He Knows the Door to My Soul and Who Forgot to Novel 33
Natalia and Damon are searching for a trustworthy nanny to care for their twins when they cannot be present. Despite interviewing many candidates, they struggle to find someone suitable—most applicants are either too young, inexperienced, or have other commitments. Damon suggests a woman with three children, but Natalia doubts her availability for full-time work. Their search grows frustrating as rejection piles up and no ideal candidate emerges.
Unexpectedly, Grace appears at their door, expressing interest in the nanny position. Though Natalia is surprised and wary due to past tensions—Grace had been distant and somewhat bitter after Natalia was chosen as Damon’s Luna—Grace insists she is good with children and has experience caring for her siblings and during nursing shifts. Natalia senses Grace’s true motive is to be close to Damon and prove her worth, but also recalls Grace’s prior help and loyalty despite their strained relationship.
Before Natalia can respond, Damon and his Beta leave briefly to answer another knock, leaving her alone with Grace. Grace reassures Natalia that she would never harm the twins, appealing to her trust. Their conversation is interrupted when a messenger arrives with an envelope bearing the Moonshadow seal, which causes Natalia to feel a chill, recognizing it as from Andrei’s pack.
The letter is an invitation from Andrei to attend a hunt in the Northern River Basin next weekend. Damon immediately rejects the idea, wary of recent interactions with Andrei and unwilling to enter his territory. However, the Beta points out that the Northern River Basin is neutral ground, protected by an ancient treaty forbidding any pack from claiming it or engaging in violence there. This revelation complicates their decision as the invitation presents a rare opportunity on sacred, shared land.
Natalia
After the recent events, Damon and I had agreed we needed someone trustworthy to watch the twins whenever we couldn’t be there. Not wanting the news to spread too far, we began interviewing various staff around the pack, hoping to find someone who might be interested in the job. But it was proving more difficult than I expected.
“This one has experience,” Damon said. “She’s got three pups of her own.”
I scanned the resume and shook my head. “Having her own children might make it hard for her to work full–time. We need someone without other big responsibilities, someone who can live in the house and be on call.”
Damon sighed and rubbed his temples. We’d been at this for hours, and the pile of rejections kept growing while the pile of possibilities remained stubbornly empty. Every applicant had some flaw–too young, too inexperienced, or they simply made me uneasy.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Damon nodded, and his Beta opened it, revealing Grace.
“Grace,” Damon said, setting aside his pen. “What are you doing here?”
“I heard you were looking for a nanny,” she said, holding up a small manila folder. “I wanted to apply.”
My jaw nearly dropped. Of all the people I’d expected to apply, Grace wasn’t one of them. She had kept her distance from me over the past four years, still a little bitter that I had been chosen as Damon’s Luna over her.
“You want to be our nanny?” I blurted out.
Grace’s chin lifted slightly. “I’m good with children. I helped raise my younger siblings, and I’ve always enjoyed taking care of the children during my nursing shifts at the infirmary.”
I hesitated, weighing my options. On one hand, I knew exactly why Grace was really here. She wanted to be close to Damon, to prove herself useful again, maybe even indispensable. It was written all over her face, in the hopeful way she glanced at him.
But on the other hand… Grace had helped me before, even if she didn’t like me. She had never betrayed me or Damon despite the strained situation we were all in, and Damon had known her for years. He trusted her.
རབ་
I was about to respond when there was another knock on the door. This time, Damon and his Beta both slipped out to speak to whoever it was, leaving me and Grace alone.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Grace said quietly once he was gone. “And you’re not wrong. But I promise you, Natalia, I would never let anything happen to those pups. Whatever you think of my motives, please believe that.”
Her words softened me considerably. But before I could reply, Damon and his Beta returned. A young wolf I recognized as one of our messengers followed behind him, clutching a white envelope.
“Luna,” the messenger bowed slightly to me, then extended the envelope. “This just arrived. It bears the
Moonshadow seal.”
My blood ran cold. Moonshadow. Andrei’s pack.
+25 Bonus
I took the envelope and tore it open. My eyes widened slightly as I read its contents.
“It’s an invitation,” I said, looking up at Damon. “From Andrei. He wants us to attend a hunt in the Northern River Basin next weekend.”
Grace’s eyebrows shot up, but Damon growled, “Absolutely not. We’ve had enough interaction with him lately, I think. And given everything that’s been happening, I don’t think it’s wise for us to set foot in his territory again.”
The messenger shifted on his feet. “Alpha, Luna, I’m instructed to wait for your response.”
“Tell him no,” I said immediately. “Tell him-”
“Wait.” Damon’s Beta suddenly spoke up. “May I see the invitation?”
Reluctantly, I handed it over. The Beta scanned it quickly, his brow furrowing.
“This is on neutral territory,” he said slowly. “The Northern River Basin is unclaimed. No pack can claim authority there because of its environmental and historical significance.”
To be fair, the Beta was right; the Northern River Basin was home to a wide variety of rare flora and fauna, and it had once been used as a ceremonial site by our ancestors. The packs had all signed a treaty over three hundred years ago promising not to claim the territory, leaving it instead within the Moon Goddess’s domain. No battles could be fought there, either–no bloodshed. Even Damon wouldn’t stoop that low.
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The chapter delicately captures the fragile balance between trust and suspicion that defines Natalia and Damon’s world. The unexpected arrival of Grace, with her complicated past and genuine offer to help, stirs a quiet tension that highlights the challenges of navigating relationships marred by history and unresolved feelings. Meanwhile, the invitation from Andrei’s pack introduces a looming uncertainty, reminding them that peace and safety are never guaranteed, even in neutral spaces sanctified by ancient treaties.
Through these intertwined moments, the story explores themes of loyalty, vulnerability, and the cautious hope that comes with opening one’s heart to those who may have once been adversaries. Natalia’s internal struggle reflects a broader emotional arc about the courage it takes to trust again, while the respect for sacred boundaries underscores the enduring power of heritage and the desire to protect what is precious. Together, these elements weave a poignant tapestry of love, duty, and the complexities of forging alliances in a world where every choice carries weight.
The next chapter promises to deepen the tension surrounding the invitation from Andrei’s pack, stirring a mix of curiosity and unease. As Natalia and Damon grapple with the implications of attending a hunt on neutral ground, readers will be drawn into the delicate balance of diplomacy and distrust that defines their world. The atmosphere is charged with the potential for unexpected alliances or subtle betrayals, leaving everyone questioning what lies beneath the surface of this seemingly peaceful gathering.
Meanwhile, Grace’s unexpected application to become the twins’ nanny adds another layer of complexity to the story. Her presence is bound to challenge Natalia’s feelings and the fragile dynamics within the pack. Will Grace’s intentions remain pure, or will old resentments and hidden agendas resurface, threatening to unravel the tentative trust that has been built? The emotional undercurrents between these women hint at unresolved conflicts and the possibility of surprising developments in their relationships.
As the characters prepare to confront these new challenges, readers can expect a chapter rich with emotional nuance and rising suspense. The choices Natalia and Damon make in response to the invitation—and to Grace’s offer—will have far-reaching consequences, setting the stage for a turning point in their journey. The next chapter will invite you to question loyalties, confront fears, and anticipate the unfolding of secrets 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.