He Knows the Door to My Soul and Who Forgot to Novel 23

Natalia tries to avoid a confrontation by slipping away into a hallway, but a younger Luna stops her, eager to connect due to Natalia’s supposed ties to Moonshadow. The Luna mentions Natalia’s past marriage to Alpha Andrei’s brother, hinting at political interest and tradition within the pack. Natalia denies being who they think she is, but before she can escape, Andrei himself appears, calling her name and causing a stir among the crowd.

Andrei approaches Natalia, desperate for confirmation of her identity, while Lilith tries to dismiss the situation by claiming Natalia died years ago and this woman is just a lookalike. Despite the tension, Natalia warns Andrei not to touch her without permission, asserting her boundaries firmly. The crowd watches in silence as the formal event announcement shifts attention away, allowing Natalia to slip out unnoticed, though she feels Andrei’s gaze on her.

In the quiet hallways of Green Ridge, Natalia leans against a wall, her heart racing as she realizes she can’t stay with Andrei present and the situation unraveling. She learns from a server that the Moonshadow pack, the territory she was sent to negotiate with, has recently merged, meaning she would have to deal with Andrei directly. Deciding it’s too risky, she chooses to leave and plans to inform Damon later, apologizing for abandoning the talks.

NATALIA

I turned sharply, my only plan to vanish into the nearest hallway, blend back into the safety of shadows. The last thing I wanted was a confrontation–not here, not like this.

But I didn’t get far.

A hand brushed my elbow, light but insistent.

“Oh, wait! Excuse me–aren’t you Alpha Andrei’s sister–in–law?”

I stopped. Slowly turned.

The voice belonged to a younger Luna, someone clearly eager to rise in the ranks of political favor. Her gown was soft pink, her smile too wide, her eyes glittering with calculated cheer.

“You can’t leave just yet,” she said, stepping in front of me. “I’ve been meaning to introduce myself your connection to Moonshadow is so intriguing.‘

Connection.

I could feel the trap tightening before I had time to breathe.

She kept talking, blissfully unaware of the panic rising beneath my skin. “You were married to his brother,

weren’t you? We’ve all heard a little about it. That must have been years ago, though–I wasn’t in circulation yet.

I just know Andrei’s pack respects tradition. It’s lovely to see them supporting extended family.”

I smiled thinly. “You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

Her brow furrowed, just for a second. “No, I don’t think-”

“Natalia!”

The voice cut through the air like a blade.

My whole body froze.

Gasps erupted around the room like a spark catching dry leaves. Wolves turned. A few jaws dropped. And then came the whispers.

Andrei stood at the top of the landing, gaze locked on mine, every ounce of composure stripped from his features.

“Natalia,” he said again, softer now. But the damage was done.

The name rang through the hall like a shot, and Andrei approached just as quickly, barreling through the assembled masses to get to me.

I inhaled sharply, spine straightening.

“You’ve made a mistake,” I said coolly, as he approached keeping my tone as even as possible. “I’m not whoever

you think I am.”

Someone dropped a glass in the background. It shattered. I jumped.

Lilith stepped forward, sidling up beside him, and her voice rang out next.

“No,” she said, too sweetly. “Natalia died years ago. That’s just someone who happens to look like her. Nothing more.”

But her eyes never left mine.

Andrei’s fists clenched. “Tell me it’s not true,” he whispered, though every ear in the room heard it–they were all looking at us. “Tell me it’s not true.”

“Stop it,” I hissed under my breath, stepping back. “Do not make a scene.’

He moved like he was about to reach out for me.

“)

I took another step back and lifted my chin. “Touch me without my permission, Alpha, and I’ll respond accordingly.”

That made him pause.

I could feel every eye in the room on me. The former Luna, back from the dead. Or a ghost. Or an imposter.

The event’s formal announcement saved me.

A chime rang out. Somewhere, a Beta called for the gathering to begin. A slow shift in attention rippled through the crowd, curiosity giving way to duty.

I slipped out the side door while no one was watching, though I could swear I felt Andrei’s eyes on me.

***

The hallways of Green Ridge were cool, polished stone. I found an empty alcove near a terrace and leaned against the wall, my heart still galloping.

E

I couldn’t stay. Not with Andrei here. Not with what was now unraveling.

I needed to go before this exploded.

I flagged a server and gently inquired which pack controlled the territory I’d been sent to negotiate with.

“Moonshadow,” the girl said, not thinking twice. “They merged last month.”

Of course they had.

Which meant if I stayed, I’d be dealing directly with Andrei from now on.

I closed my eyes for a moment, steadying myself.

No. No, I couldn’t do it.

+25 Bonus

I turned on my heel and started toward the front entrance. I’d send word to Damon later, apologize for abandoning

the talks.

P

The encounter with Andrei and the young Luna left Natalia shaken, caught between the weight of her past and the precarious present. The fragile veneer of control she maintained cracked under the intense scrutiny, yet she stood firm, asserting her boundaries with quiet strength. The whispers and stares that followed her departure underscored the complex web of identity, loyalty, and unspoken history that now threatened to unravel in the heart of Moonshadow’s political landscape.

As Natalia slipped away into the cool solitude of the hallways, the realization settled heavy within her: the past she thought buried was stirring anew, and the path ahead was fraught with uncertainty. Her decision to leave the gathering, to avoid an inevitable confrontation, spoke to a deeper need for self-preservation and clarity. In this moment of vulnerability and resolve, the chapter closes on a poignant note—one where the shadows of old ties and new alliances intertwine, shaping the delicate dance of trust and survival.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of past and present as Natalia’s carefully guarded secrets begin to unravel in the unforgiving glare of Moonshadow’s political stage. The tension between her and Andrei, charged with unspoken history and raw emotion, is poised to escalate, forcing both to confront truths they might rather keep buried. Natalia’s resolve will be tested as she navigates the dangerous line between self-preservation and the pull of old connections.

Meanwhile, the subtle but sharp undercurrents of intrigue surrounding Natalia’s identity and her ties to the pack hint at betrayals and alliances yet to be revealed. The presence of Lilith, whose sweet but cutting words suggest a deeper knowledge and possible manipulation, adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. Readers can expect a chapter filled with charged encounters, shifting loyalties, and the stirring of long-dormant feelings that threaten to upend the fragile balance Natalia has fought so hard to maintain.

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.