He Knows the Door to My Soul and Who Forgot to Novel 35

Natalia arrives at the Northern River Basin, a place of natural beauty and ancestral significance, chosen by Andrei for a hunt. She enjoys the peaceful environment and the invigorating thought of running through the woods, though she would have preferred a picnic. Damon, her companion, insists she stays close, his possessive touch making her uneasy despite their arrangement to appear united as Alpha and Luna. Although not truly mates or in love, Natalia tries to suppress her feelings about Damon’s recent possessiveness and a jealous ex’s comment.

As they reach the gathering near the tree line, Natalia notices familiar faces from neighboring packs and exchanges polite greetings. Her attention quickly shifts to Andrei, who is staring at Damon’s hand on her waist with clear hostility. The tension between the two brothers is palpable, causing others to step back. Damon reassures Natalia that Andrei is trying to provoke a reaction, urging her to ignore him.

Natalia then realizes someone important is missing from the hunt—Lilith. Unlike the other hunters dressed in leathers, Lilith is wearing an elegant blue dress and boots, indicating she won’t be participating. This relief is tempered by the thought that Andrei must have excluded her, as Lilith usually loves the hunt and would have wanted to join. The mystery of her absence adds to the underlying tensions.

Andrei calls everyone to attention and announces the start of the hunt, explaining that a bull elk has been released into the basin and that the pack who brings it down will claim victory. The crowd buzzes with excitement, and Natalia feels her wolf stirring with anticipation for the challenge ahead, eager to test her skills in the hunt after a long break.

Natalia

The Northern River Basin lived up to every bit of its legendary reputation. Mist curled gently around the jagged peaks above, while clear streams wove their way through the lush valley below. Towering evergreens stood sentinel alongside sturdy oaks, their leaves whispering in the soft morning breeze. Wildflowers in a riot of colors nodded and swayed, painting the landscape with vibrant splashes of life.

As I stepped out of the car, the delicate fragrance of those blossoms immediately filled my senses, prompting me to take a deep, calming breath. This place radiated peace and ancient strength. It was no surprise that our ancestors had chosen this very spot for their sacred ceremonies, nor that Andrei had selected it for the hunt. Personally, I would have preferred a leisurely picnic here, soaking in the tranquility. Yet, the idea of dashing through those dense woods sparked a thrill within me—an exhilarating promise of freedom and adrenaline.

“Stay close to me,” Damon’s voice was low, almost a murmur, as his hand slid to rest on the small of my back. The touch was firm, possessive. “No wandering off, no matter what happens.”

I nodded silently, trying to suppress the flutter of emotions his grip stirred. We’d talked about this during the drive—how important it was to present ourselves as a united front, a true Alpha and Luna pairing. The pack needed to see strength and harmony between us.

But knowing the plan and actually feeling his fingers spread protectively along my spine were two different experiences altogether. Lately, Damon’s possessiveness had grown more pronounced, more like a mate’s claim than just a partnership. Yet, we weren’t mates. Not really. And love? That was still a complicated, distant thing between us.

I pushed those thoughts aside. Four years of this arrangement had gone smoothly enough. I was content, even happy in my own way.

One jealous ex’s bitter remarks weren’t going to unravel that.

As we neared the main clearing, I noticed a gathering of familiar faces clustered near the tree line, their voices lively with anticipation. I exchanged polite nods and soft smiles with a few members of neighboring packs as we passed by, feeling the subtle hum of camaraderie in the air.

Then, my gaze landed on him.

Andrei stood by a small podium, clad in dark hunting leathers that molded perfectly to his broad shoulders and powerful frame. His dark green eyes, however, were not on me—they were locked onto the spot where Damon’s hand rested on my waist.

From across the clearing, I could see the tension ripple through his jaw muscles. When our eyes finally met, the disdain etched on his face was unmistakable. But it wasn’t directed at me. No, the fierce glare was aimed squarely at Damon, charged with a territorial intensity so raw that several wolves nearby instinctively took a half-step back, sensing the storm brewing between the two brothers.

“Ignore him,” Damon whispered close to my ear, his breath warm against my skin. The intimacy of the gesture was deliberate, meant for any onlookers. “He wants a reaction.”

I forced myself to look away, nodding quietly as I scanned the crowd for another familiar face. That’s when I noticed someone missing.

“Where’s Lilith?” I asked, frowning. She had never once missed a hunt before, especially not one hosted by her own pack.

Damon followed my gaze and then pointed discreetly. Unlike the other hunters clad in rugged leathers, Lilith was dressed in an elegant blue dress paired with sturdy boots. She wandered near the area designated for the feast later, chatting briefly with a staff member before pointing at a table. The attendant nodded and hurried off to move something.

Despite the relief that she wasn’t dressed for the hunt, I frowned. Lilith’s attire made it clear she wasn’t planning to participate. That meant one less rival to watch during the chase, one less pair of eyes scrutinizing me.

Still, I couldn’t shake the question: why would Andrei exclude her from such an important event? Lilith had always been passionate about the hunts. If she wasn’t taking part this time, it had to be because Andrei forbade it.

“Attention!” Andrei’s voice suddenly rang out, cutting through the murmurs and my swirling thoughts. Damon and I turned toward the podium as he stepped forward, commanding the crowd’s focus. “The hunt will begin shortly. As you all know, a bull elk has been released into the basin. The pack that brings it down will claim victory.”

A wave of excited whispers passed through the gathered wolves. Even I felt a thrill ripple through me—my wolf stirring, stretching, purring with anticipation. A bull elk was no easy quarry; it was a worthy challenge, the kind that tested skill and strength. I hadn’t enjoyed a proper hunt in far too long, and the thought of running on four legs through the wilderness made my heart race.

This was exactly the kind of challenge I craved.

The chapter closes on a note of quiet tension and simmering emotions, capturing the complex dynamics between Natalia, Damon, and Andrei. The Northern River Basin serves as a vivid backdrop, symbolizing both the beauty and wildness inherent in their relationships. Natalia’s internal struggle—balancing the comfort of her arranged partnership with Damon’s growing possessiveness and the undercurrent of Andrei’s jealousy—adds a poignant layer of emotional depth. The anticipation of the hunt mirrors the characters’ own quests for control, freedom, and understanding within the tangled web of their connections.

Despite the looming challenges and unspoken feelings, there is a sense of resilience and determination that underpins the narrative. Natalia’s acceptance of her role and her readiness to face the hunt reflect a subtle but powerful assertion of agency. The chapter gently underscores themes of loyalty, rivalry, and the complexity of love that is not easily defined. As the hunt begins, so too does a new chapter in their intertwined lives, filled with promise, tension, and the ever-present hope for clarity and peace.

The next chapter promises to deepen the simmering tensions that have quietly built beneath the surface. As the hunt commences, the fragile balance between Damon and Andrei is set to be tested in ways that could reshape their relationship—and Natalia’s place between them. The charged glances and unspoken rivalries hint at conflicts that may spill over from the clearing into more personal, emotional territory, forcing Natalia to navigate the complexities of loyalty, desire, and power.

Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding Lilith’s absence from the hunt looms large, suggesting that unseen forces may be at play behind the scenes. Her choice—or perhaps her exclusion—could have consequences that ripple through the pack, challenging alliances and stirring old wounds. As the chase unfolds, Natalia’s instincts and courage will be pushed to their limits, revealing new facets of her strength and the true nature of those around her. The wilderness may hold more than just the thrill of the hunt; it might also uncover secrets that 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.