Chapter 243

Chapter 243
Natasha's POV

As the estate's silhouette appeared on the horizon, I spotted Grace and several servants standing on the lawn, their faces frozen in shock. Security personnel nervously raised their flashlights, some even drawing their weapons.

I couldn't blame them for their reaction—witnessing a massive silver wolf bursting from the forest with a blood-covered Alexander on its back was definitely a jaw-dropping sight.

"Oh my God! What is that?" a maid gasped, stumbling backward.

"Natasha...?" Grace's voice came out barely above a whisper as she took a tentative step toward me. I nodded, slowing my pace.

Maya immediately pointed at me, practically bouncing with excitement. "That's Natasha! She's the Lunawolf!"

The security guard shook his head in disbelief. "I never thought the Lunawolf would be anything but bedtime stories."

I wished I had time to let them process this bombshell, but Alexander was growing weaker on my back. His fingers barely clung to my fur as his body started sliding sideways. I skidded to a halt, feeling my transformation energy fading fast. A sharp pain ripped through my entire body as I shifted back to human form, just in time to catch Alexander as he slipped from my back.

I collapsed to my knees on the grass, cradling him in my arms, watching in horror as fresh blood soaked through his white shirt. "Hold on, Alexander!" My vision blurred with tears.

"Hurry!" I shouted at the frozen crowd, panic clawing at my throat. "I can't heal him completely by myself!"

That snapped everyone into action. They rushed forward, carefully lifting Alexander from my arms. I struggled to stand, desperate to follow them, my legs still trembling from the transformation. But I refused to give up—not now, not when everything was on the line.

"Get him inside, now!" Grace barked orders at the security team before turning to me, her face etched with worry. "Alexander said Victor was coming, then he just bolted out. What happened?"

I sucked in a shaky breath before answering. "Victor tried to kill me... he had a dagger... Victor didn't make it. Alexander was badly wounded protecting me." My voice cracked on the final words. The maids hovering nearby immediately started checking me for injuries.

Grace's expression shifted from shock to steely determination as she squeezed my hand. "We'll fix him up. You look like you need rest too—not just for your sake, but for the baby's. Are you hurt?"

I shook my head. "Just dizzy, but I'm fine," I managed. "I'm just worried about Alexander..."

Fresh tears stung my eyes as I recalled Alexander's limp body. If I lost him again... God, I couldn't even go there. That soul-crushing agony of losing your fated mate... I couldn't survive that twice.

I followed Grace into the mansion and watched as security carried Alexander into the great hall, laying him directly on the massive oak dining table. They tore open his shirt, preparing to treat his wounds. I yanked my hand free from Grace's grip and rushed to Alexander's side.

"Alexander! Can you hear me?" I clutched his hand, feeling his faint pulse. His eyes remained closed, his face even paler than before.

A security officer tried to pull me back. "Miss Foster, please let us work."

"No!" My voice came out like a whip crack. "I'm helping heal him! I refuse to just stand here doing nothing!" I felt power surging through me again; even weakened, I could still sense Astra's presence. "I am the Lunawolf, and I am his true mate!"

Just then, a creak from the staircase made my head snap up. A small figure was racing down the steps.

Sophia stood there in her pink pajamas, her golden curls a messy halo around her shoulders, her blue eyes wide with fear.

Grace immediately moved forward. "Sophia, sweetheart, please go back upstairs."

But Sophia dodged Grace's outstretched hand with surprising agility and darted to the table. When she saw her father lying there covered in blood, all color drained from her little face.

"What happened to Daddy?" Her voice quivered, her blue eyes growing impossibly wider. "Why is he bleeding?"

Looking at this little girl I'd grown to love so much, my heart shattered into a million pieces, and I froze. A wave of guilt crashed over me—if I hadn't been shouting like a madwoman, she might not have come downstairs to see her father like this.

Tears welled up in Sophia's eyes as she looked at me. "Is my daddy going to die?"

I crouched down to her level, fighting to keep my voice steady. "He's hurt, but he's alive. He's a strong Alpha."

Sophia shook her head, her tiny hand clutching her father's arm. "But he looks so hurt... there's so much blood..."

I could see she didn't believe me, her searching gaze scanning my face for the truth. Her fingers remained locked around Alexander's arm.

"He... he..." My mouth opened and closed, words failing me completely.

I caught Grace signaling with her eyes behind Sophia, silently urging me not to tell the whole truth, but I knew hiding things would only make everything worse. And I couldn't lie to her—especially after Alexander had recently promised to always be honest with her. I took a deep breath and decided to tell the truth.

"Your grandfather attacked me, and your father protected me, but he got hurt in the fight." I held Sophia's trembling hand, feeling her tiny body shake. "But I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to help him. Can you trust me to take care of him? Just like we've always taken care of you."