Chapter 183

Chapter 188
Natalie POV


As I descended the stairs with Blaise, my mind was still swimming with thoughts of Nathan. Every step I took felt heavier than the last—not from physical exhaustion, but from the emotional weight pressing against my chest.

As we reached the bottom of the staircase, I spotted Mom standing with dads near the entrance hall. Their faces lit up when they saw me, relief washing over their features like sunshine breaking through storm clouds. Before I could say anything, Mom rushed forward and enveloped me in a tight embrace, her familiar scent of vanilla and wildflowers enveloping me.

"Natalie," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Her fingers trembled slightly against my back.

I could feel her sensing my turmoil through our bond, her body tensing momentarily before relaxing. She pulled back without comment, her eyes searching mine—those knowing eyes that missed nothing. I knew she could tell something was wrong, but this wasn't the time or place.

My fathers surrounded me next, each taking turns to hug me tightly. Samuel's embrace was firm and quick, his jaw clenched with lingering worry. Lucius held me longer, his breath catching in his throat. Edward's arms lingered around me the longest, his heartbeat steady against my cheek.

"You let us worry sick, little princess," he said, his voice gruff but tender, one hand gently smoothing my hair as he might have done when I was small.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, feeling it sink like a stone. "I'm sorry. I know I should have come home sooner." The words felt inadequate, hollow even as they left my lips. My fingers curled into the fabric of Edward's shirt. "I really wish I could have returned earlier."

My gaze drifted past them to the windows, where I could see dozens of people walking around outside, setting up tents and organizing supplies. Some faces I recognized from various packs—the distinctive red hair of the Northern wolves, the tall frames of the Mountain pack—others were complete strangers, their movements purposeful and coordinated.

"Who are all those people?" I asked, gesturing toward the window, the morning light catching on my silver ring.

Mom followed my gaze, her shoulders straightening imperceptibly the way they always did when addressing matters of the kingdom. "Wolves from all the packs came when they heard you were missing. They've been searching for days."

A wave of emotion crashed over me, hot and sudden behind my eyes. "I never thought so many people would come looking for me." My voice cracked on the last word, betraying the depth of my surprise.

"Well," Edward said with a small smile, crow's feet crinkling at the corners of his eyes, "you're more beloved among the wolves than you realize."

I looked down at my hands, overwhelmed by their sacrifice, noticing how my nails had grown shorter during my time away—practical for village work rather than the manicured length I'd maintained before.

"Will you all leave again?" I asked quietly, raising my eyes to meet my mother's. "I understand what it means to be queen now. I understand the responsibility." The words tasted different now, weighted with my experiences in Nathan's village.

Mom smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, a strand of her dark hair falling across her forehead. "No. We won't leave again. You've proven yourself." She reached out to stroke my cheek, her touch cool against my skin. "We're incredibly proud of you, Natalie."

Later that afternoon, I found myself walking toward a group of women preparing dinner for the search parties that hadn't yet disbanded. They sat in a circle on cushions near the outdoor cooking area, their knives flashing in the sunlight as they chopped vegetables with practiced efficiency.

Without hesitation, I sat down among them and grabbed a potato and peeler, the wooden handle familiar in my palm.

The women exchanged surprised glances, their movements faltering momentarily. One woman with graying temples nearly dropped her knife. I could almost hear their thoughts: Why is the princess doing manual labor?

But I didn't care. These people had suspended their lives to search for me. The least I could do was help prepare their meal.

"Princess Natalie, you don't have to—" one woman began, her voice tinged with discomfort, her hands hovering uncertainly over her work.

"Please," I interrupted, already peeling with practiced efficiency, the skin coming off in long, continuous strips just as Doris had taught me. "I want to help."

I caught my mother watching me from a distance, a curious expression on her face, her head tilted slightly as though seeing me anew. Perhaps she was surprised at how comfortable I seemed with this work, my fingers moving confidently over the vegetables, not a bit of uncertainty in my posture.

As I worked, gratitude swelled in my chest, warm and expanding. These people had come from all corners of our territory searching for me, worrying about me. It was humbling and overwhelming. The weight of their care settled over me like a blanket, both comforting and heavy with responsibility.


The meal was served buffet-style due to the sheer number of people, the long tables laden with steaming dishes that sent fragrant clouds into the cooling evening air. I insisted on helping distribute food, standing behind the serving table with a ladle in hand, exchanging a few words with each person who came through the line.

Some seemed startled to see me serving, their eyes widening before they quickly recovered. Others smiled appreciatively, their shoulders relaxing as they approached. A few even shared stories of where they'd searched for me, their voices tinged with relief to see me standing before them, whole and unharmed.

By the time everyone had been served, I was the last to get my own plate. The food had cooled somewhat, but I hardly noticed. I stood off to the side, eating quietly and gazing at the forest where I had emerged earlier today. The trees stood tall and dark against the dimming sky, their branches swaying gently in the evening breeze.

My heart ached knowing Nathan was somewhere beyond those trees, perhaps just waking up to find my note, the paper crinkling under his fingers, his eyes scanning my hurried handwriting. I knew it was foolish to stare at the forest like this, my food growing cold on my plate.

Nathan wouldn't abandon his pack for me.