Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 542

Chapter 542

Natalia’s POV

We left before sunrise the following morning.

I hadn’t slept well, which wasn’t unusual these days, but this time, it wasn’t bad dreams that kept me awake. It was that damn

key.

I put it on my nightstand before bed, and every time I opened my eyes in the dark, I saw it sitting there. It was so small and ordinary, but it felt like it held a mystery. I was surprised already that Celeste had thought of leaving me something in her will, and even more surprised that it was something apparently important enough to keep a secret until I opened it.

Max was already dressed and waiting by the door when I came downstairs. He had his bag packed and everything.

“You eat anything?” I asked, yawning.

“I’m not hungry.”

“You have to eat, love. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us.”

Max groaned. “It’s four in the morning, Mom.”

I couldn’t argue with that. I made some coffee, then went to check on Jane.

She was already awake when I pushed her door open, propped on her elbow with her hair fanned out across the pillow and a book open in front of her. Judging from the stump of a burnt candle on her bedside table, she had been up all night reading.

I stopped in the doorway and planted my hands on my hips. “Jane, you can’t stay up all night every night reading. The words won’t make sense if you’re exhausted.”

“I’m fine.” She sat up, rubbing her eyes. “Are you guys leaving now?”

I nodded.

Jane stood and followed me out into the hallway without being asked. She walked with me to Hope’s room and leaned in the doorway while I crouched beside the bed. Hope was curled up, fast asleep. She looked just like Jane when Jane was her age.

I brushed the hair from her face. She didn’t stir, and I gave her a quick kiss before I stood and walked out into the hall with Jane.

“You sure you’ll be okay here without me for a couple of days?” I asked, cupping her cheek.

Jane nodded. “Max is annoying, anyway.”

I snorted. “Well, take care of your sister. And ask an adult if you need anything. Don’t try to cook on your own.”

She rolled her eyes. “I know how to cook, Mom.”

“I know you do.” My chest ached a little. I forgot sometimes that the twins weren’t five anymore. Sometimes, they felt far older than eleven, too, because of their past that made them more world–weary than they should have been.

Finally, I kissed Jane on the cheek, hugged her tightly, and left with Max.

We arrived at Bloodmoon the following morning. The trek had gotten shorter over the years, thanks to David’s work building a drivable road through the Thornwood, but it was still a long and tiring journey, even in a car.

By the time the walls of the compound came into view, even Max, despite all of his energy, was yawning in the backseat

I parked just outside the compound and headed inside with Karl and Max. The Thornwood was quiet and peaceful around us, the scent of flowers in the air. Someone had been busy cultivating the soil around the walls, and a beautiful garden now ran around the perimeter.

Chapter 547

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify