He Knows the Door to My Soul and Who Forgot to Novel 63

In this chapter, a tense conversation unfolds between Natalia and Andrei over a meal at a tavern. Andrei questions Natalia about why Damon has never marked her, implying that their relationship might not be as genuine as she claims. Natalia defends her bond with Damon, insisting that their love doesn’t require a physical mark. The discussion stirs up old emotions and unresolved conflicts, especially when Andrei brings up the past, including the baby Natalia chose to abort, which ignites a sharp exchange between them.

Despite the anger and bitterness, there is an undeniable tension and closeness between Natalia and Andrei, hinting at complicated feelings beneath their confrontation. Andrei’s flirtatious and provocative behavior unsettles Natalia, who struggles with the mix of emotions his presence evokes. Their charged interaction is interrupted when Damon arrives, bringing a shift in the atmosphere.

Damon’s arrival introduces a sense of relief for Natalia, though frustration lingers due to the unresolved dynamics between the three. As Damon indicates that something important has been handled, Natalia quickly ends the encounter with Andrei, signaling her desire to move forward and return home with Damon. The chapter closes with Natalia asserting her commitment to Damon, despite the emotional turmoil stirred by Andrei’s visit.

“Do you really care about them enough to reveal your true identity?” His question hit me like a sudden jolt, making my heart race. But before I could find the words to answer, our food arrived—a steaming bowl of hearty stew accompanied by crusty bread, simple yet satisfying.

We ate quietly for a few moments, the lively hum of the tavern around us providing a comforting backdrop. At the far end of the table, Andrei’s Beta and the two warriors were engrossed in their own conversation, sharing occasional bursts of laughter. At least, it seemed like they were getting along well.

After a while, Andrei broke the silence. “You’ve built a good life here,” he said, his tone almost admiring. “Clearly better than what you had with me.”

I nodded without hesitation. “Yes, I have.”

“Then why hasn’t Damon marked you?” he asked, his voice low but persistent.

I bristled at the question. “Why do you keep bringing that up? It’s none of your concern.”

He shrugged casually. “It just surprises me. You say you love him, and he says he loves you. Yet after all these years, you still don’t bear his mark. If you’re truly happy together, why not make it permanent?”

My mind involuntarily drifted back to that night in the parlor—Damon kneeling before me, pleading to mark me, to seal our bond. The hope in his eyes that turned to quiet disappointment when I refused. The cold distance that settled between us afterward.

“As I told you before,” I said firmly, “not everyone needs a physical mark to prove their love. Damon and I don’t.”

Andrei’s lips curved into a sly smile. “Or maybe you don’t love him as much as you say you do. Maybe you’re just convenient to each other.”

“You don’t know anything about our relationship,” I shot back, feeling my defenses rise.

“I know my brother. And I used to know you.” He took a slow sip of his wine, eyes never leaving me. “Well, if you ever grow tired of not having that mark on your neck, you know where to find me.”

A flush of heat spread across my cheeks—whether it was anger, embarrassment, or something more, I couldn’t tell. “Are you seriously flirting with me right now? When Lilith is waiting for you at home?”

“Is that what you think I’m doing?” His voice dropped into a huskier tone. “Flirting?”

“Yes,” I hissed, my voice sharp. “First the kiss at the hunt, now this. What game are you playing, Andrei?”

“Maybe I just want to know if you ever think about us—about the family we could have had. The baby you chose to abort.”

“There is no ‘us’ anymore,” I snapped, refusing to dignify the abortion comment with a response.

Despite the anger simmering between us, there was a charged tension in the air. We leaned closer, the distance shrinking until I could catch the faint scent of sweat on his skin, mingled with the sharp tang of wine on his breath.

Just a few inches more, and we might be able to close the gap between us again.

Andrei’s eyes darkened, and for a fleeting moment, I thought he might reach out and touch me. The thought both terrified and thrilled me.

“Natalia.” His voice was soft, my name slipping from his lips like a kiss. I hated how my body betrayed me, a warm blush spreading through me despite myself.

“I think about it sometimes,” he admitted quietly. “What might have been if—”

Then, cutting through the moment, a familiar presence appeared.

There you are.

I looked up to see Damon striding toward our table, and the sight of him stirred a mix of relief and frustration deep inside me.

“Damon,” I said quickly, rising to my feet. “I was wondering what was taking you so long.”

His gaze flicked from me to Andrei, who was now leaning back in his chair, relaxed. “It took longer than I expected, but it’s handled now.” There was something unsaid in his tone, but perhaps this wasn’t the place to discuss it.

“We were just finishing up,” I said, placing some money on the table to cover our meal. “It’s getting late, and Andrei needs to return to his territory.”

I grabbed my new scarf and gave Andrei a curt nod.

“Thank you for the tour and dinner, Luna Mira,” he said, emphasizing my alias with a mocking edge. “We should do this again sometime.”

I chose not to respond. Instead, I turned to Damon. “Let’s go home.”

The charged encounter with Andrei left a lingering ache, a reminder of the complex web of past choices and unspoken feelings that still bind us. Despite the tension and the ghosts of what might have been, I found strength in the life I’ve built and the love I share with Damon—a love that doesn’t need outward symbols to prove its depth. Andrei’s words stirred old wounds, but they also reaffirmed the resilience I’ve gained, the quiet certainty that some bonds transcend marks and declarations.

As Damon arrived, grounding me in the present, I felt the fragile balance between past and future shift once more. The night’s conversation underscored the enduring power of memory and the painful beauty of moving forward. Though the shadows of yesterday hover close, I know where my heart truly belongs, and with that knowledge, I step away from the past, ready to face whatever comes next with Damon by my side.

The next chapter promises to deepen the tangled web of emotions and past regrets that bind Natalia, Andrei, and Damon. As tensions simmer beneath their seemingly polite exchanges, old wounds and unspoken desires threaten to resurface, challenging the fragile peace Natalia has built around her heart. The unresolved questions about love, loyalty, and the choices that shaped their lives will weigh heavily on each character, pushing them toward moments of vulnerability and confrontation.

As Natalia and Damon step away from the charged encounter, the undercurrents of jealousy, longing, and resentment will likely come to the forefront, testing the strength of their bond. Meanwhile, Andrei’s cryptic words and lingering presence hint at complications yet to unfold, stirring uncertainty about what the future holds for all three. Readers can expect a delicate dance of emotions, where the past and present collide, and every decision carries the weight of what could have been.

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.