He Knows the Door to My Soul and Who Forgot to Novel 22

Natalia arrives at the Green Ridge hall, which impresses her not with size but with its confident, old power atmosphere. As Damon’s Luna, she enters alone, dressed to project composure and control, though she feels uneasy under the scrutiny of the assembled Alphas, Lunas, and envoys. She has altered her appearance and scent to delay recognition, but curiosity about her presence and identity is palpable among the guests.

A woman, the hosting Luna, approaches Natalia, politely acknowledging her as Damon’s representative. Their brief exchange reveals the respect Damon commands and hints at growing interest in Ashmoor’s rising influence. After the encounter, Natalia faces a series of questions from others, which she skillfully deflects, maintaining privacy about her background and her relationship with Damon.

While near the refreshment table, Natalia overhears hushed conversations about Andrei, her brother-in-law, and his unresolved relationship with his fiancé. The whispers imply tension and speculation about their bond, stirring painful emotions in Natalia. When directly asked about the situation, she keeps her distance and avoids revealing personal feelings, highlighting the complexity of her connection to Andrei.

Later, Natalia is summoned to meet Alpha Romer, who expected someone else but accepts her as Damon’s Luna. He hints that circumstances have changed, urging her to speak with someone important. As the door opens, Natalia’s heart races with a mixture of dread and unresolved feelings as Andrei and Lilith enter together, presenting a united and powerful front. The sight of them rekindles memories and emotions Natalia thought were long buried, signaling a pivotal moment in the gathering.

NATALIA

The Green Ridge hall was grander than I expected–not in size, but in confidence. It didn’t need opulence to prove itself. The old stone walls were half–covered in rich green moss and etched with the marks of long–standing territory.

Gold–framed banners of visiting packs swayed gently under high–arched beams, and an intricate chandelier, shaped like a wolf’s outstretched paw, flickered with floating candles overhead.

It was beautiful in the way old power always is–quietly, unmistakably sure of itself.

of I adjusted the neckline of my navy dress and took a breath as I entered, trying to ignore the immediate wave heat that pressed in from the crowded room. Conversations hummed beneath the music.

Every Alpha, Luna, and visiting envoy in attendance moved with practiced grace. They didn’t gawk, didn’t stare but I still felt the weight of a dozen pairs of eyes skim across me the moment I stepped in.

Damon wasn’t here. This was my show.

I walked in as his Luna, crest pressed against my collarbone and every thread of this gown chosen to project composure. Confidence. Control. But my heels clicked too loud on the marble. My shoulders felt too tight.

I kept my chin high and moved through the crowd alone.

I’d darkened my lashes, softened the angle of my jaw, even changed my scent profile with crushed pine and a touch of bergamot. Nothing too obvious–just enough to slow recognition, not erase it.

Still, heads turned.

Not in recognition. Not yet. But curiosity lingered in every glance.

Andrei’s long–lost Luna.

Ashmoor’s well–kept secret.

I was no one and everyone, depending on who you asked.

***

A server passed with a tray of crystal flutes. I took one, though I didn’t drink.

The liquid shimmered–a mix of elderflower and something tart. I took a small sip, mostly to avoid having to speak too soon. I needed to anchor myself, memorize the exits, scan for old allies and newer threats.

That was when she found me.

The hosting Luna.

She was older–late forties, perhaps–but carried herself like a woman who had fought for every inch of her title. Thick auburn hair braided into a crown. Shoulders back, hands bare of jewels. No need for them.

“You must be Ashmoor’s Luna,” she said, approaching with a polite smile. “Damon sent you in his stead?”

I returned the smile with practiced ease. “He sends his regrets. I’m here in his place.”

She took both of my hands in hers. Warm. Firm. Assessing.

“You look familiar,” she said, narrowing her eyes slightly. “Have we met?”

“I don’t believe so.”

She tilted her head. “Hm. You have one of those faces, I suppose. Striking. Difficult to forget.”

I said nothing.

She nodded to herself, as if filing me away for later. “Well, I hope you enjoy your evening. Damon’s name is earning weight–especially after how quickly Ashmoor’s grown. People will want to know who you

“Thank you,” I murmured.

She glided off, and sure enough, they started coming.

are.

17

***

Some were subtle just glances, gentle questions wrapped in compliments. Others were bolder, asking directly where I was from, how long I’d been Luna, what my background was. I danced around each query like a blade. My words were measured. Polite. Unyielding.

“Damon and I prefer our privacy.”

“No, I wasn’t raised in the central packs.”

“We’ve worked together closely for several years.

They didn’t say Andrei’s name. Not yet. But it hung there anyway.

Then it happened.

I paused by the refreshment table, folding a linen napkin between my fingers, and heard it just off to the side, behind a curtain of ivy that separated the smaller conversation circle from the main room.

“He still hasn’t married her?”

I stilled.

“No. It’s been, what… three, four years now? They live together. She attends all the summits. But there’s still no bond.”

“Maybe he’s not over the last one.”

“Or maybe she’s the one stalling.”

Someone scoffed. “He’s Alpha. If he wanted to mark her, he would’ve. She’s just convenient.

Chapter

The laugh that followed made my skin go cold.

They didn’t need to say her name.

They didn’t need to say mine, either.

But every word prickled my skin.

Then, one of the Luna’s looked at me. “Sister–in–law,” I heard the low whisper and more gazes turned in my direction.

Finally, one of the more bold Luna’s approached me. “You’re the sister–in–law to Andrei of Moonshadow, are you not?” she asked.

I nodded, swallowing thickly.

“Any idea what’s going on there?” she said, arching an eyebrow. “With he and his… fiancé?”

I gave the woman a warm smile that quickly faded. “I barely know the man,” I said, “We don’t socialize. If you’ll excuse me…”

I set the napkin down gently and walked away without another word. After all these years, even just hearing his name brought up feelings I wasn’t prepared to deal with.

***

By the time I was summoned to the meeting chamber, my smile had returned–sharp as a blade.

The antechamber was smaller, warmer. A fire crackled in a stone hearth against the far wall, the scent of burning pine curling in the air. Maps were laid across a long table. A single man stood at the head, hands clasped behind his back.

He turned when I entered.

“Alpha Romer,” I said with a respectful nod. “I’m Mira. I’ve been sent on behalf of Alpha Damon.

He looked me over. Not lecherously–analytically.

“We were expecting someone else,” he said bluntly.

“Damon was delayed,” I replied. “He entrusted me to speak in his place.

“You’re his Luna.”

“Yes.”

He watched me for a beat longer, then gave a tight nod.

“I see. That would have been useful to know earlier.”

“Apologies,” I said. “Our pack prefers discretion.”

“Discretion has its place,” he said, then added, “Unfortunately, in this case, things have changed.”

My spine straightened. “Changed how?”

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he stepped to the side and nodded toward the hallway.

“You’ll want to speak to him.”

My heartbeat stuttered.

I knew.

I didn’t want to.

But I knew.

Even before the door opened, even before the hush fell across the corridor, I knew.

There was a shift in the air–like the pressure before a storm. It pulled at something in my chest, something half- healed and far too tender. I turned my head slightly toward the doorway, heart thudding with a rhythm I hadn’t felt in years.

Not since the funeral. Not since the garden. Not since the day I walked away.

Footsteps echoed in the marble hall. A murmured announcement I couldn’t make out. And then, they stepped

inside.

Andrei.

Lilith.

Together.

Walking side by side like a portrait of power and precision.

Andrei wore the colors of Moonshadow: slate gray lined with burnished silver. His crest shimmered on his lapel, and his posture was as poised as I remembered–broad–shouldered, deliberate, unshakable. Time hadn’t softened him. If anything, he looked harder, sharper.

Lilith was elegance spun from ice. Her dress was a pale, opalescent lavender, clinging and soft, the sleeves sheer. She had her hair coiled at the nape of her neck, her makeup understated but exact. She was the vision people had once compared me to. The one they said he had never stopped loving.

I didn’t breathe. Couldn’t.

Goddess, I thought. If they saw me, this was over.

コー

The evening at Green Ridge unraveled with a quiet intensity, each moment steeped in unspoken histories and restrained emotions. Natalia navigated the room with a fragile composure, a delicate balance between vulnerability and strength, as she faced the weight of her past and the sharp gazes of those who whispered in shadows. The encounter with the hosting Luna and the subtle murmurs about Damon and Andrei stirred a tempest of feelings within her, reminding her of the complexities that tethered her to a world she once tried to leave behind.

As the chapter closes, the arrival of Andrei and Lilith marks a poignant turning point, a collision of past and present that stirs old wounds and unspoken truths. Natalia’s heart races with a mix of dread and determination, the sight of them together a stark reminder of what was lost and what remains unresolved. In this charged moment, the chapter captures the delicate dance of power, love, and identity, leaving us suspended on the edge of revelation and the uncertain path ahead.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of emotions and alliances that Natalia must navigate as she confronts the reality of Andrei and Lilith’s alliance. The tension in the air is palpable, and readers can expect a charged encounter filled with unspoken history and simmering conflict. Natalia’s internal struggle will become even more pronounced as she faces the ghosts of her past and the sharp gaze of those who question her place in this intricate pack dynamic.

As the story unfolds, the delicate balance of power and loyalty within the pack will be tested. Secrets hinted at in this chapter may come to light, and the true nature of relationships—both old and new—will be put under scrutiny. The emotional stakes are high, and the next chapter will likely explore how Natalia’s composure holds up when confronted with the very people who represent the life she left behind, setting the stage for revelations that could change everything.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.