?” he asked, his voice low and filled with concern.

I mustered a smile, though it felt forced, and nodded. “I’m fine,” I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.

He studied me for a moment, his expression skeptical, but then he pulled me closer, guiding me deeper into the room.

The ballroom was alive with energy, filled with wolves from various packs, each one adorned in their finest attire. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above us, the very same ones I had insisted on installing years ago when the old ones had started to crumble and fade.

Lilith had truly outdone herself this time, I had to admit. Tables were elegantly draped in silver and white floral arrangements, while intricate ice sculptures stood proudly at either end of the lavish buffet. An orchestra was setting up in a corner, their instruments gleaming under the soft light. Balloons and streamers fluttered gently in the air, adding a festive touch to the atmosphere.

It was surreal to think that I had once hosted countless events in this very space—formal dinners, grand festivals, extravagant balls celebrating the changing seasons.

I recalled standing at the top of those grand marble stairs, greeting guests alongside Andrei, playing the role of the perfect Luna, even when our marriage felt like a delicate facade. I remembered the opulent celebrations, the meticulous seating arrangements, and the exhaustion that would wash over me at the end of each night.

Of course, some things had shifted since my last visit. The curtains were now a deep burgundy, a stark contrast to the royal blue I had once chosen. The furniture had been rearranged, and new paintings adorned the walls, yet the essence of the place remained unchanged.

Even during my time living here, back when Lilith was still a haunting absence, presumed dead, the house had never truly felt like mine. I had made small changes, redecorated a few rooms, but Andrei had always halted any significant alterations.

“This was Lilith’s design,” he would insist. “Lilith picked that out especially. There’s no need to change it.”

Even in her absence, her presence loomed large—woven into the very fabric of the home, from the color palette to the arrangement of the furniture, and the artwork that hung on the walls. It was as if the house itself had been holding its breath, waiting for her return, merely tolerating my existence in the meantime.

And now she was back. The rightful Luna, in the eyes of the pack, in the eyes of my ex-husband. I felt like a ghost, lingering in the shadows of a life that had once been mine. Perhaps I always had been.

Mira of Ashmoor. Not Natalia. Maybe Natalia had never truly existed—just a fleeting thought, an ephemeral notion, a placeholder until Lilith’s return.

“Drink?” Damon offered, breaking through my spiraling thoughts. He extended a glass of champagne toward me, and I accepted it with a grateful nod.

In one swift motion, I downed the bubbly beverage, grimacing as the effervescence tickled my nose.

“No, I’ll be fine,” I assured him, slipping away before he could protest.

I navigated through the throng of guests, making my way toward the corridor that led to the nearest restroom. The route was etched in my memory—down the hall, third door on the left. I had used it countless times as a refuge during particularly tedious events, seeking solace in moments of solitude. Even now, years later, I could navigate this mansion with my eyes closed.

The bathroom was a welcome oasis of quiet. I leaned against the marble counter, my reflection staring back at me. Mira of Ashmoor appeared calm and composed in her emerald gown, but inside, Natalia felt like a tempest.

I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water over my wrists, the refreshing chill helping to steady my racing heart.

Dozens of witnesses filled the ballroom tonight—Alphas and Lunas from packs all across the region. Even if Lilith harbored animosity toward me, she wouldn’t dare risk making a scene in such a public setting. Not with the alliance still so new and fragile.

And besides, I was no longer the naive Luna I had been five years ago. I had grown stronger, wiser. I had more to fight for.

Taking a deep breath, I smoothed my dress, checked my reflection one last time, and steeled myself to return to the ballroom.

When I stepped back into the festivities, the party was in full swing. The orchestra had begun to play, and the dance floor was a flurry of movement and laughter. I scanned the crowd for Damon, but he was lost among the sea of faces.

“Excuse me,” a deep voice called from behind me. “Mira?”

I turned to find a tall, striking Alpha standing there, exuding confidence and charm. He was young, with a square jaw and a cleft chin, his dark brown hair catching the candlelight and glinting like gold.

He extended a glass of champagne toward me, his smile inviting. “May I offer you a drink?”