He Knows the Door to My Soul and Who Forgot to Novel 47

Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) · NovelDrama.Org

Natalia is shaken as she holds a small glass bottle given to her by Andrei, who this time offers it privately, without an audience. Despite a fleeting thought that he might not be as manipulative as she believed, she quickly dismisses it, recalling that Andrei had chosen Lilith over her both five years ago and again that night. She pockets the bottle and helps Damon into the car, determined not to let fleeting kindness cloud her judgment.

As they drive away from the disastrous hunt, Damon complains about feeling drugged, and Natalia suspects Lilith was behind it. They debate whether Andrei was involved, with Damon cynical about Andrei’s willingness to overlook the manipulation. The silence between them is heavy, with Natalia watching Damon closely for lingering effects of the wolfsbane, though he seems to be recovering.

At the hotel, Natalia helps Damon to their room and insists on a shower to flush out toxins. While Damon showers, she applies the ointment from the bottle to her leg wounds, feeling immediate relief despite her conflicted feelings about Andrei. It is a small comfort after the day’s turmoil.

The next morning, Damon wakes Natalia with urgent news: a gossip blog has published photos and a scandalous story about Natalia and Andrei’s supposed secret rendezvous in the forest. The article falsely claims they kissed eagerly, though Natalia insists the kiss was unwanted and she pushed Andrei away. Damon’s jealousy is evident, adding tension to their strained situation. Natalia reassures him, affirming she would never have kissed Andrei intentionally.

Natalia

I stared at the small glass bottle in my hand in shock. Andrei had pressed it into my palm with no audience this

time – no crowd to impress, no show to put on.

Maybe he wasn’t being as manipulative as I’d thought. Maybe-

No. I shoved the bottle into my pocket and finished helping Damon into the car. I couldn’t afford to think like that, not after everything that had happened. Andrei had chosen Lilith five years ago, and he had chosen her again tonight. Whatever momentary softness he showed me meant nothing compared to that.

“Are you sure you’re okay to drive?” Damon asked as I climbed into the driver’s seat.

“I’m fine. The wine wore off hours ago.” I started the engine and pulled out of the lot, eager to put as much distance as possible between us and that disaster of a hunt. “How are you feeling?”

“Like someone stuffed cotton in my head.” He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. “I can’t believe she drugged me.‘

“I can.” I clenched my jaw.

“Do you think Andrei had a part in it?”

I hesitated at that. “I’m… not sure,” I finally admitted. “Given his reaction, I don’t think so. But letting her go that and pretending she didn’t do it despite having the evidence laid out plain as day is just as bad.”

Damon scoffed. “He might as well have had a hand in the situation if he’s really willing to roll over and let her manipulate him like that.”

We drove in silence for a while, the dark forest flashing by outside. I kept glancing at Damon, watching for any signs that the wolfsbane was still affecting him. But aside from exhaustion, he seemed to be recovering well.

The hotel was a welcome sight after the long drive. I helped Damon up to our room, grateful that most of the other guests were asleep. The last thing we needed was more witnesses to add to the gossip mill.

“Shower, then bed,” I ordered, guiding him toward the bathroom. “The hot water will help flush out any remaining toxins.”

While Damon showered, I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled out the ointment again. The glass was cool against my palm, the contents glowing faintly in the lamplight. I unscrewed the cap and dabbed a tiny amount on my finger, then carefully applied it to the wounds on my leg.

The relief was immediate. The angry throbbing that had plagued me despite the healer’s work faded to nothing, replaced by a pleasant coolness. I hated the thought of feeling grateful for Andrei, but at least the ointment was one good thing to come out of today.

The next morning came too soon. I woke to Damon shaking my shoulder, and when I opened my eyes, I saw Damon standing over the bed with a grim expression on his face.

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“We have a problem.”

I sat up, instantly alert. “What kind of problem?”

He handed me his phone. The screen showed a gossip blog popular among the regional packs, and my stomach dropped as I read the headline: “Ashmoor Luna’s Secret Forest Rendezvous with Brother–in–Law!”

Below were photos of Andrei and me at the feast, him feeding me meat. His hands on my leg as he tended my wounds. And worse, much worse, was a blurry shot from the forest that seemed to capture our kiss.

“Keep reading,” Damon said curtly.

I scrolled down to find an “eyewitness account” from someone claiming to have seen Andrei and me kissing in the woods. They described in heavy detail how he had pressed me against a tree, how I’d responded eagerly, how we’d only broken apart when we heard others approaching.

“This is bullshit,” I said, shoving the phone back at him. “We didn’t–I mean, he did succeed in kissing me against my will, but I pushed him away immediately.”

“Was it against your will?” He tilted his head.

I sighed and murmured exasperatedly, “Damon…”

“I know, I know.” He looked away, but there was something in Damon’s eyes I’d been seeing more and more recently. A tightness around his mouth, a tension in his shoulders. He was jealous.

“Damon.” I sighed and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, tossing the covers aside. “You know I wouldn’t have intentionally kissed him.”

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The weight of the night’s events settled heavily on Natalia, leaving her caught between conflicting emotions—distrust, reluctant gratitude, and the sting of betrayal. The small vial Andrei had given her was a quiet reminder of a momentary kindness, but it could not erase the deeper wounds inflicted by his choices and the public scandal now threatening to unravel everything. As she tended to her physical pain, her mind wrestled with the complexities of loyalty, manipulation, and the fragile bonds between those she cared for.

In the quiet morning light, the harsh reality of the gossip blog’s revelations forced Natalia to confront the consequences of the night’s turmoil. Damon’s jealousy, barely concealed beneath his concern, added another layer to the tangled emotions between them. Despite the chaos, there was an unspoken understanding that their connection, tested and strained, remained a crucial anchor. Together, they faced the uncertain path ahead, bound by shared pain and the hope for clarity beyond the shadows of deceit.

The fallout from the scandalous gossip threatens to upend everything Natalia and Damon have been trying to protect. As whispers spread through the packs, the fragile trust between them will be tested, and Natalia must confront the painful reality of how others perceive her—whether fairly or not. The tangled emotions simmering beneath the surface promise to bring unexpected challenges, forcing both to question where their loyalties truly lie.

Meanwhile, the shadow of Andrei’s actions looms larger, complicating an already volatile situation. Natalia’s struggle to reconcile her feelings with the harsh truths about Andrei’s choices will deepen, and Damon’s growing jealousy hints at cracks in their alliance that could widen if left unchecked. In the next chapter, tensions will rise, and the characters will face difficult decisions that could change their relationships forever.

The chapter closes with Natalia caught in a swirl of conflicting emotions, where moments of reluctant kindness from Andrei are overshadowed by his repeated betrayals and the public scandal that threatens her reputation. Her physical pain is soothed by the mysterious ointment, yet the emotional wounds remain raw, underscoring the fragile trust and deep wounds that shape her relationships. Damon’s presence, marked by concern and jealousy, adds complexity to their bond, revealing the unspoken tensions that simmer beneath the surface.

As dawn breaks, the harsh light of gossip and misunderstanding forces Natalia and Damon to confront the fragile state of their connection. Despite the strain, their shared pain and loyalty offer a tenuous anchor amid the chaos. The chapter gently portrays the delicate balance between trust and betrayal, love and suspicion, setting the stage for the difficult choices and emotional reckonings that lie ahead.

The next chapter will delve deeper into the consequences of the scandalous gossip that has spread like wildfire, threatening to shatter the delicate balance Natalia and Damon have fought so hard to maintain. As rumors swirl and judgments are cast, Natalia will find herself grappling not only with the public’s perception but also with the storm of emotions brewing within her. The strain on her relationship with Damon will become more palpable, as his jealousy and protective instincts clash with her need for independence and truth.

At the same time, the complex dynamics involving Andrei will continue to unfold, casting a long shadow over the trio’s interactions. Natalia’s conflicted feelings toward him—caught between resentment and reluctant gratitude—will fuel inner turmoil, while Damon’s growing suspicion and jealousy threaten to drive a wedge between them. The next chapter promises to heighten emotional stakes and reveal subtle shifts in alliances, setting the stage for difficult choices and unexpected revelations that could redefine their futures.

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.